drink. Even if he has a single slave-girl and his brother does not have one like her, he should buy him one like her if he is able. If he is unable, he must not provoke his brother's resentment, for it is not permissible for him to keep her except with his brother's permission. And if he has a free [wife], he should seek a similar marriage for his brother through his own status, wealth, and influence."

We said: "By Allah, this is truly difficult and made difficult (sa'bun mustas'ab)!"

He said:

"Now you have learned the interpretation of the saying: 'Our discourse is difficult and made difficult'; it is this, in the inner depths of the hidden (batin al-batin). Even more wondrous than this is that it is not permissible for a believer to eat any of the good things of provision while his brother in his town or in the house is in need, unless he seeks his permission in that."