The Greatest Name of Allah by Hajj Abdassamad Clarke

The story is told of how a young Muslim seeker of knowledge came to the Shaykh Dhu'n-Nun al-Misri in Cairo and spent many years with him, yet without the opening of his inner eye. Thus as a middle aged man one day he approached Dhu'n-Nun and asked him to teach him the Supreme Name of Allah, al-Ism al-'Adham, by which if Allah is called He answers and if He is begged He gives. Dhu'n-Nun told him that he was unable to teach him it but that he would send him to a man who lived on an island on the Nile who could teach it to him. He entrusted his pupil with a box containing a present for the man and told him to convey his greetings.

The pupil set off then till he came to the Nile where he hired a boat and began to row towards the island. He was distracted in his rowing by the occasional rustling and scratching noise issuing from the box. Finally, unable to restrain his curiosity further, he shipped his oars, picked up the box and looked inside. A rather frightened mouse blinked back at him and then suddenly leaped from the box into the boat. The man scrambled after it and the mouse, eager to escape, leaped into the Nile and quickly disappeared from sight.

The man, rather puzzled, resumed his rowing and soon the island came in view. The teacher was standing on its shore as if expecting him. He greeted him, conveyed Dhu'n-Nun's greetings and explained the purpose of his visit. The teacher made him welcome, showed him every hospitality and then enquired, "Perhaps Dhu'n-Nun sent you with something for me? That has been his custom."

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