Fazl-e-Umar — Page 219
Fazle Umar 219 H A d H R AT A P PA S A R A b E G UM S A H I b A When Hadhrat Musleh Mau’ood [ra] married Hadhrat Appa Sara Begum his considerations once again were its benefit to the Community and a strong desire to promote the spiritual over the worldly. He announced the engagement on 12 April 1925 and led the marriage ceremony (Nikah) himself in which he elaborated the reasons behind this undertaking. He stated that this endeavour did not create that excitement observed in most people. He did not have the stamina to take a young woman and train her to a level where she could carry out the work of the Organisation according to his wishes. The interests of the Community and his responsibilities as its Head made it incumbent upon him to take another wife. Although he was unwilling, he pondered over it, sought advice from friends and requested them to offer the Istikhara prayers seeking guid- ance from God Almighty while offering them himself. Finally, his mind was diverted towards the higher purpose. He states: “…my own thought was turned towards this that to inculcate the habit of higher learning among women and to create a strong bond between them and the Organisation, I should marry a woman who should be educated and whom I could train to carry out the duties of education. ” Some members suggested beautiful women others highly educated women however, because the Organisation was in dire need of religious education, he settled upon this engagement. However, he reiterated his love for the late Hadhrat Amtul Hai. He stated: “I have not forgotten my loss and to this day, I have not offered a single obliga- tory prayer in which I have not prayed for the late Amtul Hai…Seldom is there a soul who keeps alive the memory of the deceased. However, God has blessed me with loyalty and faithfulness…I believe that to keep alive the memory of