Chapter II: Patience and Gratefulness
3. The third stage of guidance comes after the second. It is a kind of light which rises in the world of prophethood and sainthood after perfection of character and conduct and by which a man can reach to such a world to which he cannot reach by intellect and 'wisdom and which is not possible to attain by efforts learning and wisdom. This is the highest stage of guidance. The other kinds of guidance are only preliminaries and screens. God says regarding this guidance: Say, God's guidance is the real guidance - 2 : 12Q. He named it a real life in the following verse: I brought one back to life who was dead and granted him a light with the help of which he walks amongst men - 6 : 122Q. God says: He whose breast God has expanded is on light from Him - 39 : 22.
WILL TO WALK IN PATHS OF GUIDANCE: This will arises out of mind. God says: I have given (Rushd) will to walk on good path to Abraham and I am congnisant of it - 21 : 51Q. So Rushd means such a guidance which leads to good fortune and gives incentive towards that. To know the modes of acquisition of fortune is called Rushd. He who finds guidance may not find
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Vol-IV THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES 97
Rushd or to move according to that guidance. So Rushd is better than guidance.
Tasdid: are efforts with body and mind to reach the cherished goal. So guidance gives clue to true path. Rushd generates strong will to tread on it and Tasdid is efforts to. put that will into action by moving the bodily organs.
Ta'yeed is help from unseen quarters. It is the combination of all the above attributes. God says: I helped him with the Holy Spirit- 2: 86.
The above gifts are the elements of the next world. When these qualities are united in a man, God gives him additional gifts pf clear understanding, attractive ear, fore-sight and humble heart and wips out what prevents him from religion and gives him such honour which saves him from the oppressions of the ignorant. Each of these four items gives rise to sixteen virtues which also give rise to other attributes. Thus there grows a chain of help and at last it falls upon the ultima te cause (God).
GOD'S INNUMERABLE GIFTS: Know, O dear readers that God created inanimate objects, such as stone, iron, copper and other mineral substances. They have got no growth and do not take food. Plants are more perfect than mineral substances as there is a kind of strength in them with which they draw juice from the earth through their principal arteries. When they gain strength, other arteries come out of them. But they cannot move and search for food. Animals are therefore more perfect than plants. Among animals, man has got the highest perfection for the following reasons.