Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 265
265 Malfuzat – Volume IV engaged in business as well, but they always gave precedence to religion over worldly affairs. After accepting Islam, they also attained true knowledge regard - ing Islam, which filled their hearts with certainty. It is for this reason that they never wavered in the face of Satan’s attacks on any front. Nothing could deter them from expressing the truth. My only intention is to state that Satan seizes and takes control of those people who become absorbed and enslaved by the world completely, and who begin to worship the world, as it were. Secondly, there are people who remain concerned with their religious advancement. This is the group of people known as the party of Allah, who triumph over Satan and his legions. Since wealth grows through trade, God Almighty also has described religion and the desire for progress in religion as a kind of commerce. As such, God Almighty states: 1 ٍ ُم ْ ْي ِ ْل َ ا ٍ ُب َا ِّذ َ ِع ْ ُن ِ َم ْ ُم ُْكُ ْي ِ َج ُْنْ َّت ٍ ٍة َ ُر َِجَا َّت ْي َٰلٰ ِع ْ ُم ُُكُ ْل ُ َد َ ا َْْل ُھ Shall I point out to you a bargain that will save you from a painful punishment? The most excellent form of trade is the one of religion, which saves one from a painful punishment. So I also address you, in the words of God Almighty, and proclaim: 2 ٍ ُم ْ ْي ِ ْل َ ا ٍ ُب َا ِّذ َ ِع ْ ُن ِ َم ْ ُم ُْكُ ْي ِ َج ُْنْ َّت ٍ ٍة َ ُر َِجَا َّت ْي َٰلٰ ِع ْ ُم ُُكُ ْل ُ َد َ ا َْْل ُھ Shall I point out to you a bargain that will save you from a painful punishment? I have greater hopes for those who do not let their religious progress and zeal become weak. Those who let their fervour decline are ones for whom I worry that Satan will take control over them. Hence, one should never become indo - lent. One should always inquire about any matter that is unclear so that one may increase in insight. Asking questions is not forbidden. One should pose their question even if they do not believe in an idea and also for the purpose of aca - demic progress. Anyone who desires academic progress should study the Holy Quran deeply. Wherever they do not understand something, they should ask. If there are certain points of insight that one cannot understand, one should ask someone else and derive benefit. 1 as-Saff , 61:11 2 as-Saff , 61:11 p. 529