Hudhur gave a discourse on the supreme virtue of steadfastness with reference to the practice of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Hudhur said his practice was in following the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who abided by most excellent patience because God commands: ‘…seek help with patience and Prayer…’ (2:154)

Only those people can put this in practice who have complete faith and trust in God. In the current age it is the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which demonstrates patience and resoluteness and in their hour of need only turn to God. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) displayed a practical example of this, he had to endure all kinds of adverse circumstances which he did with a model of most excellent steadfastness. God directly guided him in these matters. As in the revelation below:

‘It will be a trial, then be steadfast as were steadfast those of high resolve. Allah will frustrate the plan of the disbelievers. Hearken! it is a trial from Allah so that He may love thee with a great love, love from Allah, the Mighty, the Lord of Honour; a bounty that will not be cut off…’ [Tadhkirah p. 444]

Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani sahib writes that in 1898 Maulwi Muhammad Hussain sent a journal to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which was full of abusive language. He writes that reflecting on the steadfast resolve that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) displayed upon receiving the journal, filled him with emotion even decades later. His patience and fortitude was exemplary and was a proof that God bestows such high determination to His Prophets. Irfani sahib writes that once at a convention a Braham leader was having a question and answer session with the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) when a obnoxious person started hurling abuse at the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) put his hand on his face and sat completely serene as if listening to sweet conservation while the man remained foul-mouthed. He said no one should say anything to the man and should let him say what he wanted. The Braham was very impressed with this and said it was a moral miracle.

Irfani sahib also writes that once a man was protesting to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) while he responded to him in a very gentle manner. The gentler his response would be, the more audacious the man became until such time that he completely abandoned decency. Meanwhile the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) continued to address him in the politest of terms. One companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), Maulwi Abdul Kareem sahib, could not tolerate the rude behaviour any more and raised his voice at him and lept towards him which made the man flee. Maulwi Abdul Kareem sahib was pleased that he had displayed his sense of honour but later realised that he should have given precedence to regard of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and perhaps not acted in the way he had. Maulwi Abdul Kareem sahib also relates that once a very arrogant man came to the mosque and was very rude about the claim of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). His language was extremely offensive and brazen but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) remained absolutely calm. Many a time the audience were perturbed by the hurtful language and gave vent to their frustration after the gathering was over but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) did not ever even hint at such a thing.

Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani sahib writes that in 1904 a journal that used abusive language for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was mentioned when the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said, ‘steadfastness should be practised. What do these abusive words do? Such was also the condemnation of the people of the times of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) which he used to laugh off saying what can I do about their condemnation, Allah has named me Muhammad’. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) added, ‘similarly has God sent me’. Often abusive letters would arrive without any postage paid and it had to be paid in order to receive the letters which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) used to pay. These letters had nothing but abuse from start to finish and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) used to pray for the senders and put all such letters in a bag. Once Maulwi Muhammad Hussein sent a journal with abusive material. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) sent it back with the following written on it: ‘O my Lord, if this man is truthful in the words that he has written in the book, give him honour and if he is not truthful then bring him to reckoning and seize him for this falsehood’. All present said Ameen to this.

Once during a lecture or a sermon of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in a mosque, a Sikh entered the building and started being verbally abusive. Everyone listened in silence due to fear of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). When the man’s words turned vulgar, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said ‘take him out gently’. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad writes that some people raised objections during the construction of Minaratul Masih that the privacy of their homes would be effected, so a deputy commissioner came to visit. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said to him to ask a Hindu who was present that from his childhood to the current time, was there any occasion where the Promised Messiah could have benefitted the Hindu and he did not. He also said to the commissioner to also ask the Hindu that if there had been any occasion where the Hindu could have hurt the Promised Messiah and he had not done so.

Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani sahib writes that once a doctor from Lucknow came to Qadian who had airs and graces and was somewhat impudent when he spoke to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Criticising, he said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) claimed to know eloquent Arabic but could not even pronounce a specific letter properly. His criticism was most hurtful but most companions stayed quiet due to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Sahibzada Abdul Lateef could not bear it and responded to him. The unpleasantness mounted. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked to desist, he said he was not upset as Prophets are always ridiculed and abused. In response that he could not pronounce a letter properly he said he did not hail from Lucknow so his pronunciation could not be thus, and that he was a Punjabi. He also said that it was said about Hadhrat Moses (on whom be peace) ‘…and can scarcely express himself clearly.’ (43:53) and that ahadith relate that the Mahdi will have an impediment of speech.

Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib relates that often letters with unpaid postage would arrive. These would be anonymous and always abusive. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) always paid the postage to receive these. Once, a companion stopped the person who collected the post from accepting letters with unpaid postage. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came to know about it, he smiled and said people wrote these letters anonymously fearing legal action. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib also relates that some close relatives of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would utter verbal abuse all night long. At dawn the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) could ask that the person be given something to eat as he had spent the night uttering abuse and would have a dry throat.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said ‘I have such control over my nafs (self) and God has made my nafs such a Muslim that if a person sits in front of me for a whole year and gives the worst possible personal abuse to me, ultimately it will be him who will be embarrassed and will have to confess that he could not disturb me.’

Some irreligious and worldly cousins of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) were extremely opposed to him. Once they closed off a path that led to the mosque which created extreme inconvenience to those who wished to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Some legal recourse was taken which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) won. However, without seeking the Promised Messiah’s permission or even informing him, the lawyer also filed for expenses. His cousins wrote to him on which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) told the lawyer off and sent a message to his cousins that they would not have to pay any expenses. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad writes that his cousins would incite the Sikh residents of Qadian and matters used to escalate from verbal abuse to physical commotion. The animated among the Ahmadis would ask for permission to respond but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) always used to ask them to be steadfastness.

Once some Sikhs of Qadian unjustly attacked and damaged the house of an underprivileged Ahmadi and were violent towards the Ahmadis. The police took action against them, upon which they went to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asking for forgiveness and he pardoned them. A self-styled mujaddad published an extremely offensive supplement against the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). When his companions suggested to take him to court, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said, ‘for us the court of God is sufficient. Be patient.’

In conclusion Hudhur read an extract from the august writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stating that the ultimate triumph will be of his Community and it has been the way from time immemorial that Prophets of God are derided, as the Qur’an states: ‘Alas for mankind! there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him’. (36:31). He said generations upon generations of people will wait for the Promised one and they will see that he will not come.

Hudhur said our so-called supporters should look after themselves rather than provoke us about the level of our steadfastness. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) did not say the difficult times will be over soon. Rather, a hundred odd years ago he wrote that three centuries will elapse before people will finally realise that the one who was promised to come has indeed come. With God’s grace, his Community has now reached 198 countries of the world and is gaining strength by the day. It is our progress that has unsettled the enemy and the opposition has increased. The evergreen tree planted by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is being irrigated by steadfastness and prayers and InshaAllah will continue to blossom. Any branch of this tree that does not seek beneficence from it will be a dry branch and will be cut off. In these times of increased hostility each Ahmadi should seek patience and help from God more than ever and continue to be a part of the blossoming tree. May God enable us all to do so.