a man I do not know, nor does he know me, and you are a cunning man!" I took the letter and left him, weeping and bewildered, not knowing what to do. A man who had been in his presence followed me and took me to his residence. He took care of my state and treated the wound in my head until it healed. Whenever I was alone with him, he would inquire about my story and news, so I informed him of my affair. I stayed with him for two full months. When no trace of the wounds remained on me, he brought me near, raised my status, and summoned the letter. He took it with his right hand, placed it over his eye, and said: "Indeed, this letter is dear to me and magnificent in my view. I did not throw it out of disdain, but I was interpreting the report that arrived:

From our masters, the People of the House — Exalted Glory — and it is: 'Deny the acquaintance of him whom you know until the acquaintance of him whom you do not know becomes sound for you.'"

Then he broke the seal, read it, brought me near, pressed me to his chest, kissed me between my eyes, and promised to deliver to me that for which I had come. He left me in his house, and I remained in his presence for a full year. During that time, he continued to promise me and narrate to me the reports of our masters, the People of the House. When the time of Hajj arrived, I was alone with him, I kissed his feet and said: "O my master, may I be made your ransom! If you know that I am worthy of what I requested of you, then hasten it for me, for I am in a state of great attachment of the heart to gnosis. Favor me and be the cause of my salvation and my life."

He said: "Travel with the pilgrims, and I shall provide you with a letter to the one from whom you came, and I shall permit him to address you." I kissed his hand and thanked him for that. He wrote a letter for me, sealed it, and made it an attachment to the one I had brought to him. He signed in the letter: "He who breaks a believer must mend him." I took the letter and traveled until I reached Mecca and came to the man. When he saw me, he was delighted with the utmost joy; he asked about my