Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 242
B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 242 of this country would cease to exist. If you are unacquainted with Arabic, then ask someone who knows Arabic about the meaning of: عفت الدیار محلھا و مقامھا [Temporary residences and permanent ones will be wiped out]. And if you do not trust anyone, then take a look at the meanings of the line as written by the commentator which is: ِ وَمَا كَان َ لِلْإ ِقَامَۃ 1 ِ اِنْدَرَسَت ْ دِیَار ُ الَْحْبَاب ِ وَانْمَحٰی مَا كَان َ مِنْھَا لِلْحَوْل (see Mu‘allaqah number 4, commentary on the first line) Meaning that, the towns of friends and their homes ceased to exist and those buildings ceased to exist that were used for temporary res- idence—such as inns or national shrines—and so did those buildings that were for permanent residence. Now, explain how can these mean- ings be applicable to the plague, and what connection does the plague have with the collapse of buildings? The only difference between these meanings and those of the revelation from God Almighty is that of the past and future tense. While Lab i d referred to the past in this sentence, the revelation from God refers to the future. The implication of it is that buildings and towns of a portion of this country would cease to exist—neither temporary nor permanent abodes would remain. Now, do tell: Can these meanings truthfully apply to the plague? What is there to be gained now by being obstinate? Only two kinds of people show unwarranted obstinacy: either the extremely foolish or the extremely dishonest and prejudiced. And if you present the same objection again which has been answered before, that the past tense has been used here and Lab i d, may Allah be pleased with him, has also used it to mean the past, the answer—as has been given before—is that 1. There seems to be a scribal error. It should have been written as ِ لِلْحَلُوْل. [Publisher]