The Promised Messiah (as) said: “All of the gentlemen here should hear that since this entire endeavour is for the sake of God alone, in this era of ignorance, God wishes to fully clinch His argument against the people, as has always been the case with the advent of Prophets, peace be upon them. When God Almighty observes that darkness has spread on earth, He takes it upon Himself to advise the people and complete His argument against the people, as per divine law. For this reason, when the circumstances change, when people become distant from God and when understanding falls weak, God Almighty raises a servant of His, so that he may advise those who are plunged in heedlessness. This is one of the most significant signs, which establish that a Prophet is divinely appointed, in that they do not come in an era where there is no need for their appearance; in fact, all of humanity’s needs at the time in which they appear bear testimony in their favour. So, too, was the case in the era of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The state of mankind was corrupted both in doctrine and action. And this was not only the case in Arabia, in fact, the whole world had deteriorated, as Allah the Exalted stated in the following words:
ظَهَرَ الْـفَسَادُ فِـي الْبَرِّ وَ الْبَحْرِ1
Corruption has appeared on land and sea.
At that time of great disorder, God Almighty commissioned and raised a holy servant, who brought about a wondrous transformation in a small period of time. Instead of worshipping God’s creation, people began to worship God Himself. Instead of immoral actions, we began to see the prevalence of righteous deeds. Similarly, in this era also, the state of the people in terms of deed and doctrine has become corrupted; their internal and external state has deteriorated to a dangerous extreme. Their internal state has degenerated to such an extent that while they recite the Quran, they have no idea what they are reciting; their doctrines also contradict the Book of Allah and so do their actions. The Muslim clerics recite the Quran and so do the common people, but neither parties reflect over it, and on that front, they are equal. If they had taken the time to reflect, how clear everything would have become. We learn from the Holy Quran that Allah Almighty made the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the likeness of Moses (as). The fact of the matter is that Allah the Exalted establishes one dispensation, but after a long period of time, when it becomes obscured, as if veiled, He establishes another dispensation in the same manner to take its place.
We learn of two dispensations from the Holy Quran. Firstly, there was the dispensation of the children of Israel, which began with Moses, peace be upon him, and ended with Jesus, peace be upon him. Since the evil actions of the Jews had reached the extreme limit, and they had become so wicked and stone-hearted that they were even prepared to kill Prophets, by way of wrath, Allah the Exalted brought this dispensation, which saw the emergence of kings and Prophets, to an end with Jesus (as).
I have always held that Jesus (as) was born without a father, and that his fatherless birth was a sign that now prophethood would come to an end within the Israelite family. For they were promised that prophethood would remain within the family of the children of Israel until they remain righteous. However, when they lost their piety, this event served as a sign, so that the wise could realise that this line would now come to an end. Hence, with the advent of Jesus, peace be upon him, prophethood from within the children of Israel came to an end. Even in earlier scriptures, Allah Almighty had promised that a similar succession would be instituted within the children of Ishmael, and the leader, head and chief of that succession would be Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This was prophesied in the Torah as well. In the Holy Quran, also, it is stated:
كَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنَاۤ اِلٰى فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُوْلًا2
Like We sent a Messenger to Pharaoh.
Just as the word ‘like’ has been used in the Torah,3 the Arabic word kama (like) has been used in the Holy Quran as well.
The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is unquestionably the likeness of Moses (as). Even in Surah Nur it has been mentioned that the dispensation of Muhammad (sas) is the likeness of the Mosaic dispensation. The Holy Quran has not mentioned the Prophets who appeared between Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them. The Holy Quran states:
لَمْ نَقْصُصْ4
We have not mentioned them.
Even in our case the intermediary successors within the dispensation of Muhammad (sas) have not been mentioned by name explicitly. Just as in the former case, the start and end points have been clearly mentioned; in this case also, we have been told that this dispensation would begin with the man who appeared as the likeness of Moses (as) and its final point would be the one who was to come in the likeness of Jesus (as). In other words, the Seal of the Caliphs would be the same person who is also referred to as the Promised Messiah. The word ‘promised’ is used because his advent was foretold by way of prophecy. The Holy Quran states:
وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ5
Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works.
The Seal of the Caliphs is inferred also where Allah the Exalted has promised that He would appoint successors, and the aforementioned statement of the Holy Quran also establishes that he was ‘promised’. A line that begins at a certain point, will invariably end at a final point. And so, just as the Messiah was the Seal in the previous dispensation, there is a Seal of the Caliphs in this dispensation as well. Therefore, anyone who suggests that there would be no Promised Messiah in this community, in fact, rejects the Quran and will lose his faith. This is an evident truth. There is nothing of pretence, affectation or false display in this respect. Therefore, the nature of this belief is such that anyone who harbours doubt or suspicion in this regard forsakes the Holy Quran.
Allah the Exalted has spoken of this subject in many chapters of the Holy Quran. There is the chapter I have just mentioned—Surah Nur. Then, there is Surah Fatihah, which we recite in every cycle of the formal Prayer. In this chapter, three previous classes of people have been mentioned. Firstly, there are those upon whom Allah has bestowed His blessings (an’amta alayhim); secondly, there are those who have incurred divine displeasure (maghdub); and thirdly, there are those who have gone astray (dalleen). The Arabic term maghdub does not imply that God’s displeasure is reserved specifically for the hereafter. In fact, anyone who forsakes the Book of Allah and violates divine injunctions will be subject to divine displeasure. The expression, ‘those who have incurred divine displeasure’ (maghdub) refers clearly to the Jews, and those who have gone astray (ad-dalleen) alludes to the Christians. Now, this prayer is a supplication so that we are able to join the class of those upon whom Allah has bestowed His blessings, and so that we may be saved from joining the other two groups referred to in this context. The custom that we observe—since the inception of prophethood—in the law of God Almighty is that whenever God issues a commandment to either perform a certain action, or refrain from something, it is inevitable that some will follow the instruction while others will transgress. Therefore, in view of this prayer, it is obvious that there will be some from among the people who will receive the blessings of Allah; some will incur His displeasure, and others will be led astray.
Now the present era loudly proclaims, as it were, that the sequence in which the three classes mentioned in this noble chapter have begun to manifest themselves at present, is in reverse order to how they appear in the actual text. The party known as the Christians have been mentioned at the very end. However, one may observe the great extent to which people have entered this religion. A certain bishop mentioned in a speech that two million Muslims have left Islam. The strength and vigour with which this nation has spread, and the devices that it has employed to mislead the people, moves one to realise that this is the greatest of all trials. Now, a person can observe how one aspect of the three parts mentioned in this prayer has become manifest. The second class of people mentioned in this supplication are those who have incurred divine wrath. I perceive that the time for this aspect of the prayer and its fulfilment has also arrived. The wrath of God surged forth against the Jews in this world as well and they were destroyed by the plague. Now, due to the wrongdoing, sin and transgression of the people, the plague is spreading widely. Those who are referred to as scholars have no fear in hiding the truth. When the characteristics of the two classes mentioned in this prayer have shown themselves to hold true in the present age, we come to know categorically about the third group as well. A natural ability that humans possess is that if they are able to ascertain three of four things, they can successfully deduce the nature of the fourth, and they can hold a confident expectation. Hundreds and thousands have entered Christianity, the people continue to join those who incur the wrath of God, and so now, God desires to bring forth a class of people upon whom Allah has bestowed His blessings. When a prayer asking to be among these blessed people is made in Surah Fatihah and there is also a promise to that effect in Surah Nur, it may be clearly determined that the words in Surah Nur establish that the supplication made in Surah Fatihah has been accepted. Now, the third class of people is of those who are the recipients of God’s blessings, and I trust that God Almighty will raise this group of people in the present area with lustre. This is the work of God, which shall undoubtedly be done. However, Allah the Exalted desires to give people a share of spiritual reward so that they may prove worthy of attaining paradise, as was the case in the time of God’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. God Almighty had the power to grant His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, every form of victory without the support of his companions, but no, He included the companions as well, so that they could become the elect of God. In view of this custom, our community too is faced with a similar situation, in that they are inconvenienced on an ongoing basis and they are asked to donate their wealth in the way of God.
At present, I have two important tasks at hand: firstly, that my message is propagated in Arabia; secondly, that the message is fully conveyed and clarified without a shadow of doubt to the people of Europe. The Arabs are significant because internally they possess the truth, and a large segment of them perhaps do not even know that God has established a divine dispensation. It is my responsibility to convey this message to them, and if I do not, I shall be guilty of sin. Similarly, the people of Europe also deserve to know where they have erred—they have deified a man and thus, distanced themselves from the True God. The state of Europe has truly become a reflection of the following:
اَخْلَدَ اِلَى الْاَرْضِ6
He inclined to the earth.
All sorts of inventions and developments are being produced. However, one should not be taken aback that Europe continues to progress in the worldly arts and sciences. It is a matter of principle that when the doors of heavenly knowledge are closed to a people, their thoughts begin to revolve around earthly matters. It has never been the case that Prophets came and then designed new machines, or that their efforts and struggles were dedicated to producing worldly inventions alone.
The present era is one in which:
اَخْرَجَتِ الْاَرْضُ اَثْقَالَهَا7
The earth brings forth her burdens.
This was specific to the time of the Promised Messiah. As such, one can observe the extent to which new inventions are being developed and new mines are being discovered. There has been no parallel in any previous age. In my view, the plague is also implied in the aforementioned verse. This epidemic has its roots in the earth. The germs first spread among rats. In short, at present, the worldly sciences are reaching new heights and Islam has been dishonoured to the greatest of extremes. Who can say that the number of books, newspapers and periodicals that have been printed to denigrate Islam within the past fifty to sixty years, have ever been published before in so large a number? Therefore, when the state of affairs has become so grave, no one can be a true believer until their heart feels a sense of indignation. A man who has no sense of honour is nothing more than a cuckold.
If one does not possess love in their heart for the honour of Islam, one’s worship also is useless. For worship is but a name for love. All those who worship anything other than Allah Almighty, for which He has sent down no authority (sultan), are polytheists. The Arabic word sultan, and it is derived from tasallut, means something that dominates the heart. This is why the Arabic word dalil (argument) has not been used in this context.
What is worship? An extreme level of love, an extreme level of hope, an extreme level of fear; all of this is a part of worship. The concept of worshipping that which is besides Allah is not limited to physical prostration alone. Nay, in fact, this has differing degrees. If someone loves their wealth to an extreme level, they are a slave of their wealth. A servant of God is one who maintains a moderate relationship with all else, other than God. Islam does not forbid one from loving other things and holding expectations, but within limits.
Allah the Exalted has clearly stated that those who love God, who fear Him alone and who make Him the centre of all their hopes, such people are conferred an authority (sultan). However, those who are enslaved by their inner self possess no power which holds authority over their hearts. Hence, until one’s every action and statement follows and submits to the authority of God, one is guilty of associating partners with God. As such, it is my desire to propagate the message entrusted to me in two respects, and Allah the Exalted knows well—and there can be no greater witness than Him—that I present my claim with an immensely sincere fervour and purely for His sake. I have never had the opportunity to be formally educated in English, but if I had, I would never have burdened my friends in this regard. However, the wisdom in this was so that I would invite others to partake in spiritual reward as well. My nature is such that if I am able to do something myself, I will never ask anyone else to do it for me. If the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had lived just four more years, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, would have passed away. The fact of the matter is that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had attained the grand victory that he was promised. He had witnessed:
رَاَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُوْنَ فِـيْ دِيْنِ اللهِ اَفْوَاجًا8
Thou seest men entering the religion of Allah in troops.
Further, the following had also been fulfilled:
اَلْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ9
This day have I perfected (your religion for you).
However, Allah Almighty did not want Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to be deprived; in fact, He wanted him to receive spiritual reward as well. In the same way, if God Almighty had so desired, He could have granted me such endless treasures that I would have no care whatsoever. However, God blesses whomsoever He pleases so that they may also partake of spiritual reward. All those who are seated here before me are like graves, because ultimately everyone must die. Hence, now is the time to amass spiritual reward. I wish to express in simple and clear words all that God has put in my heart. Prepare yourself to earn spiritual reward, and do not surmise that if you spend in this cause, you will suffer a loss. In the likenss of rain from God Almighty, all of your losses will be recompensed.
مَنْ يَّعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَّـرَهٗ10
Whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it.
Always remember that until God blesses one with the ability, one cannot serve the Faith. When a person rises up to serve religion with an open heart, God does not let them perish. Therefore, in summary, I have undertaken one aspect of this work, while the English-readers in our community have taken upon themselves the second aspect. They have proposed that this work be taken forward on a business model. We will be able to propagate our religion without any burden on them; may Allah give them their reward.
Here, I only voice the ideas of my community. All I desire is for our message to somehow make its way to Arabia and other countries. So, they have formulated this plan, which according to their understanding is an easy manner in which to attain this objective. Matters relating to business are merely based on projected forecasts. In any case, this is their plan. In my view, so long as this proposal supports the cause of religion, I support it. However, even if this proposal is not implemented, this objective shall be achieved. In any case, you are free to deliberate. Allah the Exalted knows best.”11
1 ar-Rum, 30:42
2 al-Muzzammil, 73:16
3 Reference is made here to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 which states: ‘I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren.’ [Publisher]
4 al-Mu’min, 40:79
5 an-Nur, 24:56
6 al-A’raf, 7:177
7 az-Zilzal, 99:3
8 an-Nasr, 110:3
9 al-Ma’idah, 5:4
10 az-Zilzal, 99:8
11 Al-Hakam, vol. 5, no. 14, dated 17 April 1901, pp 5-8