‘The sheikh of the Khalvati [Sufi] order in Istanbul, Sunbul Effendi, in looking for a successor, sent his disciples forth to adorn the convent. All of them returned with large bunches of lovely flowers; only one of them”Merkz Effendi”came back with a small, withered plant. When asked why he did not bring anything worthy of his master, he answered: “I found all the flowers busy recollecting the Lord”how could I interrupt this constant prayer of theirs? I looked, and lo, one flower had finished its recollection. That one I brought.” It was he who became the successor of Sunbul Effendi [“¦]’
(Source: Annemarie Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam)
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