Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 87
87 this calamity of any buc such as sincerely enter into my disciple- ship, follow me with a true heart and forsake their desires in submission to my will. Ye people ! who call yourselves my followers, you cannot be recognised as my followers upon heaven until your footsteps fall on the path of true righteousness. Say your five daily prayers with your whole heart, humbling yourselves before God and fearing Him in such a manner as if you actually see Him. Keep your fasts faithfully for the sake of God. Such of you whom the Law requires, must give alms in accordance with its directions. 'If the pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory upon you, and there is no obstacle, you must perform the pilgrimage. Do good so as to love it well and forsake evil so as to hate it. Know it for certain that no deed rises up to God which is devoid of true righteousness. Righteousness is the root of every goodness; if the root has not dried up, the deed shall prosper- It is neces- sary that you should be tried with various afflictions and adver- sities as the faithful before you were tried. Beware that you stumble! Earth cannot inflict any harm upon you if the tie by which you are bound to heaven is a strong tie- It is your own. <4 , hands and not your enemy's that cause you a loss. If your earthly honor is all lost, God will give you an eternal glory up- on heaven. Do not forsake Him, therefore. It is necessary that you should suffer various afflictions, and be deprived of some long-cherished hopes, but be not grieved, for your God tries you and examines the faithfulness of your hearts in his path. If you wish that even the angels should praise you upon heaven, rejoice when you are persecuted, and be thankful when you are abused, and dissever not the tie when you meet with failures. You are the last of God's chosen people ; therefore do deeds exceeding in their excellence the deeds of every other people. Whoever is slack V