I observe that despite the appearance of calamity upon calamity and the emergence of danger on all fronts, the hearts of the people are as hard as stone, and they continue in pride and conceit. How long will these foolish people go on in this heedlessness? Until the people give up their obstinacy, refrain from their evil activities and do not reconcile with God Almighty, these calamities and afflictions will go nowhere.
I have observed and closely reflected that in the days of famine, the people did not feel the burden of this tribulation. Drinking houses were teeming just as before and evil and immorality was rampant just as before. Previously, when edicts attributed to Mecca or Medina were issued, the people would become afraid, and the mosques would become full, but in the present time insolence and imprudence has exceeded all bounds. May Allah have mercy.
A wise person is heedful of punishment before it descends and a far-sighted person is one who remains concerned to save themselves from an affliction before it appears. It is incumbent upon all people to be mindful of the Hereafter and repent from evil actions because true happiness and pleasure lies in this.
It is a matter of certainty that no evil deed and sinful act can give a person true happiness, even for a moment. A sinful person of ill conduct is always haunted by the fear of his secret being exposed. How then can such a person find a means of comfort in wicked actions?
Those who have their sights set on the Hereafter are forever blessed.
مرد آخر بیں مبارک بندہ است
“A man who keeps their sights set on the hereafter is fortunate.”
Observe the state of those nations who were faced with chastisement from time to time. Everyone must ensure that even if their hearts are hard, they should rebuke them to teach them a lesson of humility and meekness. If you do not know how to weep, then make a weeping face, and ultimately tears will follow themselves.
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 245-246)