and prostrating, until the next Sunday.

When morning came he said, “Take your jug and come.” I went out following him until we reached the rock, and there were the people who had come out of the mountains, waiting for him. They hurried toward him and he resumed his address, saying:

“Hold fast to this religion; do not divide. Remember Allah, and know that Jesus was a servant of Allah upon whom He bestowed His grace.”

They asked, “How did you find this youth?” He praised me. There was plenty of bread and abundant water; they took what sufficed them, and I did the same. They dispersed among the mountains, and we returned to the cave. We remained there as long as Allah willed; every Sunday he would come out and they would gather around him.

One day he came out, praised Allah—exalted is He—exhorted them, and then said, “O people! My years have advanced, my bones have grown frail, and my appointed time is near. It has been such-and-such a period since I last visited this House, and I must go to it. Therefore, entrust this youth to one another’s care, for I have seen nothing wrong with him.”

The people were distressed and said, “You are elderly and will be alone; we fear that something may befall you while we are not with you. How much we still need you!” He answered, “Do not argue with me.”

I said, “I will not leave you.” He replied, “Salman, you have seen my condition and how I live. This journey is not like the previous one. I walk, fast during the day, stand in prayer at night, and I cannot carry provisions or anything else with me. You will not be able to endure this.” I said, “I will not part from you.” He responded, “You know best.”

They wept, bade him farewell, and I followed him. He continued to remember Allah, never looking back and never stopping for anything until nightfall. He said, “You pray, then sleep and rise, eat and drink.” He himself stood in prayer.

When we reached Bayt al-Maqdis, he did not so much as raise his eyes to the sky. At the gate of the mosque sat a cripple who said, “Servant of Allah, you see my state; give me something in charity.” He did not turn to him; he entered the mosque and moved from place to place praying in each spot.

Then he said, “Salman, I have not slept for such-and-such a time. If you will wake me when the shadow reaches a certain place, I shall sleep, for I wish to rest in this mosque; otherwise I shall remain awake.” I replied, “I will do so.”

He lay down to sleep, and I said to myself, “He has not slept for such-and-such a time; I will let him sleep.”