Life of Ahmad — Page 426
PROPHECY ABOUT A THIM as 426 that he had not changed his attitude. This leaflet was dated September 20th, 1894, and 10,000 copies were distributed throughout the country. A thim replied by a letter which was published in the N u r Afsh a Ĕ , dated September 2lst, 1894, on page 10. In this he said that he was still a Christian and that he did not believe in Islam etc. Others also raised several objections 101. Ahmad as issued another leaflet of about 20 pages on October 5th, 1894, in which he answered about a score of different points that were raised; and challenged A thim again to declare on oath in a public meeting that during the 15 months he had not changed his attitude towards Islam. Ahmad as insisted on this because it was the only way in which 101 The mullahs were already siding with the Christians in the case of A thim. They were anxious to oppose Ahmad as at any cost. To confuse and deceive the public the mullahs began to say that the second part of the prophecy regarding the death of Sultan Muhammad and Ahmad’s as marriage with Muhammad i Begum had also not been fulfilled. To answer them Ahmad as issued a leaflet on October 6th, 1894, in which he explained that prophecies threatening punishment, like that of A thim and Sultan Muhammad, were not irrevocable decrees to be carried out in a mechanical manner. God is Merciful; He is also Forgiving and He is not malicious and vindictive. The elements of fear and repentance therefore introduced contingency into prophecy. He suggested that a public meeting be held at which he would prove that he was right according to Muslim scriptures. If, however, the mullahs still persisted in their view, he would ask them to declare on a solemn oath that Ahmad’s as view was wrong. They should also pray to God that the advocate of falsehood be chastised by Him. Ahmad as promised to give them Rs. 200 for this purpose. But nobody came forward. All they did was to ask for illustrations and references in a disbelieving manner. Therefore, Ahmad as supplied them with authentic references from the recognised scriptures in support of his view. This leaflet was printed at the Riy ad -e-Hind press, Amritsar, in 4,000 copies. It was dated October 27th, 1894.