Outward Appearances

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

A man dressed as a Sufi was walking along one day when he saw a dog on the road, which he struck hard with his staff.  The dog, yelping with pain, ran to the great sage, Shaykh Abu Sa’id Fadhlullah ibn Abu al-Khayr Ahmad Mayhani, (q.s.).  Throwing himself at his feet and holding up his injured paw, he called for justice against the Sufi who had maltreated him so cruelly. 

The wise one called them together.  To the Sufi, he said, “O heedless one!  How is it possible for you to treat a dumb animal in this manner?  Look at what you have done!” 

The Sufi answered, “Far from its being my fault, it is that of the dog.  I did not strike him from a mere whim, but for the reason that he had fouled my robe.” 

But the dog persisted in his complaint.  Then the peerless one addressed the dog, “Rather than waiting for the Ultimate Compensation, allow me to give you a compensation for your pain.” 

The dog said, “Great and wise one!  When I saw this man garbed as a Sufi, I was able to conclude that he would do me no harm.  Had I seen instead a man wearing ordinary dress, I would naturally have given him a wide berth.  My real mistake was to assume that the outward appearance of a man of truth indicated safety.  If you desire his punishment, take away from him the garment of the Elect.  Deprive him of the costume of the People of Righteousness.”