Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV — Page 94
BarĀhĪn-e-a H madiyya — Part Four 94 I ask, why should those, who claim to follow the path of reason, do something in which worldly disgrace is clearly visible and misfortune of the Hereafter also cannot be averted? In particular, I have great hope that the sagely nature of some of the courageous and decent people of the Brahm u Sam a j, who are learned and capable, will enable them to accept with sincerity of heart all of the verities which have been proven to be true in this Footnote. In fact, I hope that they are convinced and rightly guided even before they fin- ish thoroughly reading this entire footnote, because, during a contro- versy, a wise and noble person does not deliberately drag himself to the point of ignominy after realizing that he is confuted. On the contrary, he accepts the truth gracefully before his indignity is exposed and thus becomes worthy of respect in the eyes of those who possess the truth. However, someone whose nature is impudent and shameless gives no thought whatsoever to ignominy and humiliation, nor does he enter- tain any fear for his disrepute. As a matter of fact, the world abounds with such people who, being totally devoid of any sense of shame, continue to persist in holding fast to self-evident falsehood with the utmost audacity. However much effort you exert in persuading them, they do not refrain from their obstinacy nor do they renounce their crooked ways. Knowing that it is day, they persist in calling it night, and fear not the least that people would call them blind and sightless. These are the very people who, on account of their extreme prejudice and lack of knowledge and ability, lie like corpses, failing to make the slightest advance towards truth and refuse to follow the path of stead- fastness and rectitude. Strange indeed are all of their mannerisms and crooked is all of their speech. These are the very people about whom I have been writing repeatedly that they should come to their senses and, while claiming to be wise, they should not make fools of themselves. Such a man is absolutely worthless and mean who blatantly slanders the pious and holy ones, but becomes dumb at the time of speaking a word of truth. Had these people failed to understand a matter that truly comprised a subtle point, I would have appreciated that it was