Purification of the Heart
Signs, Symptoms and Cures of
the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart
Translation and Commentary of
Imam Mawlud's Maášharat al-Qulub
by Hamza Yusuf
Relying on Other than God
POEM VERSES 101-105
Fear of and desire for other than my Lord contradicts
absolute trust in Him. The origin of
both of them—and I seek refuge in the Mighty from every
disease—is lack of certainty.
What is prohibited from the two is that which prevents an
obligation from being fulfilled.
As for it leading to the neglect of that which is recommended,
then it is considered reprehensible. In any case, flee in fear to
your Lord from both of them.
The cure for both is to know that there is none who can bring
benefit or harm other than Him alone.
Definition and Treatment
Fearing or desiring anything other than God runs contrary to trust and reliance on God (tawakkul). If one is obsessed with other mortals, his or her reliance on God is weak. This diminishes one's certainty in God (yaqin) and certainty that everything good—all that is worthy of pursuit and time—comes from none other than God. The cause of many diseases of the heart can be traced back to a lack of certainty and an impaired sense of faith and trust in God.
A person can be in pursuit of attaining benefit from people and fall into the trap of neglecting his obligations, as well as those meritorious acts that invite untold blessings and dimensions of realization to one's life. One needs to seek refuge in God from the kinds of fear and desire that divert one's attention and strivings away from God. The Imam's admonition is to keep always in mind that God alone holds all benefit, and that only God tests people and provides relief and provision.
Source: Purification of Heart
to be continued ....
No comments:
Post a Comment