Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2012
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. Come to Prayer Come to success Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah.
Peace be upon you I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is His Servant and Messenger After this I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Gracious, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us in the right path The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings,
Those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. Today, I will also present some accounts of the companions of the Promised Messiah (as). The first narrations among these will demonstrate their steadfastness. Hazrat Mian Abdullah Khan Sahib, who had pledged initiation during the time of the Promised Messiah (as),
But did not [physically] see him, narrates that the year the plague spread in the subdivision of Zaffarwal, “I was appointed as a plague clerk and came to Zaffarwal from Sialkot. “In the morning, Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain Sahib, resident of Talwandi Inayat Khan,
“asked me whether I believed Hazrat Jesus (as) to be alive in the heavens. “From a scientific perspective, I said no. “I had no form of prejudice in my heart. “He said that the Promised Messiah (as), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, “has claimed that, ‘I am that awaited Messiah,
‘and that the Messiah [sent to] the children of Israel has passed away’. “Acknowledging him to be a prophet and pledging initiation, “I immediately wrote a letter to the Promised Messiah (as), “Following this, in relation to work, I went to Karachi and then to Africa. “My father was a non-Ahmadi.
“At the time of [my] initiation, he was not completely in opposition, “but was a leading figure among the Wahhabis of the area. “People incited him [saying] that your son has become a Mirzai [Ahmadi]. “In 1911, he wrote a letter to me in Africa asking me to convey his words to Mirza Sahib,
“I.e. whatever he had written down”. He said that, “If you do not do so, I will remove you from the heritage of my properties”. He says, “At that time I was in Kenya, working on the Sultan Jamud station as the station master. “I kept the letter with me for eight to ten days.
“One evening, following the ‘Isha prayer, I mentioned this to my wife. “My wife was completely illiterate. “She said that if these people are not willing to accept Hazrat Sahib as the Mahdi, “then why do they ask us to insult him? “Allah the Exalted has already made provisions for us.”
I.e. He has made provisions for their livelihood. “Therefore, we have no concern in this regard either. “Write to him saying that we are not willing to do so. “You may remove us from your heritage”. He says, “I wrote exactly this”. My father replied that, “You are my only son and are my heir.
“I wrote this after being incited by people. “I wrote to him again, but received the same reply from him. “When I came [home] on leave, it was approximately nine o’clock. “Myself, the late brother Muhammad Hussain Sahib and the late brother Muhammad ‘Alam Sahib,
“were holding a discussion with my father and the discussion was rather heated. “My father said that ,’I know Mirza Sahib from the time he was employed in Sialkot. ‘I used to meet him. He was a very pious person. ‘I remember that before my eyes, a Muslim farmer,
‘residing in a village in the east of Sialkot, came to him, ‘and said to Mirza Sahib (i.e. the Promised Messiah), “Mirza ji [used as a form of respect], you appear to be the awaited Messiah.” “At that time, Mirza Sahib was twenty or twenty two years of age,
“and I was also approximately of the same age.” He says that, “When my father uttered these words, I said to my father, ‘Before your eyes, ‘for the farmer to utter these words in favour of Hazrat Sahib, is a sign for you from Allah’.
“However, my father said that, ‘Even if Mirza Sahib is true, I will not accept him’. “Upon this we said Istighfar [seeking forgiveness from Allah the Exalted] and left”. Then, there is a narration of Shaikh ‘Abd-ur-Rashid Sahib, who relates, “Muhammad ‘Ali of Boparai had come to Batala and was staying in our house.
“My parents had evicted me from [our] home. “One day, Mehr Ruldu, who was a friend of my father, met me and said, ‘Come with me and let us speak to cleric Muhammad ‘Ali, ‘so that we may also understand what you say and what he says’.”
In other words, he was going to arrange for a debate between cleric Muhammad Ali, who was a non-Ahmadi, and him. “Hence, in those days I was very passionate. “I immediately went with him to cleric Muhammad Ali. “When I appeared before him, the cleric said, ‘Mehr Ruldu!
‘Why have you brought this infidel before me?’ Mehr Ruldu and I disliked these words. “However, I wished to completely convey the argument to them. “Furthermore, Mehr Ruldu also supported me by saying that Maulvi Sahib, “if you cannot make this child understand, how are you going to explain this to another Ahmadi?
“In other words, if this child fails to understand this from you, “then who else will be able to understand it? “Hence, following these words, he started to read the Hadith [saying of the Holy Prophet (saw)],” what will be your condition when Jesus will descend among you,
“and personally began to explain it in a preaching manner. “After he had taken a long period of time, I asked him to also hear me out, “in that the words of this Hadith [saying of the Holy Prophet (saw)] “prove that it requires interpretation. “Following this, I started to elaborate on this.
“He became irritated by my explanation.” This Hadith is found in Bukhari, Muslim as well as in Musnad Ahmad, and is narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira. The words of it are, [Arabic: Hadith (Bukhari)] In some narrations it is said, [Arabic: Hadith]
“That is, what brittle state will you be in when the son of Mary “i.e. the reflection of the Messiah [Jesus] will be raised, “who will be your Imam [leader] and he will be from among you.” As I mentioned, in another narration it is also mentioned,
That “As he will be from among you, he will discharge the duty of being your Imam [leader]. “The cleric presented this very Hadith [saying of the Holy Prophet (saw)]. “However, I wold him that you are interpreting it incorrectly. “Furthermore, I recited the verse,
[Arabic: Holy Qur’an (Al-Ma’idah: 76)] [the Messiah, son of Mary, was only a Messenger], followed by the verse, [Arabic: Holy Qur’an (Aal-e-‘Imran)] [and Muhammad is only a Messenger] “and I also read the Hadith [saying of the Holy Prophet (saw)] “Then I will say as the pious servant said,”
Which is also a lengthy Hadith, “and explained these in depth. “Upon this, he was greatly perplexed became extremely enraged, “and addressed Mehr Ruldu saying, ‘Did I not tell you that he was not going to become upright. ‘These Mirzais [Ahmadis] are very stern and disrespectful, ‘and I will not mention anything further.’
“Hence, Mehr Ruldu also became very embarrassed, “and signs of embarrassment were visible on his face. “The reason for this was that the cleric was unable to give an appropriate answer, “and I was not able to convey the message completely. “Nevertheless, we got up and left.
“Mehr Ruldu mentioned to my father that cleric Muhammad ‘Ali, “was unable to entirely explain this to ‘Abd-ur-Rashid, “and cleric became extremely enraged. “He is a child and will understand it. “However, this is their state even today, that the knowledge that these religious clerics possess,
“even our children, by the grace of Allah, have more knowledge than these religious clerics. “Furthermore, they cannot even silence these kids. “However, there is no cure for stubbornness. “One incident came to my mind.” It is written by respected Thabit Zervi Sahib.
“A few decades ago, there was a religious cleric by the name ‘Ataullah Shah Bukhari. “He was delivering a speech in one place. “I also heard his voice as I was coincidentally in that area. “Cleric Sahib [‘Ataullah Shah Bukhari was a great scholar] said,
‘That even if God came and told me that Mirza Sahib is true, I would not accept him’.” Hence, this was the state of their faith. Then, there is [another] narration. ‘Ali Muhammad Sahib mentions, The circumstances of Hazrat Maulana Abul Hasan Sahib in this manner, that he was a great scholar.
The message of the Promised Messiah (as), reached the entire district of Dera Ghazi Khan through him. The opponents caused him much pain. However, he remained utmost steadfast and never became concerned about the opposition. He always continued to preach and bear hardships. Hazrat Hafiz Ghulam Rasul Sahib of Wazirabad says that once,
“I was very worried and distressed by the opposition and reached Qadian [in this state]. “Upon this the Promised Messiah (as) asked, ‘Hafiz Sahib! Why are you worried?’ “At that time, the tone of the Promised Messiah (as) made it appear, “as if he wished to help me financially.
“However, I did not come with this intention. “In other words, I did not come to the Promised Messiah (as) for this purpose. “The purpose was for my heart to be satisfied; so that my heart becomes satisfied, “and so that it does not tremble due to the opposition of the enemies.
“The reason for this is through the company of a prophet, “a person most certainly acquires strength. “From his spiritual power, Allah the Exalted endows him with strength.” Nevertheless he says that, “I came to the Promised Messiah (as) in order to strengthen my heart.”
He says that, “Neither should one go to those appointed [by God] in order to take their wealth. “As a matter of fact, according to one’s capacity, one should present something to them as a gift. “The Promised Messiah (as) prayed for me profusely and comforted me with satisfying advice.
“By the grace of Allah the Exalted, not even for a second did doubts, “with regards to the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as) develop within my heart.” Hazrat Babu ‘Abd-ur-Rahman Sahib says, “Due to my humility and meekness, “all of my relatives, friends and those living in the vicinity and in the city,
“were very pleased with me and used to praise me. “However, now all of a sudden, having heard the news of my Bai’at [pledge of initiation], “all of my relatives, apart from my ancestral relatives from one side of the family,
“as all of them, by the grace of God, joined me in the Pledge of Initiation, “[my] friends, those living in the vicinity and the relatives scattered away and became enemies. “This is the very treatment received by the communities of prophets. “When this treatment is meted out to prophets,
“their followers are also treated in this very manner. “Everyone becomes [their] enemy. “Those very people who praise, as a matter of fact, “those who acknowledge that this is a very pious person, become enemies.” I have previously made a mention of [the account of] Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Sahib Mazhar.
“I once went to a village in Faisalabad, when I came across non-Ahmadis sitting there. “They started to praise him profusely that we have never witnessed such a pious, devoted, “and righteous person, who deals with cases correctly and is also truthful.
“However, there is one flaw in him and that is him being a Qadiani [Ahmadi]. “Hence, this is the greatest flaw they see.” Nevertheless, he says that, “Everyone became my enemy, “and inflicted various forms of hardships and pain upon me.
“At times they would meet in the council of the vicinity, turn off the drinking water, “and at times they would call religious clerics, “and preach against us and incite [our] relatives, friends and the public against us. “A shop owner, a milk merchant, was with us (i.e. one who sold milk).
“They stopped [others] from purchasing milk from him. “They stopped [others] from employing workers and severed all ties. “Furthermore, they advised people that if a person passed beneath the house of an Ahmadi, “he would become a disbeliever. “It is the power of God,” in what manner does Allah the Exalted take revenge at times.
He says that, “Those very clerics, who would give this advise, would also come to eat at my house.” In other words, their actions were contrary to their advice. When people saw this action of the religious clerics, they became very remorseful. He further says that as, “After pledging initiation,
“we refrained from offering prayers in congregation behind non-Ahmadi imams, “and would either offer them individually, or appoint one of us as the imam, “the people of the area started to quarrel and argue. “In order to remove the disorder, “we even refrained from offering prayers in congregation in the mosque behind our imam.
“Rather, we would offer prayers in congregation in our homes.” He says that, “The house that I was renting, “based on the fact that we would offer prayers [therein], the landlord asked me to move out. “Following this, when I rented another house and started to offer prayers in congregation there,
“he says that during that time, “for the purpose of building a mosque, we bought some land from a person called, “Ramadan, who was an Ahmadi. We bought three shops and some land “In the meantime, doctor Basharat Sahib, who was an Ahmadi, “moved there as a probationary assistant surgeon.
“The community was greatly strengthened by the addition of the aforementioned Doctor Sahib. “He was very passionate. “They offered the Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation in the shop, “and would appoint Doctor Sahib as their imam. “The shops were on the roadside.
“He would come into the shop without any fear or anxiety and lead the prayer. “Doctor Sahib would always remain engaged in preaching. “He would passionately say that, ‘I wish to write in bold letters that ‘Jesus (as) has passed away,
‘put this on the breast of my coat and walk the streets claiming Jesus (as) has passed away’.” Hazrat Shaikh ‘Ataullah Sahib, may Allah be pleased with him, says, “We received permission from Qadian to pledge initiation through letters. “Along with this, we were also sent some literature of the community,
“which included the Al-Hakam newspaper,” this newspaper was sent along with the permission, “which we [then] published. “This became well-known among the people and after doing so, they started to oppose us most fiercely. “Gatherings started to be held everywhere, to which we were forcefully taken and dragged to, “and were coerced to repent;
“to repent from Mirza Sahib being truthful and that we are no longer his followers. “Nevertheless, he says that some, who were of weak faith, started to stumble,” they were unable to endure this hardship and they were not steadfast, “and whilst doing so,
“they reached a state that Hazrat Hafiz Sufi Tasawwur Hussain Sahib, Shaikh Sa’dullah Sahib, “who was an immediate follower of the aforementioned Sufi Sahib, “and this humble one were left, “whereas everyone else became afraid of enduring the oppression of the enemy and apostatised. “Now, apart from three individuals,
“everyone else left Ahmadiyyat as they were unable to endure [these] hardships. “However, these individuals endured [these] hardships and demonstrated steadfastness”. He writes, “May Allah the Exalted grant Sufi Sahib steadfastness. “He had already arrived in Qadian, “and partaken of the light of the prophethood [of the Promised Messiah (as)].
“However, the unique wisdom and foresight of Allah the Exalted, “illuminated my heart with the unseen. “Sufi Sahib had already gone to Qadian and seen the Promised Messiah (as). “His faith was firm. However, I had not yet gone [to Qadian]. “Nevertheless, Allah blessed me, and illuminated my heart through the manifestation of His power.
“The opposition did not have any impact on me, nor was I suppressed by their opposition. “Rather, the more they oppressed and frightened [me], “my faith, through the grace and mercy of God, strengthened. “I rejected their demand to repent by saying that what are you asking me to repent from?”
Then, there is a narration of Hazrat Mian ‘Abd-ul-Majeed Khan Sahib. He says, “Once, the opponents held a large gathering and raised a great hue and cry, “and caused a lot of chaos, “during which only this humble one was the victim of [their] opposition and malice.” In other words, Hazrat Mian ‘Abd-ul-Majeed Khan Sahib,
Was made the target of their entire opposition. “They suggested many schemes against me. “They threatened to boycott me and they even incited the police against me. “Furthermore, they labelled me as a rebellious and treacherous person, “and incited ignorant people against me in such a manner that my life became endangered.
“Being influenced by these circumstances,” he is now relating what the treatment of Allah the Exalted was, “I went to the forest one evening, “turned towards the Qibla [Mecca – direction to be faced during the formal Muslim prayers], “folded my hands, stood in prayer and, in my own manner,
“addressed the Promised Messiah (as) in my thoughts saying that,’Huzoor, ‘please provide me with help and guidance during this dangerous time’. “Furthermore, I offered this supplication with such fervour and passion, “and I wept profusely whilst expressing my circumstances, “and difficulties that Allah the Exalted [ultimately] heard my supplications.”
Here I would like to clarify that this was not a state of Shirk [associating partners with God], in the same manner as [people] go to saints and beg them, prostrate before them and ask for their help. Nevertheless, this was his own manner in that he thought of the Promised Messiah (as),
So that Allah the Exalted may protect him from this oppression. In elaboration to the fact that the Promised Messiah (as) was not being asked, and that in fact Allah the Exalted was being beseeched is this sentence of his, which elaborates this and that is that Allah the Exalted heard my supplications.
He did not say that the Promised Messiah (as) heard [his supplications], in the same manner as some of our people commonly go to the graves of saints and say that such, and such saint has heard our supplication and granted us such and such thing.
Which elaborates this, and that is that ‘Allah the Exalted heard my supplications’. Nevertheless, [he says that] “At night, I fell asleep in that same state and concern. “What do I see in a dream? Opponents have encircled my home, “and are raising voices from all four directions that this person should now be killed.
“In the meantime, the Promised Messiah (as) appeared before me, “grabbed my arms with his blessed hands, turned my face into the sky and said, ‘Fly into the sky!’ Hence, through the spiritual power of the Promised Messiah (as), “a wingless [weak] person like myself flew from the earth into the sky.
“The opponents were unsuccessful in their desire, “and remained standing and looking [towards me in a state of] astonishment. “At that moment, following the dream, I woke up in utmost joy and I was absolutely certain, “that the Promised Messiah (as) is in fact a righteous and truthful person appointed by God.
“Hence, the following morning, when the opponents gathered around me once again, “I clearly told them that God, “through the manifestation of His power, has endowed me with such strength, “that even if you cut my body to pieces with saws, “this heart and this mouth can now not turn away from this truth.”
He says, “The following night, I saw another dream that the police has surrounded my home”. This enmity was not coming to an end. Every day, gatherings were being held against them. “Furthermore, the police is saying that this person might have escaped the public.
“However, as he has created a form of disorder and unrest, “the government will now oppress him through its power, “and if he does not refrain, then he will be killed. “This sentence of the police and their siege (in the dream) greatly distressed me”. He says that “However, suddenly, similar to the previous night,
“my master, the Promised Messiah (as) manifested himself before me, “and in the same manner gently grabbed both of my arms, turned my face to the sky and said, ‘Fly into the sky!’ “Hence, I once again, similar to the previous day,
“I started to fly from the earth into the sky and was protected from the attack of the police etc. “Hence, in both visions my faith strengthened like iron pegs, “and it became firm like rocks of the mountains. “Furthermore, the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as) became entrenched in my heart,
“in such a manner that no one is now able to break it or cut it. “All praise belongs to Allah”. He says, “Now a passion and desire has been created within the heart, “to be able to visit this divinely appointed one”. He had not yet seen the Promised Messiah (as).
“Hence, I wrote a letter to the Promised Messiah (as), “in reply to which he (as) wrote, ‘Mian Abd-ul- Majeed, you should immediately come to Qadian’.” Hence, this is another manner in which Allah the Exalted strengthens faiths. Furthermore, even today this state is expressed by many of those who write [to me],
Which Allah the Exalted creates within them. There is a narration of Hazrat Ameer Khan Sahib. He writes his account that, “When, after having done Bai’at [pledged initiation], “I was returning from Qadian Dar-ul-Aman to my village of Ahrana, “a person by the name Mahtab Khan, who was very big-headed,
“and as a result of having acquired basic education was utmost arrogant,” i.e. he was an ordinary educated person, “and claimed to know everything. “In other words, he now believed that he knew alot, “and considered himself to be an expert in everything.
“He started to oppose me fiercely and crossed all bounds in verbally abusing me. “However, I continued to remain patient. “In the end, the plague spread in his family and caused such devastation that his daughter-in-law, “sister-in-law and his young and only son, all of them became a victim of the plague,
“so much so that not even a person to prepare food was spared. “He would go to one of his daughters, who was wedded in a nearby village, and eat. “However, to eat at his in-laws was considered worse than dying by him. “The aforementioned Mahtab Khan at that time was perhaps just over sixty,
“and his remaining movable property [piece of land], “was approximately one and a half gumaon [measuring unit]”. One and a half ghumaon [measuring unit] is even less than an acre. “One morning, following the Fajr prayer, I was reciting the Holy Qur’an in a mosque, “when he approached me and said, ‘Look at my condition!’,
“He then pointed into the direction of the Ka’ba [place of worship in Mecca], “and said that, ‘I have no hostility towards Mirza Sahib’.” In other words, ‘I have no enmity with him’. “When this state arose, he started to reflect over this.” These are some accounts regarding the steadfastness of the companions.
Allah the Exalted has endowed the Promised Messiah (as) with such a community which, in terms of firmness and steadfastness, is demonstrating extraordinary examples even today. I receive many a letter and many people meet me and narrate their accounts. Where men are demonstrating such examples, women are as well.
Thus, the awakening which was caused by the spiritual power of the Promised Messiah (as), among his companions, Allah the Exalted has upheld and continued it even today. May Allah the Exalted elevate the ranks of those companions who accepted the Promised Messiah (as), and demonstrated firmness [of faith] through steadfastness,
And may He also endow their offspring with steadfastness. Furthermore, those who are joining now, who are present among us, and those to join in the future, may He also strengthen their faith and grant them steadfastness. There are some accounts [that deal with aspects] other than steadfastness, which I am going to present.
These mention how Allah the Exalted protected them in miraculous ways, and His special treatments towards them, which is most certainly a means of increasing in faith for us. Hazrat Mirza Barkat ‘Ali Sahib says that, “During the great earthquake on 4th April 1905,
“I was trapped under a building in Bhagsu, in the district of Kangra, “and in the city of Dharamshala and was taken out with great difficulty. “The eye witness on that occasion was Babu Gulab Din Sahib, who was an overseer pensioner, “and in those days was appointed as the sub-divisional officer there,
“and is alive in Sialkot today. One or two months prior to this incident, “the Promised Messiah (as) had published a prophecy with regards to this great earthquake.” A few months before, the Promised Messiah (as) had made a prophecy regarding this earthquake.
He says, “I was also in Qadian Dar-ul-Aman when the Promised Messiah made the prophecy, “and brought the published announcement of the Promised Messiah (as) with me, “to Dharamshala Chauni and distributed this announcement to various people.
“As I worked there as a clerk and as I had time due to being in part time employment, “I occasionally visited Mirza Raheem Baig Sahib, who was an Ahmadi, “and a companion [of the Promised Messiah (as)]. “The aforementioned Mirza Sahib belonged to a large family of the Mughal tribe,
“and his other brother was not an Ahmadi. “Only his wife and kids had accepted Ahmadiyyat along with him, “whereas everyone else fiercely opposed him. “All of those who had accepted Ahmadiyyat remained protected as well as some other Ahmadis, “who had come from various directions and places and were staying there.”
He says, “All of them also remained protected from the devastation of this earthquake”. He writes that, “The estimation of lost lives in my mind reached ninety percent, “and for us Ahmadis to have remained safe in such a devastating earthquake was a magnificent sign.
“If I were to write the details thereof in great depths, “every seeker of the truth will most certainly observe, “the succour of God the Exalted to be with Ahmadis”. In other words, those who wish to find out about the truth, after hearing the account of this earthquake,
Will most certainly feel that the help and succour of Allah the Exalted is with Ahmadis. He says, “From my family, as a matter of fact, “the family of Gulab Khan Sahib, the mason Allah Bakhsh Sahib of Sialkot, “and the mason Ghulam Muhammad alongside him, as well as from the natural causes,
“that were manifested in order to protect other Ahmadis from the devastation of the earthquake, “an independent sign can be witnessed regarding each and every individual. “In particular for the mason Allah Bakhsh Sahib coincidentally having to leave one day before,
“and for our family to have returned to their homeland a short while prior [to the earthquake], “as well as for some others to have left their shops prior to the earthquake and for [others], “after having been trapped as a result of the earthquake,
“escaping through astonishing means, all of these aspects served as signs. “It is my desire to write a detailed article.” I do not know whether he wrote it later or not, to write a detailed article with regards to this and send it to the Promised Messiah (as).
“Nevertheless”, he says that, “Presently -” when he dictated the narration, “A brief mention has been made of those accounts, “which were mentioned during the audience with the Promised Messiah (as)”. He says that, “A few days following this earthquake, “I went to visit the Promised Messiah (as) in Qadian.
“In those days, the Promised Messiah (as) was staying in a tent under the shade of mango trees, “in the garden adjacent to the Bahishti Maqbarah [heavenly graveyard]”. He used to stay in a tent. “When I met the Promised Messiah (as), he asked various questions about me saying,
‘After being trapped under the building, how did you come out alive?’ “Upon this I told the Promised Messiah (as), “that the charpai [traditional woven bed] of the mason Allah Bakhsh Sahib saved me, “which carried a large wall on top of it,
“and as a result of which I was not trapped under a lot of weight. “In a similar manner, the Promised Messiah (as) asked questions about other Ahmadis, “and I bore witness to the protection of all friends, “even though the Promised Messiah (as) had previously already published an announcement,
“stating that not a single member of our community lost his life as a result of this earthquake. “I am certain that the Promised Messiah (as) received knowledge of this from God the Exalted, “as prior to me no other Ahmadi from Dharamshala had visited the Promised Messiah (as).
“No other Ahmadi from Dharamshala had visited the Promised Messiah (as).” He was the first person and the Promised Messiah (as) acquired all the details from him. “However, the Promised Messiah (as) had already published an announcement, “with regards to the fact, that not a single Ahmadi suffered any loss during this earthquake.”
Hence, he says that, “During my meeting with the Promised Messiah (as), “following the earthquake in Kangra, “the Promised Messiah (as) declared Ahmadis to have remained safe as a sign. “In particular, for me to have remained safe after being trapped during the earthquake is a sign, “which has been announced in writing.
“Blessed are those, who take heed from this witnessed sign, “and accept the appointed one by God.” Hazrat Chaudhry Abd-ul-Hakim Sahib says, “Coincidentally, I met cleric Badr-ud-Din, “who was an Ahmadi and the headmaster of a primary school in the city. “He gave me the Al-Hakam newspaper to read.
“I remember that on the first page of the Al-Hakam newspaper [these headings] The Latest Revelation “of God the Exalted and ‘The Pure Words of the Imam of the Time’ would be written. “There used to be two headings ‘The Latest Revelation’ “and ‘The Pure Words of The Imam of The Time’.”
These two topics would be [found] on the first page. He says, “He used to read them and an attraction and eager desire would be created within my heart, “to immediately visit the Promised Messiah (as). “Allah the Exalted blessed me, and despite the religious clerics, “of the Ahl-e-Hadith [Islamic sect] misguiding and misleading me,
“I accepted [the Promised Messiah (as)] after only a short time. “Cleric Badr-ud-Din Sahib advised me to immediately go to Qadian, “and another religious cleric of the Ahl-e-Hadith [Islamic sect] was prepared to go with me.” This religious cleric was Sultan Mahmood Sahib, who was a distinct student of the Ahl-e-Hadith [Islamic sect].
He writes that, “My wage at that time was fifteen rupees and I was rather impoverished. “I took leave. “As I was not yet entitled to acquire a railway pass, “I purchased a ticket to Amritsar with my other friend. “As we did not have enough money to reach Qadian,
“our ticket expired in Amritsar from where we were supposed to take the train to Batala. “However, we only had eight annas [currency unit]. “Therefore, we purchased tickets for two annas [currency unit] each to Weerkay, “and boarded the train. “When the train reached the station in Weerkay, our ticket had expired.
“However, we did not get off and the train left [the station]. “When the train had reached halfway to the next station, “a railway worker came in order to check the tickets, “and started to look at the tickets of every passenger.
“As our ticket was valid [only] until the previous station and we did not have any money, “we became worried and afraid of being humiliated. “We had no other choice but to hold on to the mantle of Allah the Exalted [pray to Him].
“Both of us prayed together to Allah the Exalted that we are going to visit Your true Messiah. “We have nothing. “For the sake of Your Promised Messiah (as), who is Your beloved, “cover our shortcomings and protect us from being humiliated and disgraced. “Allah the Exalted accepted our prayer.
“When the railway worker asked for our ticket, we handed him the tickets to the previous station, “and I vividly remember that he carefully looked at the tickets, returned them to us, “did not say anything and proceeded to the next cabin.
“This was a miracle for us, in that Allah the Exalted, for the sake of His pure Messiah, “covered our shortcomings and protected us from humiliation. “Furthermore, this incident proved to be a means of strengthening our faith, “and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as) became more evident than the sun.
“We got off in Batala and started walking towards Qadian, “and reached [Qadian] Dar-ul-Aman [abode of peace] at the time of Zuhr.” Hazrat Allah Ditta Sahib, headmaster, says that, “Allah the Exalted saved me from thousands of deaths, “and hardships through His extraordinary grace.
“I have caught snakes, stood on them and they climbed on me, “but Allah the Exalted protected me on every occasion by the breadth of a hair.” Hazrat Master Odhawe Khan Sahib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates, “Once in Amritsar, the plague was spreading rather severely.
“I once returned home from school, when I found my wife standing at the door. “I asked her what the matter was. “She replied that, ‘We have dead mice in our house and expressed her concern’. “I said with great certainty that do not worry.
“Our community will be protected from the plague and there is nothing to fear. “Following this, I cleaned the house with a broom. “The following day, a similar incident occurred, “and along with mice, there were many insects as well. “I cleaned them again and reassured my wife that there is nothing to fear,
“and that our community will remain protected from this. “After the third or fourth day, at twelve o’clock at night, “my wife said to me that I have developed a swelling.” I.e. a swelling as a result of the plague. “I replied with great reassurance and certainty that do not worry.
“The very next morning I will write a letter to the Promised Messiah (as) seeking his prayers. “Hence, I wrote the letter the following morning, “and I believe that the letter had not yet reached Qadian, “that the swelling disappeared and my wife returned to completely good health.
“Similarly, on the second or third day, my son, ‘Abd-ul-Karim, who was perhaps one year old, “developed a swelling. “I once again wrote a letter to the Promised Messiah (as), “and emphatically reassured the members of the family. “Subsequently, even that swelling disappeared. “At that time, the plague was so severe,
“that every day two hundred to two hundred and fifty people fell ill, “and died as a result thereof and this number of deaths was mentioned by the committee daily.” With regards to this I would like to clarify that when the plague spread, the Promised Messiah (as) issued some guidance.
Perhaps this did not reach him, or he was not able to understand it completely as the companions tried to, whatever the circumstances may be, immediately implement [this guidance]. Whatever guidance was received from the Promised Messiah (as), whether it was misplaced somehow, or whether this incident took place before or after,
It is nevertheless [a sign of] the strengthening of his faith. Allah the Exalted did not only strengthen his faith, but also that of his wife and children. However, the guidance the Promised Messiah (as) issued, when this plague had spread everywhere and in every area was as follows.
The Promised Messiah (as) stated in one place, “It is our instruction that it is better for the members in Lahore to publish an announcement, “stating that in whichever house mice have died, “and which is near disease, that house should immediately be left.”
People might have understood this to be an announcement only for Lahore. However, it was a general instruction, that they should try to protect themselves from diseases and avoid them. The Promised Messiah (as) stated, “That house should immediately be left, “and you should move to a spacious house outside of the city.
“This is the commandment of God the Exalted. Physical means should not be disregarded. “It is generally forbidden to stay in filthy, narrow and dark houses, “whether during the plague or not. “Every form of uncleanliness should be avoided. “Clothes should be clean, the area should be clean and the body should be clean.
“These are important matters. “Furthermore, one should remain engaged in supplications and seeking forgiveness.” The Promised Messiah (as) further states, “During the time of Hazrat Umar (ra), the plague had spread. “The Muslim army had gone to a certain area, where the plague had spread very severely.
“When this news reached the Amir-ul-Mu’mineen [chief of the believers] in Medina, “he sent a written message that they should immediately leave that area, “and climb on a tall mountain. “Subsequently, that army remained safe from the plague. “At that time a person also made a complaint,
“asking that do you run away from the decree of God the Exalted. “He replied, ‘I run from one decree of God to another decree of God. ‘Furthermore, what act is outside the decree of God the Exalted?’.” Hence, this was a general guidance. One should not intentionally put himself into difficulties.
The Promised Messiah (as) also stated, “God the Exalted has made two promises through His revelation. “Firstly, that He will protect the inhabitants of this home from the plague as He has said, “[Arabic] I will save all who dwell in the House. “The second promise of His is with regards to our community that,
[Arabic] “That is, surely those who have believed and have not mixed their faith with wrongdoings, “[decreed] for them is peace and they are the rightly guided. “This contains a promise from God the Exalted, “that those members of the community will be protected,
“who completely act in accordance with our guidance, remove their inner flaws, “and the blemishes of their wrongdoings, “and those who will not incline towards the evil [desires] of their souls. “Many people pledge initiation and leave. However, they do not rectify their deeds. “What happens by merely placing one’s hand on another hand?
“God the Exalted is aware of the state of the hearts.” Thus, these are the two promises made to the Promised Messiah (as). In order to protect ourselves from every difficulty, every hardship and every adversity, we must reflect on [the state of] our faith at all times,
As to what extent we are trying to perfect our faith. Hazrat Sufi ‘Ata Muhammad Sahib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates, “It now became difficult to meet”. In other words, due to the circumstances that he was facing, it was difficult to meet the Promised Messiah (as).
“The reason for this was that I was not going to be granted leave. “Coincidentally, I read in the newspaper that the Promised Messiah (as) was traveling to Jhelum. “However, I was not even going to be granted leave, but I was very anxious [to go there].
“I told my family that tomorrow is Sunday and the Promised Messiah (as) has come to Jhelum. “Do not tell anyone. I shall go there. “The time for the train was fast approaching and the station was three miles away. “The road was mountainous and it was night time.
“Even during the day, it was difficult for people to cross this path. “I placed my trust in God and set off. “Coincidentally, a light shone in front of me the entire way. “Perhaps another person was walking along [the path]. “Remembering God profusely, I ran across this mountainous path.
“When I reached the station, the train was completely ready [to depart]. “I purchased a ticket, reached Jhelum and had the honour of meeting the Promised Messiah (as).” Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasul Rajeki Sahib narrates that, “At that time, I was very young.
“In Kapurthala, I saw a dream one night that there is an elephant. “I am trapped beneath it while its belly is on top of me. “In the morning, Khan Sahib, ‘Abd-ul-Majeed Khan Sahib said to me that Maulvi Sahib!
“Today, there is a storm in the Beas River and [riding] on elephants, for recreational purposes, “and in order to observe the river, we are ready to go [there]. “You should most certainly come along. I said that I am unable to go,
“and the reason is that in the evening, I saw a very cautioning dream. “The dream was that I was crushed under an elephant. “However, even after listening to this dream, they remained as persistent, “and I continuously declined. “The reason for this was that this dream was leaving a terrifying impact on my heart.
“Furthermore, when I heard Khan Sahib utter this sentence, “that we will go to the Beas River riding on elephants; “when I heard the word elephants, this dream had an even greater impact on my heart. “Following this, I strongly declined and rejected to with them.
“After this, a few other friends started to insist along with Khan Sahib. “As a result of the severe insistence of these friends, “at last I believed that this appeared to be the Divine decree, “and that whatever is going to happen would most certainly transpire.
“Following this, though I disliked this, I got ready and my friends prepared several elephants. “There were three or four elephants, which these friends rode upon. “The aforementioned Khan Sahib, took me on an elephant alongside him. “When we reached the river, “the Divine decree did not manifest the reality of this cautioning dream,
“in the shape of these physical elephants. “Rather, it manifested itself in another form and that was that when we came off the elephants, “and observed the river from the brink thereof, “we saw a young man who, during this storm, would jump from the bridge,
“which had many passages beneath it and he would jump into the nearest passage. “After doing so, he would cross under the bridge through the nearest passage, “and come out on the other side. I knew how to swim to a certain extent. “I said to him that, ‘Brother! You pass through the nearest passage’.
“It would be impressive if you passed a passage that is further away. “He replied that, ‘The [current of the] river is rather strong due to the storm. ‘It is difficult to pass under the bridge from a passage that is further away at the moment’.
“I said that, ‘If you know how to swim, then what is the need to fear?’ “He asked in reply, ‘Do you know how to swim?’ I said that I do to a certain extent. “Upon this he said that you should pass through [the passage] and show us.
“I said that, ‘Very well!’ I prepared myself, “and with the intention of passing through the passage that is further away, “I jumped from the bridge. “On the first attempt I cleanly passed through the passage and under the bridge. “However, on the second attempt I was about to jump,
“with the intention of crossing through a passage that was even further away. “When I jumped from the bridge, “coincidentally, the area I jumped and fell into was filled with severe whirlpools.” That area had many strong whirlpools – “where the water was fiercely circling around similar to a mill.
“As soon as I fell, I became trapped in this whirlpool “and made every possible effort to escape it. “However, my efforts were in vain. “In the end, I was subdued by the great force of this very whirlpool for a few moments,
“and it appeared to be impossible for me to escape from this whirlpool. “Furthermore, my efforts to escape from this started to go in vain, “and I felt as if, within two or three minutes, “I was going to perish and my life was going to come to an end.
“At that time, everyone who was observing this state of mine from the bridge, “started to shout that how awful is it, “that Maulvi Sahib is trapped in this whirlpool and is about to take the last breaths of his life. “At that time, a strange aspect of Divine decree manifested itself,
“and that was that these people, despite mourning, “and raising a hue and cry that I was drowning, “this thought did not cross their mind to take off the turban from their head, “and throw it to me so that I could hold on to one side of the turban and try to save myself.
“Nevertheless, this thought did not cross any of their minds. “Now, my condition had reached such a point, “that I was entering a state of complete despair from all means, “and it felt as if my life would now come to an end after only a few moments,
“and that I was taking my last breath. “In the meantime, Divine decree manifested another aspect. “God, the Creator of all causes, through the blessings of the Promised Messiah (as), “with whose permission, and instruction I undertook this journey to Kapurthala, “in order to protect me, [God] demonstrated a completely new manifestation of His power.
“That transpired in this manner that the whirlpool in which I was drowning, “whilst at times I was submerging, “and at times emerging [from the water] and at times [my head] was under the water, “and at times I stuck it out of the water; “whatever was happening was out of my power and control.
“At that time the water, with all of its current and force, seemed to have complete control over me “when suddenly, a most powerful hand threw me out of this whirlpool. “It threw me with such force so far away that I fell near a tall acacia tree,
“which was standing far into the river and away from the river bank. “Its branch reached my hand merely as a result of the decree of God and I was able to gather myself. “Taking the support of the branch, in order to take some rest, “I quietly remained standing there for a long time.
“Following this, through the sheer grace and benevolence of God the most Gracious, “I was able to reach the river bank safely. “At that time, that dream and this interpretation thereof manifested itself before my eyes. “Furthermore, at that time I also became aware of the fact that Divine decree,
“and the interpretation of being crushed under an elephant in a vision, “can at times manifest itself in another form of calamity. “Even though we had reached the river on elephants, “the cautionary aspect of the vision, instead of the elephant, “manifested itself in the form of the incident in the river.
“Secondly, I also became aware of the fact that for me to have been protected from the whirlpool, “was a result of the blessings of the Promised Messiah (as). “Furthermore, for me to have come to Kapurthala with the permission, “and under the instruction of the Promised Messiah (as,
“and to serve the community by preaching, resulted in me being protected from destruction”. Otherwise, in terms of [physical] means, the circumstances appeared to be utmost despairing. Hence, these incidents also manifest the state of, the faith of the companions and their conviction in the Promised Messiah (as). As Hazrat Maulvi Sahib has mentioned,
“If this was a worldly person, he would have characterised this as a coincidence; “that I was coincidentally thrown out of the river. “However, declared this journey for the sake of his faith, “and the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as) to be the reason for this”.
Thus, this is the state of faith, which should be developed within all of us. May Allah the Exalted enable us to do so. All praise is due to Allah. We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection; we confide in Him, we trust Him alone
And we seek protection against the evils and mischief of our souls and from the bad results of our deeds. Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path.
And we bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice, to confer benefits upon each other
And to do good to others as one does to one ‘s kindred and forbids evil which pertain to your own selves and evils which affect others and prohibits revolts against a lawful authority. He warns you against being unmindful. You remember Allah; He too will remember you;
Call Him and He will make a response to your call. And verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue.