Seerat-i-Tayyiba — Page 38
38 wasted; and no matter how unpleasant a situation was created by a friend, we should always deal with him with the greatest forbearance and understanding. ” ( Seeratul Mahdi Part II, pg. 93 ) With reference to this report, Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali, who was a very devoted Companion of the Promised Messiah said that on this occasion Hazrat Ahmad also remarked that in case such a man was found lying dead drunk, he would carry him and try to bring him to his senses, but before the man regained consciousness, he would quietly slip away, so that the man should not feel embarrassed and ashamed at having been found in such a deplorable condition. This should not be taken to mean, however, that one should take evil-doers and drunkards for friends. The idea is that after a man has been accepted in friendship and he falls into weakness and becomes addicted to some bad habit, a sense of loyalty to the old friendship demands that he should not be shunned and abandoned for the future; rather, an attempt was to be made to bring about a reformation in him. The Ahmadis, who claim to follow Hazrat Ahmad, should here take stock of themselves, to see whether or not they stand on the moral heights pointed out by these reports. And it is also to be borne in mind that the pledge of Ahmadiyyat is deeper and firmer, and stronger, than that of a friendship of any other kind. The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) put the same idea very beautifully, though in different words. He said: ‘Help thy brother in faith irrespective of whether he is the transgressor or the one who is transgressed against. ” ( Bukharee) The Companions of the Holy Prophet asked: “O Prophet of God, we know what it is to help one who is the oppressed party; but how can we help the oppressor?” The Holy Prophet replied that the way to help an oppressor is to check him in his oppression, but the bond of brotherhood was to be honored in any case. 7 In Qadian there was a Hindu gentleman, Buddha Mal by name. He was an Arya Samajist of a very fanatical type, and he was always prominent in his