Life of Ahmad — Page 404
LITERARY MIRACLE as 404 1894) entitled Sirrul Khil a fah 88 (Riy ad -e-Hind, 88 This book was written in answer to letters and questions which members of the Shia community had addressed to Ahmad as. As a world Reformer he considered it his duty to explain to them the truth and to point out their mistakes under Divine guidance. It was wrong on the part of the Shia to curse Abu Bakr ra , Umar ra and Usman ra. They were the rightful Caliphs of Islam. They were not wrongdoers and usurpers. They were the truest of Muslims having served the Holy Prophet sa all their lives. Ahmad as quoted verses from the Quran in support of these statements and referred to historical facts which could not be denied. He wrote: 'Those who left their homes and their friends and their property and their goods for the sake of Allah and His Messenger sa , and those who were persecuted by the unbelievers and were driven out by the hands of the evildoers and yet they remained steadfast like the best and most virtuous of men and became his successors; and they did not fill their homes with silver and cash; and they made not their sons and daughters inheritors of gold and silver; and they returned everything they acquired to the Baitul m a l ; and they made not their sons their successors like the sons of the world and like those gone astray; and they lived in this world in the garment of poverty and want; and they did not incline towards ease and luxury like those who are rulers and chiefs; can it be imagined about them that they used to rob the people of their wealth through transgressions and inclined towards usurping, looting and robbing? Was this the effect of the company of the Holy Prophet sa , the best of the universe? And I know that some members of the Shia community quarrel with the Sunnis in this matter and the days of this quarrel have indeed lengthened and often has the quarrel led to mutual slapping and fighting resulting in instituting cases and appeals. 1 am surprised at the Shias and at their misunderstanding. I am sorry at their many whims. Signs have indeed become manifest for them, and conclusive evidence has come to light, but they run away turning off and do not reflect like those who are fair and just. Here am I. I call them to a course which will open their eyes. It is fair to us and fair to them. Let us gather in a field and entreat the Almighty Lord and invoke Allah’s curse on the liars. If then the effect of my prayer is not evident within one year, I shall accept for myself every punishment and I shall affirm that they are the truthful. I shall also give them Rs. 5000. '