Hearing

A visitor who had come from a far country said to Bahaudin Shah:

 

‘Let me sit in your durbar and hear your words, for it has truly been said that reading is no substitute for hearing.’

 

Bahaudin said:

 

‘Alas! If you are not deaf, it is sad that I should have had to wait so long to welcome you here. You see, I never give any lectures nowadays.’

 

The visitor asked why.

 

Bahaudin said:

 

‘I have never given any lecture since a group of partially deaf people came one day. I said “Do not be like a dog or swine…” and after they left me they fell out, disputing as to whether I had said “Be a dog…’ or even “Eat swine’s flesh…” With the written word this is not possible. If you are blind, someone can always read to you.’

~ by Shaykh on April 29, 2008.