I stated yesterday or perhaps the day before yesterday that high moral excellences are a magnificent miracle, which can even leave behind other extraordinary happenings. For example, if today, the miracle of the splitting of the moon took place, experts of astronomy and physics, and those who are enthralled by science, would immediately assert that this is an occurrence which may be categorised as a form of solar or lunar eclipse; and by doing so would seek to bring down the grandeur of the occurrence. If the previous instance of this miracle is presented, they simply disregard it as being a fabricated tale of the past. For example, take the solar and lunar eclipses which took place in the month of Ramadan, and which served as a heavenly sign from among the signs of the Mahdi.
I have heard that some people allege that in light of astronomy, it was already established that this natural occurrence was bound to occur in the month of Ramadan. By saying so, they seek to diminish the value of this Hadith, which has been related by Imam Muhammad Baqir, on whom be peace. But these foolish people do not even realise that no ordinary individual can fulfil the requirements of prophethood. Prophethood means “to make prophecy”, and it is not within the power of any ordinary person to go about making prophecies.
The Prophet of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, foretold that in the era of the one who claims to be the Mahdi and Messiah, the solar and lunar eclipse would occur in the month of Ramadan, and this has never occurred since the creation of the heavens and earth. Hence, if there is any difficulty from a logical standpoint, those who object to this prophecy, may go ahead and see if they can lessen the grandeur of this prophecy in light of history. In other words, they ought to inform us of an era in time when the solar and lunar eclipse occurred in the month of Ramadan, where before the occurrence of this sign, a claimant had already announced his claim.
Moreover, they should tell us of any era in which a Prophet prophesied that the solar and lunar eclipses would occur in the month of Ramadan to support the claim of a person who was to appear. However, it is impossible for anyone to show us any other such example. My intent in relating this incident is merely to point out that people always find some excuse or other in relation to extraordinary happenings and seek to discredit them. However, an exemplary moral state is a miracle in which no one can find fault.
This is the very reason that the greatest and most powerful miracle granted to our Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was that of lofty morals. To this effect, the Holy Quran states:
إِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
[Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences.]
Notwithstanding this, even the extraordinary occurrences that took place at the hand of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, are established with far greater evidence than the miracles of the other Prophets, peace be upon them. However, his miracle of morals stands at the very top, and it has no parallel in the history of the world, and will never be matched until the end of time. It is my belief that any individual who forsakes their evil morals and ignoble habits, and adopts good qualities, shows a miracle.
For example if a stern and rough-natured person, or someone who succumbs to anger, abandons these ill habits and adopts the qualities of forbearance and forgiveness, or if a person rids themselves of miserliness and becomes generous, or if a person develops sympathy in the place of malice, this is undoubtedly a miracle.
Similarly, if a person forsakes self-conceit and self-admiration, and replaces it with lowliness and humility, then this very humility is a miracle. Who from among you does not desire that miracles be shown at their hands? I know that everyone holds this desire. Therefore, an everlasting and living miracle is if an individual reforms his moral state. For this is a miracle the effects of which never fade away; rather, its benefits carry on far and wide.
A believer ought to become one who shows miracles before one’s Creator and God’s creation. Many immoral and decadent people have been seen to remain unmoved by signs of extraordinary happening, but they ultimately bowed their heads upon witnessing high morals; they were left with no other choice but to proclaim their acceptance and belief. You will find this underlying factor in the biographies of many people, who accepted the Islam, Religion of Truth, moved by the miracle of loft y morals.
(Note: The Promised Messiahas was delivering his address in an immensely passionate and heart-touching manner when a few Sikhs, dressed like beggars, came in a state of intoxication and began to speak so inappropriately that the atmosphere of this spiritual gathering may well-nigh have been ruined. However, our True Leader, the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, demonstrated by his practical example the miracle of morality, which he had been alluding to in his address. The audience was so moved by this example that many of them burst into tears and began to weep emotionally. These evil people were ultimately handed over to the police, reprimanded and their drugs were confiscated. – Editor)
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 137-139)