The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 250
MISCONCEPTION IN NUR AFSHĀN 249 to the Companions. Despite being alone and friendless, due to their steadfastness, they would rank as Truthful just as the Companions were in the sight of God Almighty. This is because they would appear at a time of widespread trials, tribulations, and the spread of faithlessness, and the righteous would face the very same difficulties experienced by the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Therefore, upon displaying steadfastness, they would be counted to have the same status as the Companions. However, the period in between the two is Faij-e-Awaj,' in which, on account of the awe and grandeur of Muslim kings and abundance of luxurious ways of life, there were very few who walked in the footsteps of the Companions and acquired their eminent status by way of reflec- tion. However, the latter age would resemble the early age of Islam, for the people in this age would be stricken with poverty and would have nothing except the power of faith to combat the prevalent calamities. Their faith, therefore, would be so deep-rooted and proven in the eyes of God Almighty that even if faith had ascended into the skies, they would bring it back down to earth. This means that they would face calamities, and they would be severely tried and subjected to fearsome trials, but they would prove to be so steadfast that they would not aban- don faith even if it was up in the heavens. The fact, therefore, that these people have been described as those who would bring back faith even from the heavens indicates that they would appear at a time when dis- belief would have spread in all directions, and hearts would be devoid of the true love of God Almighty. But their faith would be present with great fervour in their hearts, and they would have abundant power to endure suffering for the sake of God Almighty, and they would have limitless stores of sincerity and perseverance. No fear would prove to 1. Faij-e-A’waj (lit. the crooked group) refers to the corrupt masses who emerged after the first righteous generations of Muslims. They were characterized by religious fabrications, sectarian differences, and injustice, until the Promised Messiah as was Divinely sent to reform and reunite them. [Publisher]