17th LETTER

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.