Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 203
THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM, 2°3 should extend his greetings to me. Such money as came from you to me in token of your personal homage I used to send to Maulvi Muhammad Ali, up to last April. Then someone misled him and he said that this money was theirs and that they were its custodians. Thereupon, seeking the pleasure of Allah, I stopped sending this money to him so that I might see what they would do. He who said this was in great error, and was guilty of disrespect. He should repent; I repeat he should repent while there is still time. If such people do not repent it will be the worse for them. . Since that time I do not hand over to them such money as is presented to me as a personal gift. I put it away and spend it on purposes that should win the pleasure of Allah. For my own person and my dependents I do not depend upon your money, nor has God Almighty ever made me dependent upon you. He provides for me and provides very richly out of His hidden treasures. I can still exercise the profession that He has taught me. Keep well in mind, and I repeat, that I am not dependent upon your money, nor do I demand it from you. If you remit any amount to me I spend it ae<;:ording to my understanding in seeking the pleasure of Allah. What is it, then, for which I could have wished to become your spiritual preceptor? God Almighty did whatever He willed. Neither you nor anyone else can do anything about it. Learn to be respectful for this is a blessed way for you. Take fast hold of this rope of Allah. This is also Allah's rope which has bound you all together. Keep fast hold of it. Remember, it is not within your power to set me aside. If you find any fault in me invite my attention to it, but in a respectful manner. It is not for man to make anyone a Khalifa, it is God's own business. . . . If I have been made Khalifa this is God's doing, in accordance with His design. It is true that He has made me Khalifa for your good. No power can set aside a Khalifa appointed by God. No one of you has the power or strength to set me aside. If God Almighty wills to set me aside He will cause me to die. You must commit this matter to God. You have not the strength to set me aside. I am not grateful to any of you. The person who says that he has made me Khalifa utters a falsehood. I find it painful to hear, as someone has said, that this is the age of Parliaments and constitu- tions; that a constitution has been put in force in Iran and Portugal, and that a Parliament has been set up in Turkey. I say that such a one who describes this Movement as Parliamentary or constitu-