Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume II — Page 64
64 mankind and for the sake of your fellow brothers, you make that which is lawful , unlawful for yourself. Th en when you truly do this, how could you ever make lawful for yourself an other’s possessions? Thus, during the fast, God Almighty focuses your attention on eating that which is lawful and earning that which is lawful. The same is the case with Hajj ; people leave behind their businesses to perform Hajj. T hey all gather together in one place and b y doing so, God Almighty gives us the lesson, that in empathy with mankind, for one’s country, and one’s relatives, even if you must leave your work to do so, then you should go. So , if a person goes to Hajj with all sincerity, he gets the chance to work for mankind, his friends, and his relatives. Therefore, Sal ā t , fasting, Zakat , Hajj , and the remembrance of Allah are all spiritual nutrients. After partaking of them, one has to work as well, but most people are heedless of this fact. They become arrogant after offering p rayers and instead of a ttaining greater spiritual strength, they consider that by saying their p rayers they are doing a favor to God Almighty. Sal ā t was taught to us to strength en the power of our righteousness. If a person, despite saying his p rayers, does not enhance in virtue , und erstand that this means he did not offer his Sal ā t properly. If you do no t attain any energy by eating food , then you consult a doctor and are treated. S imilarly, if Sal ā t does not build within you the strength to be repulsed by vice, then recognize that your Sal ā t is not the Sal ā t it should be. A spiritual disease lies within you, the treatment of which is necessary. For instance, some people mix sawdust in flour and can make bread out of it to eat, but once it goes into their intestines it causes pain. And they are unable to acquire the strength which the food would normally give. Likewise, if somebody is saying p rayers , but is receiving no appare nt spiritual strength , then he should understand that there is something wrong with his Sal ā t. When someone is sick, he is given strengthening food and he is diagnosed. Similarly, if your spiritual health is not well, then it should be treated with an abundance of Sal ā t, fasting, Zakat , and remembrance of Allah. These acts are not the ultimate goal in themselves, but yes, they are used as sustenance. Keep looking after your p rayers and see if you receive any extra benefits th rough them. There is a famous anecdote in our country. It is