The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 161
Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama'at, and Instructions 161 to come, as I have in the Holy Qur'ān. This faith is not merely well-intentioned but has been bestowed upon me by the light of Divine revelation which shines on me like the sun. How can I expel from my heart the certainty which has been carried to the extreme by the continuous display of extraordinary signs, certain knowledge and the daily experience of clear and certain converse with God? Shall I reject the bounty of understanding and true knowledge which has been bestowed upon me? Shall I turn away from the heavenly signs that are shown to me? Shall I disobey the commandment of my Lord and Master?. What shall I do? Death is a thousand times more welcome to me than that I should turn away from Him. Who has revealed Himself to me in all His beauty and majesty. Is this life such a long one, and are the people of the world so faithful to me that for their sake I should abandon the Beloved Friend? I know well that my opponents rely only on a moth-eaten crust and they desire that I too should adopt it and should give up the kernel. They try to intimidate and threaten me but, by the Dear One Whom I have recognized, I attach no weight to their threats. I would prefer sorrow in His company to the joy in the company of another. . I would prefer death in His company than enjoy a long life by abandoning Him. Just as you cannot say that it is night when you have seen the day, in the same way I cannot consider the light that has been shown to me as darkness. When you are not prepared to renounce your doctrines which are a collection of