His knowledge encompasses all things and His wisdom is absolute: He sees and hears all things — even the prayers of those creatures that cannot speak. It is He who divides the world into light and darkness; it is He who gives every creature an allotted time on earth, from the birds in the air to the fish in the depths of the ocean. He has spangled the heavens with stars and filled the earth with people of different races and colours. He has given each man and woman a soul, and He has lit each soul with the torch of reason, so that all of His bondsmen may attain salvation.’ Then, she addressed Majnun: ‘This is a parchment of sorrow, sent by one grief-stricken soul to another. It comes from me, a prisoner, and is meant for you, you who have broken through your chains and attained freedom. How long ago was it, my love, that I sealed my bond with you? How many soulless days, how many tear-filled nights have passed since then? ‘How are you, dear heart, and how do you pass your days?
