Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 238
238 Merciful” (39:54). The Prophet warned emphatically against despair. He said: “He who says the people are ruined is the one who causes them to be ruined,” meaning that a feeling of despair is the surest means of bringing about failure and ultimate ruin. The company of the righteous is another very important factor in the process of moral development (9:119). It is not necessary today to expatiate on the psychological aspect of this valuable direction ⎯ keeping company with the righteous. The influence of food and drink on moral and spiritual development has not yet been fully recognised, but it is clear, at least, that food and drink are directly related to physical health and growth, and these in their turn are surely related to moral and spiritual development. The Quran says that righteous conduct is promoted by observing purity in the matter of food and drink (23:52). Social customs may sometimes constitute a hindrance in the way of moral development. In the scale of values, moral progress must be placed higher than conformity to social customs and habits, which have no inherent value beyond the fact that they have been observed over a long period of time. Such customs become burdensome impositions and should be discarded (7:158). All avenues from which evil might enter should be watched and guarded. Unregulated and unrestricted social intercourse