Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 483
17 October 1907 483 Afflictions and Hardships are Essential The Promised Messiah as said: It is extremely necessary that afflictions and hardships are encountered. No Prophet has passed who was not tested. When someone’s loved one passes away, it is a very trying time. But remember that the people who incline towards one aspect are idolaters. After all, the meaning of taking a step towards God, and truly making the supplication of: 1 اَنِدْهِا َطاَرِّصلا َمْيِقَتْسُمْلا اَنِدْهِا َطاَرِّصلا َمْيِقَتْسُمْلا is, ‘O God! Show us that path that would please You—the path that the Prophets traversed to achieve success and prosperity. ’ Thus, when a supplication is made to tread the path of the Prophets, then one should also be prepared for trials and tests, and should go on seeking help from God for steadfastness. A person who desires good health and security; expansion of property and wealth; means of all kinds for a life of luxury and pleasure; financial and personal comfort; not to undergo any trial, and on top of this for God to be pleased with him, such a one is a simpleton and can never attain success. It has always been the case with the people with whom God was pleased that they were put through a multitude of trials and faced diverse afflictions and hardships. Observe what a trying trial Prophet Abraham as faced and after him the same situation was met by all Prophets. Then the time of our Noble Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, came. Observe, following his birth he became an 1. Guide us in the right path ( S u rah al-F a ti h ah, 1:6). [Publisher]