Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV — Page 341
SuB-Footnote Number Three 341 and the service of people is their practice. Even if the whole world were to become members of their family, they would feel no constraint, and gratitude is indeed due to God Almighty’s attribute of Satt a r, which covers up their shortcomings on every occasion and protects them with kindness before the calamity which is beyond their capacity descends upon them; for, God is the Guardian of all their affairs, as He has said Himself: 1 َو َوُه ىَّلَوَتَي َنْيِحِلّٰصلا Others are left to the anxiety of worldly objects, and the extraordinary treatment that is especially accorded to these people is not accorded to anyone else. This characteristic of theirs can also be proven very soon by keeping [their] company. Personal love for God is another station upon which the perfect followers of the Holy Quran are established. The love of God so sat- urates every particle of their existence that it becomes the essence of their being and the very breath of their life. A wonderful love of the True Beloved surges up in their hearts and an extraordinary affection and eagerness takes possession of their pure hearts, which cuts them off and separates them altogether from all others, and the fire of divine love is so radiant in them that, on special occasions, it becomes palpably perceptible to those who keep company with them. Even if true lovers of the Divine adopt any design or strategy to keep this fervour of love hidden, it becomes impossible for them to do so; just as it is impossi- ble for worldly lovers to hide their love for their beloved—whom they yearn to see day and night—from their companions and associates; rather, the love that penetrates their talk, looks, eyes, manners, and their nature, is manifested in every particle of their being, and cannot be kept secret no matter how hard they try. Whatever they might do to conceal it, some sign of it is betrayed. 1. And He protects the righteous ( S u rah al-A‘r a f, 7:197). [Publisher]