Early Writings — Page 63
An Important Response to the Query Published in the Aftab Newspaper on 16 May 1878 by Munshi Gardiyal Sahib, the Middle School Teacher from Chiniot Having expressed his thoughts on the issue of the eternity of souls, Munshi Gardiyal has emphatically demanded that I too write my response to his views. I stated previously, at the end of my last arti- cle, that I would not write on this subject again unless it becomes necessary. However, respected Munshi Sahib has very keenly requested me to remove his misunderstandings and I too consider this to be a worthy endeavour of scholarship which will also prove to be beneficial for the general public. Therefore, as an exception, I agree to briefly put forth my response to his views as it is neces- sary and required, and will serve to benefit the general public. The first idea held by Munshi Sahib which he considers to be an argument for the eternity of souls is that God is the complete cause of all His creation and that the whole of creation is an effect of the cause, and since no effect can fail to follow in the presence of its complete cause, this proves that the souls which exist at pres- ent are as eternal as the being of God and were, therefore, not cre- ated by Him.