The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 152
T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO 152 Remember well that this teaching and exhortation is meant as a preventive measure. For example, if a person takes some medi- cine during the cholera season as a preventive remedy to protect himself from cholera, can we say that he is suffering from cholera or that he is showing the signs of cholera? Rather, this action of his would be considered a sign of his intelligence and it would be understood that he is naturally averse to this disease and wishes to remain far away from it. No one will agree with you that adopting the paths of righteousness is incompatible with perfection. If the Prophets, peace be on them all, do not show an example of right- eousness, then who else should show it? The one who fears God the most, is foremost in adopting righteousness also. He keeps himself away from evil and steers clear of the paths that carry the risk of sin. But what can I say or write about your Yas u ‘ [Jesus ] and for how long should I lament his condition! Was it appropriate for him to give this opportunity to an adulterous woman in the prime of her youth and beauty, to sit close to him with uncovered head, and to so coyly and lov- ingly caress his feet with her hair, and to massage his head with perfume bought with her earnings from prostitution? Had the heart of Yas u ‘ been free of sinful thoughts, he would certainly have stopped a prostitute from coming close to him. But such people who derive pleasure from being touched by prostitutes do not even listen to the counsel of any advisor while they are in such a sensual state. Therefore, when an elder, with a sense of honour cautioned him with a view to stopping him, saying that to do such a thing was not appropriate, Yas u ‘ , realizing from the sternness of the man’s face that he was displeased with this conduct of his,