Imam Al-Sadiq

enough to destroy it thoroughly? The world is occasionally hit by these simple catastrophes to
punish and to reform people. Then these catastrophes are raised from them when there is a
despair of them. So, the occurrence of these catastrophes is a sermon for people and raising
these catastrophes is mercy for them. The Mu'attila, like the Manicheanists, have criticized
these calamities and catastrophes which hit people. They both say: If the world had a
compassionate, merciful creator, these hateful things would not take place in it. Those who
believe in this idea think that man should live in this world without any disturbance. If this
idea was put into effect man would be so insolent and arrogant that no religion would reform
him. For example those who live in luxury, greatness, and peace lead such a life. So, they
forget that they are human beings or that they are creatures or that a harm or an adversary
would befall them. Besides, they forget to have mercy upon the weak, to help the poor, to feel
pity for the afflicted, to feel pity for the weak, and to have affection for the grieved.
Accordingly, when the misfortunes hit such people, they learn a lesson from them and know
much of their ignorance and heedlessness. Those .who dispraise these painful misfortunes are
like the boys who dispraise the ugly, bitter drugs, who are angry when they are prevented
from the harmful food, who hate education and work, who like to give all their time to
playing and unemployment meanwhile they like to obtain every food and drink. They do not
know the bad education and the bad habits that result from unemployment. They do not know
the harmful diseases that result from the delicious food. Therefore, they are not reformed by
education, nor are they cured by drugs, even if some misfortunes mix with that."
I (the author) say: Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, gave examples about the claims of the
unbelievers concerning catastrophes and produced clear evidence for that. Then he explained
Allah's regulation toward the claims of unbelievers. He said: "How has He (Allah) ordered the
weak servant to recognize Him with gentle reason while He does not encompass him?"
He (al- Sadiq) answered: He (Allah) has ordered men to recognize Him with what they are
able to do- it is to believe in Him, to put His orders into effect, and to refrain from what He
has prohibited. In the meantime He has not ordered them to encompass His characteristics. He
(Allah) is like the king who does not order his subjects to know whether he is long or short,
and whether he is white or brown. However, he (the king) orders them to yield to his authority
and to carry out his orders. Do you not think that the person who stops at the door of the
king's house and says: show me your self; otherwise I will not hear your words, will expose
himself to punishment? Also the person who does not believe in Allah unless he recognizes
His characteristics shall subject himself to Allah's wrath.
I (the author) say: According to these wonderful explanations and plain proofs, al- Sadiq,
peace be on him, finished his lessons which he taught to al- Mufaddal b. 'Amr. So, he (al-
Sadiq), at the end of his speech, said: Mufaddal, learn what I have taught you, be among the
grateful (to Allah), be among the praisers of His boons, and be among those who obey His
friends. I. have explained to you some proofs concerning the creation and given you some
examples about the accurate regulation and purpose. Then, consider them carefully and learn
a lesson from them."