Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume II — Page 90
90 man would be in shock. We cry over minor sufferings and sorrows in our lives, so why then are we not in pain at the plight of Islam ? Whether you are a woman or a man, it is hard to control one’s emotions upon witnessing this sorrowful state of Islam. Ho wever, just because this affliction exists , does not mean that we should let it continue. Whenever we see an opportunity , we should strive to bring about the end of this affliction. The main reason behind the destruction which has befallen the Muslims is that they have turned their attention away from the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and have become absorbed in worldly affairs. For this, it is necessary t o understand the Holy Qur’an. If we do no t understand the Holy Qur’an , or if we understand it but do no t read it, then what good is it? Being illiterate is not an excus e. We see that when uneducated wome n receive a letter from a loved one , they do not rest until they have asked eight t o ten people to read it aloud to them. Similarly , the Holy Qur’an is a letter from our God sent in our name. Therefore, being illiterate is no justification. We should have this letter read to us over and over again , for it is possible that the one reciting it may have left something out. ” Ha z rat Khalifat - ul - Masih II ra also called attention to the following matter: “If you see a fault in a sister, you should try to counsel her with love and affection to reform herself. Consider that she is unwell, and it is your duty to watch over her. For example, if you see someone who is not observing purdah , do no t say she is westernized. Rather try to convince her [ on why she should observe purdah ]. Similarly, those women who do not observ e purdah should not say that purdah observing women are uncivilized. In fact, w e should try to explain to these women that [observing purdah ] is the best way to make one successful. ” At the end , Ha z rat Khalifat - ul - Masih II ra , in detailing the current miserable situation of Islam and Muslims , said : “A mother puts down her work upon hearing the cry of her child. What then is the reason that women do no t leave behind their work upon hearing the call of Allah ? When we see a loved one in pain, we are moved by a passion from within. Then how strange that we cannot be aroused with any sort of emotion when we see the religion of Allah suffer and