Life of Ahmad — Page 727
as A SERMON REVEALED 727 Mam a t (life and death). He has in this way pointed towards the reality which underlies the sacrifices. So ponder over it, ye wise people. And he who offers his sacrifice with knowledge of the reality, a true heart, and a sincere intention has certainly sacrificed his self and soul, his children and his grandchildren. And for him is a great reward like the reward of Abraham as granted to him by the Creator, the Sustainer, the Glorious. And towards it has pointed our Master the chosen, and our Prophet sa , the elected, and the leader of the Godfearing, and the seal of the Prophets. He says (and he is the most truthful after Allah): "Verily, the sacrifices are those riding beasts which carry one to the Lord of the universe. They efface sins and keep off calamities". This is what has reached us from the best of creation, on him be peace and the choicest blessings of Allah. He has pointed here to the philosophy of these offerings in words which are like beautiful pearls. But it is a matter of extreme sorrow and grief that most of the people are not aware of these hidden points, and they do not follow this exhortation. And to them Eid means no more than the taking of a bath and the putting on of clothes. This day they eat voraciously with their mouths full, and delicately by nibbling with their teeth, along with their family and servants