Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 411
3 May 1908 411 grandeur of God comes to dominate their hearts. And in this way, He prepares a community of people with pious hearts. The condition that destroys sin comes into being only thus, when God manifests His glory and awe to the world, and a dreadful manifestation visits the world showing His grandeur and dominion. Just as a terrifying thunderstorm that unleashes frightening thunder and blinding flashes [of lightning] in it, overwhelms and overawes the hearts, similarly, brandishing the awe-inspiring attributes of God during the time of His appoin- tee succeeds in triggering a pious transformation in the world. Look, if a person comes to you in a very ragged and wretched condition, you would not be swayed by him, even if, in reality, he was a king, and you would not give his coming any importance. In fact, if he tries to say something, you would not pay attention to him out of contempt. But if the same person comes with all his royal pomp and show, and kingly might and majesty, you would be compelled to receive him with honour. You would have to show respect and obeisance. And you would be obliged to pay attention to him and be prepared to carry out his commands. So the same is the case with the cognizance of God. When one does not even have the cognizance of God Almighty, how can he bring about the humility and submis- siveness that is the very essence of worship? How true it is: ٓاانن ہک اعرف رت ادن رتاسن رت [‘The most knowledgeable are the most fearful’]. I have not told you all this in vain. On the contrary. God is present even now as He was in the times of the Vedas, the Torah, and the New Testament. And He still hears even now as He used to hear in the past ages, and He still speaks now as He used to speak in those ages. And it is to prove exactly this that I have come into the world.