Istifta (A Verdict Required)
(Published in May 1897)
After the death of Lekhram in full accordance with the prophecy of Hazrat Ahmed(as) the Aryas raised a hue and cry and made a lot of propaganda to the effect that Hazrat Ahmad(as) had a hand in the murder of Lekhram. Hazrat Ahmed(as) said that he would like to excuse them, for they did not know anything about the revelation from God and His prophecies with their fulfillment. The prophecy had been actually made not less than seventeen years before the assassination of Lekhram. It has been fulfilled very clearly leaving no room for any doubts. He wanted the people to testify that the prophecy had actually been fulfilled. For this purpose, he published the book called Istifta. At the end of the book, he published a form to be filled by the people with their particulars. In Istifta he gives the details of the prophecy about Lekhram and asks his readers to ponder over the matter well.
He remarks that according to the Holy Qur’an and the Bible, the criterion of the truth of a prophet lies in the fulfillment of his prophecies and with this criterion they should judge him. He says that as long ago as the publication of Brahin-i-Ahmadiyya, he had been foretold that he would have to confront three trials. Those trials were:
1. The case of Abdulla Atham.
2. The mischief caused by Maulvi Muhammad Hussain, the like of which is not known in the history of the Ulema.
3. The mischief of the Aryas, and this is mostly connected with the activities of Lekhram and his death at the hand of an unknown person.
At the end of the book, Hazrat Ahmad(as) says that he intends to get all three things translated into English for circulation in Europe; for they (the Europeans) have more courage to help the truth.
(In Arabic-Published in 1897)
