42-43

Have good thoughts; bad thoughts harm both you and them.

Q- Why do our bad thoughts harm them?

A- Some of them know the outward appearances of Islam through blind imitation without any verification and study, just like you. Imitation, however, is torn apart by doubts. Therefore, when you label some individuals as irreligious — especially if they are superficial in religion and occupied with philosophy — they might hesitate, and with the waswasas, such as their path being outside Islam, they might respond with, “Whatever will be, will be.” Out of despair, and perhaps even with obstinate hostility, they might start actions that are contrary to Islam. So, O you unjust people! You have seen how you lead some unfortunates to dhalâlah. It has often happened that if a bad person is told, "You're good, you're good," he becomes good, and if a good person is told, "You're bad, you're bad," he becomes bad.

Q- Why?

A- For instance, even if some individuals have great evils in them, they should not be attacked. For there are many evils that, as long as they remain hidden beneath a veil of goodness and that veil is not torn and as long as they are ignored, will remain limited and confined. Consequently, the owner of those evils strives to reform themselves under this veil of concealment and hayâ. However, if the veil is torn, hayâ is cast aside; if he is attacked, evil spreads terribly.