Allah says in the Quran, 9:111
“Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their souls and their wealth, in exchange for Paradise…”
If one man sells a garment to another man at a mutually agreed price, the transaction is complete once the seller has handed over the garment to the buyer. If both parties agreed in advance of the transaction that the buyer would make the payment at a later, specified date, then the sale is still considered complete. Once the sale is complete, does the seller have the right to impose conditions on the buyer with regards to the use of the garment? Can he, for example, say to the buyer that he cannot wear the garment on a Friday, or that he cannot wear it to sleep? Of course not. The transaction is complete and the buyer is free to use the garment however he wants. If he wants, he can keep it, or wear it, throw it, sell it, or give it away. It is now his property to do with what he pleases.
Likewise, O prisoner, if you have sold your soul to Allah (SWT) at a mutually agreed price, why then do you impose conditions on the buyer after the sale? Is not Allah free to do with your soul whatever He likes? Why do you say that I wanted instant Paradise and not imprisonment? Surely, it is none of your business once you have sold your soul to Allah? So what if Allah decides to imprison you for a while before granting you Paradise? Is He not allowed to use your soul as He pleases now that you have sold it to him? Is this not what you asked Allah for at least seventeen times a day since you began to make Salah: “Guide us to the Straight Path. The Path of those whom You have blessed… (Prophets, Martyrs, Pious, Truthful)?”
Did you not ask Allah to guide you to the Path of the Prophets and the other three aforementioned groups? So why do you complain now that Allah has answered your duas and guided you to the Straight Path? Be rest assured that Allah will never break His promise nor fail to make payment, if you have indeed sold you soul to Him.
Part 7 by Babar Ahmad
2004-10-25