Once a gentleman told me that gram flour chapatti (bread) is his favorite food. I inquired as to what he eats gram flour chapati with. He said that eating gram flour chapati with onions, garlic chutney, pickles, etc., increases its enjoyment.
His speech created a strange kind of thrill in me. I remembered that at the time of the Bani Israel’s journey to the desert, they had asked Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) for such flavors. Allah SWT provided abundant blessings for the children of Israel, but they were deprived of the taste of onions, garlic and spices in that desert life. Because staying in the desert and resultant depravity of spicy foods was essential requirement of their training.
We have this special favor of Allah Almighty that we have not been tested by any Pharaoh and no restriction has been imposed on any taste of food. In the Qur’an at the end of Chapter Baqarah, the supplication that Allah SWT taught to the companions mentions the principled decision of Allah SWT that the burdens that were placed on the previous Ummahs (Communities) will not be placed on this Ummah, nor the burdens that they do not have the strength to carry.
This is the background from which it can be estimated how many blessings of Allah SWT are on Muslims today and how much ease and comfort they have, to practice the religion of Allah and convey it to others. Yet it is a tragedy that a large number of Muslims neglect their religious obligations. They have an attitude of ungratefulness instead of gratitude. Instead of conveying the message of Islam to others, they live in hatred of them.
How strange is the favor of the Lord upon us and how strange is our negligence.