Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 41
41 After this, the Hindu ascetic left and food was served. The Promised Messiah as said: “This is why Islam has not prescribed asceticism. For asceticism does not lead to perfect knowledge of the Divine. ” 1 Prior to 10 August 1899 Appeasing the World Hazrat Maulvi Abdul-Karim Sahib ra writes: “I have heard countless times from the blessed tongue of my beloved Master and Guide, the Chief of the Saints, the Jesus promised to appear in this age, peace be upon him, the following: ‘I possess the ability to deliver addresses and publish such writings which are articulated in a way that “makes peace with all,” as the common saying goes, so that all nations, despite their differences, are pleased; so that no one from among the authorities or the common people are able to find a single point of objection in them. However, how can I bear to suffer the rejection of my God just to please this lowly world?’” 2 Week ending 11 August 1899 The Reality of Prayer There were certain people who would write to the Promised Messiah as for prayers, and they would receive a written response to the effect that a prayer has been made for them. However, after this, they would write back saying: “There has been no benefit. There are only two cases: either you have not prayed or if you have, you have not done so with full attention. ” One day, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul-Karim Sahib ra submitted this matter to the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace and blessings, who said: “It appears that there is a dire need to write about the subject of prayer once again. It seems that previous explanations have been insufficient. Prayer is a very delicate matter. One condition is that a firm connection must exist between the person who makes a request for prayer and the supplicant to whom the request is made. This is to the extent that the former’s grief becomes the latter’s grief, and his joy becomes the other’s joy. Just as the cries of an infant make its mother unbearably restless, and milk begins to flow forth in her bosom, in the same way, the plight of the one who 1 Al-Hakam , vol. 3, no. 28, dated 10 August 1899, p. 2, taken from a letter of Maulana Abdul-Karim Sahib ra. 2 Al-Hakam , vol. 3, no. 28, dated 10 August 1899, p. 2, taken from a letter of Maulana Abdul-Karim Sahib ra.