Just before the commencement of Ramadhan, the Editor gently reminded me of my professional obligations towards the Viwesweekly. He was right. I fail to write this useless column regularly, simply because I do not attach as much importance to it as some gentle-hearted readers do. Without telling a lie I told him a lie, the lie that the “inspiring spirit” behind the column has either already been imprisoned or is soon going to be incarcerated for a month.
But after a cool thought I realised I had avoidably displeased the boss and that the said “spirit” has trained me appropriately during the last 11 months and I can scribble a few lines without his physical presence, which is very much there outside the Muslim locations. Hence these lines.
Although I have not read Plato or Aristotle, my view is there are three basic realities – God, Man and Devil. I am not a devil’s advocate. But better we surrender before the reality. Therein lies nobility as well as helplessness.
My ties with the devil, have, as a rule, been experiencing ups and downs. He is my “open enemy” rather the “worst of enemies”. But this fact has had little effect on our sour and sweet relationship.
His arrogance has an aura of astute diplomacy rather statesmanship. See his swagger. See his confidence in himself. See his self-centredness and self-assurance. He knows all the weaknesses of man.
In fact, it is human abilities and frailties that have made him what he is. He knows us much more about-us than we-ourselves. He attacks us from an angle that never crosses our small mind.
I have personally fought many a battle with the devil. More often than not, he is the winner. But he never feels tired of repeatedly flattering me – what is, however, worrisome for him is that I soon after the defeat, again stand up with the renewed resolve and vigour. He again succeeds in making me bite the dust. But I again stand up and repent for the lapse. That has been continuing since long.
Nevertheless, his resilience, his steadfastness, his perseverance is really astonishing and worth emulation. Do we shed as much perspiration for the anti-devil causes as much he sheds for anti-God cases? See the devil’s single-minded devotion, his cool determination and steely resolve to embarrass the Almighty.
Once, perhaps tired of his pursuits, the devil contacted a Prophet to use his good offices in getting him absolved of his original guilt. The response that God gave to the devil’s plea was: O.K. tell him: At that time you refused to prostrate before Adam. Now you kneel before Adam’s grave.
Having heard this Divine reply, the devil, touched to the quick, said: I did not bow before Adam. Now you want me to prostrate before his grave? NO question. Nothing doing.
I had hardly completed the column when my wife barged in my library and started combing her hair.
Me: Have you ever seen the devil? I mean Satan, the Iblees?
She: Why? I do see him daily.
Me: Can you arrange my meeting with him for a couple of minutes for an exclusive interview?
She: Yes. Why not. (Putting a mirror just in front of me, she said) look into it to find the devil.