Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 127
Lecture Ludhiana 127 on. If calamities cannot be averted through such means, then why this spontaneous human reaction? No. A calamity is averted [in this way], and this fact is borne out by the collective example of 124,000 Prophets. And I know with certainty that this is not only the belief of Muslims, but the Jews, Christians, and Hindus also hold the same belief. According to my understanding, no one on the face of this earth denies this. This being the case, it becomes clearly apparent that [under such circumstances] the Divine Will is averted. The only difference between a prophecy and the Divine Will is that news of a prophecy is communicated to a Prophet, whereas no one is apprised of the Will of God. That remains a secret. If that same Will of God were to be made manifest through a Prophet, it would become a prophecy. If a proph- ecy cannot be averted, the Will of God, too, cannot be averted through charity and almsgiving. But this is totally wrong since forewarning prophecies can be averted. That is why He says: 1 َوْنِا ُكَّي اًقِداَص ْمُكْبِصُّي ُضْعَب ْيِذَّلا ْمُكُدِعَي َوْنِا ُكَّي اًقِداَص ْمُكْبِصُّي ُضْعَب ْيِذَّلا ْمُكُدِعَي Now, Allah the Exalted Himself testifies that some of the prophecies of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, were also averted. If such an objection is raised against some prophecy of mine, then give a reply to this. If you reject me on this ground, you will be deemed to be rejecting Allah the Exalted, not me. I state with com- plete confidence that this is the recognized view of the entire 1. If he is truthful, then some of that which he threatens you with will surely befall you ( S u rah al-Mu’min, 40:29). [Publisher]