Aslam

The third class is the highest for a God-reliant man. Such a man lives before God is such a way as a dead man is kept before one who washes him. He thinks that he moves similarly at the hand of his original fate. He is firm and steady. He thinks that the flow, of his movements, strength, will, knowledge and other attributes run through Him compulsorily. He is not like a child who takes refuge to his mother, cries to her and runs after her mother. He is like that child who know that wherever he will stay, his mother will find him out. If he does not like to suckle his mother's breast, his mother will suckle him. Such a person gives up invocation as he trusts in His mercy and help and thinks that he will get more if he does not want than if he wants.

Question: Is it possible?

Answer: In answer to it, know, O readers, that it is not impossible, but it is difficult and rare. The second and third stages of God-reliance are more difficult than the first stage. The occurrence of the first stage of God-reliance is near possibility. • Even if the second and third stages are attained, its lasting is still more difficult.

We have mentioned that Tahid has got two outer covers and two inner substances. Similarly 'there is no deity but God' has got two outer covers and two inner substances. This appears from the following saying of the Prophet: Whose utters "There is no deity but God" confirning it in his heart with sincere faith.
Paradise is sure for him. These two conditions exist secretly in the traditions which have got no such clear expressions, as sovereignty does not come by utterance. The name of movement of the tongue is uttrence and the name of the tie of mind is also utterance which is the utterance of the mind behind which truthfulness and sincere faith lie. The throne of power is found for the near ones which are really selfless men. God says: "They will be seated upon the thrones, reclining thereon and facing one another.' The fortunate will have many fortunes. He described oi^ly the fortunes of shade, fruits, trees, black-eyed virgins and '' such other pleasures pleasing >to the eyes, but these are also

Vol-IV THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES 213

enjoyed by the lower animals. But the pleasure of reign and nearness to God is not to be compared with the above pleasures.
Are these enjoyments more pleasant to the saints and sages than those to be had from the sight of Lord. He who is more addicted to satisfying his lust and carnal desire can be compared to a beast.
God says regarding him: 'They are like beasts, nay they are more wretched.' The cause is that the beasts can not search the nature of angels and they are confined within their nature. But man can attain the nature of angels. He who has got power to attain this, but does not do so is disliked. He who utters the Kalema only by mouth can not attain true God-reliance.