2 May 1898
On Eid day, in Qadian under the banyan tree towards the east, after the Eid prayer, the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, delivered the following address in the gathering that was held about the plague:
The Temporary World
All of you gentlemen are aware that Allah the Most Eminent has stated in the Holy Quran, and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has stated in the Hadith, that a time has gone by when nothing existed; no humans, animals, beasts and birds, the heaven and earth, everything on the earth and in heaven. There was God alone. This is the Islamic belief: 
, i.e. there was nothing with God. Allah the Exalted has informed us by means of the Holy Quran and the Hadith that another time is yet to come where nothing will exist with God. That era is a most terrifying one, but it is obligatory upon every believer and Muslim to have faith in it, and one who does not believe in the dawn of that era is not a Muslim but a disbeliever and faithless. Just as one is commanded to believe in heaven and hell, the Prophets, peace be upon them, and the holy scriptures, in the same manner, one must believe in the hour on which the trumpet will be blown and all will be reduced to nothing. This is the way and custom of Allah.
Three Arguments in Support of the Hereafter
Allah the Exalted has employed three methods so that we may understand the nature of the time just mentioned above. Firstly, God has granted man with an intellect and if he makes use of this faculty even slightly and reflects, the mind is able to grasp very clearly that the brief life of man sits between two kinds of non-existence and can never be everlasting. Analogical reasoning can enable one to learn about things which are not present. If an individual reflects, for example, as to the whereabouts of their forefathers, they are left with no choice but to accept that everyone must follow the same course. Foolish is the one who has thousands of examples before them but they do not take a lesson therefrom and fail to understand. It is generally observed and this is an accepted fact that in any village or city, the number of graves outnumbers the living population—some graves are hidden while others are visible. It has often been observed that when a water well is dug in a particular city, bones are excavated as well. Generally, there are graves everywhere on earth beneath us. It is another matter if these graves are not physically visible. Nevertheless, from this we learn that a vast number of people are no longer with us.
There is another logical argument in support of the existence of the hereafter. The manner in which vegetation grows in a field is a beautiful sight. A time comes when it turns yellow and dries. Then it is reduced to broken straw, and when this loss begins to occur, the farmer who has sown the crop begins to cut the crop himself, so that the crop is not wasted away in the wind.
The world is the tilth of God Almighty. On account of certain points of wisdom and in view of the best final outcome, just as a farmer harvests his crop before it ripens on certain occasions, and waits for it to mature to an extent on other occasions, so too, we are nurtured, whereafter we are cut at precisely the appropriate time by divine will and desire. One ought to take a lesson from the practice of a farmer, that the life of man follows exactly the same course. Just as certain seeds do not even sprout and rot away in the ground, in the same manner certain children are lost in their mother’s womb and other infants die a few days after they are born. In short, precisely in accordance with this law and phenomenon a human being goes through the stages of infancy and adulthood, and finally reaches old age. The scythe of God’s will cuts them at different stages from time to time in view of various points of wisdom. Sometimes children die young and people refer to this as a case of athra. Then, adults who possess a healthy body, strong and well, also die. The elderly also pass away after reaching a state of feebleness and old age. In short, this process of being cut and severed operates throughout the world to teach man the lesson at every moment that the world is not an everlasting abode. Hence, this is also an argument which establishes the existence of the hereafter.
In addition to this, there is another argument which God Almighty has presented to establish the reality of the time which is to come; in other words, those miracles of the Prophets, peace be upon them, which manifest divine wrath and due to which the earth was overturned at once and almost all signs of creation were erased. Man is at the mercy of God’s wrath, He can destroy him whenever He pleases. Allah the Exalted presents this as an argument that certain illnesses spread in such a terrifying and forceful manner that those people who have witnessed such epidemics would say that they resemble the Day of Judgement. From among such severe illnesses, there is the plague, which runs rampant in our land at present. It has ravaged Karachi and Bombay. We have also received terrifying news of the spread of the plague in the hill station of Palampur and even in Kolkata. And so a grave danger confronts us at this hour. The reason that I address you is because man is met with enormous trials, as God Almighty states Himself:
Allah says: ‘We shall continue to try you, at times with fear, at times by a loss of wealth, and at other times still by a loss of fruits.’
The Meaning of a ‘Loss of Fruits’
Books of exegesis explain that a ‘loss of fruits’ also implies a person’s children and the loss of one’s efforts. For example, one’s effort to acquire knowledge; one’s effort to succeed in business; the efforts of a farmer. The loss of such efforts is a terrible misfortune. Man is forever concerned with attaining success. However, ultimately, the knowledge of God and His wisdom demands at times that people fail, or that their crops do not bring harvest, or that they are unsuccessful in business.
The Plague Is a Sign of Divine Wrath
We gather from this verse that Allah the Exalted has decreed to try us in four ways: firstly, fear; secondly, at times a loss of wealth; thirdly, a loss of life; fourthly, a loss of fruits. However, it is terrifying and dreadful to note that in the case of the plague, all four of these trials have come together at once. Those who are aware of the current circumstances and suffering that people are having to bear know that wherever there are outbreaks of the plague, all four of these trials arise one after the other. The matter is not only limited to the death of a person. As a matter of fact, in view of a dire need and in the best interest of the people—as sometimes, mothers are required so as to care for, protect and nurture their children—the British government has passed a law that in any home where an incident of plague occurs, the residents of that home are moved out, and when required, neighbours and surrounding residents, and in extreme circumstances, even entire villages are emptied. The infected are to be kept in quarantine and the healthy are to be kept separate. Such people must be kept in a place where there is proper ventilation, no low-ground water source and ample way of passage. There should be a graveyard adjoining such places so that the dead may be buried without delay, so that their offensive remains do not further contaminate the environs.
This is such an extreme calamity that people in Bombay, Pune and other places have stumbled. Although the government has intended goodwill—and nothing but goodwill—in undertaking these measures, it is regrettable and immensely unfortunate that the people have deemed them to be evil in nature. What is astonishing and remarkable is that these preventative measures implemented by the government are not self-invented. Greek physicians have agreed that if there is an outbreak of plague in a certain household, this claims the entire home; rather, it exterminates the entire city, nay the entire country. These physicians have given many examples which demonstrate that this horrific epidemic—known as the plague—did not rest until it tore down cities, transforming them into desolate wastelands. Most people are unaware. It saddens me that despite the ferocious spread of this terrible epidemic and its threat to destroy a large segment of the country, I observe that the people are not consumed by a grief which should move them to become engaged in repentance and seeking forgiveness. I find that the people do not weep and wail before God Almighty, nor do they take it upon themselves to observe their Prayers, instead they indulge in transgression and immorality. The plague has the nature of flying from one place to another swiftly in the likeness of a bird. The movement of this epidemic is not systematic so that it should move from one place to the next in stages, but rather it will cover a distance of approximately 400 or even 800 miles sporadically and suddenly.
Now just give thought to the considerable distance between Bombay and Jalandhar. What logical explanation can one give for its sudden movement to Jalandhar. In short, no one can make any predictions about its next target. Today one is healthy and safe, but who knows what will happen tomorrow? This is a dangerous epidemic and its bouts last for extended periods of time. On occasions, it will last for even sixty years at a time and this is a known and established fact. It is not like cholera, which breaks out from mid-July to mid-September and comes to an end within twenty to twenty-five days. Physicians have said that ta’un, which is the Arabic word for plague, means ‘that which kills with the spear.’ Grammatically, the word ta’un in Arabic is the superlative form of the word which implies that it never misses the target, and widespread death occurs. It has also been alluded to in the Torah. This affliction fell upon the Jews in the time of Moses, on whom be peace. Where God has warned of the people being struck with boils, this actually refers to the plague. The Holy Quran also speaks of the Jews being destroyed by the plague due to their disobedience.
The Reason for the Emergence of the Plague
Upon reflecting over these instances in the Torah and the Holy Quran it becomes evident that the plague is related to man’s transgression and wrongdoing. For the custom of Allah demonstrates that people were destroyed by this epidemic in times of prevalent sin. This is a sign of God’s wrath. As I have mentioned earlier, this is a third sign in favour of the Day of Resurrection. This illness is a lesser manifestation of the grand reckoning. The fact that this epidemic took up an abode, as it were, in Europe, Greater Syria, Iraq and other foreign lands in the past, would perhaps be considered nothing more than a tale by those who are unaware. But it is a recent arrival in our land and so the people are yet to become acquainted with its characteristics and habits. On one hand, the people are fearless and ignorant of God, and do not seek His forgiveness. Yet, on the other hand, they do not act upon the government’s advice either and view it with suspicion, and go on raising a clamour of opposition. I say truthfully—and hypocritical praise is not in my nature—that the rule to quarantine people from villages where the disease has broken out, and to bar inward and outward movement to such places, and to move the infected to open areas, and to relocate people at times so that entire villages are emptied, is a most excellent and necessary undertaking.
Our books tell us and the Torah also teaches us that the substance of this disease emerges from the ground. It is thought that this disease spreads from rats. Along with other reasons, this too is a cause. The fact of the matter is that a land, which due to evil and transgression becomes an accursed land, develops a poisonous nature and is gripped by chastisement in the most horrific of ways. However, someone ought to tell us what wrong the government has done in instructing people to move out of infected homes? Sensible people do not think ill of schemes that are employed for their own well-being. As I have said, if the government were to order people to remain in their homes, people would find this instruction to be far worse. For when the plague begins to spread throughout a village and people begin to die, no one would choose to remain in their homes. You can observe that if a snake is ever sighted in a certain home or house, people become frightened. Even if the snake is killed, people will not enter the home again when it is dark. This is a natural human instinct. It is astonishing that a person should know of an imminent danger to exist somewhere, and then for them to remain there in peace and comfort. Is it possible that death upon death should strike a certain home, and its residents continue to abide therein? Obviously, the residents would abandon such a home themselves at once and will move away from it, deeming it to be unblessed. Had these people been left to their own designs and if the government had not intervened at all, these people still would have done what the government is undertaking now. The fact of the matter is that people are not fully aware of the seriousness of the plague; they consider it to be a common illness like the cold or catarrh.
The Plague Is a Punishment
Allah has named this illness rujz and punishment is also referred to as rujz. The lexicons state that rajazun is a disease in the camel’s rump. A form of bacteria, referred to in Arabic as naghafun, attacks the muscle. From this we learn a deep and subtle point. Since camels possesses somewhat of a rebellious nature, this demonstrates that when humans become rebellious they are afflicted by the painful punishment just mentioned. The lexicon states that rujz also refers to something which is continuous or lasting and the disease in discussion is also one which lasts for lengthy periods of time and leaves only after it has claimed the lives of entire households. This also demonstrates that the calamity of the plague wipes clean the homes of men, makes orphans out of children, and turns many a helpless woman into widows.
Unhealthy Environments Give Rise to the Plague
Upon reflecting over the meaning of the word rujz the cause of this disease also becomes clear. This illness is caused by filth and impurity. Places that are not properly cleaned, where the walls of homes are unkempt and resemble graves, where there is no light or ventilation, the noxious substance that is caused by filth takes birth, which results in the spread of this disease. The Holy Quran states: 2
, i.e. shun all forms of uncleanliness. The Arabic word hijr means to distance oneself from something. This teaches us that those who desire spiritual purity must be physically clean and pure. For one strength affects another and one characteristic affects another.
The Effect of Physical Cleanliness upon the Inner Self
There are two states of man. Anyone who desires to develop an inner state of righteousness and purity must also be physically clean as well. In another instance, Allah the Exalted states: 3
, i.e. I am a friend of those who desire inner and outward purity. Physical cleanliness encourages and fosters inner purity. If an individual is neglectful in this respect and does not clean themselves after defecating for example, they would not develop the slightest inner purity. Hence, remember that outwardly cleanliness is necessary for inner purity. Therefore, it is necessary that in the least, one bathes once a week on Friday, performs the ablution before every Prayer, and uses fragrance before joining the congregation for Prayer.
The instruction to make use of fragrance on the two Eids and on Friday is for this very purpose. The actual reason is that where there are large congregations, there is a danger of the spreading of filth. Therefore, bathing, clean clothes and fragrance, will prevent the spread of noxious matter and filth. Just as Allah the Exalted has instructed this during one’s lifetime, He has established a similar rule after death.
The Properties of Camphor
Muslims apply camphor to the bodies of the dead in accordance with the custom of the Holy Prophet(sa), because camphor is a material which kills epidemic bacteria and noxious elements. It cools the human body and prevents the spread of diseases that arise from filth. This is why the Quran states that believers will be given the cold drink of camphor. Modern research has also established that just as camphor is beneficial in cholera, it is beneficial in the case of plague as well.
I would like to inform my community that this is an extremely beneficial substance. It is my belief that since the Holy Quran has informed us that camphor cools the sensation of burning, and also soothes and relaxes the heart, this encourages us to make use of camphor. A new discovery has established that it is beneficial to use camphor with delphinium denudatum. You should procure a quantity of white turmeric, mix it with vinegar and make capsules of 243 milligrams each, and take these capsules with fresh lassi. It is very beneficial to administer these capsules to women and children daily. I am also preparing a medicine which, if God desires, will prove immensely beneficial.
The fact of the matter is that this disastrous illness is such that it is useless to depend on any form of remedy, until Allah the Exalted showers His grace. Nonetheless, to promote general well-being and to take health precautions are an excellent means of protection and have proven advantageous. Hence, it is advisable that one refrains from all such things which result in the spread of noxious substances and filth. Foods that are warmer in their inherent nature, and which cause an increase in blood pressure, such as excessive meat or sweets; or extended periods of exposure to heat; or strenuous and exerting labour, should be avoided.
To Make Use of Apparent Means Is Not Forbidden
Seeking recourse to apparent means is not forbidden by the shariah. Someone asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, whether they should make use of medicine. The Holy Prophet(sa) responded by saying: ‘Yes, use medicine; there is no illness for which a remedy does not exist.’ Indeed, this is absolutely true. No physician or doctor can claim that a certain medicine will definitely cure an illness, for if this was the case why would anyone die? Physicians and doctors ought to become righteous. They must have recourse to medicine, but pray as well. They ought to supplicate in seclusion. Those who were consumed by their pride were the first to be disgraced. It is said that Galen prided himself on being able to cure cases of diarrhoea. Yet, the power of God is astonishing. Galen died of this very disease himself. In the same manner, certain physicians develop fever or tuberculosis and then pass on from this temporal world.
Depend on Allah Almighty Alone
My purpose is to show that God Almighty disclosed the hollow nature of their claims and uncovered the reality of their vain boasting. They were defeated in the very field that they claimed expertise. This demonstrates that one should not make tall claims. My late father was also a renowned physician, with fifty years of experience. He would say that no prescription was definite. This is certainly true. Nothing is possible without the power of Allah.
An individual who turns to God Almighty is blessed. One must not be arrogant in the face of affliction and must never depend on anyone other than Allah. Minor illnesses take on a grave state almost suddenly. At times, a person under treatment for their heart is struck by an affliction of the brain. At other times, people undergoing treatment for low body temperature suddenly find themselves in the grip of a severe fever. Who can overcome these illnesses? One ought to depend on God. Who can fully determine the extent of these bacteria on earth and their poisonous effects? It is impossible for man to count the number of illnesses that exist. It is written that there are some 3,000 ailments that possess the potential to afflict the eye alone. Some diseases are so dreadful that even before a physician can finish writing up a prescription, the ailing person is taken by death. Hence, one ought to seek the refuge of Allah Almighty.
It can be observed at present that people are seriously negligent and utterly unconcerned of God. Graves are being dug, while angels are preparing the means of death, and people are perishing one after the other. Yet despite this, the foolish do not take heed. The plague has reached just 35 miles from Qadian, or thereabouts. Although the disease has subsided for now, due to an increase in temperature, who can say with certainty that even though this is the case at present, it will not return the following year? It has been disclosed to me a few times by way of revelation and vision that the epidemic will spread throughout the country. I have published in advance that I saw in a vision that black trees were being planted and when I inquired of those who were planting these trees, they responded by saying that these were the trees of plague. This is a matter of grave danger.
Prophecies Warning of Divine Punishment Can Be Averted Through Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
Similarly, I have already stated that prophecies that warn of imminent punishment from God can be averted through repentance and seeking forgiveness. This is to the extent that even if one is written off by God as hellbound, this verdict may be reverted. If the people turn and incline towards repentance and forgiveness, Allah the Exalted will protect this land and country. God does as He pleases, but He says: 4
, i.e. tell the people that if you do not devote yourselves to Me, what do I care for you?
Certain people say that there are physicians on every street, doctors are present and hospitals are in operation, so if required, they can be treated immediately and restored to health. However, such people are unaware that in Bombay and Karachi many renowned doctors themselves contracted the disease and passed on. Those who were appointed and went to serve in this difficult time have fallen prey themselves. This is how God Almighty manifests His power and control, and tells us that it is unwise to depend merely on doctors or treatment. God desires for the people to develop faith in the next world as well. Let us see how people fare with the will of God. Man writhes over even a few inches of land; he conspires and bears the burden of cases in court, but does he feel within himself the same pain and distress if he does not fulfil a certain commandment of God Almighty? Not in the least. Man is foolish and calls upon God when he is struck by severe illnesses and when he is granted respite in the form of a trial, he returns to his artifices and follows such a course of action as though he will never die. Even death caused by minor illnesses rarely moves the hearts of people. They are emotionally affected only superficially for two or three days, but then they return to the same mockery, jest and nonsense, just as they were indulged before. They go to graveyards and bury the dead but do not stop to think that ultimately, one day, they too will be presented before God. Therefore, God Almighty sees that normal death does not affect the people any longer. In Amritsar and Lahore, there is perhaps a daily death rate of about sixty to seventy. The number of deaths in Kolkata and Bombay is even larger. In itself though this is a fearful sight, but who notices this? Those who are bereft of foresight will say that these deaths are proportionately normal in view of the entire population; such people do not care and are unable to benefit from the death of others. It is for this reason that God Almighty has employed another method and has sought to warn the people by means of the plague.
In any case, I advise you that now what is destined to happen will surely come to pass. But do not entertain thoughts that will further displease God Almighty and deem the government to be deserving of blame. What will you achieve by denigrating the government? The plague has come due to your own evil actions; in fact, the government is confronted by calamity because of you.
The Measures of the Government in These Days of Plague Are Correct
If the government does not hold sincere sympathy for you, do explain why it would bother to spend such a hefty sum of money? Why would places of treatment and doctors be made available for this purpose? Why has it appointed thousands from among the police force to oversee these arrangements? Does the government enjoy wasting its money? Of course not. In fact, upon observing the present state of the country, in the likeness of an affectionate mother, it is restless from within. The government too is from among the people. Perhaps the people are unaware, but it is narrated in a Hadith that on the Day of Judgement people will be destroyed by the plague. Although the predictions of astrologers are not worthy of mention, but various astrologers from India and Europe say that in November 1899 the stars will come together and a horrific time will appear. Although I do not give any significance to the predictions of astrologers, what causes me grief is that the revelation given to me has also warned of impending danger in the two winters to come, provided that people do not adopt the path of righteousness and do not turn to God Almighty. If people do not refrain from sin, fornication, theft and all forms of deceit and falsehood, and evil action in every shape and form, grave danger is apprehended. A terrifying and dreadful sight is before us.
Now tell me why we should hold the government responsible for any fault? I advise my people that it does not behove our community to act as the ignorant do, nor follow in the way of those who act like short-sighted fools. I assure you that all of the guidelines the government has given are immensely beneficial for your health.
In our books of history, for example, in Tabari and other such books, which were written more than a thousand years ago, it is narrated that in the time of Hazrat Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Muslim army was in Syria, an epidemic broke out. At that time, the army was forced to take refuge on a mountain. Therefore, the government has not employed a self-invented practice; in fact, it is established that this is an Islamic practice as well. Just as the Muslims moved from lower ground to higher mountain terrain, in the same manner even now, humid and damp homes located in lowlands are emptied to move the infected to open fields. Avicenna has also stressed that homes must be cleaned well, because so long as the cause of infection exists, its outcome cannot be dispelled. What more can a physician do than to give one or two grams of medicine? However, what can medicine do to thwart the effects of that filth which is inhaled with every breath? How can plague be cured if one remains in the same house? People are oblivious to the fierce clutches of the plague. It is impossible for a person to breathe where someone has died of the plague due to the filth in such places.
It is vile to think ill of the government. The plans devised by the government are apt. It is incumbent on my community to support the government and advise their neighbourhood friends, whether Hindu or Muslim. They ought to dispel the misunderstanding of those who erroneously believe that the government has conspired to kill them. Someone ought to ask these foolish people that is the government spending hundreds of thousands of rupees just to wipe out the people? Does the government enjoy bearing such burden? The fact of the matter is that the plague is a most deadly epidemic.
What is Plague?
Firstly, one ought to understand the nature of plague. It causes severe fever, fainting, nausea, headache, memory loss, heavy shivering, anxiety and fear. Then, after a few days a bubo develops, which at times resembles a small pimple and at times a large blister. At times, this abnormal growth develops in the upper area of the thigh, at times behind the ear and at times on the neck, and even results in meningitis. All of this perhaps transpires within twenty-four hours.
The government receives information of such infected people rarely, because for the first twenty hours or so, the family mistakes the symptoms to be nothing more than a common fever. Then, after it becomes clear that these are symptoms of plague, they begin to hide the matter and the government receives intimation only after the illness has reached its final stages. If after this stage, an infected person does not die within an hour or two, what else is to be expected? This is nothing less than foolish and absurd that the people themselves are to blame, yet they cast aspersions on the government. If the government commits an error, we are responsible for pointing it out. However, the pure intentions of the government and their desire for the people’s well-being is so great that they themselves have sought advice on the best course of action. However, our country really is full of near uncivilised and ignorant people. They have nothing but anger and ill-will. They blame the government for their own wicked actions without any thought. Alas! If only the hundreds of associations that are being established throughout the country turned their attention to this objective and worked towards dispelling the suspicions in the hearts of the foolish, what a magnificent service to humanity this would be.
You are sleeping in the covers of negligence and are completely oblivious of the difficulties and hardships in which your fellow man are drowning. If the amount of money which the government is spending on its beloved citizens to alleviate them from these difficulties were based on donations, and if it was instructed that the people of every village were required to submit donations, no one would be prepared to give even one penny. It is my intention to prepare a medicine as well and I am currently engaged in this task. May God bestow a handsome reward to Sheikh Rehmatullah Sahib who has given 200 rupees to support this beneficial work for the sake of God Almighty alone. I have closely analysed the causes of this disease. The fact of the matter is that this disease has various aspects and it is necessary for a physician to keep in consideration those various aspects and causes. Poor quality foods and noxious winds spread this disease far and wide, and give it perilous dimensions. These noxious winds that exist in land areas of lower elevation infect and contaminate the human bloodstream, either through breathing or food.
Current Scientific Research Supports Islam
Current investigations into the plague have established that the root cause of the plague is bacteria and small germs. I am pleased with this research because it establishes the grandeur of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the truthfulness of Islam. In the Hadith, this disease has been termed naghaf. The Arabic word naghaf refers to the parasite which develop in the nasal passages of goats and camels, and also refers to the plague. Great pride is taken in present-day research, but those who have studied the sacred words of the Holy Founder of Islam, may on whom be peace, derive immense pleasure and joy when they find that the statements that flowed forth from his blessed lips 1300 years ago are being proven true today. The Holy Quran also uses the word ‘insect’ to speak of the plague.
O you who take pride in modern research! For the sake of God, deal with justice and tell us whether such a religion can be the product of human design, which already speaks of such verities that have been discovered now after toil, investigations and efforts spanning 1300 years. These are the intellectual miracles of the Holy Quran and our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
The Arabic word for ‘heart’ is qalb, which refers to anything that causes a thing to circulate. Now we know that the circulation of blood depends on the heart. Present-day findings have only recently disclosed after a long period of effort and contemplation the phenomenon of blood circulation. However, in Islam the word qalb is already used for the heart, and has therefore not only alluded to this truth, but has also safeguarded it as well.
The Causes of Plague
Now I return to my actual topic. The second cause for the rise of this disease is uncleanliness, the third is noxious infection, the fourth is fever and the fifth is abscesses. Now there is a disagreement as to whether the primary symptom is the emergence of abscesses or fever. Doctors assert that the main symptom is fever, while the Greeks maintain that abscesses are the actual symptom. In my opinion, the view of the Greeks is correct because the Torah also speaks of abscesses. Fever, however, is necessary. At times, fever is most prevalent, but on other occasions, it is not. As a matter of fact, in certain instances the affected depart even before one goes down with fever. The medical field has established that a person can meet their end even before signs of fever arise. Therefore, the primary symptom is the emergence of abscesses, not of fever. If an incision is made and the pus from an abscess is removed, the fever one may be suffering from also subsides to the extent that the ailing person is restored to health.
In any case, this disease is deadly and dreadful. This is the very reason that even though the administration is working for the welfare of its citizens with sincere sympathy and immense empathy, the government has still earned a bad name. For the government does not receive quick and timely reports and by the time information is received, what can be done? For, the ailing are out of the government’s hands. Due to the goodwill and sympathy for humanity which God Almighty has Himself instilled in my heart, I have thought over the guidelines published by the government for those infected by the plague, and I can say without fear of reproach by any critic that these measures are most appropriate and effective. For example, to empty a home, or clear a neighbourhood when required, and keep the infected in quarantine are all absolutely appropriate and proper measures.
There are some who say that if a child afflicted by plague is taken into quarantine in view of these guidelines, they would die on account of being separated from mother and father. People who raise such objections ought to know that the mother and father are permitted to accompany such a child, but they will be subject to the same restrictions imposed upon those who are infected by the plague. The Holy Prophet(sa) states: 
(Deeds are judged by intentions). The intention of the government is completely pure and they do not wish to separate and divide the people. The administration has not thought of employing these measures out of any evil intent or conspiracy.
Obedience to Those in Authority
I am at a complete loss to understand what benefit the government would derive from such a conspiracy? The Quran commands:
Now here, there is a clear instruction to obey those in authority. If someone were to assert that the government is not implied in the words minkum (i.e. from among you), this is a blatant error on their part. Any instruction of the government which accords with the religious law of Islam is implied in the words minkum. Anyone who does not oppose us is a part of us. It is derived from the Holy Quran that the government ought to be obeyed and its instructions ought to be followed. In fact, what the Muslims should have done is send memorials expressing gratitude to the government for their efforts to thwart the plague. But instead of showing thankfulness, the people have shown ungratefulness. There appears to be no reason for their displeasure except for their objection that male doctors touch Muslim women to check their pulses. Firstly and foremost, the government has heard this complaint with full attention and has even dealt with it by appointing female nurses. However, I would like to make clear that even if this was not the case, there would still be no room for objection. In such cases and circumstances, in the face of God’s wrath when thousands of people are dying, such extreme measures regarding the veil are not permissible. It so happened that the wife of a king died and there was no one to carry away her dead body; what use is the veil in such circumstances? As the proverb goes, ‘what a man will do when faced with death.’ It has been narrated in a Hadith that a baby in the mother’s womb can be delivered by a man if required. Our religion is not one of difficulty and anyone who creates inconveniences is guilty of making their own religious law, as it were. The government also has not violated any injunctions relating to the veil and their rules are softened as required. When the people put forth their recommendations for reform, the government listens to them carefully and deliberates over them in an appropriate manner according to the dictates of wisdom at that time. Someone ought to tell me where checking a pulse for medical purposes is prohibited in the injunctions of the veil.
Adopt the Ways of Prosperity
The fact of the matter is that one ought to be diligent in developing virtue and piety, and adopt the ways of prosperity. Only then can we achieve anything. The Holy Quran says:
This means, God Almighty does not change a people’s condition until they first bring about a change in their own state themselves. To indulge oneself in futile thoughts and take an extreme approach is absolutely absurd.
What is needed now is for people to turn towards God Almighty, offer their Prayers, pay zakat, and refrain from usurping the rights of others and committing wicked actions. It is clearly an established fact that on certain occasions, when one person is guilty of evil, they bring about the ruin of the entire city or household in which they live. So abandon evil, for this is the cause of destruction. Eighty villages in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur are being ravaged by the plague. What room is there for heedlessness? Do not think ill of the government by way of ignorance. If your neighbour is mistrustful, then advise them to remove their doubts. To what extent will the people show negligence? Everyone ought to be fearful, lest the day dawn when all the people are overtaken by epidemic and destroyed in a single sweep. The Hadith states that prayer is accepted before the fall of calamity. When a person is surrounded by fear and danger, any individual can be moved to pray and turn to God at such a time. Fortunate is the person, however, who supplicates before God in a time of peace. Man ought to observe the state of those who are afflicted by this misfortune. The plague is rampant in significantly close proximities around us. People should ascertain the circumstances prevalent in these places. The disease is gaining force in the district of Jalandhar, though it is less vigorous in the district of Hoshiarpur.
Observe Your Prayers with Strict Regularity
However, I do not believe that this epidemic will subside as of yet, for winter is coming. Hence, take refuge with God Almighty and observe your Prayers with strict regularity. Sometimes people will only offer one Prayer, but remember that there is no concession in the matter of Prayer. Even the Prophets were not excused. It is recorded in a Hadith that a newly converted party of Muslims came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and they asked to be granted relief from offering the daily Prayers. However, the Holy Prophet(sa) said: ‘A religion bereft of action is no religion at all.’ Never forget this point. Allah the Exalted states that one of His signs is that the heaven and earth are established by His command. On occasion, those people who develop an inclination towards naturalistic ideologies assert that naturalism is the belief that people ought to follow, for if one undertook no measures to safeguard their health, then what use is mere righteousness and piety? Another sign also from the signs of Allah Almighty, is that sometimes medicine proves to be inefficacious and physical methods for the safeguarding of health are of no use. Neither does medicine prove beneficial, nor the physician. However, if the command of God favours a thing, the impossible becomes possible.
The Trial of Abraham(as)
Reflect over the trial of Abraham(as), when he was ordered to take his wife and child to a distant land away from Canaan. He took his family to the place where Mecca is now situated—a place where there was neither food nor drink. Upon reaching this land he said: ‘O Allah! I am leaving my offspring in a place where there is no food or drink.’ Sarah(ra) wanted Ishmael(as) to die somehow, for she was the one who told Abraham(as) to leave them in such a land. Although Abraham(as) took offence to this, God instructed him to do as Sarah(ra) had said, but not because He preferred Sarah(ra). In fact, Sarah(ra) had expelled Hagar(ra) previously as well and at that time an angel of God spoke to Hagar(ra). Allah the Exalted speaks to those of His servants as well who are not Prophets. As such, God Almighty spoke to Hagar(ra) twice.
Therefore, Abraham, on whom be peace, did as he was commanded and with a scarce amount of water and dates, he set out with his wife and child, and left them in this land. After a few days, when their small quantity of food and water was exhausted, Ishmael(as) began to fall into the clutches of death. In that hour, the mother could not bear to see her child die, and so she ran here and there a few times in the hope of finding a passing caravan. She travelled a distance to climb a small hill and began to scream. This was a time when she only had one son and she was separated from her husband—as though she were a widow. There was no prospect of her bearing any children in the future. She cried for help. It was then that an angel called out: ‘Hagar, Hagar.’ She looked here and there but could see no one; but then she noticed that water had begun to flow around her child. It was as though life had been breathed into the dead. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘If the water had not been contained, it would have become a spring that flowed out into the world.’
The purpose in narrating this story is to demonstrate that this is the manner in which God Almighty manifests the marvels of His power in places that are empty of even food and drink. As such, the first wonder of God was the water He provided. This was also a foreshadowing that the grandeur of the water which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was destined to distribute could be described as follows:
That is to say, the water given to Hagar(ra) endowed life to Ishmael(as), but the water belonging to the Holy Prophet(sa) gave life to an entire world. The intent is to elaborate that where no physical means existed, Allah the Almighty provided a means for their deliverance. Allah the Exalted states that the heaven and earth exist by His command. Just reflect upon how God Almighty transformed an intensely hot wilderness, where there was no sign of human life. Now, tens of millions of people flock to this land from all over the world. The open plain upon which the people gather for the Hajj is precisely where at one time there was neither food nor drink.
Bring About a Change in Yourselves
The fact of the matter is that God does as He pleases. He transforms desolate wastelands into inhabitations and reduces flourishing cities to ruins. What happened to the city of Babylon? Human schemes longed to see a certain place thriving with people, but God turned it into a forsaken land, inhabited by owls. However, there was another place where people wanted to see nothing but wilderness, yet God turned it into a land in which throngs of people amass from all the corners of the earth.
Hence, bear well in mind that to depend on medicine and human strategies whilst putting aside God Almighty is extremely foolish. What is required is a completely new life; one full of seeking forgiveness from Allah. Those who are engaged heavily in worldly matters ought to be more fearful. Those in employment often fail to observe their obligations to God. On certain occasions, it is permissible to combine the Zuhr and Asr prayers, and also to combine the Maghrib and Isha prayers. I know that if the authorities are requested to grant leave for the obligatory Prayers, they are accommodating. Government officials are under instruction by their superiors to grant permission for the observance of Prayer. To neglect the Prayer by resorting to feeble excuses is nothing but a weakness of the self. Do not fail to offer the rights owed to God’s servants and the rights owed to God. Fulfil your obligations and do not think ill of the government for even a moment. Do you not remember the state of affairs under Sikh rule? The call to Prayer was banned in the mosques. Harsh penalties and immense cruelty was inflicted upon people for consuming even small amounts of beef. And so, Allah the Exalted brought this empire from afar so that we were able to benefit from it. We have now begun to practice our religious duties in peace.
How full of gratitude should we be for this government? Bear well in mind that one who does not thank their fellow man is ungrateful to God as well. It is an established principle that if a human being abandons the use of a limb, it becomes useless. It is said that if an individual keeps their eye closed for forty days, it will become blind. Therefore, I wish to advise you emphatically that the government’s favours upon us are many. A multitude of books containing verities and divine insights arrive here from far and wide. We have benefited from the liberties granted to us. When attacks were made against our religion and difficulties arose, I reflected and contemplated, after which divine insights and verities were disclosed to me in accordance with the following promise of Allah Almighty that:
Therefore, the government is also a catalyst for the revelation of these divine insights.
And so, in the end, I would like to reiterate that you ought to develop a true relationship with God Almighty and to not look towards the government with suspicion. On the contrary, follow the guidance of the authorities and assist them.
The End9
