29 January 1898

Man’s Spiritual Capabilities Are Affected by that which He Worships

Man’s spiritual capabilities are affected immensely by that which he worships. It may be observed that whenever a Hindu is seen, one can sense from them an air of negligence. Why is this the case? This is because their self-invented deity is just as negligent and cannot be awakened until a bell is rung before it, just as the English ring a bell to announce that food is ready. It is for this reason that these people are deprived of the divine insight and healing that is reaped from a life of true spirituality. Otherwise, materialistically speaking these people are quite wealthy and affluent.

Provisions by Way of Trial and Provisions by Way of Anointment

The fact of the matter is that provisions are of two kinds. There is one form that serves as a trial and the other is by way of anointment. Provisions by way of trial are those which have no relation with Allah; in fact, such provision continues to move man away from God, until it destroys him completely. It is to this that Allah Almighty alludes in the following verse: 1, i.e. let not your wealth ruin you. Provision by way of anointment is that which is devoted to God. God becomes the Guardian of such people. Such individuals consider all their possessions to belong to God and they demonstrate this through their action. Consider the state of the companions—when faced with trying times, they sacrificed whatever they had in the way of Allah Almighty. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra) was the first to don the garb of poverty. But how did Allah the Exalted reward him for this? It was he who became the very first Caliph. Therefore, in order to be blessed with true merit, goodness and spiritual pleasure, only that wealth can be of use which is spent in the way of God.2