Guidance for Perceiving Minds — Page 12
h a d rat Mirza ghulam AHmAD as 12 slaying them with blade and sword. The wounds inflicted by a blade can heal, but the wounds caused by words cannot be mended. As for his claim of knowledge and eloquence, as is intuitively understood from his words, it is merely his assertion, and we can- not accept it without first establishing his eminence. I doubt that al-Man a r will produce a work of knowledge comparable to my book or exhibit a brilliance akin to the brightness of my sheath. Despite this, I sometimes think to myself that it is possible the editor of al-Man a r was free from these objections, and it is possi- ble he did not intend to disdain or gore like horned animals, but rather aimed to safeguard the word of Allah from the ignominy of opposition. 1 Actions are judged by intentions. If this is the truth, then there is no doubt he has earned many degrees for himself with these articles, for love of the word of Allah will grant him entry to Paradise and protect him like a shield. What sin is upon the one who insulted me to protect the Furq a n, not to disparage or demean, and took the path of supporting the religion, not the flame of insult and belittlement! Is he not among the defenders of Islam and those advocating for the glory of the word of Allah the All-Knowing, who is the Master of all Speech? Allah knows the secrets and what is even more concealed, and 1. I think he was upset by the ban of Jihad, the cessation of war and sharp swords. This is the time to display signs, not the era of drawing swords. The only weapon now is the blade of arguments and clear proofs. It is undeniable that waging war to promote religion in these times is among the most egregious forms of ignorance. It is evident to those with rea- son that there is no compulsion in religion. (Author)