Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 112
112 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad community is referred to as a nation occupying the middle position (ummatan wasatan). The question as to why the teaching of the Gospel or Torah are not balanced and lean to one extreme or the other is no means for criticism against God Almighty, nor can we say that these teachings are contrary to the dictates of wisdom. The meaning of wisdom is ٖ ٗہ ِ � ٰل ََحَ ِم ِْفِْی ِ ًء َْیْ َّش� َاَل ُُْع َض َوَ (to place a thing at its appropriate place) and so the requirements of wisdom in those previous times were in line with the respective teachings. As I have mentioned, punishment at a time that calls for it is also wisdom, and forgiveness at a time when forgiveness is needed is wisdom as well. As such, at that time the peoples’ dispositions were shaped in such a way that it was necessary for the teachings in question to focus on one aspect. The children of Israel were enslaved under the Pharaoh of their time for a period of 400 years, and for this reason the habits and customs of those people had a very strong effect on the children of Israel. It is a matter of principle that the ways and practices of the ruler and the laws by which a country is ruled have an effect on the citizens. In fact, these factors even influence their religious beliefs. This is why it has been said: ْ ُم ِ ُھ ِ َک ُْوْ ٰل ُ ِم ِ ْن ِْیْ َد ْی َٰلٰ ْع ُسُ ْا َ � َلْن َاَ The people follow the way of their kings. In the time of Sikh rule, the common people were greatly influenced and peo - ple became accustomed to daylight robbery and violence. Hari Singh and others would even rob wedding processions. Similarly, living as slaves under the people of Pharaoh, the children of Israel lost all regard for justice. They were always sub - jected to cruelty and so eventually, they began to perpetrate tyranny and cruelty as well. Therefore, in order to reform them, clearly the first step was to teach them about justice. This is why they were given the teaching of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. As a result, they became so firm in this teaching that ultimately they began to think that the heart of the divine law was retribution. They felt it was their religious obligation to seek revenge otherwise they would be commit - ting a sin. Therefore, when the Messiah, peace be upon him, appeared, he found the children of Israel in this state and taught extreme forgiveness. For if he had not imparted a teaching that emphasised forgiveness to a greater degree than the extent to which they were firm in their inclination towards revenge, his teaching would not have proven effectual. So the entire essence of his teaching revolved around this central theme. Hence, in view of these factors and reasons, although p. 385