Page 28 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

through the evil insinuations of the lower-self, the person in
question might have actually thought that he was acting cor-
rectly. However, the faithful, being aware of this tendency of
the lower-self, do not heed these evil suggestions. Relying al-
ways on their conscience, they recognize the truth and com-
ply with it. Even if they are in the right, they do not try to
exonerate themselves. Thinking that there is always a better
and more perfect way of behaving, they aim to do better at
the next opportunity. One who is faithful knows very well
that the excuses issuing from his lower-self will be of no avail
in the Hereafter, and that disregarding its insinuations and
instead obeying the good word, is what will bring him bene-
fit. For, as the Qur'an refers to the Day of Judgment as "the
Day when the excuses of the wrongdoers will not help
them." (Surah Ghafir, 52)
In this way, that is, through awareness of the Day of
Judgment, thereby being willing to adhere to one another's
counsel, believers address one another's shortcomings, and
thus advance towards perfection in their morality. Something
that goes unnoticed by one is recognized by another. Most
importantly, no believer shows the slightest adverse reaction
to such warnings. Indeed, in the Qur'an, believers are de-
scribed as those who "... do not knowingly persist in what
they were doing." (Surah Al `Imran, 135)
Contrary to the reactions of those who are ignorant of the
religion, the faithful never respond to an admonition with
haughtiness, arrogance, or such deviant mindsets issuing
from the lower-self. Both the one who enjoins it, and the one
who complies with it, submit to the good word, without hes-
itation, for they fear Allah and seek His good pleasure. Such

26 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD