Faith Conquers All
Al-Risala (English), July 1985, p. 23
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Faith Conquers All
1985 7 July 23 Faith Conquers All (315) When, in a dream, Abraham saw himself sacrificing his own son, he interpreted this as a commandment from God and, without the slightest wavering or hesitation; he decided to carry it out. But no sooner had he put the knife on the throat of his son than he heard a voice commanding him to stop. He had passed the test by showing whole hearted willingness to obey the word of God. He was then provided with a lamb to be sacrificed instead.
This event shows that, in most cases, a sacrifice is called for, but not accepted. The ‘knife’ is taken away before it cuts the ‘throat’.
The real test, in actual fact, is not physical but psychological. It is man’s willingness or unwillingness that is put to the test, through the act. The actual act is not required in itself. God does not take man to task unnecessarily. But only those are absolved from sacrifice who have proved their willingness to make one.
Eschewing the path of sacrifice to a God who is most compassionate – loving His servants far more than their parents – serves to prove that faith in God is lacking in one. It amounts to distrust in the love of God. God gives far far more than he takes. Abraham was asked to present to God only a son, and God, in return, conferred on him the leadership of the whole world.
Man must serve God without wavering even in the slightest degree, shedding all reservations. He must have full faith in his most kind, compassionate Creator who is watching over him every moment. God does test man but the moment he is going to take the plunge, He comes forward and saves him.
How strange it is then for the son not to trust the call of his father. How strange it is for man to lose confidence in his Lord.
