My Master said: ‘What called us to this was fear for myself and for the jewel I possess. I knew that whenever any of the kings of the time learned of it, he would take it from me by force and injustice. So I desired to carry it to these lands to be safe with it and for myself, due to the King’s lack of desire—may Allah prolong his life—in injustice, and because of my knowledge of his justice, equity, and what his noble and virtuous soul calls him to of a desire to acquire praise and glory, and his love for acclaim and a good reputation in this life and the hereafter.’

The King said: ‘Kings desire to collect jewels, rubies, and pearls for reputation and fame, not for a benefit they find or a hidden knowledge they see in them. Their souls only incline toward them for what I mentioned to you, and because they enjoy looking at them, and their hearts find solace in them due to the variety of their colors, and for nothing else. Yet I have seen you stingy with this jewel, protective of it, and reluctant to sell it for the wealth by which people seek help to attain all states. I have no doubt of your knowledge and virtue; if a hidden state of this jewel has appeared to you that is concealed from us, that is due to your looking at it with a knowledge obscure to us which we do not know. Has a benefit dawned upon you from it, or have you found in it a sign that points you to a Meaning (Ma‘nā), the sight of which led you to knowledge? Or have you perceived in it an image (mithāl) that points you to the knowledge of the Object of the image (al-mamthūl)? For by the sign, the Object signified is known; by the outer (al-ẓāhir), the inner (al-bāṭin) is known; and by the power, the Powerful is inferred. Mention now what you have known from it and what you have inferred by it, and address me with the tongue of your strength and eloquence. Argue with me and prove your argument by what is indicated by the Book, the authentic reports, and the proofs of reason, for they are more healing for the thirst of the breast.’

My Master said to him: ‘O King, when I reached this precious and grave jewel, possessed it, and obtained it, and reflected upon it with true reflection, my soul was not content with what satisfies others among