gather with them for discussion, neither I nor any of his servants or entourage could reach him.

When I was alone with him and found an opportunity, I would kiss his hands and feet and ask him to make known to me something of the landmarks of my religion in which my salvation would lie. He would say: "O my son, if there is something for you in the Unseen, you shall take it." I relied on serving his brothers and hastening to fulfill their rights; there was not one of them who did not love me and show me affection. When I was alone with them, I would ask them about something of the landmarks of my religion, but they would not provide me with the answer.

Then Allah decreed that my father was struck by an ailment in his body. I served him with a great and pleasing service, and I would ask him [for the knowledge], but he would not add more than his first statement. Then he despaired of his life, so he brought out his treasures, gathered his wealth and other things, and delivered them to me, distinguishing me with them. He brought out the books, summoned one of his brothers, and delivered them to him, saying: "If you sense maturity (rushd) in him, deliver them to him; otherwise, your command over them is final." I knew then that the religion he was upon was the most sublime of religions, and the science he knew was the most sublime of sciences.

Allah decreed that he passed away in that illness. As soon as I had hidden him in his grave, I came to my house and summoned the man who had the books. I placed my affair in his hands, surrendered my blessing to him, and placed myself in his service for two full years. I would not sleep except at his feet, and neither food nor drink was pleasant to me except with him. I would do nothing without his permission. No time passed in which I was alone with him without asking him about the landmarks of my religion, but he would not add more than the statement my father used to say. When this grew long, and I feared that death might meet me before I reached what I desired of the gnosis of Allah — Exalted Glory — the time of Hajj arrived. I