Before Beginning, Predict the Ending

A caravan of pilgrims set out to visit the cave of Hira in Makkah. There is a path to the mountain on which the cave of Hira is situated. People reach the mountain in vehicles and then climb the mountain on foot. When the people started climbing the mountain, some of them, because of their feeling of the sacredness of the place, took off their shoes by the roadside. While going up it was morning and that is why they did not face any major problem walking barefoot. But when they were coming down it was afternoon and the red stones of the mountains were hot. Blisters developed on their feet. They remained in a state of discomfort for several days.

Whether it be a journey up a mountain or through life, the principle of success for both is the same, that is to judge prior to the journey how the journey will end. One who does not predict the end of his journey at the outset faces such difficulties on his way which render his journey futile. This law of nature is so immutable that even the most earnest of men cannot escape from its result after falling into error. Even if he does something with good intentions but without considering its consequences, he too will have the same fate as one who intentionally made a mistake. No one’s sincerity can become a safeguard against the consequences of his errors.