The Victory of Islam — Page 29
H H A A D D R AT M IR Z A GHU L A M AH M AD R AT M IR Z A GHU L A M AH M AD 29 capabilities, barring any unforeseen obstacle. Certainly, he who has been granted the means and an open heart by Allah, the Lord of Glory, can help beyond his monthly contributions by donating a lump sum commensurate to the extent of his magnanimity and the measure of his means. My dear friends! My beloved ones! The flourishing branches of the tree of my existence! [You] who are entered into the bai‘at of my movement through the mercy of God Almighty which is upon you, and are sacrificing your life, your comfort, and your wealth in this cause! Although I know that you will consider it your blessing to comply with whatever I say—not hesitating up to your fullest capacity—I cannot verbally impose any fixed obli - gation upon you for this service, such that your services proceed not out of the compulsion of my directive, but out of your own free will. Who is my friend? And who is dear to me? Verily, he who rec - ognizes me. Who recognizes me? Only he, indeed, who holds the belief that I have been sent [by God] and accepts me in the same way as those who are sent are accepted. The world cannot accept me for I am not of this world, but those whose nature has been given a share of the other world accept me and will continue to do so. He who forsakes me, for - sakes Him who has sent me, and he who forges a bond with me, forges a bond with Him from whom I have come. I hold a lamp in my hand. He who comes to me will certainly partake of that light, but he who takes flight from me out of doubt and distrust will be flung into darkness. I am the impregnable fortress of this age. He who enters me shall protect his life against thieves, robbers, and beasts, but he who desires to live far from my walls faces death from every direction. Even his corpse will not remain safe.