Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 240
B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 240 to continue denying the meanings which are apparent in the words of the text, are fully supported by the context, have become evident by the occurrence of the incident, and human conscience has accepted that all that has happened is what is implied by the revelation of عفت الدّیار [ ‘afatid-diy a r—‘ residences will be wiped out’]. Even if we suppose that the recipient of the revelation made an error of interpretation, and understood the calamity that is implied by the revelation عفت الدّیار [ ‘afatid-diy a r—‘ residences will be wiped out’] to refer to the plague, his error—having been made prior to occurrence—would be no excuse for the opponent. There has been no Prophet or Messenger in the world who has not erred in understanding any of his prophecies. Would such a prophecy not be a Sign of God in your estimation? If this is the disbelief that you harbour in your hearts, why do you speak in such a subdued manner; why don’t you attack Islam fully? Can you name a single Prophet who was never mistaken in understanding the meaning of any of his prophecies? So even if it is supposed that the word ‘about’ exactly means the plague, does this not constitute an attack on all Prophets? It is quite evident, from looking at the revealed sentence of عفت الدّیار [ ‘afatid-diy a r—‘ residences will be wiped out’] that what is meant by this sentence is that it will be such a calamity whereby the buildings of a portion of this country would collapse and would cease to exist. And it is obvious that a plague has no effect on buildings. So even if the edi- tor of Al- H akam did write the sentence that it is about the plague, and the word ‘about’ is understood to mean what the critic has said, then the most that can be said in this context is that the editor of Al- H akam made a mistake in writing so. Such error in understanding the prophecies has been sometimes made by the Prophets themselves, may peace be upon them. For instance, there is the hadith containing the word ی ذھب وھل [‘it occurred to me’] in Bukh a r i and its words are as follows: