My question was very simple. “Are the conditions too bad to even go to heaven?”
I asked this question after a long monologue by my addressee about the deterioration of the domestic and international situation, the evil of political and religious people, the economic and political problems of the country, the conspiracies of non-Muslims, the plight of Muslims and all such negatives, that were enough to discourage even the most courageous of men.
The more I tried to show the positive side of the situation, the more his conversation grew bitter and disappointed. When I realized I was showing light to the blind, I raised the question stated at the beginning.
He thought for a while and said, “Nowadays obscenity is very common, usury is spread everywhere, wicked scholars hold power…”, I knew that his speech would be long, so I interrupted by saying. “Believe me, the more common these things are, the easier it will be to go to heaven, as Allah’s accountability will be softened due to the circumstances. Today, anyone who aims for heaven and starts trying sincerely for it, he will definitely succeed, God willing.”
I had turned his argument against him. I had accepted that the conditions were as bad as he described, but it was easier to get to heaven due to the same tough conditions. So he had to give in. I said, as I shook his hand to leave,
“If the situation is bad, instead of complaining, tell people that it is easier to go to heaven. Please tell people something positive. Maybe this very thing will become your salvation.”
Translated by Ali Zafar