He stayed with me in that state until I knew from him the religion of Islam and what I needed. He did not leave anything he mastered without coming out to me with it, and I was joyful to reward him. When I was established through him and realized his friendship, he traveled away from me. His absence grew long for me and I did not cease monitoring his arrival and waiting for his coming until he arrived while he was physically ill. I lodged him in my house and served him with my [utmost] effort. I had heard him alluding to me regarding the path to Allah — Exalted Glory —. I did naught but redouble the effort in the pursuit and urged myself toward gnosis until Allah — Exalted Glory — decreed death for him. I buried him and took charge of his affair. A great grief befell me, and the strength of my desire for the gnosis of Allah — Exalted Glory — carried me to the desire to travel to your lands, soliciting what you have and desiring your science; I hope that what I desire will be realized.'

The Believing Mother

'So, what carried you, O Hijazi, to travel to our lands and to solicit what is not present with us?' The Hijazi said: 'The discourse will only expose my excuse if I mention it to you.' The Indian said: 'Tell me your story so that your excuse is exposed with me.' He said: 'Know that my father died while I was a small child. My mother raised me until I grew up, then she delivered me to the school (kuttāb). I learned the Quran and mastered its recitation. I sought a portion of literature, poetry, rare vocabulary, grammar, and linguistics, and I reached a high status in that. I sought to know the people, their reports, their sayings, the difference of their opinions, and their religions, and I reached a high goal in that. My mother had ordered her agent to collect what my father yielded [of income] and not to release my hand in it. She hid his clothes and books from me and only spent on me what she yielded from her own blessing and wealth. I had friends and brothers; I used to consort with them, be their companion, and find intimacy with them. She used to lock the