The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 240
240. Essence of Islām II. But can it be the attitude of God, Who without any action proceeding from man, has created thousands of bounties for him upon the earth, that, when weak man, being warned of his heedlessness should turn to Him, a turning which is like death and should put off his old garment and should be consumed in the fire of His love, God should not turn to him with mercy? Is this the law of nature? 79 لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ 7 [Chashma-e-Ma'rifat, Rūḥānī Khazā'in, vol. 23, pp. 133-134]. Three Conditions for Repentance. It should be borne in mind that there are three conditions for repentance, without fulfilment of which true repentance is not achieved. . The first condition is to get rid of wicked fancies which arouse evil propensities. Ideas have great influence. . Every action is preceded by an idea. Thus, the prime condition for repentance is that evil thoughts and fancies should be discarded. For instance, if a person has an illicit relationship with a woman and desires to repent, it is necessary that he should conceive of her as ugly and should call to mind all her low qualities. As I have just said fancies exercise a powerful influence. I have read that some Ṣūfis carried their fancies to such a length that they saw a person in the form of an ape or pig. Every thing takes on the colour of how you imagine it to be. . Thus, the first condition of repentance is that all thoughts, which give rise to evil pleasures, should be discarded altogether. 79. Curse of Allah be upon the liars. [Publisher]