Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Parts I & II — Page 91
91 PArT T Wo have to be regarded as fabricated or interpolated on account of its irrational teachings. If the truth or falsity of something, or its logical possibility or impossibility, rests on the verdict of reason, then the principles on which salvation is said to depend must also be validated by the same authority. If it is not possible to prove the various doc- trines espoused by various faiths through rational arguments— and instead, they are proven wrong, incredible or impossible— how are we to know whose doctrines are true and whose are false, or that an ancient scripture of the Hindus is invalid and the Books of the Children of Israel are authentic. Moreover, if there is no rational way to distinguish between truth and falsehood, how would a seeker after truth tell them apart so as to embrace truth and shun falsehood. Moreover, how would anyone be held accountable before God for not believing in such doctrines? ☆ And if, for our salvation, we definitely stand in need of beliefs that are supported by rational arguments, the question naturally ☆ Irrational doctrines whose falsity is manifestly established by reason can never be accepted as true, for otherwise, conclusive rational ar- guments would lose their credibility. And when the very beliefs that were regarded as the basis for salvation turn out to be wrong, those who place their faith in them will surely be denied salvation and earn everlasting torment and eternal chastisement. This is because the be- liefs they called their own proved to be false and the true beliefs that were sanctioned by reason had already been repudiated by them. This becomes evident in this very life—one who adheres to illogical and false beliefs and refuses to accept those that have been shown to be true has to face a lot of embarrassment, particularly when confronted by men of knowledge. h e is even reproached by his own conscience for holding such absurd and illogical beliefs. This is a kind of spiritual punishment he suffers even in this world. —Author Footnote Number 3