Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 828
828 AL-ISTIFTA' SUPPLEMENT TO HAQIQATUL-WAḤI What is the matter with you that you are not grateful, but are instead turning away from guidance? Do you know that you will be left [to yourselves] uncontrolled? Every day is followed by its morrow. I have not come to you out of any selfish inclination, nor was I eager to make an appearance. Rather, I preferred to live an anonymous life quite like the dwellers of the graves. Despite my dislike for being known, my Lord made me go before the people, and despite my fleeing from fame and prominence, He illumined my name throughout the world. I spent a sizeable portion of my life in a manner that resembled a close secret, or a scared hedgehog, or an old, rusty bone buried beneath the earth, or an insignificant whit. God then bestowed upon me that which has made my opponents indignant. He honoured me graciously with His shining revelation, which incensed the ignorant. They were unjust and unfair and tried to outdo each other in aggression. Whirlwinds and great gales [of hatred] raged from them against me. But―O wise peo- ple!—you have witnessed their sad end. Now, after them, I invite you to Allah. If you accept, Allah will suffice for you, but if you reject, again, Allah is enough to reckon with you. Peace shall be upon him who fol- lows the guidance. O brave young people! May Allah's mercy be upon you. You are witnessing a great revolution in the world and watching a variety of Signs. The most unfortunate people in this age are the Muslims; their dominion has been snatched away from them and many of them are alienating themselves from the Faith. No calamity descends except upon them, and no misfortune befalls except upon their people; nor is there any innovation but is introduced among them. The world does not present its treasures to them except to dazzle their eyes. We see their youth—they have discarded the lifestyle of the Islamic nation and have obliterated the marks of the sunnah of the Prophet. They shave their beards, take pride in their moustaches and let them grow, along with dressing like the Christians. They are the unluckiest people under the canopy of the heavens, for whom the earth provides a shelter in this age. They turn away from the grace of Allah whenever it visits