Pure is that Being Who has decided to annihilate all creation. From this perspective, kings and slaves are all equal before Him. He kept only Himself unique with eternity, and maintained Himself as one in primal existence. He used His powers in the world and elsewhere as He willed. The neediness of everyone became evident before Him, whether someone was righteous or wicked, misguided or rightly guided. يَسْاَلُهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ (Surah Ar-Rahman: 29) Translation: All those who are in the heavens and the earth ask of Him; every day He is in a state of glory. He is immensely Generous; His bounty has covered everyone. Where can this sinner flee? Who will compensate for the one who has lost the way? How many times has destiny contended with the guarantor? To how many rejected people has He granted the guidance (tawfeeq) to be present in His court? How negligent has fate made the sinners in human destiny—among them, someone became unfortunate and someone became fortunate. إحدى وسِتُّون لو مرَّت علی حجرٍ لکان من حُکمھا أن یَخلَقَ الحجرُ تُــؤمِـلُ النّــفـسُ آمــالاً لـتبلُـغَـھَا کأنـھـا لا تــری مـا یــصنَـعُ الـقدر Translation: (1) If sixty-one years were to pass over even a stone, it would be counted as a worn-out stone. (2) The soul hopes to achieve many aspirations, as if it does not see what destiny is going to do. _________________________________________________ Book: Ansuon Ka Samandar (The Ocean of Tears) (Page Number: 193) Author: Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (May Allah have mercy on him) Translator: Maulana Mufti Imdadullah Anwar Sahab