In the Mystic Footsteps of Saints (Sufi Wisdom Book 1)

by Muhammad Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani

Question: One of the most alarming developments in modern society is the breakdown of the family. First, the extended family ceased to exert its previous influence on people, and the nuclear family became the primary identification for individuals. Subsequently, the nuclear family has proved to be built on shaky foundations. Nowadays, so many children grow up with only one parent, and old people are relegated to old age homes. What is happening to mankind? Shaykh Nazim: All these are symptoms of the disease. The tree of humanity has been stricken with the blight of atheism. I am not referring to a blight that has afflicted a branch or two, but to one that has rotted all the branches to the core. Therefore, what is ultimately called for is a drastic cutting back of that tree, so that new, healthy and strong branches may emerge from the trunk. But, as it is not in our power to apply any general measures we must be content with the role of one who digs a well in the middle of a barren wilderness, and thereby extracts enough water to make a few trees bloom. It is not in our hands to alter the general condition of mankind, but when that power, the power of the Divine Presence is released, an empowered envoy will come to prune back the diseased branches.