Episode 6 - Indescribable Tastes!

Indescribable Flavors!

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May Allah grant me tranquility towards the decrees of Allah the Almighty. I first saw that from the wisdom of Allah the Almighty is that He does not test His believing servants with burdens they cannot bear, but with trials that match their faith. Al-Tirmidhi narrated from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas who said: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, who among people is most severely tested?" He said: "The prophets, then the best, then the best. A man is tested according to his faith. If he is strong in his faith, his trial is severe. If he is weak in his faith, he is tested according to his faith. The trial does not leave the servant until he walks on the earth with no sin upon him."

Secondly, I saw that He, the Almighty, is merciful to His believing servants and gradually increases their trials. He tests them according to their faith, then He grants patience, which increases their faith to a degree that qualifies them to bear a more severe trial. Allah tests them with that trial and grants them patience.

Indescribable Flavors

I saw how He, the Almighty, grants His believing servant flavors that are tasted but cannot be described, just like the taste of fruit and the scent of perfumes. If I asked you to describe to me the taste of an orange or an apple, or the scent of jasmine or basil, could you? These are flavors that are tasted but cannot be described. Similarly, these servants of Allah, whom you cannot imagine how they endure, have tasted the flavor of tranquility and intimacy with Allah, and the attachment of the heart to Him, and contentment with His decree. These meanings are flavors that are tasted but cannot be described.

I tasted some of this in my experience and knew its effect. But in captivity, I met people whom I considered better than me and more experienced in these meanings. Their trials were severe, much more severe than mine, but their faces still shone with contentment, joy, and tranquility. Their tongues always uttered praise to Allah and minimized their patience as long as it was for the sake of Allah the Almighty. Indeed, one of them said to me: "When I supplicate to Allah for relief, I sometimes almost ask Allah not to answer my supplication." Imagine! He says: "When I supplicate to Allah for relief, I sometimes almost ask Allah not to answer my supplication because of what I remember of the great reward I will receive in the Hereafter if Allah delays the reward of the supplication to the Hereafter."

I would remind this brother that I have good thoughts about Allah the Almighty that He will make for me a relief and an exit soon. Look at these beautiful expressions. He said: "I want you to enjoy the blessing of the trial." I did not understand these words of mine at that time, but I began to live them after a period of continuing the experience of captivity.

I have seen in my experience a glimpse of the wisdom of Allah in trials. The trial began light at first, and I thought it would soon pass. I thought that I would not remain in captivity except for a few days. Allah granted me patience and strengthened my resolve, so the trial increased and the captivity prolonged. And whenever my trial intensified, tranquility would descend from Allah, granting me patience. So, all praise is due to Allah, the Wise, the Merciful. I knew how the owners of long trials endure. Allah, the Exalted, is Wise in His trials, Able to grant others patience in their more severe trials.

The Magicians of Pharaoh

These wondrous flavors, the flavors of intimacy with Allah and contentment with His decree and the attachment of the heart to Him, if you have not tasted them, you can see their effects. Look at the seventy magicians of Pharaoh. This number seventy is mentioned by Ibn Abi Hatim from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them. The magicians of Pharaoh had no concern when Pharaoh came to them except: "Shall we have a reward if we are the victors?" They wanted to practice sorcery, magic, deception, and lying to people, and they wanted a reward from Pharaoh in return. All their ambitions were earthly, mundane.

Pharaoh said to them: "I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." Yet what did those who were, yesterday, even moments ago, magicians who did not believe in Allah or the Hereafter, whose ambition was purely worldly, say to him? What did they say? "We will not prefer you over what has come to us of the clear evidences and He who has originated us. So do what you are going to do. You only rule over this worldly life. Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what You have compelled us to do of magic. And Allah is best and everlasting." Worldly, earthly people in a moment tasted these indescribable flavors and turned into giants whose souls were attached to the Hereafter, hoping for no good from people and fearing no harm.

So if you see righteous people being tested with severe trials, and questions arise in your heart about the wisdom of Allah in their trials, say to yourself: "Have these patient ones entrusted me to complain to Allah on their behalf?" They have not complained to their Lord, the Exalted, to anyone. If they are content with the decree of Allah, what is my concern?

Conclusion

From the wisdom of Allah the Almighty is that He grants the owners of severe trials indescribable flavors.

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.