Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 134
134 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad A Transformation of Morals Is Possible Through Struggle and Prayer Until a person undertakes a struggle and seeks recourse to prayer, the overwhelm- ing weight of ignorance that overtakes the heart cannot be removed. As such, Allah the Exalted has stated: إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ Meaning, God Almighty does not dispel the diverse afflictions and calamities that befall a nation until its people themselves do not endeavour to remove them. If there is no determination and courage, how can a transformation be brought about? This is an unchangeable custom of Allah the Exalted, as He states: وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا And thou wilt never find a change in the way of Allah. Therefore, whether it is our community or anyone else, it is only through effort and prayer that a transformation of morals is possible. There is no other way. Two Perspectives on the Transformation of Morals The philosophers hold two views on the transformation of morals. There are those who hold that man has the strength to reform his morals, and there are some who say that man does not have the capacity for such reformation. The fact of the matter is that if an individual does not act indolently and out of sloth, and if they make an effort, a transformation is within their power. Here, I am reminded of a story. It is said that a person came to the renowned Greek philosopher, Plato, and when he arrived at the door, he sent word inside. It was Plato's practice that he would not allow anyone to enter until he was first apprised of their appearance and features. By virtue of his experience in physiognomy, he would come to a conclusion about the character of the person in question. Regardless, Plato's servant entered and described the person's physical features as was the routine, to which Plato responded: 'Tell the person that since you are a man of many ignoble morals, I do not wish to see you. ' When the person at the door heard this response from Plato, he asked the attendant to go in and say: 'Whatever you have stated is true, but I have forsaken my evil habits and have reformed myself. At this, Plato 1 ar-Ra'd, 13:12 al-Ahzab, 33:63