Life of Ahmad — Page 491
as LETTER TO THE AM i R 491 expected one in the future? Since the beginning of man no such deception has ever been published. So is there any other sign, after this, before us, which might convince us or even create a doubt as to the possibility of the existence of a greater Dajj a l who might be hidden in some cave? Along with this is the occurrence in our country of the eclipses of the sun and the moon, which is mentioned as a sign of the appearance of the Mahdi in D a r Qu t n i through Imam B a qir. The mischief of Christians has exceeded all limits. The vile abuse and extreme insult that their learned men have, by pen and tongue, poured upon our Holy Prophet sa has caused a ferment in the heavens, so much so that an humble person has been commissioned to leave them no excuse. It is the way of God that, whenever corruption prevails on earth, a reformer is created on earth who is fitted to meet the particular mischief prevailing. Let him therefore who has eyes see the fire of mischief which rages in our age and as to who are the people that have attacked Islam by taking the sword in their hands. Let lovers of Islam think and decide if it is right or wrong. Was it not necessary that, at the end of the thirteenth century in which the seed of mischief was sown, the Divine mercy should have turned towards the reformation of religion at the head