The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 86
86. Essence of Islam-V were black, ugly, terrifying and of small size. I asked some of those who were planting them, 'What kind of trees are these?' They made answer, 'These are trees of the plague which is about to spread in the country. ' I am not quite sure whether it was said that the plague would spread during the next winter or the winter after, but it was a terrible sight that I saw. Prior to this I had also received a Revelation concerning the plague: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ إِنَّهُ أَوَى الْقَرْيَةَ 2. It means that until the epidemic of sinfulness goes away, the physical epidemic will also not go away. . The fact is that evil has become rampant in the country, and love for God has cooled down, and a storm of greed and lust has taken its place. Most hearts have ceased to fear God and epidemics have come to be seen as ordinary afflictions that can be eradicated by human endeavours. Sin of every description is being committed with great brazenness. I do not speak of other communities, but those who call themselves. Muslims, particularly the poor and deprived among them, indulge shamelessly in theft and fraud, and resort to unlawful means; they tell lies liberally, engage in all sorts of despicable and loathsome activities, and live like savages. They do not even wash their faces or clothes for days, let alone offer their daily prayers. . As for the rich, and the chiefs and lords, and the big businessmen, and landowners, and contractors, and 22. Surely, Allāh changes not the condition of a people until they change that which is in their hearts. He will shelter the town. [Publisher]