and wise men resorted, through science, wisdom, medicine, and astronomy, to earnings and livelihood. The astrologer knows a science through which he permits his life [earning] from the one from whom he takes something of worldly accidents; he says in his astrology what he does not know and does not realize, seeking thereby worldly benefit. Likewise, the doctor is asked; and one only takes from a doctor who is a scholar known to surpass the rational by his science, nor from an astrologer except from a scholar who realizes what he says and is truthful in his speech. Likewise, he who solicits religion: he only takes the landmarks of his religion from one in whom he trusts, and in whose science and virtue he trusts. He is then one who has placed things in their proper places."

The youth said: "Will you guide me to one from whom I may take the landmarks of my religion, one whom you trust, and in whose science, intellect, virtue, and religion you trust?" The Noble One said: "As for this, yes. We have in this Valley of the Beasts a sheikh who surpasses us in science and is above us in religion and understanding. I shall guide you to him and point you toward him, if Allah wills." The youth said: "Favor me with that." The Noble One said: "We have a gathering where we meet with him, and it is from Thursday to Thursday. So stay with us here until Thursday comes, then we shall march to him and you shall be with us."

The day the discussion occurred was Sunday. The youth stayed with us, praying with our prayer, eating of our food, and drinking of our drink, with the Noble One providing him intimacy and discussing with him until the beginning of Thursday day. We rose, and he was with us walking until we came to the valley. When the beasts saw us approaching, they began to draw near to us, take refuge with us, smell us, and rub their cheeks against us until we came to the sheikh. We greeted him and he returned the greeting. We made known to him the news of the youth and the case of his affair. He was delighted with him with the utmost joy, accepted him with the best acceptance, exhorted