Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 253
24 JULY 1905 The Promised Messiahas said: Many people long for children with the idea that an heir be born for their wretched world. They do not know that if they turn out to be evil and unruly, their earned wealth and accumu- lated savings will help them advance in sin and iniquity, and the punishment for these sinful deeds will continue to be added to their [the parents] record of deeds. The Promised Messiahas said: If one longs for progeny, one needs a heart like that of Hadrat Zakaria [Zechariah], peace be on him. Allah the Exalted men- tions the prayer of Hadrat Zakariaas for a righteous son in the Holy Quran so that it becomes a model for the believers. The Promised Messiahas said: Life is fickle, and time is very short. Everyone should be con- cerned about their faith. There is no better prescription than this for prolonging life and gaining blessings. ¹ 1. Badr, vol. 1, no. 17, p. 2, dated 27 July 1905 253