Guidance for Perceiving Minds — Page 41
41 other languages is akin to a despised individual consuming pork while neglecting superior and sweeter sustenance. Undoubtedly, Turkish and Persian encroached upon them like thieves, diluting their faith and plundering their resources, akin to a wolf preying upon their necks, dismantling their authority, and damaging their worldly and spiritual destinies, leaving them crushed like kohl or flour. And we speak only the truth. He has spoken a lie who extols them with praise or writes about them with words that fill his mouth, deems them Allah’s successors on earth, and labels those who refute his assertion as disobedient. He shows no concern for the caliph of the country himself, but rather for his bountiful treasury. He endeavours to offer some words of praise, hoping for a reward, and turns a blind eye to the caliph’s faults in pursuit of financial gain. The truth is that attributing the caliphate to them is against the truth, is a lie and an injustice. This is the state of the sultans 1 , O young men. Afterward, I will mention the scholars of this era, to whom virtue and knowl- edge are attributed. It is Allah alone whose help is to be sought, and there is no need for translation and translators, for they claim expertise in linguistics. 1. When I am referring to the kings of Islam, I do not mean that all of them are unjust or corrupt. Rather some of them are virtuous, treat- ing people fairly and with compassion, like the Ottoman Sultan, whom we commend for his known virtues. However, the concept of Khil a fah [Caliphate] is complex and it is entrusted only to those who possess discernment, not those who are blind. This arrow is not given to every quiver (this responsibility is not bestowed upon just anyone), regardless of their rank or status. (Author)