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After much conversation, Qāni’ī remarked that he did not like the writings of the poet Sanā’ī,17 and Jelāl inquired the reason. The poet-laureate replied: “Sanā’ī was not a Muslim.” Again Jelāl asked why he had formed that opinion; and Qāni’ī replied: “He has quoted passages from the Qur’ān in his poetry, and has even used them as his rhymes.”

Jelāl hereupon rebuked him most severely, as follows:—

“Do hold thy peace. What sort of a Muslim art thou? Could a Muslim perceive the grandeur of that poet, his hair would stand on end, and his turban would fall from his head. That Muslim, and thousands such as he,—such as thee,—out of this lower world, and out of the land of spirits, would become real Muslims. His poetry, which is an exposition of the mysteries of the Qur’ān, is so beautifully embellished, that one may apply to it the adage: ‘We have drawn from the ocean, and we have poured out again into the ocean.’ Thou hast not understood his philosophy; thou hast not studied it; for thou art a Qāni’ī (Follower of one who is satisfied). The vicars of God have a technology, of which the rhetoricians have no knowledge. Hence these truths appear to be imperfect, because men of crude minds are prevented from comprehending them. Though thou hast no part in the lot of the recondite mysteries of the saints, it does not thence follow that thou shouldest deny their position, and so place thyself in a position where destruction may be brought down upon thee. On the contrary, shouldest thou fix thy faith upon them, and act with true sincerity, thou shalt find in the day of judgment no heavy burden on thy shoulders. In lieu thereof, a burden-bearer will be present at thy side,—a refuge, who will prove thy most earnest intercessor.”