Such incidents are frightening. Weigh your faith, for deeds are the ornaments of faith. If one’s practical condition is corrupt, then in reality he is devoid of faith as well. A believer is beautiful. If a beautiful person is adorned with even a simple and ordinary bangle, their beauty is enhanced manifold. In the same manner, deeds make a believing person appear more beautiful, but if a person performs evil deeds, then nothing remains. When one develops true faith within oneself, one begins to feel a pleasure in performing good deeds; one’s eye of divine understanding is opened; one offers the Prayer as it ought to be observed; one develops an aversion towards sin and detests vile gatherings; and one possesses a fervour and deep longing within one’s heart for the greatness and glory of Allah Almighty and His Messenger to be manifested. That very same faith will give them the strength to be put on the cross like the Messiahas. For the sake of God, and indeed for the sake of God alone, such a one is willing to be thrown into a fire like Abrahamas. When a person aligns his own will with the will of God, then Allah the Almighty who is عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ (He knows full well what is in your breasts) becomes their Protector and Guardian. That God will take such a one down from the cross alive, and even pull him out of a fire, safe and sound. Only those who have full faith in God Almighty witness these miraculous wonders.
In short, the truth and sincerity of Abu Bakr Siddiqra came to light as a fire was ablaze around him, at a time when the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was surrounded by his assailants. Although some of them were of the opinion that he should merely be banished from Mecca, most of them actually sought to put an end to his life. It was at that hour that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra demonstrated his sincerity and loyalty, which will shine as an example until the end of time. In this trying hour, the very selection of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is a powerful argument in favour of the excellence and supreme loyalty of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra. For example, if the Viceroy of India were to choose someone for an important task, the opinion of the Viceroy would be better and more judicious than, say, a local watchman. It must be accepted, therefore, that the selection of the Viceroy is, in any case, better suited and more appropriate. For the government has appointed him as a deputy ruler, and has put its trust in his loyalty, farsightedness and experience. It is then that the government has handed over to him the reins of authority. It would, thus, be inappropriate to disregard the Viceroy’s effective management and sound judgement, and take the choice of an ordinary watchman to be more correct.
(Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, pp. 89-90)
