| Daily Reflections - Dealing with Afflictions |
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“None is sincere in his love of God, unless he patiently endures the blows of his lord” (Maulana Jalludin Rumi) Rumi defines and highlights the Sufi path as a test. The purpose of the discipline and the ensuring of rough treatment purposed to being similar to that of ‘gold being bought to the boil and bringing the s cum to the top’ So in the eye and understanding of the travellers of this world, everything is good. Whether it is poverty or wealth, whether it is a state of suffering or ease. There is a famous instance of three Sufi masters visiting Rabia Al Adawiyya when she fell ill. It is related that Hasan Basri, Malik Dinar, and Shaqiq Balkhi, God Most High have mercy on them, went to visit Rabi'a, God have mercy upon her. The conversation turned to the question of sincerity as they attempted to offer her solace Hasan said, "None is sincere is his claim to love God, unless he patiently endures the blows of his Lord” Rabi'a said, "This talk stinks of egoism." Shaqiq attempting to elevate the answer and defintion said, "None is sincere is his claim to love God unless he is not grateful for the blows of his master." Rabi'a said, "We need something better than this." Malik Dinar said, "None is sincere is his claim to love God unless he does not delight in the blows of his master." Rabi'a said, "We need something better than this." They said, "Now you speak." Rabi'a said, "No one is sincere in his claim to love God, unless he forgets the blows in beholding his lord From enduring To giving thanks To delighting To forgetting the tribulation in your love for Allah How many of us are able to overcome the first station of enduring difficulties from the moment they pierce our lives? How many of us give thanks when Allah tests us? Thanks him for the blessing of not making our taqleef worse than it already is? Some Guidance on gratitude as advice by Imam Ibn Ata’allah may Allah have mercy on his soul inshallah. Allahs favours upon you are more than you can number or ever be aware of. All good that appears on yiou- inward or outward, religious or worldly comes brom nothing except Him alone. You should do as much as you can to thank Allah and confess your incapacity to ever do this adequately or in proportion to the bounties He in his infinite Mercy and Might has bestowed upon you. 014.034 And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of God, never will ye be able to number them. And ‘If ye give thanks I will surely give you increase” “Don’t fret about your affairs, leave it in His hands Do you think if He wants it for you, anyone can stop it? Or if He doesn’t want it for you, anyone can grant it? Don’t look to anyone for your needs, for the one who created you, waters you.” “Sometimes darkness comes over you In order that He make you aware Of the value of his blessings upon you” How severe are the difficulties we endure when we compare them with the trials and tribulations those who are better than us are afflicted with Our Beloved Prophet Ayub ra was tested beyond comprehension. Today we see man extending harm, injury and torture we could never possible conceive of imagining. What are our problems in comparison? Marriage? Wealth? Difficult parents? How lucky we yet how ungrateful we are inspite of our Lords favours. "My god how gentle you are with me in spite of my great ignorance and how merciful You are with me in spite of my ugly deeds" (Iman Ibn Ata'Allah) May Allah in his infinite Wisdom, Mercy and Might implant greater levels of taqwa, shukr and sabr in our hearts and never allow us to forget the blessings our sufferings occupy. Ameen.
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