The Victory of Islam — Page 65
H H A A D D R AT M IR Z A GHU L A M AH M AD R AT M IR Z A GHU L A M AH M AD 65 even that intellectual calibre. You are just a plain mullah of anti - quated ideas and that very meanness that is typically found in backward-thinking mullahs is present in you too. And you should bear in mind that such philosophers, scientific scholars, and researchers of vast knowledge come to me and derive benefit from the mysteries of divine insights, that if I were to call you a mere schoolboy in comparison to them, even then I would be compli - menting you with a description well beyond what you deserve. If even now your flair for imagination fails to subside and your feelings of mistrust are not alleviated, then, with the help and mercy of God Almighty, I am prepared to challenge you in [pub - lic] speaking. On account of my illness, I am currently unable to undertake a long journey, but if you agree, I can give you the trou - ble of travelling at my expense to a central location in the Punjab, such as Lahore, for this task and trial. I make this promise with firm resolve, eagerly awaiting your reply. His Statement— This man is merely incompetent and main - tains no scholarly aptitude. My Statement— Dear sir! I make no claim to any earthly wis - dom or sagacity. What use do I have for the sagacity and clever - ness of this world as they cannot enlighten the soul? They cannot cleanse internal impurities. They cannot engender meekness and humility; rather, they coat rust upon rust and add kufr [disbelief ] upon kufr. For me it is sufficient that divine grace supported me and bestowed upon me the knowledge that is not obtained in schools, but from the Heavenly Teacher. Should I be called umm i [unlettered], how does it diminish my status? On the contrary, it