Life of Ahmad — Page 578
RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION as 578 absolutely pure and free from every kind of abuse and aggression. His words might have been hard and bitter, 140 but they were sincere and true. There was nothing wrong and unjustified. His enemies really deserved the denunciation which was by no means actuated by any ill-will or malice. Ahmad as had the good of the world at heart. His words were steeped in love and sympathy. He wanted only to save his enemies from the bigger and more dreadful disaster that awaited them. His voice ringing with just and righteous indignation would often break with the tenderest pity. Often would he say, 140 Ahmad as has repeatedly made it clear in the course of his numerous works that whenever he has used any strong expression he has had in mind only such persons of perverted nature as persistently indulge in abusive language; but that such expressions are never to be taken as intended for those Muslims who, though not believing in him, refrain from indulging in abuse. For instance in his book Lujjatun N u r (pp. 67, 68) he says: 'And God forbid that I should ever insult the gentlemanly and the fairminded from among my opponents, no matter whether they be from among the Muslims or the Christians or the A ryas. Indeed, whenever I use strong expressions, I have in mind only those wicked people who are notorious for indulging in abusive language. Of others I always speak well and with due respect and I regard them as friends and brothers. ' Again in Ayy a mu s S ul h a (title page, 2) he says: 'In none of my writings does any expression refer to such respectable and gentlemanly people as abstain from using abusive language or do not resort to mean methods. ' Again in Tatimma H aq i qatul Wa hi (p. 21) he writes: 'This has invariably been a rule with me, and no one can prove that I have ever been the first, to make use of harsh language with regard to my opponents. '