Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 263
POSTSCRIPT-SIGN NUMBER 19 263 that Ātham died merely on account of his breath'; in other words, it was his attention and resolve that finished Ātham off. " * Someone asked him in reference to me: 'How can we accept him as the Promised Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One) when he does not fulfil all the Signs detailed in the aḥādīth?' The respected Khwājah was displeased at this remark and replied: 'Tell me a Prophet or Messenger in whom all of the proposed Signs were fulfilled that people had previ- ously conceived? Had that been the case, why would some believe and others disbelieve?' This indeed is the divine practice that all the Signs recorded in the prophecies about a Prophet-to-come are never fulfilled literally. At places there are allegories, and at places a difference occurs resulting from one's own understanding, while yet at other places old accounts suffer some distortion. Therefore, the way of righteousness is to derive benefit from what has been fulfilled, keeping in view the time and the need. Had it been necessary to reconcile all the preconceived Signs accord- ing to one's own understanding, we would have to give up all Prophets and the consequence would have been nothing but deprivation and 1. I have written repeatedly that the prophecy regarding Ātham was fulfilled in its sum and substance. Had Ātham not publicly retracted in the presence of sixty or seventy persons from using the term dajjal, it could be said that the prophecy was not fulfilled. But since Ātham had retracted, it was but neces- sary for him to have benefited from the provision. On the contrary, the divine promise would have been exposed to objection had Ātham died within the fifteen months despite the fact that he publicly retracted in the presence of a gathering of Christians, paying no heed to his honour and reputation. In such a case, it could have been said that the prophecy was not fulfilled. But to raise objection now despite his retraction behoves only those who have no regard for faith and fair play. Of course, when Ātham became rather audacious after the fifteen months had elapsed and ceased to be grateful for God's benevo- lence, in keeping with another prophecy, he died within fifteen months of my last announcement. In any case, his death could not go beyond fifteen months. Thus, a reasonable person, despite being Christian, has admitted that the prophecy about Atham was most clearly fulfilled and to deny it is nothing but sheer obduracy. (Author)