Arba‘in was written in 1900 by the Promised Messiah^(as), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, to satisfy the principle of Itmamul-Hujjah, which dictates that a Prophet fully convey the message of God to the people with conclusive evidence. Accordingly, Arba‘in was addressed to the religious clergy and scholars of the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Aryas to bear witness that the claims, arguments, Signs, and challenges of the Promised Messiah^(as) were fully and clearly conveyed to them and their people. The Promised Messiah^(as) indicated that this book would be his evidence on the Day of Judgment that he faithfully discharged the Divine mission for which he was sent.

The author’s original intent was to publish forty short handbills fortnightly. However, the length and content of the first four were deemed sufficient to satisfy the initial objective of Arba‘in.