Three in One — Page 173
Muslim periodical stated: 'If the paper by Mirza Sahib had not been there, the Muslims would have faced degradation and shame at the hands of other religions, But the powerful hand of God saved Islam from defeat and through that paper granted it such triumph that let alone the adherents, even the opponents cried out spontaneously: This paper is the best of all. This paper is the best of all!'221. This proficiency which Hadhrat Ahmadas had acquired in all fields of religious education was not restricted to written work only. According to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: 'Natural intelligence, application and dexterity and continuous debates had lent Mirza Sahib a special splendour. He had vast knowledge not only of his own religion but also of other religions. And he was able to use his vast knowledge with great finesse. In the art of preaching and teaching, he had acquired the accomplishment that the person whom he addressed, of whatever understanding or religion, was thrown into deep thought by his spontaneous reply. ' 1222. He then proceeded to define the state of affairs in the sub continent of India to declare that India, in that age, was an exhibition house of religions and a number of great and small faiths found here, along with their mutual struggles which announced their existence, could not be matched anywhere else in the world223 but: 'Mirza Sahib's claim was that he was the arbiter and judge for them all, but there is no doubt that he possessed a special talent to make Islam pre-eminent among all these religions. . This was due to his natural ability, taste for study, and hard work. It is not likely that a man of this grandeur will be born 221. Guhar Asafi, Calcutta, 24 January 1897 222. Azad, Maulana Abul Kalam. Vakeel, Amritsar, May, 1908 173 223. Ibid.