Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 264
264 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad understood from the example of a teacher and student. Just as a student benefits from their teacher, the disciple benefits from their spiritual mentor. Now if the student maintains a relationship with their teacher, but does not progress in their education, they cannot derive any benefit. This is also the case with the disciple. Therefore, one ought to increase their insight and knowledge by attaching one - self in this way. A seeker of truth must not remain idle at any level, otherwise Satan the accursed will lead you astray. Just as stagnant water begins to develop a foul smell, if a believer does not strive towards progress, they will fall. Therefore, the responsibility of the fortunate is to continue striving in the way of religion. No one has passed in this world who was more perfect than our Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, but even he was taught the prayer: 1 ًا َم ْ ُل ِِع ْ ي ِـ َّن ْ َد ِ َز ِ ُب َ ُر َوَُقُْلْ O my Lord, increase me in knowledge. Then how can anyone else be wholly satisfied with their own insight and knowl - edge and stop at this, thinking that they are no longer in need of further progress. The more one advances in their knowledge and insight, the more one will con - tinue to realise that there are many things still to be resolved. Initially, at a cursory glance, there were some who considered certain things to be absolutely useless (like the child who views Euclid diagrams to be nothing more than meaningless lines). But ultimately there came a time when they saw those very same things as the truth. Therefore, how imperative is it that as we grow, greater emphasis is placed on perfecting every aspect of our knowledge. You have abandoned all that is vain to accept this community. If you do not acquire complete knowledge and insight in relation to it, then what benefit will it serve you? How will your certainty and divine insight develop strength? You will fall prey to doubt and suspicion on the most insignificant matters, and ultimately there is a risk that you will stumble. Religion Should Always be Given Precedence over the World You see, there are two types of people. Firstly, there are some who accept Islam but become engrossed in their worldly businesses and trade. Satan begins to control them. My purpose is not to suggest that it is forbidden to engage in business. Quite the contrary, the companions of the Holy Prophet sas 1 Taha, 20:115 p. 528 ٍ ُم ْ ْي ِ ْل َ ٍ ُب َ ِّذ َ ِع ْ ُن ِ َم ْ ُم ُْكُ ْي ِ َج ُْنْ َّت ٍ ٍة َ ُر َِجَ َّت ْي َٰلٰ ِع ْ ُم ُُكُ ْل ُ َد َ َْْل ُھ ٍ ُم ْ ْي ِ ْل َ ٍ ُب َ ِّذ َ ِع ْ ُن ِ َم ْ ُم ُْكُ ْي ِ َج ُْنْ َّت ٍ ٍة َ ُر َِجَ َّت ْي َٰلٰ ِع ْ ُم ُُكُ ْل ُ َد َ َْْل ُھ