Some Prophecies of Hazrat Ahmad - A Critical Study — Page 37
i evidence to prove that he had begun to turn to the truth. As subsequent events proved, no sooner had Hadhrat Ahmadas announced the prophecy against Athim, he immediately repented and declared that he had never 'wilfully insulted Islam or its Prophetsa. ' A British historian states in relation to Athim's retraction: "When Athim heard the prophecy he turned pale and in the Eastern manner of portraying absolute denial, touched both his ears, struck out his tongue and shook his head. 'I repent. I repent. I did not mean to be disrespectful,' he declared. "'25. Not only did Abdullah Athim profess verbal repentance and show remorse at the debate, but this renowned Christian author and celebrated debater stopped all his work in support of his beliefs. He ceased to write in favour of Christianity and against Islam and he withdrew into silence and relative seclusion. This in fact was a clear evidence of the fact that Abdullah Athim had seen the light of truth and within his heart he had accepted the truth of Islam and its noble. Prophetsa. Otherwise, what feasible reason could there have been for a person like Abdullah Athim, who had previously been so active in polytheistic activity, to suddenly retire from active life and go into retirement? Why should he have chosen this particular time to hide himself in the manner in which he did after the announcement of the prophecy against him?. Would Athim not have, if he had been convinced of the truth of his false beliefs, continued to preach Christianity, irrespective of Hadhrat. Ahmad'sas prophecy against him?. Abdullah Athim's retirement from active life and his complete silence after the announcement of this prophecy against him is an irrefutable evidence of the fact that he had realised his mistake and the truth had made an impression upon his mind. Had that not been the case, he would have ignored Hadhrat Ahmad'sas warning and continued his unjust hostility against Islam. But he had professed his remorse visually and verbally at the debate when he had 'turned pale' and declared, 'I repent. I repent,' and with his subsequent retirement into silence; he 25. Adamson, lan: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian: pg 83 37