Sufism

126). One of Attar's birds complains of sinfulness and his unclean soul. The hoopoe reminds him of God's benevolence. "Seek mercy from Him shame is what forces a sinner to repent," (Davis, 87). God's empathy is clearly stated in the story told of Gabriel and the unbeliever, as He even shows kindness to one who prays to an idol. God says, "He does not know our Way; mere ignorance has led this man astray," (Davis, p. 89). God does not blame the ones who are not informed. However, those who know better are dealt with differently. The poverty of Ibrahim Adham explains what Trust in God really is. One passage reads, " I said farewell to it, to all the earth, and put my trust in goods of proven worth. I know what value is; I praise His name," (Davis, p.133). The hoopoe is explaining to a bird who burns with aspiration that if you just aspire you can attain anything that you yearn for beyond your furthest reach, however if you lack zeal you are left without anything. Rumi also refers to the Sufi notion of repentance and putting one's trust in God in his poems. In The Man who Looked Back on his way to Hell, Rumi writes, "I had a great hope of Thy Loving -kindness. I turn again to that pure Grace," (Rumi, p.56). "When he confesses his sins, God saith to the Angels, "Bring him back, for he never lost hope in Me,"" (Rumi, p.57). This passage is similar to Attars story about the man who prayed to idols and was still forgiven. If one puts all their trust in God it is impossible that He would not console them. "When He is there the saddest soul is feed from every care," (Davis, p.154). .
             A Sufi must reject the idea of Duality on the Path, by believing in Unity. One's notion of the difference between good and evil has no importance because God only knows Unity. In a story about a sinner who enters heaven, it is said, "Your soul's an agent of the sacred Whole. But "part" and "whole" must disappear at last; The Way is one, and number is surpassed," (Davis, p.