Two weeks ago one of the brothers asked me to speak with his brother: "My brother is good, giving, pleasing to parents.…

Two weeks ago one of the brothers asked me to speak with his brother: "My brother is good, giving, pleasing to parents....but he doesn't maintain his prayers"...

I met the brother in question...and after preliminaries: Why don't you maintain your prayers, Abu So-and-so?

- Look, doctor...I love Allah, and Allah has blessed me greatly in my life and I'm certain that Allah loves me...and I can't imagine that....

- You can't imagine He would punish you for falling short in prayer. Isn't that right?

- Yes...

- Do you know, my friend, that by this you're repeating the statement of the People of the Book before you when they said: (We are the children of Allah and His beloved.) So Allah responded: (Say, "Then why does He punish you for your sins?" Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the [final] destination).

- This arrow pierced our companion's heart amid much talk...

- I sent him today asking about the state of his prayer and he gave me good news that he became regular in it and said: (This verse remained dominating over me, and became the driver that moves me).

- I wanted to share this experience with you so we all remember: (It is not [according to] your wishful thinking nor the wishful thinking of the People of the Book)...Your honor with Allah is only by your obedience to Him.