A scholar, Malek by name, went to visit great saint Rabi’a, Muslim mystic of the 8th Century, one day. He tells us: “She had a pitcher with a crack in it, which she used for drinking and for washing. In place of a pillow, she had a brick. There was an old straw mat. My heart broke at seeing her poverty. ‘I have wealthy friends I can bring to your aid,’ he said.
‘You are wrong, Malek. Isn’t the One who provides for me, the same Provider for them?’ ‘Of course,’ I replied.
‘Do you imagine that He has forgotten the poor because they are poor, while helping the rich because they are wealthy?’
‘No,’ I answered.
‘Then since He is aware of my state,’ she went on, ‘what need is there to remind Him? If this is how He likes it, I want to like it this way too.’”
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