Excerpt

 
"If someone recites the Kalima-e-Shahada and believes that in its contents he qualfies to be called a Muslim, [he is one]. Whether he performs the obligatory duties or not, is a matter of his negligence. If he does not perform them, he would be answerable to the Almighty. The Almighty [has] the sole authority either to punish him or forgive him. Those who perform the obligatory duties would get the reward as promised by Allah. If someone performs them to please the Almighty with love and affection, he would be nearer to God. If one does fear the society or oppression, those will not take him nearer to God. If people like Ahmed Ali who never denied the faith and does not perform the rituals [that they] are forced to do, there is a possibility they may rebel and denounce the religion. If a person is allowed to remain in his condition and persuaded with love and affection, he might start following the right path and become pious. There is no oppression in religion."

"But he is not illiterate or ignorant," interrupted Abdul Lateef.

"A person is always ignorant when he does not do the right thing. Literary knowledge does not necessarily make a man good. It makes him only know but not understand," replied Zakia.