The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 236
236 Essence of Islam-IV ing impure life, sloth and treachery. Therefore, it is incumbent upon those who find strength in their hearts to come to me; I shall be their comforter and shall try to lighten their burden. God Almighty will bless my prayers and my care for them provided they are ready with their heart and soul to fulfil His re- quirements. This is a Divine commandment which I have hereby conveyed. The relevant revelation in Arabic is as follows: اذا عزمت فتوكل على الله ـ واصنع الفلك باعيننا و وحينا الـذيـن يـبـايـعــونـك انـمـا يبايعون الله يد الله فوق ايديهم - 137 Peace be on him who follows the guidance. Ghulam Ahmad 1st December, 1888 Significance of Bai'at [Sabz Ishtihār, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 2, p. 470] What is the significance of Bai'at? The meaning of the word is to exchange one thing with another by mutual consent. The purpose of Bai'at is that one who enters into the covenant sells his self together with all its ca- pacities to a guide so that in return he should obtain the true understanding and the perfect blessings which should become the means of acquiring cognition, sal- 137 When thou hast determined a matter then trust in Allah and build the Ark under Our eyes and according to Our instructions. Those who enter into covenant with thee enter into a covenant with Allah. Allah's hand is above their hands. [Publisher]