Note 53 — THE BOOK OF THE MESNEVĪ

The expression of: “The venerated Sheykh,” might, perhaps, at first, be thought to indicate the Caliph Abū-Bekr, the Sheykh par excellence, as he and his successor ‘Umer (Omar) were designated “the two Sheykhs,” from each being a father-in-law to Muhammed, whereas the third and fourth caliphs, ‘Uthmān (Osmān) and ‘Alī, were his sons-in-law. If this supposition were correct, Jelāl and Husām would have been descended from the same remote ancestor. The commentators, however, I am informed, name a certain “Seyyid Abū-’l-Wefā, the Kurd,” as being intended. Particulars as to his individuality and history have not, unfortunately, reached me.