Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 46
46 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad manner, belief in the unseen is also an aspect of faith which, although beyond the physical eyes, becomes manifest through the practical state of an individual. At present, belief in the unseen has become extremely weak. If people truly believed in God, why do they not possess a thirst for truth and rectitude, which is the hallmark of faith? The Power of Faith It is faith which moves a person to bear hardships on the path of God, and to become fully prepared to endure trials and tribulations in His cause. Faith is a power that grants one true courage and resolve. This example can be found in the lives of the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with all of them. When they accepted the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, what gave them the hope of receiving spiritual reward for joining a seemingly weak and helpless man? All that a worldly eye could see was that after joining this one man, all the surrounding peoples became enemies. As far as this community was con- cerned, it was inevitable that a mountain of hardships and afflictions would fall upon them and crush them, and they would perish. But these people possessed another eye as well, which saw these trials and tribulations as though they were nothing, and which made them feel that it was a means of pleasure and tranquil- lity to die in this cause. This eye saw what was completely hidden and imper- ceptible by the eyes of those who viewed the apparent. This was the eye of faith and the power of faith, which made all this pain and suffering seem insignificant. Ultimately, it was faith that prevailed. Indeed, it was a miracle of faith that he who was the target of ridicule, and who was deemed weak and helpless, raised— through the power of faith—this community of followers to remarkable heights. That spiritual reward, which was hidden initially, later became so manifest that the world witnessed it and was able to perceive that it was indeed the fruit of their faith. It was by the gift of faith that the community of the companions did not tire, nor lose strength. In fact, moved by the power of faith, they made the great- est, most magnificent achievements; and after all this, they would say that they had not done as much as they should have. Faith granted the companions such strength that putting forward their necks and laying down their lives was insignif- icant, and all this at a time when the Muslims were yet to see any concrete results. Just observe the kinds of hardship and affliction that the Muslims endured at the hands of their enemies merely for proclaiming: p. 40