We are servants of whatever we love. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “May the servant of the dinar whither! May the servant of the dirham whither! May the servant of coins whither! May their hands whither, their heads hang low, and their feet stumble! If they should step on a thorn may there be nobody to remove it for them!” So be a servant of God with every object and in every situation, whether you are given to or prevented from receiving, whether you are debased or ennobled, whether you are raised to power or stripped of power, whether you are enriched or impoverished, whether you are expanded with joy or contracted with pain, whether you have what you need or need what you don’t have, whether you are in a hopeful condition or a desperate condition, whether you are passing away or remaining. These states are all the changing traces of divine activity. They are circumstances other than God that necessarily change and, in changing, transport you.
Now it is clear to you that people who are with their circumstances exist only for circumstances while circumstances exist for those who are with the One who transforms their circumstances. Shaykh al-Mursi has said, “Those who love to appear before others are servants of appearing. Those who love to be hidden from others are servants of hiding. But servants of God do not care whether God makes then appear before others or become hidden in anonymity.” Realize that the eternal One places you in a circumstance in order that you take something from the circumstance rather than having the circumstance taking something from you. Circumstance comes upon you bearing a gift for you: the potential for you to gain new knowledge about God. So turn to face each new circumstance uttering the name of the One who initiates (al-Mubdi) Enter each changing circumstance and remain in it as you have received the gifts that it bears for you. Stay respectfully attentive and cultivate proper comportment while it faces you, turning your whole attention toward it. Recognize when it is beginning to pass away, and uttering the name of the One who calls to return (al-Mu’id) (Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari)
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May we all be sincere servants to Allah Ta’ala in each and every circumstance.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
