The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 81
THE MESSAGE OR A CRY OF ANGUISH 81 rebuttal to the book. While the rest were left dumbfounded with grief. This is how they differed in their opinions and actions. Everyone followed the course they deemed reasonably appropri- ate. Therefore, what I felt to be the need of the hour and what I judged appropriate was that it was best to write a reply and to defend, and not to litigate and hurl abuses in response to abuses. I am well aware of the intense grief of the Muslims and of the heart- felt pain of the believers caused by the tongues of the offenders. Yet I think it is good to avoid litigation and not to throw ourselves into the quarrel lest we expose our possessions to legal fines and our honour from standing before judges. And it is better if we bear steadfastly every hardship and melting grief so that this [act] can be counted as a virtue in the eyes of the Most Just of the judges. We have not forgotten the wrong and injustice that we have wit- nessed. What free man can accept humiliation? We have been per- secuted on account of our true faith and our Noble Messengeras, and we have witnessed that which has excited grief and made tears flow. We have also witnessed what has perturbed the hearts and caused mourning and groaning. Nevertheless, they pin their hopes on the British Government that guarantees certain rights to the priests. I know this Government would never like these priests to be humiliated; even to intend to do so would put it in trouble and such an act of justice would be too much to bear. We owe favours to this Government and we must not forget them. Thus, we should exercise patience over the torment inflicted on us so that it remains satisfied with us. What shall we gain from the punish- ment of the new Christian converts? We have experienced peace at the hands of the just officials of this Government. And we have found a great deal of freshness, joy, prosperity and happiness on