The Tar, Net & Arrow of God

"Haj Ismail Dolabi (ra) used to say: "In order to draw in human beings, God has a tar [musical instrument], a net and an arrow. The tar of God are those angelic melodies that attract us in this transient world, like a beautiful recitation of the Qur'an that moves your heart or the beautiful sound of a supplication. These are God's tar.

Then there is the net of God. He would say that the net of God are those things, like the analogy of the hunter who lays out a trap, that God uses to catch His servants. The majalis of Ahlulbayt (AS) are the nets of God. Muharram is the net of God. The nights of Qadr are the nets of God. Etikaf (spiritual retreats) are the net of God. It's those things that God uses to draw his servants. A good friend is a net of God. A good spouse is a net of God. A good gathering is a net of God. A good book that a person reads is a net of God.

Then Hajj Dolabi would say that the arrow of God is tribulations, which belong to special people. God's arrow is tribulation. The awliya of God do not ask for tribulations, but if this arrow is shot in their direction, they benefit from it and they do not run away from it.

Hujjat ul Islam Masood Aali