The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 99
The Plague 99. Lastly, let me say that you, Miān Shams-ud-Dīn, hope in vain that your prayers will be accepted on the basis of the following Quranic verse which you have published in your announcement: أَمَّنْ يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ 28. This is because the word of God contains the term. Muḍtar, which signifies a person who has fallen into distress, not as a punishment, but only by way of a trial. Hence it does not apply to anyone whose distress is a result of Divine chastisement. If this were not so, then the prayers which were offered by the people of Noah, the people of Lot, and Pharaoh, in their hour of distress, they must also have been accepted. But nothing of the kind happened, and God's hand destroyed those people. If Miān Shams-ud-Din were to ask which verse applies to his condition, I would quote the this verse: مَا دُعَوُا الْكَفِرِيْنَ إِلَّا فِي ضَللٍ 2. Since it is quite probable that some simple-minded people may misunderstand the true purpose of this announcement, I would therefore like to reiterate the message that is obligatory upon me. The plague has broken out in this country only because people have refused to accept the Promised One who, in keeping with the prophecies of all the Prophetsas, has appeared in the seventh millennium. People have not only re28 Or, who answers the distressed person?-Al-Naml, 27:63 [Publisher] 29 But the prayer of disbelievers is of no avail. -Al-Mu'min, 40:51 [Publisher]