Maruf of Karkh and the Suffering Traveler

Someone found the path of Maruf of Karkh, who from the very start laid aside all claim to fame. I heard a guest came to him, so ill that death was only a step away. His hair had fallen from his head, the color drained from his face; his life hung in his body by a single thread. That night he threw himself down and rested his head, then set his tongue at once to shouting and moaning. By night, sleep never touched him for a moment, and no one else could sleep because of his cries. His temper was restless and his nature harsh; he would not die, yet he killed the household with his complaints. From his shouting and moaning, his tossing and turning, the people took the road of escape from him. In that shrine no one from the town remained, only that sick man and Maruf, and no one more. I heard that for nights he did not sleep for the sake of his service; like true men he girded himself and did what he had promised. One night sleep marched an army over him, for how long can a man endure without rest? The instant his eyes began to close, the traveler began to spew out words. Cursed be this unclean breed, all name and false honor, sham and empty air. Filthy in belief, but dressed in clean clothes, deceivers who peddle piety for show. What does a bloated sack, drunk on sleep, know of a wretch who never shut his eyes? He hurled shameful words at Maruf, asking why for one moment he had dozed and neglected him. The sheikh swallowed these words out of kindness, and the women of the house overheard them. One of them said to Maruf in private: did you hear what that whining beggar said? Go, from now on tell him to look after himself; be no burden, go die somewhere else. Goodness and mercy have their proper place, but doing good to bad people is itself a wrong. Do not lay a scoundrel's head on a pillow; better to lay the head of one who torments others on a stone. Do not do good to the wicked, my good soul, for only a fool plants a tree in salt flats. I do not say ignore people's needs; but do not waste your generosity on the base. Do not show gentle manners to the coarse, for you do not stroke a dog's back as you would a cat's. If you want the truth, a grateful dog is better in character than an ungrateful man. Do not pour the meltwater of mercy on the mean; when you do him a favor, write it on ice. I have never seen anyone so twisted and knotted; show no mercy at all to this worthless creature. He laughed and said: my dear companion, do not be upset by what this distressed man said. If in his sickness he cried out against me, his bitter words fell sweet upon my ear. One should not take the abuse of such a man to heart, one who cannot rest for his own torment. When you find yourself strong and at ease, in gratitude carry the burden of the weak. If you are only a form, like a hollow talisman, you will die and your name will die with your body. But if you nurture the tree of generosity, you will surely feed on a good name. Do you not see that in Karkh there are many tombs, yet none is famous except the grave of Maruf? Only those rose to lasting fortune who cast off the crown of arrogance. The man in love with rank shows pride, not knowing that true dignity lies in forbearance.