Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 184
184 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION with Masih Ibn-e-Maryam since he is a Prophet and one of the distin- guished men of God. Therefore, whenever something in my revelation appeared concerning my superiority, I interpreted it as partial superi- ority. But later, when revelation from God Almighty descended upon me like pouring rain, it did not permit me to persist in this belief. The title of 'Prophet' was clearly bestowed upon me, albeit with the proviso that I am a Prophet in one aspect and an ummati [follower of the Holy Prophet sa] in another. 1* The instances of divine revelation that I have cited in this book also reveal what God Almighty says concerning me vis-à-vis Masīḥ Ibn-e-Maryam. How can I reject twenty-three years of continuous revelations from God Almighty? I believe in this holy reve- lation of His as I believe in all the revelations of God that have occurred before me. I also note that the Masih Ibn-e-Maryam is the last Khalifah of Mūsā, peace be upon him, and I am the last Khalifah of the Prophet who is the Best of Messengers. Therefore, God willed that I should not be inferior to him. I am well aware that these words of mine will be intolerable to those in whose heart the love for Ḥadrat Masiḥ borders on worship. 1. Keep in mind, quite a few people are misled when they come across the term 'Prophet' with reference to my claim. They think as if I have claimed the kind of Prophethood as was vouchsafed directly to the Prophets of old. But they are wrong in thinking so; I make no such claim. On the contra- ry, the wisdom and providence of God Almighty has bestowed this status in order to prove the excellence of the spiritual blessings of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that He took me to the sta- tion of Prophethood through the blessings of his (the Holy Prophet's) grace. Therefore, I cannot be defined only as a Prophet. Rather, I am a Prophet in one respect and an ummati [follower of the Holy Prophetsa] in the other. My Prophethood is a reflection of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and not an independent Prophethood. This is why in the hadith as well as in the revelation vouchsafed to me, I have been named a Prophet, just as I have been named an ummati, so that it may be known that every excellence has been bestowed on me through following the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and through his medium. (Author)