The Sanatan Faith — Page xi
FOREWORD Sanatan Dharm is one of the shorter essays of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace. Its main topic is the Āryah Samāj tenet of Niyog which allows a married woman to indulge in con- jugal relations with other men in order to have children. The Promised Messiah had previously discussed this issue in his book Nasim-e-Da'wat [An Invitation]. However, he decided to further elaborate upon it in this essay in reply to a leading Āryah Samājist, Pundit Bhadjat, who claimed that if the author of Nasim-e- Dawat had cared to discourse with him, the Pundit would have elucidated the merits and values of Niyog. Against this backdrop, the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, argues that regardless of whatever benefits Pundit Bhadjat might ascribe to Niyog, it is a practice so abhorrent that it goes against every norm of decency and virtue. Ultimately, it can only lead to the corruption of society. On the other hand, the Promised Messiah praises another Hindu sect, the Sanatan Dharm, after which the essay is entitled, and he points to the fact that its follow- ers not only reject Niyog, but are also a more faithful and truthful representation of the teachings of the Vedas. This translation was supervised by the late Chaudhary Muhammad Ali, may Allah have mercy on him, and his team. It was further revised and finalised by al-Ḥāj Munawar Ahmed