23. NO REST FOR A PERSON EXCEPT THROUGH KNOWING HIS LORD
I pondered upon the source of all distress (hamm), stress (ghamm) and found it to be one’s objection to Allah, and having a sole focus on this worldly life.
The more he misses out of a worldly gain, the more a person feels distressed.
As for one who’s granted knowledge (marifa) of Allah, he will be at ease (istirah) because he is sufficed through accepting Allah’s Decree (rida bi’l-qada). And if his prayers are not answered, he does not object because he knows that he is an owned servant whose intention is to serve the Creator (al-Kljaliq).
Whoever is like this does not focus on gathering wealth, mixing with people or enjoying desires (shahawat).
Neither does he have appropriate knowledge (ma’rifa) so he is content and attentive in worship. He gives up what does not last for the sake of that which is everlasting.
On the other hand, if he has (worldly) knowledge then he ignores everything for the sake of the Lord who owns everything. You see him perfecting good manners when alone (khalwa) with his Creator, and accepting His Decree. He loves Him and wants no one other than Him.
As for he who was not granted these things, he will continue to live in distress because he will never be able to attain all he seeks from this world. He will continue to feel sorry and miss out on heavenly rewards.
We ask Allah to make us worthy of Him, for there is no power except through Him.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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