One day there was mention of expenses. One of our honourable friends said: “I manage in such and such amount.” Various people made various remarks on how they manage their expenses. His Holiness(as) said: “Allah the Exalted knows well that I possess such tolerance as far as food is concerned that I can very easily eat twice a day on one paisa alone.” His Holiness(as) said: “Once, I was intrigued at heart to see the extent to which a human being can bear hunger. To test this, I ate nothing for six months—I would have a morsel or two every now and then. After six months, I estimated that I could extend this state of affairs to even six years. During this time, I continuously received my meals from home twice a day but I desired to keep this state of mine a secret. The inconvenience that I would have to bear in order to maintain this secrecy was perhaps worse than the pain others feel in hunger; I would distribute those two meals to two or three people in need. In this state, I would offer my five daily prayers in the mosque and none of the people who knew me could tell by any signs that I was eating nothing.” He continued: “Whenever God Almighty has raised a person for a certain task, He has granted them with the appropriate faculties in order to prepare them, and make available to them the necessary ingredients that enable the fulfilment of the goal or task at hand. Those people who do not truly possess the necessary qualities inherently by nature and then indulge in religious exercises, ultimately turn mad and lose their senses.” In this context also, His Holiness(as) said: “Physicians associate certain natural factors with sleep. However, I observe that when it is the will of God Almighty to speak with me, at such a time, though I am in a state of complete wakefulness, God suddenly induces in me a state of drowsiness and light slumber, and pulls me out of this physical realm completely, so that I am able to relate to the spiritual realm. Then, after God has finished speaking, He returns my physical consciousness and senses so that I, as the recipient of revelation, may preserve it. Then, He casts a state of drowsiness over me again, whereafter He awakens me once again, so that I am able to memorise the revelation. In this manner, therefore, on certain occasions, this will happen even fifty times. This is the power of God. He is above and beyond the phenomenon of sleep as we observe in nature, and physicians and doctors cannot understand its deeper essence.”
His Holiness(as) does not turn away a beggar and gives whatever he has available. One day after the Asr Prayer, His Holiness(as) stood up as usual and stepped into the entrance leading to his home. Unexpectedly, a beggar said in a soft voice: “I am a beggar.” His Holiness(as) had an important task at hand, and then the beggar’s voice was drowned in the voices of others who had stood up after the Prayer and were speaking to one another as they tend to do. In short, His Holiness(as) quickly went inside and could not give his full attention. However, when he had entered his home, that faint voice which had only just touched his ears earlier began to leave an ever deeper impress upon his heart. He hurriedly returned and called Khalifah Nur-ud-Din Sahib and said: “There was a beggar here earlier. Find him.” The beggar had left after His Holiness(as) had gone inside. Nonetheless, Khalifah Sahib searched for him but to no avail. In the evening, when His Holiness(as) remained seated in the mosque as per his custom, the same beggar returned and asked to be given something. His Holiness(as) quickly took something out of his pocket and handed it to him. It was evident now that His Holiness(as) was immensely overjoyed and a burden had been removed from his shoulders. After some days, he mentioned: “The other day when that beggar could not be found there was such a burden on my heart that I felt extreme unease. I was fearful that I had committed a sin by not paying attention to the beggar and by going into my home too soon. I am thankful to Allah the Exalted that he returned in the evening. If not, God knows how perturbed I would have been. I had also prayed to Allah Almighty so that He would bring the person back to me.”
At present I stand in a delicate situation. In this state, if I stand in the house of God and speak falsehood with the book of God in my hand in the presence of the Promised Messiah(as) sent by God, there would be no one more accursed than I. And so, I truthfully proclaim that in the person of this Leader, who is a chosen one of God, I observe such a living example of the character and conduct of Muhammad(sa) the Messenger of Allah, that I can say it is as though the Messenger of Allah himself has returned. I feel a sense of pride in stating—and my friends know that this source of pride is justified—that I have been blessed with a greater opportunity than others to acquaint myself with the personal life of His Holiness(as), our Imam. It is this very fact that has instilled within me a firm belief in the truth of His Holiness(as). In his every affair, I have witnessed the same steadfastness, towering dignity, strength, tranquillity, repose and composure which the companions of the Holy Prophet(sa) saw in the Prophet of Islam.
There has been threat of arrest, conspiracies to kill him, false cases of attempted murder, verdicts of disbelief, vile and disgraceful announcements and letters are received full of abuse, which if read or heard, would disturb any person’s mind. Similarly, many other unpleasant situations have arisen which would distress even the mightiest of men. However, in such times, never have I seen His Holiness(as) look towards another person and so much as express even the slightest signs of concern. I swear by God that certain troubling matters have saddened me in the past, but upon witnessing the pure and cheerful countenance of His Holiness(as), my disposition has instantly become so delighted and joyful, as if I had just seen the most pleasing of sights.
In short, this holy man, when sitting at home, is content, when he is amidst his companions, he is content and cheerful, when he is in court, he is content and cheerful, when he is with the superintendent of police who is searching his home, even then, he is content and cheerful. Now I ask, if natures like this do not stand as proof that they are from God, then from where do such dispositions emanate?
If someone were to sit in a shop at the market place and observe, they will see that people unrestrainedly glance here and there in the likeness of stray dogs. You will observe, however, that when this divinely appointed man of God goes on his way, his eyes are firmly fixed to the ground as though he were a mountain of dignity and grace.
God Almighty knows well that my only purpose, insofar as I am capable, is to share in some way with those of my friends who are not present here the pleasure and delight that intoxicates me. I wish to show them that the pleasure that I gain from the pure company of this holy man is not illusory or the fancy of self-deception, as impatient critics would be quick to allege. In fact, I clearly observe a pure transformation in my moral state. Just today, I was saying to my dear brother, Mufti Sadiq, that among the countless lessons we learn from the holy life of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, there is one magnificent lesson of which we are in dire need if we are to be deemed humans—and cultured humans at that. What is that lesson? It is steadfastness and extraordinary patience in the face of trials, tribulations and adversities that would shake our lives, or weaken our fortitude, or overcome and crush our spirit.
Those who have written about the subject of good morals, on keeping this faculty alive, and on further developing and nurturing it, have penned many ways to do so, but the truth is that nothing compares to a living model and the practical life of an exemplary individual. I observe the multitude of terrifying trials and tribulations with which His Holiness(as), our Beloved Messiah, is faced. On certain occasions, he receives news of something which would apparently confound a man or throw an ordinary person into utter despair. Yet the heart of this holy man who is the Promised Messiah does not waver in the least. Whether he is writing a book or whether there are matters that require his attention, nothing can hinder or obstruct him from completing the tasks at hand. There is no interruption or disturbance in his coming to the mosque five times a day for Prayer, in meeting his companions as usual with a smiling countenance, and nothing changes in the way that he speaks to them with affection and kindness, and with forbearance and informality. At home, he does not express any annoyance whatsoever when the children ask question upon question, and disturb and bother as children do. Never does he speak to his honourable wife in a voice that would carry even the slightest tinge of harshness or severity. Nothing of this nature can be seen in the character of His Holiness(as).
I remember vividly that on the day that the district superintendent came to Qadian to search the home of the Promised Messiah(as), there was no prior news or knowledge of the impending search, nor could there have been. On that morning, our respected Mir Sahib heard from somewhere that today a warrant would be coming along with handcuffs as well. Mir Sahib was shocked and became extremely perturbed. He hurried in to inform the Promised Messiah(as), and as he was overcome by emotion, he expressed the matter at hand with grave difficulty. His Holiness(as) was writing Nur-ul-Quran at the time and he was engaged in a very subtle and delicate subject. The Promised Messiah(as) raised his head, smiled and said: “Mir Sahib! People wear bangles of silver and gold on occasions of worldly joy. I shall deem that I have put on bangles of iron in the way of Allah Almighty.” Then, after a pause, the Promised Messiah said: “But this will never happen, because the government of God Almighty has its own ways of wisdom. God does not allow His divinely commissioned vicegerents to be humiliated.”
I have accompanied His Holiness on his travels to Delhi, Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sialkot, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. Countless incidents of unpleasant nature have arisen, but this Lion of Allah the Lord of Dominance, viewed all of these situations with no concern whatsoever. I swear on oath that it is these very endearing ways that have captivated me completely. On a daily basis, this ungrateful nation, either in writing or verbally, make hurtful statements, but the footsteps of this divinely appointed man of God do not stumble even in the least.
Contrary to this we observe that the normal state of ordinary people is that when faced with even a hint of grief or the most insignificant of disappointments, they lose their senses, their work is disturbed, they are unable to eat or drink, and their stomach becomes upset. They rave at home, and will stare angrily at people, and strike others. In short, everything falls apart.
The late Sir Syed (who towards the end of his life could not conceal the true state of his heart when the covering from his lips was removed) suffered a fall so great due to a financial loss sustained by his college that this broke his back. As such, this demonstrated that he too was a shortsighted materialist who worshipped the idol of worldly designs and nothing more. When this idol of his was demolished, he himself was broken as well. He could not exhibit even for a moment the impeccable steadfastness which is the essential hallmark of Prophets, the pious and those commissioned by God. Mr Beck states that after this financial loss, he never again saw Syed Sahib laugh, or strong and cheerful at heart. I remember that I was also present at the educational conference that was held at Aligarh College when Syed Sahib expressed his utter despair.
It is possible that one who is unaware of belief in Allah and divine attributes may be unable to understand these matters and consider me guilty of unduly criticising Syed Sahib. However, one who possesses knowledge of divine truths and the verities of faith can understand that the living spirit which underpins all forms of prophethood, spiritual leadership and sainthood, and the key to all success is steadfastness. And the root of this steadfastness is the faith and certainty that a pious man possesses in the words and promises of God. It is this very steadfastness or belief in the words of God which for the Holy Prophet(sa), our Chief and Master—who came to guide a people that were struck by misfortune—served as a torch in the dark and dreadful nights of Mecca, and ultimately lead him to the bright and brilliant days of life in Medina, and made his holy person a perfect example of success for all times.
Then came the dark hour when the Prophet of Islam, the Sun of Truth, hid his countenance, and panic ensued, be it among the most prominent of companions or others, and when many sagacious and farsighted individuals were apprehensive and perplexed as regards the appropriate course of action. This was a time when Hazrat Alira, the Lion of Allah—dubbed a hero of distinct rank by the Prophet of Islam—could not leave the body of his deceased master, and was powerless to step out of the home. Indeed, at such a time it was this very steadfastness which stood by Hazrat Abu Bakr, the greatest among the Truthful, may Allah be pleased with him, the second Adam of Islam, and he saved the sinking vessel of Islam.
I truthfully proclaim that it is this very steadfastness which continues to move the claim of the Promised Messiah(as) to greater strength, vigour and grandeur. Is this a hidden matter? Just observe the signs accompanying the claim of the Promised Messiah(as) in 1890, and look at the state of affairs now.
How many a tempest raged on during this time. Muslim clerics, poets, writers of prose, Sufis, people threatening physical injury; in short, people both near and far left no stone unturned in their attempts to destroy this claimant, or at least to weaken and muffle the sound of his claim. How is it that even though hostility and opposition continues to increase with every passing day this has no effect at all? A coward, a fabricator, a liar cannot stand so firm and resolute for so many years. He who drinks from the water of worldly streams sooner or later becomes weary and fatigued, and finally accepts defeat. But my Messiah, my Master, may Allah Who is Oft-Returning with compassion help him, has only just reached his prime now in 1899. Verdicts of disbelief, the conspiracies of his enemies, malicious court cases filed against him by his opponents, and a host of other schemes and machinations, have become a fertilizer for his field, as it were.
Those who in their own foolishness and on account of their own lack of foresight raise a hue and clamour that now prophethood is no more, ought to wait a little while longer. They shall see, and God-willing, swiftly indeed, the manner in which God stands as a Helper and Guardian by the man whom He has sent, and how He desires to make the world believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, without a doubt, is the Promised Messiah and Awaited Mahdi.