Worldly pleasures and pains are of two sorts; Physical and spiritual. Everything that gives pleasure to the body, gives pain to the soul. Everything that hurts the body, tastes the sweet to the soul. It is understood that the soul and the body are opposite to each other. In this world, however, the soul has fallen down to the grade of the body, united with the body and given itself up to the body. The soul, taking the shape of the body, has begun to the pleasure from the things that give pleasure to the body, and to feel pain at the things that are painful to the body. Common people are in this state. The Aayah of the Quran (Wa-t-tin) reads, “We then demoted it (the soul) to the lowest grade.” If a person’s soul does not get rid of this slavery, the dependence, if it does not go back up to its own grade and reach its own native land, shame upon him thousands of times. Of all creatures, man is the biggest rank. But he also remains deprived of it, to be frank; If he does not turn back and follow the road hinted. Who else could ever be more disappointed? So one of the illness of the soul is that the things that should normally be painful to it taste sweet to it; while those which it should normally relish, feel like sufferings.
It is unreasonable for Muslims to seek pleasure and dissipation in this dungeon. Then, it is necessary to get used to sufferings, torments and trouble in this world. There is no other way than putting up with the afflictions here (in this world).
This state of the soul is similar to that of a person with a sick stomach; this person tastes what is sweet as bitter because his bile is unhealthy. As it is necessary to cure this person, likewise it is necessary to save the soul from this disease. The soul, being cured, should take pleasure from the inconveniences and pains that the body is subjected to. By thinking and observing well, it can be understood that were it not for the cares and disasters in the world, the world would have no value. Tragic events and misfortunes do away with the darkness and dullness of the world. The bitterness of cares and sorrows is like the bitterness of useful medicine that will cure a disease. Almighty Allah declares in the fifty sixth aayati karima of Wa-z-Zuriyat; “I created human beings and Jins only so that they will worship me.” Worships are designed to break the heart and to enable it to understand its lowness. Man’s creation is intended so that he will despise and humble himself. This world is like a dungeon when compared to Muslims life after death, the blessings of paradise. It is unreasonable for Muslims to seek pleasure and dissipation in this dungeon. Then, it is necessary to get used to sufferings, torments and trouble in this world. There is no other way than putting up with the afflictions here (in this world). May Almighty Allah for the sake of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) attain us the blessings of this world and hereafter! Aameen
