“…In despair, as the cold strengthened its grip on my heart, I entered a bathhouse and drew my skirt close up to the stove. The smoke enveloped me and blackened my clothes and my face. Then also I felt entirely satisfied.”
—Ibrahim ibn Adham, from Kashf-al-Mahjub.
Bear in mind the twin elements of discomfort—whether it is the grind of Ramadan fasting in summer, or being lost in a new town and seeking warmth—as exemplified by the statement of the saintly Shaykh Ibn Adham.
The first element is the recognition of worldly pain. For this, remember “Almighty Allah is with the patient” (Surah Al-Baqarah [2:153] ). Note this is not a reward (as in points earned), but an orientation: “with” gestures at greater intimacy.
The second element is the satisfaction of this discomfort. Such a counter-intuitive feeling relates to pretension/ego/boastfulness (takabbur). With a slight discomfort, there is no illusion a person is perfect; indeed the desire to improve and grow is maintained effortlessly. And since the relationship with The Divine never ends, to be effortlessly protected from feelings of “being finished” is deeply satisfying for the mystic.
Consider, then, the following anecdote:
the Caliph ‘Uthman who, although he possessed four hundred slaves, one day came forth from his plantation of date-palms carrying a bundle of firewood on his head. On being asked why he did this, he answered: “I wish to make trial of myself.” He would not let the dignity which he enjoyed hinder him from any work.
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May The Almighty accept our fasting this month, and as the days get longer and longer, may we get sweeter and sweeter doing our spiritual work. Ameen.