Ahmadiyyat or Qadianism! Islam or Apostasy? — Page 116
This, one may venture to state, was the impact of Hazrat Mirza. Ghulam Ahmad's solo defence of Islam at the onset of his ministry and not even his opponents have been able to deny that with the publication of his first major defence of Islam, the Braheen e Ahmadiyya, Hazrat. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian 'emerged as a defender of the faith' 49 and 'a champion of Islam. ' 50. UMMAH MOURNS HIS DEATH. The exceptional services Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad rendered to the faith of Islam have been numerously documented by the annals of history. On his sad demise, Muslim leaders of integerity mourned his death inspite of their differences with him. They expressed their sorrow without reservations and declared: 'The death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian is not an event which may be passed without drawing a lesson from. Men like him who revolutionise our intellectual and religious outlook are seldom born. It is rare that they appear, but when they do, they change the world and leave an indelible mark on history. Despite the fact that we differed with him in the interpretation of certain doctrines and claims, we cannot but own that the loss of Mirza Saheb is deeply felt by enlightened Muslims as a loss of a great leader and they acknowledge that in his death, they have lost a magnificient champion of Islam who successfully defended the faith against all its opponents. Considering the great role he played as a successful defender of Islam, we must acknowledge his services frankly and without reserve. ' 51. This opinion was shared by the intellectual Muslim elite of the sub continent, individually and collectively. The official organ of the then seat of Muslim learning in India, the Aligarh Institute Journal stated:. Certainly, the deceased was a great champion of Islam. " 49. Hasan, The Truth About Ahmadiyyat: pg 1 '52 50. Nadwi, A. H: Qadianism. A Critical Study: pg 26/35 51. Azad, Maulana Abul Kalam: Vakil, Amritsar, May 1908 52. Aligarh Institute Journal: May, 1908 117