The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 258
258. Essence of Islam-IV. There are many who show meekness, but they are wolves inside. There are many who appear clean but are serpents within. You, therefore, cannot be accepted by Him unless you are the same inside and out. . Being great, have mercy on the lowly and do not look down upon them. Possessing knowledge, admonish the ignorant ones and do not humiliate them by selfconceit. Being wealthy, serve the poor and behave not arrogantly towards them. . Dread the ways of ruin and always be fearful of God. . Adopt the ways of righteousness and worship no creature and cut asunder from everything to turn to your. Lord. Turn your hearts away from the world and become wholly His, and live for Him alone and, for His sake, hate every impiety and sin, for He is Holy. Let every morning bear witness that you have spent the night in righteousness, and let every evening bear witness that you have spent the day in His fear. Be not afraid of the curses of the world, for they are apt to disappear like smoke and cannot turn day into night. But be fearful of God's curse which descends from heaven and upon whomsoever it falls it consumes him in both worlds. You cannot save yourselves with hypocrisy, for the eye of the God you believe in penetrates you through and through; can you then deceive Him? Become straightforward, clean, pure and truthful. If even a particle of darkness is left in you, it will dispel all your light. And if you have any portion of arrogance, or hypocrisy, or selflove, or sloth, you are not something worthy of accep-