Sermons on Waqf-e-Nau — Page 24
this gift to (the people of) the next century. So, who- ever can offer this gift should get prepared to do so. It is possible that due to their blessed intention and promise, Allah may give children to families who do not have children and husbands or wives who for some reason cannot have children. Allah may accept their spirit of sacrifice and bless them with progeny. Allah has done so in the past. The prophets who prayed and asked for children so that they may offer them for Waqf, had children born to them even in their old age and even in cases where both husband and wife were inca- pable of having children. Look at Hadhrat Zachariah as ! What a magnificent prayer it was! '0 Allah, I am old, my head glistens with hoariness and my bones are fee- ble due to old age. My wife is barren. She is incapable of bearing a child. But I yearn to devote a child to Your cause. Please grant me my wish. ' (Maryam Ch19 V5)15 o my Lord! I have never despaired while praying for this. Never have I been unblessed in my prayer to You. The word 'shaqqiya' is astonishingly eloquent. It means, '0 Allah I am not the unfortunate one who prays to You and then despairs and desists from pray- ing'. The prayer was so great and done with such fer- vor that while he was still praying, Allah gave him the glad tiding of Yahya. Allah Himself named the child. This reflects the love of God, the Lord of Great Majesty. The Holy Quran is a wonderful book! It teaches such graceful ways of expressing one's love that man is as- tonished by it. When you have a child you wonder 15Translation: but never, my Lord, have I been unblessed in my prayer to Thee; 24