Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 474
Malf uza t - English translation of Urdu Volume 9 474 during the day. In fact, after a real struggle when the crop has rip- ened, even at that time he bears many hardships to harvest it. He separates himself from his family and children for cropping and shoulders various difficulties to attain it. He stumbles from one place to another, bears a multitude of pains and inconveniences for a world that exists today but will end tomorrow. So then is it only religion that can be attained by the mere blowing of an incantation without any need for test, trial, and effort? The Requirement of Effort for the Faith To have such an expectation regarding religion and consider- ing it as something easily attainable is completely erroneous. Ponder over the time of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them—the sorts of hardships they bore for the sake of the Faith and the number of difficulties they faced. They neither rested during the night nor during the day. They accepted every adversity in the way of God. They sacrificed their life and had their heads severed for the sake of the Faith. I recall at this time that once the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, proceeded to confront an enemy in the afternoon during hot weather. The heat was severe and scorching, and hot wind was blowing and there was sweltering sunshine. On the way, they arrived at a very pleas- ant, lush, and verdant spring. Seeing this pleasant, lush, and verdant place, a Companion ra submitted to the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for permission to worship there. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, replied: ‘Seek repentance! Do you not know that we are bearing all these hardships for the sake of God. There is no benefit in worshipping in comfort at such a pleasant place. ’