Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 58
58 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad are of two kinds. Certain people are blessed with excellent faculties, and are filled with capacities that make them open to receive blessings and guidance, like a bot- tle brimming with perfume. This may be likened to a wick and oil, which needs no more than a spark. A small flick is enough to ignite it and set it alight. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was a man whose nature possessed the fuel and wick of goodness. And so, the pure teaching of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, touched him immediately and set him alight. He did not argue with the Holy Prophet sa at all; he did not ask to be shown any sign or miracle. As soon as he heard that the Holy Prophet sa had made his claim, all that he asked was: ‘Do you claim to be a Prophet?’ When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, replied in the affirmative, he proclaimed: ‘Bear witness that I am the first to believe. ’ Thinking Well of Others and Patience Experience tells us that those who are particular about asking questions rarely attain guidance. However, those who think well of others and show patience fully partake of guidance. An example of this can be seen in Abu Bakr ra and Abu Jahl. Abu Bakr ra did not argue, nor demand a sign, but he was granted that which those who demanded signs were left without. He witnessed sign upon sign and in fact, he became a magnificent sign himself. Abu Jahl, on the other hand, argued, and did not refrain from his opposition and ignorance. He witnessed sign upon sign, but could not see. Ultimately, he became a sign for others and died as an oppo- nent. This clearly demonstrates that those whose dispositions are illuminated with the light of faith do not require long explanations. They grasp the essence with a slight indication alone. Their hearts are filled with light and as soon as these people hear, they are illuminated, and the divine power that lies within them is ignited and nurtured. Those who lose this strength are left deprived and ruined. This is the custom that we have always observed since time immemo- rial. Now everyone ought to be fearful. If in any era a divinely commissioned one is raised for the reformation of the people, those who are inclined to accept him and believe in him are blessed. However, those who feel an aversion in their hearts and whose hearts are not inclined to accept him ought to have fear, as these are signs of an evil end and a means of deprivation. Know for certain—and this is a secret—that those who do not accept after wit- nessing signs and arguments in favour of the truth, and those who do not think p. 52