(Masnavi Book 3: 60) Need and distress call forth the Bounty of God

Explaining that whatsoever God most High bestowed and created— the heavens and the earths and the substances and the accidents— He created all (this) at the demand of need, and that one must make one's self in need of a thing, so that He may bestow it; for “… Or He who answers the sorely distressed when he calls unto Him?” Sore distress is the evidence of worthiness (to receive the Divine bounty).

It was Mary's want and pain that made such a babe (as Jesus) begin to speak (in the cradle).

3205. Part of her spoke on her behalf without her: every part of you has speech in secret. Thy hands and feet become witnesses (against thee), O slave: how long wilt you set hand and foot (strenuously apply yourself) to denial?

And if you art not worthy of (hearing) the exposition and the speech, the rational soul of the speaker saw you (to be unworthy) and went to sleep (refrained from action).

Whatsoever grew has grown for the sake of the needy, in order that a seeker may find the thing

he sought.

If God most High has created the heavens, He has created them for the purpose of removing needs.

3210. Wherever a pain is, the cure goes thither; wherever a poverty is, the provision goes thither.

Wherever a difficult question is, the answer goes thither; wherever a ship is, the water goes thither.

Do not seek the water, (but) get thirst, so that the water may gush forth from above and below. Until the tender-throated babe is born, how should the milk for it begin to flow from the (mother's) breast?

Go, run on these hills and dales, to the end that you mayst become thirsty and a prey to heat;

3215. After that, from the noise of the hornet of the air (the thundercloud) you wilt hear the noise of the water of the stream, O king.

Thy need is not less than (that of) dry plants: you takest water and art drawing it towards them; You takest the water by the ear and drawest it towards the dry crops that they may obtain

refreshment.

For the spiritual crops, whose essences are concealed, the cloud of (Divine) mercy is full of the water of Kawthar.

In order that (the words) their Lord gave them to drink may be addressed (to thee), be thirsty! God best knoweth the right course.