The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 121
Extraordinary Renown and Divine Succour 121 a scholar, so that I might have relied on my accumulated wealth of knowledge. I was not a monarch, nor a lord or ruler, so that the awe inspired by my governance might have made thousands of people my followers. Instead, I was a man without any means, living in a far-flung village, and completely cut off from the distinguished people, who are, or can be, the centre of people's attention. . In short, I enjoyed no distinction, popularity or renown, which could have made it easier for me to accomplish the task of spreading the message. Naturally, I perceived this mission to be extremely difficult and apparently impossible. There were yet more difficulties in preaching this message, since it contained things which one could never hope that people would accept. In fact, one could not even expect them to believe that ‘non-law-bearing revelation' has not been discontinued after the Holy Prophetsa and that this kind of revelation will continue to the Last. Day. On the other hand, it seemed quite obvious that the claim of being a recipient of revelation would be rewarded with the charge of unbelief, and all the ulema would present a united front to persecute and destroy such a claimant, for, in their view Divine revelation had been cut off after our master, the Seal of Prophets and Messenger of Allāhsa, till the day of judgement, and it is now impossible for anyone to experience Divine converse. In short, they believe that this blessed umma has been eternally denied the kind of blessings whereby God Almighty may honour