Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 97
97 Malfuzat – Volume IV human deeds and actions are preserved and recorded, just as sound is recorded on the phonograph. Until one develops divine cognisance, one cannot reflect on this system and derive any pleasure or benefit. To attain insight of the Divine it is necessary to first recognise God, and one cannot recognise God until one remains in the company of a godly person for some time with pure intentions and sincerity. After this a person will be able to easily understand the phenomenon of punishment and reward, and the system of this world and the hereafter. Reflecting upon this exposition it becomes clear that the philosophy of heaven and hell expounded by the Holy Quran has not been explained by any other scripture. A study of the Holy Quran also reveals that God Almighty has expounded this concept in stages. However, this secret is disclosed only to those who strive in the way of God Almighty and contemplate with a pure soul. For nothing excellent can be attained without pain. If someone were to inquire as to why all people do not know about this concept, I would say that one may observe how our various senses perform different tasks. For exam - ple, the eyes can see, the tongue can taste and speak, the ears can hear. In other words, every sense is responsible for its own responsibilities and function. It is not possible for someone to place a piece of sugar candy next to their ear and then describe its taste, nor is it possible for the eyes to hear an external voice, or for the tongue to see. In the same way, there are special faculties that must be employed to perceive the intricate secrets of divine cognisance and only these distinct facul - ties can perceive such secrets. God has given these faculties to everyone but very few put them to use. Conjecture cannot have a strong effect. This is why philoso - phers are very weak in faith and cannot move past conjecture. When Plato, who was deemed a wise and great thinker, was about to die, he asked for a rooster to be slaughtered as an offering to some idol. This demonstrates how weak he was in faith; he could not hold fast to belief in God’s Unity. The Company of the Righteous Therefore, the magnificent means by which shining certainty and insightful faith in God Almighty can be attained is none other than for one to remain in the company of such people who furnish living testimony in favour of the exist - ence of God Almighty—those who have heard from Him directly that He is an Omnipotent God, the Knower of the Unseen and the Possessor of all perfect attributes. p. 370