Seerat-i-Tayyiba — Page 4
4 LOVE OF GOD 1 The first and foremost importance in a discussion of this kind belongs to that aspect of life which reflects man’s Love of God, for this is the thing which forms the strongest graft in the relationship between man and his Creator, and also constitutes the most vital part of human nature. The way and manner in which this spiritual graft in the life of the Promised Messiah started, is so strange, and it has so strong of an appeal for a person of discernment and feeling, that a picture of it, in reflection, tends to produce a state of ecstasy. At that time the Promised Messiah was in the full prime and vigor of life, when the desire for the worldly benefits, for physical well-being and comfort, is at the highest. His elder brother had recently been appointed to a responsible post in government service, which naturally should have turned the mind of the younger brother, too, in the same direction, firing him with a desire to do likewise in life. At this juncture, the father of the Promised Messiah sent word to him through a Sikh Zamindar of the locality, who had happened to call on him, that at the time there was a high government official posted in the area with whom he (the Promised Messiah’s father) had friendly relations and if Ahmad desired to go into government service, there was a good opportunity which should be availed of. This Sikh gentleman had a talk with Ahmad; and while conveying the message of his father he strongly advised that such a good chance should not be wasted, but without the least hesitation the Promised Messiah at once replied that he was greatly beholden for the solicitude for his welfare displayed by his father, but his answer to the suggestion was: “Please tell my father not to worry about my joining any service, for I have already taken up a service - that which I like” ( Seeratul Mahdi Part I ) The Sikh gentleman returned to the Promised Messiah’s father, rather bewildered, and related the answer which the Promised Messiah had given to the suggestion i. e. , “I have already taken u p the service destined for me- the service I like most. ” Most probably the gentleman did not properly grasp the meaning of this reply; but the Promised Messiah’s father was exceedingly intelligent, and the point was not lost on him. For some moments he remained silent; then he