If you wish to value gems become a jeweller

﷽ A young man came to Dhun-Nun al-Misri (رحمۃ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ) and said that the Sufis were wrong, and many other things.

Dhun-Nun al-Misri (رحمۃ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ) removed a ring from his finger and handed it to him. “Take this to the market stallholders over there and see whether you can get a gold piece for it” he said.

Nobody among the market people offered more than a single silver piece for the ring. The young man brought it back. “Now” said Dhun-Nun, “take this ring to a real jeweller and see what he will pay.” The jeweller offered him a thousand gold coins for the gem. The youth was amazed. “Now” said Dhun-Nun, “your knowledge of the Sufis is as great as the knowledge of the stallholders is of jewellery. If you wish to value gems, become a jeweller.”