Testimony of the Holy Quran — Page 121
H A D R AT M IR Z A GHU L A M AH M AD A S 121 world? They have acquired every kind of ascendancy, and repre - sent the fulfilment of: 1 ْنِّم ِّلُك ٍبَدَح َنْوُلِسْنَّي and Islam has reached such a deteriorated state, both in religious and worldly matters, as was the case with the Jews in the time of Hadrat Mas ih , peace be upon him. Furthermore, Mas ih came at a time when it was absolutely inappropriate to raise the sword for religion—the reason being that the Jews had themselves lost their state on account of their own depravity, and as the Roman Empire was not to blame for taking their country, they could not be fought with the sword. The situation these days is identical: the Muslim kings lost their states because of their indulgence in intemperance and worthless pleasures. In fact, they even lost all aptitude to run the state. That is why God Almighty gave their country to the British, who did not persecute anyone after tak - ing the country. They did not stop anyone from offering prayers and fasting, nor did they stop anyone from going for Hajj. Rather, they guaranteed freedom and peace for everyone. Then, despite their being benevolent, how could the Gracious and Merciful God allow for an edict calling for them to be put to the sword. Was the physical sword His only means to spread the Religion— did He not possess a spiritual sword? Moreover, the sword cannot be relied upon to spread the Faith in this era. The British did not force anyone to embrace their religion at the point of a sword, so 1. They shall hasten forth from every height ( S u rah al-Anbiy a ’, 21:97). [Publisher]