Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 237
left idle, it becomes useless. Malfuzat - Volume I 237 Yogis, ascetics and the like from among the Hindus who are left unable to have intimate relations with women become as such on two accounts. Either they have indulged in illicit relations abundantly, or they have completely abandoned any and all relations with women. There are thousands of such examples, where if a part of the body is not used, it ultimately becomes lifeless. At the present time, the swords of the pen are being wielded against us and the arrows of allegations are being rained upon us. It is our responsibility to ensure that we do not leave our faculties idle and we must sharpen the spears of our pens for the sake of God's pure religion and to prove the truthfulness of the prophethood of God's Chosen Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This responsibility falls upon us more than anyone else especially when Allah the Exalted has granted us the greatest opportunity, as we have been born under the British rule. Gratitude is Part of My Nature Those ignorant people who are oblivious to the principle of showing gratitude to a benefactor for their favours equate such of my statements and writings to flattery. However, my God knows best that it is impossible for me to flatter any person on earth-it is not in my nature. Of course, to show gratitude for a favour is a part of my nature. God Almighty, by His grace, has kept me free of the impure traces of ingratitude and disloyalty. I appreciate the favours of the British govern- ment and deem it a divine favour that in order to grant us deliverance from the oppressive era of the Sikhs, God sent from thousands of miles afar, a just govern- ment to rule over us. If this empire had not been present now, I truthfully say I would not have been able to even direct my attention towards these allegations, let alone respond to them. In the present circumstances, I am at complete liberty to respond to these allegations. If then, I were to show disregard for this favour of Allah Almighty, you could be sure that I was immensely ungrateful and unappreciative. I have been granted the opportunity to reflect and contemplate, to immerse myself in prayer, and in this way the gates of divine grace have been opened to me. Although Allah Almighty is the fountainhead of grace, man becomes able through his own effort to an extent and then receives divine grace in accordance with his individual capacity and ability. It is a matter of joy that due to this opportunity, the people