Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 256
B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 256 just as it transpired in the prophecy of Prophet Y u nus [ Jonah]. And the prophecy that Prophet Y u nus made for the chastisement to befall his people within forty days, was absolute—there was no stipulation that they believe or become frightened. Nevertheless, when the people repented and lamented, God Almighty deferred the chastisement. It is an established doctrine, with the consensus of all the Prophets, may peace be upon them, that every misfortune which God Almighty has willed to befall someone, can be averted by charity, almsgiving, repent- ance, seeking forgiveness, and prayer. So, the affliction that has been intended—when its news is communicated to a Prophet or Messenger or one ordained by God—is called a prophecy of wa‘ i d [warning]. And, as it is an affliction, it can be averted in accordance with God’s promise through repentance, seeking forgiveness, charity, almsgiving, prayer, and by earnest supplication, or it can be deferred. If the afflic- tion, which has been made known in the form of a prophecy, cannot be removed through charity, almsgiving etc. , all the Divine Books would stand invalidated and the entire edifice of religion would be disrupted. The critic has thereby mounted a serious assault against Islam— and not just against Islam—it is an assault on all the Prophets. If this attack is not deliberate, it betrays his rank ignorance of Islam and the Shariah [Islamic Law]. The faithful should be wary of such people for, by attacking me, they do not intend only to attack me, they care not the least for the religion of Islam—they are the hidden enemies of Islam. May God Almighty safeguard His religion against their evil. This ignoramus doesn’t even know that just as God Almighty has made it an integral part of His own noble attributes to avert prophecies of warning on the basis of repentance, seeking forgiveness, prayer, and charity, so did He teach the same morals to man as is evidenced by the Holy Quran and the Hadith. When—out of sheer maliciousness—the hypocrites had perpetrated a calumny against Hadrat ‘ A’ ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, some unwary Companions also had joined in this narrative. One of those Companions used to get his meal, twice a day, from the home of Hadrat Ab u Bakr, may Allah be pleased with