Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 171
Malfuzat - Volume I 171 Muhammadsa and it was for this reason that all the excellences of prophethood in its completest form reached their pinnacle in him. It is an established fact that everything comes to an end when the primary purpose for which it exists reaches its climax. For example, when each and every point in a book has been expounded completely, the book comes to an end, as it were. Similarly, the primary purpose of messengership and prophethood was completely achieved in the person of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; this is the meaning of 'the seal of prophethood. ' For this is a system which advanced with time and reached its final limit through the perfect man. 1 The 'Greatest Name' of Man is Steadfastness I also wish to expound that steadfastness (istiqamat), which I have alluded to earlier, is synonymous with what the Sufis describe in their own terminology as complete annihilation of the inner self for God (fana). The Sufis also interpret the verse (Guide us in the right path) in the context of fana, which means that the soul, fervour and desires of man, become wholly devoted to Allah Almighty, and the emotions and inner desires of man die completely. Certain people who do not give precedence to the will and desire of Allah Almighty over their own will and desire, often leave the world without even having their worldly passions and desires fulfilled. Our late brother, Mirza Ghulam Qadir, would often remain engaged in legal suits. He was always so engrossed and absorbed by these cases that ultimately this litigation took its toll on his health and he passed away. I have seen many others as well who give more importance to their own objectives than to God. Ultimately, they fail to attain the objective of their own inner desires as well-which they gave precedence to― and instead of gaining benefit, suffer loss. If one reflects over Islam it becomes evident that failure is only caused when a person stands on falsehood. When God Almighty begins to turn away from a person, His wrath descends upon such people and this results in their failure and lack of success. Especially when those who possess insight, incline towards worldly objectives with all their zeal and desires, Allah the Almighty leaves them with their desires unrealised. However, the fortunate always keep the worthy principle in mind, which is the principle of being conscious of death. They realise that just as their mother and father have passed away, and other elders of the family have left this world, so too, one day they will also be faced with death. al-Fatihah, 1:6