Correspondence: The Quran and the Revelation of the Promised Messiah
The Light (Pakistan), 16th July 1922 Issue (Vol. 1, No. 15, pp. 2–3)
To:
The Editor
The Light
Ahmadiyya Buildings
Lahore
1st July 1922
Sir,
It has always been a source of immense trouble for the people amongst whom there arose a man with the proclamation that he was Allah’s messenger and was divinely inspired to know of certainty whether he was actually or not what he declared himself to be. The Holy Quran has supplied us with the test so urgently required. Its bold and daring challenge to the unfaithful to produce even a single verse like that of the Holy Book is, I think, an adequate safeguard for the believers against all false and imposing revelations and inspirations.
If anyone comes forward with verses which he says have been revealed to him by the Almighty, we should at once apply the test which the Quran has supplied us with. They are really Allah’s, if none, whatever, notwithstanding his best efforts, can bring forth the like of them. If, on the other hand, they are such that even an ordinary intelligent person can produce far better than the supposed inspired phrases, certainly the fellow is a downright impostor.
In the writings of Mirza Sahib [The Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian] we come across many a verse and sentence which the author states are the revealed ones, but nothing very peculiar or remarkable is discernible in them. They do not strike the reader in the same fashion as does the language of the Quran. The impression formed by him is not a favourable one.
There can be no doubt as to the infallibility of the Quranic rule alluded to above; the explanation must be sought in the nature of the verses revealed to Mirza Sahib. May I request your opinion on the point?
Yours truly,
Mohd. [Muhammad] Ahsan, B.A.
G. [Government] College, Student
Response from the Editor of ‘The Light’:
May I first of all correct you on one point? It is not “a single verse” for which the challenge is given in the Holy Quran, but “a chapter”. The Holy Quran says:
“And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it” (2:23). (Italics are mine.)
As regards the revelations of the late Mirza Sahib, it may be noted that they do not constitute a Divine law for humanity, and therefore cannot be expected to be of the same standard as the Quran. They are simply “good news.” Further, it is not necessary that the truth of every inspired teacher be tested by the self-same criterion. I do not think that the Israelite prophets ever claimed the uniqueness of their revelations as the Quran has done. They had their own signs and miracles. Besides, the late Mirza Sahib never claimed equality with the Holy Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], whom he always recognised as his master. It may also be added here that the late Mirza Sahib, as a sign of his truth, challenged his opponents to produce a work like that of his within a certain period. But, none of his enemies could compete with him in it, and thus his truth was established.
Editor
The Light