29. CAUSES OF DELAY IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUPPLICATIONS
I once fell into hardship and consequently increased in making supplication (du’a), asking Allah for the uplifting of hardship and obtaining ease (raha). The answer to the prayers was delayed, so the ‘self (nafs) became frustrated and worried! I shouted at it: “Woe to you, consider your own self, are you someone who is possessed (by another) or are you the one who possesses and are you free?! Are you the planner or one who follows a plan?
Did you know that the world is a place of tests and exams? When you have demanded your interests and you were impatient over those things that go against your wishes, then where is the meaning of the test? Is the test not the meaning of impediment (i’rad) and opposition of aims [aks al-maqasid]
So understand the meaning of legal responsibility in Sharee’ah. Indeed now the difficult things have become easy and the complicated made simple.
When the ‘self-pondered over what I said to it, it becomes relaxed to some extent. I responded with a second answer too, ‘You are demanding your rights due to your interests and yet you are not demanding that you accomplish what is obligated upon it (self) by Him (The Creator). This is sheer ignorance (jahl).’
It was meant to be the contrary because you are owned, and an intelligent owned servant demands himself to accomplish the right of his master first, while he is aware that his master is not duty-bound to grant him what he wishes. So the ‘self-became at ease more than before.
I then continued, ‘I have a third answer also. It is you who actually asked for the delay in answering of the supplication since you closed its roads by committing sins. If you left the road open, then it would be answered quickly. This is due to the fact you did not acknowledge that the cause of comfort is the adoption of taqwa (acute piety’ that lies in being aware of Allah).’
Have you not heard the statement of Allah,
“And whoever fears Allah— He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.” [al-Talaq (65): 2]
And
“And whoever fears Allah— He will make for him o f his matter ease.” [al-Talaq (65): 4]
Did you not understand that the opposite is repaid by doing the opposite? Ah! From the intoxication of an unmindful (sukr al-ghafla) state that has become more powerful than all the intoxications in the face of attainment, which impedes reaching the seeded plantation of aspirations. The ‘self-acknowledged that this is the ultimate truth, leading to its self-satisfaction.
Then I told the self, ‘I have a fourth answer as well. It is that you are seeking something not knowing what shall be its outcome. Many times, its outcome ends out to be harmful. Thus, you are like a feverish child who asks for sweets, whereas your guardian knows more about your welfare—why wouldn’t it be the case when He has already stated,
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you.” [al-Baqarah (2):216]
When the right answer became apparent for the self s contentment (tamanina) grew.’
Thereafter I told it, ‘I have a fifth answer too. This request decreases a portion from your reward and degrades you from your status. The denial of your rights, which is His prerogative, is in reality’ His bestowal of His favour to you. If you begged for those favours that repair your Hereafter, this would be more preferable for you. It is better for you to understand what I just explained.”
The ‘self-replied, ‘I have strolled in the gardens of your explanation. 1 have understood the intent very well.’
(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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