The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 468
468 prayer: 249. Essence of Islām II اهدنا الصراطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِم . meaning, O Allah! show us the path of steadfastness by treading along which one wins Thy bounties and favours and Thou art pleased. . This is also indicated in another verse: ربنا افرغ علينا صبرا و تَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ 250 meaning, Lord: at this time of trial send down upon our hearts the comfort that should make us steadfast and do. Thou so ordain that we should die in a state of submission to Thee;. At the time of trials and misfortune, God Almighty causes a light to descend upon the hearts of those who are dear to Him, being strengthened by which they face misfortunes calmly and, out of the sweetness of their faith, they kiss the chains that are put round their feet in. His cause. When calamities descend upon a man of God and signs of death appear, he does not contend with his. Lord that He might be safeguarded against them, inasmuch as to persist at such a time in supplications for security amounts to fighting God Almighty and is contrary to complete submission. A true lover advances forward at a time of calamity and holding life as nothing, and saying goodbye to love of it, submits himself completely to the will of his Lord and seeks only His pleasure. Concerning such people, God the Glorious says: 251 وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللهِ وَالله رَسُوفَ بِالْعِبَادِ : 249 Al-Fatihah, 1:6-7 [Publisher] 250 Al-A'raf, 7:127 [Publisher] 251 Al-Baqarah, 2:208 [Publisher]