This letter, written to Mirzâ
Husâmaddîn Ahmad, explains that worldly troubles will promote a person though
they taste bitter, and states the value of dying of plague.
First, I extend my hamd to Allâhu ta’âlâ and send my salawât to our Prophet (sallallâhu ’alaihi wasallam), and then I
pronounce a benediction over you. I have been disturbing you with my letters.
Shaikh Mustafâ has delivered your valuable letter, in which you advise us to be
patient about the misfortunes that have befallen us. We have been honoured with
reading it. All of us are Allâhu ta’âlâ’s property. All of us will go before
Him! The misfortunes that have fallen upon us are, outwardly, very smart, very
bitter. But in reality they are progressive and exalting medicines. [Certainly,
a medicine will be bitter]. The benefits which these bitter events produce in
this world cannot be a hundredth of the blessings which we expect to be given
in the Hereafter. Then, the child is a great blessing from Allâhu ta’âlâ. As
long as it lives you reap many benefits from it. And its death brings you
thawâb and promotion. The great savant Muhyissunna [Nawawî] (rahmatullâhi
’aleyh) says in his book captioned Hilyat-ul abrâr:
“When Abdullah ibn Zubayr was the Khalîfa plague broke out, and it bereaved
Anas bin Mâlik (radiyallâhu ’anh) of eighty-three of his children. Having been
a servant of our Prophet’s (sallallâhu ’alaihi
wasallam), he had been honoured with his (the Prophet’s)
benediction of barakat and abundance over him. The plague bereaved also
Abdurrahmân bin Abî Bakr Siddîq (radiyallâhu ’anhumâ) of forty children.” With
this having been done to the Sahaba (’alaihimurridwân), who are the best and
the most valuable of mankind, how could we expect to be taken into special
accounts so sinful as we are? A hadîth-i sherîf
declares, “The plague was sent as a torture onto
the previous ummats. For this Umma it is a cause of martyrdom.”
Indeed, those who die of plague die in astounding serenity and with tawajjuh
towards Allâhu ta’âlâ. On this day of calamity one longs to join that blessed
company; one desires to leave the world and accompany them in their cruise to
the Hereafter. The catastrophe of plague may seem to be wrath and torment upon
this Umma, but essentially it is (Allah’s) compassion. Mayân Shaikh Tâhir said
that during the days of plague someone in Lahore had heard some voices saying,
“Shame upon anyone who does not die during these days!” It is true! When due
attention is paid to the
states of these martyrs, bewildering
states, occult occurrences are observed. Such blessings are exclusive only to
those who sacrifice their lives for Allah’s sake.
Sir!
The bereavement of my most cherished son has been a very great catastrophe. It
has scorched me. No one has suffered such a burning grief. Yet at the same time
the blessing of patience and gratitude, which Allâhu ta’âlâ has bestowed on
this weak-hearted faqîr, me, against this catastrophe, has been one of His
greatest gifts. I pray that Allâhu ta’âlâ will not give the reward for this
catastrophe in the world and will give it in the Hereafter! However, I am not
unaware of the fact that this wish of mine originates from the depression in my
heart. For, His mercy is endless and His compassion is profuse. Both in this
world and in the Hereafter, He gives profusely. What we expect from our
brothers is that they help and rescue us by praying for our guidance toward
îmân in our last breath and for the forgiveness of our sins, which we have
committed out of human weaknesses. O our Allah, forgive us and do not let us
deviate from the right way! Help us defend ourselves against unbelievers! Âmin.
I send my salâm to you and to those who are on the right way.