Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 37
2 November 1904 37 beneficial and of service, Allah the Exalted does not permit him to go to waste. Just as a gardener does not cut down any tree in the orchard that bears excellent fruit, rather he protects it, in the same way, Allah the Exalted also safeguards the person who is beneficial and of service, as He has said: 1 َو اَّمَا اَم ُعَفْنَي َساَّنلا ُثُكْمَيَف يِف ِضْرَاْلا َو اَّمَا اَم ُعَفْنَي َساَّنلا ُثُكْمَيَف يِف ِضْرَاْلا Allah the Exalted extends the lives of those who become benef- icent for the world. These are the promises of Allah the Exalted which are true and no one can falsify them. This also shows that the faithful and obedient servants of Allah the Exalted are safeguarded against such calamities. So, it should never be forgotten that nothing is achieved by merely doing Bai‘at formally and making a verbal declaration; instead, a person becomes more answerable and accountable. Real ben- efit requires true faith and then righteous deeds consistent with that faith. When a person develops this quality in himself, then, as Allah the Exalted has said, a distinction is placed between a righteous, true believer and others beside him. He is bestowed a distinction, which is called furq a n in the terminology of the Holy Quran. Even in the Hereafter, the believers will be recog- nised by this very distinction, and the faces of the k a firs [disbe- lievers], transgressors, and wicked people will turn black. Even in this world, it is seen that a believer always remains distinguished. A content and tranquil spirit dwells within him. Although the believer has to bear suffering and go through all kinds of difficulties and hardships, no matter how many bad names people give him and no matter what plans they make 1. But as to that which benefits men, it stays on the earth ( S u rah ar-Ra‘d, 13:18). [Publisher]