Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 463
12 May 1908 463 which to strike in retaliation say that he has carried out an act of virtue and kindness by not hitting anyone? 1 َو ْدَق َباَخ ْنَم اَهىّٰسَد ْدَق َحَلْفَا ْنَم اَهىّٰكَز۰۰ َو ْدَق َباَخ ْنَم اَهىّٰسَد ْدَق َحَلْفَا ْنَم اَهىّٰكَز۰۰ It is clearly understood from this noble verse that both aspects form the very foundation upon which virtue and goodness stand. He who is granted only one ability without being con- ferred the other ability, is [akin to] a picture that can’t be erased. The person who denies the [existence of the] angel and Satan, is—in a manner of speaking—a denier of self-evident truths and objects proven to be perceptible by senses. Every day we see people carrying out virtues as well as the perpetration of crimes throughout the world, and both forces are simulta- neously executing their functions throughout the world. Not a single human being can deny this. Who does not experience the benefit and consequence of these two within himself ? Here, no philosophy or logic can take effect so long as both forces are present and executing their own respective functions within their own respective spheres. As for the remaining point that if only virtue upon virtue was carried out, then sin would accumulate force and destroy the world, I can only say this much that I have nothing to do with [the hypothetical scenarios of ] if this happens, that will happen or if that happens, this will happen. I only see this much that there are two innate dispositions created [in man] prepared for the sake of virtuous conduct as well as for the sake of bad [conduct]. I do not venture beyond this. 1. Surely, he prospers who augments it, And he who corrupts it is ruined ( S u rah ash-Shams, 91:10–11). [Publisher]