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Chapter 9

Wisdom's behind the Distribution of Sustenance

Preface: I believe that, after perceiving the process of obtaining the sustenance from the corners and around the mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans, it necessitates to acquire some knowledge about the auxiliary distributors called tradesmen and dealers in the market as well. Here, by studying the business of the tradesmen, not only a slight notion of the secrets of the distribution of His Almighty's provision will be acquired, but many other secrets as well. Many of these are hidden in the auspicious verse:

Meaning "We make you involved and busy to distinguish those among you who would meanwhile do better deeds purely for the sake of Almighty God."

If Man was not involved in this and that business, then he would have indeed been like those from the Sacred World, always busy in obedience, remembrance, and incantation.

In that case, the wisdom behind trial and examination would have been of absolutely no value or sense.

This involvement with the artificed and existing things of Almighty God is, in itself, a notice, so that Man in any circumstance while being engaged with this, should observe the Perfection and Glory of the Imperishable Artificer. In each moment he should keep in mind the bypassing scenes of life and with an open view should regard the Presence of Him Almighty as prevalent. He should not violate any commands and satisfaction of God. In no matter what action or occupation, he should know that Almighty God has created and prepared these means and things for Man and other living creatures. He Almighty could have provided each person's sustenance, without engaging the dealers and distributors, such as He has provided to fish and other marine creatures.

Thus, our involvement as a means in this business of preparing the daily bread or participating in the affairs should be according to the real Islamic and human values. These daily events should be considered as a test, and the robbery of ego (Nafs) and Satan should be remembered, hence staying righteous and truthful in front of each of this and other deceitful and cheating motives. Finally, considering the Seeing and Hearing of His Almighty's All-Knowing Seer ('Aleem ul-Basseer) as always present and watchful on oneself, this is the shortest path of salvation for our both worlds with peaceful heart and full contentment, and this is it.

How All-Knowing ('Aleem) and Wise (Hakeem) is the Generous (Kareem) God!

1. Have you reflected? That the tradesmen, such as forage sellers, cloth-sellers, grocers, and others, give people's prescribed portion measuring and weighing it themselves after the customer has asked for and specified some thing. As a matter of fact, these too, in their turn, are the distributors of people's necessary things.

2. Have you reflected? Why some people come and check this and that bag, before buying their flour, rice, or other needs? Well! In reality, the person is going around in order to find the sustenance that is prescribed for him to pick up. Wherever he finds it, he will buy it.

How Powerful Generous One (Kareem) He is, Exalted be He.

3. Have you reflected? It often happens that the customer does not like the thing in the first bag he had checked. After checking many bags, he comes back to where he has refused the thing and had considered it ugly and he buys the necessary portion. Because that portion contains his prescribed sustenance, which he has to buy.

How Reckoning Sublime (Haseeb ul-Jallel) is One God, Unique and Knowledgeable, Exalted be He.

4. Have you reflected? Why he was not triumphant to pick up that thing in the first time, even though it was his sustenance? There is much wisdom in this:

First: This, or some other content of this bag is, someone else's sustenance. After this person leaves, the actual person or people come and buy their portions. The first person after wandering for a long time comes back and buys that portion that he is destined for.

How Bestowing Provider (Raaziq ul-Wahhaab) and Forgiving Subduer (Ghaffaar ul-Qahhaar) is Exalted He.

5. Have you reflected? Secondly, it often happens that the time for buying, paying and getting is not met. Therefore, angel keeps him wandering through the pretext of "go and get something better," until the proper purchasing time.

Indeed, the Powerful Self-Subsisting (Qayyum ul-Moqtadir) and the Omnipresent Noble (Maajid ul-Haadhir), is Exalted He.

6. Have you reflected? Likewise, in choosing his and his family's fruits and vegetables from their corresponding original sustenance, the person picks them up according to his choice from the stock of melons, watermelons, carrots, onions, turnips, etc. He is happy in having picked good ones. Although everything rejected by him and other customers will be sold by that evening to other people who were supposed to come on other occasions according to their own prescribed schedules. Often, nothing of the rejected ones will be left.

Verily! The All-Knowing Opener (Fattaah ul-'Aleem) and the Alone Unique Wise (Fard ul-Hakeem), is Glorious He.

7. Have you reflected? The purpose of perceiving the prescribed sustenance has been to explore the Perfection of His Almighty's Providence. Some people have taken advantage of this. They have understood not working while receiving sustenance. This is a full mistake, an absolute error. Rather this is an improper exaggeration from enemies bent on sabotaging and confusing the minds of the followers of Islam. We should consider this as proof for the Perfection of the Almighty Absolute Provider. By using the strengths given to us, we must make an effort to earn our livelihood.

These studies are merely for charging the power of person's faith. In the presence of the Lordly Court, we should feel primarily responsible for the preparing and consuming of all these favors than for the assuming of any other duty. We should not hesitate one minute in fulfilling this.

Sure! The Lord of Majesty and Bounty (Zuljalaal wal-Ikraam), the Exalted Owner of Sovereignty (Maalik ul-Mulk) and Creator of favors, is Glorious He.