Guidance for Perceiving Minds — Page 9
9 All disputes came to an end; those that were engaged in debate calmed down, disputes ceased, and Allah brought defeat upon anyone who confronted me, destroying those who wrangled with me. Now, the wicked have been revived after death, and al-Man a r has bolstered them with false statements. I observe them grow- ing arrogant and resuming their conflict; they seek to deceive the ignorant through combat. They have returned to their evil and intensified their opposition due to the monstrous action and per- verse pursuit of al-Man a r. A faction of blind individuals perceives its words as significant. Where are the great literary minds like those of the past? Instead, they blindly follow whatever they hear from the envi- ous and corrupt, lacking the ability to appreciate refined expres- sions or the desire to grasp the beauty of language. They are unfa- miliar with the subtleties of rhyme and adorned speech. They claim to be scholars, yet they fail to understand the essence of true knowledge and artistry. There was no need for me to recount this tale or to express my anguish. The editor of al-Man a r is not alone from among those who disdain and insult others. In fact, all opponents are accustomed to enmity so they can turn people away from the path of the rightly guided and include them with the transgressors. Many such individuals can be found in these lands, recognisable by the darkness veiling their faces, a result of their obstinate defiance. They mention me in the same manner as he did, and they dis- dain me just as he did. However, I pay no heed to them or their words. I turn away from them, saying that they are ignorant peo- ple. They are screaming due to the lethal strike on the back of their heads. What good can be expected from them when they persist in