Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 327
327 tents of my books. On account of this difference, 'the Amir was already biased against me and rny followers. Now Maulvi Abdul Latif, <while. yet in prison, remarked one day that Jehad was forbidden, and ; tfcrat the Promised Messiah taught plainly that we should serve and propagate Islam not by means of the sword but by establishing its truth with sound' arguments. The presenc'e of the Amir could not deter : him from expressing his views, for he was dauntless in the- utterance of truth though it cost him his life. . It is stated by some of the disciples of Maulvi Abdul Latif that on his journey home, he very often repeated the remark that the land of Afghanistan stood in need of his blood. I think this remark was true. The circulation in Afghanistan of mil- lions of hand-bills, containing arguments for the truth of my claim-} could not have produced the effect; which is blood has done- The drops of his blood have been cast in that land' like seed which would soon develop into a large tree providing shelter for thousands of birds. When four months had elapsed, the Amir ordered Maulvi Abdul: Latif to be brought in the public court and warned him of the fatal consequences if he did not renounce his faith. But Maulvi Abdul Latif repeated the firm answer that nothing could' shake his belief. The torture which the Amir could inflict would end, he said, with this life but he feared Him who could inflict everlasting punishment. He further urged the Arnir that as he knew himself to be in the right, he should be given an occasion to hold a debate on the points of difference with the Maulvies, and that he should be punished if he was proved to be in error. . To this the Amir consented, and Maulvi Abdul Latif was carried in fetters (Weighing 128 Ibs. round his waist, and. shackles weighing 16 Ibs. on his legs. ) to the place