Miracles and the Light of Faith

In continuation to last Friday’s sermon, the condition of the world itself demands the advent of a prophet. For, where can be find today the light and the faith of which we read in connection with the prophets? Who can show the signs and miracles which men were wont to witness at the hands of the prophets and their companions? We find a great deal written in the books of each religion, but where can be find the practical proof of it? Where is the gift of prophecy which the companions of Moses possessed? Where are the signs which the disciples of Jesus were wont to show? The books of every religion talk of a living God, but is that living God living today also? Does He still maintain with His servants the relation which Jehovah was wont to maintain with the followers of Moses or the Heavenly Father with the disciples of Jesus, or Allah with the Muslims?

If not, what reason can be assigned for this change? And, has this change occurred in God, or in man? We find that, in order to avoid having to face this question and to admit that this change has occurred, the contents of the revealed books of different religions are sought to be explained away, and meanings are assigned to passages which the words are incapable of bearing.

It may be permissible to us to say that God spoke to His servants in this or that manner, or spoke to His servants in this or that way, or that His relations with His servants were of this or that kind, but it is not open to us to assert that God has never talked to man in a manner which should exclude all possibility of doubt or misgiving nor is it open to us to say that God never showed any miracles to demonstrate conclusively the truth of a particular religion or of a particular prophet. We may be permitted to assert that the relationship which existed between God and His servants in the past was of a nature different from that ordinarily understood or accepted, but after a perusal of the scriptures of different religions we cannot honestly assert that God has never dealt with His servants in manner from which the world could judge that a Living God exists who displays his Might and Mercy for those He loves.

And if we were to open wide the door of interpretation and were to explain away not only the words, but even the spirit in which the ancient Scriptures have recorded the events of the lives of the prophets and their companions and followers, we would very soon be compelled to admit that the Revealer Himself could not fully express what He intended to convey. But as such, a defect cannot be attributed to God, so we are bound to admit that this is not so. We must confess that the Scriptures of all religions are unanimous that God caused such miracles to be shown by His prophets and their followers, and that He dealt with them in a manner so conspicuous that not only was the faith of the latter strengthened and perfected, but that this also revived the faith of others, and the existence of a living and Mighty God was demonstrated to the world.

It is true that this happened in the old days, and, surely, no doubt can be entertained concerning the truth of these things, otherwise it would be a legitimate question to ask why does it not happen today? If God used to talk to His servants in years past, why does He not talk to them today? If He was wont to send down His guidance in times of trouble, doubt, and error, why does He not open to men the door of His guidance today? Does it mean that all religions have become corrupt and that no truth can now be discovered in them, so that no result can be obtained by acting upon any of them; or is it possible that the true religion exists in the world, but that men do not act upon it, and can therefore make no progress in the spiritual realm?

Whichever view we may accept, the question will arise: why did not God reveal a new religion if He thought there was need for it, and if He had already given His guidance to act upon and the people did not heed it, why He did not raise a reformer to lead them to the right path so that they may attain nearness to Him and fulfil the object of their creation?

It is unbelievable that a Merciful and Loving God would remain unmoved at the sight of mankind floundering in error and worldliness and yet He would take no measures for their guidance and direction. God must be Kinder and more Merciful than a father or a mother, for a father and a mother are merely a means for the procreation of a child, but God is not only the creator, He is also the end and the object of man’s existence. The relationship between a child and its parents is temporary, but the relationship between man and God endures for ever. The faculties and resources of parents are limited and perishable, but His power is unlimited and His treasures can suffer no diminution. He who is related to His creatures in such a manner and is the master of such powers, cannot forget His creatures and be indifferent to their sufferings. He who requires His weak creatures to show Mercy to others cannot be so merciless as to leave mankind unprovided with the means of spiritual guidance and advancement to wander aimlessly in the dark and to lose their very sight in searching for the light.

As it is a very vast subject, I shall Insha-Allah continue this sermon next Friday. May Allah (swt) give me Tawfiq to expound to you the beauty of the ways of God Almighty when He chooses His prophets as a blessing to revive His creatures, especially mankind spiritually, so that to make all people in the four corners of the world understand. Insha-Allah. May Almighty Allah make you all understand well the subject matter of this sermon. Ameen.

-Extracts from the Friday Sermon of September 05, 2014 delivered by the Khalifatullah (atba).