Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 472
Malf uza t - English translation of Urdu Volume 9 472 3 October 1907 (Before Z uhr Prayer) Trials are Essential for Advancement of Ranks A person submitted, ‘Kindly advise me as I have come here for spiritual benefit. ’ The Promised Messiah as said: Spiritual benefit is attained only by those who make an effort themselves. Look! Our Noble Prophet, may peace and bless- ings of Allah be upon him, was superior and greater than all but even he bore great hardships for the sake of the Faith. Religion is also acquired after death. If God had so desired, He would not have done this, but even for the world He has established this very law that everything is accomplished through hard work. If there is God’s grace coupled with hard work then a person reaches his desired destination. For the endeavours of the world, man struggles and toler- ates inconveniences and only then does he attain something; so then should some toil and effort not be carried out for the Faith? If man is faced with a minor lawsuit, he goes to many lengths to obtain recommendations, he spends large amounts and makes considerable effort for it, and if the case is dismissed despite all this, he files an appeal, and if even that is dismissed, he bears all kinds of difficulties and makes a second appeal. He tries whatever is possible. Then, is it only religion that should be considered attainable through the mere blow of a breath or by repeatedly reciting some prayers, success in it being achieved by simply living a life of comfort and ease? God Almighty says: