Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 30
30 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Holiness, on whom be peace and blessings, said: “This is an attack on the inten - tions of others. I have explained many times the purpose behind my photograph being taken. The fact of the matter is that it was my intention to propagate the Faith to European lands, and especially London. However, since these people do not turn their attention to an invitation or message until they are aware of the circumstances of the individual in question—and for this purpose they have progressed remarkably in the science of physiognomy—they develop an opinion about the righteousness and spiritual influence of a person by looking at their portrait and studying their features and characteristics. Similarly, this gives them an opportunity to establish a view in many other respects as well. Therefore, this was the actual objective and intention but these people, who for no reason seek to oppose me in everything, have spread terrible propaganda and deceived the world. I proclaim that the reason aforementioned was the sole objective in having my picture taken. If these people consider photos in themselves to be objection - able, then they should have no coins in their possession. In fact, it would be better for them to pluck out their eyes too, because they too reflect various images. These foolish people do not even realise that intentions are of chief importance in one’s actions. They read the words: ِتِ ْا َ � ْی ِ � ْاَلْن ُِلُ ِب ْا ََْعَْم ْ َاََاْل Yet they do not understand it. After all, if someone were to offer their Prayer for the purpose of ostentation, would anyone deem this to be a good deed? Everyone knows that such a Prayer would be of no benefit; in fact, this would be a curse. So would this mean that Prayer is an evil deed? Of course not; the incorrect use of Prayer resulted in an evil outcome. In the same manner the objective in mind with my photo was to support the cause of inviting people to Islam, keeping in view the disposition of the Europeans. To equate this with the concept known as the visualisation of the spiritual mentor and to turn this into something else is a calumny. Those who are Muslims ought not to have become angry at this; all that God and His Messenger sas have stated is true. If the words of certain sufi leaders are not in accordance with God and His Messenger sas , then as the Persian saying goes: ‘throw what is faulty back in the face of he who brought it. ’ If someone were to ask, there is nothing that would support the concept known as the visualisa - tion of the spiritual mentor. The truth is, however, that love for the righteous and those who are annihilated in Allah is an excellent thing, but one must be mindful p. 305 ِ ِظفحُکُ َِْيَْن ُق ِ ْد ٰ ْلَص َُْوْ َمََع َّن ُكُْوْ ُِعُْوِْنِْيْ ُيُْحِْبِْبُْكُُمُ ُهللُ ْب َّتَ ََف َ ُهلل َُْوَْن ْب ِ ْح ُ َّت ْ ُم ُُكُْنُْت ْ َن ِ ُْقُْل