Recently, the renowned London newspaper The Daily Express published a series of articles on “Religion,” featuring the views of 10 leading writers in England. With the exception of one, all of them wrote critically against Christianity.
In response, various Christian clergy began issuing rebuttals. One [author] had argued that Christianity rests solely upon the Bible, yet modern research has demonstrated that the Bible is not historically reliable.
In reply, the Lord Bishop of London, [Arthur Winnington-Ingram] wrote that Christianity does not rest on the Bible alone but also upon the authority of the Church.
Response of the Ahmadi missionary
Upon reading the Bishop’s remarks, Maulvi Abdul Rahim Sahib[ra] MA, missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, wrote to him requesting an in-person meeting. On the morning of 28 October [1925], he met the Bishop of London.
Aware that people in England are often extremely occupied, Maulvi Sahib[ra] had written down all that he wished to convey so that he could hand the document directly to the Bishop of London.
After an introduction of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, the letter was formally presented. The Bishop of London read it and remarked that, due to other pressing commitments, he would forward it to his deputy, who would respond on his behalf. Maulvi Sahib[ra] replied:
“My task was simply to place this before you. You have now read it; how you choose to proceed is entirely your prerogative.”
The Bishop of London then attached his own letter and forwarded the document to his deputy. Should any response be received, it will, in due course, be published.
Powerful challenge
A reading of Maulvi Sahib’s[ra] letter makes it evident how powerfully a humble servant of Islam, representing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, invited the Bishop of London – [stationed] in the heart of Christianity – to a religious contest. Whether the Bishop of London accepts this invitation or not, the very existence of such a challenge testifies to the manifest truth of Islam – truth that shines as clearly as daylight. Such conviction is the natural fruit of belief in Islam’s divine authenticity, a quality unmatched in any other faith. No other religion today possesses such living certainty, for no religion besides Islam remains truly alive. Below is the full text of the letter as reproduced:
“Dear Sir,
“I wish to inform you of the greatest glad-tidings: the very personage for whom both Christians and Muslims had long been awaiting; the one for whom rich and poor alike yearned with the depths of their hearts; the one for whom countless souls looked towards the heavens in sighs of longing, praying that this radiant being might manifest in their lifetime so that they, too, could be blessed by his presence.
“That exalted personage has indeed appeared upon the stage of the world. He has illuminated this darkened age with his [divine] light and filled the earth with the majesty of his presence.
“Nation has risen against nation; kingdom has advanced against kingdom. Famine has struck in various lands, and earthquakes have shaken the earth. Wars rage, disease spreads, and corruption proliferates in every direction. The sun has been darkened, the moon has lost its radiance, and the stars of heaven are falling. The heavenly powers have been shaken, and the sign of the son of man has appeared in the skies.
“Just as lightning flashes from the East and is seen even unto the West, so too has the son of man appeared. And this holy ‘son of man’ appeared in the land of India – a region situated precisely in the East, renowned since antiquity as a seat of knowledge and wisdom.
“The teachings of this holy son of man spread, in the twinkling of an eye, to the far corners of the world. Today, his followers are not only found throughout the continent of Asia, but beyond Asia as well – in Europe, America, and other regions.
“The divinely commissioned Ahmad[as], who appeared in Qadian, came in the very spirit and power of Jesus – just as John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Every prophecy recorded in the Bible has been fulfilled to the letter, including even the return of the Jewish people to the land of Palestine.
“To further assure you of the truth that has manifested in our age with full glory and splendour, I present a criterion established in the Gospels for discerning the authenticity of any claimant or movement. Jesus Christ states:
“‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.’ [Matt. 7:18]
“‘By their fruit you will recognise them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?’ [Ibid. 7:16]
“He further declares:
“‘For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’ [Ibid. 17:20]
“And again, he says:
“‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ [Ibid. 21:22]
“Dear Sir,
“The mark of a living religion is that it manifests living signs. We, the devoted followers of Hazrat Ahmad[as], firmly believe that Islam is such a living faith.
“We are absolutely convinced that if anyone sincerely agrees to examine, side by side, Islam and present-day Christianity – testing which faith is spiritually alive and which is spiritually dead – God will assuredly cause the good tree to yield good fruit. He will not give a stone to His beloved child who asks for bread; nor will He hand him a serpent when he requests a fish. Rather, He will grant him precisely what he asks for, open the doors of ease for him, and answer his prayers.
“We have, time and again, extended this challenge to the leading Christian clergy. Yet to this day, not a single one has had the courage to step forward.
“In your recent reply to Mr Arnold Bennett published in The Daily Express, you rightly emphasised the importance of the Church by asserting that Christianity rests not only on the Bible but also on the Church. If so, then it is incumbent upon the Church to demonstrate – according to the very criterion proposed by Jesus himself – that the signs of spiritual life still reside within it.
“For this reason, I submit before you, and through you to all other Christian leaders, a proposal. Let both sides pray over a profoundly challenging case. For example: Let us select a number of patients whom physicians have declared incurable. By drawing lots, these patients may be divided equally between us. The Christian Church may pray for the recovery of those allotted to it; and we shall pray for those allotted to us.
“Then we shall witness whose prayers God hears, and upon whom the gates of the Heavenly Kingdom remain closed.
“In conclusion, I most respectfully request that you reflect upon this matter with sincerity and deep contemplation. The glad tidings of the Kingdom of Heaven that I have conveyed to you arise from the profound affection I hold for you. For before God, all are equal – great or humble, ruler or subject.
“Just as we stand in need of eternal life, so do you. And attaining God’s pleasure is as essential for you as it is for us. Therefore, I entreat you to consider my submission with care, for this is a message of the Kingdom of Heaven that I proclaim to you.” – AR Dard
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 1 December 1925 issue of Al Fazl)