786 The Zahuri Web Site - Sufi Stories
Sufi Stories 4
Here is a story of my own:
The Story of the Maiden in the Tower and the Two Brothers
In the days when there were such things as castles and fair damsels, (and we may
assume also dragons, knights, sorcerers, and such like things, though they have nothing to
do with our tale) there were two brothers. They shared similar handsome features and
were both blessed with a strong robust physique. In short each was, in appearance, the
very stuff of the heroes of fairy stories or legends. They were both in the prime of their
young manhood and thus brave and foolish by turns, and of course utterly susceptible to
the charms of fair maidens and smitten by the pleasure of competitive sport. Indeed they
differed only in one thing – for whilst one was diligent in studies and cautious in nature the
other was a man of action rather than words.
Now it so happened that one day they climbed on their trusty steeds (for in such stories as
this it is a necessity to have trusty steeds) and set out on a journey of discovery to satisfy a
wanderlust that had grown within them in their formative years and had reached such a
point that it would not be denied. Neither could have described their purpose in setting out
on their journey nor could either have denied the call within.
Their journey took them through many a foreign land wherein they discovered strange folk
and different customs and encountered many an adventure. Both adversity and good
fortune attended them and throughout it all their bond of brotherhood became ever
stronger. Still their sense of yearning was not satiated. However as the year passed they
reached the point where they knew they must turn back to their duties and the
responsibilities of their own family and home. With a strong sense of disappointment they
settled down for a final meal before turning back. They were camped out in a wilderness
and they talked deep into the night but finally had to resolve to turn back the following
morning. The night was storm tossed and wild and for long periods great dark clouds
rolled across the heavens hiding the moon and stars. It seemed to reflect their inner
anguish. At last they dropped off to a restless sleep.
They woke however, with no little surprise, to a bright sparkling day. The sunlight glanced
off a thousand drops of dew each with a brightness scarce less intense than its source
that had by now climbed into the sky. Everywhere the colours of nature had a crisp
intensity that seemed to pervade their very senses. Birdsong and the trickle of a nearby
stream permeated their hearing. Nature itself seemed to be determined to hold converse
with them. The air was fresh and they were cooled by a gentle breeze that had a saltiness
about it that suggested its source was some nearby ocean.
They looked at each other and knew without words that they must travel on for one more
day. Had they cared to speak of it they might have said that they should seek the ocean at
the very least, but words seemed redundant in the present case and they mounted their
horses in silence lest they should disturb somehow the natural symphony that surrounded
them.
After an hour or two they did indeed come upon a vast ocean whose waves lapped lazily
on to a sandy shore. On a hill overlooking the idyllic scene was a great tower. Perhaps it
had been built as some kind of watchtower but whatever its original purpose it had now
achieved an awesome splendour and beauty of its own that made it seem a very part of
nature.
Dismounting they walked up to its ancient door – surprisingly it looked in good repair and
they began to suspect the tower was lived in. A noise from above attracted their attention
and they simultaneously glanced up. Suddenly the beauties of the natural scene that had
held them entranced seemed grey and insignificant. The face of a beautiful woman,
neither young nor old but rather of timeless grace, looked down from the very top window
which she had just opened; in a moment they were lost forever. Each fancied that even
from that distance they could see deep lustrous eyes looking at them alone. Locks of long
dark hair framed, as they should in a story of this type, a face of such beauty that it instantly
drove from their mind any comparison with any other beauty they had ever met. The words
she spoke seemed to reverberate not in their ears but from within their own hearts. What
she actually said was ‘Come noble sirs, welcome! I have a repast here, already laid out,
won’t you share it with me.’ With that she disappeared from the window, but you may well
imagine her image did not disappear so quickly from our hero’s hearts. It was several
minutes before they regained their senses sufficiently to consider how to respond to her
invitation and then they found they had a problem, for the door remained firmly closed with
no obvious way of access.
Further searching soon discovered a board on which were written in an ancient but still
decipherable script some instructions. They were clear instructions – ‘Do not’ it ran, ‘on
pain of death attempt to pass through this door if it is not opened to you from within’. They
read further, struggling at times with the archaic language and it said ‘When the door is
opened, pass into the hall but wait there until you are escorted up the first flight of stairs. At
the top of these stairs wait again until you are again escorted into the presence of the
Lady of this Tower’.
They waited awhile but nothing seemed to happen and the door remained resolutely
closed. They tried knocking but nothing happened. At this point the differing character of
the two brothers came into play. The studious one determined to sit and wait for the door
to be opened but his more adventurous brother, fired by his desire to meet such a beauty,
would wait no longer. He walked back a few yards and reconnoitred the tower. Careful
inspection revealed that what appeared at first to be an insurmountable obstacle actually
had the possibility of being scaled. Indeed there were some things that seemed even to
invite one to climb it. To begin with the window was actually more like French doors and
remained invitingly open. It could obviously be entered with relative ease from a balcony.
Secondly, he noticed a partially hidden ladder that, whilst it would not reach all the way,
would enable one to reach the first floor. From there trellis work and various other hand
holds could be descried. ‘I am going up that way’ he said pointing out the route. ‘But
brother’, said the other ’what is written on this board clearly forbids such a thing; we must
follow the instruction to the letter I think’.
There followed an animated discussion one holding that climbing up was not expressly
forbidden, the other that such an approach might not only be considered rude manners but
that it was implicit that this was unacceptable and possibly carried a sentence of death
with it. Eventually the brother who preferred action, cut short all argument when he saw
what he thought was the curtain being twitched, perhaps from within. In a minute or so he
had reached the top of the ladder. There he was startled by a bird and slid
unceremoniously down again. Shaken he sat for a while on the ground. Just then it
happened that an old man chanced to be passing by dressed in a long robe with a long
flowing white beard. He assisted the young man to his feet and he inquired as to what he
thought he was doing. Enchanted by the old man's manner our young hero found himself
telling him the whole story. 'Why do you not follow the instructions as your brother is doing'
he inquired? The young man attempted to describe his feelings and the beauty that
inspired him. The old man interrupted him. 'I am one of the servants of the lady you saw' he
explained. 'If I cannot counsel you to follow your brothers example then I suppose I must
help you how I can'. He then pointed out to him the intricacies of the climb in such detail
that our hero could only assume a first hand knowledge. Thus it was when the old man
took his leave it was with renewed purpose that the young man gathered himself and
began a more steady assault on the climb. This time he reached the top of the ladder
without any serious incident. He rested there a moment and locating some good hand
holds and convenient ledges attempted to continue his perilous ascent.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the tower the other brother continued to study the text for
some clues. After what seemed like a lifetime but was really only a matter of hours, he sat
down, unable to find in it any further indications despite memorising it by heart. His brother
had disappeared from view and he had no way of determining whether or not he had
succeeded or indeed what the outcome of his temerity was. He sat with his back to the
door in despair and as he leaned against it, it gave way and creaked open.
A shadowy figure, completely covered in a hat and cloak so that his appearance could not
be discerned, beckoned to him to enter, and preceded him up a flight of stairs. On the first
floor, he was shown to a seat and politely sat to wait as per the instructions he had
memorised so well. He felt quite satisfied with himself – after all his careful study of the text
and obedience to it had brought the promised results. He congratulated himself and
compared in his mind his progress with that of his errant brother of whose probable
unfortunate fate remained a cause of genuine anxiety. An old grandfather clock in the
corner ticked steadily away and slowly his self satisfaction gave way to concern then to
dismay as no one appeared. From above he would occasionally hear a silvery laugh and
what sounded like merriment. He ran over the text in his mind and determined that he was
following the right course but he had again reached the point of despair before the
shadowy figure re-appeared.
This time he was ushered up several more flights of stairs and finally into a brilliantly lit
chamber, resplendent, as they usually are in such stories, with mirrors encased in jewel
studied frames. Large chandeliers hung from the sumptuously decorated ceiling reflected
many times over by splendid large rubies and other precious stones woven into the floral
decoration of the walls. Amazingly intricate screens of gold filigree stood at the edges of
the room. Silk cushions were strewn around the floor and a sumptuous feast of every kind
of delicacy lay spread out on a pristine white silk tablecloth. Seated around it were a bevy
of beautiful handmaidens who beckoned to him to join the feast and soon he found himself
seated enjoying food like he had never before tasted and gentle flirtatious exchanges in
equal measure. No comfort was denied him. He was feted by all present for his proper
following of the instructions at the door.
Indeed so totally enjoyable was it that it was some time before he bethought himself to ask
concerning two things that may have occurred to you O reader. The first was; which of
these maidens who all seemed so equally beautiful in their own way had it been he had
seen at the window: and the second, what of the fate of his poor brother? In regard to the
first he was informed that the lady he had seen at the window was not actually in the room
but was in the adjacent room beyond a thin silk curtain. She was there with her dear
beloved but would soon appear. As to the second question that was to be answered
shortly. Indeed it was only a matter of moments before the curtain parted and the lady in
question appeared. It was well indeed that she wore a thin veil across the lower part of her
face since even so her radiance filled the room. She was accompanied by the shadowy
man who had shown him in. She greeted our hero with all the joy of one meeting a long
lost, dearly loved, relative.
When all the greetings had been completed and joy that seemed to fill every part of our
hero had settled into deep satisfaction he finally recalled the second part of his question.
She anticipated him. ‘You want to know of your brother of course?’ she said, and turned to
the shadowy figure of her beloved. He at once removed his cloak and hat and, as I am
sure you have guessed, there was his brother.
They greeted each other as true brothers should and when the scene of affectionate re-
uniting was over the lady explained. The one who loved me so well as to follow all my rules
is the one who deserves and gets my affection and the hospitality of my home – but the
one whose love for me was so strong that he risks all, he is truly my lover and thus my
beloved also.
One of the morals of this story is to ‘know oneself’ and to tolerate others. In following their
own inherent traits each brother achieved his goal on his own way. Neither brother had
cause for criticism of the other. Thus it is with the relationship between the Sufi and the
pious religious believer. But if O reader you fancy yourself as one who can climb beware,
examine yourself with care and do not attempt it without the assistance of one familiar with
the way. But God knows best.
JMZ
Southampton
November 13/14th 2004
Here is a brief quote from one of Zahurmian's Lectures: The Sustaining Power of
Patience. 1984.
'A wise man is one who combines activity with patience and perseverance.'
The Story of the Maiden in the Tower and the Two Brothers
In the days when there were such things as castles and fair damsels, (and we may
assume also dragons, knights, sorcerers, and such like things, though they have nothing to
do with our tale) there were two brothers. They shared similar handsome features and
were both blessed with a strong robust physique. In short each was, in appearance, the
very stuff of the heroes of fairy stories or legends. They were both in the prime of their
young manhood and thus brave and foolish by turns, and of course utterly susceptible to
the charms of fair maidens and smitten by the pleasure of competitive sport. Indeed they
differed only in one thing – for whilst one was diligent in studies and cautious in nature the
other was a man of action rather than words.
Now it so happened that one day they climbed on their trusty steeds (for in such stories as
this it is a necessity to have trusty steeds) and set out on a journey of discovery to satisfy a
wanderlust that had grown within them in their formative years and had reached such a
point that it would not be denied. Neither could have described their purpose in setting out
on their journey nor could either have denied the call within.
Their journey took them through many a foreign land wherein they discovered strange folk
and different customs and encountered many an adventure. Both adversity and good
fortune attended them and throughout it all their bond of brotherhood became ever
stronger. Still their sense of yearning was not satiated. However as the year passed they
reached the point where they knew they must turn back to their duties and the
responsibilities of their own family and home. With a strong sense of disappointment they
settled down for a final meal before turning back. They were camped out in a wilderness
and they talked deep into the night but finally had to resolve to turn back the following
morning. The night was storm tossed and wild and for long periods great dark clouds
rolled across the heavens hiding the moon and stars. It seemed to reflect their inner
anguish. At last they dropped off to a restless sleep.
They woke however, with no little surprise, to a bright sparkling day. The sunlight glanced
off a thousand drops of dew each with a brightness scarce less intense than its source
that had by now climbed into the sky. Everywhere the colours of nature had a crisp
intensity that seemed to pervade their very senses. Birdsong and the trickle of a nearby
stream permeated their hearing. Nature itself seemed to be determined to hold converse
with them. The air was fresh and they were cooled by a gentle breeze that had a saltiness
about it that suggested its source was some nearby ocean.
They looked at each other and knew without words that they must travel on for one more
day. Had they cared to speak of it they might have said that they should seek the ocean at
the very least, but words seemed redundant in the present case and they mounted their
horses in silence lest they should disturb somehow the natural symphony that surrounded
them.
After an hour or two they did indeed come upon a vast ocean whose waves lapped lazily
on to a sandy shore. On a hill overlooking the idyllic scene was a great tower. Perhaps it
had been built as some kind of watchtower but whatever its original purpose it had now
achieved an awesome splendour and beauty of its own that made it seem a very part of
nature.
Dismounting they walked up to its ancient door – surprisingly it looked in good repair and
they began to suspect the tower was lived in. A noise from above attracted their attention
and they simultaneously glanced up. Suddenly the beauties of the natural scene that had
held them entranced seemed grey and insignificant. The face of a beautiful woman,
neither young nor old but rather of timeless grace, looked down from the very top window
which she had just opened; in a moment they were lost forever. Each fancied that even
from that distance they could see deep lustrous eyes looking at them alone. Locks of long
dark hair framed, as they should in a story of this type, a face of such beauty that it instantly
drove from their mind any comparison with any other beauty they had ever met. The words
she spoke seemed to reverberate not in their ears but from within their own hearts. What
she actually said was ‘Come noble sirs, welcome! I have a repast here, already laid out,
won’t you share it with me.’ With that she disappeared from the window, but you may well
imagine her image did not disappear so quickly from our hero’s hearts. It was several
minutes before they regained their senses sufficiently to consider how to respond to her
invitation and then they found they had a problem, for the door remained firmly closed with
no obvious way of access.
Further searching soon discovered a board on which were written in an ancient but still
decipherable script some instructions. They were clear instructions – ‘Do not’ it ran, ‘on
pain of death attempt to pass through this door if it is not opened to you from within’. They
read further, struggling at times with the archaic language and it said ‘When the door is
opened, pass into the hall but wait there until you are escorted up the first flight of stairs. At
the top of these stairs wait again until you are again escorted into the presence of the
Lady of this Tower’.
They waited awhile but nothing seemed to happen and the door remained resolutely
closed. They tried knocking but nothing happened. At this point the differing character of
the two brothers came into play. The studious one determined to sit and wait for the door
to be opened but his more adventurous brother, fired by his desire to meet such a beauty,
would wait no longer. He walked back a few yards and reconnoitred the tower. Careful
inspection revealed that what appeared at first to be an insurmountable obstacle actually
had the possibility of being scaled. Indeed there were some things that seemed even to
invite one to climb it. To begin with the window was actually more like French doors and
remained invitingly open. It could obviously be entered with relative ease from a balcony.
Secondly, he noticed a partially hidden ladder that, whilst it would not reach all the way,
would enable one to reach the first floor. From there trellis work and various other hand
holds could be descried. ‘I am going up that way’ he said pointing out the route. ‘But
brother’, said the other ’what is written on this board clearly forbids such a thing; we must
follow the instruction to the letter I think’.
There followed an animated discussion one holding that climbing up was not expressly
forbidden, the other that such an approach might not only be considered rude manners but
that it was implicit that this was unacceptable and possibly carried a sentence of death
with it. Eventually the brother who preferred action, cut short all argument when he saw
what he thought was the curtain being twitched, perhaps from within. In a minute or so he
had reached the top of the ladder. There he was startled by a bird and slid
unceremoniously down again. Shaken he sat for a while on the ground. Just then it
happened that an old man chanced to be passing by dressed in a long robe with a long
flowing white beard. He assisted the young man to his feet and he inquired as to what he
thought he was doing. Enchanted by the old man's manner our young hero found himself
telling him the whole story. 'Why do you not follow the instructions as your brother is doing'
he inquired? The young man attempted to describe his feelings and the beauty that
inspired him. The old man interrupted him. 'I am one of the servants of the lady you saw' he
explained. 'If I cannot counsel you to follow your brothers example then I suppose I must
help you how I can'. He then pointed out to him the intricacies of the climb in such detail
that our hero could only assume a first hand knowledge. Thus it was when the old man
took his leave it was with renewed purpose that the young man gathered himself and
began a more steady assault on the climb. This time he reached the top of the ladder
without any serious incident. He rested there a moment and locating some good hand
holds and convenient ledges attempted to continue his perilous ascent.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the tower the other brother continued to study the text for
some clues. After what seemed like a lifetime but was really only a matter of hours, he sat
down, unable to find in it any further indications despite memorising it by heart. His brother
had disappeared from view and he had no way of determining whether or not he had
succeeded or indeed what the outcome of his temerity was. He sat with his back to the
door in despair and as he leaned against it, it gave way and creaked open.
A shadowy figure, completely covered in a hat and cloak so that his appearance could not
be discerned, beckoned to him to enter, and preceded him up a flight of stairs. On the first
floor, he was shown to a seat and politely sat to wait as per the instructions he had
memorised so well. He felt quite satisfied with himself – after all his careful study of the text
and obedience to it had brought the promised results. He congratulated himself and
compared in his mind his progress with that of his errant brother of whose probable
unfortunate fate remained a cause of genuine anxiety. An old grandfather clock in the
corner ticked steadily away and slowly his self satisfaction gave way to concern then to
dismay as no one appeared. From above he would occasionally hear a silvery laugh and
what sounded like merriment. He ran over the text in his mind and determined that he was
following the right course but he had again reached the point of despair before the
shadowy figure re-appeared.
This time he was ushered up several more flights of stairs and finally into a brilliantly lit
chamber, resplendent, as they usually are in such stories, with mirrors encased in jewel
studied frames. Large chandeliers hung from the sumptuously decorated ceiling reflected
many times over by splendid large rubies and other precious stones woven into the floral
decoration of the walls. Amazingly intricate screens of gold filigree stood at the edges of
the room. Silk cushions were strewn around the floor and a sumptuous feast of every kind
of delicacy lay spread out on a pristine white silk tablecloth. Seated around it were a bevy
of beautiful handmaidens who beckoned to him to join the feast and soon he found himself
seated enjoying food like he had never before tasted and gentle flirtatious exchanges in
equal measure. No comfort was denied him. He was feted by all present for his proper
following of the instructions at the door.
Indeed so totally enjoyable was it that it was some time before he bethought himself to ask
concerning two things that may have occurred to you O reader. The first was; which of
these maidens who all seemed so equally beautiful in their own way had it been he had
seen at the window: and the second, what of the fate of his poor brother? In regard to the
first he was informed that the lady he had seen at the window was not actually in the room
but was in the adjacent room beyond a thin silk curtain. She was there with her dear
beloved but would soon appear. As to the second question that was to be answered
shortly. Indeed it was only a matter of moments before the curtain parted and the lady in
question appeared. It was well indeed that she wore a thin veil across the lower part of her
face since even so her radiance filled the room. She was accompanied by the shadowy
man who had shown him in. She greeted our hero with all the joy of one meeting a long
lost, dearly loved, relative.
When all the greetings had been completed and joy that seemed to fill every part of our
hero had settled into deep satisfaction he finally recalled the second part of his question.
She anticipated him. ‘You want to know of your brother of course?’ she said, and turned to
the shadowy figure of her beloved. He at once removed his cloak and hat and, as I am
sure you have guessed, there was his brother.
They greeted each other as true brothers should and when the scene of affectionate re-
uniting was over the lady explained. The one who loved me so well as to follow all my rules
is the one who deserves and gets my affection and the hospitality of my home – but the
one whose love for me was so strong that he risks all, he is truly my lover and thus my
beloved also.
One of the morals of this story is to ‘know oneself’ and to tolerate others. In following their
own inherent traits each brother achieved his goal on his own way. Neither brother had
cause for criticism of the other. Thus it is with the relationship between the Sufi and the
pious religious believer. But if O reader you fancy yourself as one who can climb beware,
examine yourself with care and do not attempt it without the assistance of one familiar with
the way. But God knows best.
JMZ
Southampton
November 13/14th 2004
Here is a brief quote from one of Zahurmian's Lectures: The Sustaining Power of
Patience. 1984.
'A wise man is one who combines activity with patience and perseverance.'
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |