'Musleh Maoud': Then & Now

Divine revelations and prophecies unravel in subtle ways in the fullness of time: testifying to the Grandeur and Mercy of the Lord by confirming the essential truth of what a Divine Elect foretells the world. Yet, the ways of the Lord Almighty are unknowable for the most part, except to the extent and limits of what He chooses to reveal through His Elects. Sometimes, even the Divine Elects themselves may not comprehend in full measure the nuances and implications of a Prophecy they are made to proclaim, as the Lord in His Infinite Wisdom may choose to keep hidden certain aspects till a time or "substitute one revelation for another and God knows best what He reveals" (16:102,  2:107, 13:40). And the realization of such prophecies, thus, often may not confirm to the dominant notions and prevailing imaginations of people. 

Today, there are major differences of opinion among the various Ahmadi sects about the meaning and interpretative implications of the prophecy on "Musleh Maoud" made by the Khalifatullah of the previous era, Al Imam Al Mahdi,  Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. 'Mainstream' Ahmadis of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Qadian) feel that the prophecy was fulfilled in the person of the second caliph, Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra) (1889-1965) and they attach only some anecdotal value to the fulfillment of this prophecy today, as they do not find any contemporary relevance to it, in a new century of Islam. On the other hand, many other sects of Ahmadis who also believe in the spiritual claims of the Promised Massih (as), do not consider that the prophecy regarding the advent of a Musleh Maoud is fulfilled, especially since they retain, regrettably,  animus against the family and physical progeny of the Promised Massih (as). Many of these groups also feel that the fulfillment of the prophecy is only concerned with the advent of a Ma'mur in the new century of Islam- in the Fifteenth Century Hijri, and are waiting for a spiritual churning to take place within the world of Ahmadiyya Islam, especially with the advent of  a number of claimants who say they are recipients of Divine revelations in this era.   

Remembering 'Musleh Maoud'

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (as) was the second successor of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). He was a distinguished Khalifa because his birth was foretold by a number of previous prophets and saints. Moreover, the Promised Messiah (as) received a Divine Sign for the truth of Islam as a result of his forty day's prayers at Hoshiarpur (India). God Almighty told him that a pure son would be born to him within the period of nine years. He had already published this prophecy regarding his Muslih Ma'ud (Promised Reformer) 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. He was named Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad. 

The prophecy about Muslih Ma'ud had also specified some special qualities of the promised son and reformer. 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.

'Learn to Dance with Your Soul'

Our era is drowned in Synthetic Pleasures

My dear disciples, please be aware that Muslims who copy Europeans seek the source of the Kawthar (Paradisiacal fountain) in a mirage. They are all ignorant of the secrets of faith; They are filled with hatred and resentment. Goodness and good are a dead letter for the privileged (the rich in this world); I found only truth and purity among the small people (i.e. those of humble means). Learn to distinguish people of religion (faith) and people of hatred. Seek out a true friend and stay with him.

I am afraid of that time (era) which has seen you born O my dear disciple - you who are the reflection of my own soul; It (that is, this era) is drowned in (worldly) matter, and knows little about the soul. As the body loses its value when the soul is absent, the man of God hides within himself. The search does not succeed in finding him, although it sees him face to face. So do not give up the taste for research, even if a hundred difficulties arise in your life. 

Need for Righteous Company in the Quest for God 

If you do not find the company of a wise man, take from me what comes from my father and my ancestors. Choose my master (Nabi Kareem, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) as a companion, so that God may grant you the desire and fervour (of faith), for my master (pbuh) knows how to distinguish things and knows the bark (of a tree; in other words, the extrinsic) and the core (i.e., the intrinsic). His foot stands firmly on the road that leads to the Friend (Allah). Many explanations have been given about him, but no one has really understood him. His true meaning escaped us, like the gazelle.

Men have learned to dance with their bodies, reciting their words, but their eyes have not opened to the dance of the soul! The dance of the body make dust swirl whereas the dance of the soul moves the heavens. Science and wisdom come from the dance of the soul. The earth and the sky also come from this dance. It gives the individual the rapture of Moses, and thanks to it, the community (of the pious) becomes the heir of the Kingdom!