Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 71
29 December 1904 71 the visible world, since other things have effects, then what is the reason there would not be effects within the spiritual realm, 1 wherein prayer is a most powerful instrument? It is true that everything falls within the Divine decree and destiny of God Almighty, but someone tell us to whom God Almighty has given that list from which it can all be known. Verily I say that no one can conquer these mysteries. We see in the material world that if a person is sick with constipation, he finds relief when given turbid or castor oil. Is this not clear proof that God Almighty has placed effects in things? There are others as well who similarly try out remedies. For example, those who engage in agriculture and those who go around offering treatments. They know very well that they have benefited from these measures and have seen different effects various things produce. Thus, since there are effects in these things, then what is the reason why there would be no effect in supplications, which are also hidden means and remedies? There are effects—absolutely there are!—but only a few peo- ple are aware and cognizant of these effects while the rest deny them. The Etiquette of Prayer I know for certain that there are many people in the world who get tired and give up on prayer while they are far from the point where prayer becomes effective, thereby concluding on their own that prayers have no effect. I say that this is their own fault and weakness. Unless there is enough potency, neither 1. From al-Badr: ‘In one aspect, they accept the dispositions of His power and deny it when they enter into the other’ ( Al-Badr, vol. 4, no. 2, 1 column, p. 2, dated 10 January 1905).