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Being inspired and commanded by God, I have undertaken the compilation of a book named Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, with the object of reforming and reviving the religion, and have offered a reward of rupees 10,000 to anyone who would prove the arguments brought forward therein to be false. My object in this book is to show that the only true and the only revealed religion, by means of which one might know God to be free from blemish, and obtain a strong conviction as to the perfection of His attributes, is the religion of Islam, in which the blessings of truth shine forth like the sun, and the impress of veracity is as vividly bright as daylight. All other religions are so palpably and manifestly false that neither their principles can stand the test of reasoning nor can their followers experience the least spiritual edification. On the contrary, these religions so obscure the mind and divest it of the power of discernment that the signs of future misery among their followers become apparent even in this world.
That Islam is the only true religion has been shown in this book in two ways. (1) By means of three hundred very strong and sound arguments based on mental reasoning (their cogency and sublimity being inferred from the fact that a reward of rupees 10,000 has been offered by me to anyone refuting them, and from my further readiness to have this offer registered for the satisfaction of anyone who might be willing to come forth.) (2) By means of the Divine signs which are essential for the complete and satisfactory proof of a true religion. With a view to establishing that Islam is the only true religion in the world, I have adduced under this latter head three kinds of evidence: (i) Miracles performed by the Holy Prophet(sa) during his lifetime, either by deed or word, which were witnessed by people of other persuasions are inserted in this book in a chronological order (based on the best kind of evidence). (ii) The signs which are inseparably apparent in the Holy Quran itself, and are perpetual and everlasting, the nature of which has been fully expounded for facility of comprehension. (iii) The signs which, by way of inheritance, devolve on any believer in the Book of God and any follower of the true Prophet(sa). As an illustration of this, I have recorded in this book many instances of how I myself have been blessed by God Almighty with true revelations, supernatural deeds, miracles, news of the unseen, knowledge of future events and acceptance of prayers, and all of this has been seen and witnessed by many of my opponents (Aryas and others). It has also been revealed to me that I am the Reformer of the age and that, as regards spiritual excellence, my virtues bear very close similarity and strict analogy to those of Jesus son of Mary(as). I also, by virtue of being the follower of the Best of mankind and the Greatest of Prophets, the Holy Prophet(sa), have been favoured with a higher rank than that assigned to many of the saints and holy personages preceding me. To follow in my footsteps will be a source of blessing and the means of salvation, whereas any antagonism towards me will result in estrangement from God. All this will become evident by reading the book Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, which will consist of nearly 4800 pages, of which about 592 pages have already been published. I am ever ready to satisfy any seeker of truth.
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If, after the publication of this notice, anyone does not take the trouble of becoming earnest enquirer after the truth and does not come forward with an unbiased mind to seek it, then let this serve as my final word to him, and he shall be answerable to God.
I now conclude this announcement with the prayer: O Gracious God, guide the pliable hearts of all the nations so that they may have faith on Thy chosen Prophet(sa) and on Thy Holy Quran and that they may follow the commandments contained therein, so that they may thus be blessed with peace and true happiness which are given to the true Muslims in both the worlds, and may they obtain absolution and eternal life, which is not only procurable in the next world but is also enjoyed by the truthful and honest people in this very world. This particularly applies to the English people who have as yet not availed themselves of the Sun of truth and whose cultured, civilized and benevolent Government has obliged us, through its kind and friendly treatment, to wish them well, so that just as their fair faces shine in this world, so should they shine with Divine light in the next.
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(Signed)
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian,
District Gurdaspur, Punjab.