The passing of al- Shebli of Khorasan: Sufi Story

The passing of al- Shebli of Khorasan: Sufi Story from Tadhkirat al-Auliya (Memorial of the Saints) by Farid al-Din Attar

When Al-Shebli, the Sufi saint from Khorasan, was passing away, people gathered around him to say the funeral prayers. His end has arrived, he realized.

“How marvellous!” he exclaimed. “A group of dead men are come to pray over one living.”

“Say, There is no god but God,” they said.

“Since there is no other than He,” he replied, “how can I utter a negative?”

“There is no help. Say the words of attestation,” they urged him.

“The King of Love [Allah] says, I will not accept a bribe,” Shebli retorted.

Then one present raised his voice to prompt him.

“Here is a dead man come, to awaken the living!” Shebli exclaimed.

A little while passed. Then they said, “How are you?”

“I have rejoined my Beloved,” he answered and passed away.