The Twelfth Flash

Indeed, the natural provision stored in the body can, on average, fully suffice for forty days. In certain cases—as the result of illness or a state of spiritual absorption—it may even exceed two periods of forty days. It was even reported in the newspapers that a person, out of sheer obstinacy, lived for seventy days in a London prison without food and without harm to his health.

Since natural sustenance can last from forty to seventy, even eighty days; and since the manifestation of the Name ar-RazzāqThe Provider; Allah, Who provides sustenance for all creation. appears in a most expansive way across the face of the earth; and since sustenance appears in wholly unexpected ways, such as from udders and even from wood, then unless wicked humanity interferes through misuse of free will, that Name will certainly come to the aid of the living being before the natural reserve is exhausted, and will not permit death by hunger.

Therefore, it may be said that someone who outwardly appears to have died of hunger, if this occurred before forty days had passed, did not die from lack of sustenance. Rather, he died from an illness arising from the breaking of habits, which itself resulted from the misuse of free will. Thus it may be said that death from hunger does not truly occur.

Indeed, it is visibly observed that sustenance is inversely proportionate to power and choice. For example, before coming into the world, a child in its mother’s womb, at a time when it is entirely deprived of choice and power, is provided with sustenance in such a way that it does not even need to move its mouth.

Then, when the child comes into the world, it still possesses neither power nor choice, but it does possess a degree of capacity and a potential sense. Therefore, with only the smallest movement—merely placing its mouth upon the breast—it is given nourishment from the springs of the breasts in the most perfect, nutritious, easily digestible, delicate, and wondrously fitting form.

Then, as it gains some connection with power and choice, that easy and beautiful sustenance begins, in a certain degree, to withdraw from the child. The springs of the breasts are cut off, and its sustenance is sent from other places. Yet since its power and choice are still not suited to pursue its sustenance, the Razzāq-i KarīmAllah, the Generous Provider Who sustains all creation with infinite generosity. sends the compassion and mercy of its father and mother as helpers to its power and choice.

Whenever power and choice reach completion, its sustenance no longer runs to it, nor is it made to run. Sustenance remains in its place and says, as it were: “Come, seek me, find me, and take me.”

Thus, sustenance is inversely proportionate to power and choice. We have even explained in many treatises that the most powerless and choiceless animals live better and are better nourished.