The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 351
Righteousness 351 follow the new light. Those who are known as oldfashioned Muslims and deem themselves the guardians of the faith are caught in the niceties of points of grammar and in determining the correct manner of the pronunciation of Dāllin. They pay no attention to the true meaning of the Holy Qur'an, nor are they capable of doing so as they do not address themselves to the purification of their souls. [Malfūzāt, vol. I, pp. 425-427]. Qualities of the Righteous. To become truly righteous it is necessary that a person abandoning utterly such outstanding vices as adultery, theft, trespass, hypocrisy, self-esteem, scorn of fellow beings, miserliness, should eschew all low morals and should make progress in high moral values. He should behave towards his fellow beings with politeness, courtesy and sympathy and should cultivate true fidelity and sincerity towards God Almighty. He should constantly seek occasions of beneficent service. He who combines all these qualities in himself is alone righteous. . The possession of any one of these qualities would not entitle a person to be accounted righteous unless he possesses collectively all of them. It is only these concerning whom it is said: 144 لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ،. What more would they need? God Almighty becomes their guardian as it is said: 145 وَهُوَيَتَوَلَّى الصَّلِحِينَ (5) 144 'On them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. '-Al-A'raf, 7:36 [Publisher] 145 And He protects the righteous. '-Al-A'raf, 7:197 [Publisher]