Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 315
27 April 1908 315 Test of Faith Upon mention of exams taken by students, the Promised Messiah as observed: ُ ُهَان ی ْ ُكْرَم ُ الْمَرْء ُ أَو ی ِ عِنْدَالْإِمْتِحَان [‘It is through a trial that man is hon- oured or debased’]. The students are, in fact, excusable. The hardships of exams are rather arduous. When the worldly exams are so difficult, what would be the situation with spiritual tri- als? How much one prepares for worldly exams, how much he is worried and anxious about them, and how much strenuous effort he endures! Is there anything that people do not worry about at all? Yes, the trials of faith. Is there anything no one makes any efforts for? Yes, it is for the trials of faith that no one makes any preparation. Allah the Exalted says: 1 َبِسَحَا ُساَّنلا ْنَا اْۤوُكَرْتُّي ْنَا اْۤوُلْوُقَّي اَّنَمٰا َو ْمُه اَل َنْوُنَتْفُي َبِسَحَا ُساَّنلا ْنَا اْۤوُكَرْتُّي ْنَا اْۤوُلْوُقَّي اَّنَمٰا َو ْمُه اَل َنْوُنَتْفُي Allah the Exalted also draws attention towards an exam. One should show some concern for it too. It is essential to make some preparations for this exam as well. Look, the Reformer who comes at the head of each century is, indeed, a trial from Allah the Exalted. Now, at this time also, Muslims are being put to a test. God has sent an Appointed One and has proven to the world, by showing radiant Signs of thousands of earthly and heavenly miracles and support for him, that he is from God Almighty. At this time, too, the faith of the people is being tested. At this 1. Do men think that they will be left alone because they say, ‘We believe,’ and that they will not be put to trial? ( S u rah al-‘Ankab u t, 29:3) [Publisher]