Defence Against the Plague and a Criterion for the Elect of God — Page 17
Defence Against the Plague & A Criterion for the Elect of God 17 Meaning that: Say, I have with me proof from Allah, then will you believe or not? Say, I have with me proof from Allah, then will you submit or not? The first testimony refers to the testimony of the heavens , which involves no force. This is why the word تؤمنون [ tu’min u n, i. e. you believe] has been used here. The second testi - mony is of the earth with reference to the plague. It involves force; for, it creates fear and thus causes people to join this Community. This is why the word تُسلمون [ tuslim u n, i. e. you submit] has been used here. (2) The second point that has been proven through this reve - lation is that for the plague to abate, people will have to accept the Messenger of God, or, at the very least, desist from mischief, cru - elty, and abusive language. For God states in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya that in the Latter Days I shall send the plague in order to silence those evil and wicked ones who level insults upon My Messenger. The fact of the matter is that the rejection of a Messenger alone does not, in itself, constitute the reason for a calamity to befall the world. In fact, if people reject God’s Messenger with respect and civility, and take no part in violence and abusive language, then punishment is decreed [for such people] in the Hereafter. Whenever an epidemic has befallen the earth in support of Messengers, it was not on account of denial alone. Rather, it was a punishment for mischief. Similarly, this chastisement will be lifted in the present case when the people refrain from their invec - tives, cruelty, and transgression , renounce their depravities, and inculcate gentle manners. When that happens, many of the for - tunate shall accept the Messenger of God and will partake in the blessings of heaven. Then will the earth brim with blessed beings. (3) The third point which is proven from this revelation