Life of Ahmad — Page 390
DEBATE WITH ATHIM as 390 should take place after the debate so that God might make a decisive distinction between the two contending parties within one year from that date. But the Christians kept silent; therefore, after waiting for a week, Ahmad as issued a leaflet on May 3rd in which he pointed out the necessity and importance of the procedure suggested and invited Dr. Clark to accept his invitation openly by a leaflet. Abdullah A thim sent a reply (most probably on May 4th, 1893) in which he said that fresh miracles were not necessary to show the truth of Christianity, but if Ahmad as could show miracles, Christians would gladly witness them and would also amend their views as far as possible. A miracle, however, should be within the range of possibility. He added further that Christianity did not permit Mub a hala s because Christians ought not to curse anyone, but that Ahmad as could do so on his part and wait for one year. Ahmad as pointed out in the first place that he had not used the word miracle. What he wanted was to test a tree by its fruits. On the whole, however, he expressed his satisfaction at the reasonable attitude adopted in reply. He pointed out further that Mub a hala was permitted in the Bible and that there was nothing in it against praying to God to make a distinction between falsehood and truth. Mub a hala did not involve cursing anyone except one’s ownself if, and in so far as, one is false. Falsehood is a curse in itself and there is no harm in making it out as such at one’s own request. It is also in the common interest of the public that