The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 411
Repeated Challenges 411 witness the presentation of prophecies by Miāń Fateh Masīḥ, who arrived accompanied by a number of Chris- tians after 10:00 am. But, instead of setting forth his prophecies against me. . . he only said that he did not claim to be a recipient of revelation and that whatever he had said was merely to counter my claim. . . . The purpose of this announcement is that if a respectable European Christian should claim to be a recipient of revelation, he will be at liberty to set forth his revealed prophecies in a meeting to be held at Batāla, where I in- tend to remain till the end of Ramadan, provided he has no intention of running away after acknowledging his falsehood, as Fateh Masih did. Reverend Mr. White- brecht, who is a respectable European missionary in these parts, is especially invited. If the reverend gentle- man would acknowledge in a public meeting that Chris- tians are no longer capable of receiving revelation, I shall not require him to set forth his prophecies against me. In such case, I shall, in a meeting to be called as desired by him, present such revealed prophecies in advance as will not admit of any doubt whatsoever. If I am not able to present any such definite prophecy as may be considered by the average Hindu, Muslim and Christian to be be- yond human power, I shall immediately present two hun- dred rupees in cash to the reverend gentleman as compensation for his trouble. If he so desires, I can de- posit this amount with a respectable Hindu. If the revered gentleman should acknowledge that the prophecy pre- sented by me is truly beyond human power, then it would be obligatory on him to stand firm to test the truth or falsehood of the prophecy. He should arrange for the publication of the prophecy in Nür Afshan, which is a Christian religious newspaper, along with his affirmation