Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 184
184 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad The Essence of the Oath of Allegiance A question from someone was presented to the Promised Messiah as stating: “If a person were to sincerely believe that you are a holy man, and holds a relationship of sincerity and devotion with you, but does not take the oath of allegiance with you, then what is the harm?” The Promised Messiah as said: “The Arabic word bay’at (swearing allegiance) literally means to sell oneself, and this is a state that is felt by the heart. An indi- vidual grows in their sincerity and devotion to such an extent that when they develop this state of heart, they feel themselves compelled to take the oath of allegiance. And until one develops this state, one should recognise that there is still a deficiency in their sincerity and devotion. ” Satanic Adulteration in Visions and Revelations There was mention during the course of discussion that the scholars of Lahore have asked Ilahi Bakhsh, who claims to be the recipient of revelation, whether his revelations are free from the adulteration of Satan or not. Ilahi Bakhsh responded by saying: “My revelations are not pure from the adulteration of Satan. ” On this, His Holiness as , our Immaculate Leader, stated: “These people fail to understand the underlying secret in this matter and the degree to which a person’s revelations or visions are free from the adulteration of Satan. There are two classes of sin to which man is susceptible. Firstly, those which move a man to disobey God inten- tionally so that he commits sin with brazen disregard. These people are wrong- doers, and that is to say, their relationship with God is severed completely and they become those belonging to Satan. And secondly, there are those people who, although they refrain from wrongdoing, on certain occasions, commit some error due to weakness. The degree to which one forsakes sin and moves to God is the extent to which their dreams and visions are pure from satanic adulteration. This is to such an extent that when a person closes all the doors from which Satan can enter, nothing enters him except for God. When you hear that someone receives revelation, do not first look towards their revelations. Revelations mean nothing until an individual purifies themselves of satanic influence, and until one cleanses oneself of unjust prejudices, malice, jealousy and from all that which displeases God. This may be illustrated by the example of a great many streams of water which lead into a single reservoir. If the water running in one of these streams was p. 167