Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 307
11 August 1905 307 The Philosophy of Suffering and Hardships The fact is that human nature is such that it is reformed only by harsh treatment. The Rub u biyyat [Providence] of Allah the Exalted, desires man’s perfection, and man’s servitude also requires perfection in one way or another. And so, hardships and difficulties are one of the many forms of effecting this. The Prophets, peace be on them all, who are entirely inno- cent and holy beings, are also subjected to suffering and hard- ships. 1 They undergo such suffering that if it befell anyone else, they would be unable to bear it. Their enemies emerge from all sides. Some cause suffering through their words, some make plans to cause harm through the authorities of the time, and some incite the people against them. In short, they are made to suffer in every way, and all kinds of restlessness, pain, and anguish come upon them. However, these things do not affect them; like a mountain, they do not move. Can this lead to the conclusion that they are the worst of sinners? Certainly not. If someone thinks like that, what would be more absurd than that? The issue of the Prophets, peace be on them all, nicely solves the problem of children’s suffering. From the stand- point of innocence, consider them as children. These sufferings are for the perfection of servitude 2 and are beneficial for the Hereafter. If the situation had been such that the child’s soul would disappear after death, there could be cause for objection, 1. From Badr : Only the Being of God is the one that stands in no need of any means for its perfection. ( Badr, vol. 1, no. 20, p. 3, dated 17 August 1905) 2. From Badr : It is written in the Mathnaw i that there is a disease in which a person feels comfortable so long as someone continues to beat him, but when this is stopped, the limbs begin to ache. In the same way, man is afflicted with the disease of needing to be beaten spiritually. ( Badr, vol. 1, no. 20, p. 3, dated 17 August 1905)