Anwarul-Islam

The Light of Islam

Background

Once fifteen months had passed after the debate that was held by the Promised Messiah(as) with Christians, the Promised Messiah(as) prophesied that ‘Abdullah Atham would die within the period, as stipulated by him: “if he did not turn to the truth and repent.” When the sun set on September 4, 1894, there was an uproar and great commotion. The stipulated period had expired and Atham was still alive.

Mullahs and Christian missionaries who were always anxious to run down the Promised Messiah(as) by every means available to them felt extremely jubilant and published leaflets, delivered speeches and wrote articles declaring that Atham was still alive and the Promised Messiah(as)’s prophecy proved wrong. Atham was paraded in the streets in boisterous processions and a great fuss was raised over the matter for a time.

The word of God came to the Promised Messiah(as) on the night between September 4 and 5, drawing his attention to the “qualifying words” of the prophecy and declaring that Atham had turned towards the truth. It is no doubt a fact that Atham had kept unusually quiet.

He had made no speeches against Islam, and had written no articles or books during all these months. He was extremely frightened even at the moment when the prophecy was announced. Thereafter, he had remained overwhelmed by the fear and was so much terrified at heart that he dared not even reiterate his own beliefs in public or preach against Islam, as was his wont. Not only he kept silent, but he also felt uneasy and restless. From Amritsar he moved to Ludhiana and thence to Ferozepur and from there to some other place. He became a victim of illusions and hallucinations. He was harassed, he said: “a trained reptile wanted to kill him.” He was afraid of dogs. Strange men armed with lances and horrible spirits haunted him everywhere. He was scared of death. His sons-in-law (one at Ludhiana and the other at Ferozepur) were influential government officials. His relatives, friends and servants were all around him; the whole police force was at his service to protect him. But nothing seemed to be of any avail. In fact, there was nothing of a physical nature that could rob him of the peace of his mind. His own imagination tortured him. He had no tranquillity and his very faith seemed to have left him.1

The Book

In this book, the Promised Messiah(as) discussed the point raised by the Christians and all those who were happy on what they called on the non-fulfilment of the prophecy of the Promised Messiah(as), he regretted that even Muslims had joined the Christians in making fun of him, especially when the debate was held by the Promised Messiah(as) to establish the superiority and the truth of the Holy Prophet(sa) and the Holy Quran over Jesus Christ and the Bible.

To convince the public that Atham had actually changed his attitude towards Islam, the Promised Messiah(as) asked him to deny it openly, and if he had not, in which case, the Promised Messiah(as) prophesied, Atham would actually be stricken with death within one year. Otherwise, the Promised Messiah(as) promised to pay a sum of Rs. 1,000 as a penalty by way of acknowledgment of his defeat.

He invited Atham to declare in an open meeting under a most solemn oath that he had not turned to the truth. He offered him Rs. 2,000 but Atham did not come forward. He would not take the oath. The Promised Messiah(as) sent registered letters to Atham, Rev. Dr. Henry Martyn Clark and Imad-du-Din. In answer to these letters, Dr. Clark wrote to state that Atham was not prepared to take the oath.

In the next leaflet, therefore, the Promised Messiah(as) offered Rs. 2,000 and asked Atham again to come forward and swear in the name of God as witness that he had not changed his attitude.

Specimen of Writing

It is the eternal way of God that until a disbeliever or a denier of truth becomes so bold and daring as to create the causes of his ruin with his own hands God Almighty does not destroy him by way of punishment. When the time of his punishment approaches he generates causes on account of which the decree of his destruction is recorded. The Book of God has laid down this law from the beginning which has ever been God’s way and is unchangeable.2

Impact

Despite the fact that the Promised Messiah(as) issued four posters extending an open invitation with rewards totalling Rs. 4,000, Atham was so much afraid that he did not dare take the oath which the Promised Messiah(as) repeatedly asked him to take the oath, thereby confirming the fact, that during the period of 15 months he actually had turned to the truth and repented and also on what he had said against the Holy Prophet(sa) and Islam.