I am surprised then why people take issue with Islam. The God of Islam is not an artificially contrived God, rather He is the same Powerful God that has existed since eternity.
In addition, reflect over the purpose of prophethood. Firstly, the Messengers appeared at a time of need and then they fulfilled that need in the best possible manner. This pride also is reserved for none other than our Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The state of Arabia and the world in general at the advent of the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is not hidden to anyone. The people of that time were barbarians who knew nothing but eating and drinking. They were ignorant of the rights due to their fellow man and oblivious of the rights due to Allah.
In one instance, God Almighty presents an illustration of their state by saying:
یَاْکُلُوْنَ کَمَا تَاْکُلُ الْاَنْعَامْ
(They eat even as the cattle eat). But then the teaching of the Holy Messengersa influenced them so impressively that their state become such that یَبِیْتُوْنَ لِرَبِّھِمْ سُجَّدًا وَّ قِیَامًا, that is to say, they would spend their nights in the remembrance of their Lord, prostrating before Him and standing in His presence. My goodness! How magnificent is the superiority of the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him! It was through him that an unparalleled revolution and a magnificent transformation was brought about. He established the rights owed to humankind and the rights due to Allah in perfect balance. He transformed a lifeless people that consumed carrion into a pure and living nation of the highest degree. There are only two forms of excellence: intellectual and practical. As far as their practical state is concerned, this is described in the words:
یَبِیْتُوْنَ لِرَبِّھِمْ سُجَّدًا وَّ قِیَامًا
Then, their intellectual state may be gauged by the fact that the abundant stream of written works which have been produced by them, and the ongoing service rendered to expand the language, continues in an unparalleled manner.
On the other hand, when I look at the Christians, I am only astonished. For what success did the disciples attain due to their adhering to the Christian faith? Judas Iscariot, the treasurer of Christ, would sometimes misappropriate funds, and everyone already knows that he had his teacher apprehended for thirty pieces of silver. Christ’s pouch would remain filled with a sum of 2,000 in the currency of that time.
On one hand we have this example, but in contrast, when the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was about to leave this world, he inquired whether there was anything in the home. Respected Ayeshah Siddiqah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that they had one dinar, to which the Holy Prophetsa responded: ‘Distribute it, for how is it possible that the Messenger of Allah moves on to meet his Lord leaving behind one dinar in his own home.’
I am amazed that the Christians are strong proponents of philosophy, but God knows where has this philosophy disappeared to when it comes to matters of doctrine. Just look at the Atonement; it may be likened to a mythical animal. What has the Atonement brought about? If intellectual arguments are put to one side, this concept neither reformed the disciples at an intellectual level, nor in the practical sense.
As far as intellectual reform is concerned, the Gospel clearly establishes that they were of rudimentary intelligence, undiscerning and greedy. The degree to which they were reformed practically has also been illustrated in the Gospel; while a certain person curses Christ, there is another who had him arrested for thirty pieces of silver, and what to talk of other sins. Darkness and gloom begin in this very world, just as Allah the Exalted states:
مَنْ کَانَ فِیْ ھٰذِہٖ اَعْمٰی فَھُوَ فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ اَعْمٰی
But whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter. Now cast a glance upon the disciples of Christ, and think about whether any change took place in their persons. When an individual is purged of sin, this enlightens them and grants them insight, yet the disciples are bereft in this regard. Then what purpose was served by the Atonement?
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 273-274)
Jazakallahu-khaira