Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 100
Malfuzat - English translation of Urdu Volume 10 100 Hardships in Faith There are two types of hardships in the path of the Faith. The first type are the hardships associated with the Shariah, such as Salat [obligatory Prayers], Fasting, Hajj [the Pilgrimage], and Zakat [almsgiving]. One interrupts his work for Prayer and goes to the mosque even if it means a loss to him. In the cold weather, he rises in the latter part of the night [for Prayer]. During the month of Ramadan, he endures the day-long hun- ger and thirst [of fasting]. In the Hajj, he suffers the hardships of travel. In Zakat, he surrenders his hard-earned money to others. All these are the hardships of the Shariah and are, thus, the means of reward for him and make him advance towards God. However, in all these, man is given some latitude and he finds a way to make it easy for himself. In the winter season he heats up the water for ablution. If he cannot perform [the Prayer] stand- ing up due to an illness, he does so while seated. In Ramadan, he can have a large meal during the sahar [period before day- break]. Some even spend more than usual on food during the month of fasting. In short, one continually seeks ways to find some ease in these hardships of the Shariah. This is why it does not cleanse fully and the stages of spiritual journey are not covered expeditiously. Heavenly Hardships However, man has no option in the afflictions that descend from heaven and they must be endured anyway. That is why man attains nearness to God through them.