Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 491
Laying to Rest Some Doubts 491 to this extent, that I have purposely remained silent about the initia- tion of this practice. ات ی عمال بالن ل انما ا [And actions are judged by their intentions]. Also, I do not believe that prohibition of drawing of a portrait is absolute. It is evident from the Holy Quran that the sect of Jinn used to draw portraits for Hadrat Sulaiman [Solomon]. The Israelites, for a long time, possessed portraits of Prophets, including that of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Also, Gabriel, may peace be upon him, showed the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, a portrait of Hadrat ‘ A ’ishah on a silk cloth. And the images of animals become naturally imprinted on some stones under water. Moreover, the instrument that is now used for taking photographs had not been invented in the time of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. It is a very useful instrument by which some diseases can be diagnosed. Another instrument has been introduced by which the image of all the bones of a person is taken to help diagnose diseases such as rheumatism and gout, and determine the nature of the illness. Similarly, many scientific bene- fits have been realized by means of photographs. Some Europeans have published the images of all the known living things, including many kinds of insects, and all variety of birds and animals, etc. in their books which has fostered knowledge. Is it then conceivable that God—who encourages the acquisition of knowledge—would prohibit the use of an instrument that helps to diagnose difficult diseases and which helps sagacious people to attain guidance? All these are senseless notions that have become widespread. Why don’t the maulaw i s [religious clerics] of our country throw away from their pockets and homes all the coins, rupees, two annas, four annas, and eight annas that bear the image of the royal visage? Do not these coins bear pictures on them? It is a pity that, by uttering unreasonable things wantonly, they give the opponents an opportunity to laugh at Islam. Islam has forbidden frivolous pursuits and such pursuits as fos- ter idolatry; and not the pursuits that foster human knowledge, help