[This piece is very valuable. Everyone may benefit from it as far as the Second Point.]
In connection with certain unpleasant situations which come about in Eskişehir Prison, not through bad morality but because of the distress, this is about one fine point of a well-known verse that has remained undisclosed, and a point concerning good behaviour.
FIRST POINT
Out of His perfect munificence, compassion, and justice, Almighty God has included in good works an immediate reward and in bad actions an immediate punishment. He has included in good works spiritual pleasures that recall the rewards of the hereafter, while in bad works are spiritual penalties which recall the torments of Hell.
For example, love between believers is a praiseworthy action for the people of faith. Included in that good work are a spiritual pleasure, a gratification, an ease of mind that recall the physical rewards of the hereafter. Anyone who refers to his heart will feel this pleasure.
And for example, enmity and hostility between believers are an evil that cause noble spirits to feel torment of the conscience enough to overwhelm the heart and spirit. I myself have experienced it perhaps more than a hundred times: when I have felt enmity towards a believing brother I have suffered such torment that it has left me in no doubt that it was the immediate punishment for my evil deed.
And for example, to be respectful towards those worthy of respect, and compassionate to those worthy of compassion, and to assist them, are good works, good deeds. They hold a pleasure and gratification so great they make felt the rewards of the hereafter. And they so increase the respect and compassion they make the person ready to sacrifice his very life. The pleasure and reward a mother receives through the compassion she feels for her child may be so great she will sacrifice her life due to it. The hen who attacks a lion in order to save her chick is an example of this truth in the animal kingdom. This means that there is an immediate reward in compassion and respect. Magnanimous people of high aspiration feel it, and for this reason assume their heroic attitude.
And for example, in greed and wastefulness is such a punishment that, afflicting his heart and spirit, it makes man complaining and anxious, and bewilders him. And in jealousy and envy is such an immediate punishment that it scorches the one who feels them. While in contentment and reliance