Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 213
213 Malfuzat – Volume IV An Address on 27 December 1901 After the Asr Prayer Listen Attentively to the Words of the Divinely Commissioned The Promised Messiah as said: “Everyone ought to listen attentively, with careful consideration and deep thought, because this is a matter of faith. Negligence, indolence, and a lack of care results in extremely ill consequences. Those who are negligent in faith and those who, when they are addressed, do not listen care - fully, fail to derive any benefit whatsoever no matter how immensely beneficial and effective the words of the speaker may be. It is these people about whom it is said that they possess ears, but hear not; they possess hearts, but fail to under - stand. Hence, bear well in mind that you must listen attentively and with deep reflection to whatever is presented before you. For the one who does not listen carefully, cannot receive any benefit even if they remain in the company of a ben - eficial person for a lengthy period of time. When God Almighty commissions Prophets, peace be upon them, and sends them to the world, they are confronted with two classes of people. Firstly, there are those who listen to their words carefully and pay heed; they listen to every - thing they say with deep reflection. This is the group that benefits and attains true piety with all its blessings and fruits. The second group consists of those people who, nevermind listening to their words with attention and reflection, but rather mock them and devise plans to cause them grief and strive to this end. When our Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was raised, even in his time, according to this principle there were two groups of peo - ple. Firstly, those who listened to the words of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and who lent him an ear with complete attention. As a result, they were so affected by his words and became so devoted to him, that they gave precedence to the Holy Prophet sas over their parents, their children, and near and dear ones, over anything and everything that could have been deemed the most valuable in this world. They were living their lives in comfort. According to what they perceived at the time, they found joy and comfort in the relationship they possessed with their kinsfolk and friends. However, as soon as they devel - oped a relationship with this holy man, they had no choice but to give up all of their relationships and friendships, but they felt no pain whatsoever in detaching themselves from them all; in fact, they felt pleasure and joy in doing so. Now, one p. 479 p. 480