Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 295
295 dervish said: ‘Present him with some food. ’ The man, however, insisted that he would eat with the dervish. Finally, when the man sat with the dervish to eat, balls of neem were prepared for him and presented. Certain people adopt such a practice and the purpose is to make others believe that they are people of excel- lence. However, Islam does not consider such practices to be a sign of excellence; excellence in Islam is gauged by righteousness, which transforms a person into a saint, with whom the angels converse and to whom God Almighty gives glad tid- ings. I do not teach such ascetic practices because they are at odds with the objec- tive of Islamic teachings. The Holy Quran gives the following teaching: 1 ِ مِنَ الطَّيِّبٰت كُلُوْا Eat good things. Yet, these people turn an excellent, pure thing and mix it with dust to turn it into something that is impure. Such beliefs developed long after Islam was forgotten. Such people add their own innovations to the teachings of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for they have nothing to do with Islam or the Holy Quran; these people invent their own shariah. I view this with utter contempt and disgust. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is a perfect example for us all. Our betterment and merit lies in follow- ing his footsteps, insofar as possible, and not deviating even in the least. Being Kind to Women In the same way, people have committed errors as far as interacting and treating women and children is concerned, and they have gone astray from the right path. The Holy Quran states: 2 ِ عَاشِرُوْهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْف Consort with them in kindness. But today, people are acting in a manner that is opposed to this teaching. In this context, there are two sorts of people. One group of people have disregarded women leaving them to live an unrestricted life, as if religion does not affect them at all. So they lead a life that is diametrically opposed to Islam and no one both- ers with them. Then, there is another group of people who have not left women 1 al-Mu’minun , 23:52 2 an-Nisa, 4:20 p. 269