Pleasant Stories & Anecdotes — Page 69
Pleasant Anecdotes—Perseverance 69 In Būstān there is mention of a worshipper. Whenever this individual stood for worship, he would a voice from the unseen saying: ‘You have been rejected and forsaken. ’ On a certain occa- sion, one of his disciples heard this voice and said: ‘Now the ver- dict has been passed. What then is the use of futile action?’ The man wept profusely and said: ‘If I am to leave God, where else should I go? If accursed I am, then so be it. At least I am for- tunate enough to be called accursed. ’ These discussions were still underway with his disciple, when a voice was heard saying: ‘You have been accepted. ’ So all this was the result of sincerity and patience, which is a condition for one who is righteous. (Malf ūzā t, vol. 1, p. 24)