1. ‘Whenever He alienates you from His creation, realise that he wants to open for you the door of closeness with Him’
متى أَوحشكَ من خلقِه فاعلم أنه يريد أن يفتحَ لك بابَ الأنسِ به
Sometimes one may feel alone. They may go through a rough divorce. The children may move out. You lose touch with friends. As the heart empties from creation, it fills with remembrance of the creator. Whilst we may see this as a wound, it may be the greatest gift you receive.
2. ‘Sometimes He gives while depriving you, and sometimes He deprives you in giving.’
ربما أعطاك فمنعك وربما منعك فأعطاك
Allah (swt) may give you something from this world – wealth, luxuries and enjoyment. But these same elements can distract you from obedience to him.
On the other hand, Allah (swt) may prevent you from what you really desire. But through that, he guides you to him directly. The scholars say ‘Don’t look at the outward gift or constraint, but the reality [your connection to Allah]’
3. ‘You are more in need of His forbearance when you obey Him than you are when you disobey Him.’
أنت إلى حلمه إذا أطعتَه أحوج منك إلى حلمه إذا عصيتَه.
This is a key concept where one should exhibit humility, especially if they fulfil the divine commandments. Ibn al-Qayyim cites one of the Salaf who said ‘a person may commit a sin by which he goes to heaven and a good deed by which he goes to hell’
Why? Because someone may sin and become ashamed before his Lord thereby turning to him in sincere repentance and humility.
On the other hand, a man may commit a good deed and become vain and proud. He then sees himself better than others, similar to how Shaytan was in front of Adam (as). The sin of pride can be greater than committing evil in impulse, hence why we are in great need of the most Forbearing (Al-Haleem).