Published on Mar 11 2011 by Nadimur Rahman

Hudhur quoted from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) where he likened the hearts of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to sparkling, cleansed utensils that have been through the process of qala’i. Hudhur explained the process of qala’i for those who are not from the sub-continent. In olden times pots and pan made of copper and other metals had to be periodically cleaned through the process of qala’i. Hudhur said people from the sub-continent know about qala’i especially those who work in the Langer Khana where the huge pots require this process. In qala’i, the utensil is first passed through fire with some chemicals rubbed onto it, next a shiny white metal is rubbed onto it to remove any remaining tarnish and finally it is polished with a cloth, resulting in the utensil gleam as if made of silver. Hudhur said he gave this explanation because the analogy given by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) of a utensil having gone through the process of qala’i is not an ordinary effort. It involves passing through fire. Hudhur said in short the Promised Messiah is saying that when a person wants to reach that station where he is truly enlightened by the light of the Word of God, he has to go through a painful endeavour. Then alone does he attain the station of that prosperity which God states in the Qur’an as: ‘He indeed truly prospers who purifies it,’ (91:10). Indeed, in order to purify the self, serious effort is required. In order to unite the latter-ones with the earlier-ones, the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) advent took place, so that rusty hearts could be burnished with the light of the Word of God. These examples can be seen in the companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that purification of the self entails that a Muslim should always be keenly ready to pay the dues of God and the dues of mankind. Just as one verbally professes God to be One, and without any partner, similarly one should display this through one’s practice and should be ever compassionate and helpful to mankind. Hudhur said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came so that man could bring about pure changes on a personal level and attain spiritual blessings. May God enable each Ahmadi to aspire to this. Fortunate are those who make an effort towards this. In following the Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) brought extraordinary changes in themselves and passed this onto their next generations. Fortunate are those who conveyed this beneficence onwards.

Hudhur said today he would mention one such elder who honoured the name of his ancestors. In him can be seen the qualities of self-purification that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) elucidated. Hudhur said he had and still has a very close relation with this elder who was the paternal as well as maternal grandson of two eminent companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

His name was Syed Dawood Muzaffer Shah sahib. He passed away a few days ago. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar sahib was a companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar sahib excelled in Taqwa, purity, humility, paying the dues of God and of mankind. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) related that once Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be pleased with him) fell ill. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave sadqa of a goat. Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar sahib stayed with Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be pleased with him) overnight, looking after him. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came to visit him in the morning, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be pleased with him) told him that Dr. sahib had stayed up all night, dispensing medication. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was very pleased to hear this and remarked that this family was of the Paradise. Once, when he was a civil surgeon at a government hospital, Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar sahib was in a Tabligh discussion with someone. During the discussion the man threw an earthenware pot at Dr. sahib in anger. The pot hit him on his head and injured him. He quietly went to hospital and had his head bandaged. Meanwhile, the man realized that he had hit a senior government official and was fearful at the likelihood of being apprehended by police. However, Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar sahib returned to him and said he hoped his temper had cooled down. The man apologized. Thus was the model of patience as displayed by Dr. Abdul Sattar sahib. In spite of having the authority, he was patient. Only one who has had real self-purification can display such high moral.

Syed Dawood Muzaffer sahib was the second son of Hadhrat Hafiz Syed Mahmood Ullah sahib, who was the son of Dr. Syed Abdul Sattar Shah sahib. Hadhrat Hashmat Ullah Khan sahib, the special physician of Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) writes that Syed Mahmood Ullah sahib was a highly moral elder who had an ardent love of God and whose desire to serve humanity was of very high level, he had great respect for the elders and love for the younger ones. He wrote that his son was also very pious and was fortunate enough that Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) had given his daughter in marriage to him.

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