Guess who am I?

I don't have any pleasant scent in me. On the contrary, I have a very unpleasant smell. I am within the reach of all types of people. People hold me the way they want. They can hold me with their muddy, greasy, bloody or dirty hands. They never think of washing their hands before holding me. And despite my condition, they do not hesitate to hide me in their pocket close to their hearts.

I go through the hands of people who may have diseases. Despite this, I am quite happy that people do not hesitate to take me and keep me with them. They are not afraid that they may catch some disease. On the contrary, they love me very much. If they have to choose between me and a photo of their beloved one, they will choose me. They love me so much that they accept to break family ties with their close ones because of me. It is me that they love. It is me that they search for and their lives are spent for my sake. It is me who is called the paper note of Rs. 2000, Rs. 1000, and Rs. 500, etc. If people love me, it is because they believe that I can make them have everything that they need. This little consideration covers all my shortcomings. Unfortunately, people have not recognised me sufficiently. They have raised my rank more than necessary. In reality, I cannot give them everything that they need. I can make them have the means of comfort but not the comfort itself. I cannot grant them good health, peace and well-being. Otherwise, no king would have died.

The thing that can make one achieve this is Raza-e-Ilaahi or the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. When Allah Ta'ala is satisfied with one, one has got everything. People accept me despite my faults with the impression that I can give them everything. But this is found in Raza-e-Ilaahi. To attain Raza-e-Ilaahi, one must accept all types of difficulties because what one is looking for is actually found in that.

[English version of "Deviné ki sanla moi !" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.8]