ÜÇÜNCÜ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · İKİNCİ FASIL · Dördüncü Madde
Fourth Point
Regarding the reasons and secrets for why submission and surrender are extremely important and necessary for humankind:
O esteemed one! Know that the friends of Allah have said: "The eternal decree is more exalted and greater than being based on any cause or circumstance. For a servant’s subsequent request cannot be the cause of what Allah had previously decreed. Thus, while Allah wills and creates, it is the cause for everything, yet nothing is a cause or reason for His decree and creation. Allah's favor is not from something within you. When Allah’s favor turns towards you, where were you? Everything is dependent on Allah’s will; He is not dependent on anything. For Allah does what He wills, and that which He does not intend does not come to pass. As the Noble Quran states: “He does what He wills” (Hud, 11/107, Buruj, 85/16), proclaiming that all existence comes about through His will and power. For this reason, supplication is the custom of those who are devoted to surrender and entrusting [250/b].
For they have known that nothing happens in the universe without benefit or wisdom. Many a knower has been prevented from asking anything of Allah by His remembrance. And many perfected ones have considered it an etiquette to refrain from asking anything of Him, based on their trust in Allah’s distribution. They have shown acceptance towards what is decreed for them from fate and destiny.
The knowers have observed that the portion allotted to you, which is drawn and decreed, is as if a straight line; and speaking about it is an error. In the way of friendship, supplication is considered contention and resistance. For the Lord of the servants knows what they are in need of. The knower is content with whatever Allah wills for him and is ashamed to present his needs to Him. How can he be shy to tell His creation of his needs, when he does not feel shame to ask from Allah? It is the custom of the saints to be satisfied with that which Allah has given and to refrain from making any requests, abandoning supplication, being content with what He has previously distributed. For one who knows Allah feels ashamed to ask anything of Him. In this state, how can he go to creation with a face of request?
The knowers do not ask for anything from people, for they themselves are poor while their Lord is self-sufficient (ganî). They are independent of people in times of need and distress. They know that Allah does everything and He is dominant over His affair and above all things. Allah knows and sees all hearts at every hour of the day and night. And whoever’s heart turns to someone other than Him for a need, He will inflict poverty upon him and make his affairs difficult. The knowers cannot express their needs to anyone but present them to their Lord. They turn towards Him and see all that is happening as in accordance with Allah's will. They abandon their own desires and find peace.
Poem
Nothing comes except what my desired one intends, and you abandon it;
And abandon the fancies that darken the heart, so you may attain ease.
(Translation of Poem)
1- The friends of devotion are different within the people of supplication, sometimes they affirm, sometimes they deny.
2- A group among the friends I know, their mouths are closed to supplication.
3- Having attained the rida (pleasure) that is the characteristic of those noble ones, seeking to avert misfortune becomes forbidden to them.
4- They find such pleasure in fate that desiring deliverance from it seems like disbelief.
5- Such a good opinion has settled into their hearts that they do not mourn over any sorrow, wearing black garments.
6- Good and bad are one in their eyes; whatever comes, they see it through the lens of their own good opinion.
7- Whatever comes before them is pleasing; even if fire comes, it becomes water of life for them.
8- Poison in their throats becomes sweet sugar; stones on their path become jewels.
9- The saint does not object to Allah; whatever he receives, he sends back as a gift.
10- If he burns the vineyard, he gives grapes to you; when he is in mourning, he gives joy to you.
11- We do not surrender or object; for what is lost is replaced by something greater.
12- Since warmth reaches us without fire, I am content if the fire consumes us.
13- Since light comes without a lamp, why do you lament that your lamp has gone out?