Lecture Sialkot — Page 53
L ECTURE S IALKOT 53 by the impure passions of the baser self that he finds himself unable to follow the path which the preacher and the guide wishes him to tread and at times his own inherent weakness holds him back. This is why Divine wisdom has made it essential that those who are chosen by God should be accompanied by signs of His succour. Such signs are manifested in the form of Divine mercy and at times in the shape of Divine chastisement, and it is because of such signs that the chosen ones are known as Bash i r 32 and Nadh i r. 33 But only such believers partake of these signs of mercy as do not show arrogance at the com- mand of God and do not look down upon the Messengers of God with disdain and contempt. They recognize them with their God-given intuition and, holding fast to the path of righteousness, are not over obstinate, nor do they shun these Messengers out of worldly pride or a false sense of dignity. Instead, when they realize that a person has appeared at the appropriate time in keeping with the example of Prophets as ; and that he beckons people towards God; and that in all likelihood the message is true; and that in him are present the signs of Divine succour, right- eousness and honesty; and that, judged by the 32 Bearer of glad-tidings [Publishers] 33 Warner [Publishers]