On the morning of 28 August 1901, His Holiness (as) said: “My opponents consist of two types of people: firstly, the Muslim clerics, religious scholars, etc., and secondly, the Christian British and the like. Both of these groups of people engage in opposition and raise unjust objections which become extreme criticisms against Islam. Today, I was shown a scene in relation to both of these people and I experienced a state of revelation, but I do not fully recall the details. In respect of the British and others, the impression was that many from among them would develop an appreciation for the truth. And in relation to the Muslim clerics, scholars and so on, I understood that most of them had lost their strength.”
There was mention of prayer and the Promised Messiah (as) said: “In prayer, one ought to search for words which evoke emotion. It is not appropriate for a person to bind themselves to customary prayers of the Holy Prophet (sas) in such a way that they are recited like ineffectual incantations without realising their deeper meaning. Following the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sas) is necessary, but seeking to develop inner emotion is also to emulate the Sunnah. Supplicate in your own language—which you understand well—so that your prayer is filled with fervour. A literalist is worthy of contempt; one ought to give regard to the deeper truth. One ought to recite the traditional prayers of the Holy Prophet (sas) for the sake of blessings as well, but grasp the essence. Of course, one who is naturally comfortable in Arabic and understands the language should recite in Arabic.”
There was discussion on smoking hookah and the Promised Messiah (as) said: “It is best to relinquish this habit. It is an ill practice. The mouth smells as a result. My revered father of late had composed his own poetic couplet in this regard which he would recite, and it expressed the ill nature of this habit.”1
1 Al-Hakam, vol. 5, no. 33, dated 10 September 1901, p. 9