The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 365
Thinking Ill of Others All their limbs have become atrophied, rendering them so negligent; All their power is concentrated in their sharp tongue. Either they indulge in foul talk, or they think ill of oth- ers; As for the rest, they are totally unaware of the plight of Islām. Try not to think ill of a person even though you find him wicked; Be fearful of the wrath of the Lord of the world. Perhaps your own eyes might make a mistake; Perhaps he is not bad who looks bad to you. Maybe it is the fault of your understanding; Maybe it is a trial from the Forgiving Lord. As a result you courted spiritual death on account of your suspiciousness; And incurred the wrath of the Holy God. If you become so shameless in your audacity; Don't you think the word Ittiqā would become mean- ingless? Moses too suffered embarrassment because he doubted; Read in the Holy Qur'an149 what Khidr did. Between God and His servants, there are hundreds of thousands of secrets; Of which you know nothing, nor is their reality evident to you. 365 [Brāhīn-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 21, pp. 18-19] 149 The reference is to Al-Kahf, 18:66-83. [Translator]