The Light of Truth — Page 35
ADDRESSING THE ARAB WORLD him; and with this purpose in mind, may he return to his coun- try and be spared the harsh travails of travel and be relieved of separation from his country and friends. May you be rewarded by Allah the Merciful, the Kind. I have said this only for the sake of Allah, and I am but a faithful and sincere counsellor. There are those who think that the people of the Arab world will not accept me and will not even listen: I have no response for their foolish thinking except to utter Lā haul' over their state- ments and recite Innā lillāh² over their thinking. Do they not know that the Arabs have been foremost in accepting the truth from time immemorial? Indeed they are like the root [of a tree] in this matter and others are their branches. I say that this is Allah's work as a mercy from Him, and that the Arabs have the great- est right to His mercy and are the closest and most deserving of it. I can sense the fragrance of Allah's blessings, so speak not the words of despair nor be among the disheartened. Do not harbour suspicions, for certain thoughts are sinful. Abstain from such evil thoughts, which cause the very ground of a believer's faith to tremble, unsettle his sincere intentions, and multiply the evil sug- gestions of Satan. Have complete trust in Allah, and do whatever good you can. Prepare provisions for your brother's journey which should suffice him for his travels on land and by sea. May Allah be with you and grant you success, as He is the Best of those who grant success. The sincerity of the wealthy and capable gives us hope that they will focus on the importance of this task with all their heart and full determination. There is no need to expound or elaborate on this 1. The complete phrase is لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ there is no power nor strength except from Allah the High, the Exalted. [Publisher] 2. The complete phrase is إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَجِعُوْنَ Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. A phrase from the Holy Quran which is recited by Muslims when one is afflicted with a misfortune. [Publisher] 35