Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 79
. . THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 79 preserved and requested the keeper of the relic to let them view the sacred cloak. It was discovered that the cloak was wrapped in about three hundred coverings of silk, cotton and the finest wool. Some of them bore the name and description of the donor. These indicated that the cloak had been held in high honour ever since the death of Baba Nanak. These coverings were removed slowly, a few at a time, as a certain degree of persuasion was needed in the shape of discreet tips to induce the keeper to proceed with the removal of the whole body of covers. The process took more than an hour and in the end the cloak came into view in its full glory. It was found to be a blessed fabric into which the Islamic credo and several verses of the Holy Quran, including the entire Sura Fatiha, had been worked. Among other verses, the verses of the brief Chapter 112 of the Holy Quran were also thus inscribed. No other writing appeared on the cloak. The cloak was spread out before the eyes of the visitors and, under the direction of the Promised Messiah, a sketch was made of the cloak and of the writings that appeared on it. The Promised Messiah set forth the whole story about the cloak, together with an explanation of its different aspects, in his book Sat Bachan. The publication of this book roused great interest on the part of the Sikh community and among students of comparative religion. Several prominent Sikh gentlemen, after a study of the whole matter, became Mus- lims and joined the Ahmadiyya Movement; some of them rendered devoted service to the cause of Islam. Their descen- dants continue zealous and dedicated members of the Move- ment. Some time later the Promised Messiah learnt that another relic ofBaba Nanak was preserved in a gurdawara at Guru Har Sahai, in the Ferozepur District. He despatched three of his followers to discover what the relic was. It was known as the Pothi (prayer book) of Baba Nanak. It turned out to be a copy of the Holy Quran! As the result of the effprts of a Hindu ascetic, Swami Shugan Chandra, who was keenly interested in religion, a