SYMPTOMS OF A TRUE MUSLIM (II)

We should not spread gossip (carry words) among Muslims. It has been declared that various kinds of torments would be done to those who commit these two kinds of sins. Also, it is harâm to lie and slander, and must be abstained from. These two evils were harâm in every religion. There will be very heavy punishments for them. It causes great blessings to be secretive about Muslims’ defects, not to spread their secret sins and to forgive their faults. One should show compassion for one’s inferiors, those under one’s command, [such as wives, children, students, soldiers], and the poor. One should not reproach them for their faults. One should not hurt or beat or swear at those poor people for trivial reasons. One should not violate anybody’s property, life, honour, or chastity. Debts to everyone and to the government must be paid. Bribery, accepting or giving, is harâm. However, it would not be bribery to give it in order to get rid of the oppression of a cruel one, or to avoid a disgusting situation. But a person who receives it will have committed a harâm. Everybody should see their own defects, and should every hour think of the faults which they have committed towards Allâhu ta’âlâ. They should always bear in mind that Allâhu ta’âlâ does not hurry in punishing them, nor does He cut off their sustenance. The words of command from our parents, or from the government, compatible with Sharî’a, must be obeyed, but the ones incompatible with Sharî’a should not be resisted against so that we should not cause fitna. [See the 123rd letter in the second volume of the book Maktûbât-i Ma’thûmiyya.]

After correcting the belief and doing the commands of fiqh, we should spend all our time remembering Allâhu ta’âlâ. We should continue remembering, mentioning Allâhu ta’âlâ in a manner taught by the great men of religion. We should feel hostility towards all the things that will prevent our heart from remembering Allâhu ta’âlâ. The more you adhere to the Sharî’at, the more delicious it will be to remember Him. As indolence, laziness increase in obeying the Sharî’at, that flavour will gradually decrease, being thoroughly gone at last. What should I write more than what I have written already? It will be enough for the reasonable one. We should not fall into the traps of the enemies of Islam and we should not believe their lies and slanders.