D.  The Station.

Before we can achieve our Station (Maqam), we have first to undergo the trial and tribulation with regard to our faith as Allah had commanded to the effect:

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe,” and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.[1]

Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah” ah! verily, the help of Allah is (always) near![2]

Be that as it may, the trial and tribulation will be in accordance with one’s capability. Allah had commanded to the effect:

On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.[3]

It is vitally important that when facing the trial and tribulation to hold tight to the “Divine Rope” ie submit oneself wholeheartedly to Him. Allah had commanded to the effect:

Whoever submits his whole self to Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold; and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs.[4]

Whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.[5]

However, satans will endeavour through ceaseless temptation to lead us wayward. Allah had commanded to the effect:

Follow not the footsteps of Satan: for he is to you an avowed enemy.[6]

O ye Children of Adam! let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden.[7]

For he (satan) and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the Evil Ones friends (only) to those without Faith.[8]

O ye who believe! follow not Satan’s footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong[9]

Satan made, (to the wicked), their own acts seem alluring: he is also their patron today[10]

“Then will I (satan) assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: nor wilt Thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for Thy mercies).”[11]

Only by resigning oneself wholeheartedly to Allah can one overcome the ceaseless onslaught of satans. Allah had commanded to the effect:

No authority has he (satan) over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.[12]

“(Allah) said: “This is indeed a Way that leads straight to Me. For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee.”[13]

If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things). Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)![14]

And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.[15]

And say: “O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones; and I seek refuge with Thee, O my Lord! lest they should come near me.”[16]

In order to submit oneself wholeheartedly to Allah, one must accept the following factors unequivocally:

1. There is only one existence and that is, His (Little) Essence:
   He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden.[17]
   
2. Since His (Little) Essence is The Manifest and The Hidden as such we do not exist. Imam Ghazali had said to the effect:
   If you know yourself then you know you did not exist. [18]
3. All creations (including time and space) belong to Him absolutely.
   To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth[19]
   Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny? [20]
   Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about? [21]
4. He administered (absolutely) all His creations.
   He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).[22]
   He doth regulate all affairs[23]
5. He has absolute right to have a Plan for the administration of His creations.
   When He hath decreed a Plan, He but said to it, “Be” and it is![24]
6. Since He is All-Knowing, His Plan has no fault.
   He is Perfect in Wisdom and Knowledge.[25]
   Nothing have We omitted from the Book[26]
   Nor is hidden from the Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear Record.[27]
7. Intertwine of His (Little) Essence and His (Divine) Plan ie they work together all the time. For every existence that one sees, it is the representation of the combined work of The (Little) Essence and The Divine Plan. Without the Divine Plan, The (Little) Essence has no form and without The (Little) Essence, the Divine Plan will not manifested.
   For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, “Be”, and it is.[28]
   And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath; We said to them: “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.”[29]

The Bibliography

[1] Al Ankabut (29): 2-3

[2] Al Baqarah (2): 214

[3] Al Baqarah (2): 286

[4] Luqman (31):22

[5] Al Baqarah (2):112

[6] Al An’aam (6):142

[7] Al Araaf (7):27

[8] Al Araaf (7):27

[9] An Nur (24):21

[10] An Nahl (16):63

[11] Al Araaf (7):17

[12] An Nahl (16):99-100

[13] Al Hijr (15):42

[14] Al Araaf (7):201

[15] Fussilat (41):36

[16] Al Mukminun(23):97-98

[17] Al Hadid (57):3

[18] Imam Ghazali, Ihya Ulumiddin Bk. 7, 427 (1981).

[19] Ali Imran (3):109, 129; Al Baqarah (2):255; 284.

[20] Ar Rahman(55):13;16;18;21;23;25;28;30;32;34;36;38;40;42;45;47;49;51;53;55;57;

59;61;63;65;67;69;71;73;75;77

[21] An Najm (53):55.

[22] Al Baqarah (2):255

[23] Al Rad (13):2

[24] Ali Imran (3):47.

[25] Al Hijr (15):25

[26] An An’aam (6):38

[27] Yunos (10):61

[28] Ah Nahl (16):40.

[29] Al Baqarah (2):65