After this, regret was expressed at the condition of various sufi leaders, who were indulged in sufi music and singing (surud), and other self-invented practices of this nature. In this context, the Promised Messiahas said: “Human beings possess a propensity to derive pleasure in things and this is what moves them to feel pleasure in sufi music and singing. The inner self of man is deceived into thinking that he is deriving pleasure from the subject matter being sung, but in actuality, their inner self is only concerned with the pleasure that it derives from the music itself, irrespective of whether Satan is being praised or God. When these people become engrossed in this and lose themselves to it completely, be it the praise of Satan or the praise of God, both become one and the same.” At this, the walk came to its conclusion. The Promised Messiahas returned later on when it was time for food, and after he had finished eating, he delivered the address that follows. I now present what I have remembered thereof.
(Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, pp.107-108)
