The Short Words

THE THIRD WORD

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحٖيمِ

يَٓا اَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا

If you wish to understand what a great trade and happiness lie in worship, and what great loss and ruin sins and unlawful pleasures bring about, then look at and listen to the following parable:

Once, two soldiers received an order to travel to a distant city. They set out together until they came to a fork in the road. At the fork stood a man who said to them:

“This right-hand road has no disadvantages. Moreover, nine out of ten travellers experience great benefits and ease upon it. As for the left-hand road, besides having no benefits, nine out of ten travellers also suffer great losses. Both roads are equal in distance. The only difference is that the travellers on the left-hand road, where there is no order or authority, travel without baggage or weapons. They enjoy an apparent lightness and a deceptive comfort. The travellers on the right-hand road, which is under military discipline, however, are obliged to carry a four-kilo rifle with which they can defeat every enemy, together with a five-kilo kitbag filled with nourishing rations.”

After the two soldiers had listened to the words of that wise man, the disciplined soldier took the right-hand road. He burdened his back and shoulders with some weight, but his heart and soul were freed from dependence and fear that were a thousand times heavier. The other, undisciplined soldier, however, deserted the army. He did not wish to submit to the established order and chose the left-hand road. His body was relieved of some weight, but his heart was constantly burdened by dependence, and his soul was afflicted by countless fears. He begged from everyone and trembled before everything and every event until he reached his destination. There he was punished for his rebellion and desertion.

As for the soldier who loved military discipline, carried his kitbag and weapon, and took the right-hand road, he feared no one and travelled with peace of heart and conscience, free from dependence on others, until he reached the desired city. There he received the reward appointed for an honourable soldier who had faithfully fulfilled his duty.

Now then, O my rebellious nafs! Know that the traveller of the right-hand road represents those who obey the laws of Allah, while the traveller of the left-hand road symbolizes the disobedient who follow their desires. The journey they undertake is life itself, stretching from ālem-i arwāh, through the grave, and onward to the hereafter. The kitbag and rifle symbolize worship and taqwā. Although worship appears outwardly to be a burden, within its meaning there is such ease and relief that it cannot be described. For during his prayer, a servant says: