29th LETTER

This letter was written for the virtuous Shaikh Abdulhaq-i Dahlawî. It informs that the most valuable capital in this world is (formed by)sorrows and hardships and that the sweetest blessings are adversity and sufferings:

Hamd be to Allâhu ta'âlâ and salâm to those slaves of His whom He has chosen and loved! My Dear Sir. The coming of disasters may be unpleasant outwardly, but it is expected that they will be blessings. The world's most valuable stock is (collected from) sorrows and afflictions. The most delicious food on the world's meal table is (made up of) problems and calamities.

These sweet blessings are covered with bitter medicine. Therefore, calamities and disasters are showered on the beloved ones. Those who are fortunate and wise see the sweets placed in them. They chew the bitter covers on them as if they were sweet. They take flavour from the bitter. Why shouldn't they, since everything coming from the Beloved will be sweet. Those who are sick do not feel their taste. The heart's sickness means its having fallen in love with somebody other than He. The fortunate ones take so much flavour from the troubles coming from the Beloved One that they do not taste the same flavour in His favours. Though both are coming from the Beloved One, the lover's nafs does not get a share from the hardships. But His favours are wished by the nafs, too. Translation of an Arabic line:

O our Allah! Do not deprive us of the rewards of these hardships! After these, do not let us fall into faction! During these days when Islam is weak, your valuable being is a great blessing for Muslims. May Allâhu ta'âlâ give you safety and bless you with a long life! Wassalâm.