Whilst mentioning that believers are subjected to trial and hardship, the Promised Messiah (as) said: “An individual came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and made a marriage proposal to the Holy Prophet (sas) for his daughter. Along with the many other qualities that he presented to him in respect of his daughter, one was that she had reached such and such age, but had never suffered from any illness. The Holy Prophet , peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Those who are the beloved of God are invariably subjected to trial and suffering.’” One of the members of the community who had suffered immense grief at the hands of his adversaries, related his troubles. The Promised Messiah (as) said: “You have suffered many hardships. This is a compliment to you. The more one is faced with trials, the more one shall be blessed.
اِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا1
Surely, there is ease after hardship.
There was a discussion on how certain opponents treat members of our community in a harsh manner and inflict grief upon them. The Promised Messiah (as) advised his followers to be kind and forgiving, and to refrain from mischief. He stated: “One should not be incensed by one’s opponents. I especially advise those who are young that it is imperative for you to visit me as often as possible. There is no telling how long you shall live after me. Spending time in my company is beneficial. If a person remains inclined towards God, they become an embodiment of divine attributes. Moreover, by staying with me, a person can observe and learn many things.”
A written question from someone was submitted to the Promised Messiah (as). The individual inquired that since they are compelled to travel here and there for up to a distance of 30 miles or so, what should they consider a journey and is the Islamic injunction of shortening the Prayer whilst on a journey applicable to them? The person stated that they were not interested in academic discussions from books and all they wanted was a verdict from our Truthful Leader. His Holiness (as) stated: “It is my belief that an individual ought not to impose undue difficulty upon themselves. The definition of a journey is based on the general understanding of society, even if the distance itself is only a few miles. So, if this is the case, a person should follow injunctions which are applicable in the case of a journey and shorten the Prayer.
اِنَّمَا الْاَعْمَالُ بِالنِّیَّاتِ
Deeds are based on intentions.
At times, we will cover a distance of even two or three miles when we are walking with our friends, but no one has the slightest thought in their minds that they are on a journey. However, when a person packs their belongings and sets out with the intention that they are about to undertake a journey, they are a traveller. The foundation of the shariah is not based on difficulty. A journey is a journey by generally accepted standards.”
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “Just as one fulfils the obligations owed to God, so too one should accept the relaxations that are afforded by Him. Where obligations are prescribed by God, it is God Himself who gives exemptions as well.
One may observe that even I benefit from the relaxations given by God. I have been combining the Prayers for about two months now. This is because I am ill and also heavily engaged in writing my commentary on Surah Fatihah. By combining the Prayers in this way, a prophecy related in the Hadith تُجْمَعُ لَہُ الصَّلٰوۃُ is also being fulfilled that when the Messiah appears, the Prayers will be combined for him. This Hadith also establishes that the Promised Messiah will not lead the congregation in Prayer, rather someone else will lead the Prayer, and that he will combine the Prayers out of consideration for the Messiah. As such, this is exactly what happens. On certain days when my illness is severe and I am unable to come to the mosque at all, the Prayers are not combined. It seems from the words of this Hadith that the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated by way of affection that the Prayers will be combined for the sake of the Messiah. We ought to show honour and respect for the prophecies of the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. We should not view them with an air of disregard. It would be a grave sin for us to look at the prophecies of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with contempt. God Almighty has given rise to such conditions Himself due to which the Prayers are being combined for this long. If the Prayers had been combined for only a few days, this would not have constituted a sign. I revere each and every word and letter spoken by the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.”
In the context of the commentary of Surah Fatihah, the Promised Messiah (as) said: “In my book, the virtues and merits of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, are now being discussed so abundantly that I do not feel like bringing the discussion to a close. If the deadline had not arrived, I would have preferred to continue writing.”
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “Even in paradise, there will be avenues of progress for the believers, and even for the Prophets. For if this was not the case, why would we invoke blessings and salutations upon the Holy Prophet (sas). It is my belief that progress is limitless.”
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “The words بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ (In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful) are a summary of the entire Holy Quran. The fundamental attributes of Allah the Exalted are also of beauty and the actual name of God is also one which is characterised by beauty. It is the faithless who, on account of their misdeeds, cause such a state of affairs that on occasions it becomes necessary for God to manifest His attributes of majesty. At the present time, since this is not required, I have, therefore, appeared with an inherent nature that is characterised by beauty.”
During the course of discussion, there was mention of building memorials in honour of Her Majesty the Queen. His Holiness (as) said: “In my opinion, a magnificent college or hospital ought to be built.”
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “The people undertake useless efforts to attribute a long life to the Messiah (as). What result was achieved in the brief life that he spent on earth so that one should desire that he lives a longer life? Worship of the Cross has become rampant on earth and polytheism has become widespread. Indeed, if it was possible for anyone to receive such an unnaturally long life, then the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was most deserving, who in a brief life, filled the earth with believers in God’s Oneness, and filled their hearts with true and passionate love of God.”2
1 al-Inshirah, 94:7
2 Al-Hakam, vol. 5, no. 6, dated 17 February 1901, pp. 13-14