The Need for the Imam — Page 58
58 mysticism and exegeses of the Holy Quran. With the same object I closely studied I h y a ’ul ‘Ul u m, ‘Aw a riful M‘ a rif, Fat uha ti Makkiya all four volumes, as well as a large number of other books. As for the Holy Quran, it was the delight of my heart and, thank God, it still is. From childhood, indeed since infancy, my fondness for this holy and great scripture is too deep to describe in words. As my knowledge became more extensive, I ac- quired the skill to gratify audiences and embellish my sermons with many fine and amusing anecdotes. I even found that many sick people got cured at my hands. And yet there was no change in my own self. At last, after a great deal of hesitation and suspense, it was dis- closed to me that this dirt would not wash off, unless I met a living exemplar or arrived at the fountain of life which alone could cleanse all inner impurities. Just look at how, for 23 years, the Perfect Guide and the Seal of Prophets sa led his Companions through the stages of spiritual evolution. The Holy Quran was the knowledge and the Holy Prophet sa was its true personi- fication. It was not merely the grandeur and majesty of the eloquence of the Holy Quran, or its erudite style, that overawed the hearts in such an extraordinary manner. Rather, it was the practical example of the Holy Prophet sa , his unique moral qualities, accompa- nied by the constant manifestation of heavenly signs, that made an indelible impression on the hearts of his