Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 37
37 Malfuzat – Volume IV address, which I present below in my own words and manner. The Desire for Children The Promised Messiah as said: “One ought to reflect on the reason that one desires to have children. For a person ought not to restrict their desire to a mere natural inclination alone, in the manner that one feels thirst or hunger. When this desire crosses a certain degree, one ought to be concerned for their own reformation. God Almighty has created mankind to worship Him, as He states: 1 ِ َن ْ َو ُ ْد ُ ْب ْ ُع َ ْي ِ ْل َا ْل ِ ا ََْس َّن ِ ا َ َوَ اْلْ ُن ِ َج ْلْ ُ ا ِت َْقْ ُل َخَ َمَا And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. Now, if a person does not become a believer and a servant, if they do not fulfil the actual purpose of their life, if they do not worship as is its due right, and instead, if they spend their life in disobedience and transgression, and go on committing sin upon sin, what would be the outcome of such a person’s desire for children? All this would mean is that such a person desires to leave behind a successor who will continue to commit sin. After all, did the father do any good so that he should desire children? Therefore, a person’s desire to have children is absolutely futile until it is purely for the purpose that they be religious, righteous and obedient to God, and serve His chosen religion. In fact, if this is not the underlying purpose, the desire itself is a form of sin and vice; it would best be described as ‘enduring sin’ as opposed to ‘enduring good. ’ However, if a person says that they desire good and God-fearing children who serve the Faith, their statement would be nothing more than a mere claim until they reform their own souls. If one lives a life of sin and transgression, and proclaims with the mouth that they desire good and righteous children, they are the greatest of liars in their claim. Self-reformation necessarily precedes the desire for good and righteous progeny. When a person begins to lead a life of righteousness, it is then that their desire will bear fruit and such progeny will be characterised as ‘enduring good. ’ However, if one’s desire is only so that their own name may endure, and so that their progeny inherits their wealth and possessions, or become famous and renowned, such a desire, in my opinion, is an association of partners with God. 1 adh-Dhariyat, 51:57 p. 310