The Afghan Martyrs — Page 71
the ovetwhelming majority of the divines in Afghanistan were God fearing and it was the Moullahs and ruling Junta who, by use of pressure secured edicts from the clergy. I compliment, pfaise and acclaim the conduct of those divines who, in spite of extreme pressure, facing bared swords and risking death, held the Sahibzada completely innocent. Conviction In addition to the above we record certain other testimonies concerning the martyrdom of the Sahibzada. In his book Tazkira-tush-Shahadatain the Promised Messiah (PBUH) writes: "After having issued a verdict of 'kufr' the martyr was sent back to prison. On a Monday morning he was summoned to the Salam Khana where the Ameer held special sessions of his Durbar. A large number had assembled there and when the Ameer arrived from the fort he saw the martyr seated there. As he passed close to him he said, 'Sahibzada what have you decided?' The martyr kept quiet as he knew very well that they had already made up their minds to be unjust to the extreme. However one of the soldiers blurted out, He has been condemned by an edict of 'kufr. I As soon as the Ameer settled down in the assembly he summoned the Sahibzada and told him that an edict of kufr had been assessed and asked if he would now repent as othetwise he would face the prescribed punishment. The Sahibzada made it plain that to save his life, he could in no way endure falsehood or renounce the truth. The Ameer repeated his advice for repentance and tempted him with not only a pardon but a lot more. In somewhat strong terms the martyr persisted in rej ecting the offer and asked the King not to expect him to renounce the truth. Those who have 71