Guidance for Perceiving Minds — Page 93
Remedy to these Trials It has been proven from the above that none of these groups are capable of reforming people or repelling the evil whisperers. So far, the ultimate goal has not been reached through them, and people have not risen to the heights of honesty and integrity by these arguments. You have not seen any of them reform those that corrupt, or have their words touch the hearts of the criminals, or have their admonition stop the evil and make men and women repentant. How can one expect righteousness from them when their hearts have become corrupted? They are like a water-skin that has rot- ted. Can the blind guide the blind? Can someone whose fever does not stop cure the sick? Is there a man among them who can reach the light of certainty? Can the blind show others the way? Is it possible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, or for wolves to graze sheep? We accept that scholars preach, but we do not accept that they learn from it. We accept that they speak, but we do not accept that they act. Is there a more shameful defect than preaching without practice? Can the pessimist be expected to embody optimism? So leave all of these groups with their scheming and toil, and wait; perhaps Allah will bring about His decree. By Allah, these are trials that will not be resolved by argu- ments, consultations, forums, gathering of hosts on the borders of