An Invitation to All Good People — Essence of Islam Vol. 3

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon An Invitation to All Good People, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 13: Repeated Challenges
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Repeated Challenges 407 always before me and with me. I proclaim that Jesus has no superiority over me as I represent the light of Muhammadsa, which always exhibits the signs of life. What more is needed?
[Malfuzat, vol. 3, pp. 124-125]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 407]

The manner in which the Christian clergymen have raised varied objections against Islam, have changed their theories about, and have retrieved their earlier statements in great humiliation, is well known to anyone who has made a comprehensive review of the discussions between them and Muslim scholars. Their objections are of three types. One, such as are altogether false and are baseless calumnies; there is nothing to support their authenticity. Two, such as are based upon matters that are authentic, but are not open to objection or criticism; they have been made a target of criticism out of simplemindedness, lack of reflection, or inner blindness. Three, such objections as are a mixture of that which is true and unobjectionable, and of that which is false and slanderous…. Some Aryas are also in the habit of presenting criticism based on a defective translation of some verse of the Holy Qur’an, or based on some meaningless tale heard from some ignorant or hostile person…. It is in view of such criticism that I hereby make this announcement. All the principles and teachings set out in the Holy Qur’an are replete with wisdom, insight and truth and not the least part of any of them is open to criticism. As the principles and teachings of every religion comprise hundreds of details and a discussion of all of them would take a long time, I would make this suggestion in good faith to those who deny the principles set out in the Holy Qur’an. They should, after careful study, set forth two or three basic objections, derived from the verses of the Holy Qur’an, which in their estimation are objections of the strongest, firmest and the highest grade, and which they believe cannot be refuted or dispelled. Those objections should be treated as the basic test, which would be decisive of all other objections. If the basic objections are totally refuted, smaller objections would automatically fall. If we are unable to reply in a satisfactory manner to those objections, and fail to establish that the principles and teachings which the opposite party upholds in contrast to the principles and teachings that are objected to are, in comparison, of much lower standard and are bereft of truth, then the opposite party will be paid the sum of fifty rupees in respect of each such objection. But if our opponent is proved false and fails to establish that the principles and teachings that he believes in possess all those qualities that are possessed by the principles and teachings of Islam, and which we shall set forth, he will have to become a Muslim. He will first have to agree to this condition on oath. Thereafter we shall publish a pamphlet refuting his objections. He would also be obliged to publish a pamphlet refuting our objections to the principles and teachings in which he believes. After the publication of both these pamphlets, a decision shall be arrived at, either through an umpire or by oath, whichever method is agreed upon. It is, however, necessary that the opposite party should be a well known cleric who is well versed in the scripture of his faith and should be capable of writing a reply based on that scripture, so that our time may not be wasted…. We shall await a response from some Hindu pundit or Christian cleric to this announcement for three months Repeated Challenges 409 after the 20th September 1886. If no one from among the Aryas or Christians comes forward within that time, their silence will be a proof of their defeat.
[Surmah Chashm-e-Arya, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 2, pp. 312-314]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 407]

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Introduction