Proceedings of the Prayer Meeting — Page 25
The Sermon 25 [the evil whisperer]. Therefore, seek refuge with Allah that you be protected against the evil of the inspiration cast by khannaas , insofar as a believer is not bitten by the same hole twice. Do not get caught again into that which has once brought affliction upon you. Therefore, there is a clear indication in this surah to obey the ruler of the time. Khannaas [the evil whisperer] has been invested with quali- ties in the same way that God Almighty has placed certain quali- ties within wood, water, fire, and other objects and elements. As س and ص are interchangeable in Arabic, the word عنصر [ ‘ansar mean- ing ‘element’] is, in fact, ّ عَن ْ سِر , the meaning being: ‘It is one of the divine mysteries at which point man’s investigations actually come to a halt. ’ In short, everything is from God, whether it be of a simple nature or a complex one. Given the fact that Allah, having sent such rulers, has deliv- ered us from thousands of hardships and has brought about such a change as if, rescuing us from a burning pit, He placed us into a garden—wherein lie delightful plants and flowing streams in every direction, and wherein blow cool, pleasant breezes—how incredibly ungrateful would it be if one should overlook all His favours! Especially, the members of my Jama’at whom God has blessed with insight and who are truly free from hypocrisy—for the one with whom they have established a bond does not have so much as a trace of hypocrisy in him—should exemplify the highest paragon of gratitude. I am absolutely convinced that my Jama’at is free from hypocrisy, and, in establishing a bond with me, their intuitive perception did not err; for, in truth, I am the very one whose advent was bound to be accepted by those with faith- ful sagacity. God Almighty is Witness and is Fully Aware that I