Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 314
B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 314 is that the self, adopting the attitude of humbleness, becomes ready and prepared to establish a connection with God. The second task of the believer according to sound reason—the task by which the strength of faith reaches the second stage and faith becomes somewhat stronger than before—is that the believer should purge his mind, which has reached the stage of humility, of vain thoughts and vain pursuits. Until a believer acquires, for the sake of God, the minimal strength to abandon vain thoughts and vain pur- suits—which is not very difficult at all and which is nothing but indul- gence without enjoyment—it would be a false hope to expect that the believer could turn away from such pursuits withdrawing from which weighs very heavy upon the carnal self, and the carnal self has some benefit or pleasure in indulging in them. Therefore, it proves that after the first stage which is renunciation of arrogance, the next stage is the renunciation of all that is vain. At this stage the promise that is made with the word َحَلْفَا [ afla h a ]—that is, the achievement of the object of success—is fulfilled in that, when the bond of the believer with vain pursuits and vain pastimes is severed, a feeble bond is established with God Almighty and the strength of faith also becomes greater than before. I have called it a feeble bond because the bond with vain pursuits is also feeble. Thus, a feeble bond is obtained upon discarding a feeble bond. Then the third act of the believer, according to sound reasoning, by which the strength of faith reaches the third stage, is that he not only shuns vain pursuits and vain matters for the sake of God Almighty, but he also relinquishes his valued possessions for the sake of God. And it is obvious that parting with wealth is a greater sacrifice for the car- nal self than giving up vain pursuits, as wealth is earned with labour and is something useful on which depends pleasant living and com- fort. Therefore, renunciation of wealth for the sake of God requires more of the strength of faith than the renunciation of vain pursuits. And the promise in the word َحَلْفَا [ afla h a ] implied in these verses would here mean that the strength of faith and connection with God in this