Seerat-i-Tayyiba — Page 39
39 opposition to the Promised Messiah. With the intention that a prophecy of the Holy Prophet may be fulfilled when the Promised Messiah laid the foundation of the minaret ( in the Masjid-I-Aqsa) of Qadian, the Hindus of the town sent a complaint to the District Magistrate that the erection of this structure was objectionable since it would expose to view the privacy of their homes and their womenfolk. This was on the face of it a silly and frivolous objection, for in the first place a view obtained from the top of such a high minaret it was not possible to see clearly into individual surrounding homes, so as to recognize anybody. Secondly, the disadvantages and inconvenience, if any, was equal for the Ahmadis themselves and others. In fact, the minaret affected the Ahmadis more than other, for it was located in Ahmadi locality. In routine disposal, however, the District magistrate sent the complaint for inquiry to the Magistrate under him in whose area Qadian was situated, and the official came to Qadian for the purpose, and spoke to the Promised Messiah in regard to the manner. Hazrat Ahmad explained that the underlying idea was not to build a minaret for any purpose of entertainment, or as a place of recreation. The motive was religious- to fulfil a prophecy of the Holy Founder of Islam, and to give the Call of Prayer from an elevated position, so that the voice should carry farther. Further Hazrat Ahmad said that some light was also to be installed at the top from which the neighborhood would derive benefit. The Magistrate on this occasion pointed to the Hindus, who were also present and said that these people had sent up a complaint that the minaret would expose the privacy of their homes to view. The Promised Messiah replied that the objection could obviously have no weight, since the disadvantage, if any, was equally applicable to the homes of the Ahmadis as well; and he explained that the complaint had been motivated only by the desire to oppose him and cause him annoyance. Here the Promised Messiah pointed out to Lala Buddha and said: “Here is Lala Buddha Mal, please ask him if there has been any occasion where I could be of any service to him but failed to oblige him; and whether there ever has been any occasion when he had it in power to harm me in some way but he refrained from doin g so. ” Hazrat Hafiz Raushan Ali, who was a very learned scholar and a member of the Movement, reports about this occasion that at the moment Buddha Mal hung down his head in shame, and did not have the courage to look either the Promised Messiah or the Magistrate in the face; and this incident furnishes a glorious instance of the Promised Messiah’s kindness and compassion even for his worst enemies. 8