Next Nūr Muhammad saw water and greeted it, saying "As-salāmu 'alaikum, may the peace of God be with you, O water. What life-force is contained within you?"
Water boasted haughtily, "I am truly great! Nothing is greater than I. I can destroy and control anything I want-- forests, lands, mountains, and shores. I can make ocean into land and land into ocean. I can make cities disappear and destroy the entire world. Really, I can do everything! Nothing is comparable to me."
"O water," chided Nūr Muhammad gently, "there are things greater than you. Air can make you change your direction and push you here and there. Rocks and mountains have been placed to make you yield and subdue your force as you flow along. Furthermore, all lives will use you for both good and bad purposes. Some will drink you, some will wash themselves with you, and others will deposit feces and filth in you and pollute you. You will also be trapped in ponds and lakes which become putrid and foul. Worms, maggots, and many other disgusting things will live and grow within you. You will be made to lose your clarity and become repulsive, slimy, and impure and develop a foul odor. Human beings will confine and trap you in many ways by constructing pools and reservoirs. Endless numbers of creatures will grow within you, and all lives will use you to cleanse themselves. This being so, what is the basis for your boasting and arrogance? There are many things more powerful than you!"
Water inquired, "O Nūr Muhammad, what power have you?"
"I have no power. Only Allah is powerful," replied the Nūr.
"To Die Before Death: The Sufi Way of Life" By M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen