Prophecies & Signs about the Islamic Messiah
Ja’alnaaka al-Massih Ibn Mariam
We have made you the Messiah, son of Mary
This was in keeping with the prediction of the Holy Prophet (pbuh):
Yakhrojul Mahdiyo Min Qaryatin Yoqalo Lahaa
Kad’ha
i.e., “The Mahdi will appear in a village the name
of which will be called Kad’ha”. (Jawahirul-Asrar, p. 55).
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “When the 13th
century of the Hegira drew to a close and the beginning of the 14th
century approached, I was informed by God Almighty, through revelation, that I
was the Mujaddid (Reformer) for the 14th Century”. (Kitabul
Bariyya, p.201).
He further said in another one of his writings: “It
was disclosed to me through Divine revelation a few years later that the
Messiah that had been promised from the earliest time to this nation and that
the last Mahdi (Reformer) who was destined to appear after the deterioration of Islam and who was to be granted direct
guidance from God and who was to provide once again the spiritual nourishment,
as had been pre-ordained, and about whom glad tidings had also been given by
the Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself 1300 years ago, is none other than me.”
(Tadhkiratush Shahadatain, p.1).
He also said: “The holy and pure revelation of God
has informed me that I have been sent by Him as the Promised Messiah and as the
Promised Mahdi and as Arbiter for the internal and external differences.”
(Arba’een)
In the Revealed Sermon [Khutba Ilhaamiya], Hazrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) called out to the people and said: “O ye people: I
am the Muhammadi Messiah and I am the Ahmad Mahdi: God is really with me from
my childhood to my grave”. (Khutba Ilhamia, p. 17).
And concerning his claim, he further said: “The
truth is that Islam is in dire need of help from God; I am the reformer of the
age. It is delightful that God did not leave Islam helpless in this state and
sent me, according to His law, so I could revitalize it.” (Malfoozat, Vol. 9,
p. 158).
The claim of Hazrat Ahmad (as) has been testified by
the signs appearing in heaven and earth. For instance, Dar Qutni, an eminent
authority, records a saying of the Holy Prophet (pbuh):
Inna Le Mahdeena Aayataaini Lam Takoona Munzo Khalqis Samawati Wal Arzi Yankhasiful Qamaro Le Awwalilailatin Min Ramazane Wa Tankhasifushamso Fin Nisfi Minho Wa Lam Takoonaa Munzo Khalaqallahus Samawati Wal Arza,
i.e., “For our Mahdi there shall be two signs which have never happened for anyone else since the creation of the heavens and the earth. At his advent there shall occur an eclipse of the moon in the first of its appointed nights, an eclipse of the sun on the middle one of its appointed dates; and both will occur in the month of Ramadan.” (Dar Qutni, p. 188)
The prophecy does not mean that the occurrence of the
eclipse would in itself be unique and unprecedented. But the prophecy predicted
1300 years beforehand that two of the signs of the true Mahdi would be that the
sun and the moon would be eclipsed in the manner indicated. Eclipses have no
doubt occurred before but never as a sign of the advent of a heavenly reformer;
because there has never been in the history of the world a claimant of any kind
at the time of the phenomena described. It is also confirmed by the Holy Quran
(Al-Qiyamah 75: 6-9) which refers to the same prophecy.
Now according to this the eclipse of the moon actually
occurred on Thursday evening the 13th of Ramadan, 1311 Hijri (21
March 1894) and that of the sun occurred on Friday morning the 28th
of the same Ramadan (06 April 1894). The eclipse of the moon generally occurs
on the 13th, 14th, or 15th day of a lunar
month and according to the prophecy, it occurred on the first date. The eclipse
of the sun can occur on the 27th, 28th, and 29th
and it occurred on the 28th which was the middle date predicted.
Hence, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) rightly claimed that the prophecy was
strong evidence on the truth of his claim as no one except God has power over
these heavenly bodies.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) wrote: “The signs
fulfilled so far are so numerous that there is no room left for an honest mind
to deny them. All the earthly and heavenly signs of the appearance of the
Promised Messiah have been manifested in my time. The eclipses of the sun and
the moon in the month of Ramadan happened some time ago, the comet has
appeared; earthquakes have occurred; epidemics became rampant; Christianity has
forcefully spread in the world and as was written, opposition to me has been
very intense. All these signs have been fulfilled.” (Kitabul Bariyya, p.
259-260)
We must note however that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) is not the last Messiah or Mahdi, concretely speaking. In other words, he is the Seal of the Messiahs. His advent as the Islamic Messiah is the first of its kind after the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The metaphor used by the Messiah of Allah and Islam in his writings and speeches are in line with the parables used by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and all prophets (as).
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “I am the claimer of Promised Messiah, and this is not the only claim of mine, that only I am the one and the last Promised Messiah. Hence, according to me it is possible that after my age (time period) ten thousands (10,000) Promised Messiahs shall come. But for this age (time period) I am the Promised Messiah.”
He then, writes: “It is also evident that this view is not mine alone. The ‘mirror images’ of the Massih could be several persons - This is also not just a personal opinion of mine. This is actually the essence of the great prophetic traditions in this regard. There could be around 30 Dajjals till the Day of Judgement. Thus 30 Dajjals might appear in the world. Based on the prophecy “Li Kulli Dajjalin Isa”, at least 30 Massihs should come. Due to these descriptions, the other Massihs will make an appearance at some other time. All this is perfectly possible”. (Izala Auham, pg.197)
Blessed are those who recognize the imam of the age
and join the fold of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of this era, and that of
the past era as was commanded by the Holy Prophet (pbuh): Man Maata Wa Lam Ya’ Arif Imam Zamanihee Faqad Maata Meetatal
Jahilliyyata, i.e., “He who dies in a condition that he has not
recognized the Imam of the age dies a death of ignorance.” (Musnad Ahmad
Bin Hanbal, Vol.6, p.29-30).
The Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as)
has rightly remarked when he said:
“Had my claim been put forward on my own, you would
have been free to reject me, but if God’s Holy Prophet bears witness for me in
his prophecies and God manifests His
signs in my support, then do not wrong yourselves by rejecting me. Say not that
you are Muslims and have no need of accepting any Messiah.”
“I tell you truly that he who accepts me accepts him
who has prophesied about me thirteen hundred years in advance, and had
indicated the time of my appearance, and had specified my function; and he who
rejects me rejects him who had commanded that I should be accepted.” (Ayyamus Sulah, p. 93)
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we are honoured to be the followers of that noble soul whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). His era and mine are blessed thoroughly with the Mighty Presence of Allah and the descent of the Ruh’il Quddus.
Insha-Allah, in a few days, we will enter that extremely blessed month when the Holy Quran was first revealed, that is, the month of Ramadan, and wherein is that special night which reaps the blessings of a thousand months of divine blessings.
Today, fortunate are those who are
living that special night throughout their lifetimes and have recognized the
one anointed by Allah and reinforced with the Ruh’il Quddus. You are
living the Night of Decree, and such a Night has spanned so much so that it
accommodates your whole lifetime for as long as the Blessed Messenger of Allah
and Reformer of Islam and Humanity is alive amidst you. Be happy that such a
time is being witnessed by all of you and fortunate are those who recognize
this blessed time and messenger, the Khalifatullah, Messiah and Mahdi of the
age who has come to enlighten this world which is grope in the darkness of
ignorance and association with God.
Blessed are you who are with the Khalifatullah
Al-Mahdi and strive with your time, wealth and selves to bring about
reformation in the world for the pleasure of Allah, only for the pleasure of
Allah, to bring back the glory of Islam and the Tawheed (Unity of Allah)
in the world.
May Allah bless all those who follow the righteous path and obey the Khalifatullah of this era. Humanity is in danger but as one body, we can and will strive, for as long as we live to bring about the glory of Islam to its peak, Insha-Allah, Ameen.