afflicted are God’s favorite
Chapters 33-35 Chapters 33-35 Summary Hussainy’s relatives and friends gather to see him off on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. They tell tales of pilgrimages ancient and modern, discuss sacred traditions, and one chants verse from the Qur’an. Hussainy gives a long, eloquent speech. When a friend wishes him “A happy journey and safe return”, Hussainy asks not to be reminded of the latter, for those who visit God’s house while longing for home God ignores. He will think of Egypt only after leaving the “scenes of the revelations”, and reserve thought of “returning” for another pilgrimage—and perhaps ending his life in the Holy Land. He pictures places in his mind, throbs with love for God, and longs for Mecca, the Well of Zamzam, and the road taken by the Messenger on his Flight—and multitudes over thirteen hundred years. His heart chills, anticipating praying at the Prophet’s grave and kneeling in the Holy Garden imagining the Prophet’s face, and walking through Mecca reciting verses as they are first revealed. He will seek forgiveness and divine peace. He asks his friends only to pray to God that he will fulfill Hussainy’s hopes.
His eyes glistening with joy and passion, Hussainy continues, talking about his love of life, which the All Merciful has filled with both tears and joys. He loves everything in the world and sees all as pure goodness. Evil is but “the inability of the sick to see the good concealed in the crevices”. Worship consists equally of loving life and the afterlife. Those who complain about sickness and deny divine wisdom should consider the alternative: having never existed at all. Hussainy confesses to having questioned the timing of his son’s death, but surrendered to God’s wisdom as being greater than his own sorrow. He has passed a test of faith, and thanks God for it. Ever since, he gives heartfelt thanks for every affliction. Every test
Chapters 33-35 Chapters 33-35 Summary Hussainy’s relatives and friends gather to see him off on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. They tell tales of pilgrimages ancient and modern, discuss sacred traditions, and one chants verse from the Qur’an. Hussainy gives a long, eloquent speech. When a friend wishes him “A happy journey and safe return”, Hussainy asks not to be reminded of the latter, for those who visit God’s house while longing for home God ignores. He will think of Egypt only after leaving the “scenes of the revelations”, and reserve thought of “returning” for another pilgrimage—and perhaps ending his life in the Holy Land. He pictures places in his mind, throbs with love for God, and longs for Mecca, the Well of Zamzam, and the road taken by the Messenger on his Flight—and multitudes over thirteen hundred years. His heart chills, anticipating praying at the Prophet’s grave and kneeling in the Holy Garden imagining the Prophet’s face, and walking through Mecca reciting verses as they are first revealed. He will seek forgiveness and divine peace. He asks his friends only to pray to God that he will fulfill Hussainy’s hopes.
His eyes glistening with joy and passion, Hussainy continues, talking about his love of life, which the All Merciful has filled with both tears and joys. He loves everything in the world and sees all as pure goodness. Evil is but “the inability of the sick to see the good concealed in the crevices”. Worship consists equally of loving life and the afterlife. Those who complain about sickness and deny divine wisdom should consider the alternative: having never existed at all. Hussainy confesses to having questioned the timing of his son’s death, but surrendered to God’s wisdom as being greater than his own sorrow. He has passed a test of faith, and thanks God for it. Ever since, he gives heartfelt thanks for every affliction. Every test confirms that God applies power with wisdom—something human lovers often do, leading to delight. The afflicted are God’s favorites. Hussainy is happy to comfort those who once thought him in need of consolation. He likens his contentment to a singer lost in a melody and elated by the power of his art. Most view tragedies afflicting the seemingly blameless as “signs of revengeful justice”, but God is too just and merciful for this. He describes himself in the Qur’an as “mighty and revengeful”, but only to indicate how men ought to settle their affairs. God’s essential attributes are mercy and wisdom. Accepting the loss of his children as punishment would leave him depressed, dissatisfied, and void of forgiveness and mercy. Whatever reveals wisdom, goodness, and joy cannot be tragic.
Hussainy draws his opinions from both literal texts and scholastic interpretations of Islam. Some of his guests believe revenge is mercy, but he has not been inviting debate. Rather, he has expressed the feelings that well up inside him. Smiling, he discloses the hidden reason for undertaking the pilgrimage this year. Every time he has wanted to, God has made him put it off. Now, however, the devil has ensnared three of their neighbors in the alley, breaking his heart, and making him feel guilty about his own blessings. His conscience tells him he must go to the land of repentance and remain for
—something human lovers often do, leading to delight. The afflicted are God’s favorites. Hussainy is happy to comfort those who once thought him in need of consolation. He likens his contentment to a singer lost in a melody and elated by the power of his art. Most view tragedies afflicting the seemingly blameless as “signs of revengeful justice”, but God is too just and merciful for this. He describes himself in the Qur’an as “mighty and revengeful”, but only to indicate how men ought to settle their affairs. God’s essential attributes are mercy and wisdom. Accepting the loss of his children as punishment would leave him depressed, dissatisfied, and void of forgiveness and mercy. Whatever reveals wisdom, goodness, and joy cannot be tragic.
Hussainy draws his opinions from both literal texts and scholastic interpretations of Islam. Some of his guests believe revenge is mercy, but he has not been inviting debate. Rather, he has expressed the feelings that well up inside him. Smiling, he discloses the hidden reason for undertaking the pilgrimage this year. Every time he has wanted to, God has made him put it off. Now, however, the devil has ensnared three of their neighbors in the alley, breaking his heart, and making him feel guilty about his own blessings. His conscience tells him he must go to the land of repentance and remain for
