The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 163
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI names is a matter of reflection of light and blessings of the Holy. Prophet. For the benefit of those Ulemas (divines) who have a habit of taking literal meaning of everything and are superficial, we quote the following words of the Promised Messiah: "No one should be troubled with Fhe idea how a humble follower of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, could become a sharer in his names and qualities or praises. . Without a doubt it is true that even a prophet cannot become a sharer in an equal degree in the holy excellencies of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Even the angels cannot be his equals, let alone that anyone else should have any share in his excellencies. But, O seeker after truth, may Allah guide you, listen to this with attention, that God Almighty, desiring that the blessings of the Holy Prophet should continue to be manifested throughout and that the perfect rays of his light and of his acceptance by God should continue to confound his opponents and to silence them, has, of His mercy and wisdom, ordained that he manifests the blessings of His accepted messenger through the humble personalities of some of his followers who obey him completely, with utter humility and lowliness and by falling on the threshold of servitude they are completely lost to themselves. They are so honoured as God finds them utterly devoted to the Holy Prophet, so much so that they become like a clear mirror for the reflection of those blessings. The praise bestowed on them by. Allah and the signs and blessings and effects that are manifested by them in reality belong to the Holy Prophet himself and issue from him. In truth and in its perfection that praise is appropriate only to the Holy Prophet and he is its perfect example, but as he who completely follows the practice of the Holy Prophet becomes a reflection of that illumined personality on account of his complete obedience and utter devotion, the divine lights that are manifested in that holy personality are also exhibited in his reflection. The manifestation in a reflection of that characterizes the original is a matter that is not hidden from anyone. It is true, however, that the shadow is not established in itself and does not possess any excellence in reality. Whatever is found in it is a picture of the 163