STRESSING ON THE BASICS

~ 52 ~ and injunctions to yourselves when there is nothing actually to prevent you from doing so, how can you hope to have the administration of the world committed to your care?” THE USE OF PEN One day the Maulana said to one of his followers, who was a writer, “So far I have not approved of the use of the pen in this work, but now the time has come to use this medium. Not only have I not approved of it but I have also prohibited people from using it. But now I want them to write as much as they can. You must consult other senior members in this regard.” They were consulted but they did not agree with his opinion. On hearing of their disagreement, the Maulana again observed: “Actually, in the beginning, we were in danger of being seriously misunderstood. People were not prepared even to listen to us. It was, in those circumstances, imperative that we approach them personally, and, by our example, impress upon them our objectives. If we had then taken recourse to writing, people would surely have misinterpreted the mission. And then, when its