“
On the 16th of Sha’ban a person called Yusuf al-Qamini died. He used always to frequent the furnace and the refuse heaps. He mostly hung out at the trash heap of Nur al-Din’s bath in the old Suq al-Qamh in Damascus. He used to wear overly large garments which would sweep ground, walked barefoot and bareheaded. He also experienced periods of long silence and seldom used water. People believed in his righteousness. They speak of his wonders (‘aja’ib) of which nothing appears to me except his clinging to this arduous way for many years and that he is perfectly rational (‘aqluhu thabit). The common people (‘awamm al-nas) seek to gain his favour with food and drink. After some effort, he would eat just enough to fulfil his need. He would exaggerate in his walking, dragging his sleeves because of their length. Overall, his affair was strange. O God, make us benefit from your righteous servants and make us die as Muslims. He was buried in the mountain in the mausoleum of the muwallahun [madmen] (maqbarat al-muwallahun). ”
—Tarajim, Abu Shama, quoted in “Sacred Topography”, The Cult of Saints among Muslims and Jews in Medieval Syria, Josef W. Meri
