Life of Ahmad — Page 43
as EARLY LIFE 43 But his heart was not in these things and he did not always please. The divisional commissioner was once coming to Qadian and Ahmad as was desired by his father to go out a distance of three or four miles to receive the high official, as people generally did in the country. But the idea was repugnant to Ahmad’s as nature. He was civil but not servile. He might have gone out because of filial loyalty, but he happened to be indisposed at the time and could not do so. His father was, therefore, displeased with him although he knew perfectly well that his son was obedient and above all pious and righteous. Indeed, he would sometimes say that the manner in which Ahmad as was living was the best and only way but that worldly considerations made him anxious for his son’s future. As a matter of fact Mirza Ghulam Murtaza was very much disappointed in this respect. He looked upon Ahmad as as a stranger in the family, a guest who merely shared his table. He did not think that Ahmad as could manage affairs like his or have any dealings with men of this world. This often led him to express himself even in harsh and bitter words. He earnestly desired that Ahmad as should strive to better his worldly fortune. But God had designed other eminence for him. His mind felt more and more inclined to God. Indeed, he preferred to be left in the privacy of his own thoughts. He found all his pleasure in seclusion and obscurity. He coveted neither worldly nor religious fame and desired to lead the life of a