Defence Against the Plague and a Criterion for the Elect of God — Page 23
Defence Against the Plague & A Criterion for the Elect of God 23 That is to say, what can be the rank of the Mas ih [Messiah] who is inferior even to a devotee of Ahmad saw in nearness [to God] and ability to make intercession. O dear ones! This statement is not intended to upset anyone. If you do not consider this servant of Ahmad, who has been sent as the Promised Messiah , more venerable than the previous Mas ih [i. e. Jesus], and continue to state that he is the true intercessor and saviour, then furnish proof of this claim, as God has said about this servant of Ahmad: ۃ لو ال االكرام لھلك المقام. ي انہ اوی القر This means that God, in order to manifest the honour of this intercessor, safeguarded the village of Qadian from the plague. As you can see, for five or six years now it has remained pro - tected. He further said, had I not desired to manifest the supe - riority and honour of this servant of Ahmad then I would have destroyed Qadian as well. Likewise, if you consider the Mas ih ibn Maryam [Messiah son of Mary] the true intercessor and sav - iour, then as with Qadian, you too should name a town in the Punjab, I and assert that through the blessings and intercession of your ‘Lord’ Messiah such and such a town will be saved. But if you cannot do this, then consider for yourself how a person whose intercession is not established in this very world could intercede in the next life. Miań Shams-ud-D i n should keep in mind that his announce - ment is utterly useless and will not yield any benefit, and that the I For example, they could name Narowal or Batala. —Author