God’s Work

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is extracted from “The Discourses” of Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi (q.s.). 

The Amir said, “Night and day my heart and soul are intent upon serving God, but because of my responsibilities with Mongol affairs I have no time for such service.” 

Mawlana Jalal ad-Din ar-Rumi (q.s.) answered, “Those works too are done for God, since they are the means of providing peace and security for your country.  You sacrifice yourself, your possessions, your time, so the hearts of a few will be lifted to peacefully obeying God’s will.  So this too is a good work.  God has Inclined you towards such good work, and your great love for what you do is proof of God’s Blessing.  However, if your love of work were to weaken, this would be a sign of Grace Denied, for God Leads only those who are worthy into those right attitudes that will earn spiritual rewards. 

Take the case of a hot bath.  Its heat comes from the fuel that is burned, such as dry hay, firewood, dung and the like.  In the same way, God uses what to outward appearance looks evil and nasty, yet in reality is the means to cleanliness and purity.  Like the bath, the man or woman fired by the efforts of work becomes purified and a benefit to all people.”