19 January 1898
The Reformer of the Fourteenth Century and His Task
After Maghrib prayer, the Promised Messiah(as) said: The trial of the Christians is the Mother of Trials and this is why the task of the Reformer (Mujaddid) of the fourteenth century is the breaking of the cross. Now since this sign has been fulfilled in his person, the Mujaddid of the fourteenth century has been named the ‘Promised Messiah’. Foْr it ُis established in the Hadith that the task of the Promised Messiah(as) was 
(he would break the cross). Even our opponents must accept that the task of the Mujaddid of the fourteenth century should be to break the cross, because this is the trial with which he is confronted. How can there be any room to deny that the Promised Messiah(as) would be the Mujaddid of the fourteenth century? My attention is directed to those who have a thirst for the truth; but what benefit can those people derive from us who have no desire to search for the truth and whose dispositions are crooked? Remember that only those are guided who refrain from prejudice. Those who do not contemplate gain nothing. So let the seeker of guidance know that, in the present circumstances, the task of the Mujaddid of the fourteenth century is to break the cross, because the perilous trial of the cross is rampant. Islam was such a religion that if even one person left the fold, a wave of astonishment would ripple through society. But now, how unfortunate it is that there are hundreds of thousands who have left Islam. Those who were born in Muslim homes now level all sorts of hurtful allegations against the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who was the perfect man and whose inner purity has no parallel in the world. This is to such an extent that tens of millions of books have been published by this group accusing this Leader of the Sinless. Many regular weekly and monthly newspapers, as well as periodicals, have been established for this very purpose. Then in such a state of affairs, would God Almighty send no Mujaddid? And when the Mujaddid was to appear, think for the sake of God, would his task be to bicker and clash over matters such as raising the hands during the Prayer or reciting ameen aloud in the congregational Prayer?
One ought to reflect that if a disease were spreading in the form of an epidemic, would a doctor seek to cure that disease or would he provide a remedy to some other illness? The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has become the subject of extreme mockery. It is written that a companion of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went so far as to kill his mother upon hearing her dishonour the Prophet(sa). This was the jealousy and honour that the Muslims once possessed, but today, they read and listen to slanderous books and feel no indignation. They cannot even bring themselves to dislike such publications. On the contrary, they oppose, mock and ridicule the person who has been sent specifically by God to put an end to this calamity and who is possessed with a distinct jealousy for the honour and glory of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. May God Almighty Himself grant these people a discerning eye. Ameen.
A Magnificent Prophecy of Divine Succour and Assistance for the Holy Prophet(sa)
The Promised Messiah(as) said: Allah the Exalted revealed a chapter in the Holy Quran which manifests the status and rank of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The chapter which I refer to is:
This chapter was revealed at a time when the Master of the Universe, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was suffering with affliction and grief. Allah the Exalted gives the Holy Prophet(sa) comfort in this state and says: ‘I am your supporter and helper’.
This contains a magnificent prophecy that: ‘Do you not see how your Lord dealt with the People of the Elephant?’ That is to say, Allah reversed their evil design upon them and struck them; He sent small and insignificant creatures to destroy them. These creatures carried no guns, only mud. The Arabic word sijjeel refers to clay. In this noble chapter of the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted has declared the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be the Holy Ka’bah, as it were. Furthermore, by presenting the incident of the People of the Elephant, Allah Almighty has foretold of the success, divine support and succour that the Holy Prophet(sa) would receive. To further elaborate, in order to frustrate the methods and schemes employed by those who seek to ruin the work of the Holy Prophet(sa), Allah the Exalted reverses the very designs and efforts of such people against themselves. No enormous means are required. Just as the People of the Elephant were destroyed by small birds, the prophecy just alluded to will continue to be fulfilled until the Day of Resurrection. Whenever a ‘People of the Elephant’ spawn, Allah the Exalted will turn their schemes to dust in order to destroy them.
The fundamental aim of the Christian clergy is to attack Islam. Islam is the only weight on their chest, otherwise, they consider all the other faiths to be impotent. Even when Hindus become Christian, it is against Islam that they write books. Ramchandra and Thakurdas have written books in refutation of Islam with all their effort. The fact of the matter is that their conscience tells them that Islam is what will bring about their ruin. Naturally, one fears a thing from which they apprehend their own destruction. As soon as a chick sees a cat, it begins to chirp. This is why the followers of various religions in general, and the Christian clergy in particular, are exerting their entire strength to repudiate Islam. For they are certain, and deep down inside their heart tells them, that Islam is the only religion that will crush all other false doctrines.
The Defence of Islam Through Ahmadiyyat
At the present time, Islam is being attacked as in the case of the People of the Elephant. The Muslims suffer from many weaknesses. Islam is deprived and the ‘People of the Elephant’ are in strength. But even now, Allah the Exalted desires to manifest a similar demonstration as in the past. God Almighty will employ small birds, as it were. What is our community in comparison to them? In the face of their unanimity, strength and wealth, we hold no position at all. However, the incident of the People of the Elephant is before us and we observe the immensely consoling verses that have been revealed in the chapter under discussion. I too have received the same revelation, which clearly demonstrates that the succour and help of God Almighty will definitely do its work. Of course, only those people believe this who love the Quran. What regard can such a person give to these matters if they have no fondness for the Quran and possess no love for Islam? The very meaning of Islam and faith is to align one’s thoughts and desires with the will of God. God does not care for the honour and dignity of any person who has no indignation and jealousy for Islam, irrespective of who they may be; such a person is no practising Muslim. Do not view the affairs of God with contempt, and consider worthy of pity those who have rejected the truth on account of prejudice and have said that there is no need for anyone’s advent in this era of peace. Pity be on them. They do not see how Islam is besieged by its enemies and onslaughts are being waged against it from all directions; the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is maligned. Yet, despite all this, they say that there is no need for anyone?
Islam Can Benefit from the Sedition Act
The Sedition Act is very beneficial for us. It is only we who can truly benefit from this law. This is also a means by which other religions will be uprooted. For we possess a treasure of divine verities and insights; we shall distribute these gems and this will never come to an end, but what insights can the Arya Samaj and the Christian clergy present? What have the Christian clergy demonstrated in the past fifty years? Do they have the ability to put forth anything other than abuse, so that one may imagine that this might change in the future? The Hindus possess nothing but allegations either. I can confidently say that if a follower of the Arya Samaj or a Christian missionary were called to expound the qualities and excellences of their respective religions, they would be unable to stand against us for even a moment.2
