The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 141
Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama'at, and Instructions 141 words have taken the place of faith. The term 'right- eous action' is applied to a few ceremonies, extravagances and vain displays, and there is com- plete ignorance of true virtue. The philosophy and sciences of this age are also set against spiritual well- being. They have an ill-effect upon their votaries and are proven to pull them towards darkness. They stir up poisonous matters and awaken the sleeping Satan. Those connected with such philosophy and such sci- ences suffer so much from lack of faith that they ridicule Divinely promulgated principles and the pre- scribed forms of worship like Prayer and Fasting. Their hearts are devoid of any sense of God's great- ness. Most of them are dyed in heresy and steeped in atheism, and though they are descended from Mus- lims, they are the enemies of the faith. Most students of colleges withdraw from their allegiance to faith and lose all sympathy for it before they have com- pleted their studies. Here I have only mentioned one branch which, in this age, is loaded with the fruits of misguidance, but there are hundreds of other branches which are no less harmful. Honesty and integrity have departed from the world as if they never existed. Fraudulent and deceptive schemes for earning worldly benefits have multiplied enormously. The most mischievous person is accounted the ablest. All manner of unrighteousness, dishonesty, illegitimacy, deceit, falsehood, cunning and greed are on the in- crease. Merciless rancour and disputes are multiplying and beastly sentiments and emotions are