Life of Ahmad — Page 639
as POLICE HARASS AHMAD as 639 Messiah and Mahdi. It was also revealed to me that under that name I should lay the foundation of peace and goodwill and purify the minds of Muslims of all those fanatic beliefs in the doctrine of Jihad, etc. which like a chronic disease had lingered in their minds. I was appointed to teach them that spiritual advancement was to be sought by purity of soul and meekness of heart, and not by wars, evil intentions of disloyalty or by the vain hopes of a future which was dangerous to the peace of the country. On my inculcating these principles, Muhammad Husain took the opposite course, prepared an Istift a and obtained a fatwa of my Kufr. In this fatwa he declared me a kafir, Dajj a l , heretic and an enemy of Islam. But even this fatwa did not check the progress in the number of my followers, most of whom are merchants, Raises , and responsible Government officers, and are highly educated, good citizens and loyal subjects. Having thus failed in his object, Muhammad Husain adopted another method, i. e. , he submitted false reports to the Government from time to time stating that I had rebellious motives. This is the very reverse of the truth, for my sect has been established with the object of extirpating all rebellious ideas. When he saw that the Government paid no heed to this, he instigated the public to murder me