Comparison

Both the story of Abdul Ghawth (Book Six) and the story of Galen's fear of the madman (Book Two) illustrate the Sufi principle of spiritual homogeneity (jinsiyyah) and affinity, but they focus on different dimensions of this law:

• Inward vs. Outward Direction: Abdul Ghawth's story highlights the soul's irresistible, vertical pull toward its celestial origin and unseen spiritual companions (ghayb), rendering material life foreign. Galen's fear highlights the horizontal dimension, where external encounters with others reveal latent, hidden internal correspondences (qadr-e moshtarak).
• Attraction vs. Repulsion: The story of Abdul Ghawth demonstrates the positive, overwhelming attraction toward one's true spiritual peers, while the Galen anecdote serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that even subtle compatibility with those of a different or diseased spiritual nature is a warning of inner corruption.