Chapter V: Oneness of God and Trust in God
Sayings of sages. Sayeed-bin-Zubair : One scorpion stung me. My mother took oath from me thatl must go to a charmer and heal myself. I stretched out my hand which was not stung to the charmer. Ibrahim Khawas read this verse : Rely on One who is ever-living and who will not die. He said : Is there any refuge to men after this verse ? (2) Some one said to a sage in his dream : He who relies firmly on God seeks his own sustenance. (3) A certain sage said : Search for livelihood should not divert you from compulsory duties or else the affairs of your next world will be spoiled. You will not get wealth except what has been destined for you. (4) Ihya-bin-Muaz said : When sustenance comes to a man without asking, it is a proof that sustenance gets orders to search for man. (5) Hazrat Ibrahim-bin-Adham said : I asked a certain Christian monk : Wherefrom do you get your livelihood ? He said : It is not known to me, but I ask my Lord wherefrom He gives my provision. (6) Hasan-bin-Haram asked the saint Wais Qarni : In which country do you order me to live? He hinted at Syria, Ibn-Haram said : How shall I earn my livelihood there ? Wais Qarni said : Alas for one who has got doubt in mind and who does not get any benefit from advice. (7) A certain sage said : When I am satisfied with God as agent, I got guidance to all good.
WHAT IS TAUHID? Know O readers, that God-reliance is a door out of the doors of faith . All the doors of faith are not kept in order except with knowledge, condition and action. Out of these three elements, God-reliance is born. Knowledge is the basis, "
action is its fruit. Another name of conditions is God reliance. It is called faith in dictionary, as the meaning of faith is corroboration. What is corroborated by heart is called knowledge. If it is firm, it is called certainly of faith or sure faith.
It has got many doors, but it is placed on two doors — (1) Tauhid and God reliance.
TAUHID MEANS— (1) To believe that there is no deity but God, He is one, there is no partner for him, (2) to believe in His power and (3) to believe in His kindness and skill. The faith of one is perfect who believes that there is no deity but God, He is one, there is no partner for Him, there is His sovereignty, all praise is due to Him, He is powerful over all things. This is the basis of God reliance. In other words, Tauhid is a vast ocean which has got no limit.
198 TAUHID AND TAWAKKAL Vol-IV