As you now all know, Hazrat
Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) was the second successor of the Promised
Messiah (as) from his own seed. His appointment as both Khalifatul-Massih and
Musleh Ma’ud proved to be fruitful to Islam throughout his life.
He was a distinguished
Caliph because his birth was foretold by a number of previous prophets and
saints. Moreover, the Promised Messiah (as), like I said again yesterday
received a divine sign for the truth of Islam as a result of his forty days
prayers at Hoshiapur, in India. Allah the Almighty told him that a pure son
(Zaki Ghulam) whom he named “Musleh Ma’ud” would be born to him within a period
of nine years. He had already published this prophecy regarding the Musleh
Ma’ud (ra) on 20 February 1886.
In accordance with this
divine prophecy and within the specified period, the promised son, was born to
the Promised Messiah (as) on 12 January 1889 at Qadian, despite that
unbeknownst to his father, it was his first-born living son who represented
that special hope for the future of Islam Ahmadiyyat. He was named Bashiruddin
Mahmud Ahmad (ra). The prophecy about Musleh Ma’ud had also specified some
special qualities of the promised son. For instance, it was foretold that he
would be extremely intelligent and highly learned. His fame will spread to the
ends of the earth and nations would be blessed through him.
He got his primary
education in a school of Qadian and then in the Taleemul Islam school when it
started in 1898. He could not do well in his studies due to his persistent
ill-health. His academic career came to an end in March 1905, when he failed in
the Matriculation examination. About two years before this, in October 1903, he
had married Sayyidah Mahmooda Begum Saheba (also known as, Hazrat Umm-e-Nasir).
He started learning the
translation of the Holy Quran and the Hadith from Hazrat Moulvi Nooruddin (ra).
Moreover, he began his independent study of religion, history, literature and
various other subjects. He developed into a great scholar and had mastery over
many subjects. Thus, the following prophecy of the Promised Messiah (as)
regarding Musleh Maud was clearly fulfilled in his person:
“…
He will be extremely intelligent and understanding and will be meek of heart
and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.”
He received his first
divine revelation in 1905, when he was only sixteen years old:“I will place
those who follow you above those who disbelieve until the day of Resurrection.”