The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 81
Lekh Rām 81 years. Now, why couldn't he conspire with an assassin to make his words come true?. And it is outright devilish to think that a disciple of mine could have murdered him. Any sensible person can see that disciples have a delicate relationship with their guide, and their faith [in him] is based on his righteousness, purity, and virtuous conduct. Those who take someone as their mentor do so because they are convinced that he is a Godly man, and that his heart is free from deceit and mischief. But if he is such a sinful and accursed person that he fabricates a false prophecy about someone's death and, when its time is about to expire, humbly begs one of his disciples to save his face and prove his truthfulness by putting the noose around his own neck, let me ask fair-minded people if anyone would retain the relationship of discipleship with such a wicked and accursed man, having found him guilty of such misdemeanour and having listened to his diabolic plan? Would he not consider his mentor to be an evil, accursed, depraved and sinful man?. Would he not say to him, 'O scoundrel! O corrupter of our faith! was this the reality of your prophecies? Is it your intention that while you tell the lie, the noose should tighten around someone else's neck, so that your prophecy may be fulfilled?. . . . I proclaim aloud that my Jamā‘at consists of upright, civilized and righteous people. Is there any impure and accursed 'disciple' of mine who claims that I had appointed him to murder Lekh Rām? I consider worse than a dog the mentor, and the disciple, who