The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 16
16. Essence of Islam-IV change for the better in his condition and he could even sit for long hours. The following day, we were all with him at noon when he kindly suggested that I should go and have some rest, for it was the month of June and the heat was intense. I retired into an upper room and a servant began to knead my feet. . Presently I fell into a light slumber and then came to me the revelation: والسماء والطارق. That is, We call to witness the heaven where all decrees originate, and We call to witness that misfortune which will fall today after sunset. . I was given to understand that this revelation was by way of commiseration on behalf of God Almighty, as my father would unfortunately die that very day after sunset. Holy is Allāh! How glorious is the. Great God that He commiserates on the death of a person who died sorrowing over his wasted life!. Most people would be surprised at this interpretation of mine that God Almighty commiserated with me. . It should, however, be remembered that when God, glorified be His name, treats someone mercifully, He deals with him like a friend. We read in the traditions that on certain occasions God Almighty laughed. This also is a similar kind of expression. . To sum up, when I received this revelation, which presaged the death of my father, the thought passed through my mind, because I was only a human, that some of the means of income which were linked to my father would now be closed and we might be