Hujjatul-Islam

The Proof of Islam

Background

Christianity appeared to be making some headway in some remote villages like the one, known as Jandiyala, in the District of Amritsar. The local Muslims began to defend Islam and whenever Christian missionaries delivered their open air speeches, they began to ask questions and raise objections. The mission authorities were now meeting opposition and resistance to their activities because of repeated blows dealt by the Promised Messiah(as) on their fundamental beliefs and they were compelled to take notice of this opposition.

Rev. Dr. Henry Martin Clark, the Medical Missionary in charge of Amritsar District, wrote a letter to Muhammad Baksh Pahnda Maktab Desi, Jandiyala, in which he suggested that a decisive action should be taken in the form of a public debate between accredited representatives of the two faiths to stop the daily pin-pricks. As soon as Pahnda received this registered letter, he wrote to the Promised Messiah(as) on April 11, 1893, asking for instructions. The Promised Messiah(as) wrote directly to the Christians of Jandiyala on April 13, 1893, expressing his pleasure and intimating his acceptance of the invitation. But they refused to have any direct dealing with the Promised Messiah(as) and wanted an answer from the Muslims of Jandiyala.

The Promised Messiah(as) again addressed a letter to Dr. Henry Martyn Clark on April 23, pointing out to him that the Muslims of Jandiyala had no learned person among them and, therefore, it would be better if the matter was decided with him directly.1

This letter was presented to Dr. Clark at Amritsar. Dr. Clark accepted the proposal and the understanding was arrived at the following points:

1. The debate would take place at Amritsar.

2. Only 50 persons of each party would be admitted, the Muslim tickets being collected at the door of the meetings by Christians and vice versa.

3. The Promised Messiah(as) would represent Islam and ‘Abdullah Atham would stand for Christianity.

4. No one else would be allowed to speak. Each advocate could select three assistants, but they would not speak.

5. Each party would take due notes of the proceedings for publication.

6. The time limit for a speech would be one hour.

7. The president would be the final authority in making all necessary arrangements.

8. There would be two presidents—one from each side. They would be appointed on the spot.

9. Dr. Clark would fix the venue.

10. The debate would be held from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

11. The whole time would be divided into two parts. First part of four days would be from May 22 to May 27.

12. The Promised Messiah(as) would put forward his claim according to his letter dated April 4 to Dr. Clark, i.e., every religion should prove its truth with living heavenly signs.

13. The second question would then be discussed, i.e., the Divinity of Jesus and then the Promised Messiah(as) would have the right to ask any other question.

14. The second part would take six days. ‘Abdullah Atham would put forward the following question from May 29 to June 5:

    1. Mercy without any Consideration;

    2. Freedom of Will and Predestination;

    3. Compulsion and Religion;

    4. Proof of the Quran being the Word of God;

    5. Proof of Muhammad being a Messenger of God.

    Any question could be asked by ‘Abdullah Atham but he would be allowed only six days.

15. Admission tickets would be issued by May 15. They would conform to the prescribed form.

16. These conditions would be binding upon the Christians and ‘Abdullah Atham.

The undersigned is signing this document on behalf of ‘Abdullah Atham with the clear understanding that the conditions mentioned above are binding on both parties and the party breaking or violating these conditions would be deemed to have acknowledged the defeat. The respective Presidents and the Speakers concerned would affix their signatures on the text of the speeches as a sign of authenticity of the text contained therein. (Signed: Henry Martin Clark, MD, Amritsar, April 24, 1893.)

This agreement was signed by Dr. Clark and Maulavi ‘Abdul Karim. It was also decided that the agreement should be published by May 15. The Promised Messiah(as) intimated his acceptance to Dr. Clark by means of a registered letter dated April 25.2

The whole correspondence that passed between the Promised Messiah(as) and Dr. Clark is published in this book.

In this book, the Promised Messiah(as) also narrated one of his visions about Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, that the Maulavi would recoil from his writ of blasphemy issued against him. This prophecy came true when the Maulavi did come forward to join Mubahalah (Prayer Duel) against the Promised Messiah(as) to which all the Muslim scholars were invited. The second time it came true when in the time of he first caliph, Hazrat Maulavi Hakim Nur-ud-Din in a sworn statement in a Gujranwala Court said that Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi acknowledged that the followers of the Promised Messiah belonged to a sect of Islam.

Specimen of Writing

I call God, the Glorious, to witness that He has told me clearly by revelation that Jesus was without distinction a man like all other men but that he was a true Prophet and a Messenger of God and a chosen one. I have also been told that whatever was given to Jesus has been given to me also on account of my obedience to the Holy Prophet, (on whom be the peace and blessings of Allah) and that I am the Promised Messiah and that I have been equipped with a weapon of light which will dispel the darkness and will be the equivalent of breaking the Cross.3