The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 358
358 Essence of Islam-III restrains himself from denouncing me as an impostor, will be under the curse of God, the angels and all the righteous ones. And the only duty of a Messenger is to convey the message. [Anjām-e-Atham, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 11, p. 303, footnote] An Invitation to Pir Mehr 'Alī Shāh of Golrah The readers of this announcement will be aware that, having observed the persistent condemnation and vilifi- cation of opposing clerics and custodians of shrines, and having noted their demand for a sign, I had made an an- nouncement that was addressed especially to Pir Mehr 'Alī Shah Şahib. The sum and substance of that an- nouncement was that there have so far been many discus- sions on religious issues from which the opposing Maulavīs have derived no benefit, but as they continue to ask for heavenly signs, it is possible that they might de- rive some benefit from them. It was published because Pir Mehr 'Ali Shah Şahib, who claims excellence of sainthood, as well as a high intellectual calibre and, on account of his confidence in his learning, has recently re- newed his condemnation of me as a disbeliever, and has published a book in order to provoke the common people against me. . . . And since God Almighty has honoured me with the revelation: الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ 'The Almighty Allah has taught thee the Holy Qur'an'; I had, therefore, suggested that it would be enough of a sign for testing my truth or falsehood if Pir Mehr 'Alī Shah Şahib and I both were to write a commentary in clear and eloquent Arabic on some Chapters of the Holy Qur'an. If he is judged better than me, I shall have no hesitation in acknowledging his superiority. With this in