Tadhkirah — Page 150
150 your appearance. ’ I replied to you: ‘No, that would be an innovation. ’ On this those people were affronted and withdrew to a neighbouring house and perhaps you were also with them. Then I went to that house so that I might lead them in Prayer. They again said with dismay: ‘We have already performed the Prayer. ’ Then I decided to withdraw from them and to leave them alone, and stepped out. I felt that one of them was following me. When I looked, I found that it was you. Now, though details in a dream are not always definite and reliable and, if He so wills, God can even change His conditional decrees, I am apprehensive lest, God forbid, it should be your town. You should not pay much heed to the eagerness and devotion of people. True devotion, such as should withstand all trials and stumbling, is to be found only in one out of hundreds of thousand. . . . It would be better if you do not insist too much on helping this humble one, as this might lead to many risky situations. I do not follow the way of the common ascetics and devotees, nor do I spend my time according to their custom and habit. Indeed, I am unfamiliar and far away from their mode. . 172 [Makt uba t-e-Ahmadiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 72–73, Letter dated January 18, 1884, addressed to M i r ‘Abb a s ‘Al i ] About February 1884 I remember that about three months ago my son 173 wrote to me that he had appeared in the competitive examination for the post of ta hsi ld a r and he asked me to pray that he might be successful and emphasized his request with great 172 Allah will bring about that which He wills. [Publishers] 173 Refers to Kh a n Bah a dur Mirz a Sul ta n Ahmad [Jalal-ud-Din Shams]