The Stepping Stone

The Stepping Stone

1986 1 January 4 The Stepping Stone (267) At one point in the propagation of Islam, Meccan persecution of the Muslims so increased in intensity, many Muslims then becoming the victims of torture and murder, that the Prophet instructed them to disperse throughout the world until God saw fit to bring them together again. When they asked where they should go, he advised them to escape to Abyssinia, the Christian kingdom where “a king, Negus, rules without injustice, a land of truthfulness.”

These words of the Prophet are a very meaningful. One can put it another way and say, “Instead of combating the enemy, remove yourself from its aim. Do not stay in one place and remain a target”. Then, according to God’s law, such circumstances will be created as will vanquish the enemy, and the believers who would have increased in strength in the meantime because of their positive and constructive activities, shall be gathered together at one point.

The trials of emigration call for great patience and to be sure, God’s blessings are always given in exchange for it. In the words of the Prophet, “Surely victory follows patience, just as ease and felicity succeeds efforts and difficulty.”

This shows that the divine succour is always at the side of those who are patient. Patience, is, in fact, a stepping stone to the divine succour. Whenever man is faced with any difficulty, he should eschew impatience. Being blessed with patience is a sign that one is entitled to the help of God and that one’s difficulties will eventually be overcome.

Paradise lies beyond the wall of patience which people must seek and surmount.