The end of the story of Majnun is that he sat a long time under the shade of a tree and he grew in time like the tree; being near the tree his body and the tree became one. And when a woodcutter came and instead of cutting the wood his axe struck Majnun, Majnun said "Layla," for that was the only thought there. Layla, on hearing this, when she had freedom for a moment, was drawn by some way to Majnun at his last moment on the earth, and called him, "Majnun!" He answered, "Layla." She said, "I am Layla." But he said "I am Layla." And so Majnun fell and died, and Layla followed him instantly.

The path of the Sufi is the path of devotion, and therefore Layla and Majnun is the symbol that a Sufi takes for God and man. The soul who journeys in the path of God does not need much learning. What he writes on his slate is the name of God, what he reads in his book is His name. That is the only learning which is most essential in the path of God. And no one can distract the mind of the godly toward anything, however attractive; though he may find not one reason to give for his devotion to God, he can only say, "In order to become the lover of God you must borrow my eyes."

While people think of the differences of their religions and creeds the godly bows before the humblest person, as Majnun to Layla's dog. And when the prayers of different people will be for themselves, the prayer of the godly is only to attain to the presence of God; and therefore, whatever be his religion, his prayer will be followed by every sincere soul. Besides, the path of God and of love both, if sincerely trodden, need sacrifice from beginning to end; and the one who is not ready for sacrifice is like that pretended love of Layla who was ready for the food but was not willing to suffer. Verily who pursueth the world will inherit the world, but the soul that pursueth God will attain in the end to the presence of God.

But to what does the love of God lead? It leads to that peace and stillness which can be seen in the life of the tree, which bears fruit and flowers for others and expects no returns, not even thanks in return. It serves, and cares for nothing else, not even for appreciation. That is the attribute of the godly. And the godly in the end of his attainment of God forgets himself, as Majnun said even to Layla, "I am Layla." And what happens then? Instead of man pursuing God, God follows man.