Passing Thoughts #4
It is life-altering to know that it is God alone who nourishes, sustains, guides, and protects His servants. He uses for His purpose whatever and whoever He wishes, however He wishes, and for whatever duration He wishes.
Knowing that this absolute power exists alongside the fact that Allah has given us a will—one we enact, through which we intend and earn our deeds, and for which we are held responsible—is deeply fortifying. It completes the picture. The Truth strengthens the heart.
In Surah at-Taha, once the realization of the truth descends on the magicians, the game is over for Pharoah. Nothing can be done to turn them away from the truth. His threats lose their power because the magicians recognize the limits of his power. They recognize that beyond this false god, there is the real Maker and King of all that exists. Witnessing the truth propels the magicians out of the tiny cage where Pharoah had played god. They now believed in a life that had no end.
In response to Pharoah’s full blown tantrum and threats once he saw the magicians falling into prostration, the magicians blurted out the truth.
They said, “We will never prefer you over the clear signs that have come to us, and over Him who has created us. So, decide whatever you have to decide. You will decide only for this worldly life. We have put our faith in our Lord, so that He forgives us for our sins and for the magic you compelled us to perform. And Allah is the Best and Everlasting.” [Surah Ta Ha: 72-73]
Such is the power of the truth once it takes hold of a heart. Truth causes the heart’s vision to expand and reduces the otherwise oversized significance and impact of the material world.