Aslam

Question. When a God-reliant man keeps arms as a means of protection from the enemies and keeps the doors closed as protection from thiefs how can he be God-reliant?

Answer. He will be God-reliant on account of knowledge and mental condition. Regarding knowledge, he should know that even if the doors are closed the thief can not be prevented from his acts of theft. If God does not drive him out, he can't be driven out. How many doors are closed for fear of thieves, but that also does not do any benefit. How many armed men are murdered inspite of their arms. So don't basically rely on these causes but rely on the Master of causes. With regard to the mental condition, it must be believed that what has been lotted cannot be blotted. On this thought, he remains satisfied and says : O God, if you have engaged anyone to take my properties, I shall remain satisfied and that property goes in your path. I don't know whether this is my provision or the provision of another according to destiny. I am satisfy with what you do. It is also your order that I have closed the door or kept it under lock and key. O Creator of causes, I rely on nobody except on Thee.

When there is such state of his mind and his knowledge as above described, his arming and closing of doors will not take him out of the limit of God-reliance.

Question. Is there any property of a God-reliant man that can be stolen? Answer. Yes, such as utensils for food, cups for drink, jar for ablution, vessel for keeping food stuffs, stick for driving out enemies and such other necessary things.

Some rules of God reliant man regarding property. He is to observe some rules in protecting his property if he goes out.

(1) He will close his doors and will not take excessive care such as telling neighbors to close them with many locks.
Malek-bin Dinar did not close up his doors with locks and keys,

232 TAUHID AND TAWAKKAL Vol-IV

but used to tie it with rope and say : If dogs would not have entered, 1 would not have tied them up.

(2) He will not keep such properties at home which may raise temptation of thieves. Once the ruler Mugirah sent some Zakat properties to Malek bin-Diner who told him ; Take it. I have got no need of it. He said : Why? The saint said : The devil raises doubt in my mind that thiefs may take it. I don't like that thiefs should commit sins and my mind turns to another thing owing to the machination of the devil. Abu Sufiyan said hearing this : This is the weakness of the mind of a Sufi. He adopted renunciation and so he can't take it.