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40.
Jelāl once wrote a note to the Perwāna, interceding for a disciple who had been involved in an act of homicide, and had taken refuge in the house of another.
The Perwāna demurred; saying it was a very grave matter, a question of blood. Jelāl thereupon facetiously replied: “A homicide is popularly termed ‘a son of ‘Azrā’īl (the angel of death).’ Being such, what on earth is he to do, unless he kill some one?”
This repartee so pleased the Perwāna, that he pardoned the culprit, and paid himself to the heirs of the slain man the price of his blood.
41.
Jelāl one day went forth and preached in the market. Crowds collected round him. But he continued until night fell around him; so he was at length left alone.
The dogs of the market-place now collected in a circle about him, wagging their tails and whining.
Seeing this, Jelāl exclaimed: “By the Lord, the Highest, the Strongest, the All-Compelling One, besides whom none is high, or strong, or powerful! These dogs comprehend my discourse, and the truths I expound. Men call them dogs; but henceforward let them not be so termed. They are of the family of the ‘Seven Sleepers.’”14