There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his three Questions. Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.
Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?
Scholar: I am one of Allah’s slaves and Insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.
Young man: Are you sure? A lot of professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.
Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah Almighty.
Young Man: I have 3 questions:
1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.
2. What is thaqdir (fate)?
3. If Shaitaan (Satan) was created from the fire, why at the end will he be thrown in hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him, since Shaitaan and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?
Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man’s face very hard.
Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?
Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.
Young Man: I really don’t understand.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: I felt pain.
Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?
Young Man: Yes.
Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!
Young Man: I cannot.
Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God’s existence without being able to see His shape. Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: That is takdir (fate) my second answer…….. My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?
Young Man: It is created from flesh.
Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?
Young Man: Flesh.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: In pain.
Scholar: That is it. This is my third answer. Even though Shaitaan and Hell were both created from the fire, Hell will become a very painful place for Shaitaan.
Ibrahim Ali,
25th Rabi’ul Awwal, 1435