At a court banquet, everyone was sitting according to their rank, waiting for the king to appear. A simply dressed man came in and took a seat above everyone else. The prime minister demanded that he identify himself.
"Are you the adviser of a great king?
'No, I rank above a royal adviser."
"Are you a prime minister?"
"No, I outrank a prime minister."
"Are you a king in disguise?"
'No, I am above that rank as well.'
"Then you must be God,' the prime minister said sarcastically.
'No, I am above that.'
"There is nothing above God!" shouted the prime minister.
The stranger replied calmly, "Now you know me. That nothing is me.'
(Others Sufis Teaching)
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