Our Teachings [Part 4]
From the Work, ‘Kisthi-i-Nuh’ [Noah’s Ark]
by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian
The Light & Islamic Review (US), May/June 1992 Issue (Vol. 69, No. 3, p. 3)
Editor’s Note: The serialisation of extracts from this book which deal with the teachings of Islam, as particularly stressed by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, continues below from the last issue.
What a powerful and supporting God it is that we have found, the Master of mighty powers that we have seen. The fact is that nothing is impossible for Him, but that which would contravene His Book and His promise. Therefore, when you pray, be not like those ignorant believers in the laws of nature who have devised laws based on their own thinking, unsupported by the Book of God. They are rejected by God, and their prayers are never accepted. They are blind, not having sight; they are dead, not living. They bind God by the laws framed by themselves, set limits to His unlimited powers, and consider Him powerless. They shall be dealt with according to the weakness of their faith.
Belief in God’s Power of granting Prayer:
But you, when you stand up for prayer, must be convinced that your God has power over all things. Then will your prayer be accepted, and you will see the wonders of the powers of God which I have seen. My evidence is based on personal observation, not on hearing stories. When a man does not consider God to have power over all things, how can his prayer be accepted; and when he faces great tribulations, how can he pray for those things to happen which he thinks are contrary to the laws of nature? But you, O blessed man, be not like this. Your God is the One Who holds up countless stars without any pillars, Who created heaven and earth from nothing. Do you suspect Him of being unable to help you? Rather, it is your own lack of faith in Him which will deprive you.
God is never unable to accomplish something. However, His Book has set forth the law regarding prayer that, out of His infinite mercy, He deals with a righteous person as a friend. That is to say, sometimes He sets aside His decision and accepts the prayer, as He Himself said:
ادۡعُوۡنِیۡۤ اَسۡتَجِبۡ لَکُمۡ ؕ
“Pray to Me; I will answer you” (The Holy Quran, 40:60).
On the other hand, He sometimes imposes His decision, as He says:
وَ لَنَبۡلُوَنَّکُمۡ بِشَیۡءٍ مِّنَ الۡخَوۡفِ وَ الۡجُوۡعِ
“We shall certainly try you with something of fear and hunger” (The Holy Quran, 2:155).
This He does so that, on the one hand, by accepting a man’s prayer, He increases his faith and spiritual understanding; and, on the other hand, by making man submit to His will, He grants him the honour of receiving His pleasure, elevates his status, and causes him to progress in guidance by loving him.
God — the Greatest Treasure and Bliss:
Our God has countless wonders, but only those see them who have become His, truly and faithfully. He does not manifest them to those who are not His, who have no faith in His power, and are not truly faithful to Him. Wretched is the one who knows not that he has a God Who has power over everything. My God is my bliss; my highest fulfilment is to be found in my God, because I have seen Him and found every beauty in Him. This wealth is worth having, even at the cost of one’s life; this jewel is worth buying, even by losing all of one’s self.
O you deprived ones! run to this fountain to quench your thirst. It is the fountain of life which will save you. What should I do, and how should I convince the hearts of this good news! With what trumpet should I proclaim in the streets that this is your God, and make people listen! With what medicine should I treat people to open their ears! If you become God’s, know it for certain that He shall be yours. While you sleep, the most high God shall be awake for you. While you are neglectful of your foe, God shall see him and frustrate his plans. You know not yet what powers your God possesses. If you knew, you would never grieve for things of this world. If someone possesses a treasure, and loses one penny, does he shed tears and wail and destroy himself over the loss? Then if you knew of that treasure, which is that your God will help you at all times of need, you would not go mad after the world. God is a lovely treasure; value Him for He assists you in every step you take. You are nothing without Him, nor are your means and plans anything. Be not like other nations who have fallen entirely upon human means, and like the serpent that eats dust, they eat the dust of worldly means.