Remembering 'Musleh Maoud'

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.”

Religious Liberty: Islamic Teachings

“And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return and He will inform them about what they used to do.” (6: 109)

Respect for other faiths is an essential part of Islam as it should be for all faiths also. Respect for each other’s religion plays a vital role in maintaining peace at familial, social, environmental, national and international levels.

To each Muslim, liberty of religious belief and practice must be dear since tolerance is a vital part of Islamic faith. Religious liberty practiced in any society guarantees also liberty of scientific discussion within it and a tolerance of the views of others, so essential to the growth of science.

'Ethnic Cleansing' of Muslims in Central Africa

LIBREVILLE: "Ethnic cleansing" is being carried out against Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic, with international peacekeepers unable to prevent it, Amnesty International said on Wednesday. France's defence minister earlier called on international forces deployed in the Christian-majority country to put an end to attacks by the militias "by force if needed". Amnesty said it had documented at least 200 killings of Muslim civilians by Christian militia groups known as the anti-balaka, set up in the wake of the March 2013 coup by the mainly-Muslim Seleka rebellion. (Inset: Burning/looting of Muslim property and a mosque in PK 26 area, north of the capital Bangui in late January.© Amnesty International)

"Ethnic cleansing' of Muslims has been carried out in the western part of the Central African Republic, the most populous part of the country, since early January 2014," Amnesty International said in a report. "Entire Muslim communities have been forced to flee, and hundreds of Muslim civilians who have not managed to escape have been killed by the loosely organised militias known as anti-balaka."