Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 181
Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I STATUS OF KHALIFA 181 sworn allegiance to me is: You are under obligation to follow my directions; I am under no obligation to seek directions from you. I am very apprehensive lest you may be tried. That you may cease to be in accord is a contingency more frightening than the bursting of a bomb or a severe earthquake. It is easy to give hasty utterance to a sentiment, but it is most difficult to retract it. Some of you say that they are not seeking to limit my authority, but wish to clarify and define the authority of my Successor. But they do not reflect that he may be greater than Ab u Bakr ra and Hadrat Mirza Sahib as. I had it in mind to take a certain step today, but have been restrained by God. I am overwhelmed by His wisdom and His judgment. Those of you who suffer from shortcomings should strive to overcome them. I do not expel them from the community as there may be a chance of their getting rid of their misunderstandings, and I would not deprive them of it. I exhort all of you to discard all feelings of rancour and envy. If a matter bearing upon security or fear should arise, do not bruit it about; but when it is settled you may publish it. I tell you that you will have to conform to all this, willingly or unwillingly. If you submit willingly it would be the better for you. I admonish you to your good. May Allah, the Exalted, help you and me to continue to tread along the path of guidance, and bring all of us to a good end. " 76