Wake up

When you are asleep and a friend calls out your name, you wake up. Then why is it that you do not wake up from God’s call? The smallest of sounds from a baby awakens its mother, even though the relationship between God and His servant is far superior to a mother and her child’s. Then, when God says to rise, why do you fail to wake up; why do you not come out from your homes so as to wake others?

The God Who created the heavens and the earth Himself came down from the heavens. He descended upon the heart of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him – upon his pen; upon his tongue. He cried out through his pen and continued to cry out for 23 long years. Not secretively, but in plain terms, he declared, “The world is facing imminent destruction, thus wake up.” He manifested Himself in his tongue and openly called out to the people so that they may wake up and he cried aloud; despite being the King and Master, He screamed with pain, in such a voice that is filled with even more pain than the cries of a mother experiencing labour pains. He exclaimed, “Rise, my servants!” But the world continued to slumber and did not even move its body.

Many, however, did wake up and showed great determination and resolve, so much so that they laid down their lives in this way and entered God’s mercy. Many resolved, are still with us today and if God’s mercy remains with them, they shall remain awake until death.

However, many woke up, rendered services for a while, but then fell into slumber again. Many awoke and intended to perform [a spiritual] ablution, but just as they touched the source of water, they slumbered. Many opened their eyes but remain lying on their backs; such people are still not aware whether they are awake or asleep.

Everyone – uneducated, scholars, rich, poor – should develop a transformation within themselves. First transform yourselves, then transform others. This punishment comes as a sign of Judgement Day. Do not consider yourselves to be in peace. We are standing at the brink of apocalypse that the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, came to save us from. Until we do not accept death for our own selves, this punishment shall not be deferred.

The punishment is nigh, therefore do not be mistaken and remain indolent. Do not think that because of the intense summer heat, you will wait for winter to do tabligh. If the people who you are to do tabligh to die before the winter season, then what reply will you give to God? God has created every form of ease for His servants; even if not during the day, then in the evenings one can perform tabligh. Thus, understand the importance of this task and prepare yourself for it so that the light from which you have apparently sought benefit from, your hearts may also benefit. As long as the eyes are not able to see, light cannot be of any benefit. Therefore, we should enable our hearts to also absorb the apparent light that Allah has bestowed us with.

(Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II and Musleh-e-Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, on 26 May 1933)