How the ambassador of Rúm found the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, sleeping under the palm-tree.

1415 He came thither and stood afar off; he saw ‘Umar and fell a-trembling.

An awe came upon the ambassador from that slumbering man; a sweet ecstasy lodged in his soul.

Love and awe are contrary to each other: he saw these two contraries united in his heart^[78.1].

He said to himself: “I have seen (many) kings, I have been great (in esteem) and chosen (for honour) in the presence of sultans:

I had no awe or dread of kings, (but) awe of this man has robbed me of my wits.

1420 I have gone into a jungle of lions and leopards, and my face did not change colour because of them;

Often where the ranks are arrayed on the field of battle have I become (fierce) as a lion at the time when the affair is grievous (desperate);

Many a heavy blow have I suffered and inflicted, I have been stouter in heart than (all) the others.

This man is asleep on the earth, unarmed, (and yet) I am trembling in my seven limbs (my whole body): what is this?

This is awe of God, it is not from created beings, it is not awe of this man who wears the frock of a dervish.

1425 Whoever is afraid of God and has chosen fear of God (as his religion), the Jinn and mankind and every one who sees (him) are afraid of him.”

Thus meditating, he folded his hands reverently. After a while ‘Umar sprang up from sleep.