Life Supreme — Page 60
LIFE SUPREME 63. Pride has been the downfall of many a spiritual leader. It is a subtle and surreptitious destroyer of faith which does its hellish work slowly and silently like a creeping cancer. Time witnesses pillar after pillar of faith crashing to the ground until eventually the inner temple of God collapses in a heap of rubble. No doubt a new temple can be built on the ruins of the old but not without a sincere rededication to. God because the message of the Holy Quran offers hope to those who have fallen or gone astray: . . . those who repent and amend and hold fast to Allah and are sincere in their obedience to Allah; these are among the believers. And. Allah will soon bestow a great reward upon the believers. ' (4:147). Dignity and self-respect should not be mistaken for pride for they are virtues while the latter is a sin. . Hazart Mirza Ghualm Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, has said that pride is a form of shirk, i. e. , the setting up of equals with God. He has said that it is a despicable characteristic and has advised everyone to make sure that no vestige of this guilt dwells within them. . Disobedience to those who are in authority is a common demonstration of pride. It has led to the spiritual downfall of many prominent Muslims. Islam teaches that it is incumbent to obey those who are placed in authority providing one is not called upon to do something contrary to the teachings of Islam. In religious affairs it matters not who is appointed Iman or leader-he must be obeyed. . The Prophet has said: ' 'Hear and obey even though a person with a head as small as a dried raisin be appointed to rule over you. (Bukhari). Pride sometimes enters the hearts of public speakers and lecturers who are more concerned in impressing their audience with their supposed eloquence than they are in impressing the significance of their message upon their hearts. The Promised Messiah spoke on this matter at an Annual Conference in Qadian. Some speakers are under the impression that the louder and faster they talk the more favourable impression they make upon their listeners; but the truth is that no cultured and intelligent person is deceived by their veneer when the vibrations of their voices are empty of heartfelt magnetism. . While it is not denied that loudness of voice is often necessary, especially when addressing a large gathering without the aid of a