The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 295
The Pillars of Islām 295 for Allāh alone. Some idols are manifest but some are subtle. For instance, to rely on material means beside. Allāh is also an idol, but a subtle one. . . . . Those subtle idols that people carry about under their arms are difficult to throw out. Great philosophers and wise people cannot get rid of them. They are very fine insects which cannot be perceived except through the microscope of the great Grace of God. They inflict great harm on a person. Those idols are personal emotions which carry men a far distance in repudiation of the rights of their fellow beings and of God Almighty. Many who are called learned and erudite and Maulavis and who study the Aḥadīth cannot recognize these idols inside them, and worship them. To avoid these idols is possible only for a very brave man. Those who follow these idols cultivate rancour in their hearts, deny the rights of others, and imagine that they have captured a quarry. They lay undue stress upon material means and rely entirely upon them. Till these tendencies are removed altogether, the. Unity of God cannot be established. [Speeches to Jalsah Salāna, 1906, pp. 1-5] Şalāt Leads to God. After comprehending the meaning of 107pay full attention to the Prayer services, the observation of which has been repeatedly emphasised in the Holy Qur'ān; but along with this it is said: 108" فَوِّيلَ لِلْمُصَدِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ : 8 o. That is, Woe unto those worshippers who are unaware of 107 Ibid. 108. Al-Ma'un, 107:5-6 [Publisher]