Life of Ahmad — Page 152
ADDRESSES THE A RYA SAM A J as 152 is a leap in the dark. It is nothing more than a hypothesis that works as far as the empirical problems of science are concerned, but its universal validity is incapable of demonstration. Miracles are divided into four kinds (1) Intellectual, (2) Scientific, (3) Spiritual blessings, and (4) Apparent interference with the known laws of nature. The first three are of greater importance than the last. The creation, nature and powers possessed by souls are also discussed. The Hindu theory of salvation is compared with the Muslim belief in heaven. At the end of the book Ahmad as invited the whole of the A rya Sam a j throughout the country to a comparative study of the Vedas and the Quran. He suggested that a particular religious problem should be selected and that the followers of the respective faiths should then throw light upon it from the Vedas and the Quran. He was prepared to offer a prize to the A rya who would produce a book on the subject showing the superiority of the Vedas over the Quran. If, however, no one came forward for this purpose within a period of three months and the A rya Sam a j did not cease vilifying Islam, he would then suggest another way of settling the dispute; and he made it clear that this would be the last resort, because there was no other way left open for the defence of Islam. This method is known in Arabic as Mub a hala.