It is divinely ordained, that “Allah may bring to naught the craft of the infidels.” Their hearts have, as it were, been kindled on the tinder-box of bitter experience, but Allah has put out the sparks of good resolution, and caused them to forget their experience and vows of abstinence according to the text, “Often as they kindle a beacon fire for war doth Allah quench it.”

This is illustrated by an anecdote of a man who heard a footstep in his house at night, and at once struck a light. But the thief put it out without being observed, and the man remained under the impression that it had gone out of itself.

~ RUMI ~