The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 407
406 ΑΙΝΑ-Ε-ΚΑMĀLĀT-E-ISLAM-DAFI UL-WASĀWIS of revelation. In particular, from among the Christian clergy, it is likely that not a single notable clergyman of Europe or America or India was omitted from being sent a registered letter, but all were overawed by truth. For our mullahs and maulawīs to now criticize this challenge really amounts to lying and eating filth. I have been given a definite glad tiding that if any opponent of the Faith comes forward against me, I shall prevail against him and he will be humili- ated. Why don't these people who call themselves Muslims and who look upon me with suspicion arrange a contest between me and some Christian clergyman of the time? They might tell some cler- gyman or some pundit that: 'this man is, in reality, an impostor and there is absolutely no likelihood of any harm in doing battle with him; we take the responsibility. Then will God Almighty settle the affair Himself. I, for my part, agree that in the event I am proven to be a liar, I shall make over all my worldly possessions-namely, land etc. , which have come into my possession through inheritance-to that clergyman or pundit; but, if it is the latter who is proven to be a liar, I shall not ask anything of him except that he embrace Islam. This is a determination I have made firmly in my mind, and I have stated it from the bottom of my heart. I declare in the name of Allah, glorified be His eminence, that I am fully prepared for this contest and ready to issue a public announcement in this con- nection. As a matter of fact, I have already issued 12,000 public announcement notices and have exhausted myself inviting people again and again, but no pundit or Christian clergyman has come forward with sincere intentions. What can be a greater proof of my truth than that I am ready to always engage in this contest? If a pundit or clergyman does not make any claim to being able to show any Sign against me, he can simply publish a one-sided declaration in a newspaper that he is ready to witness some extraordinary hap- pening and if such extraordinary happening does take place, which he is unable to match, he would forthwith embrace Islam. I would be agreeable to accepting even such an arrangement. Let someone