sciences. Just as the stomach, when food falls into it, takes its purity and core and issues it to the organs to revive, grow, and refresh them—likewise the luminous internal science, when it falls into the heart, issues to the speaking soul (al-nafs al-nāṭiqa) its essence and core, reviving, refining, essentializing, stirring, and igniting it. If faith becomes strong in the heart, gnosis becomes strong, actions improve, the soul becomes tranquil, and it draws from the light that is in the heart. The light then extends until it connects to the light of Allah — Exalted Glory — and becomes connected, not separated from Him. Whenever faith in the heart grows strong and actions improve, the lights shine, the veils are lifted, and wisdom and Divinely-inspired science appear to the believer. If he supplicates to Allah — Exalted Glory —, He does not veil his supplication; if he speaks, he speaks by the light of Allah; if he walks, he walks and is illuminated by the light of Allah. If he treads land or sea, or fears a magnificent matter, or purposes a great affair, the light of Allah is with him, guarding him, delivering him, encompassing him, and protecting him. If he sees a wild animal or a beast, it is terrified and frightened by him; if a Sultan sees him, he honors him, raises him, and stands in awe of him; and if an envious one or an opposer sees him, Allah grants him victory over him by His light with which he is connected. You have heard and been related that the believer is more strongly connected to Allah than the sun's ray is to the sun.

We were related from the Scholar — Exalted Glory — that he said: "Beware the physiognomy (firāsa) of the believer, for he looks with the light of Allah."

So, contemplate these reports and gain understanding in their meanings; you shall know from them the answer to what you asked about, if Allah wills. He said: Then they intended to depart. The youth said to them: "You are all my guests today, and after that you shall witness my departure." Then he turned to the sheikh and said to him: "O my master, I would love for you to bring out for me that with which you will prepare me, and to increase for me the perfumes and scents. For it is a