Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 69
Malfuzat - Volume I 69 finely impressed and deep rooted, due to this being the age in which the facul- ties are developing, that they can never be erased. However, this is an extensive discussion. In short, in the practice of education, it ought to be considered and especially remembered that religious education should begin from the very beginning. I have always had a desire and this is the case even now; may Allah fulfil this wish. Observe how your neighbouring nations, such as the Aryas, have given impor- tance to education. They have accumulated hundreds of thousands of rupees, if not more, to construct a magnificent building for a college and its necessities. If the Muslims do not take a keen interest in the education of their children, then they should take heed that a time will come when even their children will be lost to them. There is a famous adage: The Effect of Company تخم تاثیر صحبت را اثر The seed bears influence and one's company carries effect. The first part of this proverb may be debatable, but the second portion which states that one's company possesses an effect is such an established fact that we need not engage in a lengthy discourse on this matter. You have witnessed the children of many noble families falling into the snare of the Christians, as well as Muslims-even the children of saints, holy men and descendants of the Holy Prophet dishonour the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. I have seen the progeny of Syeds whose lineage cannot be doubted and who link their ancestry to Imam Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, embracing Christianity and God-forbid, raising all sorts of allegations against the Founder of Islam, peace and blessings be upon him. If even in such circumstances, a Muslim does not possess honour and jealousy for their religion and their Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then who could be more wicked? If you do not safeguard your children from the company of the Christians, Aryas and others, or if you have no desire to protect them, then remember that you do not gravely wrong your own souls alone, rather you wrong your nation and Islam. This can only mean that you are not the least jealous for Islam and your