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"The flower-faced may sulk or play the flirt,An authoritative Tradition states: "As for him who is one of the learned: (21) he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions and obey the commandments of his Lord. It is then the duty of the people to pattern themselves after him." Since these illustrious and holy words embody all the conditions of learning, a brief commentary on their meaning is appropriate. Whoever is lacking in these divine qualifications and does not demonstrate these inescapable requirements in his own life, should not be referred to as learned and is not worthy to serve as a model for the believers.
The cruel fair may bridle and coquet;
But coyness in the ugly is ill-met,
And pain in a blind eye's a double hurt." (20a)
The first of these requirements is to guard one's own
self. It is obvious that this does not refer to protecting
oneself from calamities and material tests, for the