The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 31
Islam-the True and Living Faith 31 We can furnish conclusive proof to every seeker after truth that from the time of our lord and master the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] up to this day, in every century there have appeared men of God through whom God Almighty has guided other peo- ple by the display of heavenly signs. Of these were Sayyed 'Abd-ul-Qadir Jilānī, Abu-al-Hasan Kharqānī, Abū Yazīd Bistāmī, Junaid Baghdādī, Mohy-ud-Din Ibn- e-'Arabi, Dhunnūn Mişrī, Mu'in-ud-Din Chishtī Ajmerī, Qutb-ud-Din Bakhtiar Kākī, Farīd-ud-Din Pākpatnī, Nizām-ud-Din Dehlvī, Shah Walī-ullāh Dehlvī, and Sheikh Ahmad Sarhandī (Allāh is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him). Their number exceeded thousands. So many extraordinary happenings concern- ing them are set out in the books of the learned ones that even a very bigoted opponent has to admit that these people manifested extraordinary signs and miracles. I tell you truly that through my research, so far as it is possible for one to discover about the past, I have come to the conclusion that the number of heavenly signs in support of Islam and as a testimony of the truth of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] which have been manifested through the Auliya' of this Ummah, is not to be equalled in the history of other religions. Is- lam is the only religion which has progressed through heavenly signs, and its numberless lights and blessings have ever demonstrated the existence of God Almighty as if He is visible close at hand. Be sure that on the score of its heavenly signs Islām has not been put to shame in any age. In this age of yours, you could, if you wished, be the witnesses of signs in support of Islām. Say truly: have you not witnessed signs in support of Islām in your own age? Is there any other