Aslam

The condition of God-reliant man in disclosing or suppressing disease. Know, O readers, that to suppress disease, poverty or other disasters is included with the hidden treasures like good works. That is the highest stage, as to remain satisfied with the decree of God, to remain patient at the dangers and"
difficulties sent by Him and to keep secret the affairs between him and God can save him from many dangers. Inspite of this, there is no harm in disclosing them if his intention and goal remain fixed. In three cases, disease can be expressed. (1) To take medicine. It is necessary to take medicine from the physician after disclosing the disease to him. This should not be in the way of" complaint but to state what has been sent by God to him.
Hazrat Bashar Hafi used to tell of his disease to the physician Abdur Rahman. Imam Ahmad disclosed his disease and said : I am saying of God's power which appeared in me. (2) To acquire patience and gratefulness. In addition to physician, one may disclose his diseases to saints and sages with the object of learning from them good patienee and good gratefulness in diseases Hazrat Hasan Basri said : When a patient praises God and expresses gratefulness to Him and then remembers his disease his complaint disappears. (3) The third object is to attribute power to God. Disease can be disclosed with the object of expressing one's inability and failure on the one hand and appreciating the power of God on the other. I its reported that Hazrat Ali was asked once about the condition of his disease. He said : I am not well. One of them began to look at another. They

244 TAUHID AND TAWAKKAL Vol-IV