The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 280
280 Essence of Islam-IV like children. In many families, after the age of sixty or seventy years the senses become useless. Even if that should not be so, there is a decline in the faculties and powers of man, and even in consciousness a per- son behaves as if he were unconscious, and weakness and listlessness become apparent. Human life is di- vided into these three periods and each has its own difficulties. Just consider how many obstructions man has to encounter in order to achieve a good end. [Taqrīreiń, pp. 1-2] As I have often admonished, it is essential that a per- son should not deliberately push himself into the pit of sin, for that means certain ruin. He who swallows poison knowingly or jumps into a well does not de- serve the sympathy of his fellow beings or the mercy of God Almighty. It is therefore necessary, indeed it is essential for [members of] our Jama'at (which God has chosen as an example for future generations) that they should shun evil companions and friends who are likely to have an ill-effect upon their spirituality. They should devote themselves to piety and should take care that in all their actions and under all circum- stances they should be a guiding example for others. For this purpose, they should devise every necessary scheme to shun evil company and sinful habits. Bear in mind that to pursue plans for the acquisition of righteousness and goodness is also a subtle form of worship. Do not hold it of little account. When a per- son occupies himself with such an effort, it is God's way that He opens a path for him which secures him