Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 234
234 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION humility and earnestness requesting prayer. God, therefore, on account of that fear, and so much humility and earnestness of theirs, delayed the fulfilment of the prophecy. In respect of the prophecy regarding Maulawi Muḥammad Husain and his companions that was spelled out in the revelation of God Almighty, no date was fixed. It was merely my words in my supplication; not the words of revelation. It was only my supplication that sought something to happen within a specified time. Indeed, God Almighty does abide by His Word. He is under no obligation to meticulously observe what is supplicated from Him. This is why the prophecy as published in Arabic does not contain any time frame to the effect that he would be disgraced in a particular month or year. Of course, it is well known that in respect of the prophecies of warning, God Almighty reserves the right to delay them on account of someone's humility and earnestness or on His own accord. be upon them―agree that All Sunnis-in fact, all Prophets, peace since a prophecy of warning is a divine decree for an affliction to over- take someone, it can be averted with the help of charity, almsgiving, penitence, and seeking forgiveness. The only difference is that if God Almighty keeps the knowledge of such an affliction to Himself, and does not reveal it to any of His Messengers, it is simply known as an ordained affliction that is hidden in the will of God. But if God bestows knowledge of this affliction upon any of His Messengers, it becomes a prophecy. All nations of the world agree that impending afflictions, whether expressed in the [explicit] shape of a prophecy or hidden in the [implicit] will of God, can be averted through charity, almsgiving, penitence, and seek- ing forgiveness. This is why people are wont to give alms and charity in times of distress. Otherwise, who would indulge in a futile exercise? All Prophets agree that charity, almsgiving, penitence, and seeking forgive- ness wards off calamity. It is my personal experience that God Almighty at certain times informs me of an impending affliction concerning me or my children, or some friend of mine. When prayer is offered for averting it, another revelation comes that, 'We averted this affliction. ' Hence, if