Some Prophecies of Hazrat Ahmad - A Critical Study — Page 34
quoted several verses of the Holy Quran. "". Abdullah Athim's inability to sustain the pace of intellectual discussion and his failure to present any novel and convincing arguments either in favour of Christianity or against Islam was more than apparent to the audience, including his own colleagues. In fact, Athim himself, was so aware of his shortcomings that during the course of the debate, he became conveniently indisposed and his colleague, Rev. Clarke had to stand in for Athim for a while. . However, at the close of the debate, Hadhrat Ahmadas concluded his last paper with the announcement: 'When I prayed to God, in all humility and earnestness, that He might give His judgement in the debate as we are weak mortals and without. His judgement we could not accomplish anything, I was given a Sign, by way of glad tidings, that of the two parties to the debate, the one who was deliberately following falsehood and forsaking the true God and deifying a weak mortal would be thrown into hell within fifteen months, each month corresponding to each day of the debate, and that he would suffer open disgrace if he did not turn to the truth; and that the one who is following the truth and believed in the true God would be openly honoured. '12. In conclusion to this announcement, Hadhrat Ahmadas directed a personal question at Abdullah Athim and enquired: 'Now I ask Deputy Saheb. If this sign is fulfilled, would you accept it as a perfect and divine prophecy according to your liking? Would it not be a strong proof that the Holy Prophetsa, whom you called the Dadjall in your book Androoni Bible, is a true Prophet. " '13. This introduction to the debate between Hadhrat Ahmadas and. Abdullah Athim should establish the fact that the purpose of the entire exercise was to establish the superiority of one of the two contending religions, Islam or Christianity. Hadhrat Ahmadas's final announcement at the close of the debate¹4 is indicative of the fact that the test was not between personalities but between Islam and Christianity, 11. lbid 12. Ibid 13. Ibid 34 14. Ibid