The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 66
66 Essence of Islam-IV the world equipped with all the resources needed for its reform and thus he was not to face humiliation before any opponent He is the spiritual Commander- in-chief of the Muslim forces and God Almighty de- signs once again to make the faith victorious at his hand. All those who seek shelter under his banner are also equipped with the highest capacities. He is bestowed all that is needed for reform and is en- dowed with all knowledge that is required for repelling objections and setting forth Islamic excel- lences. [Darūrat-ul-Imam, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 13, pp. 472-477] It must be borne in mind that the expression 'Imām of the age' comprises the titles of Prophet, Messen- ger, Muhaddath and Mujaddid. Those who are not Divinely appointed for the reform and guidance of mankind and are not invested with the requisite ex- cellences cannot be described as Imāms of the age even if they are saints or Abdal36. The question remains as to who is the Imam of this age who must, under Divine command, be obeyed by Muslims in general, the pious, the seers and the recipients of revelation. I have no hesitation in af- firming that, by the grace of God, I am this Imām of the age. God Almighty has combined all the signs and conditions of the Imam in my person and has raised me at the turn of the century. [Darürat-ul-Imam, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 13, p. 495] 36 Literally, "Those who have brought about a holy change". A term used by the Sufis for the higher grade of saints. [Publisher]