SECRET NAME (MASTER AND THE DISCIPLE)

--(The narrator continued) Then he turned his gaze toward the young man and said:
'O brave youth (fata) you have been honoured by a newly arriving intimate friend,
and you have been greeted by a visitor (a soul like yours) ,so what is your name?'
'Ubayd Allah ("the little servant of God"), son of the servant of God,' he answered.
'That is your description,' replied the Shaykh, 'but we have already been informed
about you.'
'I am Hurr ("freed-man"), son of the servant of God,' the young man replied.
'Then who set you free from being owned, so that you become free?' inquired the Shaykh.
'This Knower set me free,' said the young man, pointing with his hand toward the Knower
who had called him (to the way).
'But do you think,' continued the Shaykh, 'that if he is also owned and not your owner,
does he have any right to set you free?'
'No, he doesn't,' replied the young man.
'Then what is your name?' repeated the Shayth.
(The narrator) continued: Then the young man hung his head, bewildered and unable to
respond.
'O brave youth,' pursued the Shaykh. 'how can we recognise something that has no name,
even if it has been born?'
'I have been born to you,' replied the young man, 'so you name me!'
'That is only after the fulfilment of seven days (of waiting), the Shaykh responded.
'But why must that be postponed until after seven more days?' asked the young man.
'In honour of the new-born infant,' replied the Shaykh.
'But what if  the new- born should die before the seven days are finished?' the young man continued.
'Nothing will harm him,' replied the Shaykh, 'and after that he will be named.'
'Then will this name by which you'll have named me be my own?' asked the young man.
'In that case you would be what is worshipped,' replied the Shaykh.
'But then how should we speak of it?' asked the young man.
'The Name is your owner,' the Shaykh answered, 'and you are owned by it. For you cannot
penetrate further than your own (spiritual) rank. Now depart until you period of waiting (is over).' ----

REF:THE MASTER AND THE DISCIPLE BY JAFER B. MANSUR AL YAMAN
EDITED AND TRANSLATED BY JAMES W. MORRIS