Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV — Page 335
SuB-Footnote Number Three 335 the eyes of the One True God, are under a grand shadow of divine kindness, and are embellished by a majestic divine grace. Observers can clearly see that they are honoured with extraordinary bounties, distinguished with wonderful and extraordinary miracles, scented with the perfume of [God’s] love, and invested with the honour of being the accepted ones of God. The light of the All-Powerful so fills their company, their attention, their resolve, their prayer, their insight, their moral qualities, their way of living, their pleasure and retribu- tion, their liking and disliking, their movement and stillness, their speech and silence, and their exterior and interior just as a precious perfume fills a bottle of clear and transparent glass. The grace of their companionship, attention, and love provides things which cannot be acquired through austere discipline. The con- dition of faith is entirely transformed through entertaining goodwill and faithfulness towards them, and the strength to display good moral qualities is attained, the confused thinking and evil inclination of the ego begins to decline, and a satisfaction and sweetness begin to appear. According to one’s capacity and as appropriate, a zest for faith surges up, affection and fondness are manifested, and delight in the remem- brance of Allah increases. By keeping their company over an extended period, one is necessarily brought to confess that—in their strength of faith, moral state, renunciation of the world, inclination towards Allah, love for Allah and kindness towards His creatures, and their fidelity, contentment, and steadfastness—they occupy such an exalted place, the like of which has not been seen in the world. Sane reason immediately recognizes that the shackles and chains that bind other people have been removed from their feet, and their bosoms have been cleansed of the narrowness and constriction through which the bos- oms of other people are constrained and fatigued. Moreover, such peo- ple are honoured by the abundance of converse and discourse with the One True God, and are considered worthy of being addressed repeat- edly and continuously. They are considered an intermediary between God, the Glorious and High, and His eager servants for direction and