(134) It is related
by Abu Hurairah that the Apostle of God said: “He who has fear
sets out at the beginning of the night and he who sets out at the beginning
of the night reaches the destination safely. Remember, the bargain of
the Lord is not cheap, but extremely dear. Remember, the bargain of
the Lord is Paradise.
-Tirmidhi
Commentary.-In Arabia, the caravans, generally, started in the last
part of the night and, therefore, the highwaymen, too, made their raids
during the early hours of the morning. The travelers who were careful,
however preferred to begin their journey in the earlier part of the
night so that they reached the destination without being attacked by
the robbers. The Prophet, accordingly, says that just as prudent travelers
forgo the night’s sleep and start on the journey soon after dusk,
those who are keen to attain Paradise should, also, proceed energetically
towards the goal and be ready to suppress their desires and give up
comforts for the sake of it. He, further, emphasises that what the bondsman
is looking forward to obtaining from the Lord is not a thing of a poor
quality that can be given away without a price but Heaven, the abode
of celestial bliss, which no one can hope to gain without making a sacrifice
of the most valued things like life, property and carnal appetites.
Says the Quran: Lo ! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives
and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs. [ix : iii].