The Afghan Martyrs — Page 60
same terms. The prison that he was in, was in no way like the prisons today where, to an extent, human frailties are taken into account. His imprisonment was indeed rigorous where one would even prefer death. Hence the martyr's perseverance and steadfastness surprised all. It was indeed amazing how a glorified individual who owned an estate worth many hundreds of thousands of rupees in Kabul, who because of his learning and taqwa was the Chief in the land of Kabul stood his ground. It was indeed amazing as for nearly fifty years he had spent a life of comfort and luxury and he had a large family and dear sons. Suddenly he was put in a dreadful prison where conditions were worse than death. Conditions in the prison were such as to make one shudder. It was amazing how, under conditions so appalling that the delicate person who had been brought up in luxury was able to display patience and perseverance. It was astonishing that on repeated occasions when he received messages from the Ameer of Kabul that if only he would renounce the Qadiani he would be freed with honour, this sage who had been endowed with firm faith, summarily rej ected the tempting offers. On every occasion he asked the Amir not to expect him to give preference to the world over his faith. He asserted that merely for fear of death he would never renounce one whom he had recognized after thoroughly satisfying himself. He said that he would not renounce him as he knew very well that in him he had seen the truth. Therefore in exchange for his life for a few more days he would not be found guilty of giving up a belief in which he had a firm faith and which happened to be a verified truth. He was prepared to sacrifice his life but he had decided that the truth would go with him. The assertions by this sage were of such eminence as the land of Kabul can never forget. II (Tazkira-tush-Shahadatain) Page 51152) 60