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۔

According to Allah the Exalted's promise, He initiated the second revival of Islam by sending the true lover of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Those people were certainly most fortunate who, after fourteen hundred years, once again witnessed the era of fresh revelation and divine inspiration being revealed, and who came into the bai'at of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and received direct blessings from him. When one visualizes with the mind's eye how those Companions found themselves in the presence of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and how they would praise and thank Allah the Exalted for their good fortune, the heart experiences a remarkable state. How true Allah the Exalted is to His promises—when He said that He would raise people among the latter ones who would join the former ones, He strengthened the faith of those who entered the bai'at of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) by showing fresh signs of revelation and inspiration through the true servant of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). They would begin each morning with the quest to discover what fresh revelation and inspiration the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) had received that day. Describing this state of the Companions, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that regarding the revelation of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) the condition was such that as soon as morning arrived, Ahmadis would run about like lovers, trying to find out what revelation had come to Hazrat sahib during the night. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud says that when I emerged from home, they would ask me, or when any other child came out, they would inquire from him: What is today's fresh revelation? What inspiration have you received? Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that our condition was such that when the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) went for prayer, we would immediately go and pick up the notebook to see what fresh inspiration had been received. Or we would reach the mosque ourselves and hear it from his blessed mouth. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 1, pp. 313-314)

Thus, this enthusiasm and eagerness existed so that they might further polish and strengthen their faith, obtain its blessings, and express gratitude and praise to Allah the Exalted for granting them the ability to believe in the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).

Sometimes it also happened that an inspiration would occur in the presence of a Companion, and that fortunate one would be hearing Allah the Exalted's revelation. Sometimes, such a state would occur that he would be sitting alongside, listening. Mentioning one such elder in whose presence an inspiration occurred, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) states that Dr. Syed Enayatullah Shah Sahib belonged to a very old Ahmadi family. His father, Syed Fazal Shah Sahib, was an extremely close Companion of Hazrat Sahib and generally served him, frequently visiting Qadian. Syed Nasir Shah Sahib, an overseer who later perhaps became SDO, was Syed Fazal Shah Sahib's brother. He, too, possessed great sincerity and was also very dear to Hazrat Sahib. And he, too, due to his sincerity, would tell his brother, Syed Fazal Shah Sahib, to do no work and simply go and stay in Qadian, meet with Hazrat Sahib, send him some diaries, keep asking for prayers—whatever your expenses are, I will send them. Thus, he would continue supporting his brother merely so that he could sit in Qadian in the presence of Hazrat Sahib. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud says that I remember that one of the Promised Messiah's revelations, which begins with اَلرُّحیٰ and which is approximately equal to one ruku' in length, was revealed in such a state when Hazrat Sahib was suffering from kidney pain and he—that is, Syed Fazal Shah Sahib—was massaging him. Thus, he had this special distinction that revelation descended upon Hazrat Sahib in his presence while he was massaging, and the revelation was of such nature that sometimes the divine words would be uttered aloud on your tongue. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud says that I remember we were small children when we carelessly entered the room in which Hazrat Sahib was lying. He had covered himself with a sheet, and Syed Fazal Shah Sahib was massaging you. They felt that revelation was occurring (rather, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) has written that he was also having him write it down simultaneously). He—that is, Fazal Shah Sahib—gestured to me to leave. So we came out. Later, it was discovered that a very long revelation had descended. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 3, p. 673)

This revelation, which Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud is mentioning, concerns an incident and case when Mirza Imam-ud-Din Sahib and others had drawn a wall and blocked pathways. According to the documents presented in court, it appeared the decision would go in favor of the opponents—in fact, they had spread the word that the case would soon be dismissed. But just as Allah the Exalted had informed him, so it happened, and at the last moment, such evidence was found in the documents which showed that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza Sahib—that is, the father of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)—was also a possessor and shareholder in that land along with Mirza Imam-ud-Din Sahib. Consequently, the court decided in his favor (peace be upon him) and ordered the wall to be demolished. This revelation also contains great majesty within itself, so I will also read its translation. It is mentioned in Tadhkirah and Haqiqatul Wahi. Regarding this, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) himself states:

"I remember that at that time, Syed Fazal Shah Sahib Lahori, brother of Syed Nasir Shah Sahib, overseer posted in Bara Mola Kashmir, was massaging my feet, and it was afternoon when this series of inspirations began concerning the wall case. I told Syed Sahib that this is an inspiration concerning the wall case. As this inspiration occurs, please keep writing. So, he took a pen, an inkpot, and paper. Thus, it happened that each time a state of drowsiness came over me and one sentence of divine revelation would descend upon my tongue, as is Allah's way. And when one sentence was completed and written, then drowsiness would come again, and the second sentence of divine revelation would flow upon my tongue, until all the divine revelation had descended and was written by the pen of Syed Fazal Shah Sahib Lahori. And in this came the understanding that this concerns the wall which Imam-ud-Din has erected, whose case is pending in court, and this understanding came that ultimately there will be victory in this case. So, I recited this divine revelation to a large gathering of mine and informed them of its meaning and circumstances of revelation, and had it published in the newspaper Al-Hakam, and told everyone that although the case now appears dangerous and hopeless, ultimately Allah the Exalted will create such circumstances that will bring us victory, because this was the essence of the divine revelation's content." (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 22, pp. 279-280)

This revelation occurred in Arabic. It is lengthy. I will read its translation. This translation was also done by the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) himself. The translation is:

"The mill will turn, and fate and destiny will descend—that is, the case's situation will change, just as when a mill rotates, that part of the mill which is facing forward goes behind the veil due to rotation, and that part which was behind the veil comes forward. ...This is Allah's grace which was promised. This will surely come, and no one has the power to reject it... Say, by my Lord's oath, this very thing is true. There will be no change in this matter, nor will this matter remain hidden, and a matter will arise which will put you in amazement. This is the revelation of that God who is the God of the lofty heavens. My Lord does not abandon that straight path which is His custom with His chosen servants, and He does not forget those of His servants who deserve help. So, you will have a clear victory in this case, but there is a delay in this decision until the time Allah has appointed. You are with Me, and I am with you. Say, every matter is in my Lord's control, then leave this opponent in his misguidance, arrogance, and pride... That Powerful One is with you. He has knowledge of hidden matters—rather, matters which are most hidden, which are even beyond human comprehension, these too are known to Him. ...That very God is the true deity. There is no deity besides Him. Man should not place reliance on anyone else as if he is his deity. There is only one God who possesses this attribute. He is the One who has knowledge of everything and who is watching everything, and Allah is with those people who adopt righteousness and fear Him, and when they do good, they fulfill all the subtle requirements of goodness—they do not do good superficially nor incompletely, but bring into practice its deep branches and accomplish it with perfect excellence. So, Allah helps them because they are servants of His beloved ways, walk on them, and make others walk on them. We sent Ahmad (the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) meaning this humble one) to his people. So, the people turned away from him and said he is a liar, caught up in worldly greed—that is, he wants to earn worldly wealth through such schemes—and they gave testimonies against him in courts to have him arrested, and they are falling upon him with their attacks like a fierce flood coming from above to below. But he says my Beloved is very close to me. He is near but hidden from the eyes of opponents." (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 22, pp. 281-283)

Thus, this revelation was fulfilled with great glory, and has been mentioned in various places. It may have occurred more than once. The hidden became manifest, and the decision came at the last moment, and whenever cases were filed against you, by Allah the Exalted's grace, all the opponents' wishes were turned back upon them, and decisions went against them.

Mentioning the gatherings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud, (may Allah bless him) states in one place that those voices still echo in our ears which we heard directly from the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. He says I was young, but my occupation was only this—that I would sit in the Promised Messiah's gathering and listen to his words. He says we heard so many issues in those gatherings that when his books were read, it seemed as if we had heard all the matters before. The Promised Messiah's habit was that whatever he wrote during the day, he would come to the gathering in the evening and narrate it. Therefore, all his words are preserved with us, and we understand well those topics which are according to the Promised Messiah's intention and his teaching. (Derived from Sirat Fazl-e-Umar, Vol. 1, p. 113)

Then, mentioning true faith, he states in one place that if a mother is given only arguments for serving her child and told that if you don't serve, the household system will fall apart, and this will happen and that will happen, these arguments cannot affect her even for a minute. A mother is not compelled to serve her child through arguments. If she serves, it is only under that feeling of love which is working in her heart. That is why the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) used to say that the faith of old women (iman al-'aja'iz) alone saves a person from stumbling; otherwise, those people who resort to arguments and stand at every step saying why was such-and-such command given and why were we told to do such-and-such work—they sometimes stumble and even their remaining faith is lost. But the perfect believer bases his faith on observation. He listens to others' arguments but does not accept the effect of their objections because he has seen Allah the Exalted with his spiritual eyes. Then he gave the example of Munshi Arora Khan Sahib, may Allah be pleased with him, who was a Companion of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) states that one anecdote about him I remember (I have mentioned this once before; I'll mention it again). He says they used to say that some people told me that if you hear Maulvi Sana Ullah Sahib's lecture once, then you'll know whether Mirza Sahib is truthful or not. He said I heard his lecture once (Maulvi Sana Ullah Sahib's). Afterwards, people asked me, now tell us, even after so many arguments, can Mirza Sahib be considered truthful? He says I have seen Mirza Sahib's face. After seeing his face, even if Maulvi Sana Ullah Sahib continues lecturing before me for two years, his lecture cannot have any effect on me, and I cannot say that it is the face of a liar. Even if I cannot answer his objections, I will only say that Hazrat Mirza Sahib is truthful. In short, knowing wisdom is not necessary for a perfect believer, because his faith is not based on reason but on observation. (Derived from Tafsir Kabir, Vol. 2, pp. 279-280)

This is Munshi Arora Khan Sahib's incident. In this context too, it was necessary to bring forth that we should try to see Allah the Exalted with our spiritual eye, and this can only happen by increasing our relationship with Allah the Exalted. And then belief in the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) will truly become real when we are convinced that Allah the Exalted sent you in this age for the world's reformation, and this is the need of the time. Time is demanding it. In this age, a reformer should have come. The Promised Messiah should have come. The world's condition itself is proof of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings be upon him—no other arguments are needed because the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had prophesied about this corrupted age. Thus, when there is a relationship with Allah the Exalted, then there is also fear of the Lord, and then there is no need for many miracles. There is no need for arguments. There is no need to demand miracles. The need of the age and every moment of your life is proof of your truthfulness.

So, we should always remember this and continue strengthening our faith in this regard, and may Allah grant that other Muslims too become aware of the need of the age, and also accept the Imam of the age. Mentioning the sincerity of Hazrat Munshi Arora Khan Sahib, may Allah be pleased with him, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud relates in one place that in our Jama'at, there are some names which seem strange. One devoted Companion of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was named Arora. Explaining the reason, you state that in that era, there was a custom that some people whose children would generally die would drag the child on a pile of filth at a fair, in dirty places, thinking perhaps he would survive this way. It was a custom or a method that was common or believed in, and then his name would be kept as Arora. The parents of this Munshi Sahib had similarly named him Arora, but he was an Arora in Allah's path, not one dwelling in filthy places. His parents had given him this name, thinking perhaps by being placed on a pile of filth, this child would remain alive, but Allah the Exalted wanted to save him from not only physical death but also spiritual death by placing him at the feet of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). His parents wanted to sacrifice him to filth, but Allah the Exalted saw his pure heart and accepted him for Himself. Thus, He granted him faith, and he became a devoted Companion of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and so devoted that very few people are like this, and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) states that hoping for salvation without such sincerity is futile talk. They were such devoted ones that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) himself praised their sincerity. These people demonstrated their sincerity in such a manner that seeing it causes amazement. These people were tents of love and affection. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 19, p. 886)

Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in one place mentions regarding him that the late Munshi Sahib was perhaps in the service of a Magistrate or Sessions Judge, working with him. He would definitely come to Qadian once a month, and since he could not benefit from one leave unless some weekend time was attached to it, therefore on the day of his visit to Qadian, his officer would tell the office staff that work should finish early today because Munshi Ji has to go to Qadian—if he cannot go, such a sigh will emerge from his heart that I will be ruined. And in this way, he would always free him at the right time. Although the officer was Hindu, his goodness, righteousness, and acceptance of prayer had such an effect on him that he himself would make time for him to come to Qadian and would say that if he cannot go to Qadian, such a sigh will emerge from his heart that I cannot survive. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 19, p. 887)

So, this was the effect of those elders on others who had seen the face of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and then had advanced in sincerity. They had a relationship with Allah the Exalted. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that as a person deals with Allah the Exalted, He deals with him likewise. Thus, in whatever manner a person melts his heart for Him, in the same manner Allah the Exalted also treats him. The world beats him, abuses him, tries to suppress him, but each time after being suppressed, he rises again like a ball. Despite all kinds of obstacles, Allah the Exalted causes such believers to prosper, and this is the true Jama'at which progresses, and such faith should be created. So, make your hearts like this and create such love for the community, then see how Allah the Exalted causes you to prosper. Those who become Allah the Exalted's do not even need to ask. Sometimes they say in an affectionate manner that we will not ask, and Allah the Exalted Himself fulfills their needs. I heard this incident too from the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) himself.

Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud, may Allah bless him, states that there was an elder who once faced such a condition that he was in severe distress. Someone asked him why he didn't pray. So, he said that if my Lord does not want to give me, then my praying is disrespectful. When it is not His will, why should I ask? This was his station. In this situation, he would only say let me not receive it. And if He wants to give, then my asking is impatience. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that this does not mean they do not pray at all, but rather sometimes such states come upon perfect believers. Sometimes, such states occur that they say well, we will not ask. Allah the Exalted Himself has commanded to pray, to ask, but sometimes such a state exists—due to the relationship with Allah the Exalted, they are showing affection and coyness, that Allah the Exalted will Himself fulfill our need. But this station is not achieved just like that. Do not think that you can just sit, not create love in your hearts, not create humility and submission in prayers, be negligent in charity and contributions, keep resorting to lies and deceit, and still become inheritors of Allah the Exalted's special grace—this can never happen. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 19, pp. 887-888)

Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) states: I have mentioned several times before that the late Qazi Amir Hussain Sahib, was a devoted Companion of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). Before becoming Ahmadi, he was a staunch Wahhabi, and likewise, he could not tolerate several things of outward etiquette. Wahhabis are very strict—there are certain things they cannot tolerate, which are matters of appearance. In the time of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) when Hazrat sahib would come outside, friends would stand up upon seeing the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). The late Qazi Sahib had become Ahmadi, but his view was that this standing up is not permissible—rather, it is shirk—and he would always debate about this, saying if such things exist among us today, what will happen in the future? Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states he was also my teacher. He says when my Khilafat period came, once when I came out, he immediately stood up (upon seeing Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud). So, I told him, Qazi Sahib, this is shirk according to you. At this, he laughed and said my view is indeed this, but what can I do? I cannot restrain myself. At that time, without thought, I stood up. I said, this is the answer to all your objections. Where someone stands up artificially, that is indeed shirk, but when a person stands up in ecstasy, this is not shirk. This is what the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) used to say, and would say that there are certain matters which artifice and pretense turn into shirk. So, this matter should be kept in mind. He would say that upon her brother's death, Hazrat Aisha involuntarily let out a shriek and struck her face. Someone asked her whether this is permissible. She said it happened involuntarily; I did not do it knowingly. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that this statement of Qazi Sahib always remains with me—that it happened involuntarily. Anyway, those Companions too had their own style. Everyone had sincerity and love. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 19, p. 889)

What kinds of signs does a relationship with Allah the Exalted show? Regarding this, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that I heard from the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) that once, probably during Harun al-Rashid's time, an elder who was from the Ahl-e-Bait and whose name was Musa Rida was imprisoned under the pretext that there was a possibility of mischief arising because of him. Once, at midnight, a soldier arrived at the prison with an order for his release. He was very surprised at how such an immediate release order could be issued. When he met the king, he asked him what the matter was that he suddenly released me in this way. He said the reason was this: I was sleeping when I saw in a dream that someone came and woke me up. In the dream itself, my eyes opened, and when I asked who you are, I learned that it was Hazrat Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. I submitted, “What is your command?” So, he said, “Harun al-Rashid, what is this that you are sleeping comfortably while our son is in prison?” Hearing this, such awe overtook me that I immediately sent release orders. That elder said that on that day, I too had great distress in the prison. Before that day, I never had a desire for release, but that day, there was great restlessness for release. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 19, pp. 890-891)

After this, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud again gives the reference of a lover of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)—the late Munshi Arora Sahib—that he was among the lovers of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). His habit was that he would try to reach Qadian every Friday or Sunday. So, when he got leave, he would come here, and I mentioned earlier about coming once a month. And when he would come, he would travel part of his journey on foot so that some money could be saved and he could present it in the service of the Promised Messiah, (peace be upon him). His salary at that time was very little—probably fifteen or twenty rupees—and from this he not only managed but also extracted travel expenses and presented offerings in the service of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) states: I have always seen him in one coat—I never saw him wearing a second coat in my entire life. He would have a waistcloth tied and a simple kurta. His great desire was that he would gradually save some money and then present it as an offering of devotion in the service of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). Gradually, due to his honesty, he progressed and also became a Tehsildar.

Then, regarding his famous incident, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) has related that after the demise of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) he came one day, called me outside, and began crying with great intensity. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) says I could not understand what the reason was. Then he took out three or four gold ashrafis and gave them, saying I wanted to give these to the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) but did not get the opportunity, and now when I got the opportunity, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) is not in this world—and at this he began crying again with great intensity. So Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud, mentioning this incident, states that this is love. If these worldly blessings are any blessings, and if we can truly get any real comfort from them, then a believer's heart certainly aches when using them—that if these are blessings, they were worthy of being received by the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 24, pp. 167-168)

There is also an incident of Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that when she received bread made from fine flour, tears came to her eyes—that in the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) this was not available, and he used to eat bread made from coarsely ground flour. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 24, pp. 165-166)

In this same context, Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud mentions his own love for the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings be upon him, writing an incident. After saying that if these blessings were worthy of anyone, they should have been received by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and then after him by his reflection, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) he states: I was young when in the time of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) I developed a passion for hunting. I had an air gun with which I would hunt and bring game home. Since the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) ate little food and had to do much mental work, and I had heard from you yourself or from some other physician that game meat is beneficial for those who do mental work, therefore, I would always present the game in your service. I do not remember ever having game meat cooked for myself in that era. I would always hunt and give it to the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. So, when a person has perfect love with his beloved, then either he does not consider anything a comfort at all, or if he considers it a comfort, he says this is the right of that beloved. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) states that Allah the Exalted has opened upon me great insights of Quranic knowledge by His grace, but dozens of occasions came upon me when some point was opened upon me by Allah the Exalted, and at that time a great longing and desire arose in my heart that if this point had been opened upon me in the time of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) or Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I, I would have presented it before them and would have received their pleasure. He states the real station is only of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)—the thought of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I used to come to me because he taught me the Holy Quran, and he had immense love for me, and his desire used to be that I should reflect on the Quran and extract its meanings. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud states that not worldly things, but these are the things which can provide us with the means of real comfort. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 24, pp. 168-169)

This then was the tale of the lovers of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)—such people who would go to Qadian and whose desire at every moment was to sit there, as I mentioned the tale of Fazal Shah Sahib and also of Munshi Arora Khan Sahib. On one side were those people who would see the face of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and would be in the effort to reach Qadian, would be restless to come to Qadian, and would then make sacrifices for him. But there are also some poor souls, upon whom Qadian's good environment would become a calamity. Worldly pleasures were so dominant over them that they would flee, escaping from the good environment. Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (may Allah bless him) has also written about one such person's incident.

He states that in the time of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) once a person came to Qadian and after staying one day, left. Those who had sent him to Qadian had sent him with the thought that he would go to Qadian and stay there for some days, hear the words of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) see the conditions there, and then Ahmadiyyat would have some effect on him. But when he came back after staying only one day, those who sent him asked why he returned so quickly. He said, repent, brother, that is no place for decent people to stay. They thought perhaps some Ahmadi's example did not have a good effect, due to which he stumbled. They asked what exactly happened that you came back so quickly? He states that in those days, ekkas (horse-drawn carriages) used to run between Qadian and Batala. He said I reached Qadian in the morning. I was accommodated in the guest house. My hospitality and welcome were done. We said we came from Sindh, there was no opportunity to smoke the hookah on the way, now we will sit comfortably and smoke the hookah, and rest. The hookah was still delayed in coming when one person said that Bara Maulvi Sahib—that is, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (he was called Bara Maulvi Sahib)—has now begun giving a hadith lesson; first listen to the lesson, then smoke the hookah later. We said, well, now that we have come to Qadian, let's also hear the hadith lesson. After hearing the hadith lesson and returning, one person said food is completely ready, first eat the food. We said fine, that's right. After finishing eating and resting, we will smoke the hookah comfortably. We had just sat down after eating when someone said the Zuhr call to prayer had been given. We said now that we have come, let's pray in Qadian. After praying Zuhr, Mirza Sahib sat down—that is, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) sat down—and the conversation began. We said, let's also hear what Mirza Sahib says, then we'll go and smoke the hookah (the hookah didn't leave his mind). After hearing the conversation and coming back, after relieving ourselves, we sat down and lit the hookah, thinking that now we are free from all sides, now we will smoke the hookah with satisfaction. But we hadn't even taken two puffs of the hookah when someone said the Asr call to prayer has been given, pray. Having left the hookah like this, we went for the Asr prayer. After praying Asr, the thought was that now there will be freedom for the hookah until evening. Someone said Bara Maulvi Sahib has gone to Masjid Aqsa, and there will be a Quran lesson there. We had thought that until evening there would be an opportunity to smoke the hookah, but well, now that we have come, let's also hear the Quran lesson. We went to the big mosque, listened to the lesson, and when we returned, the Maghrib call to prayer was given, and the hookah remained lying there as it was. Then we went for Maghrib prayer. After praying, Mirza Sahib sat down, and we were compelled to sit again. We said, let's hear Mirza Sahib's words. Finally, we came from there, thinking that now perhaps we'll get an opportunity to smoke the hookah, but food came, and they said eat the food, then smoke the hookah. We also ate dinner and thought that now we'll sit comfortably for the hookah when the Isha call to prayer was given. People said to pray. So, we went for the Isha prayer too. After praying, we thanked Allah the Exalted that now there is no other work, now there is complete free time, and we'll smoke the hookah. But we had just lit the hookah when it was learned that Bara Maulvi Sahib also gives some sermons and advice to guests coming from outside after Isha. Now, Bara Maulvi Sahib started giving the sermon. He was still giving the sermon when, due to travel fatigue and tiredness, I fell asleep while sitting, and then I had no idea where I was and where my hookah was. When I woke up in the morning, I picked up my bedding and fled from there, saying there is no place for a decent person to stay in Qadian. (Derived from Khutbat Mahmood, Vol. 3, pages 497-498)

So this was the condition of the decent people. Now, only because of the habit of one intoxicant, he remained deprived of learning religious knowledge, and remained deprived of benefiting from the company of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. For all those who use intoxicants too, there is a lesson in this.

Now I want to briefly mention the world's current conditions—that members of the Jama'at should pay much greater attention to prayer regarding the destruction toward which the world is rapidly heading. After the tyrannical incident in France, the severe measures that Western governments have now decided to take against the so-called Islamic government established in Iraq and Syria, and the plan they have made for air strikes—indeed, they have begun them—if these governments are to conduct these strikes, then let them be on those who are committing atrocities. May Allah the Exalted protect the innocent and common people from these strikes. Most of those living in Syria and elsewhere are being crushed in a mill—there is neither this side nor that side. The neighboring Muslim countries are also not serious about ending this mischief. What should have happened was that the neighboring countries themselves should have united and helped the governments there to end this mischief. It was allowed to grow to the point that this evil has spread throughout the entire world. And it is still said that some neighboring Islamic countries are trading with this so-called Islamic government and are also buying their oil. Russia is accusing Turkey of this, though Turkey denies it and makes counter-accusations against Russia. But in any case, something is happening. This trade is going on. I have been saying this for several years. Russia is also involved in these air strikes along with the Western world, though there are disagreements with the Western world. Russia is supporting Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria. The rest of the world is against him. But at this time, in any case, the targets regarding ISIS are common to both. But despite this, as I said, their differences also exist. If serious situations develop, China announces support for Russia. Syria's government says that European air strikes will not be beneficial unless they coordinate with us. Then, after Turkey shot down Russia's plane, the effects of this have led to increasing expressions and declarations of enmity. Then I have also heard that this so-called Islamic government has also made a plan that if they have to leave the Iraq-Syria areas, then they will establish their bases in Libya and establish a government there. And then what will be its result? It is clear that if they want to eliminate them, it is not far-fetched that air strikes will later begin there in Libya, too. Then civilians will die. Western countries keep supporting these very governments, then turn against them. They have turned against or are engaged in overthrowing the governments of Libya, Syria, Iraq, etc., or are trying to overthrow them. And all this is the result of not acting with justice for a long period—that mischief has spread in the world. Unfortunately, the governments of Muslim countries are also acting with injustice and oppression in their respective countries. That is to say, such complicated situations have developed that it is like a world war. Rather, we should say that a world war has begun on a small scale. Many analysts here have now begun to accept and write about this that a world war has started. I have been drawing attention to this for several years, though now these people themselves have also begun saying such things. But even now it appears that attention will not be paid to acting with justice—neither the major powers nor the Muslim governments will pay attention to this. Apparently, it seems that everyone is acting together against the so-called Islamic government. Therefore, if they eliminate it or can eliminate it, then peaceful conditions will be created. But some conditions indicate that even if this mischief ends, conditions will not improve—rather, after this, pulling and tugging among the major powers will begin. And it is not far-fetched that war will start because resentments between Russia and other Western powers are increasing, and then mostly civilians will die. We have seen this in previous wars, too—civilians die, innocent people die. Therefore, much prayer is needed. May Allah the Exalted save the world from destruction. Apart from this, I had also drawn the Jama'at's attention in previous years to precautionary measures—pay attention to that side as well. I have briefly indicated some matters. Then I draw attention to the need to pay much attention to prayers. May Allah the Exalted grant sense to governments and powers so that they do not lead the world toward destruction and ruin.