Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 317
13 August 1905 317 This was the distinguishing feature between Islam and other religions which my opponents do not present, and it is with this distinction that God Almighty has sent me. Now, the question arises that since there is this distinguish- ing feature, why is it not seen by everyone? The answer is that the practice of Allah is predicated upon the principle that it cannot be attained except through striving, repentance, and complete detachment from the world. Accordingly, Allah the Exalted says: 1 َو َنْيِذَّلا اْوُدَهاَج اَنْيِف ْمُهَّنَيِدْهَنَل اَنَلُبُس َو َنْيِذَّلا اْوُدَهاَج اَنْيِف ْمُهَّنَيِدْهَنَل اَنَلُبُس Meaning that, only those who will strive in Our way will find this path. So, how can this door be opened for those who do not act upon the writs and commands of God Almighty but try instead to evade them? This cannot happen. If someone says a treasure is buried here that can be extracted with 10 to 12 days of hard effort, and someone makes no effort but desires to have it, how can he possibly get it? Similarly, Allah the Exalted has placed this treasure in Islam, but the key to this treasure is acting upon the commands and guidelines. Following His writ and guid- ance and restraining the self only for the sake of God is the key, and it is found only in Islam. 2 ْنَم ِغَتْبَّي َرْيَغ ِماَلْسِاْلا اًنْيِد ْنَلَف َلَبْقُّي ُهْنِم ْنَم ِغَتْبَّي َرْيَغ ِماَلْسِاْلا اًنْيِد ْنَلَف َلَبْقُّي ُهْنِم Islam is a fountain. If a person goes to it, sits there, but does not place his mouth upon it and drink till he is satiated, it is his fault. What fault is it of the fountain? 1. S u rah al-‘Ankab u t, 29:70 [Publisher] 2. And whoso seeks a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him ( S u rah A l-e-‘Imr a n, 3:86). [Publisher]