O Lord! What need is there for anything other than You, when I have You? How beautiful it is to hope in You and despair of all others!
You Yourself said, “Call upon Me and I will answer you” ; I heard it and came. At times when I find myself struggling in the mire of my disobedience, I find nothing better than Your name and remembrance. And how delightful is the miracle that I witness through seeking intercession with Your chosen ones in Your presence. Yes! Seeking intercession through Your messengers and the accepted ones in Your court brings nothing but hope and joy!
And indeed, this is the truth…
One day, a ringmaker, who was a lover of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), came to him and said, “O son of the Messenger of God! The caliph entrusted me with a large and beautiful turquoise ring and ordered me to engrave a phrase on it. But when I placed the iron on it, the stone cracked in two. I fear that this may lead to my ruin. Please pray for me.”
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) said, “Insha’Allah, there is no cause for fear.”
Indeed, Imam (peace be upon him) transferred his deep, heartfelt conviction to the man, and he sought to calm the troubled heart of the man through trust in God and steadfast faith. And so it happened, for when he left, there was no trace of worry on the man’s face.
The man says, “I went home, and the next day the caliph called for me and said, ‘I have two servants who argue over the ring and will not be satisfied unless you split it into two and make two rings.'”
So I returned home, made two rings from the broken stone, and brought them to the caliph’s court. The two servants were satisfied, and the caliph showed me kindness in return. I praised God for this.”
Indeed, the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them), throughout their blessed lives, while spreading and teaching the divine knowledge, always encouraged their companions and followers to rely on and trust in God. Truly, peace and tranquility can only be found on the shore of God’s remembrance and trust in Him.
Excerpt from the book “Al-Khara’ij wal-Khara’ij,” by Qutb al-Rawandi (with condensation and additions).[1]
Footnote:
[1] The above text is from the Persian translation of the mentioned book by Mr. Gholamhossein Mehrami, published under the title “Glory of the Miracles of the Infallibles (peace be upon them).”