Life of Ahmad — Page 462
REGULATION OF CONTROVERSIES as 462 deceived by the Scribes and Pharisees of the various religions who resorted to mean and foul methods of deliberate distortion and misrepresentation and vile abuse. They tried to stir up strife and agitation for selfish ends. Ahmad as perceived the danger. He sought nothing but peace. His sole objective was the spiritual regeneration of mankind. He did not want to rouse the passions of the people or injure susceptibilities. His enemies had nothing better to do than excite and inflame the people against him and his religion. The Holy Prophet sa was maligned by Christians, Hindus and all others on the basis of fabricated stories and inventions. If things went on in this way, there might be serious trouble in the country and Ahmad as was afraid that the forces of disorder might be let loose to work havoc. So he put forward a most useful suggestion, which received a scanty measure of attention and the importance of which was not fully realized at the time. In view of subsequent events it is no exaggeration to say that the suggestion, if adopted, would have saved a good deal of unnecessary trouble and expense, not only to the people but also to the authorities responsible for the maintenance of law and order. On September 22nd, 1895, Ahmad as made a public appeal by means of letters, and leaflets to the followers and advocates of all religions that a two- fold limit should be set, in the interests of peace and order, to the license with which religious controversy was carried on in India: (1) The advocates of a religion should not attack another religion on the basis