Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 113
TH'E RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 113 departing from my functions as a reformer, but dealing at the same time a death-blow to all moral laws, if I were to regard as my enemies persons who deserve compassion for having unfortuna- tely fallen into error. Such a step on my part would only deprive a large majority of those noble and holy truths which it is my duty to preach to all. 'The Holy Quran says: "We have sent unto you a Prophet whose heart is full of sympathy for you, so much so that all your cares and anxieties grieve him in the same manner as if they were his own, and he is always anxious for your comfort and happiness" (9:128). Again it says: "Shalt thou, 0 Prophet, put an end to thy life out of grief that these people do not accept the truth?" (26:4). The last verse makes a reference to the true sacrifice of life which the prophets of God make for the reformation of the people. These are the verses upon which I act, and one can easily understand from this the nature of my feelings towards those who regard themselves. , as my enemIes. But nothing could induce his Lordship to change his mind. He wrote in reply on 12July 1900: 'I have received your letter of the loth instant, but I have nothing to alter in, or add to, the reasons assigned in my former letter for declining to enter into a controversy witb Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to which you invited me. ' The comments of two impartial papers would give a fair idea of the validity of the reasons put forward by Bishop Lefroy for declining the invitation addressed to him. The Indian Daily Telegraph of 19 June 1900 wrote as follows: We reproduce on another page a most interesting religious chal- lenge, from the school of Islam in this country which follows Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, to the Bishop of Lahore. It is interesting because it seems to be put forward in an earnest and sincere spirit. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the Chief of Qadian, and, according to the wording of the challenge, not only lays claim to the Promised Messiahship, but has made good that claim by strong and conclusive arguments, and has proved himself to be the Promised One whose appearance has been foretold in the Holy