Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 267
267 cisely the reason that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq ra did not ask for a miracle, for he was well aware of his disposition, and he knew more than anyone that the Holy Prophet sa was truthful and honest, not a liar and a cheat. He knew that when the Holy Prophet sa was never disingenuous in his interactions with other people, how could he possibly have the audacity to forge a lie against Allah Almighty. Hence, it ought to be remembered that a sign is asked for only when a person apprehends that the claimant perhaps may have told a lie. However, when it be- comes clearly evident that the claimant is truthful and honest, there remains no need for a person to witness a sign. It should also be borne in mind that those people who are desirous of witnessing a sign and who insist on this, are not strong in faith; in fact, they are forever in a state of danger. Such people do not receive the fruits of believing in the unseen, because when a person believes in the un- seen, this encompasses another good deed as well, which is to think well of oth- ers. The hasty who lay emphasis on being shown a sign are deprived of this good deed. The disciples of the Messiah, on whom be peace, insisted that a table spread with food be sent down from heaven. God Almighty rebuked them and said that We shall send down a table spread with food, but after We do, anyone who disbe- lieves shall be punished severely. The benefit of mentioning this story in the Holy Quran is to tell us about the sort of faith that is best. The fact is that the signs of Allah Almighty are clear and manifest, but on the other hand, they are meant to serve as a final argument against the disbelievers and also as a trial for the believing community. At times, this is why these signs possess a certain trial within them. It is a matter of principle that those who demand a sign are hasty and do not think well of others, and their dispositions possess an element that gives rise to doubt and suspicion. After all, this is why they ask for a sign. And then, this is also the reason that when they see the sign, they begin to interpret it in absurd ways, or they will claim that this is magic, or describe it in some other way. In short, their sceptical nature distances them from the truth. Therefore, I advise you to develop the faith of Abu Bakr, may Allah Almighty be pleased with him, and the faith of the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, because such faith is charac- terised by thinking well of others and patience, and is the result of many blessings and fruits. To accept after one has been shown a sign is a conditional faith—such faith is weak and generally not fruitful. However, when a person believes with a favourable view (without entertaining doubt), Allah the Exalted shows a believer