۞

« 31 cutting them both off,97 save the protection of the All-Merciful. He [Sahl] then recited a poem [in wāfir metre]: The abundant sufficiency98 of direct encounter [with God] [attained] through my good opinion of Him99 Is like the spider’s web covering the cave’s entrance100 Good opinion has traversed every veil, Good opinion has traversed beyond the fire’s light,101 The signs of the one brought near are clear, Near or far it is the same to the night voyager,102 For the one who has beheld God directly, There is no sleep to settle him until day. Three times did God ask of them: »