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To admit us to the company Of the righteous?" And for this thcir prayer Hath Allah rewarded them With Gardens, with rivers Flowing underneath,-their eternal Home. Such is the recompense Of those who do good. But those who reject Faith And belie Our Signs,They shall be Companions Of Hell-fire. SECfION 12. 87. 0 ye who believe! Make not unlawful The good things which Allah Hath made lawful for you, But commit no excess: 791 For Allah loveth not Those given to excess. 88. Eat to the things which Allah hath provided for you, Lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom ye believe. 89. Allah will not call you To account for what is Void in your oaths,792
791. In pleasures that are good and lawful the crime is excess. There is no merit merely in abstention or asceticism. though the humility or unselfishness that may go with asceticism may have its value. In v. 82, Christian monks are praised for particular virtues, though here and elsewhere monasticism is disapproved of. Use Allah's gifts of all kinds with gratitude, but excess is not approved of by Allah. 792. Vows of penance or abstention may sometimes be futile, or even stand in the way of really good or virtuous act. See ii. 224-226, and notes. The general principles established arc: (I) take no futile oaths; (2) use not Allah's name, literally or in intention, to fetter yourself against doing a lawful or good act: (3) keep to your solemn oaths to the utmost of your ability; (4) where you are unable to do so, expiate your failure by feeding or clothing the poor, or obtaining some one's freedom, or if you have not the means, by fasting. This is from a spiritual aspect.
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