The Light of Truth — Page 67
INDIA'S MUSLIM CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY Why do their elders not stop them from reprehensible acts? Why do they not forbid them from approaching sinful acts and why have they left them unoccupied? In my view, it is necessary to assign them duties commensurate to each of their groups and vocations. Accordingly, give to the carpenter an axe, to the wool-worker a well-built loom, to the barber a razor and blade, and to the oil presser a powerful press, so that each and every one of them can occupy themselves in the work for which they are trained. This will also stop them from every futile, vain, and sinful action, granting respite to mankind from their mischief and to the servants of Allah from their harmful actions. In this is a great benefit for their defrauded Christian leaders too. As for the man who attacked me, he did so merely out of necessity; that is, he was utterly incapable of responding to the questions that I posed to him and his friends in a debate that took place between the Christians and us, and it became evi- dent that they were upon falsehood and in manifest error. He became utterly humiliated—and distressed like one who is to be slaughtered and the entire task became very difficult for him. He could no longer see a way that would please his people except the way of slander. So he chose the path of falsehood in order to conceal his own weaknesses. His heart became filled with the desire to seek help from officials of the national and provincial governments under false pretences and to feather his arrow of slander with mischievous words—so that they might crucify me or kill me and thus the Christians may become victorious. His statements emanated from personal aspirations and nothing else. He chose this way only due to ignorance of the favours that the government has bestowed upon us, as well as the mutual rights we have concerning one another. Each side has reciprocated endeavours that increase our common accord and remove any insincerity from the hearts. As such, in the 67