A Present to Kings — Page 69
( 69 ). A DIVINE SIGN. . Besides the above, there was another sign, which was manifested in his favour and that is that he was given to live 25 or 26 years after publishing his revelations. God says in the Holy Quran لو تقول علينا بعض الاقاويل لاخذ نا منه با ليمين ثم لقطعنا من الوتين meaning-If this man had imputed falsehoods to Me and fabricated revelations, then I would have cut asunder the artery in his neck. Judged by this criterion we find that after the publication of his first work, the Barahin-i-Ahmadiya, he was granted a further span of 27 or 28 years of life, although in that book he set forth his revelations with all clearness and force. If he wers an impostor, then it was necessary that he should have met with discomfiture by at most 23 years of time, because such was the period of life granted to the Holy. Prophet (peace be on him). For, if any impostor could possibly receive such a lease of immunity, then the fact would serve to refute the argument of the Holy Quran and would create great suspicion regarding the truth of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him). Thus the fact of his having continued to live for such a length of time is in itself a powerful evidence of his truth. . But even if there were no such verse in the Holy Quran, still it would appear contrary to reason that a person should be persistently attributing falsehoods to God and misleading His creatures, and yet God would let him go unpunished. If such an enormity were possible, then all distinction between true messengers and impostors would disappear, all order would be lost and no means would be left for the discrimination of truth. God is a jealous God. We find that even earthly potentates are most displeased with such criminals as make false personation of officers of state in order to cheat and plunder the public. Such a one is never allowed to go without punishment, but is quickly apprehended. Your Highness is in