Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 279
5 August 1905 279 religion over the world, how would it have been possible for them to sacrifice their lives in the path of Allah? It is narrated that a Companion ra had some dates in his hand and was eat- ing them when he discovered that another Companion ra had become a martyr. He harshly rebuked himself, saying, ‘Your brother has become a martyr while you are still alive. ’ This was the state of their faith! I genuinely and honestly say that the world and religion cannot be embraced simultaneously. Yes, it can be a servant, but it can never be a partner. It has never happened that one with a pure connection with God Almighty went begging for food. Allah the Exalted shows mercy even to the progeny of such a one. So why do people unite opposites by setting such condi- tions when this is the case? Only those who respect the Pledge of Allegiance and prioritise religion over the world should be considered as having joined our Jam a ‘at. When a person moves towards Allah the Exalted, being faithful to this covenant, Allah the Exalted gives them strength. It is pleasing to see the condition of the Companions ra , how Allah cleansed and purified them. Look at Hadrat ‘Umar ra , how he was ultimately transformed after embracing Islam. Likewise, who knows who the people are in my Jam a ‘at whose faculties of faith will develop and flourish similarly? It is Allah the Exalted alone, who is the Knower of the Unseen. If there are no such people whose faculties grow and thrive to establish a Jam a ‘at, how could the [Ahmadiyya] Movement continue to function? But remember it well that the Jam a ‘at which does not advance for the sake of God is of no benefit. Taking a step for God is also easy if God Almighty is pleased with it and supports it with the Holy Spirit. These things do not come into being until one sacrifices one’s self and acts upon: