Life of Ahmad — Page 102
HE STAKES HIS ALL FOR ISLAM as 102 they would write crushing replies; yet it seems that, when the memorable book actually appeared, Ahmad’s as most vigorous and unassailable defence of Islam frightened them into ignominious silence. While the third part of the Br a h i n-e-Ahmadiyya was being printed, Ahmad as received a letter from the secretary of the Anjuman Islamiyya, Lahore, in which it was proposed that a petition be sent to the government regarding the promotion of education amongst Muslims and the preservation of Urdu. In answer to this letter Ahmad as pointed out in the third part of his book, that such petitions were of no use; practical steps should be taken to convince the government of the loyalty of Muslims. To begin with, Muslim associations of Lahore, Calcutta, Bombay and other places should ask a few influential and learned Muslim divines to issue statements to the effect that, according to the teachings of Islam, jihad (holy war) was absolutely forbidden in this age and that it was unlawful to fight against the British government. He wanted these statements to be well produced in book form and widely circulated throughout the country. It would, he felt, dispel all suspicion on the part of the government and would convince it of the loyalty of Muslims. Ahmad as emphasised that the British government was a source of very great and manifold blessings to the people of India; and openly declared that its rule was better than that of all others. This was neither flattery nor expediency. Ahmad as was