The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 375
Repeated Challenges 375 this question. I have also suggested that if he is unwilling to debate the question, he should affirm on oath that there is no mention in the Holy Qur'an of the death of Jesusas but only of his continuous physical life; or that there ex- ists some true Hadith in which the expression Tawaffi has been differently interpreted in the case of Jesusas as con- noting his physical life. If within one year God Almighty manifests no clear sign to prove that Maulavi Şahib had taken a false oath, that is to say, if he is not afflicted with some great calamity, I will repent immediately at his hand. Alas, despite my repeated requests, Miāń Şāhib was prepared neither to debate the question nor to make the required affirmation on oath; nor did he restrain him- self from denouncing me as a disbeliever. . . . It was only for this purpose that I bore all the expense and inconvenience of staying in Delhi for a whole month, and if Miān Şahib had been ready for a debate why should I have evaded it? As the saying goes, truth has nothing to fear. I am still as ready for a debate on the subject of the death of Jesusas as I was then. If Miān Şā- hib would agree to come to Lahore for this purpose, I would defray the expenses of his journey and can even make payment in advance. . . . If he is not willing to attend the debate in person, the debate can be held in writing and he won't have to take undertake the journey. In short, I am willing to agree to whatever might be conven- ient to him and I await his reply. . . . But remember my pre- diction that he will never agree to a debate, and if he does, he will be so humiliated that he will not be able to show his face anywhere. [Āsmānī Faişlah, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 4, pp. 315-316] Let it be understood by all Muslims that it has been es- tablished beyond any doubt, according to the Holy