Intro
My team and I have found a rare book on Ahmadiyya. Its called “The Promised Messiah” by Mirza Mubarak Ahmad, who was one of the oldest sons of Mirza Basheer-uddin Mahmud Ahmad. Not to be confused with other Mirza Mubarak Ahmad, who would have been his uncle, instead he died in 1907. This book came from a speech that Mirza Mubarak Ahmad delivered as an address on 22nd October 1968 to the 19th Annual gathering of Indonesian Ahmadis at Jakarta. He also wrote “Our Foreign Missions” (1957) which explains the spread of Ahmadiyya in the world.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________The link to the book
https://archive.org/stream/ThePromisedMessiahByMirzaMubarakAhmad/The%20Promised%20Messiah%20by%20Mirza%20Mubarak%20Ahmad_djvu.txt
The book
Born in 1835 in Qadian (India), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad remained devoted to the study of the Holy Quran,
and to a life of prayer and exertion. Finding Islam
the target of foul attacks from all directions, the for-
tunes of Muslims at a low ebb, faith yielding to
doubt and religion only skin-deep, he undertook a
vindication and exposition of Islam, first in his epoch-
making Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya, issued in four volumes.
Islam, he said, was a living faith, by following which man
could establish contact with his Maker and enter into
communion with Him. The teachings contained in the Holy
Quran and the Law promulgated by Islam were designed
to raise man to moral, intellectual and spiritual perfection.
He announced that God had appointed him the Messiah
mentioned in the prophecies of the Bible and the Holy
Quran. In 1889 he began to enrol for his Movement now
established in centres and mosques for the preaching of
Islam all over the world. His 80 books were written
mostly in Urdu, but some in Arabic and Persian. After
his death in 1908 he was succeeded by Hazrat Maulawi
Nuruddin, his first Khalifa. On the death of Hazrat
Maulawi Nuruddin in 1914, he was succeeded by his
second Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud
Ahmad, who was also his promised son. Hazrat Mirza
Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad died in 1965 and was
succeeded by Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, a grandson of
the founder.
THE PROMISED
MESSIAH
MIRZA MUBARAK AHMAD
THE PROMISED
MESSIAH
MIRZA MUBARAK AHMAD
A brief study of the personality and character of Hazrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Move-
ment in Islam, delivered as an address on 22nd October 1968
to the 19th Annual gathering of Indonesian Ahmadis at
Djakarta.
PUBLISHED BY KENT PUBLICATIONS
Printed in England by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Printing Limited
MIRZA MUBARAK AHMAD
Grandson of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised
Messiah and Mahdi (peace be on him), Mirza Mubarak
Ahmad was born in May 1914, nearly two months after his
father, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, the late Head
of the Ahmadiyya Movement, was elected as the Second
Successor of the Promised Messiah.
On completing his studies in Arabic and graduation from
the Punjab University, Mirza Mubarak Ahmad dedicated his
life to the service of Islam and at present directs the affairs
of the Tahrik-i-Jadid, Anjuman Ahmadiyya (Pakistan) of
which he is the Chief Director. In that capacity he controls
the Movement's various Missions outside the Indo-Pak
sub-continent and in this connection has visited most of the
European countries, the U.S.A., Middle East, Hong Kong,
Thailand, Japan, Philippines, some countries of West Africa
and Malaysia as well as Indonesia.
Dear Brethren,
Today I would like to speak on some aspects of the
character of the Promised Messiah, the Founder of the
Ahmadiyya Movement, peace and blessings of Allah be on
him. Although I have not the honour and good fortune of
being a Companion of the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, having been born several years after his demise, yet
I have the honour of being related to him both spiritually and
physically and my heart prostrates itself before my Lord for
this great favour. I am a son of his illustrious Companion
and Promised Son and Successor, the late Hazrat Mirza
Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (Allah be pleased with him),
whom God declared to be His image in respect of his moral
and spiritual excellences and of his piety and righteousness.
Thus, though I have not seen the Promised Messiah, yet
I have the good fortune of having seen the one who was his
image in virtue and piety, and, in that sense I may say, I have
seen him. However, as I am not a Companion myself, I shall
base all my statements entirely on the reports of the Com-
panions of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him.
At the very outset I shall quote his illustrious Companion
Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ismail (Allah be pleased with him),
who had also the honour of being his brother-in-law.
Describing his physical figure and features, he says:
"Ahmadis are, by the Grace of Allah, to be found all
over the world. But there is a world of difference between
the Ahmadis who have seen Ahmad, and those who have not
seen him. The bliss of having seen him and enjoyed his
company still pervades the hearts of those who had seen
him. There is a great deal of difference between a picture
and its original; but the difference is perceived only by one
who has seen the original. Instead of trying to give a
detailed account of his physical figure and features, I may
describe him in a single phrase: He was an excellent example
of manly grace.
"This description will, however, remain incomplete if I do not
add that this manly grace was accompanied by a spiritual
lustre and effulgence. Indeed he was sent to illustrate
the beauties of Islam, but Allah blessed him with physical
grace also, which attracted the hearts of those who saw him.
11
"He was fair of complexion. His figure was well pro-
portioned. No shock, grief, trial or tribulation could turn
him pale. His blessed face ever shone like a piece of pure
gold. A cheerful smile always played on it. Those who saw
him used to say: If this person were a liar, and were himself
conscious of his being a liar, how could he have this cheerful-
ness and these signs of bliss, victory and tranquillity on his
face? These outward signs of piety and righteousness can
not reflect an evil inward. Likewise, the light of faith can not
radiate from the face of an impostor.
'There never was any sign of perplexity or grief on his
face; the visitor always found a smile and cheerfulness
playing on it. His eyes habitually remained half-closed.
There was always an expression of keen insight, farsighted-
ness and intelligence on his forehead. His bearing and dress
betrayed no kind of formality. After his Prototype, the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, he had,
indeed, some regard for his appearance, but absorption in
or too much attention to it was alien to his dignified bearing.
"Having described his external and physical grace, T would
now mention some incidents regarding his internal excel-
lences. First and foremost, was his love of Allah. That is
the strongest link between the Creator and His creatures.
Reflection on the marvellous manner how this Divine love
started in his life, produces a state of ecstasy in every one
that possesses a feeling heart. It was in his youth, when
the desire for worldly progress and material comfort and
prosperity is the strongest in man's mind, that one day his
father sent a message to him, through a landholder of the
locality, to the effect that, being on friendly terms with a
high government official, he might be able to persuade him
to give his son a good job if the latter would like it. On this,
he, at once, said : 'Please tell my father that I am thankful
to him for his love and affection for me, but he need not worry
about any job for me, for I have already secured the job
I liked.' " (Siratul Mahdi).
His father always worried how this child of his would fare
after his death. But the God of Islam is a very Faithful and
Appreciating Lord. Just before his father breathed his last,
God consoled him with the mighty revelation :
12
A*
( *
s
*^
"Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?" (Tazkirah).
The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, often used to say
that this message came to him with such glory and majesty
that it settled firmly in his heart like a steel nail hammered
into a block of wood, and that from that moment on Allah
took care of him in a way that has no parallel in the care
of a father, relative or friend. He often said that after this
Revelation, he received so many favours from Allah that it is
not possible to count them — (Kitabul Bariyya).
Dilating on an aspect of this Divine care and guardianship,
at one place, he says with a feeling of extreme gratitude:
-> J
I & p £ f yd I
LSUJ
a^%uL^^i^>;
(
fp\&IIU%f)
"There was a time when the crumbs fallen from the tables
of others constituted my food, but today, by the Grace of
Allah, whole families are being entertained at my table."
One landholder of the locality, perhaps the same through
whom his father had sent him the message regarding employ-
ment, has said that once a high official or estate-holder said
to his father, "I have heard that you have a younger son, too,
but I have never seen him". On this his father said, with
a smile, "Indeed, I have a younger son, but he is like a newly
married bride who is seldom seen. If you want to see him,
you may find him in some corner of the mosque, for he
remains mostly in the mosque, and takes no interest in
worldly affairs."
What a wonderful phenomenon ! The Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, renounces the world for the sake of Allah,
and Allah starts showering spiritual and temporal favours
13
upon him. In fact, Allah placed the good things of both the
worlds at his feet, but for him, in comparison with Divine Love
and nearness to Him, nothing else had any significance at all.
Supplicating Allah, in one of his Persian poems, he says:
"O Thou, to Whom my soul, my heart and every particle
of mine are dedicated, open wide to me, out of Thy Mercy
and Grace, all the gates of Divine Realisation. The philo-
sopher who seeks to know Thee through his intellect and
reasoning, is devoid of intellect and reasoning, for the secret
way that leads to Thee is far above reasoning and intellect.
None of these has gained any awareness of Thy sacred Pre-
cincts, whoever has gained such awareness has gained it
through Thy Boundless Grace. Indeed, Thou dost bestow
both the worlds upon the Lovers of Thy Refulgent Counten-
ance, but in the eyes of Thy servants and lovers, the two
worlds together are as nothing". (Chashma-i-Masihi).
At another place he says :
"In both the worlds, Thou alone art the Object of my
love, and that which I ask of Thee is but Thyself". (Barahin
Ahmadiyya).
When the time of his departure from this world drew
near, he received frequent revelations regarding the approach
of his demise. But as he had perfect love for Allah, and had
so strong a faith in the Hereafter, as if he were an eye-witness
to it, he continued despite these repeated revelations calmly
and devotedly absorbed in the Service of Faith, as though
nothing made any difference to him at all. Indeed, he stepped
up his activities more than ever, realising that he was soon
going to meet His Beloved, and should, therefore, pluck as
many flowers as possible, to place at His Holy Feet. (Silsila
Ahmadiyya).
At one place, the Promised Messiah makes mention of
Divine Love in a way, as if he were talking with Allah,
intoxicated with the holy wine of Divine Love. He says :
"I can not count the signs I have seen, but the world
has not seen them. My Lord, I know Thee, Thou alone art
my God. My soul rejoices at the mention of Thy Name,
even as a small child rejoices at the sight of its mother.
But most people do not recognize me, nor have they accepted
me." (Tiryaqul Quloob).
14
At another place, citing Allah as witness, he says:
"Behold, my soul is flying towards Thee, in perfect trust
in Thee, even as a bird flies towards its nest. So I seek Signs
of Thy Majesty and Power, not for myself, but that people
may know Thee and accept Thy holy Way." (Zamima
Tiryaqul-Quloob) .
In one of his Persian Poems, published in the "Haqiqatul-
Mahdi", he says :
"By virtue of the relationship I have cultivated with Thee
and in the name of the sapling of love that I have planted
deep in my heart, I call upon Thee, Who art my Shelter, my
Support and my Citadel, to come forth and clear me of the
charges levelled against me.
"Illumine my face with the light of the fire that Thou hast
kindled in my heart whereby hast Thou utterly consumed
and destroyed all save Thyself and convert the darkness of
my night into day."
Allah, the Most Exalted, recognized and appreciated his
love for Him in a manner befitting His Infinite Mercy and
matchless attribute of Appreciation. He was greeted with
the revelation :
(».
JX)
i
<&lj>v
"I esteem thee as I esteem My Unity and My Singleness.
I esteem thee as My son. I am with thee, O son of the
Messenger of Allah."
That is, Allah says : O Messiah of the Muslim Dispensation,
thou art the bearer of the standard of My Unity, and art the
restorer of its blessings, so I esteem thee as I esteem My
Unity and Singleness. The followers of the Messiah of the
Mosaic Dispensation falsely call him the "Begotten son of
God." So My Majesty and My Self-Esteem demand that
I should love thee as dearly as a son, so that it may become
manifest to the world that even a disciple of Muhammad,
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, can be raised to the
15
Spiritual dignity of the son of God. Further, thou art
engrossed, day and night, in the service of the Faith of My
Chosen Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, and art selflessly devoted to him in love and thus
thou art as a spiritual son to him also. So, in thy capacity
as his spiritual Son, I bestow My Eternal Love on thee and
bless thee with My Eternal Companionship.
The Promised Messiah, too, had a proper estimation of
Allah's love for him, His being with him and His jealous
regard for him. In 1904 a criminal complaint was preferred
against him by one Maulvi Karam Din. The Hindu magis-
trate trying the case harboured an evil design against him
out of bigotry, and had made up his mind to send him to
gaol. At the time when he was informed of the Magistrate's
design, he was indisposed and was lying in bed. As soon as
he heard of this design he got up, and said majestically:
"Let him lay his hand on the Lion of God, and see the
consequences." The design was miraculously frustrated and
the Magistrate suffered humiliation.
Sisters and brothers, I have given you a very brief and
inadequate account of the Promised Messiah's love for God,
and God's love for the Promised Messiah, peace be on him.
Now, it is up to you to sow this seed of love in your hearts,
and to nourish it with the water of Divine love.
Next to his love for God, came his love for His Prophet.
In this case also, the Promised Messiah's love is unparalleled.
He describes it in a couplet:
"Next to my love of God, I am intoxicated with the love of
Muhammad. If this be infidelity, by God I am a confirmed
infidel."
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (Allah be pleased with him),
who was the second among the Divinely promised children
of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, and occupied
a lofty position in the service and the training and instruction
of the Community, has said :
"This humble one is a son of the Promised Messiah, and
this is a great blessing, for which I do not have adequate
words to express my gratitude to God, nay, I do not even
have an idea of what would be adequate gratitude. However,
I shall, one day, die and appear before God. Bearing this
16
in mind, and citing God as my witness Who is ever with me,
and is seeing me, I affirm that I have never seen on any
occasion when on the mere mention of the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, tears did not well up in the
eyes of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. His heart and
mind, nay, every particle of his body, was filled with the
love of his Master, Muhammad, the Leader of the Universe
and the Pride of creation,"
Once the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was strolling
alone in the small Mosque, called Masjid Mubarak, which
was a part of his house, and was reciting something in a very
low tone while tears coursed down his cheeks. At that time,
one of his disciples chanced to come in and heard him
reciting the following couplet, which was composed and
recited soon after the demise of the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, by his Companion, Hassan
BinSabit:
S»XiU&C#*&£\iLi)&i)£&
>*>
C^J>i±},
"Thou wert the pupil of my eye, which has now become
sightless. After thee let any die who may so will, I was
fearful of thy death alone."
It is well known that the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, experienced every type of distress and was the victim of
cruel and sustained persecution at the hands of his opponents,
he suffered numerous tragic bereavements in the deaths of
his children, relatives, friends and devoted disciples, yet his
eyes never betrayed the emotions of his heart. But, while
reciting, in seclusion, a couplet relating to the demise of his
beloved Master, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, the tragic event having taken place thirteen
centuries earlier, his eyes overflowed with tears.
I would fervently entreat my brethren who have not yet
recognized the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, and have
not yet joined his Community to assist his Divine Mission,
17
to reflect, in a spirit of earnest seeking after God and
righteousness, over this one single point:
Can one, who, thirteen centuries after the demise of his
Master, is as sorely grieved and distressed at his loss as one
is at a sudden calamity, throw off lightly the yoke of loyalty
and servitude to him? Man has, now and then, to bear dire
calamities and shocks. Parents are bereaved of their children,
and children of their parents; husbands are bereaved of their
wives, and wives of their husbands. Time, however, gradually
heals the wounds and injuries so inflicted. But consider how
deep and intense the love of that heart must be, the anguish
of which proceeding from the loss of its beloved thirteen
centuries earlier, would not be assuaged by the passage of
time.
Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begum, the eldest daughter of
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, and one of his
Divinely promised children, who is blessed with great
intellectual capacity and discernment and whose reports
carry great weight, narrates that once the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, was indisposed, and was lying on a cot in his
chamber. Hazrat Ammajan (the consort of the Promised
Messiah, known in the Jamaat as Ummul-Muminin) and
Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab Sahib (Ammajan's father) were in
his company. The talk turned on Hajj (Pilgrimage) to
Mecca. Hazrat Mir Sahib suggested that as the journey to
the Hedjaz had become much easier than of yore, the
possibility of performing the Pilgrimage should be considered.
At the thought of visiting the Sacred Shrines of Mecca and
Medina the Promised Messiah's eyes began to run with
tears ; while wiping them off he observed :
'This is my heart's desire; but I doubt whether I could
endure the sight of the Sacred Tomb of the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be on him."
(This incident has been published in the booklet: Traditions
Reported by Hazrat Mubaraka Begum. I have, however,
heard it directly from her.)
It is due to this intense love for the Holy Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him, that every poem or piece of
prose, written in his praise by the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, is, as it were, an ocean of love, containing
18
innumerable pearls and jewels. Here is an English rendering
of some of the verses from one of his Persian poems :
"A wonderful light illumines the soul of Muhammad; of
rare beauty are the rubies to be discovered in the spiritual
mines of Muhammad.
"If thou seekest proof of the truth of Muhammad, fall in
love with him : for Muhammad is the clearest proof of the
truth of Muhammad.
"In the pursuit of his path, were I to be slaughtered or
burnt to death, I would not turn away from the door of
Muhammad.
"Thou hast illumined my soul with love, O soul of Mu-
hammad, my soul yearns to lay itself down for thee."
(Aina-i-Kamalat-i-Islam .)
Likewise, in an Arabic poem, addressing the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, he says :
• < £ s *• -> * y M r * L *, t
y i •
■j UJl*J \jJL>.\ U ) L$^f St
O
* S S <*m' 9 <* *\
< i*1\S'\ ' >
%&Z&£Ul*±L
19
d^
'HU;
V
"Look upon me with compassion and tenderness, my
Master, I am the meanest of thy servants.
"Beloved, thy love has penetrated my soul, my mind and
my heart. Not for a moment, not for a second, is my mind
free of the remembrance of thy countenance, O garden of my
delight. My body is eager to fly towards thee, would that I
possessed the power of flight."
(Aina-i-Kamalat-i-Islam.)
Sincere love naturally manifests itself through sacrifice and
jealous regard for the beloved. A true lover is always jealous
for his beloved, and is ever ready to sacrifice himself for his
sake. The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, had a very
jealous regard for his Master and Teacher, Muhammad,
peace and blessings of Allah be on him. Referring to the
false and outrageous accusations of Christian missionaries
against the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be
on him, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, says:
"Christian missionaries have fabricated innumerable false
charges against our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him. Nothing has lacerated my heart so grievously
as the mockery and ridicule these people have heaped upon
our Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him.
Their cutting remarks against the best of men, have severely
wounded my heart. God is my witness that if all my children,
children's children, friends, colleagues and helpers were
slaughtered before my eyes, my limbs were torn apart, the
pupils of my eyes were plucked out, all my designs were
frustrated, and I was deprived of every pleasure and comfort,
the agony imposed upon me by these vile attacks on the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, would still
far transcend the pain and suffering entailed by the miseries
I have enumerated. So, Lord in Heaven, I implore Thee,
cast a look of mercy and compassion on me, and deliver me
from this grievous trial." (Aina-i-Kamalat-i-Islam.)
20
Once the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was waiting
for a train outside the Lahore railway station when Pandit
Lekhram, who perished later in fulfilment of a prophecy of
the Promised Messiah, happening to pass near and learning
of the presence of the Promised Messiah, approached to pay
his formal respects to him. The Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, was preparing for the Prayer Service. Pandit
Lekhram greeted him with Salam. But the Promised
Messiah did not respond as if he had not noticed him.
Pandit Lekhram then approached the Promised Messiah
from another side, and offered Salam, again. The Promised
Messiah remained silent. When Pandit Lekhram had left,
some one said to the Promised Messiah : Sir, Lekhram came
and offered Salam to you. The Promised Messiah observed :
"He reviles my Master and tenders Salam to me." That was
the reaction of one who was courtesy and mercy personified
for people of all classes and creeds, who treated people of
all nationalities and communities with the utmost kindness
and sympathy. But where the honour of his beloved Master
was involved, he was uncompromising.
Another incident, which illustrates the same trait of his
character, took place on the occasion of a religious conference
held in Lahore. The Arya Samaj arranged an inter-religious
conference in Lahore. The organisers of the Conference
requested the Promised Messiah also to prepare a paper to
be read at this Conference, and assured him that there
would be no speeches at the Conference which might offend
the susceptibilities of any section. The Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, prepared a paper, and made it over to one
of his distinguished disciples, Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin
Sahib, who later became his First Successor, to read it at
the Conference. Accompanied by some other Companions
of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Maulvi Sahib attended the
Conference. An Arya lecturer, in violation of the under-
taking that nothing would be said at the Conference that
might hurt the religious sentiments of others, adopted a very
disrespectful attitude towards, and made vile attacks on,
the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him.
When this fact was reported to the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, he expressed great displeasure at the continued
21
presence at the Conference of Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin and
the other Ahmadis who had accompanied him during the
offensive speech. He repeated with great vehemence:
"Why did you continue in a meeting in which our Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, was being
reviled? Why did you not leave the meeting at once? How
did your sense of veneration for the Holy Prophet and your
sense of self-respect allow you to sit silent, and listen to
scurrilous remarks on your Beloved Master?"
Then he recited, very emphatically, the Quranic verse:
J
s s
J9 -? J? mm ""'
(||V(.>L> , I)
"When the Signs of Allah are rejected and mocked at, do
not continue to sit with them until they take up some other
topic. 4.141." (Seeratul-Mahdi.)
Can any other example of such sensitive love and jealous
regard for the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, be presented in this age? The whole life of the
Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be on him,
and every small and great incident of his life testify to his
overpowering regard and love for the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him.
Having described his love for Allah and His Prophet, I
would now like to relate some incidents of his sublime morals
and noble conduct chosen at random. It is, indeed, beyond
my capacity to encompass all the different aspects of his
character; nor is it possible for me, within the limited time
at my disposal, to shed full light even on some particular
phase of his character. I shall describe a few incidents, by
way of illustration only, so that, those who belong to his
Jamaat may strive to follow his noble example, and those
22
who have not yet joined his Jamaat, may consider whether
or not they are incurring the displeasure of God by rejecting
him.
The Holy Prophet, the Leader of mankind, the Seal of
Prophets, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, has been
described by Allah as one possessing the Most Sublime
Character. Allah says in the Holy Qunin:
*£}• ** *•■
S;
V
"Surely, thou dost possess the Most Excellent Morals.
68.5."
That is to say, the teaching brought by him, and his
character, are both perfect. So it follows that his Messiah,
who was his Perfect Counterpart, and was imbued with his
character, and was lost in his love, reflected the moral
excellences that his Master and Prototype presented to the
world. Hence, I shall relate a few incidents that illustrate
his sublime moral qualities.
First, I should like to present a piece of his own writing
that represents his noble sentiments. He says in his book
"Arbaeen" :
"I would like to make it known to all Muslims, Christians,
Hindus and Aryas that I have no enemy in the world. I love
mankind as dearly as an affectionate mother loves her
children, nay, even more. I am the enemy of false beliefs
and doctrines only, which undermine truth. To be inspired
by sympathy towards my fellow beings is my duty. To hate
falsehood, 'shirk' (setting up equals to Allah), injustice and
wrong-doing, and all sorts of malpractices and misbehaviours,
is my principle."
The Holy Prophet has exhorted Muslims to reflect and
illustrate Divine Attributes :
"Imbue yourselves with Divine Attributes."
Thus, the Promised Messiah's statement, "I love mankind
as dearly as an affectionate mother loves her children, nay,
even more," was only the reflection of the Divine Attribute
23
of "Rahmaniyyat" (Graciousness) in him. It is a fact that
every moment of his life was devoted to the service of
mankind, and hundreds of incidents of his life testify to
this truth.
One of his Companions, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim
(Allah be pleased with him), who was very close to him, and
lived in a part of his very house, and was much loved by him,
has related that during the days when Plague was rampant
in the Punjab, and innumerable people were daily falling
victims to that dreaded epidemic, he once heard the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, praying in seclusion, and was
struck with wonder at what he heard. He says:
"There was so much pathos and anguish in his voice that
it melted the heart of one who heard it. He was crying and
weeping at the Divine Threshold like a woman in travail.
When I paid heed to what he was saying, I heard him
praying for God's creatures to be saved from the scourge of
the Plague, repeating, Tf these people are destroyed by
Plague, who will worship Thee?' Just ponder, this prayer
was being offered to save the people from punishment that
constituted a cogent proof of his truth, and was in fulfilment
of a Divine Prophecy the non-fulfilment of which might make
the truth of his claim to Messiahship dubious in the sight of
those who lacked proper understanding and insight. But
the heart that was imbued with, and reflected Divine
Attributes, was restless in concern for God's creatures, and
was fervently and pathetically supplicating its Lord : 'Lord,
Thou art Merciful and Compassionate; deliver Thy creatures
from this calamity, and open some other way for their
guidance.' "
Pandit Lekhram was one of the leaders of the Arya
Community, and was a bitter enemy of Islam. When his
vilification of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, transgressed all limits, despite repeated
warnings he would not desist, the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, challenged him to a Prayer Duel, and in conse-
quence prophesied that Lekhram would perish by the hand
of a mysterious assassin, and Lekhram perished in fulfilment
of this Prophecy. But, while, on the one hand, the Promised
Messiah was naturally happy at the fulfilment of a Divine
24
Sign in favour of Islam, on the other, he was distressed at the
death of Lekhram. He wrote: "I am experiencing a curious
mixture of feelings. I am glad and also distressed at the same
time. I am thinking that if Lekhram had turned to God,
and had abstained at least from using vile language against
the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him,
I would have prayed for him, and I believe that even if he
had been cut into pieces, he would have survived." (Siraj
Munir.)
In the matter of friendship and loyalty, too, he had no
peer. His beloved companion, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib
has reported that one day the Promised Messiah said :
"It is part of my nature that if one makes friends with me,
I have so much regard for this tie of friendship that whatever
he may, later, turn out to be, I can not cut asunder from
him. Of course, if he himself cuts asunder, I am helpless.
Should I find a friend of mine lying drunk in the market place,
I would, without any fear of what people might say, carry him
home and tend him.
"The tie of friendship is a very precious one, it should
not be broken off lightly. If something very unbecoming
or untoward proceeds from a friend, it should be overlooked
and borne with fortitude." ("Sirat Masih Mauood," by
Maulvi Abdul Karim.)
There was, in Qadian, a gentleman named Budhamal. He
was a bigoted Arya, and was one of the foremost in opposi-
tion to the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. When, in
fulfilment of a Prophecy of the Holy Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him, the Promised Messiah laid the
foundation of a Tower at the big Mosque of Qadian, the
Hindus of Qadian petitioned the Deputy Commissioner of
Gurdaspur to stop the erection of the Tower, on the plea
that it would destroy the privacy of their homes. It was a
paltry excuse, first because it is not possible to distinguish
any one from the top of a high tower, and secondly, supposing
that there was any risk of such exposure, it would affect all
women, including Ahmadi women. However, the Deputy
Commissioner, in accordance with the normal procedure,
sent this complaint of the Hindus to the Magistrate of the
Circle for investigation and report. The Magistrate came to
25
Qadian, met the Promised Messiah, and inquired about the
construction of the Tower. The Promised Messiah, peace be
on him, explained to the Magistrate that the tower was not
going to be used for any display or for sight-seeing, its
purpose was purely religious, namely, to fulfil a Prophecy
of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on
him, and to make the Call to Prayer so that it could be heard
at a long distance. He added that it would be fitted with
strong lights, also. The Magistrate said that the Hindu
gentlemen, who were sitting there with him, complained that
it would destroy the privacy of their homes. The Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, said: "Their complaint is not
based on any sound ground. It proceeds merely from their
hostile attitude towards me, for there is no question of any
disturbance of privacy." Pointing to Lala Budhamal, he
added, "Here is Lala Budhamal, ask him if there ever was
an opportunity of my helping or doing a favour to him and
his friends and I failed to do so. Ask him further, if he and
his friends had any opportunity of doing me harm, and they
did not take advantage of it against me." Hafiz Raushan
Ali Sahib, who was a great scholar and divine of the Ahmad-
iyya Movement, has stated: "Hearing this, Lala Budhamal
was so embarrassed that he uttered not a single word and
dared not even to lift his eyes to face the Promised Messiah."
(Siratul-Mahdi.)
Towards his friends and companions, the Promised
Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, was pardon
and kindness personified. Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim
Sahib has written in "Sirat Masih Mauood" :
"When the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was
writing his Book 'Aina-i-Kamalat-i-Islam', he handed over
two sheets of the manuscript he had written to Maulvi
Nuruddin Sahib (later his First Successor, Allah be pleased
with him) to deliver them to me for me to translate them into
Persian. The subject matter of these sheets had special
significance in the eyes of the Promised Messiah himself.
It so happened that the sheets were mislaid by Maulvi Sahib.
As the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, sent me the por-
tion of the manuscript he wrote every day, to be translated
into Persian, and as I had not received that day's material in
26
time, I was naturally concerned over the delay. So I said
to Maulvi Nooruddin Sahib, I have not received today any
material from Hazrat (Promised Messiah) for translation;
the press man is waiting for material, it is getting late.
I cannot account for this unusual delay.' As soon as he
heard these words from me, Maulvi Sahib turned pale. He
searched for the sheets but he could not find them, so he
was extremely worried. When it was reported to the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, he came out of his room, cheerful
and smiling, as usual, and far from exhibiting any uneasiness
he excused himself, saying: The loss of the material caused
undue worry and anxiety to Maulvi Sahib. I much regret
the trouble occasioned to him. As for myself, I believe firmly
that Allah will, by His Grace, grant me capacity to write
even better than I had written in those two sheets.' "
Hospitality and honouring one's guests constitute essential
traits of high moral character. The Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, set a splendid example in this respect also.
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad, Allah be pleased with him,
says:
"Seth Ghulam Nabi reported to me that once he came to
Qadian to see the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him. It was winter, and it was wet. He reached
Qadian in the evening. After supper he went to bed. Late
at night someone knocked at the door. When he opened the
door, he found the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings
of Allah be on him, standing at the door, with a glass of
hot milk in one hand and a lantern in the other. Seth Sahib
says he was flurried to see the Promised Messiah, who,
however, very affectionately said, 'Somebody sent me some
milk, and it occurred to me that you might be in the habit
of drinking milk at night, so I have brought it for you.
Please drink it.' At this, Seth Sahib's eyes welled up with tears
of gratitude.
Glory be to God! What sublime behaviour! How much
pleasure this Chosen Messiah of God used to find in serving
and entertaining even his humble servants, and how much
trouble he took on their behalf! (Siratul-Mahdi.)
Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib, Allah be pleased with
him, writes in "Sirat Masih Mauood":
27
"Once in summer, the family of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, went to Ludhiana. I went into the house of
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, to see him. It was a
newly-built room, and it was cool there. I lay down on a cot
for a little while, and fell asleep. The Promised Messiah was,
at that time, strolling and writing as was his habit. When I
woke up, to my great surprise, I found the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, sitting on the floor, by my cot. I was
startled to see him, and stood up out of respect. The Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, very affectionately said, 'Maulvi
Sahib, why have you stood up?' I said, 'While Hazrat is
sitting on the floor, how can I lie on the cot!' Smiling, he
said, 'Keep lying down. I was only keeping watch, and
trying to stop the children from making noise, so that your
sleep should not be disturbed.' " God be praised, what a
wonderful demonstration of kindness and affection!
Once the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was
sitting in his room; some guests also were sitting with him.
In the meantime, someone knocked at the door. One of the
guests moved to open the door. The Promised Messiah got
up at once and said, "Wait a bit. I will open the door; you
are a guest, and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, exhorted us to honour our guests."
(Siratul-Mahdi; Parti.)
Munshi Zafar Ahmad of Kapurthala relates :
"Once the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, was sitting on the roof of the Mubarak
Mosque, Qadian, waiting to have his meal there with some
guests. One very poor Ahmadi friend, Mian Nizam Din
Sahib of Ludhiana, wearing ragged clothes, was also sitting
there, at a short distance. In the meantime, some respectable
guests came and sat near the Promised Messiah, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him. To make room for each of them
Mian Nizam Din had to move further back, till he reached
the place where shoes were kept. When the meal was
brought, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, who had
observed the whole scene, took a plate of curry and called
Mian Nizam Din to eat with him in his chamber, adjacent
to the Mosque. At that Mian Nizam Din's joy knew no
bounds, and those who had sat near the Promised Messiah,
28
i
peace be on him, pushing Mian Nizam Din farther away,
were duly mortified."
Another incident, illustrating his regard for human
sentiment, humility and honouring of guests, is also related
by Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmad Sahib of Kapurthala.
Hearing of the claim of the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, two non-Ahmadi gentlemen from the distant region of
Manipur, Assam, came to Qadian to see him. When they
reached the Guest House at Qadian, they asked some
employees working in the Kitchen to unload their luggage
and set down cots for them. But the employees did not pay
attention to what they said, and took up some other job
that needed their attention. The guests, who were fatigued
by the long and arduous journey, were chagrined and set
rout for the return journey to Batala at once. When the
Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be on him,
learnt of the incident, he set out at once, just as he was, in
pursuit of the guests. Some of his disciples also accompanied
him. Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmad says that he was also
of the company. The Promised Messiah followed them so
speedily that he overtook them near the bridge over the
canal, about two miles and a half from Qadian, and impor-
tuned them very affectionately, with profuse apologies, to
return to Qadian. On their agreeing to do so, he accompanied
them back to Qadian. On reaching the Guest House, he
was proceeding to unload their luggage, when some servants
came forward and did the needful. The Promised Messiah
sat by them and talked with them affectionately, enquiring
about their requirements of food. He continued with them
till the meal was served. The following day, when they were
■ about to leave, he sent for some milk and presented the same
to them very affectionately. To see them off, he accompanied
them up to the canal bridge and returned only after they
had taken their seats in the vehicle that was to transport
them. (Ashab Ahmad, Vol. IV.)
Informality
The Promised Messiah's life was free from all ceremony
or formality. In accord with the practice of the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, he permitted no
discrimination in favour of himself. People of all ranks and
29
I
classes sat together with him like the members of a family.
He would sit down at any place while others of the company
equally informally occupied places considered as carrying
distinction. On many occasions, he sat at the foot of a cot
while others sat at its head; sometimes he sat on a bare cot
while his disciples sat on a covered one; sometimes he occu-
pied a lower seat while a disciple occupied a higher one.
This absence of ceremony or formality did not import any
disrespect on the part of his disciples or others in the com-
pany. Indeed, every heart was full of love, respect and
reverence for him. (Siratul-Mahdi, Silsila Ahmadiyya and
Shamail by Shaikh Yakub Ali Irfani.)
Behaviour towards Opponents
Sheikh Yakub Ali Irfani has related that once Lala
Sharampat, who belonged to the Arya Community, and was
very hostile to the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, fell seriously ill with a malignant abscess
in his stomach, and was much worried, despairing of life.
When the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, came to
know of his illness, he would often go to Lala Sharampat' s
lowly dwelling to inquire after his health. Lala Sharampat
was so eaten up with anxiety that when the Promised
Messiah visited him, he, despite his hostility towards Islam,
would humbly solicit his prayers. The Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, always sought to comfort him and also
prayed for him. He continued to visit him and pray for him
till he recovered completely. (Shamail Hazrat Masih
Mauood by Irfani Sahib.)
The same affectionate treatment was accorded to another
Arya of Qadian, named Lala Malawa Mai, who, while still
a youth, used to visit the Promised Messiah, although
entertaining extreme religious and communal prejudice.
Several times the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, asked
him to bear public witness to Divine signs to which he was
an eye witness. But he always evaded doing so. It so hap-
pened that Malawa Mai began to suffer from tuberculosis
and his condition became hopeless. In that situation he
came to the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, described his miserable plight, wept bitterly and
humbly besought him to pray for his recovery. This shows
30
how deeply Lala Malawa Mai had been impressed with the
Promised Messiah's piety. The Promised Messiah took pity
on him and prayed earnestly for his recovery. His prayers
were answered in the following Arabic revelation:
"O fire, cool down for this youth, and turn into a means
of protection and security for him."
Soon Lala Malawa Mai recovered from his terrible
affliction which was considered fatal in those days. He lived
to be a hundred years, surviving the Promised Messiah by
many years. (Related by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir
Ahmad, Allah be pleased with him.)
Dr. Henry Martin Clark, a Christian Missionary of
Amritsar, instituted an entirely false prosecution for incite-
ment to murder against the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him. God manifested, in a most extraordinary way, the
Promised Messiah's innocence, and he was honourably
discharged. The Christian missionaries had been assisted
and encouraged in their nefarious design by some Arya and
non-Ahmadi Muslim antagonists of the Promised Messiah.
When the order was pronounced, Captain (later Colonel)
Douglas, the District Magistrate, addressing him, said:
"Should you desire to prosecute Dr. Clark for preferring
this false charge against you, I am ready to sanction his
prosecution." The Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
responded with: "I have no desire to prosecute anyone. My
case is pending in heaven."
(Sirat Masih-Mauood by Irfani Sahib.)
Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, leader of the Ahl-i-
Hadith Sect of Islam was well known. In his early life, he
was a friend and classmate of the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, but after the latter's claim of being the Messiah,
he turned hostile to him, so much so, that he declared the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, to be a Kafir (dis-
believer) "Dajjal" (Anti-Christ) and "Zal" (Misguided), and
raised a storm of opposition against him throughout the
country. In the prosecution launched by Dr. Henry Martin
Clark, the Maulvi appeared as a witness against the Promised
31
Messiah, peace be on him. In order to discredit his evidence,
the Promised Messiah's lawyer, Maulvi Fazl Din, who was a
non-Ahmadi gentleman, asked Maulvi Muhammad Hussain
Batalvi a derogatory question concerning his descent or
family. The Promised Messiah stopped him from doing so,
saying emphatically: "I will not permit any such question
to be put to the witness." Later, Maulvi Fazl Din, always
mentioned this incident with an expression of surprise and
observed: "Mirza Sahib is a wonderful person; an opponent
attacks his honour, puts his life in jeopardy, and in return
he stops his lawyer from asking his opponent such questions
as might discredit his evidence." (Siratul-Mahdi, Vol. I.)
The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, has said:
''Regarding sympathy for mankind, my view is that until one
prays for one's enemy, one's heart is not purified. Hazrat Umar,
Allah be pleased with him, became a Muslim because the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, used to pray
for him frequently. Thank God, I have no enemy for whom I
have not prayed several times; and I exhort you also to follow
me and pray for your enemies. O ye who claim to be my
disciples, be a community regarding whom, it has been said:
(J-^
'They are a people whose companions and those who come
in contact with them, do not remain in a wretched or
unhappy condition, uninfluenced by their piety and deprived
of their sympathy."
How beautifully Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad,
Allah be pleased with him, writes :
"The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was mercy
personified. He was a mercy for his relatives; he was a mercy
for his friends, he was a mercy for his enemies; he was a
mercy for his neighbours; he was a mercy for his servants;
he was a mercy for those in need; and he was a mercy for
people in general; there is no class of people to whom he did
not show mercy and affection. 1 would say, he was a mercy
for Islam, for the service and propagation of which he
dedicated every moment of his life, and laid it down in a
spirit of extreme self-denial."
32
Trust in Allah
Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib, Allah be pleased with
him, wrote in a letter that, in a discourse on reliance upon
Allah, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, observed :
"I have a strange condition of my mind. Just as, when it is
close and hot, people expect rain with confidence, similarly,
when I find my purse empty, I have firm faith that by Allah's
grace, it will be replenished; and so it happens." Then,
calling Allah to witness, he said: "I cannot describe the joy
and pleasure I feel, and the trust in God I have, at the time
when my purse becomes empty. My happiness and tran-
quillity, at that time, is greater than it is when my purse is
full." (Alhakam.)
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad says:
"Our reverend brother, Abdur Rahman of Qadian, who
was an early and a sincere Companion of the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, and accepting Islam at his hand,
renouncing Hinduism, reported to me that when the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, went to Lahore, for
the last time, he had plenty of revelations regarding the
approach of his death." Brother Abdur Rahman says:
"During those days I perceived a special kind of ecstatic sign
and radiance on his face. In those days, he used to go out
for a drive in a hired phaeton. His consort and some of his
children also used to accompany him. In the evening
preceding the morning on which he passed away, he, as
usual, went for a drive. When he got into the phaeton, he
said to me, 'Mian Abdur Rahman, tell the phaeton driver,
and make it quite clear to him, that, at this time, I have only
one rupee with me. So he should drive us only within that
limit.' " Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad says that
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, passed away from
this world exactly in the same financial and material condition
in which his Master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, expired.
Supplication and Prayer
Explaining the philosophy of prayer and supplication, the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, says:
"What a Powerful, Self- subsisting and All-Sustaining God
is He Whom we have found ! The truth is that nothing is
33
impossible for Him, save that which is contrary to His Book
and Promise. So, when you supplicate, be not like those
ignorant worshippers of nature who think that everything is
determined by the law of nature, and who have themselves
invented some laws of nature. They are cast away and
rejected. Their supplications are in vain. When you stand
up for prayer, you must believe firmly that your God has
power and authority over everything, then your prayer will
be accepted, and you will see those miraculous signs of His
Power which I have seen. God is a Precious Treasure,
appreciate Him because He can help you at every step.
Follow not those who depend entirely on worldly means.
You should, in all your affairs — temporal and spiritual —
ask strength and capacity from God. May God open your
eyes, so that, you may realize that your God is the central
support of all your means and devices. If the support fails,
can the roof hold? Blessed is he who realizes this truth,
and perished is he who has not realized this truth." (Kishti
Nooh.)
Likewise, he says :
"God has blessed prayer with great power. He has
repeatedly informed me that whatever is achieved shall be
achieved by means of prayer. Our only weapon is prayer.
I have no other weapon save this. God makes manifest
whatever I ask of Him in secret." (Zikri-Habib by Hazrat
Mufti Mohammad Sadiq.)
I should now relate some instances of acceptance of his
prayer. There was a small but sincere Jamaat in the State
of Kapurthala. The members of the Jamaat had intense
love for the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. Once the
non-Ahmadi Muslim opponents of the State sought to take
possession of the Ahmadiyya Mosque of Kapurthala and to
oust the Ahmadis from it. Eventually, the matter was
brought into court. The Ahmadi brethren of Kapurthala
were greatly perturbed, and repeatedly entreated the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, to help with his prayers.
One day, when requested to pray, the Promised Messiah,
impressed with the sincerity as well as the perplexity of the
brethren, assured them: "Be not anxious. If I am righteous
in my claim, you will get the mosque." But the attitude of the
34
judge was openly hostile. He had announced publicly:
"You have invented a new religion, so you shall have to
build a new mosque too, and I will decide accordingly."
He had not yet written his judgment; he intended to write
it in the courtroom. While preparing to go to court, he
directed his servant to help him on with his shoes. The
servant was about to do so when the judge suffered a heart
attack and expired within a few moments. The new judge
who took his place studied the record of the case carefully,
found that the Ahmadis were in the right, decreed the case
in their favour, and awarded the mosque to them. (Siratul-
Mahdi and Ashab Ahmad.)
A boy, Abdul Karim by name, came to Qadian from
Hyderabad, South India, for religious education. He was a
good and gentle lad, and his mother was a widow. By
chance he was bitten by a mad dog and was sent to the
special Institute at Kasauli for treatment. Having taken the
complete course of treatment there, he returned to Qadian.
He seemed quite well, but after some time, he developed
symptoms of hydrophobia. The Promised Messiah prayed
for him, and, at the same time, directed the Headmaster of
the school at which he was a student, to write to the doctor
at Kasauli, stating Abdul Karim's condition, and asking for
advice. In reply, the doctor telegraphed, "Sorry nothing
can now be done for Abdul Karim as he has developed
symptoms of phobia." On being told this, the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, observed: "They have no remedy
for it, but God has." He continued to pray fervently for the
boy's recovery. As a result of his prayers the boy, by Allah's
grace, made a complete recovery and lived to a good old age.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Admad writes:
"I recall an extraordinary instance of the acceptance of
the prayer of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. One
Ahmadi friend, Munshi Ataullah Patwari, reported it to me.
He says: 'I was quite indifferent to and ignorant of religion;
nay, I used to mock at religious matters. I drank liquor,
and accepted bribes. When some Ahmadi friends, living in
my locality preached their faith to me, I used to mock at
them too. One day an Ahmadi friend pressed me hard with
his preaching. I retorted: "I am going to write to your
35
Mirza Sahib, asking him to pray for the achievement of an
objective of mine. If the objective is achieved, I will believe
that he is true in his claim." I then wrote to him as follows:
"You claim to be the Promised Messiah and Friend of God.
The prayers of the Friends of God are accepted. I have now
three wives. Twelve years have passed since my last marriage,
but I have no issue by any of them. I desire to have a
handsome, promising and auspicious son, and that too by
my first wife. Please pray for the fulfilment of this desire of
mine." In reply, Hazrat Maulvi Adbul Karirn Sahib wrote
to me on behalf of the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings
of Allah be on him, in these words: "Hazrat informs you
that prayer has been offered for you, and that God will
bless you with a handsome, promising child by your first
wife as desired by you; but there is one condition, you must
turn to God like Zacharia." Munshi Ata Muhammad says :
"I thereupon sincerely repented and turned to God, in
compliance with this precept. Seeing this change in me,
people began to say: 'What a charm has been practised
upon this devil, he has given up all evil ways in a trice.'
" Tour or fiwQ months after this, my first wife developed
symptoms of pregnancy and I started saying to people,
"You will soon see I shall have a son, and he will be hand-
some and promising." At last, one night my wife gave birth
to the promised child. I, at once, went to Qadian, several
other people also accompanied me; and we took initiation
at the hands of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him." '
There are numerous cases of such miraculous healing
effected through the prayers of the Promised Messiah, some
of which he has mentioned in his book, Haqiqatul Wahi.
Miracles Wrought through Spiritual Power
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmad Sahib, Allah be
pleased with him, relates :
"Mian Abdullah Sahib Sanori, a very sincere Companion
and one of the earliest disciples of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, reported to me that the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, invited some friends to dinner, but just
when the meal was going to be served, the number of guests
increased unexpectedly, and the Mubarak Mosque was filled
with guests. At this, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
36
sent word to his consort, asking her to send more food, as
there were more guests than had been expected. Hazrat
Ammajan (Consort of the Promised Messiah), being per-
plexed, called him in, and explained : 'There is only a small
quantity of food, as food was prepared only for a limited
number of guests invited by you. What can be done now ?'
The Promised Messiah said very placidly, 'Have no worry;
bring the cooking pot to me.' When the pot was brought
to him, he covered it with a handkerchief, and then passed
his finger under the handkerchief over the cooked rice and
went out, directing, 'Now serve the food, God will bless
it.' Mian Abdullah says that the food sufficed for all, and
every one had eaten his fill, and there was still some left
over." (Siratul-Mahdi, Part I.)
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib writes that
he related this interesting report of Mian Abdullah to Hazrat
Ammajan. She said that, through the benediction of the
Promised Messiah, such incidents were quite frequent. By
way of illustration, she mentioned one more such incident.
On one occasion she prepared a little Pilau (rice cooked with
meat) for the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. It was
just enough for him only. But on that day Nawab Muham-
mad Ali Khan, who lived in the adjacent house, came to
see the Promised Messiah and his wife and children also
came with him. The Promised Messiah told Ammajan to
serve food to them also. She said the quantity of pilau was
very small because she had prepared it for him only. On
this, the Promised Messiah came to the cooking pot and blew
over it, and said to her, "Now serve the food in the name of
Allah". Hazrat Ammajan says that the rice was so extra-
ordinarily blessed that the entire family of Nawab Sahib
partook of it, and some of it was sent to the family of Maulvi
Nooruddin Sahib, too, and some other people also were
given a portion of it. As it soon became known as "Blessed
Rice", many people came to have a share of it, and everyone
was given a share. By the Grace of Allah, it proved sufficient
for them all. (Siratul-Mahdi, Tradition No. 144.)
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad says:
"Musammat Amtullah Bibi of Khost, Afghanistan,
reported to me that when she came to Qadian with her
37
father, she was of tender age, and suffered from a bad eye
trouble so seriously that sometimes, on account of extreme
pain caused by inflammation, she could not even open her
eyes. She had undergone much treatment, but to no effect.
The trouble continued to increase. One day, when her
mother tried to apply medicine to her eyes, she became
frightened, and ran away, saying, 'I shall have my eyes
blown into by Hazrat' With great difficulty she went to the
Promised Messiah, and said, weeping, 'I have severe trouble
in my eyes, and I am agitated by severe pain caused by
inflammation. I can not even open my eyes, please blow
into my eyes.' Seeing that my eyes were swollen and I was
in an agony of pain, he moistened his finger with his saliva,
paused for a while (he was, perhaps, praying) and then
very gently and affectionately passed his finger gently over
my eyes. Then placing his hand on my head said: 'Go,
my child, now, by the Grace of Allah, you will never have
this trouble again.' Since then I have never had sore and
inflamed eyes, although I am now an old woman of seventy."
She was only ten years old when the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, blew into her eyes and passed over them
his finger moistened with his saliva. In other words, for
sixty years, the spiritual amulet of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, did what no medicine had been able to
achieve.
Majestic Sense of Dignity
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib writes that
the predominant features of the life and character of the
Promised Messiah were "Jamali", that is to say, characterised
by love, affection, gentleness, forbearance and kindness, yet
where the question of veneration and respect for the faith
were involved, the "Jalali" (majestic) aspect of his character
shone forth like the bright rays of the sun.
Let me cite two examples of the manifestation of his sense
of respect for the faith and of his majestic sense of dignity.
Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmad relates that, when Maulvi
Karam Din of Bhin was prosecuting the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, for libel, the Hindu magistrate prolonged
the hearing of the case, and put the Promised Messiah to
great inconvenience by frequently postponing the hearing
38
of the case for short intervals. It was rumoured that he
wanted to avenge the murder of Pandit Lekhram, for which
he considered the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was
responsible. One day, in open court, referring to the
Promised Messiah's revelation:
(I will certainly humiliate him who seeks to humiliate
thee), he asked the Promised Messiah whether he had
received any revelation to the effect that God would humiliate
the person who sought to humiliate him. The Promised
Messiah said confidently, and in a very dignified manner,
"Yes, these are the words of God revealed to me. God has
assured me that whoever will seek to humiliate me, shall
himself be humiliated." The magistrate said, "Suppose, I
were to humiliate you, what will then happen?" Again,
with the same confidence and dignity, the Promised Messiah
observed, "Whoever he may be, he shall be humiliated."
To over-awe the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, the
Magistrate repeated his question, two or three times, and
every time, the Promised Messiah replied majestically in the
same words : "Whoever he might be, he would be humiliated."
The Magistrate then held his peace. (Ashab Ahmad.)
The second incident of that nature also pertains to the
same milieu. One day the Magistrate, Mr. Chandu Lai, held
court in the open. During the course of the proceedings,
the Magistrate asked the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, in a jesting tone whether he claimed to be able to show
Divine signs. The Promised Messiah replied, "Yes, God
shows signs at my hands." Having answered the question,
the Promised Messiah was silent for a while, as if praying to
God and entreating His succour, and then said with great
dignity and full confidence, "I can show you any sign you
like." The Magistrate was greatly struck by this reply, and
did not pursue the matter any further. Those within hearing
were also deeply impressed. (Ashab Ahmad.)
Extraordinary Divine Help and Protection
I shall now relate some instances of extraordinary Divine
help and protection being extended to him.
39
An Arya raised an objection against Islam to the effect
that the Quran mentions an event contrary to natural law
when it says that when Abraham (peace be on him) was
thrown into the fire, it became cool under Divine Command.
In reply to this objection, Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin, who
later became the First Successor of the Promised Messiah,
explained that "fire" in that context did not mean fire
produced by combustion, but signified the fire of enmity
and hostility. When the Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
heard of this explanation, he said very majestically that
Maulvi Sahib should not have had recourse to such an
explanation. No one can encompass and comprehend all
the laws of nature made by God. So it was no wonder, at all,
if God made the fire cool for His Beloved Servant, Abraham.
He then said: "Hazrat Abraham is not living today. I am
here to represent him in this age, by God's Command. If
some enemy of mine throws me into the fire, it shall, by
God's Grace, become cool for me also. But it is not my
business to exhibit feats like a juggler, for instance, to make
a fire myself and then throw myself into it, and thus try my
God. To try God is contrary to the Majesty of God and to the
dignity of the Divinely-sent Ones and entirely against the
Way of the Prophets. If, however, an enemy, out of hostility,
throws me into the fire, the fire shall, surely, become cool
for me, and God will save me from its harmful effects."
(Siratul-Mahdi, Traditions 139 and 147.)
Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib, the First Successor,
Allah be pleased with him, relates: "During the course of a
discussion, a tradition of the Holy Prophet was mentioned
and an arrogant opponent demanded the reference from
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, forthwith, thinking
that the Promised Messiah would not be able to furnish it
forthwith and would thus be publicly embarrassed. But the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, did not worry at all.
He sent for a copy of the Sahih Bukhari and when it was
brought he held it in his hand, and started turning over its
pages very rapidly. Reaching a certain page, he exclaimed:
'Here is the reference.' Those present were astonished to
have seen that he had been turning over the pages without
even scanning them carefully, and had yet found the reference.
40
Later, someone asked him how it was that he went on turning
over the pages without reading them, and, at last, stopping
at a certain page, said, 'Here is the reference/ The Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, explained, 'When I was turning
over the pages, holding the book in my hand, the pages
appeared to be quite blank, nothing seemed to be written
on them, till I found a page on which something was written,
and I then firmly believed that, by God's grace and succour,
that was the reference I needed, and without any hesitation
I put forward that reference before the opponent. It was
the same reference the opponent had demanded.' " (Siratul-
Mahdi II, Tradition 306.)
Notwithstanding numberless instances of extraordinary
Divine help and protection being extended to the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, he was always ready to offer
every sacrifice in the cause of Allah. I shall mention here only
one such instance. Hazrat Maulvi Adbul Karim Sahib reports :
"The day the Superintendent of Police came to Qadian,
unexpectedly, to search the Promised Messiah's house in
connection with the assassination of Pandit Lekhram,
Hazrat Meer Nasir Nawab Sahib (an illustrious Companion
and father-in-law of the Promised Messiah) was very much
disturbed on learning of it. He hastened to the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, in great perplexity. Overpowered
by emotion, he, with great difficulty, managed to utter:
'The Police Superintendent is coming with a warrant of arrest
and handcuffs.' The Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
was at that time busy writing his book Nurul-Quran.
Raising his head, he said with a smile: 'Meer Sahib, people
wear gold and silver bracelets on their wrists for ornament.
I shall be happy to wear iron bracelets on my wrists in the
cause of Allah.' Then, pausing a little, he added : 'But it
shall not be so. The Divine Kingdom has its own designs.
God will not permit such retribution of the Successors of His
Chosen Ones.' " (Alhakm, Vol. Ill, p. 24.)
Now I shall relate two instances of the Promised Messiah's
spiritual charm and influence. Hazrat Maulvi Sarwar Shah
Sahib relates :
"Once someone from Mardan came to Qadian to get
himself treated by Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib, whose
41
great reputation as a physician had reached him. This
person was a bitter enemy of the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him. For his place of residence at Qadian, he rented
a house away from the Ahmadiyya Quarter. When, by the
Grace of Allah, he was restored to health, and was ready to
return home, an Ahmadi friend of his suggested to him that
he should at least visit our mosque. He agreed, but on
condition that he should be shown round the Mosque at
a time when the Promised Messiah was not there. He was,
therefore, taken to the Mubarak Mosque when it was not
the time for Prayer, and there was no one in the Mosque.
But it so happened, that, as soon as he entered the Mosque,
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, happened to open
the door of his house which opened into the Mosque and
entered the Mosque for some purpose. The visitor glanced
at the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, and as soon as
he saw the luminous appearance of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, he was fascinated and losing all self-control,
flung himself down at the feet of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, and forthwith begged to be initiated into
the Movement. (Siratul-Mahdi, Part I, Tradition 73.)
Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmad relates that, having taken
initiation at the hands of the Promised Messiah, peace be
on him, at Ludhiana, he stayed on there for some time.
One Sufi (mystic) asked some questions of the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, and then enquired: "Can you
make one see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him)?" The Promised Messiah said, in reply, 'There
are some conditions for seeing him", and then turning to
Hazrat Munshi Sahib, added, "Or he whom Allah blesses
with His Grace may see him." Hazrat Munshi Sahib says
that the same night he beheld the Holy Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him, in a dream, and thereafter he
saw the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on
him, several times in his dreams. (Ashab Ahmad, Vol. IV,
p. 92.)
In the time of every Prophet, Divine light and blessings
descend in such profusion that the phenomenon may be
compared to a heavy downpour. The same was the case with
the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. He was Divinely
42
appointed and the Divine light was bestowed upon him in
a special measure possessing a special quality. It descended
upon those, too, who lived with and near him, or were
associated with him. Each received this light, according to
his or her own spiritual calibre and capacity. The incident
first mentioned testifies to this truth.
In this context, I shall mention three or four Companions
of the Promised Messiah who came from different classes
and sections of society. The truth is that, in accordance with
a saying of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, they were, as it were, heavenly stars, in accordance
with their own respective capacities. In respect of firmness
of faith, spirit of sacrifice and obedience they were imbued
with the characteristics of the Companions of the Holy
Prophet and served as models for future generations. As
Jesus truly said, a tree is known by its fruits. Thus, the
Promised Messiah's Companions, constitute proofs of his
truth. First of all, I shall make mention of Hazrat Maulvi
Nuruddin Sahib who, later, became the First Successor of
the Promised Messiah and whom the latter extolled in his
Persian verses. Regarding him, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza
Bashir Ahmad writes :
"When the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, started
initiating people into the Movement, Hazrat Maulvi
Nuruddin was the first to make the covenant of initiation.
After his initiation he became even more devoted to the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, and after his demise
he became his First Successor. The standard of his obedience
and submission was so high and perfect that, concerning
him, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, wrote, at one
place, 'He obeys me, even as the pulses obey the beatings
of the heart.' " (Aini-i-Kamalat-i-Islam, p. 556.)
Once the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, who was in
Delhi, sent a telegram to Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin at Qadian,
asking him to join him in Delhi. The scribe, on his own,
worded the telegram as, "Come to Delhi without delay."
When Hazrat Maulvi Sahib received the telegram, he was
busy with his patients in his dispensary. He stood up, at
once, and left for the carriage stand, without going home
or furnishing himself with the expenses for and other
43
requirements of the journey. When someone asked him how
he was going to undertake a long journey without any
provision or means for the journey, he said: 'The Imam
(Spiritual Leader) has called me, directing me: "Come
without delay", hence it is not permissible for me to delay
my departure by a single moment. So I am leaving for Delhi
in whatever condition I am." But God justified his trust in
Him in an extraordinary manner. All the requirements of
his journey were supplied, on the way, without any difficulty,
through unexpected sources, and he presented himself before
his Imam without any delay the following morning.
There was a simple villager, Baba Karim Bakhsh by name.
He was not much educated, but like most Ahmadis he was
wholly devoted to the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings
of Allah be on him. On one occasion the Promised Messiah
was delivering an address in the Mubarak Mosque. Those
who came late were standing in rows at the back and agghis
caused a congestion the Promised Messiah, peace b# on
him, directed everyone to sit down. Baba Karim Bakhsh
was proceeding to the Mosque by the lane leading to the
Mosque. As soon as he heard this direction of the Imam,
he sat down on his feet and started creeping towards the
Mosque in that position. Later he explained that when he
heard the direction to sit down, he thought that if he died
while walking to the Mosque what answer would he make
to God if He were to take him to task for disobeying the
direction of the Messiah?" (Siratul-Mahdi, Tradition 741.)
There was another Companion, Mian Abdul. Aziz, a
village Patwari (Keeper of Land Records). He was one of the
early Companions of the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him. He related an incident to Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza
Bashir Ahmad, as follows:
"On one occasion, the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, had gone to Gurdaspur in connection with a law suit.
He was ill at that time— suffering from severe dysentery,
and had frequent motions. I stayed by him and supplied
him with water for ablutions whenever he needed it. But
he repeatedly said, 'Mian Abdul Aziz, please go to bed;
I shall wake you up if necessary.' But I kept awake the whole
night, lest I should fall asleep, and he should call me, and
44
I should fail to hear him, and it should cause him trouble.
In the morning, while sitting among his friends, he said in
a happy mood, 'What a great blessing of God is upon me!
Jesus, at a time of trial, repeatedly exhorted his disciples to
keep awake and pray, yet they fell asleep (Matthew, 26:
39-46), whereas I, suffering only from an illness, asked
Munshi Abdul Aziz, again and again, to go to sleep, but he
kept awake the whole night for my sake and did not for a
moment sleep'." (Siratul-Mahdi, Tradition 701.)
Let me mention the instance of another Companion,
Munshi Muhammad Rura, who was deeply devoted to the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him.
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib writes :
"In 1915 or 1916", Mr. H. A. Walter, Secretary, Young
Men's Christian Association, came to Qadian. He wanted
to write and publish a book on the Ahmadiyya Movement.
He ^expressed his desire to meet some devoted Companion
of ill Promised Messiah, peace be on him. So he was
introduced to Munshi Muhammad Rura, in the Mubarak
Mosque. At that time Munshi Sahib was sitting in the
Mosque, waiting for the Prayer Service. Having been
formally introduced, Mr. Walter asked Munshi Sahib:
'How long were you in contact with Mirza Sahib? What
proof df his truth appealed to you most, and what feature
of his character impressed you more than others ?' Munshi
Sahib said very simply : 'I knew Mirza Sahib even before he
claimed to be the Messiah. I have never seen such a holy
arid luminous countenance. For me his luminous appearance
and majnfetic personality constituted the greatest proof of
his truth. We were always eager to see his radiant face.'
Saying this, Hazrat Munshi Sahib began to sob, overwhelmed
with emotion at the recollection of the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, even as a child sobs bitterly on being
separated from its mother. Mr. Walter was so much im-
pressed with this simple incident that he made mention of it
in his book 'Ahmadiyya Movement', concluding with the
following words :
'We may calf Mirza Sahib deluded, but we can never call
one who has created such a deep impression upon his
| disciples, an impostor.'
45
"I recollect another incident pertaining to Munshi Rura
Sahib, related by Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II, Allah be
pleased with him. He has stated that one day someone
knocked at the door of the Mubarak Mosque that opens
into the house of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him.
At this, he came out, and found Munshi Rura Khan standing
at the door with a purse in his hand. Seeing Hazrat Khalifatul
Masih II, Munshi Sahib broke down and sobbed bitterly.
At last when he could control himself he handed over the
purse to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, and said: 'I had an
ardent desire to present some gold coins to the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, in his lifetime. But, partly due
to poverty, and partly due to the fact that whatever I saved
I hastened to present it to the Promised Messiah, peace be
on him, this desire of mine was not fulfilled. Now I have
brought these few gold coins thinking that, even if I failed to
present any such gift to the Promised Messiah himself, peace
be on him, I should, at least, present it now to his son.'
This small incident is also an eloquent testimony of the
deep love and affection that the Companions of the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, entertained for him.
I should like to mention here two incidents reported to
me direct by Hazrat Mubaraka Begum, the eldest daughter
of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him. She said to me:
"One day, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was
lying in his hujra (closet) which was to the west of the
Bait-ud-Doa (Prayer Room). There was no one by him at
that time. I entered the closet and started massaging him.
Suddenly, I felt his body shiver, as if an electric current was
passing through him. His eyes were closed, and there were
big drops of sweat, like pearls, on his forehead. Then he
opened his eyes and wrote something on a piece of paper,
and said to me, 'Call Meer Sahib', i.e. Hazrat Meer Nasir
Nawab who was, at that time, in another room. When
Hazrat Meer Sahib came, the Promised Messiah, handed
over the paper to him, and said, 'Read this, it has just been
revealed to me.' The words of the revelation were: 'Progress
and success shall be accompanied by mighty Signs'."
Every one of you sitting here, is a proof of the truth of
this revelation. Besides countless other Signs we see daily,
46
every individual that joins the Movement constitutes a proof
of the truth of this Revelation.
Hazrat Mubaraka Begum further reports :
"In 1907 or in early 1908, the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, was preparing for some journey. To me also he
said, 'Offer two Rakats of "Nan"' (supererogatory Prayer)
and offer "Doa-i-Istikhara"*, and inform me if you see
some dream. I did as instructed by him, and, at night I saw
a dream that Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin was sitting in a part
of the Mubarak Mosque, and was reading a book of some-
what large size, holding it in his hand, and announced:
'These are the prophecies of the Promised Messiah, peace be
on him, concerning me, and I am Abu Bakr.' In this dream,
I also saw Hazrat Ammajan (Promised Messiah's consort)
distributing meat, sitting in the yard, downstairs'. Hazrat
Mubaraka Begum adds, 'At that time I did not understand
the meaning of this dream. But when the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, heard this dream from me, he said "Don't
relate this dream to your mother.' "
In this dream, while, on the one hand, there was a hint
of the approaching demise of the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, who himself had been receiving during the last
two or three years of his life, frequent revelations presaging
his demise, on the other hand, there was an indication of the
establishment of Khilafat, and that Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin
Sahib would be his First Successor.
I shall now speak of the knowledge bestowed upon the
Promis*e<i ; 'Messiah, peace be on him, by Divine grace. The
Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, had
prophesied that in the time of the Promised Messiah religious
wars would come to an end and Islam would triumph
through reason, persuasion and argument. In accordance
with this prophecy, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
championed the cause of Islam with the Pen. God accepted
this noble endeavour of his and bestowed upon him the
itle of "Sultanul-Qalam" (Master of the Pen).
11 the writings of the Promised Messiah, peace be on
* A supplication that, if a particular undertaking is good and
auspicious within Allah's knowledge, He may ordain, facilitate and
bless it, otherwise, He may cause it to be abandoned.
47
him, his lectures and discourses, possess a special spiritual
quality which attracts and impresses the mind and are proof
of his being the recipient of Divine help and succour. Here
I shall speak only of one writing and one speech, written and
spoken with the help of special Divine grace. The first of
these is "The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam". It
was written for the Religious Conference held at Lahore
in the last days of December 1894, in which the repre-
sentatives of all religions were invited to read papers written
in the light of the teachings of their respective faiths on
topics formulated by the Conveners of the Conference.
Detailed accounts of this Conference were published in the
Press and were set forth in the Report of the Conveners of
the Conference and in the later writings of the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him. I give here a summary of the
report of Hazrat Bhai Abdur Rahman, one of the early
Companions of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him.
In the latter half of the year 1894, a Sadhu Swami Shogan
Chandar came to Qadian, and told the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, that he was in search of Truth. The
Promised Messiah said to him that the very purpose of his
own advent was to settle differences between religions and
to show mankind the way that leads to the True God. So
if the Swami could arrange a conference in Lahore, in which
the representatives of all religions might set forth the
excellences of their respective faiths, and thereby help people
to find the way to God, it would be an act of great merit
and a great service to mankind, and would help people
recognise Signs of their true Lord and Master. Being
impressed by the suggestion of the Promised Messiah, the
Swami went to Lahore, met leaders of different religions,
and succeeded in arranging a Conference. It was proposed
that representatives of all religions should be invited to read
papers on the Existence and Attributes of God and on the
Principles of their respective faiths, concerning five points
propounded by the Conveners of the Conference. The
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, wrote an exhaustive
paper dealing with those five points, and, several days before
the Conference, published a handbill in which he proclaimed :
"God has revealed to me that:
48
*jr
"1. My paper shall be upheld and shall prevail over all
other papers that may be read in the Conference.
"2. This paper will be a means of the manifestation of the
Greatness of God, and, as a result of its advocacy of the teach-
ings of Islam, all other religions will pale before it like the
Jewish tribes of Khaibar, and their banners will be lowered.
"3. With the publication of this paper, Quranic Truth
shall prevail, and the light of Islam shall spread till it com-
pletes its circle of diffusion." (Ishtihar, December 21, 1898.)
This All- World Religious Conference was held in Lahore
on December 26, 27, 28 and 29. In it the representatives of
Islam, Christianity, Hinduism (both Sanatan Dharm and
Arya Samaj), Sikhism, Brahmo Samaj, Free Thinkers,
Theosophical Society and other faiths presented their respect-
ive beliefs and doctrines. The Promised Messiah's paper
was^read by his devoted Companion, Maulvi Abdul Karim
of Sialkot. Bhai Abdur Rahman says: "While the paper
was being read, I heard Hindus, Sikhs, Aryas and Christians,
saying spontaneously, 'Subhanallah, Subhanallah P (Glory
be to Allah! Glory be to Allah!). The audience, which
consisted of thousands of people, was sitting motionless,
like lifeless statues, listening with rapt attention. It would
have been no wonder if birds had alighted and perched on
their heads without being noticed. The paper seemed to have
gripped all hearts; no sound, not even that of breathing,
was audible except the sonorous tones of the reader of the
paper. Would that I had the ability to describe even one
tenth Of whafcl saw and heard at that time ! There was not
a single heart that did not feel the joy and pleasure of the
hour. There was not a single tongue that did not acknowledge
and praise the beauty and excellence of the paper.
I saw and heard many Hindus and Sikhs embracing
Muslims, and saying: "If this is the teaching of the Quran,
and if this is Islam, as described by Mirza Sahib, we shall be
constrained to accept Islam tomorrow, if not today."
(Ashab Ahmad.)
Munshi Jalaluddin, who made a fair copy of the paper
to be read in the Conference, says that the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, once said : "I had said a prayer over every
line of this. paper,"
':t,K 49
The paper was published in book form and has been
translated into English and some other languages. I appeal
to Ahmadi brothers, living in different parts of the world, to
take a special interest in its wide circulation, because it
carries with it the special grace and blessings of Allah. I
would also appeal to them to translate it into their own
languages and circulate it far and wide in their respective
countries so that Quranic Truth may prevail and the light of
Islam spread into all corners of the earth. .
I now turn to the speech — a sermon of the Promised
Messiah. In 1900, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
delivered a sermon in Arabic, known and published as
"Khutba-i-Ilhamia" (The Revealed Sermon). As its name
indicates the sermon was Divinely inspired. Let me quote
Bhai Abdur Rahman again :
"On the day of Eidul-Azha, the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, announced that God had commanded him to
deliver the sermon in Arabic that day, and that He had
granted him the capacity to do so. The Eid Prayer was led
by Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib. After the Prayer, the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him, delivered a short sermon
in Urdu in which he enjoined amity, unity and fraternal
love. He then asked Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin and Hazrat
Maulvi Abdul Karim to sit near him and directed : "Whatever
I am going to say now is divinely inspired, so take it down
carefully that it may be safeguarded, for, later, I myself
may not be able to recall what I say now'." (Ashab-i- Ahmad,
Vol. I, Tradition reported by Bhai Abdur Rahman.)
Then he sat down in a chair, at the central door of the
Aqsa Mosque, facing east, and started his speech in Arabic,
the first sentence of which was :
tf&J ££'<&$)*%
(du»LjM d k-i**')
^uh
50
"O servants of Allah, ponder over this Day which is the
Day of Sacrifices, because Allah has invested it with numerous
blessed mysteries for the wise."
Hazrat Bhai Abdur Rahman says: "When the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, took his seat on the chair and
started the lecture, it seemed as if he had been transported
to the other world. His eyes remained almost closed, and
his blessed face appeared so luminous, as if Divine light,
having enveloped it, had illuminated and made it lustrous.
At that time, one could not gaze at his face. His forehead
radiated bright rays of light that dazzled the eyes of those
who looked at it. The blessed tongue that was in motion
was,t>f course, his, but it seemed as though some external
force/\\vas compelling it to move. To give a word-picture
of his complete surrender to and his concentration on Allah,
his reliance upon Him, his ecstatic condition, self-oblivion
and absorption in the Divinity, is beyond human power."
After he had finished speaking, the audience requested
an Urdu translation of the speech. So, Hazrat Maulvi
Abdul Karim gave an Urdu version of this eloquent,
impressive and miraculous Arabic speech. (The speech is
to be found in the first thirty-eight pages of the book,
"Khutba-i-Ilhamia". In the course of the translation, at
one place, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, under
some Divine inspiration, rose from the chair and went into
prostration. Along with him the audience also fell prostrate
before their Heavenly Lord. (Ashab-i- Ahmad.)
Regarding this miraculous speech, the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, says :
"Subhanallah! (Glory be to Allah!) At that time a hidden
fountain was gushing out. I do not know whether it was I
who was speaking, or some angel was speaking through my
tongue, for I knew that I had no share in this speech. Self-
made sentences came out of my mouth, and every sentence
was a sign for me. It is an Intellectual Miracle shown by
■God, and none can present the like of it." (Haqiqatul Wahi,
pp. 362-363.)
This is a very brief account of the character of the Divinely
^Commissioned Reformer of this age, whose whole life was
ull of Divine signs, miracles, Divine help and blessings.
51
I shall now conclude my speech by quoting a comprehensive
note about his character, recorded by Hazrat Meer Mu-
hammad Ismail, Allah be pleased with him. Hazrat Meer
Sahib writes:
"The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, was endowed
with perfect morals. He was extremely compassionate and
merciful; he was charitable and hospitable; he was the
bravest among men; he advanced like a lion to meet trials
before which a man's heart would sink. Forgiveness,
forbearance, generosity, honesty, integrity, humility, patience,
thankfulness, self-sufficiency, modesty, chastity, diligence,
contentment, faithfulness, informality, simplicity, kindness,
respect and reverence for God, His Prophet and religious
divines, fortitude, moderation, giving every one his due,
fulfilment of promise, alertness, sympathy, propagation of
faith, training and instructing, sociability, prudence, dignity,
purity, liveliness and good humour, fidelity, self-respect,
beneficence, respect for others, optimism, valour, resolution,
jealous regard for a cause, cheerfulness, broadmindedness,
self-control, sacrifice, punctuality and good use of time,
management and administration, dissemination of learning
and Divine knowledge, love of God and His Prophet, and
perfect obedience to the Holy Prophet were the traits of his
character. He had a magnetic charm and possessed a
peculiar fascination. He inspired awe and had a blessed
personality. He was affectionate, his words were impressive
and effective, his prayers efficacious. His Companions sat
by him, in a circle, like moths around a lamp, and their
hearts were washed clean automatically.
"In short, he presented to the world an example of
character and conduct that was miraculous. He was a model
of manly beauty and moral excellences. If he was the
counterpart of any person, it was of the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, and of none else. I can
cite examples and incidents illustrating every trait of his
character mentioned here; there is not the least exaggeration
in it.
"I saw him first when I was a child of two years. Then
I continued to see him till he disappeared from my sight,
when I was a young man of twenty-seven. Citing Allah as
52 -
my Witness, I assert that I have never seen anyone better,
more well-behaved, more pious, more righteous, more
absorbed in love of God and the Prophet. He was a light
that appeared in the world for humanity. He was a rain of
mercy that was showered on the earth after a long spell of
drought, and made the earth green and verdant."
Finally, I supplicate our All-Merciful and All-Forgiving
Lord:
Heavenly Lord, I have, in accordance with my limited
knowledge and power of understanding, related in this
gathering some incidents of the holy life of Thy Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, so that, his followers may walk
in his footsteps, and be imbued with the character with which
he desired to see his Community invested.
Gracious Lord, through Thy sheer grace, convert us, in the
trueisense of the term, into a holy Community of Thy Holy
Messiah, and grant us the strength to pursue the path of
Thy Pleasure.
Let not, Lord, any design of our opponents, any trial or
tribulation, any false notion of our dignity, any base desire,
any spite or rancour, any conjecture based on defective or
presumptive evidence, lead us astray from the right path.
Lord, shower Thy grace upon us, for nothing can be achieved
and accomplished without Thy grace. Amen. All praise
belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
*v
53
MIRZA MUBARAK AHMAD: grandson of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmac
the Promised Messiah and Mahdi (peace be on him), Mirza Mubarak Ahmad wa
born in May 1914, nearly two months after his father, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmu
Ahmad, the late Head of the Ahmadiyya Movement, was elected as the Secou
Successor of the Promised Messiah.
On completing his studies in Arabic and graduation from the Punjab Universit)
Mirza Mubarak Ahmad dedicated his life to the service of Islam and at presen
directs the affairs of theJTahrik-i-Jadid, Anjuman Ahmadiyya (Pakistan) of whit
he is the Chief Director. In that capacity he controls the Movement's variot
Missions outside the Indo-Pak sub-continent and in this connection has visited mo^
of the European countries, the U.S.A., Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japai
Philippines, some countries of West Africa and Malaysia as well as Indonesi,
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Links and Related Essay’s
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2018/11/23/our-foreign-missions-1961-edition-by-mirza-mubarak-ahmad-grandson-of-mga/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Tags
#ahmadiyya #ahmadiyyafactcheckblog #messiahhascome #ahmadiyyat #trueislam #ahmadianswers #ahmadiyyamuslimcommunity #ahmadiyya_creatives #ahmadiyyatthetrueislam #ahmadiyyatzindabad #ahmadiyyatrueislam #ahmadiyyamuslim #ahmadiyyatrueislam #mirzaghulamahmad #qadian #qadianism
9 Pingback