Blessings of Khilafat — Page 7
7 continuously tried to think of some way to retract. It was then that God showed me in a vision that I was walking up a hill and became greatly worried because of the difficulties involved along the way and decided to return. When I turned around to move backwards, I found the mountain to be standing like a wall in my way blocking all possibilities of return. I understood thereby that God had conveyed to me that I could only move forwards, and that I could not withdraw from my position. I have given much thought to the point as to why Prophethood is bestowed upon a Prophet after he is at least forty years of age. I have realized that man lives only for a short time after he is forty. This realization gives strength to a Prophet to face the impending difficulties. But were this responsibility to be bestowed upon him when he was young, it would prove to be very difficult for him. Spending so many years of such a difficult life would become extremely hard for him as this is never an easy task. An ember appears beautiful from a distance but the reality of it is known only to the person holding it in his hand. Similarly, Khilafat appears to be something very delightful, and the ignorant beholders think that the Khalifah has achieved something wonderful. But they do not know that the thing which looks beautiful to them is in fact a huge burden, and that without being a recipient of God’s special grace one is simply unable to carry this burden. The word Khalifah is used for the one who continues the work of his predecessor. About the person whose work the Khalifah carries forward, God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: 2 2 S u rah al-Inshir ah , 94:3 – 4