[kneexyFreedly]

The conversion of Hasan of Basra
The beginning of Hasan of Basra’s conversion was as
follows. He was a jewel merchant and was called
Hasan of the Pearls. He traded with Byzantium, and
had to do with the generals and ministers of Caesar. On
one occasion, going to Byzantium he called on the
prime minister and conversed with him a while.
“We will go to a certain place,” the minister told
him, “if you are agreeable.”

“It is for you to say,” Hasan replied. “I agree.”
So the minister commanded a horse to be brought
for Hasan. He mounted with the minister, and they set
out. When they reached the desert Hasan perceived a
tent of Byzantine brocade, fastened with ropes of silk
and golden pegs, set firm in the ground. He stood to
one side. Then a mighty army, all accoutred in the
panoply of war, came out; they circled the tent, said a
few words, and departed. Philosophers and scholars to
the number of nigh four hundred arrived on the scene;
they circled the tent, said a few words, and departed.
After that three hundred illumined elders with white
beards approached the tent, circled it, said a few
words, and departed. Thereafter more than two hundred
moon-fair maidens, each bearing a plate of gold
and silver and precious stones, circled the tent, said a
few words, and departed.

Hasan relates that, astonished and filled with wonder,
he asked himself what this might be.
“When we alighted,” he went on, “I asked the minister.
He said that the Caesar had a son of unsurpassable
beauty, perfect in all the branches of learning and
unrivalled in the arena of manly prowess. His father
loved him with all his heart.”

Suddenly he fell ill—so Hasan related on the authority
of the minister. All the skilled physicians proved
powerless to cure him. Finally he died, and was buried
in that tent. Once every year people come out to visit
him. First an immense army circles the tent, and they
say: “O prince, if this circumstance that has befallen
thee had come about in war, we would have all sacrificed
our lives for thee, to ransom thee back. But the
circumstance that has befallen thee is at the hand of
one against whom we cannot fight, whom we cannot
challenge.” This they say, and then return.

The philosophers and the scholars come forward,
and say: “This circumstance has been brought about by
one against whom we cannot do anything by means of
learning and philosophy, science and sophistry. For all
the philosophers of the world are powerless before
him, and all the learned are ignorant beside his knowledge.
Otherwise we would have contrived devices and
spoken words which all in creation could not have
withstood.” This they say, and then return.

Next the venerable elders advance, and say: “O
prince, if this circumstance that has befallen thee could
have been set right by the intercession of elders, we
would all have interceded with humble petitions, and
would not have abandoned thee there. But this circumstance
has been brought upon thee by one against
whom no mortal man’s intercession profits anything.”
This they say, and depart.

Now the moon-fair maidens with their plates of gold
and precious stones advance, circle the tent, and say:
“Son of Caesar, if this circumstance that has befallen
thee could have been set right by wealth and beauty, we
would have sacrificed ourselves and given great moneys,
and would not have abandoned thee. But this circumstance
has been brought upon thee by one on
whom wealth and beauty have no effect.” This they
say, and return.

Then Caesar himself with his chief minister enters
the tent, and says: “O eye and lamp of thy father, O
fruit of the heart of thy father, O dearest beloved of thy
father, what is in thy father’s hand to perform? Thy
father brought a mighty army, he brought philosophers
and scholars, intercessors and advisers, beautiful maidens,
wealth and all manner of luxuries; and he came
himself. If all this could have been of avail, thy father
would have done all that lay in his power. But this circumstance
has been brought about by one before
whom thy father, with all this apparatus, this army and
retinue, this luxury and wealth and treasure, is powerless.
Peace be upon you, till next year!” This he says,
and returns.

These words of the minister so affected Hasan that
he was beside himself. At once he made arrangements
to return. Coming to Basra, he took an oath never to
laugh again in this world, till his ultimate destiny
became clear to him. He flung himself into all manner
of devotions and austerities, such that no man in his
time could exceed that discipline.

Tazkiratul Awliyaa by Sheikh Fariduddin Attar