Strength of Belief in the Hereafter

Strength of Belief in the Hereafter The fact is that God has made a human being as a seeker of happiness, but God has not placed in this present world the opportunities to obtain ideal happiness. It is decreed for a person that he should have desires in this world. It is for him to manage or control these desires and wait for the world that comes after death for their complete fulfilment. Success lies in making this discovery. Strength of Belief in the Hereafter A story is told about Malik Shah (d. 1092), ruler of Iraq. One day, he was passing over a bridge while seated on his horse when an old woman came up and stood in front of him. A soldier of the king had conscripted her son for forced labour. Addressing Malik Shah, the woman told him what had happened. The king said to her that she should present a formal request in the court. The woman responded, “Malik Shah! You must decide for me right now, on this very bridge. Otherwise, tomorrow the decision will happen on the other bridge.” By ‘the other bridge’ the woman meant the pul-e sirat. From a hadith we learn that the pul-e sirat is a bridge that is thinner than a hair, sharper than a sword and hotter than fire. In the Hereafter, true believers will pass over it quickly. Some people will find some difficulty crossing it but will eventually find relief. And other people will slip and fall down in the deep pits below. Malik Shah was taken aback hearing the old woman’s words. At once he fulfilled her request.