The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 347
346 Α'ΙΝΑ-Ε-ΚΑMĀLĀT-E-ISLAM-DAFI UL-WASĀWIS cannot conceal the fact that for many generations, we have been a fam- ily of landowners; we are even now, and a landowner does need to go to a court of law sometimes, but this cannot be anything objectionable in the eyes of a fair-minded person. Just look up the aḥādīth: the man who is to come in the Latter Days—in the days when the Quraish would be deprived of temporal authority, when the followers of Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would be disunited and in a state of anxiety-would belong to the landed class, and God Almighty has informed me that I am that person. Ahadith of the Prophet clearly state that in the Latter Days a defender of the Faith and the Muslim community would be raised; and, he would be a landlord [zamīndār]. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, says in this context that every Muslim should accept him and help him. Now, just reflect upon this. Being a landlord is a proof of my truth; it is not something to be criticized. And the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has commanded that he be accepted, not rejected. عیب نماید هنرش در نظر اندیش که بر کنده باد چشم بد May the evil eye be destroyed; It sees a virtue and considers it a fault! It would not be surprising, however, if litigation is a shortcoming of your father; for you know that under British rule he spent most of his lifetime as a litigant for the usurers. He employed whatever means he could to secure cases and to conduct them on payment, although he was not a legal agent nor a lawyer-not (even) a failed one. Nevertheless, he did everything to fill his belly. However, this humble one had nothing to do with the cases of other people; I only attended cases connected with our own family estate, to conduct which I employed legal agents mostly like your father, but superior to your father in ability and respectable status. I had nothing to do with the cases of others at all. I remember—and you too must