The Light of Truth — Page 7
THE ULAMA OF INDIA 7 bereft of humanity and lacks religious integrity. Those who follow him-out of ignorance and foolishness—are like him, though we were not unknown to them, and indeed they were acquainted with our Islam. Their declaration that we are disbelievers does not make us disbelievers in the eyes of God; rather, their own faith and piety was tested, as was the extent of their understanding and knowledge. And that which they used to conceal became manifest, and it became clear that they were envious. It is regrettable that not one of them inclined towards us to enquire with patience and kindness about that which troubled them. Never did we hear the knocking of one who was a seeker of guidance. Not one of them came to us with a true heart or pure intention. Instead, they hastened to takfir¹ and they declared us kāfirs before our disbelief was ever proved. Furthermore, this alone did not satisfy them. They went on to say that these people are apostates and those removed from the religion [of Islam]; murdering them merits a great reward; the taking of their wealth is permissible and good, even if by theft; the taking of their women and the subjugating of their children constitutes a good deed; and whosoever should sneak about before daybreak and fall upon one of their travellers like bandits shall be among the most righteous. These are their pronouncements and their fatwas, and to this day they have not ceased from this boundless, evil mischief. Neither have they opted for restraint, nor have they been remorseful. Had they not feared the sword of the British government, they would have torn us into pieces. This overseeing, powerful govern- ment, which has been a blessing for us-may Allah reward it on our behalf with the best of rewards-grants refuge to the weak beneath its wing of sympathy and kindness, so that no powerful one may 1. The practice of declaring a Muslim a disbeliever. [Publisher]