Once upon a time Zunnoon sent a disciple of his, to enquire about Bâyazîd. When the disciple reached the latter's house at Bustâm, he found him seated on the floor of his cottage. But he did not know that he was Bâyazîd. Bâyazîd asked the disciple what he wanted. He said he wanted to see Bâyazîd. Bâyazîd replied: "Which Bâyazîd do you want, and whence? Now I am Bâyazîd, yet I have been in search of Bâyazîd for several years, and to no effect." The disciple took him for a madcap, and, returning, reported the matter to Zunnoon. Zunnoon with tears in his eyes exclaimed: "Our brother Bâyazîd has gone forth into God with the true Devotees." ...
There was one Helâl, a slave to Mogîra. On his death the Prophet with his companions went to the house of Mogîra. The latter was not even aware of the death of Helâl, for none took care of him, alive or dead, as he was the lowliest in the household. Mogîra came to receive the party and kissed the blessed feet of the Prophet. The Prophet asked Mogîra what had happened in the household. He said that all was well. The Prophet went on: "Mogîra, the worthiest of your household has departed, and you do not know of it." Mogîra, astonished, remarked "I never supposed Helâl to have been so advanced." ... The Prophet was then (at His request) taken to the place where the dead body was. He found it in a stable at the feet of the beasts, clasped the head and said with tears in His eyes: "Helâl, thy body lies on this earth, but thy Soul is with the Lord." All the saints and chiefs then wished in earnest devotion to have been the dust of Helâl's feet. The Prophet continued: "There are seven men in each cycle who support the world by their blessings and lead the faithful to victory by their magnanimity. Helâl was the Head of these."—Letter 87.
Heedlessness.
Heedlessness is blamed by all creeds and sects. It is heedlessness that lies at the root of all failures.
It has been said. When a man heedlessly approaches the Path, the Devil warns him, saying: "I was the Teacher of the celestial Hosts, but I lost that post. Now I guard the Gate of the Path. You may enter with the pass of Devotion only—else will you have to share my fate, being unfit for the Path." ...
Everlasting purity is the character of the angel; lifelong transgression is the character of the devil; turning with sorrow from sin to purity is the character of man. Lifelong purity is impossible for man. He is born imperfect, void of reason, with desires (the agents of the Devil) in full sway. Reason (the curb of desires and the light of the angelic essence) develops later—i. e., after the capture of the heart by desires. Hence the necessity of Turning and self-discipline, pari-passu with the development of reason, for the recovery of the heart from desires and the Devil.—Letter 88.