Invitation to Ahmadiyyat — Page 220
220 reformation of the world after being informed by God, no one would listen to their conjectures anymore. The hereditary p i rs were antagonistic towards him because if his influence were to spread they would be certain to lose their followers. Instead of posing as religious leaders and guides, they would now have to become followers of another person. Loss of followers would also mean loss of income and livelihood, as well as the licence and freedom which they considered to be their birthright. Wealthy people were also against the Promised Messiah as because he taught observance of Islamic injunctions which these people were not used to and were considered by them to be a tedi - ous burden. Also, the Promised Messiah as taught sympathy for and kindness towards all mankind, therefore, the affluent classes feared that with the spread of his teaching people would become free of the yoke of servitude to them and their influence would wane. Followers of other religions were also hostile towards him because in his person they could sense the demise of their own religions. Just as a lamb is instinctively fearful of the tiger, so did people of other religions feel threatened by him and they sought to put a stop to him at the earliest. The rulers also did not have any sympathy for him because they were wary of the titles ‘Messiah’ and ‘Mahdi’ in their histori - cal context. They thought that the bearer of these titles could only bring about chaos and disorder. Even his affirmations of loyalty to the government would not satisfy them because they thought these were only strategic ploys and that he might abandon the path of peace when he gained power.