By the All-Glorious! I am astonished to find what a
veil has fallen across their eyes, and how it blinds them
even to such obvious necessities as these. And there is
no doubt whatever that when conclusive arguments
and proofs of this sort are advanced, they will answer,
out of a thousand hidden spites and prejudices: "On
the Day of Judgment, when men stand before their
Lord, they will not be questioned as to their education
and the degree of their culture--rather will they be examined
as to their good deeds." Let us grant this and
assume that man will not be asked as to his culture and
education; even so, on that great Day of Reckoning,
will not the leaders be called to account? Will it not
be said to them: "O chiefs and leaders! Why did ye
cause this mighty nation to fall from the heights of its
former glory, to pass from its place at the heart and
center of the civilized world? Ye were well able to take
hold of such measures as would lead to the high honor
of this people. This ye failed to do, and ye even went
on to deprive them of the common benefits enjoyed by
all. Did not this people once shine out like stars in an
auspicious heaven? How have ye dared to quench their
light in darkness! Ye could have lit the lamp of temporal
and eternal glory for them; why did ye fail to
strive for this with all your hearts? And when by God's
grace a flaming Light flared up, why did ye fail to
shelter it in the glass of your valor, from the winds that