Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 399
2 May 1908 399 1 ْنِا َيِه اَّلِا اَنُتاَيَح اَيْنُّدلا ُتْوُمَن َو اَيْحَن ْنِا َيِه اَّلِا اَنُتاَيَح اَيْنُّدلا ُتْوُمَن َو اَيْحَن Were the uncouth, audacious, unrestrained, and bold Arabs reformed by him [the Holy Prophet s as ] by the use of the sword? Was the sublime distinction and difference between their life before and after the advent of the Holy Prophet s as due to the fact that they could not compete with him in the use of the sword? Or was it just the moral teaching by itself that brought about such a pious change in their hearts? No, of course not! Remember, the sword can conquer the palpable, but hearts can never be conquered by the sword. Nay, it was the light that reflected the countenance of God. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had shown them such miraculous Signs as if God had Himself made an appearance before these people. And seeing the glory and omnipotence of God, they brought about a pious change in themselves and adopted a life that detested sin. The Need to Develop a Living Faith in God Almighty These times are indeed the very same, and so is this era exactly akin to that era. Therefore, conviction in the existence of God will be attained through the same method as was used at the onset. Islam is that very same Islam. Therefore, the means and methods of its success and rejuvenation remain the same as they were at the beginning. At this time as well, there is a need for the awe-inspiring Signs of God’s might to appear that will man- ifest His countenance. And know for certain that no one can be purified from sin unless his cognizance of God is perfected. Mere faith is not adequate to dispel sins and the diverse 1. It is only here that we live our life. Here we die and here we live ( S u rah al- Mu’min u n, 23:38). [Publisher]