The non-Ahmadis allege that the Promised Messiah’s (AS) last announcement Akhari Faisla, regarding the Sanaullah was not a Mubahila but a one-sided prayer. Since Ahmad (AS) died before Sanaullah, his prayers were not accepted, and thus, he is a false prophet.

In this article, we will show how the Akhri Faisla announcement was a Mubahila challenge. Sanuallah himself accepts this in his multiple writings, his followers accept this, and the Promised Messiah (AS) himself agrees to it. Since it was a Mubahila, both parties had to agree to it before Allah decides the matter.

Sanaullah runs away 4 times

It is necessary to give context that before the announcement titled Akhri Faisla was written by the Promised Messiah (AS), Sanaullah had run away from the challenge of Mubahila 3 times, over the course of 11 years!¹

As soon as he ran away for the 3rd time on April 12th, 1907, on April 15th, 1907, Promised Messiah (AS) issued him the Mubahila challenge for the last time so that everyone could witness and it could serve as a concluding remark for his back and forth with Sanaullah.

Sanaullah agrees with Ahmadis

1) Sanaullah accepts that the announcement was for a Mubahila

Not only did Sanaullah run away from the Mubahila multiple times, he even understood that the Akhri Faisla (Final Verdict) announcement of the Promised Messiah (AS) was indeed a Mubahila.

The first reference is from his reply immediately after the announcement.

کرشن جی نے خاکسار کو مباہلہ کے لیے بلایا جس کا جواب اہلحدیث وار اپریل شاہ میں مفصل دیا گیا جس کا خلاصہ یہ تھا کہ میں حسب اقرار خود تمہارے کذب پر حلف اٹھانے کو تیار ہوں بشر طیکہ تم یہ بتا دو کہ اس حلف کا نتیجہ کیا ہو گا

Krishan gee has called this humble self for a Mubahila whose detailed answer is given in Ahl-e-Hadith, 19th April 1907. The summary of it is that I am ready to take an oath on you being a liar only if you tell me what will be the outcome of this oath.

My permission was not taken regarding this prayer, and it was published without my permission.

This is not acceptable to me, nor would any sensible person agree to such a challenge.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 3]

The rest of these are from both, during the lifetime of the Promised Messiah (AS) and after his death. Thus, Sanaullah stayed consistent on his view.

مرزا جی نے میرے ساتھ مباہلہ کا ایک طولانی اشتہار دیا

Mirza ji published a long Mubahila challenge against me.

[Muraqqa Qadiani, December 1907, pg 3]

وہ (حضرت مسیح موعود ) اپنے اشتہار مباہلہ ۱۵ اپریل ۱۹۰۷ میں چیخ اٹھا تھا کہ اہلِ حدیث نے میری عمارت کو ہلا دیا ہے

He [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad AS] cried out in his Mubahila announcement of April 15, 1907 that Ahl-e-Hadith had shaken my foundation…

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 19 June 1908, pg 4]

کرشن قادیانی نے ۱۵ ا پریل ۱۹۰۷ کو میرے ساتھ مباہلہ کا اشتہار شائع کیا تھا۔

(مرقع قادیانی جون ١٩٠۸)

Krishan Qadiani published a challenge of Mubahila against me on 15th April 1907.

[Muraqqa Qadiani, June 1908, pg 18]

آج تک مرزا صاحب نے کسی مخالف سے ایسا کھلا مباہلہ نہیں کیا تھا بلکہ ہمیشہ گول مول رکھا کرتے تھے ۔

(اشتہار مرزا قادیانی کا انتقال اور اس کا نتیجہ شائع کردہ ثناء اللہ ۳۱ مئی ۱۹۰۸)

Until today, Mirza Sahib had never had such an open Mubahila with any opponent…

[Mirza Qadiani ka Inteqal or is ka nateeja, Announcement by Sanuallah, 31 May 1908]

This proves categorically that Sanaullah understood the specific announcement of Akhari Faisla as a Mubahila and not a one-sided prayer.

2) Sanaullah’s followers accept that it was a Mubahila

Not only Sanaullah, but even his followers accept that the announcement of Akhri Faisla was a challenge to Mubahila. This is written in the Seerat book of Sanaullah after his death.

تو وہ آخر کار اوچھے ہتھیاروں پر اتر آیا ۔ پہلے تو حضرت مولانا پر دشنام طرازی کر کے اپنی تہذیب و خوش خلقی کا ثبوت دیا ۔ پھر مباہلہ کا چیلنج دیا ، اور لکھا کہ جھوٹا سچے کی زندگی میں ہلاک ہو جائے گا
حضرت مولانا مرحوم نے یہ مباہلہ قبول کیا۔ جس کا یہ نتیجہ ہوا کہ مرنا قاریان ۲۶ رمئی نثار کو ڈاکٹر مرزا یعقوب بیگ آف احمد یہ بلڈ نگس لاہور کے مکان میں “ہیضہ” سے ہلاک ہو گیا اور مولانا ثناء اللہ بفضلہ تعالیٰ ان کے بعد چالیس سال تک زندہ رہے۔

Then he challenged him for a Mubahila and wrote “Liar will die within the lifetime of the truthful”.

Hazrat Maulana accepted this Mubahila challenge and the result of it was that Mirza Qadiani died of “Diarrhea”… and due to Allah’s mercy, Maulana Sanaullah lived for 40 years after his death.

[Seerat Sanai Sawanih Hayat Sanaullah Amritasri, pg 203]

Any Anti-Ahmadi who says otherwise is not only going against Sanaullah but also their other spiritual fathers who wrote and compiled his seerat.

3) Sanaullah accepts that the Mubahila is an “Akhri Faisla”

Furthermore, Sanaullah also agrees that a Mubahila is indeed a “Final verdict” between two parties. He writes this in his tafsir of the Holy Quran and quotes the Mubahila verse along with its explanation.

ایسے لوگوں کو جوکسی دلیل کو نہ جانیں کسی علمی بات کو نہ سمجھیں بغرض بد را بدر باتید رسانید کہ دے کہ آؤ ایک آخری فیصلہ بھی سنو، ہم اپنے بیٹے اور تمہارے بیٹے ، اپنی بیٹیاں اور تمہاری بیٹیاں ، اپنے بھائی بند نزدیکی اور تمہارے بھائی بند نزدیکی بلائیں۔ پھر عاجزی سے جھوٹوں پر خدا کی لعنت کریں۔ خدا خود فیصلہ دنیا میں ہی کر دے گا

(تفسیر ثنائی, جلد ا, صفحه ۲۲۲،۲۲۳)

To such people who do not know any arguments and do not understand any scholarly matter … and say come and hear a final decision. We call our sons and your sons, our daughters and your daughters and our people and your people.Then humbly curse the liars. God himself will decide within this life.

[Tafseer-e-Sanai, vol. 1, pg. 214-215]

4) Sanaullah makes the allegation that Mubahila isn’t the Sunnah of Prophets

Another interesting point that proves that Sanaullah understood the announcement of Akhri Faisla was a Mubahila because, in his reply to the announcement, he challenges the Ahmadis to prove that other prophets have done Mubahila challenges to his enemies. He said that the Prophets can curse (Bad’dua) against their enemies but not send challenges of Mubahila.

مرزائو! کسی نبی نے بھی اس طرح اپنے مخالفوں کو اس طریق فیصلہ کے لئے بلایا ہے؟ بتلاؤ تو انعام لو

Mirzao! Has any prophet called his opponents to a judgment in this way? Come tell me and get the reward!

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907]

This is because Sanaullah believed that prophets can do one-sided prayers (Bad’dua) against their enemies, but they never challenged anyone for prayer duels.

اس قسم کے واقعات بیشمار ھتے ہیں جن میں حضرات انبیاء علیہم السلام نے مخالفوں پر بد دعائیں کیں

(روئداد مباحثہ لدھیانہ)

There are many such incidents in which the Prophets (peace be upon them) sent curses (Bad’dua) to their opponents.

[Rawaidad Mubahisa Ludhiana, pg 67]

This proves that Sanaullah agreed that Promised Messiah (AS) was challenging him for Mubahila which is why he asked Ahmadis to prove if any other prophet has done the same in the past.

Promised Messiah (AS) understood the announcement as a Mubahila

Now one may ask that even if Sanaullah understood the announcement of Akhari Faisla as a Mubahila, it does not mean that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) also thought the same. To even answer this weak attempt of the Anti-Ahmadis, we will show his own writings below.

1) The announcement was a Mubahila

Firstly, the title of the announcement proves that it was a Mubahila. It says, “Maulvi Sanaullah ke sath Akhri Faisla” or “Final verdict WITH Maluvi Sanaullah“. It does not say “Final verdict FOR Maulvi Sanaullah”. This is because a Mubahila is a consensual two-sided prayer as explained below.

Secondly, the announcement starts with the words: بخدمت مولوی ثناء اللہ (To Maulvi Sanaullah Sahib). If it was supposed to be a one-sided prayer, there was no need to specifically refer to Sanaullah or to send it to him at all.

2) Mubahila is an Akhri Faisla

The Promised Messiah (AS) labels Mubahila as an “Akhri Faisla” (Final verdict) just like Sanuallah does in his tafsir quoted above. He does this during his challenge of Mubahila to Muhammad Hussain Battalvi. So Akhari Faisla is indeed a Mubahila.

اب یہ اشتہار ۲۱ نومبر ۱۸۹۸ء آخری فیصلہ ہے۔ چاہیے کہ ہر ایک طالب صادق صبر سے انتظار کرے۔

Now this announcement dated 21 Novemeber 1898, is a final verdict. Every yearner of truth must now wait.

[Ruhani Khazain, vol. 14, pg. 166]

Furthermore, Promised Messiah (AS) explains that Mubahila is the final method of reaching a decision as per the Quran. This is exactly what Sanaullah explains in his tafsir as quoted above.

کیونکہ جب کسی طرح جھگڑا فیصلہ نہ ہو سکے تو آخری طریق خدا کا فیصلہ ہے جس کو مباہلہ کہتے

Because when the dispute cannot be decided somehow, the last method is the decision of God, which is called Mubahila.

[Majmua-e-Ishtaharat, vol. 2, pg 447]w

3) Mubahila is a consensual two-sided prayer

He further explains that Mubahila prayer is never one-sided and it requires consent from both parties.

میں نے تو بٹالوی صاحب کے سمجھانے کے لئے یہ بھی لکھ دیا تھا کہ مباہلہ میں صرف ایک طرف سے بددعا نہیں ہوتی بلکہ دونوں طرف سے بددعا ہوتی ہے

In order to explain to Battalvi sahib, I even wrote that in a Mubahila, prayer isn’t only done from one side but it is done from both.

[Ruhani Khazain, vol. 14, pg. 173-174]

This is why when Promised Messiah (AS) publishes the Akhri Faisla announcement, Sanaullah replies by saying that he does not accept the prayer. It is a common process in any Mubahila.

My permission was not taken regarding this prayer, and it was published without my permission.

This is not acceptable to me, nor would any sensible person agree to such a challenge.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 5]

4) Mubahila is a prayer

Similarly, Promised Messiah (AS) even explains that a Mubahila is just a prayer. Akhri Faisla also had the same prayer.

لیکن ۲۱ نومبر ۱۸۹۸ء کا ہمارا اشتہار جو مباہلہ کے رنگ میں شیخ محمد حسین اور اُس کے دو ہمراز رفیقوں کے مقابل پر نکلا ہے وہ صرف ایک دعا ہے

But the announcement of 21 November 1898 which was sent as a challenge of Mubahila to Sheikh Muhammad Hussain is only a prayer (Dua).

[Ruhani Khazain, vol. 14, pg. 174]

Every Mubahila is a prayer where one invokes Allah as explained in the Holy Quran. Whoever does not know this is ignorant.

Now whoso disputes with thee concerning him, after what has come to thee of knowledge, say to him, ‘Come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and our people and your people; then let us pray fervently and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie.’

[Quran 3:61]

What if it was a prayer?

Now imagine that even after the plethora of proofs listed above and after showing how Sanaullah ran away from the Mubahila 4 times, someone still insists on being blind and ignorant and claims that the announcement was a prayer. It was not a Mubahila. Even then it does not help the Anti-Ahmadis.

Not all the prayers of a prophet have to be accepted for them to be considered truthful. If this is what they think, then according to them, Prophet (SAW) himself was not a prophet either. God forbid!

I asked my Lord three things and He has granted me two but has withheld one. I begged my Lord that my Ummah should not be destroyed because of famine and He granted me this. And I begged my Lord that my Ummah should not be destroyed by drowning (by deluge) and He granted me this. And I begged my Lord that there should be no bloodshed among the people of my Ummah, but He did not grant it.

[Sahih Muslim 2890a]

I sought permission to beg forgiveness for my mother, but He did not grant it to me. I sought permission from Him to visit her grave, and He granted it (permission) to me.

[Sahih Muslim 976a]

Refuting Anti-Ahmadis

1) Verdict is in the Hands of God?

One of the allegations of Anti-Ahmadis is that the announcement was not a Mubahila since Promised Messiah (AS) wrote this at the end:

In the end I request Maulvi Sanaullah to publish this article in his journal and he may write whatever he wishes underneath it. Now the verdict is in God’s Hands.”

[Majmua-e-Ishtaharat, vol. 3, pg 446-448]

They claim that since he asked Sanaullah to write anything under this announcement, that means it is not a challenge but a prayer for the destruction of Sanaullah.

Refutation

This is already explained above that the purpose of writing this statement was for Sanaullah to either accept the Mubahila or reject it. That is what it means to write anything underneath the announcement. Since Promised Messiah (AS) received excuses from Sanaullah for 11 years, this was his (as) last invitation to show the world that he (as) had indeed sent the challenge. Now it was up to Sanaullah to accept or reject.

What did Sanaullah do after receiving this? He wrote:

کرشن جی نے خاکسار کو مباہلہ کے لیے بلایا جس کا جواب اہلحدیث وار اپریل شاہ میں مفصل دیا گیا جس کا خلاصہ یہ تھا کہ میں حسب اقرار خود تمہارے کذب پر حلف اٹھانے کو تیار ہوں بشر طیکہ تم یہ بتا دو کہ اس حلف کا نتیجہ کیا ہو گا

Krishan gee has called this humble self for a Mubahila whose detailed answer is given in Ahl-e-Hadith, 19th April 1907. The summary of it is that I am ready to take an oath on you being a liar only if you tell me what will be the outcome of this oath.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 3]

My permission was not taken regarding this prayer, and it was published without my permission.

This is not acceptable to me, nor would any sensible person agree to such a challenge.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 5]

He accepts it was a Mubahila and then proceeds to reject the invitation. Thus, the Mubahila never began. This was him running away for the 4th time from the Promised Messiah (AS) in the past 11 years!

2) Liars die before the truthful?

Anti-Ahmadis claim that liars die before the truthful and that the Promised Messiah (AS) himself agreed to it.

Refutation

This is a clear lie. Promised Messiah (AS) does not say this anywhere at all and neither this rule is true.

Firstly, Musaylimah was a false prophet and outlived the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is clear kufr. Even Sanaullah disagrees with these Anti-Ahmadis.

The Holy Prophet, in spite of being a true prophet, died before Musaylimah Kazzab.

[Muraqqa Qadiani, April 1907]

Secondly, the Promised Messiah (AS) refutes this allegation within his own lifetime.

Where is it written that the liar dies in the lifetime of the truthful persson? I have not written this in any of my publications. Bring it before me. In which book have I written this?

What I have written is that the liar in a Mubahila dies within the lifetime of the righteous person. Musaylimah Kazzab never participated in a Mubahila. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had merely said the following: “Even if you live after my demise, you will be killed.” So that is what transpired. Musaylimah Kazzab was murdered shortly thereafter, and Prophet Muhammad’s prophecy was fulfilled. It is incorrect to assert that the liar dies within the life of the righteous person. It is absolutely incorrect to make such an assertion. Did all of Prophet Muhammad’s enemies die within hislifetime? The fact is that thousands of his enemies survived him. Yes, a liar in a Mubahila dies within the lifetime of the truthful person. Similarly, my enemies shall remain alive after my demise. It is required that the opposition should stay until the Day of Judgment as is evident from the following Quranic verse: And make those who follow thee above those who disbelieve to the day of Resurrection.²

I am amazed when I hear such things. Just look at how my statements are distorted before presentation. The art of distortion has been perfected to the point where even the Jews have been outdone. Has it ever happened in the life of any prophet, saint or spiritually-elevated person that all their enemies died during their lives? Rather, unbelievers and hypocrites remained alive afte rtheir demise. Yes, this much is true that if a liar engages in a Mubahilawith a righteous person, then he shall die within the life of the righteous person. Such has been the fate of those who have entered into a Mubahilawith us.

I feel sorry for such members of my community. Do they not have the simple intelligence to ask the objector as to where have I written that the liars perish and die within the lifetime of the truthful ones without entering into a Mubahila? They should demand to see where such a thing has been written. Our community needs to improve in every aspect of their knowledge and understanding. Members should be able to respond to such objections by exercising their own mental faculties, and use their spiritual insight to solve such issues. But worldly pursuit stifles common sense to the point where they cannot ask the objector forthe citation of the book where I have written that the liars die in the life- time of the truthful person. In fact, liars will exist till Judgment Day.

[Al-Hakam, October 10, 1907]

3) Al Badr said it is not Mubahila

Anti-Ahmadis also quote Al-Badr newspaper where it is mentioned that the announcement of Akhri Faisla was not a Mubahila.

Refutation

Firstly, the non-Ahmadis won’t show you that the newspaper is quoting the letter of an Ahmadi named Ghulam Muhammad³. It is not the words of the Promised Messiah (AS), nor Sanaullah. They both agreed that the announcement was a Mubahila.

Secondly, they might ask why did Al Badr even publish the letter if it had misleading content? It is because the newspaper also published letters from enemies like Abdul Hakeem, Sanaullah e.t.c and we don’t agree with what they say.

Thirdly, it is also possible that Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (editor of Al-Badr) misunderstood like Ghulam Muhammad (author of the letter). This is also fine and does not change the fact that the author of the announcement and the one receiving it i.e Promised Messiah (AS) and Sanaullah both agreed that it was a Mubahila.

Summary

We have proven multiple things.

1. Sanaullah ran from the Mubahila 4 times.
2. Sanaullah accepts Akhri Faisla (Last Verdict) announcement was a Mubahila.
   • Not once but at least 5 times!
3. Sanaullah accepts that Mubahila is the last decision in the court of Allah.
4. Promised Messiah (AS) explains that Mubahila is the last decision as well.
5. Promised Messiah (AS) agrees that Mubahila is a two-sided prayer. Not one-sided.
6. Even if it was a prayer, it still does not help the Anti-Ahmadis prove anything.
7. Promised Messiah (AS) death was not unexpected.⁴
   • He had already published numerous revelations which hinted at his near death and Sanaullah and other enemies were aware of this too as they published/mentioned them in their writings.

References

The non-Ahmadis allege that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) lost the prayer duel against Sanaullah and died before him. This is nothing but a lie. Sanaullah not only deflected the challenge to Mubahala, he actively published announcements after announcements where he kept mentioning that he won’t accept any Mubahala against Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS).

Who was Sanaullah?

He was an unknown maulvi who supported Islamophobes who blasphemed against the honor of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islam. His sole purpose of existence was the enmity of the Promised Messiah (AS) and he used extremely disrespectful language against him.

Event by event

1896 – Sanaullah runs away 1st time

Scholars of the time kept instigating Muslims against the Promised Messiah (AS) and were publishing writings that were filthy, lies, and had other obscenities. After some time, he (AS) invited all his enemies to come forward for a Mubahalah (Prayer duel) in the book, Anjam-e-Atham. He claimed that if he is a liar then God should destroy him, otherwise, any of his enemies who accept the Mubahalah must be punished.

کیونکہ میں نہیں چاہتا کہ میرے سبب سے تیرے بندے فتنہ اور ضلالت میں پڑیں۔ اور ایسے مفتری کا مرنا ہی بہتر ہے۔ لیکن اے خدائے علیم وخبیر اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ تمام الہامات جو میرے ہاتھ میں ہیں تیرے ہی الہام ہیں۔ اور تیرے منہ کی باتیں ہیں۔ تو ان مخالفوں کو جو اس وقت حاضر ہیں ایک سال کے عرصہ تک نہایت سخت دکھ کی مار میں مبتلا کر کسی کو اندھا کر دے اور کسی کو مجذوم اورکسی کو مفلوج اور کس کو مجنون اور کسی کو مصروع اور کسی کو سانپ یا سگ دیوانہ کا شکار بنا۔ اور کسی کے مال پر آفت نازل کر اور کسی کی جان پر اور کسی کی عزت پر۔ اور جب میں یہ دعا کر چکوں تو دونوں فریق کہیں کہ آمین ۔ ایسا ہی فریق ثانی کی جماعت میں سے ہر ایک شخص جو مباہلہ کیلئے حاضر ہو جناب الہی میں یہ دعا کرے کہ اے خدائے علیم و خبیر ہم اس شخص کو جس کا نام غلام احمد ہے در حقیقت کذاب اور مفتری اور کافر جانتے ہیں ۔ پس اگر یہ شخص در حقیقت کذاب اور مفتری اور کافر اور بے دین ہے اور اس کے یہ الہام تیری طرف سے نہیں بلکہ اپنا ہی افترا ہے۔ تو اس امت مرحومہ پر یہ احسان کر کہ اس مفتری کو ایک سال کے اندر ہلاک کر دے تا لوگ اس کے فتنہ سے امن میں آجائیں۔

Because I do not want your servants to fall into temptation and confusion because of me. And it is better for such a liar to die. But O God, All-Knowing and All-Knowing, if You know that all these inspirations that are in my hands are Your inspirations and the words of Your mouth, then make those opponents who are present at this time suffer severe afflication within a period of one year. Make someone blind, or afflict with leprosy or paralysis. Or make madman…

And when I finish making this dua, both sides should say Amen. In the same way, every person from the party of the second party, who is present for the marriage, should pray to Allah that, O God, All-Knowing and All-Knowing, we know the person whose name is Ghulam Ahmad to be a liar, a liar, and an infidel. So, if this person is in fact a liar, a slanderer, a disbeliever, and an irreligious person, and this inspiration of his is not from You, but it is his own slander. Do this kidness on this ummah by taking the life of this liar within a year so that there can be peace from this fitnah.

[Anjam-e-Atham, pg 66]

He lists 58 Ulema of Islam and 52 Ulema of the Sufi Spiritual Orders (Gaddi Nasheen). Sanaullah is the 11th on the list.

میں یہ شرط کرتا ہوں کہ میری دعا کا اثر اس صورت میں سمجھا جائے کہ جب تمام وہ لوگ جو مباہلہ کے میدان میں بالمقابل آویں ایک سال تک ان بلاؤں میں سے کسی بلا میں مبتلا ہو جائیں اگر ایک بھی باقی رہا میں اپنے تئیں کاذب سمجھوں گا اگرچہ وہ ہزار ہوں یا دو ہزار اور پھر ان ہاتھ پر تو بہ کروں گا

It is my condition that the result of my prayers can only be considered when all these people come forward for the challenge of Mubahalah and they get afflicted with the punishments [from the ones I listed].

Even if 1 is saved, I will consider myself a liar, even though they are a 1000 or 2000. Then I will repent on their hands.

[Anjam-e-Atham, pg 67]

Some people might claim that the divine punishment of 1 or 2 isn’t decisive enough as it might be a coincidence that they are going through a trial by Allah. So he cleared it up and claimed that from these 100, at least 10 should come forward so that no uncertainty can be left.

میرے مباہلہ میں یہ شرط ہے کہ اشخاص مندرجہ ذیل میں سے کم از کم دس آدمی حاضر ہوں اس سے کم نہ ہوں اور جس قدر ہوں میری خوشی اور مراد ہے۔ کیونکہ بہتوں پر عذاب الہی کا محیط ہو جانا ایک ایسا کھلا کھلا نشان ہے جو کسی پر مشتبہ نہیں رہ سکتا

It is a condition in my Mubahalah that in the listed individuals, atleast 10 men must come forward. It should NOT be less than that. If it is more than that then it will be pleasure and wish. Because the punishment of God on many is such a manifest sign that there is no suspicion left.

[Ibid]

Not even 10 from this list of 100+ people came forward. Neither did Sanaullah.

1902 – Sanaullah challenges Ahmad (AS)

Years later, after pressure from others, Sanaullah comes forward and challenges Ahmad (AS) for a Mubahalah . This was accepted by Promised Messiah (AS) and also published in his book.

I have heard, rather, I have seen, the document signed by Maulawi Sanaullah of Amritsar in which he has stated that he wishes sincerely to see the matter decided in such a manner whereby both parties, i.e. he and I, should pray to God that out of the two of us, the one who is a liar shall die in the lifetime of the one who is truthful. He has also expressed his desire to write a book comparable to I‘jazul-Masih in terms of eloquence and fluency and fulfilling the same objectives. Therefore, nothing can be better, if Maulawi Sanaullah has expressed this desire sincerely and not as a show of hypocrisy. Hence, by becoming the valiant soldier who decides between truth and falsehood in both these ways, he will be doing a great service to this ummah in this age of discord. He has indeed put forward an excellent proposal. But it will be productive only if he remains committed to it.

[Ijaz-e-Ahmadi, pg 24]

1902 – Runs away for the 2nd time

Sanaullah became terrified and replied:

چونکہ یہ خاکسار ند واقع میں اور نہ آپ کی طرح نبی یا رسول ، ابن اللہ یا الہامی ہے اس لیے ایسے مقابلہ کی جرات نہیں کر سکتا ۔ ۔۔۔۔۔۔ میں افسوس کرتا ہوں کہ مجھے ان باتوں پر جرات

I neither am nor do I claim like you that I am a prophet, or a messenger, or a son of God, or a recipient of revelation. I cannot therefore, dare enter into such a contest. Your purpose is that if I should die before you, you will proclaim that as a proof of your righteousness and if you pass on before me; a good riddance, then who will go to your grave and hold you to account? That is why you put forward such a stupid proposal. I regret however, that I dare not enter into such a controversy and this lack of courage is a source of honour and not humilation for me.

[Ilhamat E Mirza, pg 85]

This is just an excerpt from the extremely long section of his book where he continues to explain how he does not want to enter into the Mubahalah against the Promised Messiah (AS). This is after he himself sent the challenge. A bit embarrassing if you think about it.

June 22nd, 1906 – Sanaullah sends another challenge

Anyways, over the next few years, Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya continued to grow exponentially due to the outbreak of the Plague. Sanaullahbecame restless and others began to pressurize him again. He gave in to those people and published another Mubahalah challenge in the newspaper where he was an editor:

البته آیتِ ثانیه فَقُلْ تَعَالَمُ امَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَ ابْنَاءَ كُمُ ثم نَبْتَهِلْ… سورة آل عمران : (۶۲) پر عمل کرنے کے لئے تہ تیار ہیں۔ میں اب بھی ایسے مباہلہ کے لئے تیار ہوں جو آیت بر قوعہ سے ثابت ہوتا ہے جسے مرزا صاحب نے خود تسلیم کیا ہے؟

I am ready to act upon this [Quran 3:61]. I am ready for the same Mubahalah which is proven from this verse and as accepted by Mirza sahib himself.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 22 June 1906, pg 4]

The verse he quotes is the verse that describes what a Mubahila is. Non-Ahmadi and Ahmadi Muslims both agree on this.

February 28th, 1907 – Ahmad (AS) accepts

Early this year¹, Promised Messiah (AS) was already writing his book Haqiqatul Wahi where he expressed his desire that Sanaullah sends this challenge to him since he claimed to be ready. But he wanted the book to be finished so he can have him read it before he accepts.

Even then, if Maulawi Thana’ullah, who nowadays exceeds the other clerics in deriding, ridiculing, and abusing me, does not stop this foul behaviour, I would happily accept an offer to enter into a mubahalah with him.

[Haqiqatul Wahi, pg 576]

Note, Promised Messiah (AS) on the same page also invites him to come to Qadian for the Mubahalah, and that he would be paid all the expenses for it. He even provides him a personal guarantee of his safety in Qadian, which Sanaullah could not provide to the Promised Messiah (AS) in Amritsar as he was attacked by a mob last time. How easy can it get for Sanaullah? One would think he would accept. Let’s see…

March 29th, 1907 – Sanaullah challenges again

Turns out that while Haqiqatul Wahi was being written, Sanaullah sends out an invitation of Mubahalah. He writes:

مرزائیو! بچے ہو تو آؤ اور اپنے گرو کو ساتھ لاؤ انہیں ہمارے سامنے لاؤ… جس نے ہمیں رسالہ انجام آتھم میں دعوت مباہلہ دی ہوئی ہے۔

O Mirzais! Bring him who has challenged us to a prayer duel (Mubahila) in his book Anjam Atham and confront him with me, for so long as there is no final decision with the prophet, nothing can bind all his followers.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 29 March 1907, pg 10]

Pretty promising right? Not really! He runs again as you can see below.

April 4th, 1907 – Ahmad (AS) accepts

As soon as Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) read this announcement of Sanaullah, he directed the Editor of Al-Badr to announce:

میں مولوی ثناء اللہ صاحب کو بشارت دیتا ہوں کہ حضرت مرزا صاحب نے ان کے اس چیلنج کو منظور کر لیا ہے۔ وہ بے شک قسم کھا کر بیان کریں کہ یہ شخص اپنے دعوئی میں جھوٹا ہے۔ اور بے شک یہ بات کہیں کہ اگر میں اس بات میں جھوٹا ہوں تو لَعْنَتُ اللهِ عَلَى الْكَذِبین ۔ اور اس کے علاوہ ان کو اختیار ہے کہ اپنے جھوٹے ہونے کی صورت میں ہلاکت وغیرہ کے جو عذاب اپنے لئے چاہیں خدا سے مانگیں. اگر آپ اس بات پر ہی راضی ہیں کہ بالمقابل کھڑے ہو کر زبانی مباہلہ ہو تو پھر آپ قادیان آسکتے ہیں اور اپنے ہمراہ دس تک آدمی لاسکتے ہیں اور ہم آپ کا زاد راہ آپ کے یہاں آنے اور مباہلہ کرنے کے بعد پچاس روپیہ تک دے سکتے ہیں۔ لیکن یہ امر ہر حالت میں ضروری ہوگا ۔ کہ مباہلہ ہونے سے پہلے فریقین میں شرائط تحریر ہو جاویں گے اور الفاظ مباہلہ تحریر ہو کر اس تحریر پر فریقین اور ان کے ساتھ گواہوں کے دستخط ہو جاویں گئے۔

In reply to his challenge, wish to convey to Maulvi Sanaullah Sahib, the good news that Hazrat Mirza Sahib has accepted his challenge. He must take an oath and say that this person [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad] is lying about his claims. And he must openly state that if he is lying then لَعْنَتُ اللهِ عَلَى الْكَذِبین. And other than this, he has freedom to pray for any punishment like death for himself.

If he is ready to do this in person, then he can come to Qadian and bring with him upto 10 people. We will give you 50 rupees after the Mubahila for the travel expenses. But it is necessary that before the Mubahila, both sides agree on written conditions and it is signed by the both sides and their witnesses.

[Badr, 4 April 1907, pg 4]

April 12th, 1907 – Sanaullah runs for the 3rd time

The moment Sanaullah reads the condition of saying لَعْنَتُ اللهِ عَلَى الْكَذِبین (May the curse of Allah be on the liars), he ran away for the 3rd time. Instead, he claimed that he will take an oath that one takes in the courts, but won’t say the above dua. He knew that the moment he says the dua, the Mubahila starts. He was ready to lie on a normal oath but knew the consequences of doing it in a Mubahila.

میں نے آپ کو مباہلہ کے لئے نہیں بلایا۔ میں نے تو قسم کھانے پر آمادگی کی ہے ۔ مگر آپ اس کو مباہلہ کہتے ہیں۔ حالانکہ مباہلہ اس کو کہتے ہیں کہ فریقین مقابلہ پر قسمیں کھا ئیں ۔ میں نے حلف اُٹھانا کہا ہے مباہلہ نہیں کہا قسم اور ہے ۔ اور مباہلہ اور

I have not challenged you to a mubahilah. I have only declared my willingness to take an oath but you call it a mubahilah, whereas a mubahila involves the parties taking an oath in a contest against each other. I have declared my readiness to take an oath and have not issued a challenge to a mubahilah. Taking a unilateral oath is one thing and mubahilah is quite another.

It is not that I am afraid of doing a Mubahila against you, God forbid, when I consider you mufsid and dajjal. Not recently but since years. So why would I be afraid to do Mubahila?

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 19 April 1907, pg 10]
Note: This paper was published on the 12th so that Sanaullah could reply to the Promised Messiah (AS). Check main page.

Is this the hero Anti-Ahmadis have? Someone who can’t stick to his own words that are published for everyone to see? How embarrassing can it get? If Sanaullah actually believed that the Promised Messiah (AS) was a false prophet, then the challenge was very easy. Alas! He was afraid.

But this is not it. In the same article, he calls his challenge a Mubahila and not a challenge to take an oath:

بے شک الفاظ مباہلہ مقرر ہو چکے ہیں جن پر ہم نے تمہارے ہی منقولہ مضمون میں خط دیدیا ہے جن کو تم نے بھی منظور کر لیا ہے

Indeed, the words of Mubahila have been established in which I have sent you an invitation which even you have accepted.

[Ibid]

Why is Sanaullah switching his argument within the same article? He denies sending a Mubahila challenge and then says the complete opposite. Isn’t it a complete fraud and hypocrisy?

April 15th, 1907 – Final announcement

The above reply was published on the 12th so the Promised Messiah (AS) must have received it on the 13th or the 14th. When he saw Sanaullah run for the 3rd time, it must have been frustrating since it not only wasted a lot of his time but also hindered a sign of Allah that would have been shown on his acceptance of Mubahila.

Since he knew that Sanaullah was afraid, Ahmad (AS) wrote a final Mubahila announcement to Sanuallah with the title of “Akhri Faisla”. The purpose was to leave the matter up to Allah and establish a final hujjat on him. In this, he prayed to Allah to decide the matter by killing the liar within the life of the truthful. Another purpose was so that his running away from the Mubahila is clear for everyone to see.

At the end of the announcement, he also wrote:

بالآخر مولوی صاحب سے التماس ہے کہ وہ میرے اس تمام مضمون کو اپنے پر چہ میں چھاپ دیں اور جو چاہیں اسکے نیچے لکھ دیں۔ اب فیصلہ خدا کے ہاتھ میں ہے۔

“In the end, we request Maulvi Sahib to publish this statement in his newspaper and write whatever he so wishes below it. Now the verdict is in Allah’s hand

[Majmua-e-Ishtaharat, vol. 3, pg 446-448]

April 26th, 1907 – Sanaullah runs for the 4th time

The above announcement reached Sanaullah and he immediately announces that he does not accept the challenge. He even understands it to be the continuation of the same Mubahila announcement that was published before.

کرشن جی نے خاکسار کو مباہلہ کے لیے بلایا جس کا جواب اہلحدیث وار اپریل شاہ میں مفصل دیا گیا جس کا خلاصہ یہ تھا کہ میں حسب اقرار خود تمہارے کذب پر حلف اٹھانے کو تیار ہوں بشر طیکہ تم یہ بتا دو کہ اس حلف کا نتیجہ کیا ہو گا

Krishan gee has called this humble self for a Mubahila whose detailed answer is given in Ahl-e-Hadith, 19th April 1907. The summary of it is that I am ready to take an oath on you being a liar only if you tell me what will be the outcome of this oath.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 3]
Note: Krishan gee is used as a term to disrespect Ahmad (AS).

As seen from this, Sanaullah is only ready to take an oath that one takes every day where it is easier to get away with a lie. But he wasn’t ready to do the same oath with the dua of لَعْنَتُ اللهِ عَلَى الْكَذِبین (May the curse of Allah be on the liars). He immediately exclaims:

My permission was not taken regarding this prayer, and it was published without my permission.

This is not acceptable to me, nor would any sensible person agree to such a challenge.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907, pg 5]

He is so scared that he also claims:

“My contest is with you. If I were to die, then how would that be a proof for the public? According to you Maulavi Ghulam Dastagir Qasuri (Deceased), Maulvi Isma’eel Alighari (Deceased), and Dr. Dowie, the American, died in this way. So have people accepted you as true? If this happens again what will be the effect?”

[Ibid]

Not only did he run, but he also made an excuse to prove that false prophets are granted long life. This was to prove that in case he dies, Promised Messiah (AS) is a false prophet.

خدا تعالیٰ جھوٹے ، دغا باز ، مفسد اور نافرمان لوگوں کو لمبی عمریں دیا کرتا ہے۔ تا کہ وہ اس مہات میں اور بھی برے کام کر لیں۔ پھر تم کیسےمن گھڑت اصول بتلاتے ہو کہ ایسے لوگوں کو بہت عمر نہیں ملتی۔

God Almighty grants respite and bestows long life on liars, deceivers, disturbers of peace and the disobedient ones, so that during that period of respite they should add to their evil deeds.

[Ahl-e-Hadith, 26 April 1907]

To prove his above statement, he compares Ahmad (AS) with Musaylimah and himself with the Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

The Holy Prophet, in spite of being a true prophet, died before Musaylima Kazzab.

[Muraqqa Qadiani, April 1907]

Summary

The purpose of the above section was to detail a timeline of what happened between the Promised Messiah (AS) and Sanaullah. This proves:

• Promised Messiah (AS) calls 100+ ulema for a Mubahila. All refuse.
• Sanaullah ran away from the challenge of Promised Messiah (AS) 4 times!
• Not only did he run, but he also gave excuses that even if he died, it still proves his own truthfulness.
• By the same year, Promised Messiah (AS) has published countless revelations about his near.
• These revelations were mentioned by Sanaullah to hint at his near death.²
• He (AS) is almost double the age of Sanaullah. (39 vs 74)

Thus, the challenge was not only extremely simple but Sanaullah had all the advantages and more reasons to accept it. He was half the age, and claimed to be a follower of the Khataman Nabiyyin (SAW) but could not take a simple oath with the Mubahila prayer to end the “fitnah” of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS).

He could have at least sacrificed his life for the sake of other Muslims by doing the Mubahila. Because as per him, even if he died, it would not have been binding on anyone to accept the Promised Messiah (AS). So why not just attempt it? There was a 50% chance of him ending the “fitnah” of Ahmadiyyat forever!

Resources

Some Urdu refutations

• Book
  • Ishtehar Maulvi Sanaullah Amritsari sahib ke sath Aakhri Faisla per Tehqeeqi Muqalma (Recommended)
• Articles
  • Ahmadiyya Pocketbook, pg 479
  • Ahmadiyya Taleemi Pocketbook, pg 484
  • AskAhmadiyyat.org Article
  • Maulvi Sanaullah Ke sath Akhri Faisla

Twitter thread:

References