The Heavenly Sign — Page 39
39 greatly displease my dear people by giving this testimony and shall also get a liberal share of the edicts of disbelief that are being distributed by the Ulema. I know that my brethren will boycott with me and I will become the butt of taunts and abuse and sneers. But, I am also certain that if I conceal this evidence at this time of trial and tribulation, I will displease my God and will be guilty of a grave sin and will be thrown into the bottomless pit of blazing fire. I have, therefore, weighed both kinds of loss and have come to the conclusion that the former outcome—that the notables among my brethren might desert me or the Ulema might write edicts against me and declare me an infidel—is too trivial and unimportant. I am now an old man and my end is near. It would be most unfortunate of me if, at this age, I were to fear anyone but Allah. I am indeed terrified of committing what constitutes transgression and disbelief in the sight of Allah and I truly fear the fire of Hell, which I can not bear at all. Why should I then, for the sake of this transient world and out of fear of the Ulema and my community, earn for myself shame and disgrace on the Day of Judgement? I pray to Allah, the Exalted that I may die a believer. I will never tell a lie. If He is pleased with me, then every worldly disgrace is to me an honour and every suffering a joy. I am not afraid of being separated from my brethren for the sake of Allah, for I am now in the latter part of my life. Death has separated me from many of my relatives and very soon I too will leave this transitory world and bid