Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 132
132 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad an insignificant sum of money lying on the ground, they will pick it up, despite being aware that a brief announcement would be sufficient to identify the person to whom the money belongs. I have seen that innocent children are killed over a mere twelve annas. A visit to the courts will show you the terrifying and bleak state of affairs that confronts us. People lie over petty matters, and an ocean of transgression and immorality surges forth. Why is this the case? For no other rea- son than the fact that there is a lack of faith in God. Man fears snakes and poisons because he considers them deadly and believes in the danger that is associated with them. If one possesses perfect faith in Allah Almighty, I cannot understand why one would not loathe sin. Two Aspects of Virtue Two things are necessary for human beings: to refrain from evil and to hasten towards virtue. Now, there are two further aspects of virtue: to forsake evil and propagate goodness. A person cannot be complete by the mere eschewing of evil; this must be coupled with the propagation of virtue, which means to benefit oth- ers. This demonstrates the degree to which a person has reformed themselves. These ranks are attained when a person develops faith in the attributes of God Almighty and a knowledge of these attributes as well. Until this becomes the case, one cannot even save themselves from vice, let alone benefit others, which is a far greater quality. There are many people who are in awe of kings and even fear the Indian Penal Code to some extent. There are many people who do not break the law, yet they are fearless when it comes to disobeying the law of God, the Best of judges. Can there be any other reason except that people do not believe in Him? This is the sole reason. In short, a person reaches the stage where they abstain from sins when they possess faith in God. The second stage ought to be for one to search for those ways that were followed by the chosen servants of God Almighty. In truth, there is only one path that was followed by all those righteous and chosen ones of God who have come to the world and benefited from the grace of God Almighty. That path can be found by first ascertaining the manner in which God Almighty dealt with them. The first stage of abstaining from sin is one which can be achieved through the manifestation of God’s attributes of majesty , in that God Almighty is the enemy of those who commit sin. The second stage is achieved through the manifestation of God’s beauty. p. 117