Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 265
265 of murder in the Court of Captain Douglas, but that wise and just Deputy Commissioner having come to know that the case was entirely false and got up, acquitted me honourably and even asked me if I desired to prosecute those who had fabricated false evidence against me. This is an example showing how the deal- ings of the English are based on justice and equity. Bear in mind also that there is nothing so discreditable to Islam as the doctrine of Jehad which is imputed to it. A reli- gion whose teachings are excellent, and to manifest whose truth Almighty God shows His signs does not stand in need of the sword to propagate it. In the time of the Holy Prophet the persecutors of the Muslims attacked them with the sword and were bent upon blotting out Islam with the sword from the face of the earth. Therefore, those who took up the sword were des- troyed with the sword and the Holy Prophet was compelled to fight in defence of the Muslim society. But such doctrines as that the Mahdi would come with the sword and fight with and vanquish the Christian Kings are mere fabrications, and their propagation is only corrupting the heart of our Muharnmadan opponents. Those who hold such doctrines are dangerous to the peace of society, and they may at any moment excite the igno- rant masses to insurrection. Therefore, we exert ourselves to our utmost to deliver the Muslims from the errors of such dangerous doctrines. Best assured that a religion which is devoid of sympathy with fellow- beings cannot be from God. God teaches us that we should show mercy to those on earth that Heaven might show mercy to us. (Vol. YI. R. R. 1907). Sir Fredrick Cunningham, once Commissioner and Superin- tendent of Peshawar Division, wrote in 1900 to the Founder of Movement : " So far as I can judge, it appears to be a just and enlightened exposition of the doctrines of Islam, and is equally