Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 321
APPE N DI X to B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 321 discarded, but in the fourth state, the unlawful carnal passions have to be eschewed. It is obvious that the renunciation of wealth is easier for man than the renunciation of carnal passions. Therefore, this state is much more intense and dangerous than the previous ones. Naturally, the bond with carnal passions is much dearer to man as compared to the bond with wealth. This is why he gladly sacrifices wealth—which, in his view, is the basis of a comfortable life—in the path of lustful desires. As a witness to the terrible storm of this state, it should be enough to refer to the verse: 1 َو ْدَقَل ْتَّمَه ٖهِب َو َّمَه اَهِب ْوَل ۤاَل ْنَا ٰاَّر َناَهْرُب ٖهِّبَر Meaning that it is such a fierce urge that its restraint needs a mighty Sign. Thus, it is obvious that the strength of faith at the fourth stage is very robust and immense compared to the third stage. In addition, the experience of the grandeur, awe, and power of God Almighty is also greater in it than before. Not only this much, but it is also necessary in it that the prohibited pleasure, which has been eliminated, should be substituted by some spiritual pleasure. As strong faith in the prov- idence of God Almighty is needed to cure miserliness, and a strong trust in God is required when the pocket is empty so that miserliness may be repelled and hope in the opening of hidden sources should be engendered; in the same way, for deliverance from impure carnal passions and the deliverance from the fire of lust, it is necessary to have strong faith in the existence of the fire which subjects both body and soul with severe torment. Also needed with it is the taste of the spiritual ecstasy which makes one not care and not need these gross pleasures. 1. And she made up her mind with regard to him, and he made up his mind with regard to her. If he had not seen a manifest Sign of his Lord, he could not have shown such determination ( S u rah Y u suf, 12:25). [Publisher]