الْمَقَامَةُ الْفرضية

I knew that his companionship is a gain, and his night vigil is a blessing. So I opened the door with a smile.

Mo mọ̀ pé dájúdájú àìsùn pẹ̀lú rẹ̀ jẹ́ èrè, àti pé ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ rẹ̀ ní òru jẹ́ ìbùkún. Nítorí náà, mo ṣí ẹnu-ọ̀nà pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín.

And I said: Enter in peace. A person entered, bent by the years, and his cloak wet with rain.

Mo sọ pé: Ẹ wọlé ní àlàáfíà. Ẹni kan bá wọlé, tí ìgbà ti tẹ̀, tí aṣọ rẹ̀ sì rì ní omi.

He greeted with a sharp tongue and sweet speech.

Ó ṣe kikí pẹ̀lú ahọ́n tó mú àti ọ̀rọ̀ tó dùn.

Then he thanked for answering his call and apologized for coming at an inappropriate time.

Lẹ́yìn náà, ó dúpẹ́ fún ìdáhùn sí ìpè rẹ̀, ó sì bẹ̀bẹ̀ fún wíwá ní àkókò tí kò tọ.

So I brought him closer with a burning lamp and examined him as a critic would.

Nítorí náà, mo mú un sún mọ́ mi pẹ̀lú fitílà tó ń jó, mo sì wo ó bí ẹni tó ń ṣàyẹ̀wò.

I found him to be our Sheikh Abu Zayd, without a doubt, and without guessing.

Mo rí i pé òun ni Àgbàlagbà wá ni Baba Seidu, láìsí àní-àní, láìsí àṣìṣe.

So I placed him in the position of one who has granted me my utmost desire and moved me from the depths of distress to the spirit of joy.

Nítorí náà, mo fi í sí ipò ẹni tí ó ti fún mi ní ìfẹ́ mi tó pọ̀ jù, tí ó sì gbé mi kúrò nínú ìbànújẹ́ sí inú ayọ̀.

Then he began to complain of fatigue, and I asked how and where?

Lẹ́yìn náà, ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í kẹ́dùn nípa ríru, mo sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í béèrè bí ó ṣe rí àti níbo?

He said: Let me swallow my saliva, for my journey has tired me.

Ó sọ pé: Jẹ́ kí n gbé omi ẹnu mi, nítorí ìrìn-àjò mi ti rẹ mi.

I thought he was hiding his hunger, and being lazy for this reason.

Mo rò pé ó ń fi ebi pamọ́, tí ó sì ń ṣe bí ọlẹ fún ìdí yìí.