An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 142
142 Background Once fifteen months had passed after the debate that was held by the Promised Messiah as with Christians, the Promised Messiah as prophesied that ‘Abdull a h A tham would die within the period, as stipulated by him: “if he did not turn to the truth and repent. ” When the sun set on September 4, 1894, there was an uproar and great commotion. The stipulated period had expired and A tham was still alive. Mull a hs and Christian missionaries who were always anxious to run down the Promised Messiah as by every means available to them felt extremely jubilant and published leaflets, delivered speeches and wrote articles declaring that A tham was still alive and the Promised Messiah as ’s prophecy proved wrong. A tham was paraded in the streets in boisterous processions and a great fuss was raised over the matter for a time. The word of God came to the Promised Messiah as on the night between September 4 and 5, drawing his attention to the “qualifying words” of the prophecy and declaring that A tham had turned towards the truth. It is no doubt a fact that A tham had kept unusually quiet. He had made no speeches against Islam, and had written no articles or books during all these months. He was extremely frightened even at the moment when the prophecy was announced. Thereafter, he had remained overwhelmed by the fear and was so much terrified at heart that he dared not even reiterate his own beliefs in public or preach against Islam, as was his wont. Not only he kept silent, but he also felt uneasy and restless. From Amritsar he moved to Ludhiana and thence to Ferozepur and from there to some other place. He became a victim of illusions and hallucinations. He was harassed, he said: “a trained reptile wanted to kill him. ” He was afraid of dogs. Strange men armed with lances and horrible spirits haunted him everywhere. He was scared of death. His sons-in-law (one at Ludhiana and the other at Ferozepur) were influential government officials. His relatives, friends