Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 300
Malf uza t - English translation of Urdu Volume 8 300 heart. This rule is to remove ill thinking, 1 that until something is observed and appropriately judged, it should not be believed or spoken of. What a solid and strong statement this is! Many people will be called to account because of their tongue. It is observed here in the world as well that many people are caught simply because of their tongue, and they are compelled to suffer a great deal of shame and loss. There is no calling to account for the apprehen- sions and superficial thoughts that pass through the mind. For example, if the thought passes through someone’s mind that it would be good should I attain such and such wealth, it is a kind of greed, but there is no blame on such a mere thought that naturally comes to mind and passes. However, when a person gives such a thought a place in his heart and then resolves that he must take that wealth by some deception or other means, this sin must be accounted for. Therefore, when the heart makes a determination and to this end commits mischief and deception, then this sin is recorded as worthy of punishment. So, these kinds of sins are given very little attention yet lead to a person’s destruction. Most people refrain from major and open sins. There will be many men who have never shed blood or committed burglary or such major sins. But the question is, how many people have not slandered anyone or hurt their brother by defaming him or erred by lying? Or at least not resolved to carry out some dangerous plots in the heart? I can say with certainty that very few people take care of these things and fear God Almighty; otherwise, there will be many who tell lies for fun, complain and slander others in their gatherings, and hurt their weak and infirm brothers in various ways. 1. Al- H akam, vol. 10, no. 22, p. 2, 3, dated 24 June 1906