Removing Dirt from the Masjid

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

It is written in the Bustan, of Shaykh Muswlih ad-Din Abu Muhammad Sa’adi ibn ‘Abdullah ash-Shirazi (q.s.), that a wise youth from a noble family landed at a seaport of Turkey, and his baggage was deposited in a masjid.  One day, the imam said to him, “Sweep away the dust and rubbish from the masjid.”  Immediately, the young man went away, and no one saw him there again.  Thus, the elders and followers supposed that he had no care to serve. 

The next day, a servant of the masjid met him on the road and said, “You acted wrongly in your stubborn judgement.  Do you not know, O conceited youth, that men are dignified by service?” 

Sorrowfully, the youth began to weep. “O soul-cherishing and heart-illuminating friend!” he answered; “I saw no dirt or rubbish in that holy place but my own corrupt self.  Therefore, I retraced my steps, for a masjid is better off cleansed from such.”