The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 12
12 HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMADAS this opinion but the Anjuman too has decided not to refute the treatise. Now let the wise ponder as to what kind of service these measures render to Islam. Even if the honourable Government were to mete out the harshest punishment to the one who has published such a book, how can it ever be an antidote to the poi- sonous effect of these fabrications on the hearts? Rather, in my opinion, this strategy will further spread an adverse effect among people. I declare it again and again that if we wish to remove the ill-ef- fects of the writings of the clergy from the hearts, then the path the Anjuman has adopted is surely not the true path to success. On the contrary, we should gather all these objections, and then produce a comprehensive reply to each and every one of them with extremely suitable and conclusive discourse. By doing so the hearts will be cleansed from these impure misconceptions, and the light of Islam will be made apparent to the world. I truly pro- claim that in the present age, which is in peril by the misconcep- tions of the priests and philosophers, it is utterly impermissible that instead of presenting a sensible reply, we should strive solely to have them punished. It is true that our benevolent Government would not favour the priests if they were found guilty on some account. However, we would be gravely mistaken to think that our entire achievement was to have someone reprimanded by the Government. O naive and ignorant people! These evil suggestions continue to ruin the future progeny of the Muslims. Therefore, the first and foremost measure is for Muslims to come up with a rebuttal to the allegations which have corrupted, and continue to contaminate, thousands of hearts. Initially, the Christian priests had followed this very course of politeness and forgiveness.