How to be Free from Sin — Page 6
6 obligated to accept this, unless of course they are inclined towards disbelief. Thus, there should be no difficulty in understanding the truth, for it is quite apparent that this is the time for the final battle between light and darkness. The forces of darkness are exerting their utmost power, and it is futile to think that they can now be subjugated by any other means except through the light that descends directly from heaven. Darkness has completely pervaded the world and the flickering lamp of righteousness is about to die out. Cus- tomary belief, traditional knowledge and superficial prayers can no longer bring back its faded light. Can the blind lead the blind? Can darkness dispel darkness? No! A new minaret has to be built on the earth which rises above the lowly dwellings, so that the heavenly lamp may be placed on it, and the whole world may be illuminated by its light. How can light reach distant places unless it is placed somewhere high? What does the minaret symbolize? It represents the holy, pure and resolute soul, which is given to that perfect man who is worthy of heavenly light, and this meaning is in- herent in the word 'minaret' itself. The loftiness of the minaret signifies the high resolve of such a man, its strength signifies the fortitude which he shows at times of trial, and its pristine whiteness represents his innocence, which must ultimately be established. And when all this has taken place i. e. , when his truthfulness has been estab- lished with arguments, and his fortitude, steadfastness,