“قضا” in the Masnavi

When he purchased her and began to enjoy her company, the handmaiden fell ill by divine decree.

Like a man who had a donkey but no packsaddle for it, the moment he found a saddle, a wolf came and carried away the donkey.

Or like he who had a jug but could find no water; when he finally found water, the jug itself broke.

By divine decree, the oxymel syrup meant to ease the bile only increased it, and the almond oil meant to soften and moisten brought dryness instead.

Myrobalan brought constipation instead of relief, and water fed the fire of the illness like oil.

O you who set out on this journey with a hundred willing hearts, walking with your own feet straight into your evil fate.