impoverishes the self, curtails its freedom, jeopardises its
independence and weakens its urge for development. To react to it
by impotent rage, helpless grief or self-mortification serves no
purpose. The proper reaction is to make a determined effort to
regain our balance and follow the right path with redoubled energy.
We would also do well to bear in mind that our final success depends
not on our sinlessness but on the preponderance of our right
actions over wrong ones. "Sense of sin" is one of the main sources
of unhappiness. The healthy attitude to a weakened self inculcated
by the Qur'an is a sure safeguard against unhappiness and infirmity
of purpose. It may be added that Jannah and Jahannam are not held
over till after death; they manifest themselves in this life and
continue thereafter. The point will be discussed fully in the next
chapter.
References- Arabic Lexicon, Muheet-ul-Muheet.
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