The old man recited another sura from the Koran. "Go and pray, my son, open your heart to prayer, for prayer is better than strife; prayer is greater than miracles. Perseverance in prayer is Islam."
"Can you tell me nothing more?" Michael said. "Is it not folly to start out on a journey which has no definite ending, no practical purpose?"
"I cannot tell you more, my son, nor can I tell you why these visions have been revealed to me. All I know is that I cannot doubt their source."
"Do you, my father, then absolutely believe in visions?" Michael said.
"I am only a seeker after truth. I am convinced of so little."
"My son, believe in visions. Is their meaning not written on the leaf of a water-melon?" (A thing well-known.)
"We read of them in the Bible."
"Did I not tell you that I knew of your coming? It was revealed to me in a vision. I saw you groping and losing your way. I saw you in thick darkness. I saw you struggling for the Light. Is all that not true? Have you never lost the Light? Has your path been straight and easy? Has the flesh not tempted you?"
Michael bent his head.
"For many weeks a friend has been very close to you. She is in the way of truth. Hold fast to her. There are others who I see in darkness."
"Yes," Michael said. "That is all true. You have seen clearly."