Three in One — Page 232
Since Abdul Hafeez finds Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi's views unacceptable because he finds him to be a controversial figure, one can assure him that his views to the effect that the age of the sword was no more and this was the age of the pen was shared by the majority of the Muslim ulama of that time. . This is evident from Abdul Hafeez's spiritual mentor, Maulvi. Sanaullah Amritsari's statement in which he referred to that period of history and stated: 'As at that time our ulama had declared Jihad with the sword to be rebellion and insurrection, and to be haram, and the opponents of Islam were waging war by the pen, the need then was for Jihad with the pen. ' 147. This opinion was, amongst others, shared by Allama. Muhammad Iqbal, held in high regard by Abdul Hafeez for his unfavourable statements against the Ahmadiyya Muslim. Community. He stated that: 'The powers of Islam are not limited. There was an age of the sword. Today is the age of the pen. It attacks from within and without, and compels you from every angle to accept it. 48. Incidentally, such views continue to be held by Muslims of several persuasions. Maulvi Zahid al Husaini, for instance, stated not too long ago: 'This is the age of Jihad by the pen. Today, the pen has spread much trouble. The person who does Jihad by the pen is the greatest Mujahid. ´ 49. So did the Director General of the Islamic Foundation at. Leicester declare that 'Jihad represents to Muslims all efforts to 46. Shah, Syed Abdul Hafeez. Two in One, p. 68 47. Amritsari, Maulvi Sanaullah. Iman, 1948 48. Iqbal, Muhammad. Paigham e Sulh, 4 January, 1928 49. Husaini, Maulvi Zahid al. Khuddum ud Din, Lahore, 1 October, 1965 232