Life of Ahmad — Page 137
as MARRIAGE 137 Husain of Batala of Ahmad as having nervous debility on account of diabetes and other ailments; and the Maulaw i wrote a sympathetic letter to Ahmad as showing his concern. But it is a truth that God can bestow all kinds of powers upon His faithful devotees, and in proof of this, Ahmad as having been promised Divine assistance in all his marriage obligations, was, despite his weak debilitated state and relative old age, so blessed by God with renewed vitality that he left behind him three sons and two daughters, who are all alive today. May God bless them and keep them for ever and ever. Christianity and some other religions seem to encourage celibacy. Jesus as is reported as having said, in Matth 19: 21: 'And there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it let him receive it. ' St. Paul is said to have taught 'That a struggling missionary body will find more freedom in its work in the absence of wives and children. ' (G. G. Coulton, M. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge). The apostles insisted 'that their converts should either not contract wedlock or should dissolve the tie if already formed. ' The Spanish Synod of Elvira (A. D. 305) definitely forbade marriage to the higher clergy. Sacerdotal celibacy has been, more or less, an article of Christian faith. Sir Thomas More was driven to