Al-Ankaboot (The Spider)

65. “So when they ride in the ships, they call upon Allah sincerely vowing worship (only) unto Him, and when He brings them safe to the land, they associate others (with Him),”

Being in awe of Allah removes the dusts of negligence, and awakens the nature of seeking-Allah in man.

This verse refers to the nature and fate of man and it pays to the manifestation of the Light of Unity inside the selves of men at the most severe states, and, through a very expressive example, it says:

“So when they ride in the ships, they call upon Allah sincerely vowing worship (only) unto Him, and when He brings them safe to the land, they associate others (with Him),”

Yes, the difficulties and calamities are the preparations for the growth of man’s nature. The Light of Unity is hidden inside the spirit of all human beings.

Superstitious customs, wrong educations, and evil indoctrinations cast some curtains over it, but at the time of attack of calamities from every side and when the pile of difficulties appear in front of man and he sees he cannot apparently do anything, he involuntarily goes toward the world of super nature and he wipes out any polytheistic thought from his heart and, in the furnace of these events, he becomes pure and free from any impurity.

Shortly speaking, there is always a luminous point inside the man’s heart which is the nearest mean of his communication with the world of super nature and the shortest path toward Allah.

Wrong teachings, negligence, and pride, specially at the time of health and affluence, draw some curtains over it, but the mass of calamities and terrible events tear these curtains, put the ashes away from it and that luminous point inside the man’s heart appears.

It was for this very reason that the great leaders of Islam used to guide those who were seriously doubtful in the subject of theology by this way.

We have heard the story of the wandering man who was in doubt for the subject of theology and Imam Sadiq (as) guided him aright through this very natural and innate way.

The man said:

“O son of the Messenger of Allah (S)! (Please) guide me to Allah that who He is, because the tempters have made me bewildered.”

Then the Imam told him:

“O’ servant of Allah! Have you ever embarked a ship?”

The man answered he had.

Then Imam said:

“Has it happened that your ship was broken where there was no other ship to save you and you did not know how to swim?”

The man answered:

“Yes.”

He said:

“In that state, did your heart tend to this matter that there is something that can save you from that affliction?”

He answered:

“Yes.”

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“This thing is Allah Who is able to save (anyone) where there is no deliverer and succours and where there is no helper.”1