The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 286
286. Essence of Islam-IV 'Those who adhere to good' means the ones who furnish practical proof of their sincerity. The faith that is confined to the tongue is no good. The Companions of the Holy Prophet sa proved their sincerity by being ever ready to lay down their lives and even the lives of their children. Today if we ask someone to travel a hundred miles, he puts forth all sorts of excuses with regard to his preoccupations with his business or some matter of honour and prestige, so that he may not have to undertake the journey. But the Companions attached not the least importance to their lives, their properties or their honour and prestige. . Some people complain that even though they have entered into the covenant of Bai'at, they have had to endure such and such hardships. I have repeatedly admonished our Jama'at that mere verbal affirmation and mere Bai'at is of no use. What is required is that they should lose themselves in God and take on a new existence. Nowhere in the entire Qur'ān are we asked to merely believe. Everywhere, we are called upon to prove our faith with righteous actions. In short, God requires from us a death. It is my experience that God never imposes two deaths upon a believer, one for His sake and one for the abuse and derision of the world. . At this critical juncture, our Jama'at should realize its responsibility and become straight like an arrow. . Should thousands die of the plague, I would never blame God and would only affirm that it is they who have departed from the path of righteousness.