Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 135
Malfuzat - Volume I 135 said: 'Indeed, that is a possibility. ' And so the man was called in and Plato met with him very respectfully, showing him honour. Those scholars who believe that a transformation of morals is beyond the strength of man have erred. We have observed that when certain employees who once habitually accepted bribes offer true repentance, if after this, someone offers them a mountain of gold, they do not even care to cast a glance upon it. Three Conditions of Repentance Repentance, in actuality, truly enables and reinforces the acquisition of good morals and makes a person complete. In other words, a person who desires a change in their immoral habits must first repent with a true heart and firm resolve. It ought to be borne in mind also that there are three conditions for repentance, without fulfilment of which true repentance cannot be achieved. The first of these three conditions is referred to as igla in the Arabic language. That is to say, the discarding of one's evil thoughts, which arouse evil propensities. The fact of the matter is that one's ideas bear a very heavy influence. For every action takes on a form in our minds before it is manifested in the realm of deeds. Hence, the first condition for repentance is to abandon one's evil thoughts and ill fancies. For example, if a person has an illicit relationship with a woman, in order to repent, it is necessary for him to conceive of her as ugly and call to mind all her ignoble qualities. As I have said, the effect of one's thoughts are very powerful indeed. I have read in the accounts of various Sufis that they were able to carry their thoughts to such a degree that they were able to see a human being in the form of an ape or a pig. In short, everything takes on a hue that is consistent with our own thoughts. Therefore, those thoughts which arouse evil pleasures must be uprooted. This is the first condition. The second condition is known as nadam in Arabic. In other words, to feel regret and remorse. Everyone's conscience is powerful enough to admonish a per- son when they commit an evil, but an ill-natured person neglects this conscience. Hence, a sinner must show remorse when he commits a sin or an evil action, and he should realise that the pleasures he derives are temporary and will last for a short span of time. He should also consider that on every instance there is a decrease in his pleasure and enjoyment. Ultimately, in old age when the faculties become weak and ineffectual, all of these pleasures of the world will have to be relinquished. Now, when all of these pleasures will ultimately escape us in this