The Light of Truth — Page 253
A CHALLENGE TO IMAD-UD-DIN AND HIS ASSOCIATES You are aware that I addressed you in al-Barahin-ul-Ahmadiyya, after you attacked the Holy Quran and Islam. My only purpose in addressing you was to expose your extreme ignorance and feeble mind to the people. I said that if you claim to know Arabic then you should show us your literary prowess. I would relate to you a story in a language [that you understand], which you were to then translate into the most eloquent Arabic, if indeed you were among the skilful. If you were to perform the translation then you would have a reward of fifty rupees, and I would acknowledge your excellence and would honour you and consider you to be in the company of the most erudite ex-Muslim scholars of Arabic. Instead, you became mute, like cattle and did not strive for the reward. You spoke not a single word, good or bad, fearing exposure and humiliation. This in itself proved that you are foolish and dull-witted; possessing no share in eloquence; and that the reason you did not seek this reward is that you are fee- ble-minded, like cattle; and that not only are you unfamiliar with Arabic, but you are indeed not even among those who have touched it. I have come to know with certainty that you do not know Arabic. Neither do you have the ability to trek through its alleys nor to hasten along its paths and tracks. You possess nothing besides a poisonous sting, and not a drop of vast knowledge. So do not behave proudly nor exalt yourselves, O lowest of the low! Do you, despite this ignorance of yours, malign the Quran, and find fault with a Book whose eloquence exceeds that of all mankind? Do you not see yourself? Do you not consider the level of your knowledge, O squanderer of reason and religion? If you regard yourself as an important person and fancy your- self a distinguished scholar, then behold, I have risen to test the spark of your torch and the sharpness of your sword. 253