These days, the signs of the sorry state of Islam and the calamities befalling the resolute religion of Muhammad(sa) are so evident as have no parallel at any time since the advent of the Holy Prophet(sa). What indeed would be a greater calamity than seeing complete indifference on the part of the Muslims towards their Faith, while their opponents are seen all around actively propagating the message of their religions. Consequently, the door to apostasy and adherence to false beliefs is opening wider and wider and people continue to leave Islam in hordes to embrace unholy doctrines.
What a pity that our opponents, whose corrupt beliefs are demonstrably false, are busy in propagating their own religion day and night, so much so that in Europe and America even widows make contributions to the cause of Christianity. Further, many people at the time of their death, bequeath a specific portion of their inheritance for the sole purpose of spreading the message of Christianity, whereas the condition of the Muslims is regrettable beyond words. Their negligence has reached such an extent that not only do they themselves have no concern for their Faith, but they also regard those who are sincerely devoted to it with suspicion.
Consider what an opportunity it was for expressing religious concern, and what an important occasion it was for their service concerning the book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya—in which the divine origin of Islam has been established with three hundred incontrovertible arguments, and the false doctrines of all the opponents are destroyed root and branch in such a way that they, so to speak, are ‘slaughtered’ and will never again be revived. Besides a few Muslims of high resolve, through whose support the first two parts and a portion of the third have been published, the contributions which others made were so meagre that rather than describing them, it is better just to say: 
[‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’].3
If people do not pay heed even now, then I can only implore Arhamur-Rahimin [the One who is the most Merciful of all who show mercy]. His noble promises are my sole consolation.
Here, it should also be mentioned that this book initially comprised only thirty to thirty-five juzw’ 5 that were subsequently extended to a hundred juzw’. Also, the price was fixed at ten rupees for Muslims in general and twenty-five for non-Muslims and affluent ones. But now, in order to make the research more comprehensive and the arguments more conclusive, it has been extended to three hundred juzw’. In view of the additional expenses, it was considered necessary that the price in the future should be set at one hundred rupees. However, considering the apathy of the masses, it was deemed advisable that the negligible price set earlier should be permanently fixed for the future, so that people are not burdened beyond their capacity. However, buyers will not be entitled to rightfully demand those sections of the book for which they have not paid. Whatever they receive in excess of their payment will be sent to them [as a free gift] for the sake of Allah and only those will get its reward who support this cause solely for the sake of Allah.
Let it also be clear that this task can no longer be accomplished through the support of merely those who, being buyers, are eager for it to be published. Rather, at this time we require support from several men of high resolve, who have a real and true enthusiasm in their hearts due to their high-mindedness for defending their religion, and whose inestimable faith cannot be confined to mere give and take, but who desire to win everlasting paradise in exchange for their wealth. 
[And that is Allah’s grace; He bestows it upon whomsoever He pleases].
I will now conclude this submission with the prayer: ‘O Benevolent God, turn the full attention of Your sincere servants towards this cause; O Gracious and Merciful One, remind them of it Yourself; O All-Powerful and Mighty One, You Yourself inspire their hearts.’ Amin, again amin. 
[And we place our trust in our Lord, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of all the worlds].
A Notice: At this time, due to lack of space, I have not mentioned the names of those who paid for the book in advance or who donated solely for the sake of Allah. Some friends are also of the opinion that it is not necessary to mention their names. In any case, in Part IV, I shall do as the majority sees fit.
Humbly,
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
An Apology: This time, the delay of almost two years in the publication of Part III may have greatly disappointed many buyers and readers, but let it be clear that the entire delay was on account of certain constraints on the part of the manager of Safir-e-Hind, in whose press the book is being printed.
Humbly,
[Mirza] Ghulam Ahmad
may Allah forgive him
1 The phrase ‘
’ literally means ‘O Allah’. It is used here to invoke the help of Allah. [Publisher]
2 Note by Hazrat Maulana Jalal-ud-Din Shams(ra): This announcement was not part of the first and second [Urdu] printings of 1882 and 1900, but was added in the third printing of 1905.
3 A phrase from the Holy Quran which is recited by Muslims to express their deepest sorrow. [Publisher]
4 O brothers in faith, why do you not pay attention? I have beseeched you but you remain unmoved. I have warned you but you do not take heed. Listen, servants of God, listen, help, and you will be rewarded and raised among the helpers of God; you will be shown mercy in both worlds and granted the abode of the truthful. May Allah have mercy on us and on all of you. He is our Master; what an excellent Master and what an excellent Helper. [Publisher]
5 A juzw’ comprises sixteen pages. [Publisher]
