Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 367
5 September 1907 367 to recite them from his heart and soul? Some people continue to repeat from the tongue, َ هللا ُ أَسْتَغْفِر َ هللا ُ أَسْتَغْفِر [I seek Allah’s forgiveness] but do not understand its meaning. The meaning is to desire forgiveness of past sins with a sincere heart and to promise the avoidance of future sins, and along with it to appeal for God’s blessing and support. If istighf a r does not carry this reality, it has no purpose. Man’s excellence lies in him bowing in front of God before the arrival of God’s punishment, and to engage in seeking security from Him. To beseech [protection] after a calamity has struck and to say وَقِنَا وَقِنَا وَقِنَا وَقِنَا [and save us, and save us] is alike among all nations. At a time when the chastisement of God has engulfed from all sides, a Christian, an A rya, and even someone from the lowest caste will cry out, ‘O God, save us!’ If a believer also behaves the same way, then what is the difference between him and the others? The hallmark of the believer is that, having faith in the word of God Almighty, he pleads in front of God before the punishment arrives. Remember this and understand this point well, that a believer is the one who, before the chastisement strikes, believ- ing in the Divine word, considers the punishment to be already on the horizon, and supplicates for his safety. Look! A person who repents and engages in continuous prayers, shows mercy not only to himself but also to his family and near ones as they all can be protected for his sake. Similarly, if someone is negli- gent, he not only neglects himself but is malicious towards all his family. This is a precarious time. God’s wrathful fire is flaring. It is not known what will happen in the next season of the plague. His word informs me that there will be greater death than before. Therefore, O ye believers!