A Critical Review of the Pamphlet, 'Fateh-e-Qadian' — Page 22
22 A critical Review of the Pamphlet—‘f a te h -e-Qadian’ I would have done my best to go to Lahore, but it has been reported that many illiterate people from Peshawar, in the Frontier [Province], accompany the P i r as his allies and many of the petty-minded and vulgar people of Lahore are roaming in the streets hurling abuses like drunks. The opponent maulavis , in a frenzy, are telling people that I deserve to be put to death. In such circumstances, how could it be right for me to go to Lahore without proper arrangements. . . ? (Announcement of August 28, 1900, Majm u ‘ah Ishtih a r a t , vol. 3, published by Ash-Shirkatul Isl a miyyah Ltd. , Rabwah, Pakistan, pp. 350–351) The announcement of the Promised Messiah as continues: However, if P i r [Meher ‘Al i ] has made up his mind sincerely, and is ready to write the commentary in Arabic, without adding further conditions, then I declare on oath, bearing Allah as my witness, that I will definitely go to Lahore, solely for the face-to- face contest of writing commentary in Arabic. I only desire two things on which depends my arrival in Lahore: 1. Firstly, P i r [Meher ‘Al i ] should publish an announcement in simple and clear text, without adding complications or more conditions, that: ‘I have agreed to enter into a contest with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadian i , to write a commentary on the Holy Quran, in eloquent and literal Arabic. ’ The announcement should be signed and verified by five respected and well known dignitaries of Lahore. . . . Since it is the rainy season they should set the date of this contest in