In life, when a person mentally embraces a certain duty, a thought, a pursuit, a purpose, or a personality and their character as their beloved, they continuously strive to attain it. Although trials and distances inevitably arise in life, and sometimes the mind becomes sluggish and lazy—as physical exhaustion naturally affects the mind—one still rolls over, turns around, and renews their pursuit of that goal.
This is because the bond has not been severed; it may have slowed down, but it has not turned away. A pursuit is not undertaken to be given up, but to be fulfilled under all circumstances. The appearance of obstacles along the way bears witness to the fact that no stage or task is resolved without pain. What is handed to you easily lacks true durability. None of those who reached the heights of greatness got there without continuous struggle and tireless effort. Those who sat down along the way remained right there, while those who kept walking reached the destination and beheld their beloved goal with their own eyes.
Sluggishness in struggle is, in reality, an element of betrayal that prevents you from reaching that beloved purpose and most cherished presence. One must never grow tired on the journey; those who tire become prey. Despite mental and physical weakness, there is no choice left except to keep walking, because fierce predators lurk in between, and keeping an eye on them is essential. All these journeys continue until the end of life. The goals of such noble people never perish; their Beloved is their Helper. Travelling toward Him, they become wanderers of the wilderness.
Along the way, travelers are presented with delightful temptations and trials—such as good food, comfort, luxury, greed, and desire. Even if they sit there for a few moments in a state of unawareness, as soon as memory returns to them, they rise. Like a person possessed, they set off once again, because all those things are merely temporary. When the realization dawns, their thoughts shift, and regret sets in; they realize that the time spent mid-journey was wasted. That was perhaps a betrayal—a deception and fraud against oneself. But now, tying the sash of loyalty once again and setting forth, the destination comes closer and closer.
Syed Ghulam Hyder Shah Qalandari
Kunri, SIndh, Pakistan
