Speech [Criterion of humanity]

I seek refuge in God from the accursed Satan

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I thank you gentlemen who are representatives of the disabled and handicapped society. May God keep you in good health, and may He grant you a speedy recovery. The Society of the Disabled should note that man possesses both soul and body. What determines a person's humanity is his soul, not his body. You pray for those whose souls are `disabled' to be cured. You the members of the Community of the Disabled in body should pray that you never become a community of spiritually disabled people. If your souls are sound, free and strong, it does not matter if you are disabled in your hands or legs. Man's limbs are not the criteria for his humanity. The physique is but skin and outer appearance, but the very essence of man is his soul and his intellectual faculty. When man's thinking self becomes powerful, it does not matter if he is physically disabled. Man is man because of his soul. Among the world's geniuses, we have had many people who were disabled but were in the rank of `ulama', philosophers and geniuses. Do not grieve because of being disabled in your hands, legs, or eyes. I hope that in this society you will live with pride because of your spiritual power and health. God willing, I shall refer to the respective officials regarding your requests. May God protect you. May He cure you, who were active in this movement and helped us like brothers. May your soul, which is sublime over the body, and upon which your very humanity depends, be engulfed in prosperity and well-being.

May God's peace be upon you.