The Need for the Imam — Page 51
Darūrat-ul-Imam 51 Imam of the age? I do not mind pledging Bai'at to anyone, but the object of Bai'at is to acquire spiritual knowledge and to fortify one's faith. Tell me, then, what spiritual knowledge would you teach to those who pledge Bai'at to you, and what verities of the Holy Quran will you disclose to them? Please come and demonstrate the wonders of your Imāmat, and we will gladly pledge Bai 'at at your hand. 46 حضرت ناصح گر آئیں دیدہ و دل فرش راہ پر کوئی مجھ کو تو سمجھائے کہ سمجھا ئینگے کیا I proclaim to one and all that whatever God has be- stowed upon me serves as a sign of my Imāmat. I am ready to surrender myself in Bai'at to anyone who exhibits these signs of Imāmat, and proves that he surpasses me in these qualities. But God's promises are immutable. No one can defy Him. Some twenty years ago the following revelation was recorded in Brāhīn-e-Ahmadiyya. الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ - لِتُنْذِرَ قَوْمًا مَا أُنْذِرَ آبَاؤُهُمْ وَلِتَسْتَبِيْنَ سَبِيْلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ وَ أَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ 47 46 The revered admonisher is welcome-I am all eyes and ears for him; But pray someone tell me what advice he will dole out! [Publishers] 47 The most Gracious One has taught thee the Quran so that thou mightst warn a people whose ancestors have not been