Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 4
Malf uza t - English translation of Urdu Volume 8 4 and possess knowledge of physiognomy and benefit there- from, may be able to derive a spiritual benefit from it. Because the type of prohibition that applies to images is not univer- sally applicable; on the contrary, sometimes, if the mujtahid 1 sees that a benefit exists without any loss, then he can use it as needed. Permission was granted because of this particular need of Europe. Accordingly, some letters came from Europe and America in which it was written that by looking at the photograph, it appears as if this is precisely that very Messiah. Similarly, an image can sometimes prove very helpful in diag- nosing a disease. In the Shariah, every matter that comes under 2 اَم ُعَفْنَي َساَّنلا اَم ُعَفْنَي َساَّنلا [that which benefits men] is permitted to remain for much longer. However, these cards upon which the photo- graph is made should not be purchased. Pictures are the root of idolatry. When a person believes in someone, he tends to pay some reverence to the picture as well. Avoid such things and stay away from them, lest disaster befall our Community at its very inception. I have recorded this prohibition in a book that is under print. I am extremely angry with those people in the Jam a ‘at who do such things; God is angry with them. Nevertheless, should anyone’s soul be profited through any means, then that method is exempt. (A card with a photograph was shown) Upon seeing it, the Promised Messiah as said: ‘This is absolutely forbidden. ’ A person brought a bundle of such cards and showed them, saying that as he bought these commercially for sale, what should he do now? The Promised Messiah as said: 1. Mujtahid is a term used in Islamic jurisprudence to refer to a scholar who is qualified to interpret and derive legal rulings from the Islamic sources, in- cluding the Holy Quran, Sunnah, and consensus of scholars. [Publisher] 2. S u rah ar-Ra‘d, 13:18 [Publisher]