Sermons on Waqf-e-Nau — Page 40
These (bad) habits are formed in childhood. When very young children are caught saying something has hap- pened when actually it has not, they are behaving in a similar way and parents pay no attention to it. This re- sults in spoiling their temperament and sometimes it is spoiled so badly that it cannot be reformed. It becomes their habit: they do not lie, but as a habit they present their conjectures and assumptions as facts. If the peo- ple (Waaqifeen) who come to the Jamia are of this type, then the Jamia does not have any magic to in- stantly reform their chronic bad habits. Only an excep- tional inner transformation can effect this change and that is a separate subject. We cannot rule out the pos- sibility of such a transformation, but that is not the gen- eral rule. We do not base plans of our life on rules that are an exception; we plan according to the general rules. So, it is very important that these children should be trained thoroughly in this respect. Teaching extra care in financial matters: To give them broad-based general knowledge, those who can learn typing should be taught typing. They should also be taught how to keep account, and as I have said be- fore there should be great emphasis on honesty. Dishonesty in monetary matters in Waaqifeen is terrible and sometimes bears dreadful consequences. Honesty is exceptionally important for a Jama'at that is running wholly and solely on voluntary chandajaat (donations). In other words, honesty is important for the protection and safeguard of our jugular vein. The financial system of the Jama'at is functioning on the basis of trust and honesty. If, God forbid, the members of the Jama'at were to perceive dishonesty in Waaqifeen-e-zindagee and those employed in the finance department, their opportunity of giving chanda will be strangulated and they will not be able to give chanda even if they wished 40