Divine love and its demands

 

Love

 

Before Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him), love was in search of an appropriate place.  Even the angels of highest heavens were not suitable for love.  This love was hidden in solitude.  Then the fame of Iblis spread.  Love decided to leave its solitude and settle in Iblis.  The majesty of Allah Most High called: O love! Where do you go?  Iblis is not fit for this.  Then love separated itself from the genie and angels and hid itself.

 

On one hand, Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him) was created and on the other love was made into a tree and planted in paradise.  Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him) was told: O Adam!  Enjoy all the bounty of paradise, but do not go near this tree of love.  Iblis said: O Adam!  All other bounty of paradise are physical nourishment and love is spiritual nourishment.  If you have not had love, then what have you had?

 

Adam longingly looked at the tree of Love.  An order came: Adam! What are doing?  Do you know the specialty of this tree?  The moment you eat this, its root enters your heart.

 

Adam! Think well. If you desire comfort, then see this is paradise.  Eat, drink and enjoy.  Do not bring the name of the tree of love on your lips.  If you eat from the tree of love, remember:

 

In our kingdom of Love

Battles always rage,

In our cup, blood, like wine, is always present

If you desire love, then be ready to bear everything,

Else go away and never even talk about it.

 

We are ready to be your friend, but you are not ready to bear difficulties and love us.

 

Prophet Adam (May peace be upon him) got ready to face everything.  The command came: Adam! Consider once again.  If you are coming in to this field, listen to this:

 

Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere Surah Baqarah (2:155)

 

Difficulties and hardships will come in different forms, fear and terror will come.  There will be the fear of the tyrants in speaking the truth, the opposition of the society in acquiring piety, the dislike of the rich, the abandoning by the friends, the taunts of those who love this world and the malice of enemies. 

 

After sending fear and terror, we will see whether or not the person will fear anyone else, speak out the truth and be firm on piety or leave it out of fear.

 

The hardships of hunger and thirst may be either due to poverty, starvation or due to fasting.

 

The hardships of decrease in wealth like through theft, etc.  Even the hope of receiving wealth through unlawful means will have to be dropped.

 

Difficulties on life itself like death or physical hurt which one receives in enjoining good and forbidding evil, the death of relatives, nephews, etc. is included in this.

 

Loss of fruits (agricultural produce) or loss in business, etc.

 

Reason why hardships come on the friends of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala)

 

Once Hadhrat Yahya (May Allah be well pleased with him) said in a supplication: Lord! If any worldly person loves someone, he gives a lot to that person, gives many bounties and comfort.  Contrary to this, whomever You love, You involve that person in difficulties and hardships.  What is this?  A crier called out: We know our secrets well!  Difficulties and hardships come on Our friends, so that they turn to us alone and don’t pay attention to anybody apart from us.

 

When we send hardships on someone

We write that name among our Friends 

[Excerpted from Shahadatnama of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan]