The Fountain of God’s Unity — Page 40
true greatness lies in abstaining from sin as well as in enacting virtues. That is why he stated that having forsaken shirk, you ought to observe prayer, i. e. , to perform worship with due diligence, to the extent that when you speak, listen or eat and drink, it is simply for the sake of God alone. Consequently, you will become the chosen ones of God, and it will become your duty to enjoin others to do good and forbid them from wrongdoings. Then, as is the custom, people will turn against you and try to inflict pain and harm you, because that is the way all prophets are treated [by their people] in the beginning. Thus, you ought to show patience as this matter requires firm resolve. Following this, [it is mentioned in the Holy Quran]: لَا تُصَعِرُ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ 1 Surah Luqman, 31:19 [Publishers] -40-