A person asked the Promised Messiah (as) that, ‘In your Jalsa [Convention] address in December you indicated that the Day of Judgement is about to come and its time was near. Does it mean that it is only a matter of a few more years?’
The Promised Messiah (as) replied:
This is also in the Quran: اِقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَۃُ1 And there are some other similar verses, so you can understand what is the meaning of ‘near’? The Signs of the nearness of the Hour have been manifested from which it is clear that this is the last age. Whenever the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, experienced any calamitous event, he used to say that the Day of Judgement has come.
A person mentioned one of the revelations of Promised Messiah (as) which stated, ‘We shall celebrate on the 27th, so on the 27th of this month it rained and people celebrated.’
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
These are formalities which I do not desire. A Sign from Allah is such that the hearts proclaim involuntarily, and even the enemies shout out that this affair has taken place. Although it is impossible that the enemy concede it through his tongue, a Sign is that which inspires awe through its own grandeur.
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
I read every letter that arrives and I do not let it go from my hand until I have prayed. I worry that I may forget or lack the time later, but supplication is of two types. Those who pray understand this very well. One is ordinary and the other is with intense focus. And this last feeling is not easy availed of in all prayers. Profound feelings of anguish and restlessness developing is not in one’s control. I automatically desire to pray for a sincere member of the Jama’at. Of course I pray for all members of the Jama’at, but the aforementioned condition does not develop for everyone. This is not in one’s own control so whosoever wishes to promote the intensity of my prayer for them, should attain greater nearness.
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
When man plans, then together with him, Allah also plans. It is only when one plan competes with another that something happens. Foolish people object to the use of the word makar [plan]. This is due to their lack of familiarity with the language. There is nothing bad in it. Makar is said of those fine efforts or plans that are undertaken to defend against an evil person. It is for this very reason that Allah the Exalted has named Himself خَیْرُ الْمٰکِرِیْنَ2.
The Promised Messiah (as) said:
There are two types of supplications. One is the ordinary type and the second is that which man takes to its zenith. Thus, it is this supplication that is called supplication in the real meaning of the word. Man should supplicate even without falling into any difficulty, because what knowledge does he have of the plans of God and what is to happen tomorrow? So be involved in supplications from before so that you may be saved. Sometimes a calamity comes in such a manner that man finds no opportunity to supplicate. Thus, if one has laid in store supplications from before, then they can come in handy during a time of need.
When people involve themselves heart and soul in worldly affairs beyond all limits and become heedless of God, then God’s punishment descends to warn them. Look at the destruction that the plague is wreaking. As soon as they return after burying one corpse, another is ready.
Keep in mind that the punishment for idolatry, deification of man, and worship of created beings will take place in the Hereafter, but insolence, villainy, cruelty and transgression, neglect, tormenting the righteous, and inflicting pain and suffering upon them are punished in this very world. The punishment that occurred during the time of Noah would not have taken place had they not tormented the Messenger of Allah. Punishment is ordained upon insolence because the perpetrator not only commits wickedness, but also boasts of it.
This world is not the place for retribution. Only those who are guilty of mischief are punished here. The one who commits sin with civility will be judged in the next life. And the punishment that has now descended upon the world is due to this very reason that audacity, insolence, and rascality has increased beyond all bounds as though there is no God whatsoever. The plague has wreaked such massive destruction, yet still their hearts have not felt anything.
If you ask, they laugh it off. Some say it is an ordinary illness as if they deny God’s power over life and death. It is undoubtedly an illness, but it is through these illnesses that Allah sends down His punishment. When the Jews suffered from this illness, Allah declared it to be His punishment. Remember that Allah brings about destruction by multiplying and intensifying these very illnesses. Denial of Allah’s punishment is a sign of their disbelief.
God is Merciful. He is slow in punishing but these people should remember that this punishment will not stop until they cry out that, ‘Now we understand!’
The only cure for this is what I have repeatedly said; namely, humble supplication and turning to Allah in repentance.3
1 The Hour has drawn nigh (Surah al-Qamar, 54:2). [Publisher]
2 The Best of planners (Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, 3:55). [Publisher]
3 Badr, vol. 7, no. 7, p. 3, dated 20 February 1908