Bounties of the Gracious God — Page 90
90 me when the creatures of Allah began coming to me in troops and obeyed me like servants. And had it not been for the command- ment of my Lord, I would have grown weary of meeting them. Does any man have the power to do so? Then, Allah also granted me the words to whom He Himself vouchsafed eloquence, so there is none among my opponents who can dare to present a writing that can equal that eloquence. Indeed, the power of expression had been taken away from these opponents. Does any man have the power to do so? I was challenged by some opponents to a Mub a halah [prayer- duel], and when we confronted each other and took the goblet of prayer in our hands and rubbed the flint of prayer in the field of prayer-duel, Allah allied with me hosts upon hosts of godly and wise men, and the Gracious God opened the gates of His blessings upon us, so that now the honoured members of our Community exceed one hundred thousand. Indeed, by now their number might have become double than before. When we had come out to confront our enemies, the number of my Community was forty thousand. With each passing day, Allah pushed the enemy who confronted me in the prayer-duel towards humiliation and obscu- rity. Does any man have the power to do this? Now, O my brothers who are adorned with wisdom and are free of suspicion! Render thanks to your Beneficent God, for you have attained wisdom and understanding and have come to stay at a safe place. Therefore, be my witnesses in front of the sons of this age. Say whether or not you are witnesses to my signs? Is there still any doubt left in your hearts? Is there anyone among you who has not witnessed a sign by me? O courageous ones, do reply! I have