The Misguided Prayer for Worldly Punishment in the Masnavi
In Book 2 of Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the Prophet Muhammad discovers that his companion's debilitating illness was caused by a misguided prayer. Overwhelmed by the fear of divine retribution for his sins, the sick man had begged God to hasten his punishment in the present world to ensure his ease in the afterlife. Rumi illustrates the catastrophic flaw in this plea: the resulting physical agony completely incapacitated the man, stripping him of his ability to engage in spiritual remembrance (dhikr) and his daily litanies (awrād). The Prophet strictly forbids him from ever repeating such a prayer, warning that human beings possess neither the strength nor the endurance to bear God's punishment, even in its worldly form. This narrative emphasizes that true spiritual wisdom lies in seeking divine forgiveness, mercy, and well-being, rather than inviting self-destructive suffering that severs one's connection to worship.
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The Misguided Prayer for Worldly Punishment in the Masnavi
دفتر دوم - بخش ۴۸ - رفتن مصطفی علیه السلام به عیادت صحابی و بیان فایدهٔ عیادت / Book Two - Section 48 - The Going of Mustafa, Peace Be Upon Him, to Visit the Companion and the Explanation of the Benefit of Visiting the Sick
دفتر دوم - بخش ۶۱ - وصیت کردن پیغامبر علیه السلام مر آن بیمار را و دعا آموزانیدنش / Book Two - Section 61 - The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Advising That Sick Man and Teaching Him a Prayer
دفتر دوم - بخش ۶۰ - تتمهٔ نصیحت رسول علیه السلام بیمار را / Book Two - Section 60 - The Remainder of the Counsel of the Messenger, Peace Be Upon Him, to the Sick Man