The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 700
ANNOUNCEMENT 699 also, by virtue of being a follower of the Hadrat Khairul-Bashar [the Benefactor of Mankind], Afdalur-Rusul [the Best of Messengers], am favoured with a higher rank than that assigned to many of the saints and holy personages preceding me. To follow in my footsteps will be a blessing and the means of salvation, whereas any antagonism towards me will result in estrangement and disappointment. All these evidences will be found by perusal of the book which will consist of nearly 4,800 pages, of which about 592 pages have been published. I am always ready to satisfy and convince any seeker of truth. علَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى وَالسَّلَامُ وَذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَلَا فَخْرَ All this is a grace of God-He gives it to whomsoever He likes, and there is no bragging in this. Peace be to all the followers of righteousness! If, after the publication of this notice, no one takes the trouble of becoming an earnest enquirer after the truth and does not come for- ward with an unbiased mind to seek it, then my challenging (discus- sion) with him ends here, and he shall be answerable to God. Now, I conclude this notice with the following prayer: O Gracious God! Guide the pliable hearts of all the nations, so that they may have faith in Thy Beloved Prophet, Afḍalur-Rusul [the Best of the Messengers], Muḥammad Muṣṭafā [the Chosen One], may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and on Thy perfect and holy Word, the Holy Quran, and that they may follow the commandments contained therein, so that they may thereby be benefited by the blessings, pros- perity, and the true happiness which the true Muslims especially enjoy in both worlds, and may obtain absolution and eternal life which is not only attainable in the next world, but is also enjoyed by the truthful and honest people in this world; especially the English nation who have not yet availed themselves of this Sun of truthfulness, and whose hon- ourable, civilized, and merciful Government has, by obliging us with numerous acts of kindness and friendly treatment, greatly encouraged