Chapter II: Patience and Gratefulness
It has been reported that one day a Magian guest came to the Prophet Ibrahim. He said to the guest: If you accept Islam, I will entertain you. At this that Magian went away. At once revelation came to Abraham: O Abraham, you have not given food to the Magian as he has not changed his religion. I am giving him provision for the last 70 years inspite of his infidelity. There was no harm if you had entertained the Magian for a night. Then the Prophet searched for the Magian, took him to his house and entertained him. Thereafter he accepted Islam.
The sage Ibrahim Atrash said: We sat one day with the great saint Ma'ruf Karkhi on the bank of the Tigris. At that time some young men were drinking wine and bearing drums and sporting He said to Ma'ruf Karkhi: Are you not seeing the youths committing sins openly? Shower curse on them. At once he raised up his two hands and prayed; O Lord, as you have given them enjoyment in the world. So give them such enjoyment in the thereafter. The Prophet said: We have asked you to shower curse on them. He said: When He will give them enjoyment in the next world. He will give them the grace of Tauba or repentance in this world.
WHAT IS FEAR?
Know, O dear readers, that fear is a painful state of mind like burning fire in fear of a future calamity. He who has cemented love with God and whose heart is strong with truth and illumined with the brightness of truth has got no fear or hope and his condition as above fear or hope. In short when the mind of a lover is engrossed in the sight of the beloved, fear of separation and hope of sight are injurious for him.
THREE CAUSES OF FEARFUL STATE: The state of fear arises in mind for three causes knowledge, state and action. The
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cause of knowledge of fear arises in mind owing to an undesirable act. For instance, a man fears to be killed if he is arrested on account of a crime against the king or State. The more powerful is the thing the more is the fear. If a man falls under the clutches of a ferocious beast, he entertains a great fear. Similar is the fear of God, as it arises from a knowledge of the attributes of God. If He destroys the whole world, He does not care and nobody can prevent Him. Such fear sometimes arises owing to commission of sins. The more is the knowledge of God, the more is He feared, The Prophet said: I fear God greater than you all. God said: The learned among My servants fear Me most.