Gradual Progress

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When Allah wills good for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by a misfortune to remind him of the need to plead for forgiveness. When Allah wills evil for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by his gaining bounties that make him forget the need to plead for forgiveness and continue in sin. This is indicated in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We gradually lead those who have called Our revelations mere lies, to destruction. Their destruction will be such that they will not even notice how it seized them.’ (7:182) This happens to them by means of His granting them bounties when they commit sins.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) was asked about al-‘Istidraj, (gradual steps). The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah) commits a sin he is given respite, new bounties come to him and he overlooks beseeching forgiveness for sins, thus, he is taken in gradual steps but he has not taken any notice of it.’”

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We gradually lead those who have called Our revelations mere lies to destruction. Their destruction will be such that they will not even notice how it seized them.’ (7:182) The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah) commits a sin, new bounties come to him which keeps him amused and he overlooks pleading for forgiveness for that sin.’”

“How many are those who suffer losses due to the bounties that Allah grant them! How many are those who gradually move to destruction due to Allah’s covering their sins! How many are of the people misled due to other’s prais and applause for them!”’