An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 5
5 Preceding the publication of this book, the practice was to write a book in filthy, abusive and disgraceful language. People like Padre Im a d-ud-D i n and Kanhiyya L a l have been writing books in highly provocative and inflammatory language, which no decent man could read without revulsion. By writing the Barahin-e-Ahmadiyyah in a polite, gentle and decent style, Hadrat Ahmad as has shown how effectively one can express views without resorting to vile language. Barahin-e-Ahmadiyyah had been written to answer the charges and allegations levelled by Christians and A ryas against the noble personage of the Holy Prophet sa. Hadrat Ahmad as did not adopt the style and tenor of the opponents of Islam. He gave deep thought and after undertaking long research on each and every aspect of every religion, after considering the merits of various points presented by other religions and these were compared with the Holy Quran. The Promised Messiah as took great pains and made sure no point of importance is left out from the religions that are under discussion in the book. The compilation of this great book, the collection of necessary funds, the making of arrangements with a press at a distance of 36 miles from Qadian, the employing of K a tib (Caligraphists), the correction of copies written by K a tib , reading of proofs and the consequent correspondence and journeys to and fro to the printing press demanded from Hadrat Ahmad as a tremendous amount of constant attention and energy and must have caused him a great mental and physical strain, especially the absence of helpers which compelled him to look after every minute detail himself. The book could not be entrusted to a publisher because there existed no publisher in the modern sense of the word. He had also to devise, direct, control and supervise its printing and distribution. In the beginning, only 700 copies were produced, but later, the number was increased to 1,000. In a western country, this number would today seem small, but in the nineteenth century and in a country where literacy did not extend to even one per cent of the population, it was a