The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 255
Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama'at, and Instructions 255 that I should die and leave this Jama'at in such a state of inadequacy and imperfection. I know for certain that miserliness and faith cannot coexist in a heart. . . I will not remain long among you and the time is coming when you will not see me anymore. Many will wish that they had performed some valuable service in my presence. Now is the time to provide against such a possibility. Just as previous Prophets and Messengers as did not dwell forever among their followers,. I too shall not remain among you, so value the time you have. Even if you perform such service for which you have to sell all your immovable property, it would be disrespectful of you to imagine that you have performed any service. You are not aware how. Divine Mercy is eager in support of this faith, and how His angels are descending upon the hearts. Every matter of reason and understanding that arises in your hearts is not from yourselves but from God. Wonderful light and knowledge is descending from heaven. I admonish you repeatedly to serve to the utmost limit of your capacities, but let not a thought pass through your minds that you have done something. If you ever think so, you will be ruined. All such thoughts are disrespectful. A disrespectful one is ruined much quicker than anyone else. [Majmu'ah Ishtihārāt, vol. 3, pp. 496-499]. Let me make it clear that to affirm the covenant of. Bai'at with the tongue alone amounts to nothing unless it is practiced with full resolve. He who acts