Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 365
16 September 1905 365 The Secret of National Progress Remember well that this is the real way to make progress. So long as a people do not take steps for Allah the Exalted and do not purify and cleanse their hearts, they will never be able to make progress. It is an utterly erroneous idea that progress can only be made by studying English, wearing British clothes, drinking alcohol, and indulging in sin and iniquity. This is the path to destruction. Did the people who lived in the time of Noah, peace be on him, not possess the means of livelihood and luxury? Had they studied English? In the same way, there were also ways of earn- ing a living during the time of Lot, peace be on him. Similarly, there are certain ways of earning a livelihood in this age, one of which is this language which is considered a source of live- lihood. However, the language which is the language of God, has been made the key of knowledge and cognisance by Allah the Exalted. When a person looks at the Holy Quran carefully and without prejudice and does not turn aside from it in form or substance; rather, he keeps on praying, then there will be progress. These people who are clamouring about national develop- ment, I am surprised to hear their voices that maybe they have forgotten death and have prioritised this transient life. They want to become great and prosperous like Europe. I do not prohibit anyone from trying within reasonable limits, but to exceed the boundaries is a condemnable thing. Alas, for these progressives—practically every evil is permissible in their view, even adultery as the practice of Europe demonstrates. If this is progress, then what would destruction look like? So, purify your intentions. Make Allah the Exalted pleased with you. Remain engaged in prayers and supplicate for the propagation of religion. Then, there is no prohibition on working with whatever