Life of Ahmad — Page 664
POLICE HARASS AHMAD as as 664 the peace for a period of seven years at least. He had sent memorials to the authorities. In his book Anj a m- e- A thim he had even expressed surprise as to why the Government did not put a stop to abuse and mischief- making. He had made it clear again and again that his object was only to preach the truth in peace and that he hated mischief and did not like anything which had a tendency to disturb the peace or gave offence or provocation. In his judgment the District Magistrate declared that Ahmad as was discharged (a word which Muhammad Husain tried to exploit later in his ignorance and foolishness). While the judgment was being delivered, the people, even in the Court room, were reading the prophecy of Ahmad as , published in the H aq i qatul Mahdi , that no harm would come to him and that he would be discharged. The multitude wondered and marvelled at its clear, speedy and unexpected fulfilment. To suggest (as do some of the enemies of Ahmad as like Walter, Barni and Phoenix) that there is something dishonourable in the agreement itself is certainly going too far. It must be remembered that temporal power is not the essential feature of prophethood. Nor is obedience to legitimate authority a disqualification. On the other hand, Islam emphatically forbids rebellion and enjoins the observance of law. Jesus as and Joseph as were not false Prophets, and yet each of them was a loyal subject of the king of his country. One of them, we know, was