The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 409
The Holy Qur'an 409 prosperity as if they possessed thousands of treasures. . Their countenances display the freshness of wealth and the steadfastness of the rich. They have perfect trust in their Lord in times of hardship, with cheerful heart and complete certainty. They are given to sacrifice and the service of people is their habit. Even if the whole world were to become members of their family, they would feel no constraint. They are grateful to God Almighty, Who covers up their shortcomings on every occasion. They are taken into the protection of the Divine before an unbearable calamity descends upon them, for God is their. Guardian in all circumstances, as He has said Himself: وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّلِحِينَ 246. Others are left to face the painful pursuit of worldly objects, and the extraordinary treatment that is accorded to these people is not accorded to anyone else. This characteristic of theirs can also be proved very soon by keeping company with them. . Another bounty is the personal love of God on which the perfect followers of the Holy Qur'an are established. . Love of God so saturates every particle of their existence that it becomes the essence of their being and the reality of their life. A wonderful love of the True Beloved surges up in their hearts and an extraordinary affection and eagerness take possession of their pure hearts, which cuts them off altogether from all others; and the fire of. Divine love is so lit up in them that on special occasions it becomes palpably perceptible to those who keep company with them. It becomes impossible for them to adopt any design or strategy to keep it hidden, just as it is im246 He (Allah) protects the righteous. '-al-A'raf, 7:197 [Publisher]