Aslam

matters mentioned above are rendered void, as certain matter is

better than uncertain matter if they are equal. If it is contrary, the

matter stands otherwise. The merchants undertake labour on

certain faith, but they are not sure about profit. Similarly a

learned man undertakes efforts on sure faith but he is uncertain

in gaining rank of learning. A hunter is certain about 'hunting,

but uncertain about getting game. So to give up sure matters for

petting uncertain matters becomes necessary. But a treadesman

says : If I do not carry on trade, I shall remain hungry and my loss

would be great. If I carry on trade, I may suffer loss but I gain

much. Similarly a patient swallows bitter pills and he is not

certain about his recovery from illness but he is certain about the

bitterness of the medicine. He says : The bitterness of the

medicine is less than the fear of death owing to illness.

This rule is applicable to the uncertainty of the next world.
The days of patience in the world are less in comparison with those of the next world and these will last till the end of life. One should say : If the talk of the people becomes false regarding the next world, I will suffer no loss, but my comforts in the words will be lost. If what they say comes true, I will remain in Hell for ever without end. For this reason, Hazrat Ali said : If what they say comes true, you and I shall suffer no loss. If my word comes true, I will get salvation and you will be destroyed.

SECOND BASIC MATTER: The second basic argument of the unbelievers is that the next world is doubtful. This argument is also erroneous. The next world is certain and sure to the believers for two reasons. One of the reasons is that the believes the sayings of the Prophets and the learned. This is the belief of people in general. He is like a patient who does not know the medicine of his disease, while the physicians and experts prescribe unanimously a medicine for him which he takes and is

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cured. He does not roam to enquire whether the medicine is correct and whether there is any proof of its correctness. Rather he believes their words and acts accordingly. A mad and misguided man takes their words as erroneous. He proves by his words that he is false. If a man follows the mad man and gives up the prescribed medicine of the experts he falls in error and ruins himself.