Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 197
197 such strength and steadfastness. In the present time, if someone’s child is afflicted by various illnesses and dies, people begin to entertain a thousand doubts about God Almighty, and begin to complain and criticise. But Abraham as was a man who crushed the love he had for his son and was prepared to slaughter him with his own hands. It is people like these whom God never allows to be ruined. The words of such people are declared by God to be holy and pure, and prayers are accepted through them and God proclaims that their garments too are blessed. The Outstanding Courage and Steadfastness of the Messenger of Allah Remember that the pain which believers experience actually becomes a means of reward for them; others do not partake of this. We cannot even begin to fathom the extent of the hardships and misfortunes to which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was subjected during the thirteen-year period spent in Mecca after his claim. The heart palpitates even at the thought of them. From this we come to learn about the outstanding courage, open-hearted- ness, steadfastness, determination and perseverance of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. What a magnificent man he was! Mountains of misfortune fell upon him, but he did not waver in the least. He was not weakened or disheartened even for a moment from fulfilling his mission. These challenges could not dissuade him from his objective. By way of misunder- standing, some people state that if the Holy Prophet sa was the beloved of God, the Chosen One and the Elect of God, why then was he subjected to so many misfortunes and hardships? My response is that how can water be extracted from the ground until the earth is dug into and its heart is pierced, as it were? It is only when a person continues to dig deep into the ground for many yards that finally pleasant tasting water can be attained, which sustains life. Similarly, the pleasure that one receives by showing perseverance and steadfastness in the way of God Almighty cannot be attained until man passes through trials and tribula- tions. How can those who know nothing of this subject understand and feel the pleasure that is derived from these misfortunes? How can these people know that whenever a pain was inflicted upon the Holy Prophet sa , a spring of pleasure and delight would gush forth from within him; he would grow in his trust of God Almighty, in his love for Him and in his faith in divine succour. Love is something that can make a person do anything. When a person is in love with someone, what will they not do for the sake of their beloved? There was p. 179