In order to purify the soul and to obtain the proper results...

In order to purify the soul and to obtain the proper results of beliefs and actions, it is necessary to remove obstacles and all those things that nullify the effects of beliefs and actions. This apparent self-purification is achieved through cleansing the organs and limbs and by worship and obedience. That is, the physical body is involved in this stage, whereas the internal purification is related to the absolute cleansing of the soul.

Sins related to the body and soul Self-purification through organs and limbs denotes keeping away from Greater sins. Unless and until one avoids the Greater sins one should not have the assurance that his deeds will be accepted. The Holy Quran has clearly mentioned: Allah only accepts from those who guard (against evil) . [^1]1 Also, the Almighty Allah has made self-purification the path for achieving guidance and righteousness.

Allah says, Those who believe and do not mix up their faith with iniquity, those are they who shall have the security and they are those who go aright. [^2]2 Anything that is beyond the limits of injustice and away from the straight path is injustice. Thus no one must have any trait that is evil according to reason or that which the Shariah prohibits.

If one is apparently a believer but has one of those evil traits, his belief will not serve any purpose because he has mixed up his faith with some sort of injustice. At another place, Allah says, And whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones. [^3]3 Thus it means that if someone is, God forbid, a miser, he is away from salvation even though he might be a believer.

This very fact has been mentioned in the traditional reports: “A miserly believer is nearer to the fire of Hell than a generous infidel.” This tells us that till the time we remove each and every evil trait from our character we cannot become perfect human beings and would not be able to achieve real salvation. Duty of the religious Scholars The successors of the prophets should continue the program of teaching and self-purification.

During the occultation of Imam az-Zaman (Twelfth Imam) this important duty rests on the independent religious jurisprudents ( Mujtahids ) and just jurists. Quranic verses and traditions inform us that education and self-purification requires two necessary conditions. First of them is derivation of Islamic Law ( Ijtihad ) and the other is justice.