In 1891, a Christian by the name of ‘Abdullah James made three objections against Islam. He argued that the Holy Prophet(sa) had been in doubt about his own Prophethood, that he did not show any miracles, and that he did not possess any knowledge of the unseen. Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam sent these questions to three eminent Muslim scholars, including Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi(as), for their answers.
This book is a translation of the answers written by the Promised Messiah(as). The translation was first done by Qadi Muhammad Aslam Sahib, of blessed memory, and was published in 1972. The translation has now been revised at Wakalat Tasnif, Rabwah, by:
Raja Ata-ul-Mannan
Dr. Muhammad Shafiq Sehgal
Syed Tanwir Mujtaba
Tahir Mahmood Mubashar
I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, who went through the manuscript and offered valuable suggestions. I likewise express my appreciation for the help and support given by Maulana Munir-ud-Din Shams, Additional Wakil-ut-Tasnif, who provided the vital link for seeking guidance from Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V(at). I am also grateful to Professor Abdul Jalil Sadiq and Mirza Usman Ahmad for proof-reading the manuscript.
Please note that words in the text in normal brackets () and in between the long dashes—are the words of the Promised Messiah(as). If any explanatory words or phrases are added by the translator for the purpose of clarification, they are put in square brackets [ ].
The name of Muhammad(sa), the Holy Prophet of Islam, has been followed by the symbol sa, which is an abbreviation for the salutation Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The names of other Prophets and Messengers are followed by the symbol as, an abbreviation for ‘Alaihissalam (on whom be peace). The actual salutations have not generally been set out in full, but they should nevertheless, be understood as being repeated in full in each case. The symbol ra is used with the name of the companions of the Holy Prophet(sa) and those of the Promised Messiah(as). It stands for Radi Allahu ‘anhu/‘anha/‘anhum (May Allah be pleased with him/with her/with them). rh stands for Rahimahullahu Ta‘ala (may Allah have mercy on him). at stands for Ayyadahullahu Ta‘ala (May Allah, the Mighty help him).
In transliterating Arabic words we have followed the system adopted by the Royal Asiatic Society.
Chaudhry Muhammad ‘Ali Wakilut Tasnif
Tehrik Jadid
Rabwah
05 July 2007