Life of Ahmad — Page 157
as ADDRESSES THE A RYA SAM A J 157 over him, and the honour of His Messenger is thoroughly vindicated and established. Ahmad as also reiterated in the book his invitation to non-Muslims, and asked them to come to Qadian in order that he might show them Heavenly Signs in favour of Islam. This he had broadcast far and wide. Originally he had announced that such seekers after truth should stay with him for one year, but in this book he reduced the period to 40 days only. The period of three months, beginning from the date of the publication of Surma Chashm A rya , was fixed for the acceptance of this invitation, which terminated on December 20th, 1886, but nobody seems to have come forward. On the publication of this book, a leaflet was also issued in which Ahmad as offered reward of Rs. 500 to be awarded to an A rya who, in the opinion of a Christian or a Brahman judge, should succeed in writing a refutation of his work. The prize could also be awarded if Munshi J i wan D a s, Secretary of the A rya Sam a j, Lahore, declared on oath in a public meeting that the candidate had succeeded in refuting the arguments of Ahmad as contained in Surma Chashm A rya. But if the curse of God overtook the Munshi within one year from his oath, it would be proof of the fact that he was guilty of making a wrong award. The N u r Afsh a Ĕ , dated January 6th, 1887, published the following: