An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page xxxi
xxxi had the courage to accept his challenge. He then offered a reward beginning with Rs. 1,000, which went on rising to Rs. 10,000, but, despite the rewards he offered, none could produce something as good in beauty, eloquence and power as those of the Promised Messiah as ’s books. Some of his Arabic books remain a challenge uptill now. Even the Arabs were invited to join the challenge but they also failed. Some of the Maulav i s then alleged that the works of the Promised Messiah as were written by an Arab secretly employed by him for the job. To rebut this allegation, he was commanded by God to deliver the Sermon on the ‘ I dul-A dha on April 11, 1900, in the Arabic language. In obedience to the divine command, the Promised Messiah as delivered a lengthy sermon in Arabic. The sermon, later published under the title of Khutbah Ilhamiyyah , revealed things couched in chaste Arabic of the highest order, which impressed Arabs and non-Arabs alike. The writing of books was not the only occupation of the Promised Messiah as. He issued leaflets, replied to letters, delivered speeches and granted interviews to hundreds of thousands of seekers of truth. According to one estimate, in seven years from the beginning of the acceptance of bai‘at , he received 90,000 letters 5 which he individually attended to and responded to. The writing of thirty to forty letters a day is not an easy job for a man who is required to make speeches, hold debates and is engaged in writing books. Often he would give medicines to patients and he would never show any annoyance if he was disturbed. The Promised Messiah as had no secretaries or assistants and on top of these intellectual occupations, he would play host to all those who visited him, as Islam inculcates most cordial hospitality. At that time in Qadian, there were no boarding houses or hotels where a visitor could find boarding and lodging, nor were there any provision 5 For detail see The Life of Ahmad by A. R. Dard ra , edition of 2008, page 340, for detail on 90,000 letters.