Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 58
58 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad those days, a truly courageous man was one who stood firmly under the shadow of swords. However, the art of war in this age is nothing but a mask for cowards. Now, courage amounts to nothing and those who possess advanced weapons of war and modern canons, and who are trained in their use prevail in war. The pur- pose and objective of war in earlier times was so that the hidden quality of bravery within the believers could come to light. And as God Almighty had willed, He manifested this quality of the believers to the world most magnificently. This is no longer required because now war has taken on the form of skill, strategy and tactic. Advanced weaponry and intricate strategies have mixed this precious and honourable merit to dust. In the early period of Islam, defensive wars and physical battles were also neces- sary because those who preached the message of Islam were countered, not with reason and argumentation, but by the sword. And so, left with no other choice, the Muslims were forced to respond to the sword in kind. But now Islam is not countered with the sword, rather, it is criticised by the pen and through argumen- tation. Hence the reason that in this day and age God Almighty desires for us to use the pen to accomplish that which was previously done so by the sword-so that the opponents may be defeated through written argumentation. Therefore, it is inappropriate for anyone to respond to the pen by the sword. گر حفظ مراتب نکنی زندیقی If you are not considerate of rank, you shall lose your faith. The Present Era Calls for the Pen pen. Know for certain that in this age it is not the sword that is needed but the j Our opponents have spread doubts about Islam and have sought to attack the true religion sent by Allah Almighty through various sciences and strategies. I have thus been moved by God to enter this battlefield of science and academic advancement armed with a literary arsenal, and also to exhibit the spiritual valour of Islam and demonstrate the marvel of its inner strength. How could I have been capable to enter this field of battle? It is only due to the grace of Allah Almighty and His boundless beneficence that He desires to manifest the honour of His reli- gion at the hands of a humble man like myself. On one occasion, I began to count the allegations and attacks levelled against Islam by our opponents and as I re- call, their number equalled 3,000 or thereabout. And I am certain that now their