A Critical Review of the Pamphlet, 'Fateh-e-Qadian' — Page 20
20 A critical Review of the Pamphlet—‘f a te h -e-Qadian’ addressed to P i r [Meher ‘Al i ] on August 26, 1900. In it they asked the P i r to publish a statement bearing his signature that he unconditionally accepts the invitation of July 20, 1900 to the contest of writing a commentary on the verses of the Holy Quran. (For details see W a qi‘ a t-e- S a hih ah , published by Anw a r-e-Ahmad i , Lahore, 1900, p. 47) Alas, the P i r refused outright to accept the registered letter. (For details see W a qi‘ a t-e- S a hih ah , published by Anw a r-e-Ahmad i , Lahore, 1900, p. 47) However, his disciples started spreading a rumour that P i r [Meher ‘Al i ] had sent many telegrams on August 25, to which Mirz a [Ghul a m Ahmad] had not replied. As a response, an announcement was published on August 27 daring P i r Meher ‘Al i that if he were to publish a written affirmation accompanied with his oath, attesting to the authenticity of this rumour, the followers of the Promised Messiah as would present him with 51 rupees. (For details see W a qi‘ a t-e- S a hih ah , published by Anw a r-e-Ahmad i , Lahore, 1900, p. 49) P i r [Meher ‘Al i ] himself remained silent as usual. However, on the same day, several maulavis held a large public gathering in the B a dsh a h i Mosque, attempting to cover up the truth. These maulavis told their audience that no heed should be paid to Mirz a [ Ghul a m Ahmad ] and his Community, nor should any reply be made to anything they may ask. In a report of the proceedings, published in Ish a ‘at-us-Sunnah , the verdict of these maulavis appeared as following: In future, no Muslim should pay heed to any written communication of Mirz a Qadian i or his followers. Neither should