Chapter II: Patience and Gratefulness
MODES OF RELIGIOUS EXERCISE: He who wishes to acquire the fortune of the next world should observe some rules holding firmly by the Quran. The obstacles in the path of religion should be removed as they may prevent him towards spiritual progress. God says: I have placed a screen in their front and a screen in their back and then I covered them and they don't see ■ 36:9.
There are four walls before a religious disciple - (1) wall of wealth, (2) wall of honour, (3) wall of Mazhabs and (4) wall of sins. The wall of wealth can be removed if it goes out of hand except necessary means to meet bare necessaries of life. The second wall of honour and rank can be removed by shifting from the place of honour and name and fame. The third 'wall is the differences of opinion in religious matters. Blind faith in one's j sect must be removed from mind and one should firmly believe that there is no deity but God and that Muhammad is His j Messenger and best guide. The fourth wall is the obstacle of sins.
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Repentance for past sins, restraint from acts of oppression and (.onnpensation to the oppressed parsons should be taken recourse to remove this obstacle of sins.
When the above four obstacles are removed, he becomes like a person who prepares himself by wash and ablution and \>ecomes fit to observe prayer. Then he requires a spiritual guide to show him the straight path as this path is one only and the paths of the devil are many. Such a man should be kept as it were within the boundaries of a fort, so that the devil may not enter it.
This fort of religion has got four walls (1) solitude, (2) silence, (3)
hunger and (4) sleeplessness. These four things obstruct the devil to enter the fort.
The object of a disciple is to purify the mind to that he may have glimpse of his Lord therein and attain. His nearness.
Hunger reduces the blood of heart and makes it pure and bright.
This brightness is the light of mind or soul. Hunger melts the fat of heart and as a result, softness and humility come in. This softness is the key of spiritual insight. Heart becomes hard for obstruction. Whenever the blood of heart is reduced, the circulation path of the devil becomes narrow.