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When Life Begins ---------
However, for those humans who refused to take such a risk, the
Almighty decided that they would take up the role of those children
who die before reaching maturity. The same children will then become
Ghilmán and Hoors.’’
‘’Did the rest of the humanity agree to such a tough trial?’’
‘’God showed his ultimate benevolence even in this matter. As you
are aware, not everyone was tested in the same manner in the world.
Each individual chose his or her trial that day. Those who had a lot of
resolve chose the times of the prophets for their test. Their test was to
believe in and support the prophets during those eras of widespread
ignorance. The prime condition for their success was that they had to
stand firm even in the face of worst opposition, to remain steadfast
despite all kinds of challenges and to pass on the message of their
prophets to other people. That is why there was a huge reward for
them in the Hereafter; however, in case they denied and rejected the
prophets, they had to face a severe punishment as they had the benefit
of direct guidance by the prophets. Examples of such people include
Abu-Bakr, may God be pleased with him, on one hand, and people like
Abu-Lahab on the other hand, who was one of the worst enemies of the
truth.
The second, and lower, level of the test was whereby people chose
to become part of the nations of the prophets after the prophets had
passed away. Their test was to protect themselves from going astray,
sectarianism, deviations, and ignorance of later times while holding
steadfast to the divine law. They were also expected to promote good
deeds and to help stop people from bad deeds. Those responsibilities
were assigned to them as they had the teachings of the prophets to
turn to for guidance, and because they were born as Muslims.
Therefore, they did not have to pass through difficult trials to recognise
the right path. It also meant that they had more guidance available to
them compared to other people; hence, they had greater opportunities
to reap rewards. But in case of negligence, their accountability was to
be very tough as well.”
“Other Muslims and I belonged to this group, did we not?”
“Yes, you are right. The third group comprised of people who
selected an even easier test. They were born in circumstances where
they did not have access to any direct guidance from the prophets.
Their test was based on the innate divine guidance present in the
nature of every human being, that is, a test based on belief in Oneness
of God and universal moral values. Unlike other Muslims, they were not
subject to the tough trials of following the divine law nor of the
companionship of prophets through arduous times. Obviously, their
accountability is also going to be quite lenient; accordingly their risk of
facing dire punishments is also low and the opportunity to reap great
rewards for them is also less.”
“What about the prophets?”
“They were the ones who decided to take the toughest test. That is
why they received direct guidance from God and the criterion for their
accountability was extremely strict too. You are well aware of what
happened to Prophet Jonah. He had not committed a sin; he had only
reached an incorrect conclusion and acted upon it without divine
approval. As a consequence, the Almighty locked him up in the belly of
a fish.”
Saleh summarised his lengthy conversation in these short words:
“The real principle at work for all of the groups is the same. Those
who received more guidance will face stricter accountability and
consequently, will reap either greater reward or worse punishment.
Those who received lesser guidance will face lighter accountability and
therefore lesser rewards or punishment. However, the decision about
which of the three groups each human being belonged to was taken by
human beings themselves and was not decided by the Almighty.”
“That implies that if I received more guidance in the world, it was at
my own request.”
“Yes, you are absolutely right! That is why you have managed to
attain such a high level of success today. If you had not appreciated that
guidance, you would have been a candidate for equally severe
punishment.”
“Oh dear, I can’t believe that I took such a huge risk!”
“That was the rule of your world - No risk No gain!”
I truly realised at that moment, the significance of what I had
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