Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 174
174 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is 'steadfastness. Therefore, until the human form is not kept in the natural condi- tion that it is meant to be, and it is not kept in a state that is mustaqim or 'right' it cannot develop excellences within itself. The system of supplication is that both these 'Great Names' must come together; and man must advance towards God without deviating towards anything other than Him, even if it be the idol of man's own carnal desires and passions. When this state comes about, it is then that the true pleasure of ¹ (Pray unto Me; I will answer your prayer) can be tasted. Therefore, it is my desire that you should strive to attain steadfastness through spiritual exercise and discipline because this elevates a person to a level where their prayer is blessed with the honour of acceptance. At present, there are many who complain about the non-acceptance of prayer. However, I would say—and it is unfortunate that this is the case—that until people develop steadfastness within themselves, how can they experience the pleasure of the acceptance of prayer? It is in this very world that we observe the signs of the acceptance of prayer. After the state of steadfastness has been attained, a person's heart develops signs of coolness and tranquillity. Even when such a one is faced by apparent failure or disappoint- ment, their hearts do not burn. However, in the case of one who is unaware of the philosophy of prayer, even the most trivial failures engulf the heart like hellfire and a person becomes extremely restless and distraught. This is exactly what the following verse alludes to: نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوْقَدَةُ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْبِدَةِ It is Allah's kindled fire, which rises over the hearts. In fact, we learn from the Hadith that even fever is a reflection of the hellfire. A String of Reformers within the Muslim Community At this instance another point ought to be remembered as well. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was always destined to pass away, and in the apparent sense, an exemplar and instrument for the manifes- tation of God was to leave the world. Therefore, Allah the Exalted instituted a simple method: 1 al-Mu'min, 40:61 (Say, If you love Allah, follow me). This 2 al-Humazah, 104:7-8 Aal-e-Imran, 3:32