Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 55
Malfuzat - Volume I 55 these days, horses are trained and instructed, and schooled and taught just as children are educated in schools with great care and attention. If they are not trained and taught, they would turn out to be completely useless and instead of being beneficial, would prove to be dangerous and harmful. This is an indication of the fact that the souls, i. e. 'ribat' of human beings ought to be trained as well. Their faculties and strengths ought to function within the limits set by Allah Almighty. Otherwise, they shall not be able to serve in the inner war and battle that wages on at every second and every moment between man and his arch-enemy, Satan. In war and on the field of battle, in addition to one's physical strength, skill is also necessary. Similarly, human souls must be trained and appropriately taught for this inner war and struggle. Otherwise, as a result, Satan shall gain victory over man. Such a person shall in turn be disgraced and dishonoured. For example, if an individual possesses an arsenal of artillery such as canons and other guns, etc. , but is completely ignorant on the use of these weapons, such a one can never succeed in fighting the enemy. Similarly, if a per- son is equipped with weapons of war and guns, etc. , and knows how to use them, yet they have no strength in their arms, such a one will also be unsuccessful. This demonstrates that merely learning the method and technique required to wield a weapon is also insufficient until a person exercises and trains in order to develop power and strength in their arms. Now if there were a person who is knowledge- able in the art of swordsmanship, but they have not trained and exercised, upon entering the field of battle, after three or four manoeuvres and a few strikes, their arms will fall lifeless and they shall render themselves useless by exhaustion. Ulti- mately, such a one will fall prey to the enemy out of their own weakness. Spiritual Struggle and Exercise So understand full well that mere knowledge of tactic and theoretical training are of no avail, until they are coupled with action, effort and practice. One ought to observe that it is precisely for this reason that governments do not allow their armies to sit idle. Even in a time of peace and comfort, they create war scenarios to keep their armies engaged, and target practice and parades, etc. , are a daily routine. As I have just mentioned, just as knowledge and skill in the use of weaponry and the like is required on the one hand, in order to gain victory in the field of battle, on the other hand, exercise and knowledge of best practice is also impera-