The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 68
68. Essence of Islam II decides not to accept a supplication or decides to postpone its acceptance or wishes to convey something which would lie heavy on the recipient. For instance, when a person seeks to acquire something quickly and such acquisition is not in accord with the Divine will or has to be postponed. I have been the recipient of such revelations on occasion, which it would take too long to describe in detail, but I will set down one instance. . About three years ago, I prayed that people might be disposed to help in the publication of this book whereupon I received this type of revelation in hard words: 'Not yet. '. When I received this revelation I informed a number of. Hindus and Muslims of it, who are still alive and they also witnessed thereafter the lack of attention of people to this book. . As regards the other type of revelation, in which phrases flow from the tongue with gentleness, it would be enough to state that when some time had passed after the revelation just mentioned, and I was beset with difficulties, then one day I received a revelation from the Gracious Lord: هُرْ إِلَيْكَ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكَ رُطَبًا حَنِيفًا 13. From this I understood that this was an indication that I should invite people's help and that there was a promise that through such effort I would be able to collect enough money to defray the expenses of the publication of that part of the book. I informed several Hindus and Muslims 13 ''Take hold of the branch of the palm-tree and shake it; it will shed fresh ripe dates upon thee. [Publisher]