Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 223
205 Hadrat Umar (ra) felt as if the verse had been revealed that very day. Similarly I felt that this verse (3:76) has been revealed today, although I had recited it countless times before’. A Pir’s Confession of Reality A Senegalese MP, who is from the lineage of the Holy Prophet (saw), said to me during a meeting: ‘The picture of academic, moral and political subjugation of the Muslims that you have painted is absolutely correct. However, as you know that the system of Peeri Mureedi (the religious mentors and their disciples) has been established in our family for centuries and who would know the ups and downs and secrets of this system better than we. What should we do for the formation the Muslim society? I will try to explain the importance, the features and the remedy for this spiritual ailment to you with an illustration. Nature has blessed us with a body that needs cleansing every day. If it is not cleaned appropriately on time it gathers dross and if it is not cleaned over a long period several layers of dross are gathered that turn into scabs. To remove that sort of filth, practical skill, care and essentials of high quality are required. There is a risk of damaging the skin by a hasty action. That is the state of our Islamic society now. All sorts of shirk, superstitions, deceit and fraud have taken root so firmly that a lot of patience like that of Hadrat Ayub (as) is required to uproot all this. The centuries old dross and filth has hardened into crusts and hasty action will ulcerate our skin and the ulcers will become infected with formation of pus. Therefore, a lot of care is required. ’