“And they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is unjust, and speed on in
good works. These are of the righteous.”(59) And again: “that there may be
among you a people who invite to the good, and enjoin the just, and forbid
the wrong. These are they with whom it shall be well.”(60) And further:
“Verily, God enjoineth justice and the doing of good ... and He forbiddeth
wickedness and oppression. He warneth you that haply ye may be
mindful.”(61) And yet again, of the civilizing of human behavior: “Make
due allowances; and enjoin what is just, and withdraw from the
ignorant.”(62) And likewise: “...who master their anger, and forgive
others! God loveth the doers of good.”(63) And again: “There is no
righteousness in turning your faces toward the East or the West, but he is
righteous who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the
Scriptures, and the Prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his
wealth to his kindred, and to orphans, and the needy and the wayfarer, and
those who ask, and for ransom; who observeth prayer, and payeth the legal
alms, and who is of those who perform their covenant when they have
covenanted, and are patient under ills and hardships, and in time of
trouble: these are they who are just, and these are they who fear the
Lord.”(64) And yet further: “They prefer them before themselves, though
poverty be their own lot.”(65) See how these few sacred verses encompass
the highest levels and innermost meanings of civilization and embody all
the excellencies of human character.
By the Lord God, and there is no God but He, even the minutest details of
civilized life derive from the grace of the Prophets of God. What thing of
value to mankind has ever come into being which was not first set forth
either directly or by implication in the Holy Scriptures?
Alas, of what avail is it. When the weapons are in cowards’ hands, no
man’s life and property are safe, and thieves only grow the stronger.
When, in the same way, a far-from-perfect priesthood acquire control of
affairs, they come down like a massive curtain between the people and the
light of Faith.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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