The Heavenly Decree
The Heavenly Decree (Book) "Asmani Faislah" (English: "The Heavenly Decree"), is an Urdu book written in 1891 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who claimed to be the promised Messiah and Mahdi, Qadian India. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at. This English translation has been published by the "Islam International Publications Ltd" (2006) 'Islamabad', Sheephatch Lane, Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2AQ, UK. (). Contents. In 1889 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad began to accept initiation into his Community, he was opposed vehemently by the clergy of all religions. One famous Ahl al-Hadith Maulavi Syed Nazeer Husain (1805-May 1902) ("Shaykh al -Kull fil-Kull") of Delhi and his close disciple Molvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi were among the arch opponents. A Fatwā to the effect that Ghulam Ahmad was Kafir ( "unbeliever," "disbeliever," or "infidel.") had been issued by Maulavi Syed Nazeer Husain which brought forth innumerable other Fatwās throughout the Punjab and India. Ground of Fatwā. The Fatwā was based upon the fact that Ghulam Ahmad claimed that according to the Quran and Ahadith, Jesus son of Mary was saved from death upon the Cross, and that he had died his natural death. He believed, Jesus was not living somewhere in heaven  or would return to the world in latter days—as believed by the Muslim and Christian clergy and laity. He claimed the prophecy of his Second Coming was a metaphor and would be fulfilled by a person who would be like Jesus son of Mary in his nature, but would be born in the Ummah (Community) of Muhammad. Ahmad, was in Delhi and declared his faith in Islam by publishing three posters to that effect: The Language of Maulvis. Molvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and the Maulavis in general used provocative language against Ghulam Ahmad, organised Fatwas [religious verdict] signed by  hundreds of Ulema religious scholars that Ahmad was an unbeliever, or kafir. In these Fatwas, published all over the country, Ahmad was declared to be an infidel. He was called Dajjal, Mulhid, Zindiq, Makkar, Mal‘un, etc. Molvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi wrote in his magazine "Isha’t-us-Sunnah"; that Ahmad was a "raving drunkard, intriguer, swindler, accursed, the one-eyed Dajjal, slave of silver and gold, whose revelation is nothing but a seminal discharge, shameless, the ring-leader of sweepers and street vagabonds, dacoit, murderer, whose followers are scoundrels, villains, adulterers, and drunkards." Invitation to Debate. Ahmad invited Maulavi Syed Nazeer  Husain of Delhi, to a debate and a date of 20 October 1891 was fixed, and he, "...stayed on in Delhi for one full month at great cost and inconvenience". The question of the debate would be the Life and Death of Jesus son of Mary. However, the latter refused to enter a debate with Ahmad on the pretext that he was a Kafir and would not enter in any debate with him. (page 8) Ahmad writes: Why Debate with Syed Nazeer Husain. Ahmad insisted to hold a formal, oral or written debate with Syed Nazeer Husain for the reason , he explains: An absurd belief. Ahmad expresses his views about the "Continued Life" of Jesus as absurd: A Spiritual Dual. Ahmad gave Maulavi Syed Nazeer Husain another option, if due to his advanced age, weakness or any other reason, he was unable to enter into a debate, he may even make a declaration on Oath: However, Maulavi Syed Nazeer Husain neither came forward for the debate, nor took the oath. A Unique Contest. Ahmad wrote, a "Perfect Believer" has certain "Signs" from God. Like, he receives, "good news before the happenings actually took place - and these good news are connected  with the believers and their relatives and friends". And they are given information about "what has to happen in future - near or distant - connected with the great figures in the world, or national and international affairs". The "prayers of the perfect believers are heard and accepted" and they are pre-informed of the acceptance of their prayer. Similarly, the perfect believers are given "insight into the secrets of the word of God, the Holy Qur'an". Ahmad says, he is prepared heart and soul to prove against Maulvi Syed Nazeer Husain and others that these things are to be found in  him while they are devoid of these things. He proposes a detailed scheme to confirm these "Sign" in him or in his opponents. He wrote: However, none of the opponents, including Maulvi Syed Nazeer Husain agreed to enter this contest, which Ahmad called to be a "Heavenly Decree". The Annual Jalsa. The book also contains a notification about holding Jalsa Salana (the Annual Conference) every year on 27 to 29 December. This notification was issued on 30 December 1891.