Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page xxxiii
Preface xxxiii the Exalted provided the means to safeguard the revelations and malf u- za t [sayings and discourses] of both. Of all the Messengers of Allah this was an excellence only attained by these two holy beings. Therefore, we should render thanks to Allah the Exalted for preserving the blessed malf uza t of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, for us and our future generations until the Day of Judgment. Consequently, how abso- lutely unfortunate are those friends who do not attempt to attain any benefit from these spiritual sweets, and—out of utter carelessness—fail to express gratitude for the blessings of Almighty Allah. May Allah the Exalted grant them the ability to appreciate this Divine blessing. Like the previous volumes of the blessed Malf uza t, this volume also encompasses various types of spiritual nourishment. There is no aspect of life concerning which guidance is not contained within it. In this volume, in some places the Jam a ‘at is exhorted to make supplica- tions, and in some places explanations of the true nature of the Wuj u d i [everything is God] and the Shuh u d i [everything is from God] sects are set forth. At other places, there is a discussion on supplications after Prayers and tasb ih [glorification of Allah], and related issues and the path of self-purification are described. Then there are discussions on the philosophy of morals in some places, on worship in others, and the importance of observing purdah in the context of women’s reforma- tion also finds mention, and so on. In short, like a perfect guide and true Mu s le h [Reformer], when- ever he saw any weakness among the members of his Jam a ‘at, he advised them accordingly, and sometimes he directed attention forcefully towards the actions needed to attain lofty spiritual ranks. For example, while encouraging supplication, he said: Understand with certainty that supplication is a great treasure. The person who does not abandon supplication will not face adversity in their faith and worldly affairs. He is protected in a fortress that is surrounded by vigilant armed soldiers constantly on guard. ( Malf uza t, vol. 6, p. 344 [Urdu edition])