A Gift for Baghdad — Page xi
FOREWORD The Promised Messiahas wrote A Gift for Baghdad in Arabic in 1893 as a response to a poster and letter written in Arabic by As-Sayyid Abdur Razzaq al-Qādirī of Baghdad (residing in Hyderabad, India at the time) maligning the Promised Messiahas and accusing him of disbelief (God forbid). In this book, the Promised Messiahas aims to dispel the misunderstandings and misconceptions of al-Qādirī by elucidating his claims and beliefs. Further, he advises al-Qādirī not to accept the edicts of disbelief issued against him without proper investigation and invites him to Qadian to discern the truth first-hand. The Promised Messiahas also says that if he is unable to undertake this journey, then he should perform the Istikhārah Prayer from one Friday to the next and to inform him so that the Promised Messiahas can accompany him in prayer. As such, the Promised Messiahas not only presents a clarification of his claims and beliefs but also extends a hand of kindness and affection towards al-Qādirī of Baghdad. He writes: O righteous brother! May Allah gladden you, take care of you, protect you, and support you. May He also open your eyes and guide you. Do not attempt to frighten me with a sharp sword, spear, or fire; for, I have already been killed by a sword of which you have no knowledge, long before you had even drawn your sword. And I have tasted