Discourses of Rumi

390 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIIf a blind person should say, “I was createdblind like this, it is not my fault,” it will do themno good. It will not relieve them of their suffering.Those infidels who are fixed in unbelief—theysuffer because of their unbelief. Yet looking at thematter again, that suffering is also a Divine blessing.When the unbelievers are at ease they forgetthe Source, so God reminds them through suffering.Therefore, Hell is a place of worship and isthe mosque of infidels, for there the unbelieversremember God.In prison, suffering, and toothache, when paincomes it tears away the veil of forgetfulness. Thesufferers turn to God and pray, “O Lord, O compassionateOne, O God!” They are healed. Thenthe veils of forgetfulness descend again and theysay, “Where is God? I cannot find Him. I cannotsee Him. Why should I even look?”How is it that when you were suffering yousaw and found, but now you cannot see?Therefore, suffering is made to prevail over you tothe end, so that you will remember God. The sinneris forgetful in times of ease and does not recollectGod. In Hell the sinner remembers nightand day.