An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 64
64 Background The Promised Messiah as after his debate at Ludhiana, decided to visit Delhi—supposed to be the centre of Isl a mic learning. He issued a leaflet in Delhi on October 2, 1891, and invited Maulav i Muhammad Nadh i r H ussain—the master and mentor of Maulav i Muhammad H ussain Bat a lv i —to discuss in writing the subject whether Jesus was alive or dead. He issued another leaflet on October 7, 1891, repeating the same invitation and stating that he was prepared to hold the debate even at the residence of Maulav i Muhammad Nadh i r H ussain. At this pressing challenge, the Mull a hs of Delhi resorted to a trick. Without consulting or informing the Promised Messiah as , they announced a date for the debate and as the Promised Messiah as was not informed about the date, hundreds of angry people rushed to the place, where the Promised Messiah as was staying, on the specified date and the Promised Messiah as was surprised to see the mob, which was trying to break into the house where the Promised Messiah as and his family were staying. On October 17, 1891, the Promised Messiah as issued another leaflet exposing the trick of the Mull a hs and challenging Maulav i Muhammad Nadh i r H ussain to a decisive debate offering such terms which provided him no escape route. Ultimately, he was compelled to take notice of it. (Introduction to the book, by Hadrat Jal a l-ud-D i n Shams ra , R uha n i Khaz a’ in , vol. 4, pp. 16-18) The debate which was held with Maulav i Muhammad Nadh i r H ussain on October 20, 1891, in the J a mi‘ Masjid, Delhi, where more than five thousand people gathered. There was a European Superintendent of Police with a Police contingent. The Promised Messiah as went to the mosque with 12 of his disciples. The crowd was so hostile and many had stones in their pockets and some were armed with sticks and knives. When the Promised Messiah as invited Maulav i Muhammad Nadh i r H ussain to begin the debate, Nadh i r H ussain,