Divine Manifestations — Page 18
Divine Manifestations 18 of the fact that this was a prophecy which contained a warning. It was not unconditional, as was the prophecy of Jonahas, and was accompanied by the words: 'Provided that he did not seriously incline towards the truth', which means that he would die within fifteen months, provided that his heart did not turn towards the truth. But it has been testified even by the Christians that at the very meeting where this prophecy was announced, 'Abdullah Ātham had inclined towards the truth and was seized with fear. At the end of the debate, when I addressed Mr. 'Abdullah Ātham aloud at the house of Dr. Martyn Clarke, in the presence of sixty or seventy witnesses, amongst whom were both Muslims and Christians, I said: 'In one of your books, you have referred to our Prophet Muhammadsa as the Antichrist, and, as a consequence, God had ordained that you shall perish within fifteen months, provided you do not turn towards the truth. ' As soon as he heard this announcement, he was seized with fear and his face turned pale. He stuck out his tongue, held his ears with his hands19 and, shaking with fear and with a remorseful expression on his face, said: 'I have never referred to the Holy Prophet as the Antichrist. ' sa 19 A traditional gesture of repentance. [Translator]