The Devotion of Life — Page 99
99 The Latter Days and ‘Waqfe Zindagi’ The period of the latter days was very difficult and arduous for Islam. Islam existed only in name, only the words of the Holy Quran remained and the mosques, although apparently populated, were devoid of any guidance. In that time, the religious scholars, with whom many hopes were associated and who were expected to do something, had fallen lowest than low in estimation and were declared to be the worst human beings. Instead of good coming from them, mischief and perfidy came from them and ultimately returned to them. (Mishkat, Kitabul Ilm) This was the difficult time when Islam seemed to be breathing its last and false religions were waiting to fall on the carcass of Islam like wild animals. It felt as if they would finish it off in an instant. At that time, the Divine Mercy of Allah the Almighty manifested itself and the advent of the Mahdi and the Promised Messiah took place in 1889. The task that was entrusted to him was immensely important, not only for the reformation of the Muslims but also to defend Islam; and by defeating the forces of false religion, to bring all humanity to the door of Allah the Almighty and to revive their faith. This was not an ordinary work. It was indeed an earth-shaking responsibility. But the Promised Messiah as , following in the footsteps of his Master, Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and confirming the Quranic axiom as stated in Chapter 33, verse 73, ‘Indeed, he is capable of being unjust to, and neglectful of, himself’, accepted this great and immense responsibility