Master Baqi-Billah
It was said that a man went to the assembly of the master Baqi-Billah of Delhi and said:
'I have been reading famous verse of Master Hafiz, "If your teacher bids you stain your prayer-carpet with wine, obey him," but I have a difficulty.'
Baqi-Billah said:
'Dwell apart from me for some time and I shall illustrate the matter for you.'
After a considerable period of time, the disciple received a letter from the sage. It said: "Take all the money you have and give it to the gate keeper of any brothel."
The disciple was shocked, and for a time thought that the master must be a fraud. After wrestling with days however he went to nearest house of ill-fame and presented the man at the door with all the money he had. 'For such a sum of money' said the doorman, 'I shall allot you the choicest gem of our collection, an untouched woman.'
As soon as he entered the room, the woman there said: 'I have been tricked into being in this house, and am held here by force and threats. If your sense of justice is stronger than your reason for coming here, help me to escape.'
Then the disciple knew the meaning of the poem of Hafiz, 'If your teacher bids you to stain your prayer carpet with wine, obey him.'
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