Sufi and the Faqih

A story mentioned by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf at a recent talk:

There once was a Sufi shaykh and a Faqih who argued which discipline is better Fiqh or Tassawuf.  They argued and argued until the Sufi shaykh said to the Faqih “Come to my gathering tonight and you will see why Tassawuf is more beneficial.”

Before the Faqih arrived the Sufi shaykh told all his students when the Faqih comes in not to reply to his salam.   So the Faqih arrived at the gathering and said “As salamu ‘alaikum” out loud, no one responded, again he said it and still no one replied.  Getting visibly annoyed he shouted  ”As salamu ‘alaikum!”.  When no reply came he reproached them all saying “What is wrong with you all?!  Why do you not reply to me?!”

The Sufi shaykh finally greeted the Faqih, apologised and asked him to sit down.  He wants to show him something.  He said one of his students is coming to the gathering in a few minutes and when he comes no one should reply to his salams.

The student arrived and said his salams to which no one responded, he again gave his salams, in a gentle tone but still no one responded.  He looked at everyone then said:  “O brothers have I wronged you all in anyway, please tell me?”