The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 150
T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO 150 evil thoughts are incompatible with perfect piety. So would it be incompatible with perfection if someone pursues the intricate paths of righteousness and acts to safeguard against evil thoughts as a precautionary measure even before the threats? This teaching of the Holy Qur’an is sublime that: 1 َّنِا ْمُكَمَرْكَا َدْنِع ِهّٰللا ْمُكىٰقْتَا Meaning that, the degree to which a person is mindful of the intricate paths of righteousness, is the very degree that his station is loftier in the sight of God. Hence, it is—without a doubt—a very lofty status of righteousness that steps be taken by means of precaution to safeguard against danger before the threats [of sin] should emerge. If it is asserted that those who are perfect are immune to such threats under all circumstances, and they are not in need of any precautions, then such a claim would be the result of absolute stu- pidity and flawed understanding. This is so because the Prophets, peace be on them, cannot, even for a moment, consciously resolve to commit any sin or disobedience. For them to do so would be like [committing] a cardinal sin. Yet human urges can show their effects in them also, even though they are fully safeguarded from evil suggestions ever becoming evil intents. For example, if a Prophet was very hungry and saw some trees laden with fruits, then—while we concede that he could never extend his hand towards the fruit without the owner’s permission 1. S u rah al- H ujur a t, 49:14 [Publisher]