Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 165
165 through other signs. A heavenly teaching possesses within it a radiance and divine light. It is above and beyond man-made systems. When a person fully takes a death upon themselves and pulls themselves out of a life of impurity, at such a time, they receive a life in God and feel the sign of a true religion impressed upon them. However, without the grace of God, how can anyone bring about a death upon their life of impurity and attain a new life? This is in the hand of God, who has given life to the world. Before God raises a man to the station of divine appointment, He first grants him this new life. Such a one apparently lives in this world and is from among the people of this world, but in reality he is not a man of this world; he is draped in the man- tle of God Almighty. Then, God Almighty bestows upon that individual a teaching that is suited to him, and that teaching is then learned by those who are of similar nature. This teaching does not promote filth, selfishness, transgression and carnal pleasures; rather, it inculcates purity, which brings about a death on one’s being and grants one a new life, and blesses one with a nature that burns away sin. An individual begins to loathe all forms of impurity and filth, and finds pleasure and comfort in living a life devoted to God Almighty. Therefore, in my view, a true religion is sufficient in itself for its own propagation. This does not require any external effort. It is true, nonetheless, that those who bring this truth from God are a means by which it is manifested. They are granted victory in times of contest, which serves as a sign. These individuals appear when the world thirsts and hungers for the truth and divine light. In short, an excellent teaching and a perfect exam- ple—which serves as living proof of the excellence of that teaching—are the best means of propagating religion. The Path to Attaining a Life of Spirituality Question: We do not wish to unduly bother you, but how can this spiritual life of which you speak be attained? Answer: By the grace of God. Question: Should we say something to perhaps attain this life of spirituality? Answer: Yes, prayer is greatly needed and one should also remain in righteous p. 149