It ought to be remembered that a human being can only observe the various rites of worship with complete freedom and satisfaction when four conditions are met. They are as follows:
Firstly, there is health. If a person is so frail that they cannot get up from their bed, how can they adhere to the observance of Prayer and fasting? In the same way, such a one would be unable to act on many injunctions like the Hajj and Zakat, among others. One ought to think about the diverse means that this government has furnished to us by its good graces, in order to maintain our physical health. In every major city and town there is at least one hospital, where the sick are treated with immense sympathy and compassion; medicine, food and the like is given free of charge. Certain patients are kept in the hospital and treated, tended to and cared for in a manner that one could not be treated in such ease, facility and comfort even in their own home. A separate department exists to provide healthcare and millions of rupees are spent annually on this service. It has provided extraordinary resources to keep towns and cities clean. A dedicated system is in place for sewage and waste disposal. Then, a wide range of fast-acting medication has been produced and made available at such a low cost that anyone can purchase these medicines and keep them at home to treat themselves at a time of need. Large medical colleges have been established and medical training has been made available so widely that doctors can even be found in rural villages. Moreover, there are separate departments dedicated to deal with other harmful diseases like smallpox, cholera, plague and the like. The measures undertaken recently by the government in connection with the plague is truly worthy of gratitude. In short, the government has provided all the necessary means that are required in the context of health, and in doing so has furnished great support in fulfilling the primary condition for worship.
The second condition is faith. If a person does not even believe in God Almighty and His commandments and a person is plagued with the leprosy of disbelief and atheism from within, in this case also, one cannot fulfil the orders of God. There are many who say:
اىہہ جگ مٹھا تے اگلا كن ڈٹھا
It is this world that is delightful, who has ever seen the hereafter?
It is a shame. Before the law, a man can be hung on the testimony of two people, but despite the testimony of 124,000 Messengers and countless saints, there is still such widespread disbelief in the hearts of people. In every era, God Almighty declares through His powerful signs and miracles: اَنا اْلمْو ُجْود (I am present). But these unfortunate people do not lend an ear, despite having ears. Therefore, this is also a very important condition. So we ought to be thankful to the British government for this as well because wide-spread knowledge of religion was required in order to strengthen the faith and belief of the people, and religious education depends on the publication of religious books. It is due to the blessings of the printing press and the post office that religious books of all sorts can be obtained and newspapers provide an opportunity for people to exchange views. Good natured people have at their disposal ample opportunity to strengthen their faith and belief.
In addition to these points, another important and immensely crucial aspect that is necessary to strengthen faith is the signs of God Almighty, which are manifested at the hand of that individual who comes from God, commissioned by Him, and who revives lost truths and verities through his conduct. Hence, one ought to thank God that the person whom He has appointed to revive faith once again in this era, and whom He has sent to make people stronger in faith, has also appeared in the rule of this blessed government. Who is that person? It is the very same person who stands among you and addresses you now. It is an accepted fact that until man is complete in their faith, they cannot perform virtuous deeds to a level of perfection. The weaker an aspect or pillar of one’s faith, the more indolent and weak one will be in practice. In this respect, a saint is a person whose every aspect of faith is complete and who is not defective in any respect, whose acts of worship are performed in a perfect and complete manner. Therefore, the second condition is soundness in faith.
The third condition is financial ability. The construction of mosques and the advancement of other such endeavours related to Islam depend on financial ability. Without this, civic life and the administration of affairs—particularly those relating to mosques—would become very difficult. Now look at the British government in this respect as well. The government has advanced all sorts of trade. Further, it has promoted education and has made employment available to the citizens of this land, even giving them high positions. By providing means for transport, it has made it possible for citizens to visit other countries and earn money. There are people working as doctors, pleaders, court officials, and also in the department of education etc., and through various means people are earning a substantial salary. Merchants involved in business and trade take their wide array of goods to England and other far-off lands, such as Africa and Australia etc., and return with abounding wealth. In short, the government has made employment available for everyone and has provided many avenues to earn an income.
The fourth condition is peace. This condition of peace is not within the power of any one individual. Since the creation of the world, this matter has depended chiefly on the ruling class. The more well-intentioned and sincere a ruling authority, the more this condition will be truly met. In the present era, this condition of peace is being met to the highest degree. I truly believe that even the bright days of Sikh reign are far darker than the dark nights of British rule. There is a village named Butr nearby. If ever a lady had to visit this village, she would go there weeping and crying thinking that perhaps she would never return. Now, the state of affairs is such that anyone can travel to the ends of this land without any danger whatsoever. Various modes of transport have been made so easy that every form of comfort is available. On the rail, one can travel anywhere they please, sitting or sleeping, as though they were at home. A large police department is in place to protect property and life. The courts are open to protect the rights of citizens and a person can pursue a case to the highest authority. How great are these favours which have resulted in freedom of practice. Therefore, in this state when our body and soul is receiving boundless beneficence, if we do not nurture within ourselves a sense of goodwill and gratitude, this would be strange indeed! One who is not thankful to human beings cannot show gratitude to God Almighty either. Why is this the case? It is because human beings too are the ambassadors
of God and operate under His will.
In short, all of the points that I have mentioned compel a pure-hearted individual to feel a sense of gratitude towards such a benefactor. This is why I mention the favours of the British government again and again in my writings and speeches. For my heart is truly full of pleasure on account of these favours. Those foolish people who are ungrateful, judge my practice—which emanates from sincerity and morality—against their own hypocritical natures, and deem it to be false praise.