Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 23
Malfuzat - Volume I 23 not tire and continue to march forward until they reach their ultimate objective. However, truly unsuccessful are those who advanced forward from the rank of din-ul-aja'iz but did not complete their spiritual quest; such people always fall prey to atheism. In this context, some people assert that they have observed their Prayers and undertaken periods of reclusion for spiritual exercise, but to no avail. For example, a man named Mansur Masih states that the reason he become a Christian was due to the fact that he turned to various spiritual preceptors and went into 40-day retreats but none of this bore any fruit; so he became averse to Islam and accepted Christianity. Sincerity and Patience Those people who are impatient fall into the clutches of Satan. A righteous person must battle with impatience as well. In Bustan there is mention of a worshipper. Whenever this individual stood for worship, he would hear an angel's voice from the unseen saying: 'You have been rejected and forsaken. On a certain occasion, one of his disciples heard this voice from the unseen and said: 'Now the verdict has been passed. What then is the use of futile action?' The man wept profusely and said: 'If I am to leave God, where else should I go? If accursed I am, then so be it. At least I am fortunate enough to be called accursed. ' These discussions were still underway with his disciple, when a voice was heard saying: 'You have been accepted. ' So all this was the result of sincerity and patience, which is a condition for one who is righteous. Allah the Exalted states: Steadfastness وَالَّذِيْنَ جَاهَدُوا فِيْنَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا Meaning, those who strive in Our cause shall be guided. In other words, a person must join God's Messenger, and strive and endeavour in this path together with him. It does not behove one who strives in the cause of Allah to flee within an hour or two. In fact, the task of such a person is to remain forever ready to give their life. So, the hallmark of a righteous person is steadfastness. In this regard, Allah the Exalted states: 1 al-Ankabut, 29:70