Compiled by Mirza Khuda Baksh of Qadian
The Announcement of 10th February expressed the wish to publish the list of contributors along with the report. But since the report has already taken up so much space, His Holiness, the Guide of Mankind, does not deem it appropriate to publish the list. Only a few people have donated large sums, the rest being humble contributions. The largest amount is one hundred rupees donated by Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan, the Chief of Malerkotla, and the smallest is three pennies.
Since, His Holiness the Promised Messiah, may peace and blessings be upon him, does not approve of unreasonable delay in the dispatch of monetary contributions, after having waited for the date specified in the announcement, the amount of five hundred rupees was dispatched to the Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government. Now I intend to reproduce the receipt sent by the above British official, but, first, I deem it important to mention that His Holiness is very pleased with those who, in keeping with their means and position, have shown concern and donated for the wounded, the widowed, and the orphaned on the British side. I congratulate the ones who, by obeying the command of the true Imam, have not only pleased their spiritual guide but have also earned the pleasure of the true Lord of Sovereignty as well as the pleasure of worldly rulers. For, in the Holy Book of the Muslims, the Lord of heaven and earth has strictly enjoined us to fulfil the rights of men after fulfilling the rights of Allah, and has declared that sympathy for mankind leads to His pleasure and favour. He has commanded us to be compassionate towards all, regardless of their religion, race, or whether they be of the East or the West. In light of this, sympathy with our benefactor who protects our rights becomes all the more necessary. Can be there be any benefactor and well-wisher greater than this British Government that has helped the Muslims on a number of occasions and, having delivered them from gruelling hardships, provided them with a haven of peace and security?
The donation made by this poor Jama’at was too insignificant vis-a`-vis our great Government. Nevertheless, this generous Government accepted it with great respect and, moreover, expressed its pleasure over it. Fortunate are those who pay due regard to the prerequisites of subject-ruler relationship by sharing the joy and grief of the rulers of the time. And how generous and magnificent is the Government that regards humble donations and greetings of its subjects with such respect and honour! What can be more encouraging than the fact that His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, with all his titles, sent a receipt in appreciation of a paltry sum of five hundred rupees. Moreover, His Excellency, the Governor General, Viceroy, with all his titles, and the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab expressed their pleasure and gratitude to His Holiness—the Noble Imam, the Guide of the People—for sending a congratulatory telegraph on the British victory in South Africa. So, this Government deserves our gratitude at all events. May God Almighty prolong the rule of this Government, the champion of peace and freedom, and bestow upon it a fair share of the heavenly kingdom.
I now give below the three thanksgiving letters for the pleasure of our readers.