Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Parts I & II — Page 128
128 BAr a h i n-e-a h madiyya and friends became foes. The severe hardship he endured for so long and with such fortitude could not have been tolerated by a deceiving imposter. And when, at long last, Islam became victo- rious and a time of ease and prosperity ushered in, he accumu- lated no wealth, built himself no citadels or mansions, piled up no provisions for luxurious and royal living, and made no per- sonal acquisitions. Rather, he gave away everything to orphans, the needy, widows, and those burdened by debt, while he him- self never even enjoyed a full meal. Such was his truthfulness and candour that he did not hesitate to proclaim Tau hi d [Oneness of God] even at the cost of antagonizing all the people and tribes— indeed the whole world of idolaters. His own kith and kin were the first to oppose him when he forbade them from worshipping idols. The Jewish community became his bitterest enemy and con- tinuously plotted to assassinate him when he tried to wean them away from diverse forms of creature-worship, blind following of the saints, various forms of malpractices, and from blaspheming against the Messiah [ Jesus]. The Christians were similarly antago- nized when he declared that, contrary to their beliefs, Jesus was neither God nor the son of God, nor did he atone for their sins through Crucifixion. Fire-worshippers and star-worshippers were also enraged when he forbade them from worshipping their dei- ties and exhorted them instead to turn to the One God for their salvation. Now, honestly, are these the means by which one could hope to achieve success in this world? If he had worldly ambitions, was it prudent to attack the beliefs of all religions and provoke them in such a way that they were all heart-broken and turned against him? They were so disturbed as to become thirsty for his blood,