Deliverance from the Cross — Page 122
All this could not have been achieved through any contrivance or device of the Founder of the Movement, were it not that such was the divine purpose which had been revealed to him in the very early days of his ministry and which was bound to be fulfilled despite all the efforts of his opponents to frustrate it. Opposition to the Movement and persecution of and discrimination against its members continue in many parts of the world but even these become, in a strange way, the instruments of the propagation and spread of the Movement. One feature that characterises the spread of the Movement is that a very large number of those who continue to join and identify themselves with the Movement in the face of all the opposition and threatened persecution, are moved to do so through their dreams and visions which bring them sure conviction and afford them satisfaction. This kind of experience is the result of prayers and supplications for guidance. It is an illustration of the fulfilment of the divine promise held out in the Quran: We will surely guide in Our ways those who strive after Us'. (al-'Ankabut, 29:70) The Holy Prophet was promised security by God against the devices and machinations of his enemies, as is set out in the Quran: 'O Messenger, proclaim widely that which has been sent down to thee from thy Lord; 122