A Mercy Case

Dear David,

When will you abandon all your concerns and flee to Me? When will you renounce your need for any-thing or any-one except the One (al-Ahad)? When will you remember that everything you have that gives you a sense of possibility in your life is on loan from Me? Have you not heard My words: “Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwelling in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving hard in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision. And Allah guides not the people who are disobedient.” (Surah al-Tawba, verse 24) When will you stand up and be counted?! Do you think that I cannot suffice You? Do you think that any-one or any-thing could give you any happiness at all were I to turn away from you? If I love you, then you do not need anything else, and if I do not love you, then even if I were to put love for you in the heart of every human being you have ever known and will know, it would lead you only to sadness.

You sit there amidst the blessings I have given you, and you even type these words because of the health, free time, and sustenance which comes only from Me. Yet, in your heart there remains attachment to that which is other than Me. All of that will wither, and you have yet to let My words fully enter your heart: “Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose resulting plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes scattered debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment, as well as forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Surah al-Hadid, verse 20) In this life, I will give you what I give you. If I have not chosen it for you, then all of your psychological scheming and physical efforts will not bring it to you. If I have chosen it for you, then relax, for it will reach you in due time. You have not yet embraced in your heart the words of my servant, who taught you, “Give yourself a rest from managing! When Someone Else is doing it for you, don’t you start doing it for yourself!” (Ibn Ata’illah, Hikam #5)

I do not say all of this to be harsh, for you know that I am the Most Merciful of those who show mercy (arham al-rahimin). I say it for your own good. You will die, you know that. Everyone you love will die. You know that too. So rely on Me, “the Living who does not die,” (Surah al-Furqan, verse 58) “the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward,” (Surah al-Hadid, verse 3) for I am knowing of all things. And believe Me with all your heart when I say, “…and with Us is even more.” (Surah Qaf, verse 35)

Listen to the words of the one I sent to call you back to Me: “Allah says: ‘I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and has never crossed the mind of human beings. All of that is reserved, besides which all that you have known is as nothing.’ Then he recited: ‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do’ [Surah al-Sajdah, verse 17].” This was narrated by My servant al-Bukhari.

I will suffice you, for all eternity, for I am the One who created you, and I know everything you need, want, imagine, and have even yet to imagine. “There is no god but I, so worship Me.” (Surah al-Anbiya, verse 25)

For your benefit,

The Lord of all things, Who revealed the Qur’an, and Who speaks to you in your mind, heart, and soul