The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 35
Status of the Promised Messiahas Fulfilment of the Need of the Time 35 In this age of ours, every kind of abuse by the oppo- nents has reached its climax. Vituperation, faultfinding and imposture have arrived at a limit which cannot be exceeded. At the same time, the condition of the Muslims has deteriorated to the ex- treme. Hundreds of innovations and all types of pagan practices and rejection of faith are observed on all sides. Therefore, most certainly this is the age in which a great Reformer should appear according to the prophecy: مُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا " Then all praise be to Allah that I am that Reformer. [Tiryāq-ul-Qulüb, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 15, p. 453, footnote] I exhort every Muslim to arise for the sake of Islam, for Islam is faced with great difficulties. Help it now, for it is poor. I have come for this purpose and God Almighty has bestowed the knowledge of the Qur'an on me and has disclosed to me the verities and reali- ties of His Book and has given me miraculous signs, so come to me and partake of these bounties. I swear by Him in Whose hand is my life that I have been sent by God Almighty. Was it not necessary that at the turn of this century, characterized by great distur- bances and all-too-obvious catastrophes, a Reformer should appear putting forth his claim clearly? You will soon recognize me through my works. The path 19. . . will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve. . . Āl- e-'Imran, 3:56 [Publisher]