The Shining Lamp — Page 46
46 his hands together humbly begging one of his disciples to save his face and prove his truthfulness by putting a noose around his own neck—I now ask fair-minded people—would anyone retain the relationship of discipleship with such a wicked and accursed man, having found him guilty of such deceitful behaviour and having listened to his diabolic plan? Would he not consider his mentor to be an evil, accursed, depraved, and sinful man? Would he not say to him: ‘O scoundrel! O corrupter of our faith! Was this the real- ity of your prophecies? Is it your intention that the noose should tighten around someone else’s neck while you tell the lie so your prophecy may be fulfilled? Is it your intention that while you lie, someone else should hang for it and thus fulfil your prediction?’ Of all those Prophets and Messengers who have come and gone in the world or shall be appointed or receive revelation in the future, no one could have become—nor shall become—their disciple while considering them to be an imposter and a schemer. A guide and his follower’s relationship is very delicate, so even a minute suspicion can spoil this relationship. I once observed in the Jam a ‘at of my followers that some doubted me because, due to an illness of which they were unaware, I did not keep my right foot raised while in qa‘dah [the sitting posture] during S al a t. Just based on this small matter, two men began talking and fell into doubt that this is opposed to the Sunnah [Practice of the Holy Prophet s as ]. At one time, I held a cup of tea with my left hand because the bone in my right hand is broken and thus weak. Just because of this, some started criticising that this is contrary to the Sunnah. And this always happens that some new disciples fall into trial due to their lack of understanding on the most trivial of matters