After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, HIs Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) rendered great services in raising the flag of the Holy Prophet (sa) in the world. At the same time, the Promised Messiah (as) would express gratitude to those who helped him in fulfilling this mission.
Gratitude to the Helpers in His Mission
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Promised Messiah (as) made an appeal for financial sacrifice related to the Langar Khana (community kitchen) which he had established. The Promised Messiah (as) said that he wished to tend to the Langar Khana through these funds so that after doing so he could focus his attention towards the fulfillment of his mission to spread the true message of Islam. The Promised Messiah (as) said that indeed those who helped in this cause would be helped by God. Then, the Promised Messiah (as) namely mentioned the financial sacrifices made by Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin (ra) and Hazrat Abdul Karim Sialkoti (ra), mentioning how they would be prepared to offer any sacrifice when called upon and present any amount when needed, all for the sake of God and for His chosen religion of Islam. There were various others whom the Promised Messiah (as) named and appreciated for their efforts in financial sacrifices made for the sake of Islam and the Promised Messiah (as) prayed for them as well. The Promised Messiah (as) also appreciated the fact that Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin (ra) had deeply rooted knowledge of the Holy Qur’an, which he would impart to others, which he deemed to be nothing less than a direct service to God Almighty, and appreciated all of his efforts. The Promised Messiah (as) said that there were many names which he wished to write and express thanks to, but said that if he did, then it would turn into a long dissertation. This shows the degree to which the Promised Messiah (as) would thank those who would render any service for the sake of the faith.
Even the Simplest Things Warrant Gratitude
His Holiness (aba) said that once, someone wanted to present the Promised Messiah (as) with falooda (a cold, layered desert drink made with milk, rose syrup vermicelli noodles and basil seeds). The Promised Messiah (as) accepted this offer and when the falooda was presented to him, the Promised Messiah (as) had some and expressed his appreciation. He also sent some inside the home for those inside to enjoy it as well. The Promised (as) wished to give him two rupees as payment, however the man who made the falooda refused, saying that this had been a gift for the Promised Messiah (as). The Promised Messiah (as) then prayed that God would reward him. It was a result of these prayers that this man’s children found success in the future and themselves were given the opportunity to render services to the Community.
His Holiness (aba) said once, the Promised Messiah (as) asked for food to be brought. As there were also guests present, the food which had been prepared finished within ten minutes. Syed Sarwar Shah Sahib, who was responsible for making food arrangements grew very worried and embarrassed. He quickly went and brought back a bowl of milk and sugar with some bread and presented it to the Promised Messiah (as) and said that this was all that could be presented. He feared that the Promised Messiah (as) would express displeasure, however, the Promised Messiah (as) took the bowl and ate it with gratitude. Onlookers record that this gratitude of the Promised Messiah (as) was not made up, rather it was evident from his expressions as he ate that he was truly grateful for the food he had been presented.
Gratitude for the Love Placed in His Followers’ Hearts
His Holiness (aba) said that once, in a letter, the Promised Messiah (as) wrote to Munshi Ahmad Jaan (ra) in which he expressed thanks to God for granting him such devoted helpers. The Promised Messiah (as) expressed incredible humility in his letter as he thanked God for the helpers he had been granted in his mission. He thanked God for granting him recognition out of obscurity, for granting him knowledge, strength and blessings. One of the greatest blessings the Promised Messiah (as) mentioned was that God placed love for him in the hearts of the helpers he was granted.
His Holiness (aba) said that in another letter, the Promised Messiah (as) wrote to Dr Khalifah Rashiduddin (ra) who had sent some financial contributions to the Promised Messiah (as). He expressed great thanks, and that this money was sent at a most opportune time. The Promised Messiah (as) said that as an expression of thanks, he would devote a period of time to praying for Dr Khalifah Rashidudddin (ra), that God may bless him abundantly. In another letter, the Promised Messiah (as) expressed thanks to someone who had sent him some cologne. This letter was filled with prayers, for someone who had something as simple as cologne, yet this was the manner in which the Promised Messiah (as) would offer thanks for even the smallest of things.
His Holiness (aba) said that it is recorded that the Promised Messiah (as) wrote his book Lecture Sialkot on the roof of one of his companions’ homes. There was a small walk going around the roof, and the Promised Messiah (as) had placed an inkpot on all four sides of the wall, as he would walk back and forth on the roof as he wrote the book. Every so often, the Promised Messiah (as) would fall into supplication. He would be offering thanks to God, for in that moment, God would have elucidated or opened up a matter in his mind. Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) would constantly express gratitude and thanks to God as he wrote this book.
A Heartfelt Gift
His Holiness (aba) said that once, someone sent a cloak to the Promised Messiah (as) which they had stitched with their own hands. He then found a way to Qadian and got there on a Friday. He desired to give the cloak to the Promised Messiah (as) prior to the Friday prayer, in case there could be a chance that the Promised Messiah (as) would wear the cloak to the Friday prayer. Upon arriving in Qadian, he was taken to the Promised Messiah (as) where the cloak was presented to him along with the desire for him to wear it to the Friday prayer. The Promised Messiah (as) wore the coat, but it’s fit was quite tight. So, the young man quickly tried to loosen it and presented it back to the Promised Messiah (as). When the Promised Messiah (as) wore the coat again, it was still slightly tight and the buttons did not close easily. Still, the Promised Messiah (as) forced the buttons closed and in order to express appreciation for this gift and the desire with which it was presented, the Promised Messiah (as) wore that coat to the Friday prayer, not caring for the fact that it did not exactly fit.
Fulfillment of a Very Specific Prophecy
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Promised Messiah (as) received a revelation from God that he would soon receive 21 rupees in order to alleviate his worry and to render aid to him. This revelation was very specific as it mentioned the exact amount, and it was something that was not expected or hoped for. Due to the exact nature of this revelation, it was also told to some Aryas as a sign. Then, some days later, the Promised Messiah (as) received the same revelation again, at which point he figured that this was the day this revelation would be fulfilled. Only three minutes after receiving this revelation again, the Promised Messiah (as) was approached by someone who gave him one rupee. Then, a few moments after that, the Promised Messiah (as) received a letter, and when he opened it, there was a money order for five rupees. The Promised Messiah (as) thought that while he now had six rupees, it still did not total 21, and he had mentioned this prophecy to non-Muslims as a sign; so, what would happen now? Upon this, the Promised Messiah (as) received the same revelation again. A couple of days later, it came to be known that there had already been a money order sent to the Promised Messiah (as) in the mount of twenty rupees, which had been sent on the very same day that the Promised Messiah (as) initially received the revelation. In this way, the prophecy was fulfilled. Out of gratitude to God and out of happiness for the fulfillment of this prophecy, the Promised Messiah (as) used that money to buy sweets and distributed them among the Aryas to whom he had related this prophecy.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who writes:
‘There is not a single nation among whom the Signs in my favour have not appeared, and there is not a sect that is not a witness to my Signs. It would be no exaggeration to say that the number of witnesses to these Signs is as much as 100,000,000. But the plight of the opponents is pitiable indeed that they did not derive any benefit from these Signs. Had these Signs that have been shown to them, been shown to the Jews at the time of Hadrat ‘Isa Ibn-e-Maryam [ Jesus son of Mary], they would not have been characterized as “those smitten with abasement”. Had Lut’s [Lot’s] people witnessed these Signs; they would not have been buried under the earth on account of that massive earthquake. But, woe be upon these hearts that proved to be harder than stone! The darkness that has overtaken their hearts exceeds every kind of darkness. The fact of the matter is that just as the world has progressed in respect of all kinds of material means, so has it advanced in disbelief and lack of faith. Hence this ‘advanced’ disbelief requires that it should not be visited by any ordinary chastisement, rather it should be overtaken by a chastisement the like of which has never descended since the beginning of the world. At any rate, thousands of thanks be to God that the light that our opponents refused to accept and remained blind, the same light became the cause of advancement of our own sight and spiritual insight.’ (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, p. 378)
His Hoiness (aba) prayed that may Allah enable us all to truly understand the philosophy of gratitude, and having pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiah (as), grant us true light, insight and divine recognition.
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