The Promised Messiah (as) said:
It is very strange that although most of the Signs regarding the Latter Days have been fulfilled, people still do not pay heed. Allah the Exalted is Self-Sufficient and does not care for those people who adopt an attitude of heedlessness with regard to Him. These same people suffer great hardships for worldly affairs but to research into religion they are not prepared to endure even a hundredth of the effort [they expend for the world]. On the contrary, they make all kinds of frivolous excuses whereas just as they are carrying out other ordinary worldly tasks, they could also conduct research into this أَلنَّبَإِ الْعَظِیْمِ [the Great Event] upon which the welfare of their life in the Hereafter depends.
A person who had spent most of his time in the presence of sufis [Mystics], requested the Promised Messiah (as) to pray for him that he may develop the cognizance and desire of Allah.
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
First of all, purify your faith. These austere religious exercises which are against the practice of the Holy Prophet (sas) will not be of any help and will not take you to the desired destination. Look, some yogis do austere religious exercises to such a degree that they allow their arms to dry up and shrivel but they are not acceptable in the sight of Allah because first, they are against the teachings of the Holy Prophet (sas), and second, faith is totally absent. And Allah the Exalted says in the Holy Quran:
اِنَّمَا یَتَقَبَّلُ اللّٰہُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ1
That is to say, Allah accepts the worship of those who fear God and the result of their fear of God is that they do things in accord with His Will and pleasure. And the foremost thing is indeed to accept the one appointed by Allah. Look, the Jews believe in God and also do not associate partners with Him. Their qiblah [the direction faced during Prayer] is also the one that was the qiblah of the Muslims in the beginning. But still they are not acceptable before the presence of Allah only because they rejected the Messenger of Allah. Those who were exalted above all peoples became accursed because they rejected the Messengers. There are indeed many other sins also but the greatest sin is to reject the one appointed by Allah.
If you ponder, you will come to realize why this is the greatest sin. All sins come into being as a result of disobeying the commandments of God Almighty. And the commandments of God become manifest in the world through those appointed by God. Thus, when the one who brings these commandments is not accepted, it is as if no commandment of Allah is accepted, because when the one who was to make clear the will and pleasure of Allah is rejected, how will the ways of gaining the pleasure of Allah become known? This is indeed the reason why the Jews were called apes and swine despite believing in God and offering Prayer and fasting.
This person submitted, ‘Your Holiness I have believed.’
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
Then [know that] seeking forgiveness and repentance is the way to achieving union with Allah. Allah the Almighty says:
وَ الَّذِیْنَ جَاہَدُوْا فِیْنَا لَنَہْدِیَنَّہُمْ سُبُلَنَا2
Continue to make full effort in the way of Allah and you will reach to the desired destination. Allah the Exalted harbours miserliness towards no one. It was, after all, from among these very Muslims that some came to be great saintly people who are known as Qutb, Abdal and Ghaus.3 Even now the door of His mercy is not closed. Develop a meek heart, offer Prayer with meticulous care, keep supplicating, and follow my teachings. I will also supplicate.
Remember my way is precisely and exactly the very same as of the Holy Prophet (sas) and his Companions. Nowadays, the faqirs [ascetics] have brought about many innovations. I do not like these prayer formulas and devotions that they have popularized. The correct way of Islam is to study the Holy Quran with understanding and deliberation and to act upon what it contains and to offer Prayers with attention and to keep supplicating attentively and with إِنَابَۃُ إِلَى اللّٰہ [repenting and turning to Allah]. Thus, Prayer alone is such a thing that can elevate you to the highest level of sanctity. With this everything can be saved. And peace be upon you.4
1 Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:28 [Publisher]
2 And as for those who strive in Our path—We will surely guide them in Our ways (Surah al-‘Ankabut, 29:70). [Publisher]
3 Wali (Friend), Ghaus (Saint), Qutb (Guiding Star), and Abdal (Substitutes, i.e. vicegerents appointed for carrying out the will of God Almighty) are various designations used for Auliya’ullah (the Friends of God). [Publisher]
4 Badr, vol. 7, no. 2, p. 3, dated 16 January 1908