Journey of the Unseen World

Chapter 4 - Journey Towards Third Station

We got up and resumed our journey. The road was good and it was easy going. On both sides were dense trees laden with fruits and a lake of cool and sweet water flowed alongside the path. A pleasant breeze further refreshed the mind. It was as if we were beholding the very image of the Beauty of God.

The journey passed without any problems worth mentioning. It had been so easy that we were not in the least tired or travel-weary when we reached the third station. Each of us was given a separate palace for our stay. The bricks of these palaces were of silver and gold.

The palaces were elaborately equipped and furnished and not a single thing was lacking. The delicate crockery, exquisite flooring and murals were unbelievable, The servants were beautiful, well-mannered, eloquent and well-dressed. They were busy, moving all around us, making arrangements for our comfort, as if they were the very pictures described in Quran:

"Around them circle beautiful, ever living boys (servants)" and when you see them, you will imagine them to be spread pearls and when you behold, then you will behold bounties and a large power."

I felt shy asking such people for service. Suddenly, I spotted a large mirror and in it I saw the sublime station to which by his grace the Exalted Allah had elevated me. I felt high on being so honoured and rested back comfortably.

Night fell and the palace became illuminated. Careful scrutiny revealed that the light was emerging from the branches of the trees. This light was so bright that a thousand of our electric bulbs would not be able to match it. The palace and the gardens were bright with this light. I was wondering at this spectacle when a voice called out verse 35 of Soor-e-Noor Allah is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The similitude of this light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as if it were a shining star, lit from a blessed tree. the olive, neither of the East nor or the West, whose oil glows forth (of itself) though fire did not touch it; light upon light; Allah guides unto his light, whomsoever he wills."

I at once realised that the tight was of the tree of Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny and this city, the city of love. Only those people were allowed to stay here who had the ultimate love for Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny. Here the residents were busy, recalling the sublime qualities of Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny and asking God to send his peace and blessings upon them as through them only the human race had acquired knowledge of Allah and the correct ways to worship him.

Here we were in great comfort. Out hearts were full of thankfulness to God for his grace and bounty, and to Muhammad (S.A.) and his progeny for having guided us towards the correct path. On the gate was a sign saying in bold letters "The love of Ali is such a quality that in its presence no sin can harm."" (This tradition is believed universally by all Muslims. It means that anyone who truly loves All, does not sin because naturally he tries to fallow his ideal in thoughts and deed. Hence Ali's love acts as a shield against committing sins. If one finds himself to be proclaiming love for Ali but also committing sins, he should closely observe and question this love as to whether there really is true love in his heart and if so, is it just for the name "Ali" whether it is for Ali’s qualities, habits, the style, ideals, thoughts and deeds. Are all these acceptable to him and do these appeal to him, because "ALI" represents these and not merely a historical name.)