Even with a certain level of comfort and acceptance, there’s an establishment that introduces a series of challenging trials: the institution of faith! Within it are intertwined agonies; endless, clustered deprivations are hidden. While escaping from one calamity, the second calamity that will break your back is ready to fall upon you.
The unique one in human history, peace and blessings be upon him, stated this truth with his saying: “Those afflicted with the severest trials and tribulations are the Prophets, followed by those (friends of God and righteous ones) in order of their ranking (in the sight of God).” He is the only person, the Beloved one of the Ultimate Truth and Ever-Constant, who lived with his devoted Companions, surrendered, and reached the unattainable.
When it comes to those who have attained the greatest truth from the sun of humanity; they are so grand that they cannot be described and depicted through mere words and images. Beyond swearing upon sacred matters and promises, their extraordinary manifestation lies in their actions and behaviors when they say, “I believe!”
Zayd, a person of pure faith free from unbelief, polytheism, and hypocrisy, and the father of the great Sa’d, who was blessed with the developments that give the glad tidings of the coming of the Prophet, said, “I have abandoned Lat and ʻUzza. I have abandoned them all! Anyone with insight will do as I have done.” In this way, he gathers the pressures and insults that accumulated like mountains, and he is the first to stand against the afflictions of the last moments of the believers without a Prophet. One cannot claim that the Pride of the Universe will not hold his hand, obliterating the passage of time that is like a mere line. Good news in the heavens, signs on earth… When the reins of his horse, which colors and rays await, turn towards this side of the world, the aged sphere demolishes the pillars of Tag Kisra (Hall of Chosroes) with its joy. In him is eternal bliss. In him is the hope of existence that humanity awaits. But all of this is within a circle of fire. A rose amidst thousands of thorns… A condition that heals the heart, beyond the events that crack the ribcage… A drop of the water of life is given only to those who have reached the point where they can drink the marrow of camels, who have burned and whose lips have burst. The strangest point where reason fails: Everything done is regarded as a favor to the soul. On hot pebbles where you can’t even touch the tip of your foot, Habbab, who is laid on his back every day, while stones heavier than himself are placed on his chest, thinks as follows: “This cause is immensely great, this burden is extremely heavy; you are very weak, O Habbab! Is my enduring these tortures more important, or the foot of the Messenger of God being pricked by a thorn? Let those like Habbab perish, but let not a thorn prick him!” Then, when he becomes a governor, he looks at the magnificence around him, thinks about the sweetness of those old bitter days, and weeps.
They believed. In the most beautiful times of youth, they recognized the Savior. It is a privilege that only a few, like the immigrant to the city of God, Ammar, and a few others, reached.
Coming from the wilderness to settle in Mecca and then to reach the Eternal Light… One of the privileges he had was being the child of the first martyr of Islam, a great woman who was determined to endure anything for the sake of her faith. She did not leave out any suffering; finally, she is plunged into boiling water, her hair falls out, her face is burnt. After all of this, she was stabbed with a spear. Her eyes fixed on the highest of heights, she utters her final words: “There is no deity but God. Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, is His Messenger.” Shortly thereafter, Yasir’s son Ammar, witnessing the same fate for his father, is captured. He is crucified and red-hot iron bars are pressed on various parts of his body. These intolerable tortures are endured solely because he met and conversed with the Messenger of God. There comes a time when suffering becomes unbearable. Ammar says reluctantly that he will no longer meet with him. As soon as he is released, he goes to the presence of the Messenger and bursts into tears. The Messenger of God asks: “How is your heart?” He replies, “It is filled with faith in God and His Messenger.” Full of compassion, he caresses him and shows him kindness. This period began with the tears and blood of nameless heroes.
This path is distant,
Its destination is far,
There is no bridge,
Deep waters ahead.
People’s share of eternal existence is proportionate to the difficulties and suffering they endure. This was immeasurable in the past. They were living for Islam, and to not hurt the feelings of the One whose honor is above all, they were kneading the mud of the institution they were building with blood and using their bones instead of rubble. The ground of that building is agony, its walls are sorrowful, and its ceiling is filled with eternity adorned with stars.
Greetings to the believers, who are welcomed by the Ultimate Truth and Ever-Constant, who are in a state of enthusiastic excitement in His path! I wonder if we really believe.
Note: This text is a translation of the author’s original essay titled “İnanıyor muyuz?,” which was published in the Gurbet magazine on July 1, 1966.
