Invitation to Ahmadiyyat — Page 221
221 Common people, too, were averse to him, because, firstly, they are mostly under the influence of clerics or p i rs or pundits or priests; secondly, they are wont to oppose everything that goes against their habits and customs owing to their lack of knowl - edge and understanding. In their eyes, his was a novel claim that was causing division among the Muslims. Their opposition was partly at the behest of their leaders and partly due to their own ignorance. All these different classes tried their utmost to destroy him. The clerics issued Fatwas of kufr against him and went as far as Mecca and Medina to obtain signatures to attest to them. True to their custom, they invented strange excuses for labelling him a k a fir and inciting people against him. The Sufi class also set their followers against him by declaring his teachings to be contrary to past teachings and by exaggerat - ing their own claims to spiritual knowledge and closeness to God. Some didn’t even desist from spreading false rumours and fabri - cating miracles. Some went to the extent of telling their followers that even if Mirza Sahib as happened to be true in his claim, they need not worry, for they would bear the sin of their followers for having denied him. Thus, they kept their followers in darkness. Men of wealth and means fought against him with their money and influence. Even people of other religions helped the Muslims oppose the Promised Messiah as. The rulers used their authority to frighten people away from him and warned those who wanted to accept him of their displeasure. The masses helped their leaders through boycotts and other mischief. In short, all people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, came together to oppose him and helped one another in this purpose.