The Devotion of Life — Page 422
422 Zakaria as , who prayed to God saying that he was old and his wife was sterile, but that he wished for a child as an offering to God, and that he would not get tired of praying. God replied with the glad tidings of Yahya as , and God Himself gave this name to him. This is a manifestation of God’s love. When a child is born, people write to me to suggest a name out of love for the Khalifa of the time. God, out of His love, named Yahya as even before he was born. Such was God’s love for Hadrat Zakaria as and for his prayer. ” Gift to God For The Next Century “Thus among the many gifts that Ahmadis are offering God for the next century, including chandas , sacrifice of wealth and time, there is one gift that is a gift for the future, that is still to be given. ” Dedicate offspring to be born in the next two years “God has turned my attention towards informing you that you should pledge children born in the next two years to the service of God. Those mothers who are pregnant and who could not participate in this Scheme should do so now. Both parents should decide together so that the training of the newborn can start from childhood harmoniously in order that the child is motivated to work towards a special purpose; since the child was born at a special time and as a result of special prayers. If parents dedicate their future offspring with this fervour, we are certain to see a blessed and beautiful generation that