The Advent of the Promised Messiah — Page 43
43 only for the sake of God Almighty is free from ostenta- tion. In fact, this is a means of seeking divine pleasure. So display too has its occasions and man is a creature that instinctively abstains from improper action. For instance, a person who considers himself to be truly virtuous and pious is travelling alone and comes across a pouch of jewels. He looks at it and realises that there is no one around and no one can see him. If on such occasion the person does not fall upon the money, considering it to be the right of another and belonging to someone else, and thus refrains from taking it, not being driven by greed, then such a one has acted with true virtue and piety. Otherwise, if nothing but mere claims exist, his true character will be revealed on such an occasion and he will take the money. Similarly, a person about whom it is believed that they are free from pretentions, will only be proven as such when they do not exhibit ostentation even when an opportunity arises. However, as I have just described, sometimes these habits are performed on such occasions that they be- come virtues. As such, there is somewhat of an element of display in a person who offers the congregational prayer. However, this would only be ostentatious when