The Honour of Prophets — Page 25
25 water is like a dead corpse. This verdure, freshness, and bloom, which no pen can describe, cannot be attained by a lifeless heart which has not been vitalized by the spring of the light of certainty; rather, such a heart emits a rotten and foul stench. But as for the one to whom this light is bestowed and in whom this spring gushes forth, one of the signs of such a person is that they are ever desirous of seeking strength from God in their every matter, word and action. This alone is the cause of their pleasure and this alone gives them comfort. They simply cannot survive in any other way. And the term specified in the Word of God to seek strength is known as istighfar ( اِسْتِغْفَار ). The true meaning and essence of seeking forgiveness or istighfar is to implore God so that no human weak ness becomes manifest and so that God may support human nature with His strength and envelop it within the circle of His protection and succour. The word istigh - far is derived from ghafrun ( ٌ غَفْر ), which means to cover up. Hence, this supplication implores from God that He, with His power, may cover up the natural weakness of the person who seeks forgiveness from God. This meaning is then extended to the masses at large in that God may cover up such sins which have already been committed. However, the true and proper meaning is