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myself from vain desire. It was clear to me too that the key to all this was to
sever the attachment of the heart to worldly things by leaving the mansion
of deception and returning to that of eternity, and to advance towards Allah
Most High with all earnestness. It was also clear that this was only to be
achieved by turning away from wealth and position and fleeing from all
time-consuming entanglements.

Next I considered the circumstances of my life and realized that I was
caught in a veritable thicket of attachments. I also considered my activities,
of which the best was my teaching and lecturing, and realized that in them I
was dealing with sciences that were unimportant and contributed nothing to
the attainment of eternal life.

After that I examined my motive in my work of teaching, and realized that
it was not a pure desire for the things of Allah, but that the impulse moving
me was the desire for an influential position and public recognition. I saw for


certain that I was on the brink of a crumbling bank of sand and in imminent