The True Nature of the Mahdi — Page 43
43 wilt, cowardice and reluctance, and evil insinuations and illusions. They [i. e. the Muslims] behaved ignorantly towards all that which came from the Chosen Prophet, forgot the commandments of the Quran and that which was said by the Best of Mankind. A mere shell remained in their hands, and they lost the essence of faith. They turned to the world and its base desires, and preferred the ways of Satan. You shall not find most of them but that they are disobedient and audacious, without fear. You see that most of the scholars preach but do not act; the ascetics put on an act but are not sincere, nor do they devote themselves to Allah or fear Him. You see the common people swaggering towards the pre - sent world and not paying attention to the Hereafter. They pretend to be blind, and truly they cannot see; they sleep contentedly and do not wake. Then, the peo - ple of other faiths expend their wealth and go to great pains to spread misguidance; likewise, the earth has been corrupted by evil beliefs, and has brought forth its burdens of various machinations and false stories. Thus, Divine Providence called for the advent of one of His servants to enlighten darkened hearts, and reform with his hands the materials used for present evils. So He chose me by His grace and mercy for this