Life of Ahmad — Page 169
as CHRISTIANS TAKE UP ARMS 169 led the Eid prayers. ' (See also Riy ad -e-Hind, dated May 28th, 1888). The opponents of Islam had perceived in him a champion of the Faith much earlier. Through the pages of the N u r Afsh a Ĕ , dated March 30th, 1882, Christians had challenged him to prove the superiority of Islam. SPITE OF CHRISTIANS Fate h Mas ih ’s disgraceful behaviour was obviously a reflection upon Christianity and his public defeat left a sting behind. It caused a commotion in the Christian community. Ahmad’s as vigorous defence of Islam had already turned the attention of Christian missionaries towards him; and in him lurked vast potentialities for effectively stopping the spread of the Christian faith. They were anxiously awaiting an opportunity to humiliate Ahmad as. Fate h Mas ih ’s recent disgrace rankled in their hearts and they determined to take revenge in a spiteful manner. They soon found an opportunity, and it was this: Mention has already been made of Ahmad’s as cousins, who were bitterly opposed to him on account of their utter irreligiousness. They were absolutely unscrupulous and often allied themselves with the enemies of Islam. They disbelieved in everything that Ahmad as had to say. In August 1885, they issued a leaflet asking Ahmad as to show them a heavenly sign, not that they were honest seekers after truth but only to bring ridicule upon him. They were stricken with