Life of Ahmad — Page 406
LITERARY MIRACLE as 406 of the high literary character of the excellent works of Ahmad as but there is no denying the fact that they are a standing reproach to the mullahs, who boasted of their erudition like vain people but produced nothing at all to match Ahmad’s as great work. Meanwhile thoughtful people were very much impressed with the extraordinary powers of Ahmad as , who carried on his noble work in spite of bitter opposition. Seekers after truth began to join his fold in growing numbers, and his name spread far and wide. A certain person, ‘A ta Muhammad by name, asked Ahmad as , by means of a letter printed in August 1893 as how it could be determined that Ahmad as was really the Promised Messiah as and what evidence there was of any such Messiah having been promised. Ahmad as answered this letter by writing a book entitled Shah a datul Quran 91. challenge and asked Rusul Baba to deposit the money (Rs. 1,000) with a third party, but he failed to do so. In this booklet Ahmad as proved the death of Jesus as from Muslim scriptures. 91 It was finished on September 22nd, 1893, and printed at the Punjab Press, Sialkot. It may be mentioned here that Ahmad as had to go to Ferozepur Cantt. about November 20th, 1893, where his family had gone. He returned to Qadian about the middle of December. The year was now drawing to a close and Ahmad as had to consider the question of the annual Jalsa. But previous experience did not encourage him to gather together all and sundry who did not yet seem to possess the true spirit of brotherhood which he inculcated. He did not desire a vain show. His idea was to afford his followers an opportunity of meeting him and learning spiritual truths, but when he saw that the rich still despised the poor and that instead of loving one another people began to fight and quarrel over petty things, he did not like to bring them all together in an indiscriminate manner. Another reason for postponing the Jalsa in 1893 was financial. He did not have the necessary funds for providing board and lodging for the people. A good