Note: The Alislam Team assumes full responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies in this translation of the Friday Sermon.

أَشْھَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَا شَرِیکَ لَہٗ وَأَشْھَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ

أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ- بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ۔ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔ مٰلِکِ یَوْمِ الدِّیْنِ۔ اِیَّا کَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْنُ۔

اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِالْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَاالضَّآلِّیْنَ۔

At this time, I will present some statements and writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in which he has described incidents of acceptance of prayers. These are a few such incidents. In them, he has also mentioned signs and the support of Allah the Almighty, and has advised that Allah the Almighty has sent me in this age — has sent His emissary — so listen to his words, for therein lies blessing. And the progress of this Movement is one of the divine decrees of Allah the Almighty, and the survival of humanity lies in accepting it.

In one place, mentioning a letter from Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan Sahib, the chief of Ludhiana, he says that once the late Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan Sahib, chief of Ludhiana, wrote me a letter saying that some of my means of livelihood have been closed off — please pray that they may be opened. (There were some business difficulties.) He says: When I prayed, I received a revelation that they would be opened. I informed him by letter. Then, within just two or four days, those means of livelihood were opened (the cause that had led to a decline in his business or work was removed). He says: I informed him by letter, and within two to four days the matter was resolved. And he became firmly convinced (his belief in the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) became even more firmly established). Then, once he sent me a letter concerning some of his private matters, and at the very moment he placed the letter in the post, I received a revelation that a letter of this content was coming from him. I then, without delay, wrote to him that he would be sending a letter of this content. The next day that letter arrived, and when my letter reached him, he was drowned in an ocean of astonishment — how was this knowledge of the unseen obtained? For no one knew of this secret of his (he thought that no one knew this secret of his). And his conviction increased to such a degree that he became completely absorbed in love and devotion, and he recorded both of the above-mentioned signs in a small notebook and always kept it with him. (The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) says:) When I went to Patiala, and as mentioned above, when a meeting took place with Minister Syed Muhammad Hassan Sahib, the subject of my miracles and signs happened to come up in conversation between the Minister and the Nawab. At that point, the late Nawab Sahib took out a small book from his pocket and presented it before the Minister, saying that these two prophecies recorded in this book are the cause of my faith and devotion. And when, some time later, I went to visit him at his home in Ludhiana one day before his death, he was very weak from the disease of hemorrhoids and was losing much blood. In that condition, he rose and went into his inner room and brought back that same small book, saying: I have kept this as a talisman for my soul, and from looking at it I find comfort. And he showed the places where both prophecies were written. Then, when approximately half the night or more had passed, he passed away. These signs still exist. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) said: I believe that to this day, the things he had recorded in his diary, that book will be in his library. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 257-258)

Then he says in one place: A few years ago, Seth Abdul Rahman Sahib, a merchant of Madras who is among the most devoted members of the Community, came to Qadian, and some disruption and difficulty had arisen in his business affairs. He requested prayers. Then the following revelation was received, which is recorded below: قادر ہے وہ بارگہ ٹوٹا کام بناوے۔ بنا بنایا توڑ دے کوئی اس کا بھید نہ پاوے۔ The meaning of this revealed text was that Allah the Almighty would mend what was broken, but then after some time would undo what had been built. (He says:) This revelation was conveyed to Seth Sahib in Qadian itself, and only a few days had passed when Allah the Almighty brought prosperity to his business affairs (his work was restored, and great abundance was created). He says: And such means appeared from the unseen that financial successes began to flow (immense financial ease was created). And then after some time, that established work fell apart. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 259-260)

In accordance with the revelation, the business first flourished and then, after some time, deterioration gradually began to set in, and eventually the business collapsed.

Then, in one place, Promised Messiah^(as) speaks about himself, saying: I have suffered from two ailments for a long time. The first is migraine, due to which I used to become very restless, and horrifying complaints would develop. I suffered from this illness for nearly twenty-five years, and then, along with it, I was afflicted with dizziness. Physicians opine that these disorders ultimately lead to epilepsy. Accordingly, my elder brother, Mirzā Ghulām Qadir, after suffering from this very ailment for about two months, fell victim to epilepsy, and this is what he died of. Therefore, I continued to supplicate that God Almighty may safeguard me against these ailments. On one occasion, I perceived in a vision that an evil spirit in the form of a black animal with four feet, which had the height of a sheep, having long hair and big claws, was about to attack me. It was instilled in my heart that this, indeed, was epilepsy. I struck its chest forcefully with my right hand and said, ‘Go away! You have no part in me. Hence God knows that all those dangerous complaints subsided and that severe pain completely disappeared; I only suffer from occasional dizziness, so that the prophecy relating to the two yellow sheets [i.e. illnesses] may not be affected. The second disease from which I have suffered for nearly twenty years is diabetes. This Sign has been mentioned earlier, too. Even until now, I need to pass water about twenty times every day, and sugar has been detected in the tests of urine. One day, it passed through my mind that, according to the experience of physicians, the end result of diabetes is either epiphora in the eye or carbuncle, the appearance of a cancerous growth, which is fatal, whereupon I received the revelation about epiphora: نَزَلَتِ الرَّحْمَةُ عَلَى ثَلَثَ الْعَيْنِ وَعَلَى الْأَخْرَيَيْنِ Meaning that, mercy has been brought down upon three organs, the eye and two other organs. When the concern about carbuncle crossed my mind, I received the revelation: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ [Peace be on you.] Thus, it has been a lifetime that I have been protected from these calamities. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 376-377)

Here, the mention of diabetes — that is, sugar disease — has occurred. In recent days, an Arab Ahmadi wrote a letter asking that since the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) had diabetes, why did he observe so many fasts? This mention by the Promised Messiah of his illness was made in 1907, whereas the mention of fasts refers to a time long before his claim, in his youth. Rather, he said that the continuous fasts he observed were kept in his youth, and after the age of forty, a person, in any case, becomes weaker and cannot keep so many. And at that time, his condition was such that he had the strength that, had he wished, he could have fasted even for four years. (Taken from Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p. 257, Edition 1985, published in England)

In any case, this diabetes began later. And it was a matter of his youth when he observed continuous fasts for six months.

Regarding the illness of Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib, he narrates in one place — he was mentioned in the previous sermon in reference to Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him), that when he passed away, Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) was greatly grieved. In any case, he held an esteemed position. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) continued to pray for him during his illness, and mentioning a revelation in this regard, he says:

In the previous year, that is, on 11 October 1905 (a Wednesday), our sincere friend Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) passed away from the same disease, carbuncle — that is, cancer. I had also prayed greatly for him, but not a single revelation was consoling for him. Rather, again and again these revelations came: 1. Wrapped in a shroud. 2. Age of 47 years. اِنَّالِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ. 3. اِنَّ الْمَنَایَا لَا تَطِیْشُ سِھَامُھَا — meaning, the arrows of death do not miss their mark. When prayer was again offered upon this, the revelation came: 4. یٰٓاَیُّھَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوْا رَبَّکُمُ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ۔ 5. تُؤْثِرُوْنَ الْحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنْیَا — meaning: O people, worship your Lord who created you — that is, regard Him alone as the Arranger of your affairs and place your trust in Him. Do you prefer the life of this world? In this was the indication that to consider someone's existence so indispensable that his death would cause extreme harm is a form of shirk, and to exert extreme effort for his life is a kind of worship. After this, I fell silent and understood that his death was certain. And indeed he passed from this mortal world on 11 October 1905, a Wednesday, at the time of Asr. The pain that had descended upon my heart while praying for him was not forgotten by Allah, and He desired to make up for this failure with another success. For this purpose, He selected Seth Abdul Rahman for this sign. Although Allah took Abdul Karim from us, He returned Abdul Rahman to us. The same disease afflicted him, and ultimately, he was cured through the prayers of this humble one. فالحمدللہ علیٰ ذالک. (He says:) It is my experience of hundreds of times (he has experienced it hundreds of times) that Allah is so Generous and Merciful that when, in His wisdom, He does not accept one prayer, He accepts another prayer in its place (here the spirit and philosophy of prayer also becomes clear. Some people say that our prayers were not accepted. Even the prayers of prophets are sometimes not accepted if it is the decree of Allah the Almighty, but in its place, another prayer is accepted. So he says: He does not accept one prayer but accepts another prayer in its place that is similar to it. Just as He says: مَا نَنۡسَخۡ مِنۡ اٰیَۃٍ اَوۡ نُنۡسِہَا نَاۡتِ بِخَیۡرٍ مِّنۡہَاۤ اَوۡ مِثۡلِہَا ؕ اَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ (Al-Baqarah: 107). (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 339-340)

Meaning: Whatever message We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than that or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah has the power to do all that He wills?

Now, non-Ahmadis use this verse to argue that certain verses of the Holy Quran have been abrogated by it, whereas it has very extensive and various meanings. He is applying it here as well. The meaning is that when a sign is caused to be forgotten, another sign comes in its place. If one sign ends, another sign comes. Or another interpretation is that the old shariahs were abrogated, and in their place and as their replacement, Allah the Almighty gave the new sharia — the Holy Quran — which is to remain forever.

Then, as proof of his truthfulness, regarding one of the prophecies of the Holy Quran — the one concerning transport — he says: A new mode of transport was to appear which is a particular sign of the advent of the Promised Messiah, as it is written in the Holy Quran: وَاِذَا الۡعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتۡ (Al-Takwir: 5) — meaning, the last age is when she-camels will become useless. And similarly in Hadith (Muslim): وَلَیُتْرَکَنَّ الْقِلَاصُ فَلَا یُسْعٰی عَلَیْھَا — meaning, in that age she-camels will become useless and no one will travel on them. During the days of Hajj, travel from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah takes place on she-camels. Now the day is very near when a railway will be prepared for this journey, and then this will be fulfilled upon that journey: لَیُتْرَکَنَّ الْقِلَاصُ فَلَا یُسْعیٰ عَلَیْھَا. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 205-206)

Until now, people have kept saying that there is no railway there. But there is a project which has now been started, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. A railway line is being built between Makkah and Madinah, and it will be a high-speed train. So whatever words proceed from the mouth of a prophet, Allah the Almighty does fulfill them, even if sometimes they are fulfilled after some time. But in any case, those modes of transport became useless there because buses and cars were being used in their place. But as the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) said, a railway line is now also being laid. The work is progressing, and that too will commence.

Then, regarding an enemy of Islam whose foul language had prompted him to pray that Allah the Almighty would seize him, having received tidings from Allah the Almighty after this prayer, he announced that man's end. Regarding this, he says:

The prophecy about Deputy Abdullāh Ātham which has been very clearly fulfilled. The fact is that these were two prophecies. The first was that he would die within fifteen months, and the second was that if he would desist from his published statement that God forbid, the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was the Dajjal, he would not die within fifteen months. As I have already stated, the basis of the prophecy for his death was that in one of his books, Andrūna-e-Bible ['Inner Nature of the Bible'], Ātham had pronounced our Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be the Dajjal. It is true that in the prophecy, fifteen months was the stipulated time frame for Atham's death, but along with it, there was the condition, the wording of which was: 'provided he does not turn to the Truth. But Ātham retracted in the same public meeting. In great humility, he stuck his tongue out and, with both hands on his ears, he expressed remorse at having used the word Dajjal [Antichrist]. Not one or two but as many as sixty or seventy people are witnesses to it, about half of them being Christians and about half being Muslims. I think about fifty of them might still be alive, in whose presence Ātham had retracted from using the word Dajjal, and then, until the day of his death, he never uttered any such word again. Now it should be considered what maliciousness, wickedness, and dishonesty it is that, despite Atham's unequivocal retraction in the presence of some sixty or seventy witnesses, it should be asserted that Ātham did not retract. Divine wrath was entirely based upon the word Dajjal. This was the basis for the prophecy, and retraction from this very word was the condition. For him to become a Muslim is not at all mentioned in the prophecy. Hence, when he retracted in all humility, God also turned to him with mercy. God's revelation never implied that, unless Ātham accepted Islam, he would not escape death, for all the Christians share their disbelief in Islam. God does not compel anyone to accept Islam. It would be entirely irrational to prophesy that if a certain person did not accept Islam, he would die within a certain period of time. The world is full of people who deny Islam. And I have stated again and again that in this world no chastisement can visit anyone simply on account of denying Islam. The reckoning for this sin will only occur on the Day of Judgment. As such, what was so special about Ātham that his death, but not that of others, was prophesied on account of his denying Islam? The sole cause of this prophecy was that he had used the word Dajjal about the hallowed status of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from which he retracted in the presence of some sixty or seventy people, including many who were noble and respectable, who were present in that gathering. Then, after he had retracted from this word and, indeed, continued to weep afterward, he became deserving of mercy in the sight of God Almighty, but only to the extent that his death was delayed by a few months, and he died in my lifetime. So, in accordance with the debate, which was a kind of prayer duel, he was proven to be a liar on account of his death. Has the prophecy still not been fulfilled? Of course, it was fulfilled-and fulfilled very clearly! God's curse is upon such hearts as do not desist from finding faults with such definitive Signs. If they so desire, I can produce some forty witnesses to Atham's retraction. This is why he did not dare swear on oath, even though all Christians have been making statements on oath throughout; Hadrat Masīḥ himself swore on oath. I need not prolong this discussion-Ātham is not alive anymore; it has been more than eleven years since he died. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 221-223)

He is saying this in his book Haqiqatul Wahi. Then the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), while stating that the blessings of the Holy Quran are far superior to human power and that by showing signs to believers it bestows upon them certain and definite cognizance, and that through this blessing, miracles come into manifestation and very wondrous signs appear. (Taken from Chashma-e-Ma'rifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, p. 402)

He says: I do not narrate these blessings of the Quran as mere tales (the blessings of the Holy Quran are not merely stories and fables). Rather, I present those miracles which have been shown to me personally. All those miracles number close to one hundred thousand — indeed, they are probably more than one hundred thousand. Allah had stated in the Holy Quran that whoever follows this word of Mine will not only believe in the miracles of this Book but will himself also be granted miracles. So I myself have received, through the influence of Allah's word, those miracles which are beyond human power and are purely an act of Allah. Those earthquakes that came upon the earth, and that plague that is consuming the world (in that age, there was a very severe plague) — these are among the miracles that were given to me. I had, twenty-five years before any trace or name of these calamities, published in my book Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya (the news of these events as prophecies), that these afflictions were coming. And all those afflictions came, and it is not over yet. Rather, the afflictions yet to come are far greater than these (many more afflictions are yet to come). And there are some new epidemics which have never before appeared in this land, and they are frightening and terrifying. And a severe and dreadful kind of plague is also to appear, which will manifest in this land and other lands and will cause great distress. (So there is great cause for fear. These signs have not ceased. He says: A severe and dreadful kind of plague is also to appear, which will manifest in this land and other lands and will cause great distress, perhaps in this year or the next. And an earthquake is also coming that will come suddenly and will be intense. (And now, given the deeds of the world and the way people are moving away from Allah — and not merely moving away but also committing oppression — their own deeds are hastening the calling down of these afflictions. May Allah show mercy and grant Ahmadis the ability to pray, and grant us the ability to keep our deeds righteous. He says: It is not known whether it will be in some part of the country or will be general. If the people of the world fear Allah, these afflictions can also be averted, for Allah is the King of heaven and earth. He can enforce His commands, and He can also avert them. But apparently, there is little hope that people will fear Allah, for hearts have hardened beyond measure, and on account of my announcing these prophecies beforehand, I have no expectation of their being warned. And there is no hope except that ridicule will be made, or abuse will be given, or we will be accused (we will be blamed) of spreading alarm among the people. (Chashma-e-Ma'rifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, p. 403)

It is not only the non-Muslim world — the condition of Muslims themselves is the same: some in Muslim countries, in particular, are moving away from Allah. And as he said, whoever calls to the right path will be mocked and ridiculed, and it will be said of him that he is trying to spread disorder or alarm. Indeed, in recent days, there was news that a prominent maulvi (I cannot recall the name) said in Pakistan that this notion of the Imam Mahdi coming — no one is coming, and he has neither been born nor will he be born. Then, in a mocking tone, he further said: And if he has been born, may Allah hasten his end, because we cannot bear any more disorder and strife. Well, these are their views in any case. Then, while mentioning that Muslims should be saved from ignorance, should listen to the voice of Allah, and should mold their conditions in accordance with the pleasure of Allah the Almighty, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) says:

At this time, the thing called Islam has been altered. All evil morals have filled it (that is, bad morals have pervaded it), and the sincerity mentioned in مُخْلِصِیْنَ لَہُ الدِّیْن has ascended to heaven (no sincerity remains). Truthfulness, faithfulness, sincerity, love toward Allah, and trust in Allah have been rendered nonexistent. Now Allah the Almighty has resolved to revive these powers afresh. That Allah Who has always been یُحْیِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِھَا has made this resolve, and for it several paths have been adopted. On one side, an emissary has been sent who calls in gentle words and guides people (that is, he speaks of his own coming). On the other side, there is the advancement of sciences and arts, and reason is developing (that is, minds are opening further. The advancement of sciences and arts is taking place.) He says: For the completion of the argument, the heavens are manifesting signs (many signs that appeared even in his time — of storms, of lunar and solar eclipses, of earthquakes) He then says: And then a series of signs of chastisement has also been kept, among which the plague is one sign, and the way it is spreading now with such intensity (in that age it was such that perhaps no previous generation had witnessed). And there are many people who are benefiting from these signs and verses. Not a day passes but people, through letters or by coming in person, join the pledge of allegiance. Although immorality, licentiousness, insolence, and self-will have greatly increased in the world, these people who come into our Movement also emerge from within this very community (they are coming from among these same people). From this, it becomes clear that the righteous are also mixed among them (that is, people of good nature also exist among them — it is not that all are corrupt). Allah the Almighty will extract those people, grant them understanding, and some will become the target of the plague. In this manner, the world will come to its end, and the completion of the argument will take place. (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, pp. 352-354, Edition 1985, published in England)

So he said that educated people and people of righteous nature are coming, and this is because of education and the opening of minds, on account of which they understand this teaching, understand the claim of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), and then accept it. And in every region, in every class, in every country, such people are found who, by the grace of Allah, are joining the Community in hundreds and thousands — indeed now in hundreds of thousands. Then in one place he says: Remember that you will never be able to present the like of these miracles and prophecies that have manifested and are manifesting through me — in terms of quantity, quality, and proof — even if you search until you die. (Nuzulul Masih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, p. 462) Indeed, now the divine testimonies through action have also become such signs that continue to increase day by day, and every day we see them.

A new Muslim came and boldly demanded a sign from the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), saying: Show me a sign — tell me of your commission. He said: Whatever Allah the Almighty places in the heart of every emissary from Himself, he cannot oppose it, because it is from Allah the Almighty — and this is entirely true that when Allah the Almighty sends someone as an emissary into the world, He also manifests extraordinary signs in his support. Here too, He has manifested many signs in my support, which millions of people have witnessed and bear testimony to. Yet I place complete trust in my Allah that He has not confined Himself to these signs (these alone are not sufficient) and has not closed this series for the future. From time to time, according to His will, whenever He wishes, He manifests signs. For a seeker of truth, those signs are not few. But even if upon this, the heart does not bear witness (meaning, the signs that have already occurred — he says they are not few, but if even upon this the heart does not bear witness, does not accept — that a person is truly a seeker of truth and, with sincere intent, even if from the heart it does not bear testimony), that a person is truly a seeker of truth and with sincere intent desires a sign, then we can turn our attention for him (and you sincerely believe that you are to accept the truth, then tell us. He says: We can turn our attention, we will pray for him). And we trust in Allah that He will make some matter manifest. But if this is not the case and the previous signs of Allah are treated with contempt and considered insufficient, then the ardor for turning one's attention is not produced, and for the manifestation of a sign, it is necessary that attention be directed toward it and fervor be instilled for turning toward Allah. (Meaning: if you are treating those signs with contempt and not even trying to understand them, then no sign will appear for you, nor will any prayer be offered for a sign to appear for you. Your end will then be bad. He says: If they are considered insufficient, then the ardor for turning one's attention is not produced, and for the manifestation of a sign it is necessary that attention be directed toward it and fervor be instilled for turning toward Allah.) And this motivation arises when there is a sincere and devoted seeker (if the seeking is sincere, if there is intention to accept, then signs appear — not merely for the purpose of testing). Then he further says: This too should be remembered — that signs are for the intelligent. Signs are not for those who have no share in reason. Such people cannot benefit from Allah's signs. Guidance depends entirely on the grace of Allah the Almighty. If Allah's enabling grace is not with one and He does not show favor, then even if someone were to witness thousands upon thousands of signs, he cannot benefit from them and can do nothing. So, until it is known what benefit he has drawn from the past signs, what hope can we have for the future? He says: The manifestation of signs is not within our control, and signs are not the result of a conjurer's sleight of hand. They depend on the grace and will of Allah the Almighty. He manifests signs whenever He wishes and benefits whomever He wills. Regarding the question of showing signs being asked at this time, what Allah the Almighty has placed in my heart is that this demand is of the same kind that Abu Jahl and those like him used to make. (That is, this question and demand are of the same kind that Abu Jahl and people like him used to make.) What benefit did they derive? Can anyone say that signs did not issue from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? If anyone holds such a belief, he is an unbeliever. Countless signs appeared through him, yet Abu Jahl and others derived no benefit from them. In the same way, signs are appearing here which are fully sufficient for any seeker of truth, but if one does not wish to benefit and casts them aside and desires more, what hope can there be of such a person? (Meaning: if he does not look at the past signs but continues to desire more, what hope can there be?) He shows disrespect to Allah's signs, and he mocks Allah the Almighty. (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, pp. 444-445, Edition 1985, published in England)

He has said in innumerable places that those who come to Qadian — those from other religions who come — their very coming is itself a sign, showing in what manner they come. (Taken from Malfuzat, Vol. 10, pp. 218-219, Edition 1985, published in England)

And then he said that countless earthly and heavenly signs, which have already been mentioned, occur. Even now, the attention that the world is developing and the fact that people are also hearing the Community's message — this too is one of the signs that through the media, for whatever reason and on whatever pretext, attention is being generated. In any case, signs manifest every day for every intelligent person and continue to do so. Then, in one place, he says: This is worth remembering — that Allah the Almighty will not leave this Movement without proof. He Himself says, as recorded in Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya: A Warner came into the world, but the world did not accept him. Yet Allah will accept him and will manifest his truthfulness through mighty and powerful means. For those who rejected and who are ready to reject, humiliation and disgrace are destined. They did not even reflect that if this were a human fabrication, it would have long since perished, for Allah the Almighty is such an enemy of a fabricator that no one in the world is such an enemy of another. Those fools do not even consider whether such steadfastness and courage could exist in a liar. Those ignorant ones do not even know that it is the one who speaks from an unseen refuge who is distinguished by the characteristic that his word carries majesty and awe. And it is his heart and spirit that a single individual stands ready to confront the entire world. Rest assured and await — for those days are coming, indeed they are near, when the enemy will be disgraced, and the friends will be exceedingly joyful. Who is a friend? The one who accepted me before seeing the signs, and who sacrificed his life, wealth,h and honor in such a manner as though he had witnessed thousands of signs. So this is my Community — these are mine — those who found me alone and helped me, who saw me grieved and shared my grief. And being strangers, they then showed the regard of intimate friends. May Allah's mercy be upon them. If after seeing signs someone accepts an apparent truth, what is that to me and what reward is there for him (once the sign has been seen, what reward is there), and what honor does he have before the Lord of Honor? (If one has trust in Allah the Almighty and knows all the circumstances and that things are as they are, and then accepts — only then can there be true trust in Allah the Almighty — that Allah the Almighty, in keeping with the circumstances, in accordance with His promise, has sent His emissary in this age.) In truth, those who have accepted me are those who looked upon me with discerning eyes, weighed my words with insight, assessed my circumstances, listened to my words, and reflected upon them. Then, on the strength of these very indications, Allah the Almighty opened their hearts, and they were with me. With me is the one who for my pleasure abandons his own pleasure (with me is the one who for my pleasure abandons his own pleasure), and who makes me the arbiter for the relinquishing and taking of his own self (meaning: he seeks my ruling for what he should give up and what he should adopt in terms of his personal desires or carnal wishes) and who walks in my way and is absorbed in obedience and has emerged from the skin of egotism (there is no egotism in him). I am compelled to say with a sigh that those who demand manifest signs cannot attain in the court of my Lord those titles worthy of praise and those stations worthy of honor that will be granted to those righteous ones who have recognized the hidden secret (those who demand signs cannot attain the highest titles and honored stations — only those will attain them who are granted to those righteous ones who recognized the hidden secret), and to whom the fragrance came of one who was a hidden servant under the cloak of Allah Jalla Sha'nuhu (that is, those who recognized the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in his early period). What credit is it for a person if, for example, he sees a prince in his army and pomp and glory and then salutes him? The person of distinction is he who finds him in the guise of a beggar and recognizes him (who sees the prince in the garb of the poor and then recognizes him). But it is not within my power to give this understanding to anyone (to give this wisdom to anyone). There is only one who gives it. He grants spiritual discernment to whomever He holds dear. Those destined for guidance find guidance through these very things, and these same things become the cause of increased crookedness for those whose hearts contain crookedness. (These very things — that those whom Allah the Almighty intends to guide find guidance, and those whose hearts contain crookedness — they increase even further in it.) He says: Now I know that I have written a great deal about signs, and Allah the Almighty knows that this is true and correct — that up to now close to three thousand, or somewhat more, of those matters have issued for me from Allah the Almighty that are beyond human powers, and the door to them in the future is not closed. (Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 349-350)

May Allah grant the world wisdom so that they may be among those who understand the signs and not merely demand signs according to their own intellect and desire. Rather, may they listen to the need of the time, the voice of the age, and the condition which is expressing the need for Allah's emissary, and strive to understand it. May they also be among those who seek out and accept the one sent by Allah, so that the disorders of this world may come to an end.

Today, I will also offer a funeral prayer in absentia for the respected Ghulam Qadir Sahib, Darwish of Qadian, son of the respected Abdul Ghaffar Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him). He passed away on 12 November 2014 at the age of ninety, by the decree of Allah. اِنَّالِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ. He was among the three hundred and thirteen Darwishs. His number in the history of Ahmadiyyat among the Darwishs is 189. He was born in April 1925 in Shadyiwal, Gujrat, where he also received his early education. He joined the army. He had been in service for four years when, in response to Hazrat Musleh Maud's (may Allah be pleased with him) call for young men to dedicate their lives to the protection of the center, he came to Qadian. He arrived here in 1947. He had a great passion for tabligh. He used to do tabligh, especially among the Sikhs. In this regard, he had also compiled many rare and valuable books and references. He had a dream that his age would be approximately ninety years. The late (respected) was also Musi. He has three sons and five daughters. One daughter is married to the respected Zafar Ullah Punto Sahib, who is a missionary of the Movement in Indonesia. His son wrote that during the period of Darwishi, the allowance was modest, yet he would work hard and send money for the upkeep of his widowed mother and three sisters, as he was the eldest among his siblings. Our missionary, Kaleem Tahir Sahib, says: I once went to Qadian during Ramadan of 1997 and had the opportunity to observe I'tikaf, and he was there with me. He says: During the conversation, the topic of Kashmiri tea came up, and I mentioned I liked it. After that, every day he would give me his thermos of tea from his home. When this missionary had an accident, during that period, he went from Qadian to Rabwah. He says that there, with great emotion, he came to see me, asked about my health, and wept throughout. He continued to pray. Despite illness, weakness, and poor eyesight — his eyesight had deteriorated — until his last day,s he would go to Masjid Mubarak to offer prayers, saying: It is here that I find peace. May Allah the Almighty elevate his spiritual ranks.

Apart from him, there are two other Darwishs who had passed away a few months ago. Their funeral prayer in absentia had been offered earlier, but their mention had not been made. I wish to make mention of them today as well. Friends should also remember them and their descendants in their prayers. These Darwishes made great sacrifices. They spent a long period in great poverty, in very modest circumstances, on very humble means, in Qadian, and fulfilled the right of protecting the symbols of Allah. One of them is Mirza Muhammad Iqbal Sahib, son of Mirza Adam Baig Sahib. He passed away on 11 June 2014. اِنَّالِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ. His paternal grandfather, Hazrat Mirza Rasool Baig Sahib, was a Companion (of the Promised Messiah). His maternal grandfather, Hazrat Mirza Niyaz Baig Sahib, was also a Companion. He was among the original three hundred and thirteen (313) Darwishs. He had the privilege of serving for a long time as a dentist at the Qadian clinic. Then he continued to serve as a worker in offices. He was pious, devout, sociable, and a sincere human being. He was always at the forefront in financial sacrifice. He was extremely brave, fearless, and a good swimmer. He was Musi. Apart from his wife, he is survived by four daughters and one son.

Then there is Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad Sahib Cheema. He passed away on 26 July at the age of 94. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ. He was the eldest son of Chaudhry Noor Ali Sahib Cheema, companion of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). When Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) called upon members of the Community to dedicate themselves to the protection of the center, since he had previously served in the British army, he offered his services and attained the honor of darwishi. Despite his advanced age, he continued to come to the mosque for prayers with the support of crutches for a long time. He was sincere, cheerful, spirited, affectionate, and a loving person. He was Musi. He is survived by an elderly wife, one daughter, and two sons. One of his sons, Chaudhry Mansoor Ahmad Cheema Sahib, is a Waqif-e-Zindagi and has the honor of serving as Nazim Properties in Qadian. After the prayer, I will now lead the funeral prayer.