Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 155
27 MARCH 1905 with them, that they should never send a single penny to me for any initiative for the entire duration of their life-then see what harm it causes me! After swearing an oath in the name of God, I have nothing more to write. Humbly, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad¹ 155 The Way to Overcome Difficulties A person requested advice regarding his difficulties. The Promised Messiahas replied: Frequently recite istighfar [seeking forgiveness] and supplicate O] يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ اَسْتَغِيْتُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ :this in your Prayers Ever Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining God! I sup- plicate for help with Your mercy; O the One who is the Most Merciful of all who show mercy!]. Then he asked how many times he should recite istighfar. The Promised Messiahas replied: There is no specific number. Keep reciting it frequently until you develop a pleasure for it, and do not recite istighfar like an incantation. Instead, recite it with understanding, even if it is in your own tongue. The meaning of istighfar is, O Allah! Protect me from the evil effects of sins, and safeguard me against future sins. 1. Al-Hakam, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 8, 9, dated 31 March 1905