Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 91
91 Malfuzat – Volume IV man’s actions and the reciprocal actions of God by way of consequence is estab - lished in the world. Just as we observe on a daily basis this system in the apparent sense with examples to be found in the physical world, so too it relates to the spir - itual realm as well. It is this very principle which is necessary to understand the law of punishment. In other words, each and every action of ours, whether good or bad, carries an effect that is manifested after we perform that action. Now, the chastisement or pleasure that one receives as a consequence of sin or as a reward for good deeds, is a phenomenon we can easily understand. I can say with complete insight and confidence that all the other religions are incapable and unable to provide an exposition of this philosophy. Every individual who believes in God professes that man has been created to show devotion to God. Hence, a person’s greatest delight and their ultimate pleasure can only be real - ised if they become wholly devoted to God. Until a person reinforces and gives practical expression to the relationship that ought to exist—or as one should say, which naturally exists—between divinity (uluhiyyat) and man’s servitude to God (ubudiyyat), they cannot attain true happiness. This is the objective in the advent of Prophets, peace be upon them. The higher purpose with which they come is to return this lost wealth to the people—the wealth that is the mutual relationship between man’s servitude and God’s divinity. However, when a person distances themselves from God, they detach themselves from this chain of love, which ought to exist between God and His servant. This is an action of man, and in turn, the action with which God reciprocates is that He too distances Himself from that individual. It is on account of this very distance that the human heart is overcome by darkness. Just as a room is filled with darkness when its windows are closed to the sun, in the same manner, a person who turns away from God will find that their inner self begins to fill with darkness. The more distant one becomes, the more darkness spreads, until the heart is blackened completely. This very darkness is what we call hell, because this is what gives rise to punishment. Now, if one strives to save themselves from this chastisement by refraining from the factors which resulted in this distance from God Almighty, He turns to a per - son with His grace. When the shutters are opened, just as the absent light returns to dispel the darkness, similarly, the light of good fortune which had vanished is once again given to the person who turns to God, and one begins to benefit from it. p. 364