Defence Against the Plague and a Criterion for the Elect of God — Page 20
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad 20 verse does not apply to those who have been afflicted as a form of punishment. Otherwise, it would have been necessary for the prayers of the peoples of N uh [Noah], L ut [Lot], Pharaoh, etc. to be accepted in their time of despair. This did not happen, and the hand of God destroyed these nations. If Miań Shams-ud- D i n should inquire as to which verse then applies to his circum - stances, we would direct his attention to the following verse: 1 اَم اُؤٰٓعُد َنْيِرِفٰكْلا اَّلِا ْيِف ٍلٰلَض Since it is possible that certain unlearned persons may fail to com - prehend the true purport of this publication, I once again fulfil my duty by announcing my invitation. And that is, this plague , which is spreading throughout the country, has no other cause except that the people have refused to accept this Promised One of God, who, in accordance with the prophecies of all the Prophets, has appeared in the seventh millennium of the world. Not only did the people deny this Messiah but they used abusive language towards him. They called him a disbeliever, and conspired to kill him—and they treated him as they pleased. Thus God, out of His jealousy, desired to issue a warning on account of this insolence and disrespect. God had given news in previous holy scriptures that He would send a severe plague at the time of the advent of the Messiah because of the denial of the people. Therefore, it was necessary that the plague should break out. The plague has been named ta‘u n because it is a response 1. ‘The prayer of disbelievers is of no avail’ ( s u rah al-Mu’min, 40:51). [Publisher]