Miracles of the Messiah to Counteract the Devices of the Christians — Essence of Islam Vol. 4
Introduction
In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 4), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Miracles of the Messiah to Counteract the Devices of the Christians, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.
Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 4)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 5: Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama’at, and Instructions
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Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions erful hand which possesses the miraculous power to demolish their magic, there can be no hope whatsoever for simple hearts to find deliverance from this European sorcery.
[Fat-he-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 3, pp. 3-6]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 143]
At this point I wish to remove the misapprehension of some who are well-off and account themselves very generous and devoted to the faith, but who are wholly averse to spending their wealth in its proper place. They say, ‘Had we found a righteous one enjoying Allah’s support in this age, who had come from God to strengthen the faith, we would surely have sacrificed ourselves wholly in his cause; but what can we do when there is nothing but deceit and falsehood all around?’
[Fat-he-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 3, pp. 41-45]
Be it known to you, O people, that one has been sent for the support of the faith but you have not recognized him. He is among you and is the one who is now speaking, but your eyes are under heavy veils. If your hearts seek the truth, it is easy to test the claim of a person who says that God Almighty speaks to him. Come to me and stay with me for two or three weeks so that, if God Almighty should so will, you might be able to observe with your own eyes the blessings that are falling upon me like rain and the light of Divine revelations that are descending upon me. He who seeks is the one who finds, and he who knocks is the one for whom the door is opened. If you shut your eyes and hide yourselves in a dark room and then complain that you cannot see the sun, you complain in vain. O ignorant one, open the door of your chamber and lift the veil from your eyes so that you should not only see the sun but should be illumined by its light. Some people say that it is enough support for the faith to form associations and establish schools, but they do not know what faith is or what the true purpose of our lives is or how this purpose might be achieved. Let them understand that the ultimate purpose of this life is to establish such a true and certain relationship with Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions God Almighty as should deliver one from one’s selfish associations and bring one to the fountainhead of salvation. The ways of such perfect faith are not opened by means of human schemes and designs, nor can any man-made philosophy be of any avail. Rather it is God Almighty Who, through His special servants, always sends down this light from heaven at the time of darkness. He who comes from heaven leads to heaven.
So, O ye people who are sunk in the pit of darkness and are prisoners of doubts and misapprehensions and have become slaves of your passions, take no pride in your nominal and ceremonial Islam and do not depend upon your plans of forming associations and establishing schools to bring you true welfare and ultimate success. These devices are only of elementary benefit and can be regarded as the first stage of progress, but they are far removed from the true purpose. It is possible that through these devices intellects may be stimulated, or dispositions might become artistic, or logic might be bandied about, or academic distinctions might be acquired, and, perhaps, after a long period of study, they might prove of some help in achieving the true purpose, [but that would be a case of]: 85 85 By the time the antidote is brought from Iraq, the snake-bitten one would die. [Translator] Wake up, therefore, and be alert lest you should stumble and be confronted with the last journey in a condition of heresy and faithlessness. Be sure that any hope for prosperity in the hereafter cannot be based on these conventional sciences. What is needed is heavenly light that removes the dirt of doubts and misapprehensions and puts out the fire of lust and passion and draws one to God’s true love, true devotion and true obedience. If you examine your conscience you will recognize that you have not yet achieved the true comfort and satisfaction which in an instant brings about spiritual transformation. It is a matter of utmost regret that you do not entertain for the heavenly dispensation even a fraction of the eagerness that you show in your ceremonial affairs and for spreading the conventional sciences. You are spending your lives mostly in works which have no connection with faith, or have only a slight connection which is nowhere near the true purpose. If you had possessed the faculties of understanding, which lead to the true purpose, you would not rest until you had achieved it. O people, you have been created for the recognition, love and obedience to your True Creator and your True God. So long as this purpose, which is the ultimate aim of your creation, does not manifest itself clearly in you, you are far away from true redemption. Were you to speak justly, you would be a witness to your own inner condition and would confess that instead of worshipping God, you have installed in your heart a mighty idol of world-worship Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions to which you prostrate yourselves a thousand times every moment. All your time is so devoted to idle and vain pursuits that you have no time for anything else. Do you realize what would be the result of such existence? Where is your sense of justice? Where is integrity? Where is the truthfulness, fear of God, honesty and meekness to which the Qur’an calls you? You do not recall even once in a number of years that you have a God, nor do you ever reflect on that which you owe to Him. The truth is that you have no interest and no relationship with the truly Self-Subsisting One. You hardly even think of Him. You will cleverly contend that this is not so, but God’s universal law puts you to shame when it reminds you that you do not possess the signs of the faithful ones. You claim vehemently that you are wise and serious-minded in your worldly affairs, yet your ability, intelligence and far-sightedness terminates within the sphere of the world. With this intelligence of yours, you cannot perceive even a small corner of that other universe wherein your souls have been created to dwell forever. You are content with the life of this world as if it would last forever; but not once in your lifetime do you recall that other universe whose joys possess true satisfaction and are eternal. How unfortunate it is that you are totally heedless of, and have shut your eyes to, a mighty matter and you run eagerly after passing and temporary things. You are well-aware that you will certainly be overtaken by a moment in which your life and all your desires will instantly come to an end. It is a strange misfortune, however, that despite this knowledge you are wasting the whole of your time in running after the world, and this is not confined to legitimate means but you also resort to all kinds of illegitimate means beginning with falsehood and deceit and extending even to the unlawful shedding of blood. Despite all these shameful offences that are so widespread among you, you assert that you are in no need of heavenly light or a heavenly dispensation. On the contrary, you are set against it. You take the heavenly dispensation of God Almighty very lightly, so much so that you arrogantly and contemptuously find faults with it. You inquire repeatedly: ‘How can we make sure that this Movement is from God?’ I have already replied that you shall know this tree by its fruit and shall recognize this Sun by its light. I have conveyed this message to you and it is for you to accept it or not, to remember my words or to forget them. A man is not valued while he lives; but, dear ones, you will recall my words after I am gone. It would be appropriate for every member of the faith to shed tears of blood at the helplessness of Islam and the scarcity of Muslims. The religion of God is confronted with a dangerous and
terrible convulsion; disbelief and rancour have created a great uproar in the world. Even he whose soul is bereft of all good, finds faults with the person of the Best of Messengerssa. Even he who is held in the prison of impurity is critical Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions of the Imam of the righteous. The ill-starred wicked one shoots his arrow upon the innocent one; it behoves heaven to rain down stones on the earth. Before your eyes Islam has fallen into dust; how then will you excuse yourselves before God, O ye who live in luxury? Disbelief is rampant in every direction like the forces of Yazid; and the true Faith is ill and helpless like Zain-ul-‘Abidin. Men of wealth are occupied with their own enjoyments; keeping company, happy and laughing, with their graceful idols. The divines are at loggerheads with each other day and night in their ego-driven exchanges; and the ascetics are entirely heedless of the needs of the faith. Everyone has taken up a position for his mean self; so that the side of the faith is left defenceless, and every enemy has leaped out of his ambush.
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 143]
Call of the Promised Messiahas In the same way I too have been sent to put forth plainly the commandments of the Holy Qur’an. The only difference is that the first Messiah was given to Mosesas and this Messiah has been given to the ‘like of Moses’. This much is beyond doubt. Yet I tell you truly that those who were revived by the Messiahas are dead, but he who will drink of the cup that has been bestowed upon me will never die. If there is anyone else who can also utter the life-giving words that I speak and proclaim such wisdom as I do, then you are at liberty to conclude that I have not come from God
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 149]
Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 4)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 5: Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama’at, and Instructions
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: False Devices of the Christian Missionaries | Next: Call of the Promised Messiah (as) »