Hazrat Ahmad — Page 42
42. HADHRAT AHMAD harsh or provocative language concerning other faiths. The penalty attached to breach of the law is that the owner of the newspaper printing or publishing the offensive material is called upon to deposit security for future good behavior or the security already deposited is forfeited. But the law was passed so late that it could not be expected to produce the same result as it could have produced at the time it was proposed by the Promised Messiah. In fact, the root of all trouble in India lies in religious differences and conflicts which, by a strange and shrewd process of manipulation are used by mischief-makers as a handle against the State. . Whenever a scurrilous attack is made upon any faith which is naturally dear to its followers, it suits the purpose of the mischiefmakers, in order to make the ignorant masses disaffected with the. Government, and to pretend that it is all the fault of the. Government which permits such persecution and oppression. The masses thereupon, turn away from the real culprits and become disaffected with the Government. . In 1898 a Muslim convert to Christianity published a scurrilous book slandering the names of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be on him). This offensive publication greatly agitated the Muslims. . The Promised Messiah stated that the agitation would disrupt the peace of the land. A Muslim Association of Lahore prepared a memorial for submission to government demanding that the publication should be banned, but the Promised Messiah advised against the step as it could be construed as an indication of weakness of the Muslim case, and suggested the publication of a strong refutation. But the Association did not listen to his words, and met with the failure foreseen by the Promised Messiah. The stands taken by the Promised Messiah helped to safeguard the inherent right of the Muslims to defend their faith and Muslim holy personages against all attacks. . In the same year, with a view to strengthening the organization of the community and to preserve its distinctive features, he promulgated rules regarding marriage and social relation and forbade marriage of Ahmadi women outside the community. . In the same year he invited the Government to test the truth of his claims by offering to demonstrate it through spiritual signs. . This was intended to make his mission fully known to the officials of the State and this purpose was achieved.