Prophet Moses thought that the shepherd was speaking foolish words and he asked him to whom they were addressed. The shepherd answered, ‘To the One who created us; by whom this earth and sky were brought to sight - Allah.’
‘Hark!’ said Moses, ‘Indeed, you have not [submitted to Allah], you have become an infidel. What babble is this? What blasphemy and raving? Stuff some cotton into your mouth!
The shepherd said, ‘O Moses, you have closed my mouth and you have burned my soul with repentance.’ He rent his garment and heaved a sigh of sadness, and hastily turned his head towards the desert and went (his way).
A revelation came to Moses from God – ‘You have parted My servant from Me. Did you come (as a prophet) to unite, or did you come to separate? I have bestowed on every one a (special) way of acting: I have given to every one a (particular) form of expression. I look not at the tongue or the speech; I look at the inward (spirit) and the state (of feeling). I gaze into the heart (to see) whether it is humble, though the words uttered be not humble.’
From the above story we understand that heart is the substance, speech is only the circumstance. Therefore, the circumstance does not matter, the substance is what truly matters. Let us keep our faith strong in Almighty Allah, continue with our personal conversation with Him, pour out our heart to Him. Inshallah, we will acquire strength to face this difficult time.
Source: Institute of Ismaili Studies (2015) Faith and Practice in Islamic Traditions, volume 1, London: Islamic Publications Limited.
