Questioner: What is your reaction about the space shuttle blowing up?
Huzoor (rh): Space shuttle, oh it was horrifying, it was indeed very tragic. I felt for those who were, particularly those who were left behind, the children and their wives, mothers, sisters, all the relatives in particular, and also for whole of America, it was a very big tragedy, it was a national tragedy. As far as they are concerned, you wouldn’t have known what happened to them. They were there and not there the next moment.
So their fate is with Allah, and among them, there must be some who are doing it with zeal to serve humanity. And if such are the people, and such among them are people who serve mankind in whatever way they think is best for mankind, and offer sacrifices, and they do not have any crookedness among them, such people will find their reward with Allah, whatever their religion be. So let’s hope best for them, who have parted, and as far as the tragedy itself is concerned, every human being would feel for it.
Why do you think I would feel otherwise than this? Why did you wonder? Why did you wonder that I could think otherwise than this? Did you think I would have jubilated and, you know, exulted at this?
Questioner: No.
Huzoor? No? What was your reaction?
Questioner: I was quite sad.
Huzoor (rh): Sad? So, we have that in common. Thank you. It was a terrible tragedy, huh? It helps to bring cut man down to his size as well. It not only has a dark aspect to it, it also has a silver lining. And that is to say, I hope America receives this message, that despite your great progress, you are still human beings, you are not free from errors and faults, and there is only one being who is beyond error, beyond fault, and that is Allah.
So instead of submitting to him, at the time of this crisis, if they start thinking of other things and planning differently and receive a different direction altogether, I think they have missed the message. So you better write to the President of America about it, why don’t you? Tell him that you have heard about the reactions, various reactions on television and the reports, and nowhere did you find the correct reaction which should have been first and foremost.
Man is taught humility. And it is only with the grace of Allah that one can progress without stumbling on the way. So you should have, you write to him that you learn this message and be more humble and less proud of your achievements. Right?
