The Devotion of Life — Page 458
458 had arrived there after facing a thousand hardships and resentments. In this situation the 313 ‘Darweshan’ were restricted to live in a small area like an island surrounded by deep water infested with crocodiles and stepping into it would be like stepping into the jaws of death. That is why these ‘Darweshan’ were not allowed to step out of their boundaries. This situation continued for several years. During this period, undoubtedly there were times when it was felt that their last moments had come. However, their spirits were so high that they waited for their last moments with cheerfulness and lived like a bride waits for her marriage procession. But by the Will of God, those last moments never came to pass. In the face of these dangers, the way these valiant ‘Darweshan’ steadfastly carried out their obligations was such an extraordinary phenomenon that it not only won the praise of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Jama’at, but also truth-loving Muslims and even some staunch opponents of Ahmadiyyat openly commended them. They felt compelled to pay homage to the ‘Darweshan’ of Qadian. For instance, the editor of the magazine ‘Riyasat’ , Delhi, Sardar Diwan Singh Maftoon, who held a highly respected status amongst world renowned journalists, wrote: “When bloodshed was at its peak in East Punjab and it was an unforgivable crime for a Muslim to be a Muslim; when there was not a single Muslim left anywhere in any district of East Punjab, there were a few saint-like ‘Darwesh’ in Qadian. They refused to leave their holy religious sites. They endured cruelties which disgraced humanity by people who were a disgrace to civility, and they can be