so that its fruit may become wholesome and worthy of presentation before kings. Next, he does not leave it—and its natural urge—to drink whenever it wishes; rather, he allows it to thirst for a while and then waters it for a while. He never keeps water upon it continuously, even though doing so would make its leaves lusher and its growth quicker. Then he turns to the adornment with which it has been beautified—the profusion of foliage—and strips much of it away, for that very adornment stands between the fruit and the perfection of its ripening, as is the case with the grapevine and the like. Thus he severs its limbs with iron and removes much of its ornamentation, and that is precisely what benefits it. Were the tree endowed with perception and understanding like an animal, it would imagine that this was sheer ruin and harm, whereas in truth it is the essence of its welfare.

The same applies to a compassionate father who understands his child’s best interest. If he sees that the child’s health requires drawing out corrupt blood, he will incise the skin, cut the veins, and subject him to intense pain; if he believes the cure lies in amputating one of his limbs, he will separate it from him—all of this out of mercy and pity. If he deems it beneficial to withhold provision from him, he will neither give nor broaden his allowance, knowing that such restraint is the strongest means of averting his corruption and destruction. Likewise, he keeps him from many of his cravings as a regimen and benefit, not out of stinginess.

How then about the wisest of judges, the most merciful of the merciful, and the most knowledgeable of the knowledgeable—He who is more merciful to His servants than they are to themselves, more merciful than their fathers and mothers? When He sends down upon them what they dislike, it is better for them than had He not sent it, for it springs from His care, His kindness, and His gentleness toward them. Had they been left to choose for themselves, they would have been incapable of securing their own welfare in knowledge, resolve, and action. Instead, He—exalted is He—has undertaken the management of their affairs in accordance with His knowledge, wisdom, and mercy, whether they love it or hate it. Those who possess certainty in His names and attributes recognize this and therefore never suspect any injustice in His judgments. It remains, however, hidden from those who are ignorant of Him and of His names and attributes; they dispute His management, impugn His wisdom, and refuse to submit to His decree,