Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 100
100 we very often observe that an undertaking which is on a fair way towards being accomplished fails, and that which was regarded difficult of accomplishment is brought about through normal means when no prayer has been offered or even when the person concerned has no faith in prayer. Another element which renders this stage doubtful is that its results bear a resemblance to the results of the operation of certain natural laws, for instance, mesmerism and hypnotism, by means of which several ailments and diseases may be cured and reme- died. This may give rise to the doubt that the results of prayer have also been achieved through concentration or some such other cause, and are not due to any Divine aid or intervention. Though acceptance of prayer in this stage is sub- ject to such doubts, it certainly is a means of attaining certainty for the person who experiences it and much benefit may be derived from it. There is, however, another stage in which acceptance of prayer is not subject to any doubt, but that pertains to the higher stages of knowledge and realization, and will be ex- plained in its proper place. The second stage of realization is revelation. Is- lam particularly emphasizes this stage, while all other religions regard the door of revelation as having been irrevocably closed. Reason, however, cannot endorse the doctrine that God, Who used to speak to His ser- vants in days gone by to assure them of His existence, has now ceased to speak altogether. The attributes of God are ever-existing and are not subject to diminution or decline, then why has He been silent during all these