The Light of Truth — Page 310
310 THE LIGHT OF TRUTH-PART ONE Pray tell what relation does the full moon have with the darkness of the night! Do you extol a book that is full of depravities, exceeds the bounds of moderation, and invites to sinful acts? Were you beguiled by the embellishment of its far-fetched tales? Did you praise it even before examining its condition? This despite the fact that you can see it teaches neither the ways of perfecting one's self nor the paths of struggle that lead to the Lord of the universe. Neither does it expound upon the law of God nor does it inspire acts of worship; rather, it invites people to luxury, rest, and relaxation, stealing the warmth of faith and thus emp- tying their homes of true comfort. O ye heedless ones! Remember your death! And O ye neglectful ones, strive hard! Investigate with due care and do not simply follow uncertainties. Ponder and observe like those gifted with true sight. Steal not [the faith of people] like the thieving of a pickpocket. Arise and hearken to the word of he who has come from the Forgiving Lord. Do not be quick to flee and give not preference to the sweltering heat of high noon over the coolness of the morning and strolling in a lush garden and eating of its fruit. Arise to invest in your own happiness and come to me with earnest intention and know that Allah is well aware of whatever you contrive in secret, what you express openly, and what you whisper. You are immersed in the favours of God in this world, so why have you, like the rebellious, forgotten the hereafter? Have you given preference to this world even though it is a temporary abode, an unfaithful crone, from whence you will return to Allah the Lord of all worlds? At that time you will be separated from your sensual desires, the way a peel is torn away from the pulp of a fruit. And you will burn in the fire of regret and separation anxiety and, forsaken, you will be cast into the bottom of a pit. I wrote this book only to extinguish your fire and test the sharpness of your sword, in order to make plain what is obscure to the people, so that I may save God's creation from the evil whispers of the sneak- ing whisperer. Shed the robes of misguidance and return from laxity to