Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 23
23 Malfuzat – Volume IV It means to forsake everything from obvious forms of idol worship and polythe - ism to the association of partners with God in the form of worshipping worldly means, and even subtle forms of self-conceit in which the people of this world are indulged. Good morals mean to employ at their proper place and occasion all the facul - ties that man has been granted, not that certain faculties are left to become use - less, while great emphasis is laid on others. For example, if someone were to cut off their hand completely, can this nurture any real quality? Of course not. On the contrary, good morals in the true and perfect sense is when a person employs all of the faculties that Allah Almighty has bestowed upon them at their appro - priate place in a way that neither leans towards excess or deficiency. For example, a person whose sense of smell functions in excess eventually begins to suffer from the illness known as hyperosmia, and this further results in other severe illnesses as well. Extreme deficiency is when a person’s faculty loses its power completely. A balance is when both aspects remain at their appropriate place and this is the level and station where morals are called good morals, and this is what I have come to establish. Spirituality refers to those effects and signs which are manifested when a per - son develops a true relationship with God Almighty. It is characterised by vari - ous inner states which a person cannot comprehend until they are developed. Nonetheless, these are the main objectives. A new community needs a tongue, as it were, so that it can eloquently convey the verities and insights that it learns from its Imam to others as well. On cer - tain occasions, the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would deliver lectures from morning to evening. If an individual does not have the power and strength to provide an exposition of the beliefs that they have learned, they are often embarrassed in front of others and left with no choice but to submit. Hence, it is incumbent that every individual who is a part of this community remembers these important matters clearly, and develops the habit of explaining them as well. ” 1 1 Al-Hakam , vol. 6, no. 30, dated 24 August 1902, pp. 7-8. p. 298