Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 63
27 December 1906 63 a small scratch near the tail. The Brahmans took him and cut off his hand for this crime. These are the kinds of cruelties and hardships that used to occur. Now tell me, if we, who have borne such difficulties, deny this 1 [showing ingratitude], then we will be deemed the deniers of God. There is such peace at this time that anyone can worship and worship in any way he wishes, or raise a Call for Prayer; there is no one to stop it. Therefore, it is our duty to render thanks for this favour (the British Government) of God Almighty and appreciate it. But it is regrettable that the Muslims have not discharged the debt of gratitude as (was) due. Even the right of peace has not been discharged. It should have been the case that after peace had been established, they should have been more attentive to God and engaged in worship. However, set aside Prayer, they are not even tolerant of the Call for Prayer. In fact, they are involved in unspeakable evils. They do not realize that this peace was for them to advance in virtue, but they acted contrary to it. It is true that the state of peace has two aspects to it, either a person advances in virtue or he can walk into a bar. I make known with sorrow, however, that Muslims did not try to take advantage from it but our Jam a ‘at should take advantage of it. 2 1. From Badr : ‘If now this favour is denied, it would be a denial of God for it is God indeed who has sent this favour. ’ ( Badr, vol. 6, no. 3, p. 10, dated 17 January 1907) 2. From Badr : Finding [a time of ] so much peace, it was incumbent upon Muslims to pay even more attention to religion but, contrary to this, the mosques are now empty. Previously the complaint was that the Sikhs do not allow the Adh a n to be called and now the condition is that no one pays heed to the Adh a n. They are so engrossed in worldly engagements and unspeak- able evils that they have completely forgotten the faith. They should have advanced in virtue, not in evil. In the state of peace, man has the choice to either populate the mosques or fill the casinos. But it is sad that Muslims did not incline toward virtue, and they have chosen to adopt evil, but our Jam a ‘at should not act like this, rather it must appreciate this matter [the existence of peace]. ( Badr, vol. 6, no. 3, p, 9–10, dated 17 January 1907)