The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 341
Repeated Challenges 341 lenge, as he is the foremost of the orthodox. Anyone else among the well-known Sufis, Pirzādas or hereditary di- vines who considers me a disbeliever, an impostor, a liar and a hypocrite, as do these others, may also join him. If all of them should fail to accept this challenge and try to hide behind false excuses, then let it be known that I have fully discharged my obligation of conveying the message of God Almighty to them. I am the Appointed One. I have been given the tiding of victory and that is why I call these gentlemen to come forth in opposition to me. Will anyone come forward?. . . These four criteria that I have mentioned are so simple and straightforward that everyone who considers them carefully will acknowledge that there is no clearer and easier spiritual way of deciding the contest between us. I affirm on oath and promise that, if I am defeated in this contest, I shall publicly acknowledge my error, and Miāń Nadhir Hussain Şahib or Sheikh Batālvī will have no more need to condemn me as a disbeliever or impostor. In this case, I shall deserve every kind of disgrace and humiliation and I shall acknowledge in an open gathering that God Almighty has not sent me and that all my claims are false. I am, however, certain and clearly perceive that God will not permit such a situation to arise and will never let me perish. [Āsmānī Faişlah, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 4, pp. 323-330] Inviting All to Come and Witness the Signs There has been a continuous succession of signs with me from the very beginning, and anyone who spends some time in my company, provided he is sincere and stead- fast, can see something of them. In future too, God Al- mighty will not leave this Movement without signs, nor