7. BE ATTACHED TO THE CAUSER AND NOT THE CAUSES
The hearts of those who know Allah are fearful of being effected by, or attached to the causes of events. Though such hearts do not feel settled with the causes and means because when they are focused on investigating the causes and means. Allah looked after and handled their affairs; hence, Allah removes the effect of causes from their hearts, lest their hearts be being taken over.
The example of this is the situation of Muslims in the battle of Hunayn; Allah said,
“and [even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all.” [al-Tawbah (9):25]
And, heed to the condition of Prophet Ya’qub (‘alayhi as-salam) and his concern over his son, Prophet Yusuf (alayhi as-salam), thus
when he said to his sons after they asked him to take him with them,
“I fear that a wolf would eat him.” [ Yusuf ( 12): 13]
the answer to his concern came,
“A wolf ate him.” [Yusuf (12): 17]
However, when the moment of ease came, Yahudha, son of Ya’qub, travelled to his father carrying the shirt of Yusuf but the wind was faster and carried the smell of Yusuf to his father, so Ya’qub (‘alayhi as-salani) said,
“Indeed, I find the smell of Yusuf.” [Yusuf (12): 94]
The same happened to Yusuf (‘alayhi as-salani) when he thought of the causes, and said to his inmate when he realised he was leaving prison,
“Mention me before your master.” [ Yusuf (12): 42]
Thus, Allah punished him by leaving him in prison for seven years. All this happened even though Prophet Yusuf (‘alayhi as-salani) was certain that freedom from prison cannot be except by the permission of Allah and that taking the means to achieve one’s goals is prescribed, but his inclination to the causes affected his condition.
This is also noted in the story of Maryam (‘alayha as-salam),
“and Zakarivyah received her under his care.” [Al-Imran (3):37]
But the One who created the causes (i.e. Allah) refused to leave her for the causes and so,
“Every time Zakarivyah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision.” [Al-Imran (3):37]
It is allegedly reported that the Prophet said “Allah insists to provide His believing servant from ways he does not expect”
Causes of events (asbdh tariq) are like a road one cannot help but take; a person who knows his Lord well will never rely on it. Allah exposes for him what He does not show others— that none should ever rely on the means and causes. Thus if he inclines to them, Allah may punish him even though his inclination is something he does not accept. The least mistake however still deserves to be disciplined.
It is worthy to reflect on the story of Prophet Sulayman (‘alayhi as-salam) who said: “Tonight, I shall sleep with one hundred women, each of whom will conceive a child” but as he did not add to it “with Allah’s permission”, only one woman of the one hundred became pregnant who later delivered a half-child.”
I was once in a situation that made me rely on some material-causes and such attachment necessitated 1 meet and play along with one of the oppressors to avert his harm. While I was in that condition contemplating, a Qur’an reciter entered the room and began reciting what brought hope and comfort to my heart; he recited, in the meaning of the verse:
“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.” [Hud (11):113]
This verse awakened my mind and refuted my inner thought [that which made me think of the causes and not the One who created causes]. Thus, I said to my ‘self, “Listen, I sought victory in my attempts to play along but the Qur’an informed that if I incline towards those who do wrong, I will not be helped or become victorious.
Thus, glad tidings are for those who are aware of the One who created causes and hence relied only on Him, for it is the ultimate purpose that we ask Allah alone.
(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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