A Gift for Baghdad — Page 55
Reply to the Announcement & Letter 55 news, or are you among the indolent? Has the mischief of the disbelievers not intensified? Has the time not come for the ful- filment of the [prophetic] narrations? Has disorder not become widespread throughout villages, countries, and continents? Has the time not come for the mercy of the Most Merciful One? Has the might of the wicked not become manifest in this time of darkness, leaving us beleaguered? Observe, O brother of mine, how mankind has become enveloped by darkness, injustice, and oppression. We are fright- ened on all sides by a clamour of sharp sounds and voices wail- ing and lamenting all around us. We have been afflicted by wretchedness. The disbelievers’ assault has been like a sweeping destruction, obliterating all traces of godliness and righteous- ness. Such calamities have befallen us that would make the mountains crumble. The earth has become filled with polythe- ism, falsehood, lies, and repulsive deeds. The ranks of the wicked appear as far as the eye can see. On observing the weakness of Islam during these times, I shed tears of agony like a woman in labour. I could see the paths leading to destruction and I waited for the help of Allah, the Omniscient, to arrive. It was at this time that Divine providence was manifested for me and I felt the breeze of the Provider’s grace. I was given glad tidings through revelations of the high- est degree, like the glad tidings of a son given to an expectant mother. At this I rejoiced and became delighted, following which I was commanded to distribute these blessings to my associates, placing my complete trust in Allah alone. However, they accused me of disbelief, cursed me, abused me, hurt me,