It ought to be remembered also that the Holy Quran gives guidance for the perfection of knowledge and practice. Accordingly, in the words اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ [”Guide us in the right path”], the perfection of one’s knowledge is alluded to, while the perfection of one’s action is indicated in the words صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ [”The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings”].
In both instances, one seeks the most supreme and complete result that can be achieved. When a plant is put into the ground, it cannot flourish and bear fruits until it grows completely. Similarly, if a guidance is devoid of the finest and most superlative results, then such guidance is dead, and it possesses no strength or power to nourish and develop.
For example, if after completely following the Vedas a person can never expect to attain everlasting deliverance and salvation, and if they cannot be freed from the process of becoming bugs and insects, to receive eternal pleasure, what use is such guidance? The Holy Quran, on the other hand, is such guidance which, if followed, enables a person to attain the highest levels of excellence. Such a one begins to develop a true relationship with God Almighty to the extent that their good deeds – performed in accordance with the guidance of the Quran – begin to flourish and bear fruits in the similitude of a pure tree, as described by the Holy Quran; and they develop a unique kind of sweetness and taste.
Hence, if a person’s faith is bereft of the potential for growth and development, and if their faith is dead, what hope can there be that the pure trees of good deeds would ever bear fruit? It is for this very reason that in Surah Fatihah, where it states صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ Allah the Exalted has specifically indicated that this path is not a fruitless path, which confounds a person, leaving them to wander aimlessly. In fact, if a person takes this path, they attain success and triumph. Perfection in practice is necessary for worship, otherwise it is nothing more than a pastime. For if a tree does not bear fruit, it serves no benefit, irrespective of how tall it may grow.
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 196-197)