Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 405
24 September 1905 405 The Means to Develop Love for God Almighty However, an objection is raised that such a strong bond and pure love with Almighty Allah is possible only when knowledge of His existence is ascertained. The world has been ruined due to such types of doubts about His existence. Many have openly become atheists and there are many who have not become athe- ists but think like them, and for this reason they are negligent with regard to religious matters. The remedy for this is that they should continue to pray to Almighty Allah that their cognisance [of God] may increase, and they should stay in the company of the truthful so that they may witness fresh Signs of Almighty Allah’s power and dominion. Then He will enhance their cognisance and bestow discernment in whatever way and whatever manner He deems fit, and the heart will become cheerful. It is absolutely true that the more one has faith in the exist- ence of Almighty Allah and His majesty, the more one will love and fear Almighty Allah. Otherwise, one will become bold in committing crimes during the period of heedlessness. The love of Almighty Allah and the awe and fear of His majesty and power are the two things that burn away sins. As a rule, one stays away from what he fears. For example, he [who] knows that fire burns, will not put his hand in it. Or, for example, if it is known that there is a snake in such and such a location, then that route will be avoided. In the same way, if a person develops the conviction that the poison of sin will kill him, and is fearful of the majesty of Almighty Allah, and is convinced that He abhors sin and punishes it severely, then he will not have the daring and audacity to commit sin. It is then that the person walks upon the earth like a corpse and his soul is always with God. These are the qualities that we want to inculcate in our