Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 289
11 April 1908 289 The fact of the matter is that, at times, the overwhelming love of this world can also strip one of his faith. It is a dangerous and toxic affliction to become excessively engrossed in worldly affairs and to assign so much importance to worldly matters so that no concern is left for religion, faith, and the Hereafter. This age is the one about which the Noble Messenger s as said, ‘Go to the tops of mountains or cling to the tree trunks and try to save your faith from the perils of that age in any way possible. ’ Therefore, if an Ahmadi has no other Ahmadi close to him, he should offer the Salat [Prayer] by himself under these trying times and should try and supplicate that God might make him a community. Sometimes it is Necessary to be Stern The fact is that a believer ought to show deference to the sta- tus of people even while preaching the Faith. He should not be harsh and rude if the occasion demands gentleness. However, it is a sin to be gentle when success does not seem possible without sternness. 1 [Persian proverb:] ی ق ي � ه ینک زدن ن رگ ِظفح رمابت � [‘If you do not pay due regard to the status of people, then you are faithless’]. Look how manifestly a confirmed disbeliever Pharaoh was, yet Moses was admonished 2 اَلْوُقَف ٗهَل اًلْوَق اًنِّيَّل اَلْوُقَف ٗهَل اًلْوَق اًنِّيَّل. There is also a similar commandment for the Noble Messenger s as mentioned in the Holy Quran: 1. From Badr: It is not appropriate to deal gently with a critic who persistently raises objections despite adequate explanations ( Badr, vol. 7 , no. 16, p. 4, dat- ed 23 April 1908). 2. Address him both of you, with gentle words ( S u rah Ta H a , 20:45). [Publisher]