Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 199
Malfuzat - Volume I 199 Then, they invite others to the truth which they have found. This also means that they manifest the light of their actions. If a person who exhorts others does not act accordingly, then their words can have no effect whatsoever. It is a general fact that if a man exhorts others but does not act upon his own words, this leaves a very bad impression. If a fornicator exhorts others to refrain from fornication, when his state of affairs is established, it may be apprehended that the people who listen to his admonitions could well-nigh become atheists. For they will think to themselves that if fornication is truly a dangerous thing and God Almighty punishes those who indulge in this act, then if God actually existed, why would the person who exhorts us against this act not refrain from it himself? I am aware of a person who was about to become a Muslim due to his interac- tions with a Muslim cleric. One day he saw the same cleric drinking alcohol, and so his heart became hardened and he held back from converting. In short, the words (They exhort one another to accept truth) indicate that they ad- vise others through the light of their actions. Exhort One Another to Be Steadfast Furthermore, their practice is 2, i. e. they exhort one another to be stead- fast; that is to say, they exhort and advise others with patience. They do not be- come furious in an instant. If a Muslim cleric or leader becomes an Imam and a guide, and is quickly enraged, and if he does not possess the strength to act with tolerance and patience, why does he harm others? Another meaning of the above is that a person who does not patiently listen to advice, cannot gain any benefit. Our opponents do not come forward with a tolerant heart, and do not present their concerns with patience. In fact, their state of affairs is such that they do not even wish to look at the relevant book. They raise a commotion and seek to cloak the truth. How then can such people derive any benefit? What characterised Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab? It was this very impatience and frustration. They would de- mand that if you have come from God, then cause springs to flow before us. These unfortunate people did not show patience and were ultimately destroyed; after all, the Zubaida Canal did ultimately reach Mecca. Similarly, our opponents also demand that I should pray for them and it should instantly be fulfilled, deeming this to be the criterion of my truth or falsehood. They will present a few things 1 al-Asr, 103:4 al-Asr, 103:4