Life of Ahmad — Page 272
THE PHARISEE OF BATALA as 272 In short, the second kind of Hadith cannot be implicitly accepted. But it must be clearly understood that Bukh a r i and Muslim undoubtedly constitute the nearest approach to truth. The mistakes and discrepancies enumerated above have, as a matter of fact, been discovered by a spirit of ultra-exactitude; otherwise, they are few and insignificant that they are quite negligible. They do not detract anything from the unique position to which these collections are entitled. It would therefore be gross injustice to minimize their importance in any respect. They are a direct contrast to Christian scriptures, about the authenticity of which serious doubts have always been entertained even by Christians themselves. Ahmad’s as direct and immediate communion with God is prominent in this debate. He regards visions, revelation and inspiration as the best means of understanding and interpreting the Hadith and the Quran. His last paper, which was written on the 29th but read out on the 31st (to suit the convenience of Muhammad Husain), concludes as follows: 'Those who look upon me as an impostor and regard themselves as righteous and pious, should know that I am prepared to vindicate my position against them according to the Quranic verse: "Do ye work according to your ability; I too will work" (H u d 11:94). Let us fix 40 days for this purpose and seek some heavenly distinction and the one who comes out