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I~. ,J I "ALLAH HAS i.:. "'; ,.

':~;I PROMISED TO ~!Y?: ...

\"') \ THOSE OF YOU ~,

.~~ '" WHO BELIEVE :<9"

~, 'AND no GOOD' ';..

THAT HE WILL MOST CERTAINLY MAKE THEM RlJLERS IN THE EARTH AS HE MADE > RULERS THOSE BEFORE THEM"

(OH. XXIV: 55.)

(~t()%.$C~7;~DJ~f:r

.,.. ... _.... .,. IfI' ..

"What will be your condition when the Son of Mary will descend among you ? Who will he be? He will be your Imam, (Spiritual Leader) who will, be born from among you" (Bukharee.) I

•

r~l

THE "TRIUMPH OF ISLAM" BY

Hazreth Mirza Ghulam Ahmed. the Promised Masih(Measiah), and Expected Mahdi; Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the times and Reformer of the Fourteenth Century. Qadian, Gurdaspur District. Punjab. India.

TRANSLATED BY BISBEER IHMED SIYIID.

IIADR.l.S.

All Rights Reser'lled.

www.aaiil.org

:....>J' '.J

.r- ):.;p?r- •

,,1 I "~

"I"i~ ~:Il!_ ..

111'l~" ~~/;-_

I.'''..;.' - _... .-

-:,I.~ I - ~e;~

III,?, .. ALLAH HAS -~,\

.~ , <, ...

': ),1 PROMISED TO '*\

,"\" THOSE OF YOU . ~'

.~:::. WHO BELIEVE ~.~

AND DO GOOD ~-

THAT HE WILL MOST CERTAINLY MAKE THEM RULERS IN THE EARTH AS HE MADE RULERS THOSE BEFORE THEM"

(CH. XXIV: 55.)

( L£~rx:):C~j;j0;~3f?

./ .. /.. ./ ,; ....

"What will be your condition when the Son of Mary will descend among you? Who will he be? He will be your Imam, (Spiritual Leader) who will be born from among you" (Bukharee.)

•

(~l

THE "TRIUMPH OF ISLAM" BY

Haareth Mirza Ghulam Ahmed the Promised Masih (Messiah), and Expected Mahdi, Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the times and Reformer of the Fourteenth Century, Qadian, Gurdaspur District, Punjab, India.

TRANSLATED BY

BASHEER AHMED SAIEED, MADRAS.

www.aaiil.org

Printed at the Guardian Press. tS8-B. Broadway. Madras. 1923

,.,

'L\~

~ ;";,,G-

"THE TRIUMPH OF ISLAM"

AND

"Goodnews of the Glory of God and an Invitation towards the ways of following Him and towards the Methods of helping Him."

BY

Mirza Ghulam Ahmed

Reformer of the Age and Masih (Messiah) of the Times. Quadian, Gurdaspur District. Punjab. India.

"What doubt is there for you to believe in this Masih, whose likeness God has testified to? Do not Expert Physicians receive the same title conferred by you? And have you not

made even Beauties your

Messiah?"

(JAMADI-UL-AVVAL, A.B. 1308.) TRANSLATED BY

BASHEER AHMED SAYEED, M.A., AT THE DESIRE OF

M. AHMED BATCHA SAHEB, B.A., President of the "Anjuman-e-Isha'at-e-Islam" Madras.

INDIA.

www.aaiil.org

Copies can be had 01:-

T HE-ANJUMAN-E-ISHA' AT -E-ISLAM,

P. O. Box. 169, MADRAS.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE.

To My Readers,

As the Christians seem to believe still in the Divinity of Christ, and kindred doctrines, and as a vast number of the Muslims being misguided by the ignorant Theologians of the present age, still believe in, and entertain hopes of the second ad. vent of Jesus of Nazereth, I have undertaken the translation of this small treatise of the AHMEDIAH SERIES into English, which constitutes but the first step of the very elaborate refutation of these doctrines. This elaborate and crushing argument is presented by the Author, in three sue .. cessive volumes of which, the one that is translated is the . first; and the readers will be glad to learn that the translation of the second volume also, is almost finished and I hope the manuscripts will be ready for the press within a few weeks.

In translating these volumes, my desire has been only to put facts within easy reach of the English knowing public; and in this traslation I have tried, as far as itlay in my power, to be faithful to the spirit of the original Urdu text, though I must crave the indulgence of my readers for being too

6

literal. Before I finish this short note, I cannot refrain from giving expression to my feelings of intense gratefulness to my friend and patron, M. Ahmed Batcha Saheb, B. A., Madras, at whose desire and encouragement, this small at. tempt of mine has come to fruition, and under whose able presidentship, the Anjuman.e-lshaate-Islam of Madras, to which also my thanks are due, has undertaken to bring this translation to the light of day. May peace and the choice blessings of Allah be upon him for ever!

MADRAS, 1

JANUARY 1923. S

BASHEER AHMED BAYEED.

Oh readers! May God bless you in this world and in the Here-After. After the lapse of a long in. terval, this humble servant takes the opportunity of drawing your attention towards an important topic in connection with that Divine Mission, which has

been entrusted to him for the support Introduction.

and protection of Islam, by God, the

Most High. And under this topic I wish to make clear to you, to the best of my power of speech gifted to me by God, the greatness of this Movement and the necessity for the success of that Mission; and therby get myself relieved of that duty of propagation which is incumbent upon me. Thus, in the exposition of this topic, I am not concerned, in the least, with the effects that this writing may have upon the minds of the readers; my purpose is only to discharge, in the most desirable manner, the duty which rests on me, and to deliver the message which I am in duty bound to bring home to all, not caring whether the people hear it with willing ears or whether they look down upon me with contempt and ridicule; or whether they bear good-will towards me or entertain evil thoughts against me in their heart of hearts; "for I leave everything to God, Who is observing His servants." In the following pages, I propose to deal with the subject of which promise has been made above.

Oh seekers of Truth and lovers of Islam! You

8

are aware that this age, in which we live, is so over-run by forces of darkness, that in every affair concerning Faith or Action, serious discord and strife has arisen. In every direction darkness and error are rampant; that which is called Faith, has given place to a few words, which are simply to be professed by the lips. Those actions, which go by the name of good actions, are understood to be the performing of certain ceremonies and the indulgence in certain extravagances and vanities. Real Righteousness has become wholly an unknown thing; even presentday Philosophy and Sciences are quite opposed to real spiritual growth; the knowledge of Philosophy and the other Sciences seems to drag their adherents only towards gross injustice, and their effects seem to be the most unwhole-

This age is one of error (degradation) and m i s g u i . dance.

Persons learned in Philo. sophy and the other Sciences mock at Reli-

g'ion,

some; they set in motion the injurious tendencies in men and stimulate the Satan that rests in them. Those who have anything to do with those Sciences acquire such unbeliefs that they begin

to look down upon the principles established by God, such as Fasting, Prayer and other tenets of worship with contempt and ridicule. In their hearts, there is no feeling of reverence for or awe at the existence of God; but, on the contrary many of

9

them have been so influenced by Atheistic ideas, and Agnosticism has so permeated every particle of the blood that flows in their viens that they yet pass by the name of the children of Muslims~ though in fact they are the very enemies of IslamWhat happens in the case of most of the Collegegoing students is, that long before they could become releived of the study of the necessary sciences, they become absolved from and done with Religion, and their symapthy with it. I have so far spoken about only one section of the community which is immersed at the present day in the depths of darkness and ignorance. But besides this, there are hundreds of other sections which are by no means less ignorant.

Honesty and Trust have ceased to exist on earth.

It is generally observed, that trust and honesty have so far ceased to exist on this earth, that they seem to have been completely wiped off. To win this world and its lucre, deceit and treachery have become so rife, that he is considered to be the most capable and competent, who is the most mischievous in the land. Habits of dishonesty, untrustworthiness, wickedness, cheating, falsehood, extreme cunning, lustful designs and meanness have all spread over this earth. Fueds and factions, actuated by inhuman motives, are on the increase; and a storm of animal instincts and sexual

10

passions of the lowest order is raging all around. To the extent the people advance in their energy and intelligence in the various sciences and arts of the present day, to that extent do their natural characteristics of goodness, righteousness, sense of shame and honour, and their essential qualities of God.fearingness and trustworthiness seem to be on the wane.

The teachings of Christianity also are contriving many devices to wipe out Truth

and Belief from this world; and in order to destroy Islam, they spend their precious energies in manufacturing such complicated falsehoods and scheme out such plans, that they think of losing no opportunity and of missing no occasion to vilify Islam. They invent fresher and newer schemes and discover fresh tactics and manouvres to confound people and lead them astray. They leave no stone unturned to calumniate the Perfect of all men, who was the pride of all sacred personalities, the chief of all the chosen of God, and the Lord of all the great prophets of God; so much so, that with the greatest diabolical ingenuity, they present pictures of the Religion of Islam and its pure Guide, in dramas and other theatrical shows, in all wicked. ness and vileness. Farces are enacted, and such utterly false allegations and calumnies are spread

The Christian people present the life of the Holy Prophet in all wicked ways.

11

through the medium of theatres, that no kind of rascality is left without being resorted to, just to wipe out the dignity of the religion of Islam and of its exalted Prophet.

Now,Oh Muslims! Hear, and hear with attention! what complicated calumnies are being resorted to by these Chris. tian nations, to destroy the pure effects of the teachings of Islam; what cunning and knavish plans are adopted by them; how they exert themselv.es, and how they spend their wealth like water, just to give currency to those falsehoods; so much so, that they have not hesitated to have recourse to even the most shameful devices, discussion of which may best be avoided here. The arts of witch. craft and sorcery that are practised by these Christian nations and the supporters of Trinity, are so enchanting that unless and until God, who has Power in Him to work miracles, shows forth His Mighty hand in opposition to their witchcraft, and thereby annihilates their magical contrivances by His miracles, it passes beyond one's thought and comprehension, how these simple hearts are to be eman, cipated at all from the evil effects of the sorcery of the Europeans. So God, the Most High, in order todestroy the effects of their enchantment, has shown

God has bless. ed this servant with Revelation and His special characteristics and has sent him in this age to save His p eople from the rna , gical enchant. ment of. and so to oppose. the Europeans.

12

this miracle to the true Muslims of this age, viz., that He honoured this servant (the writer) with His revelations, showered on him the choicest blessings, blessed him with an ocean of perfect knowledge of all His delicate and intricate ways ·and sent him to oppose the opponents. Besides, He bestowed on him heavenly gifts, great wonders and spiritual knowledge and subtle faculties that he might, by means of that heavenly stone, smash that idol of wax, which the sorcery of Europe had moulded for itself. Therefore, Oh Mussalmans I Know, that the appearance of this humble servant is a rare miracle, worked by God, the Most High, to remove the magical effects that have darkened the world. Was it not essential too that a miracle should be worked as against sorcery on this earth? Does it seem strange and surprising to you, that in counteraction to the machinations that have reached a real stage of witchcraft, God should manifest, such a light of Truth in such a manner .as it might have the effect of a miracle?

Oh! men of understanding! Do not wonder at this, that God, in these 'times of necessity and in these days of all • envisaging darkness, has sent a Heavenly light; and that he sent a servant of His on this earth, for the reformation of Humanity in general,

God has pro. .mised in His Book that He ·will safeguard His Qurani c Teachings; and it would have been a wonder. if he had only

13

and especially with this purpose in view, that he should exalt the teachings of Islam, and propagate the light of the Best of all mankind (Holy Prophet) and for the help and support of Musalmans and also for the purification of their inner life. Wondrous it would have been, if God, the Protector of the religion of Islam, who had promised to be the Guardian of the Quranic teachings and to save its purity from the ravages of time and clime, and from being deprived of its light and lustre, had, in these days of darkness, of internal and external strife, kept Himself inactive, without redeeming His promise, which He had made in the various passages of His Holy Book! Again, I would say, that there would have been room for astonishment, if the clear prophecy of that Holy Prophet, in which it was expressed that God the most High, would send at the commencement of every century, such a servant of His as would revive and renew His religion, had not been fulfilled/· So this is

kept silent; and if the prophecy in the Hadees

(Tradition) had also been disproved.

1. The ceremonial and ostentatious propagation and translations of the Holy Quran; or the translating of the religious books of Islam or the Traditions of the Prophet. into Urdu or Persian. and giving currency to them; or the teaching of unfruitful rites and observances. which are mere innovations. as is the fashion of many of the so.called order of Mashaeqs (holy persons) of the present day; these transactions are not euchas would strictly and really deserve to be called Reviving

14

no occasion for wonder; but on the other hand, this is the time for offering our thanks to God, in the most profuse manner, and for the strengthening and confirming of one's own faith and belief, realising at the same time that God Almighty has redeemed His promise by His divine Grace and Bounty, and has not delayed, even for a moment, the fulfilment of the prophecy made by His Apostle, and He has not only shown the fulfilment of the prophecy, but has also laid the doors open, for thousands of prophecies and miracles in the Future. And if you are believers, then render thanks and offer prayers of thanks-giving, for the age, for the advent of which, your ,forefathers eagerly awaited and passed away, and in the expectation of and

of the Religion. On the contrary. the last mentioned methods are nothing short of the renewal of the ways of the Devil.and they are really hindrances in the way of Islam. No doubt the diffusion of the Holy Quran and the correct Traditions of the Prophet is a noble work. But the doing of such work with great exertion. labour. thought. and effort. and in all ostentatiousness. but without their own selves being actually modelled, on the Quran and the Traditions. is such an unreal and vain task. that it could be easily performed by every learned person and such services are ceaselessly being rendered too. They have no connection with the mission of Reformation and Revival. All such activities are in the sight of God. the Almighty. nothing but mere Grave-digging. God says:- "Oh you who believe I Why do

True Rev; val of the Religion is brought about only by those who are the Vice-gerents of the Prophet; and the lustre of Gods' revelation is shed upon them.

.:.>~ ~~J",~~I~G.~ [;., J~foll~i.>-,~)

you lay that which you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah

15

longing for which, countless generations had to see the end of their journey, that age, you have come to live in. Now, to take advantage of it or not, to reap benefit out of it or not, all these, lie in your hands. I shall describe it more often in the course of this treatise; and I shall not be deterred from proclaiming to the world, that I am the person, who has been sen t for the reformation of the huaman-race, in order that, Religion might once more be firmly established in the hearts of the people, in a renewed manner. I am sent in the

that you should say that which you do not do. (Ch. 41: v. 1 & 2.) And further He says i- .. Oh you who believe! keep yourselves and

~ x.:.'AY:' J /~y p~_;.,\-:.:u)l~I~

your souls immune. so that if you are in the right. those who are in error may not harm you." How can the blind lead the blind? And one. who is lost to himself. how could he purify the hearts of others? Renovation of the religion is that pure characteristic. which descends with that loving affection. on that heart. which has reached the stage of communion with God. Then. sooner or later. it begins to influence other minds. Those that derive their strength for reriova , tion from God. the Most High. are not g rave-di g g ers. nor are they any lovers of vain-glory. But in truth. they become the actual repre. sentatives of the Prophet of God and his spiritual Successors. God makes them the inheritors of all the blessings. which are bestowed upon the apostles and prophets: and their utterances happen to be spontaneous and not artificial or invented or laboured; and they speak in the living present. manifesting originality rather than imitation. The lustre of God's revelation is shed upon their hearts. and in every trial and tribulation. they are tutored by the Holy Inspiration or Spirit. In their speech and in their actions. there is no admixture of worldliness; for they have been completely purified and are drawn away from this world wholely and perfectly.

18

God will de. clare His Truth through many vehement a ttacks.

These are not the words of any man, but they are the revelations and words of God, glory be unto him; and I believe the time of those onslaughts is fast approaching. But these attacks

will not be made with daggers or arrows, nor will there be any recourse to rimes and swords; but on the contrary, the help of God, the Mighty, will descend along with spiritual arms. There shall be severe fighting with the Jews. Who are they? They are those, who are the worshippers of formalities and externalities, and who follow the Jews, in every item of their conduct without the least deviation. The heavenly sword of God will break all these into two pieces, and the cha-

are evaded by elaborate explanations and interpretations. Even many of our Ulemas (learned scholars) are in no way less than the Pharisees and Scribes of old. They vomit a gnat but swallow a camel; they close up the doors of the Kingdom of God before the people; neither do they themselves enter into it, nor do they allow others to take advantage of it. They offer prolonged and elaborate prayers. but in their heart, of hearts. there is no love or reverence for the greatness of the True God. They ascend on the pulpits and deliver very enthusiastic sermons; but, their private dealings are quite otherwise; how wonderful are their eyes that, inspire of the insolence of their hearts and their mischievous intentions, they retain excellent prowess for lamentations, and how astonishing are their tongues that. inspire of the utter alienage or strangeness ef their hearts, they persistently make professions of fellowship and friendliness. In,this wise, the habits and characteristics of the Jews of Yore, are visible in every direction; great changes have come over the attributes of God.fearingness and guarding against evil; weakness of Faith has frozened their love of Cod; people ale being overpowered by the love of this world; and no wonder! for, such a stage was bound to come.

19

racteristics of the Jews will be wiped out, and every concealer of truth, anti-Christ, Mammon-worshipper and every one-eyed man who possesses no spiritual eye, will be slain by the sword of incontrovertible and incontestible arguments, and Truth will gain the victory; and for Isalm, will revive the days of renewed vigour and brightness, which it had once before enjoyed; its Sun will ascend in the sky with all its splendour, as it did in former times. But, just now, it is not to be so; for, it is felt necessary, that the Heavens should arrest its ascent, until our hearts burst into blood on account of our efforts and exertions; until every worldly

For. the Holy Prophet. peace be upon him. has prophesied that upon his followers. "there will come a time. which will resemble exae , tly and in every aspect. the time of the Jews: and that they will do every thing that the Jews had performed in their days;so much so that if the Jews had entered any rat.hole, his followers also would enter it. Then. at such a time there shall be born from the line of Persia. a teacher of Reli g ion, and if religion were even found suspended in the Pleiades. he will secure it." This is the prophecy of the Prophet. the truth of which has been made mani , fest to this humble servant by means of divine revelation. and whose significance also. has been made clear to me. in all its details. And He has made it known to me. that Masih. the Son of Mary who made his advent 1400 years after the appearance of Moses. was in fact. no other than a religious Teacher. appointed by God in that age, in which the Jews had fallen on evil days. having become weak in faith. and depraved in morality, So also. the same disasters and calamities have fallen upon the people of this age. after the lapse of nearly 1400 years. after 'thelbirth of the

The Blessed Prophet has prophesied that his followers will. in a certain age. have wholesa Ie resemblance to the Jews of yore. And so it has come to pass; & according to the prophecy. the person f rom the line of 'Far as' (Persia). who will teach about faith is no other than the like of Masih(Messiah)

20

comfort is sacrificed for the sake of bringing about its manifestation; and until we choose to submit to every kind of degradation for the honour and exaltation of Islam. The regeneration of Islam requires of us a sacrifice; what is that sacrifice? It is our dying for its sake; and it is this death, on which are dependent the life of Islam, the life of the musalmans, and the manifestation of the glory of the living God; and all this, in other words, is comprehensively termed " Islam". It is the bringing of this Islam to life, that God has taken upon Himself; and it was essential that He should establish a

Holy Prophet. in order that the prophecy made concerning them. might be fulfilled. Therefore. it is that God has raised a religious Teacher in the likeness of Messiah. for this generation as well. This il the Masih who was to come. Accept him if you will. Those who have ears. let them hear; this is the work of God. and in the sight of the people. it seems strange. If anyone dares to belie this fact. I would only say. that righteous people have already been denied by the preceeding generations; that the Jews never acknowledged John. the son of Zacharias. even though Messiah bore sure testimony that he was the same person. who was taken up towards the heaven. and whose second coming is written in sacred scriptures. God always

uses metaphors and figures in His language; and

in consideration of " common temperament. nature. feature and talents. He calls His servants with like names; he. who possesses a heart of Ibrahim. becomes Ibrahim in the sight of God; and he. who possesses the heart of Umar.el-Farooq. becomes Umar.al-Faropq, in His sight. Have you not considered the saying of the Prophet to the effect. that if there were any Muhaddis (Renovator or Traditionist) with whom God would converse. Umar-al-Farooq will be that person in the sight of God? Could this saying mean that the art of narration and compilation of .the Traditions, hM come to an end with Umar? No! Never; but the meaning

God always makes use of metaphors in His Language.

21

great movement, efficient in every manner, in order to bring this important task to fruition. So it is, that the wise and powerful God has sent this humble servant, for the reformation and reclamation of

God has sent His creatures; and for drawing and thia servant to leading people towards Right and reform the peo-

ple and has di- Truth, He has divided the all-imvided the work

of the propoga- portant work of the helping of the

tion of Islam in. f T h d h .

to.various bran. cause 0 rut, an t e propogation

ches. of Islam, into various departments.

of the Hadis (saying) is this. viz., that if anybody reaches to the eminence of Umar, in spiritual affairs. he will become a narrator, compiler, and interpretor of the Traditions, in the age which has demand of him. So it was, that this humble servant. too. had once a revelation. in this connection. viz., that he will be possessed with the powers of Farooq. Besides the esential features. which this humble servant enjoys in common with other eminent people, the particulars of which have been elaborately described in'the previous volume of 'Buraheene Ahmediah', there is a special resemblance to the nature of Masih (Messiah); and it is because of this inherent resemblance. that this servant has been called in the name of Masih. so that he might shatter the beliefs of the Cross to pieces. Thus. I am sent to break the Cross and root out the wicked beliefs; I am descended from the Heavens. along with those pure Writers, which are on my right and on my left. and whom my God who is with me. will see (deposited) in the hearts of every responsive being; nay, He is already doing it. Even if I keep silent. and my pen cease to write. the Angels. which have descended with me. shall not stop their work; but they carry with them big maces. which have been granted to them to smash the Cross. and break the manacles of the worship of creatures of the world. Perhaps. one who ill

In the Tra· ditions Umar has been called Muhaddis. the mea n in g of which is that he who attains to the position of Umar will be a Muhaddis.

This servant by reason of natural resemblance to Masih has been sen t in the name of Masih to crush the beliefs of the Cross.

22

Of the many branches, one such branch is that of literary compositions and their publication, the management 0 f which, has been entrusted to the charge of this humble servant; and I have been given such knowledge and taught such intricacies, as are never acquired by the strength of man, but only by the strength of God, the Most High; and difficulties are solved not by human efforts, but by instructions of the Holy Inspiration.

First branch.

ignorant might wonder. as to the significance of the descending of the Angels. To him. be it made clear. that it has been the practice with Cod. that whenever he sends any Apostle or Prophet or Muhaddis for the rectification and reformation of His creatures. He sends along with him. in train. such Angels as would infuse into responsive hearts. right guidance and a desire for goodness and virtue; and such angels continue to descend. as long as ihe forces of evil and darkness. and of heresy and error, are not extirpated, and as long as the morning twilight of uprightness and honesty has not dawned. As God. glory be to Him. saysr- "The Angels and Inspiration descend in it by tho

permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace. it is till the break of the morning" (Ch. XCVII: v: 4 & 5.) Thus the descending of tho Angels and the holy inspiration. takes place only when a great and dignified person. invested with the high honour and distinction of the office of a deputyship.and attaining to eminence through the word of Cod. descends on the earth. Holy Inspiration is bestowed specially upon such a Deputy only. and. those angels which are with him. are made to descend upon all responsive minds. Then wherever. there are competent minds. upon them all. the splendour of that light is shed and a kind of resplendence spreads over the whole universe. And as a result of the pure influences of the Angels. ideas of righteousness and goodness are spontaneously created in the minds of the people. They begin to love the Oneness of God. and into the uncorrupted hearts. a

23

The second branch of this Movement is the publishing of notices and announcebrY::h. Second ments, which is to be continued for

the purposes of argumentation and disputations. Till now, more than 20,000, pamphlets have been issued, just to bring home to the people of other nations, the arguments of Islam; and they will be continued in future, whenever necessary.

spirit of truthfulness and love of fair-play and justice is breathed; the weak get strong. and in every direction there blows a wind. that strenghthens the aim and purpose of that Reformer. By the working

of a hidden hand of God. 'people are drawn. of

The meaning of the descent of Angels.

their own accord. towards goodness and virtue. there comes about an upheaval among the nations; then do ignorant people begin to apprehend that the world moves in the direction of Right. Truth and Hone.sty. But all this is only the. work of those angelic powers. which descend from the Heavens. along with the Vicegerent of God. and they bestow unusual talents for the understanding and acceptance of Truth; they rouse up the people from their slumber. bring those to consciousness who are amorous and intoxicated. they open the ears of the deaf. brecehe life into the dead and raise up those. who are in the graves; then. do people for once. open their eyes. and things that were once closed secrets. become manifest to them. In fact. these Angels are not in any way isolated from the Vicegerent of God. They are the li g ht.o] his countenance and the apparent tokens or symptoms of his spirit; and they draw towards themselves. by a sort of magnetism. all those who have any relation to him. indifferently of whether they are physically near or far. or whether they are friendly or hostile. whether they are even aware of the name or not. In short. every movement towards piety and virtue in this age. and every enthusiasm that is seen for the acceptance of Truth and Straightforwardness, whether that enthusiasm is born among the people of Asia, or the inhabitants of Europe. or the residents of America. this much i. certain. that they all are manifested through the activity of the

24

The third branch of this Mission consists of all those who proceed to and from Br!'n~h. Third this Mission, who sojourn long dis-

tances in search of Truth, who travel to it with diverse puposes, and those who, having had information of this Heavenly Mission, vend their ways hither, to interview, being goaded by their inner motives. This branch is also maintained in perfect working order, though during certain

Angels, which have descended in company with the Vicegerent of God. This is the divine law. in which you will not notice any alteration. and which is easy and simple of understanding; and if you do not ponder over this. it shall only be your misfortune; for this humble servant has come from God. in all truth and honesty. Hence. you will perceive signs of my truthfulness in every direction. You should know that. that time is not far. when you will witness companies of Angels descending from the Heavens. upon the hearts of the people of Asia. Europe and America. You have learnt from the Holy Quran that with the descending of the 'Khaleefathullah' (God's Vicegerent). it is necessary that Angels should also decend. in order to tum men's hearts towards the Right; so you will wait for this sign: and if you do not witness the decending down of the Angels and the perceptible influences of their I descent; and if you do not perceive the heaving of the hearts more than what is usual. then. you shall understand that no one descended from the Heavens. But if all these things come into being. then turn ye away from denying. for you may not stand condemned as an insolent nation before your God.

This servant bas been specialised wit h choice blessings and you cannot compete with him.

The second sign is this-that God has conferred upon this hum· ble servant. those choice blessings and those lights which are bestowed on His chosen servants. whom others cannot rival. So if you entertain any doubts about me. them come forward to face me; but be assured that you can never compete with me. for no doubt. you have powers of speech. but you have no heart within you; you have a body.

but there is no life in it; and you have the pupil in

25

seasons, this work is performed with great enthusiasm and in some other seasons with less vigour; for instance, during these seven years, more than 60,000 persons would have arrived as guests. As to how far any spiritual benefit has been derived by those who have receptive minds from among them, through the lectures delivered, and how far their difficulties solved, and their weaknesses removed, is a matter, which is best known to God alone. But there cannot be any doubt in this, that,

the eye. but there is no light in it. May God. Almighty. bestow light upon you that you may be able to see things for yourselves.

The third sign is this. viz-, that the Chosen Prophet. to believe in whom. you claim with pride. has written about this humble servant. which is found in the Traditions. but on which you have not cared to bestow a moment's thought. to this day. So. is it the case. that you are. in truth. the hidden enemies of the Holy Prophet. peace be upon him. and have you stood up thinking of denying him. rather than testifying to his veracity? Now. I know that many among you will write and promulgate decrees of Heresy (Kufr). and if it were only possible. you would have murdered me. But this Government is

Prophecy about the decrees of Heresy

not of that nation which is easily irritable. very incompetent in understanding. very backward in morality and which may seem to revive the life of the Jews of Yore. But this Government. though it does not possess within it. (he excellences of religion. yet. it is many times better than the rule of Herodias. with which Masih. the Son of Mary. has had dealings; and in the function of maintaining peace and securing general public welfare. in the safe-guarding of liberty and assuring of safety; in the education of the subject and the maintaining of law and order. and lastly in the punishment of criminals. this Government sur-

passes even many of the Islamic kingdoms of the present day. Just as the Inlinite Wisdom of God did not raise Masih (Jesus). during the reign of the Jews and under their Government. 80

This Government is many tim e s better than the government of Herodiaa,

26

the speeches which have been delivered or are being delivered, in response to questions, or what is explained and discussed on our own initiative and be-fittingly of the situation and opportunity; in short, this method has, under certain conditions, proved to be very effective and beneficial in winning over people, being very impressive and appealing to their hearts. This is the very reason why all the prophets have kept in view this method of teaching; and except the revelations of God, which have been recorded and published in a particular manner, all the sayings of the apostles in their respective ages, have been promulgated, as speeches deliver-

also did God keep in view the same policy. with regard to this humble servant as well. so that it might be a sign to those'who understand. If the disblieve r s of the present age treat me with scorn and ridicule. it is not a matter to be grieved at; for those who have passed before them also had treated their prophets in a worse manner; even Masih also was scorned and scoffed at. many a time. Once even his own brothers. who were born of the same mother. thought of adjudging him a lunatic and wished to confine him into a prison. Others thought of killing him; on several occasions they threw stones at him. and with utter contempt. they spat upon his face; nay. they had once almost killed him by nailing him to the Cross. in their fury and rage; but since his bones were not broken. he escaped from death with the aid of a faithful and good desciple, and after living and serving the rest of his life. he was taken up towards the Heavens. Even the desciples of Masih. (Jesus) his inseparable friends and his followers. all showed .waverirrg, when the time of test came. One received a bribe of Rs. 3D/·and had him arrested; another pointed him out and blasphemed against him to his very face; and the rest of them. who were- pretending themselves to be great friends. fled away

Previous people have also been mocked at; so much so that Masih. (Jesus) was nailed to the cross. but be escaped by the help of a righteous man.

27

ed on particular occasions. The general method of all prophets has been, like that of a lecturer,. fully conscious of the needs of the occasion; and having attained to spiritual strength, they delivered speeches and addresses on necessary occasions, to different congregations and associations, in consonance with the needs and condition of the audience ; very unlike the manner of the speakers of the present day, whose only aim is to show off their literary attainments, through their speeches, or to bring the simple-minded and ignorant people under their designs and strategems, by their false logic and sophistic arguments, and thereby, make them more fit for the Hellish fire than they themselves are. But the apostles speak out with great simplicity, and whatever Rows out of their hearts, they instill it into the hearts of other people and

and they entertained in their hearts. many a serious doubt about Masih (Jesus). But. since he was honest and truthful. God. the Most High. resurrected his mission even after his death. Thus. the second advent of Masih (jesus) of which the christians still entertain strong ideas. points. in fact. only to a second life of his religion. which was revived after his death; so has God given me also. the good news. that he would raise me to life. after I am dead. He had further said. that those who are near to God. i. e. His favourites. do rise to life after their death; and that He would manifest His Light. and that He

What is

meant by the second advent is 0 n ) y the second ) i f e of the aims and ideals.

would raise me by the exercise of His Power. Thus the significance of my second life is nothing but the life of my aims i. e. the rejuvenation of my aims and objects but few are those. who understand these secrets.

28

their utterances are of a sacred nature, which are pronounced on precise moments and in times when their necessity is felt; for, they do not relate stories to their hearers, nor do they have recourse to any fables or romances, to while away their time. On the contrary, finding the people diseased and involved in every sort of spiritual degradation and calamity, and taking compassion on them, they lay down either precepts by way of prescriptions, for their healing, or root out their superstitions by means of incontrovertible arguments. Few are the words, that go to make up their discourses; but they will yet convey a world of meaning. Therefore, the same method, this humble servant keeps in view; and the door of lectures and utterances is always kept open to those who approach me or go forth from me, in accordance with the talents and capacities of them and in view of the needs, necessities and diseases pertammg to them, C-)because, the preven, tion of evil and vice, by aiming at it with the

An Apostles .generally address the peopie in accordance with the ci rcumstances.

(1) It will not be out of place here, to mention this strange incident. Once, I happened to go to Aligarh and owing to the :state of my mental weakness. of which, I had an attack even earlier at Qadian, I was not able to enter into any lengthy and exacting dis. course, or do any mental work straining my mind; and I am yet in the .same condition: not possessing strength either to discourse for long, or immerse myself in deep meditations and keen discussions. Under .such circumstances, Mr. Muhammed Ismail Saheb. a Moulavi Saheb of Aligarh, met me and with great courtesy, he requested me to deliver a lecture, informing me at the same time that people were over-zealous

29

arrows of necessary admonitions ,and the restoration of deteriorated morals to their original purity, perceiving them to be like the dislocated parts of an organism (such treatments) could only be possible, when there is the presence of the patient before the doctor, and not at all possible, under any other condition, in the best manner. This is the very reason why God sent many thousands of apostles, and commanded the multitude, to enjoy their company; so that, the people of every age might derive visible examples and models, might behold their {Prophet's} presence as the embodiment of the revelation of God, and might try to follow them up. If living in the company of a society of truthful men had not been considered an essential of Religion, God whould have chosen to reveal His book in quite a different

for me. and that it was desirable that all the multitude should assemble in a spacious house and that I should lecture to them there. Since. it has always been the one desire of my heart that I should spare no pains to bring home Truth to the people's mind. I accepted that invitation. with great willingness. and wished to speak to the people in the proposed meeting. of the truth about Islam. what it is. and how people have understood it to be at the present day; and even so. did I reply to the said Moulavi Saheb. that God willing. the truth of Islam should be the subject to be dealt with. But later on. I was prevented from redeeming my promise. by God. the Almighty. I am sure. that since my state of health was not good at the time. G:>d did not wish that any great mental strain should be put upon me. and that I should fall victim to physical diabilities; and even so did He prevent me from delivering that lecture. Once before. also a similar incident had occurred; viz .. once. in the state of my mental weakness. one of the bygone Apostles met me in a vision, and adivised me. expressing his sympathy, not to exert myself in the manner, I was doing. and not to

manner, without having had recourse to the send. ing of prophets or messengers; or would have limited the function of the prophet; or would have cut short the line of prophethood , messengership, and revelation for ever. But the profund and infinite knowledge of God did not will it so, and whenever necessity was felt, and whenever any deviation from the true love and worship of God, from real piety and devotion and such other essential virtues occured, Holy Personages have been coming to the world to serve as models, having received revelations from God. And these two contentions are as dependent upon each other as cause and effect: if the purpose of God has always been the re-

God ha 8 comman de d the people t 0 b ecome honoured by being in the company 0 f prophets so that

they mig h t

derive visible

models and act up to the m. Thus the society of truthful

men tial.

is essen-

30

--------- --------

fall a victim to illness. However. this was a prevention from God. the

Almighty. as I honestly took it to be. and this excuse was submitted to the Moulavi Saheb for his acceptance. and to besure, it was but an honest plea. To those people. who have had occasions to witness the severe attacks of this disease. to which I am subject, following suddenly. in the wake of long and tiring discussions and deep meditations. though they may not have faith in my revelations, owing to their ignorance. it may be quite certain. that I am a victim to this disease. Dr. Muhammed Husain of Lahore. who is also an Honorary Magistrate of the place. and who is even now treating me. had always the courtesy to warn me. to abstain from mental exertions, till the disease had left me. and I advance the said Doctor as the first witness to my state of health; ·and many of .my friends, such as my brother, Moulavi Hakeem Nuruddeen Saheb, Physician to the State of Jammu, who is pledged with all his life, wealth, and soul to the support of my movement. and Munshi Abdul Huq Saheb, Accountant,

31

formation of His creatures, then it is equally necessary, that people who have been specially blessed with divine insight, and who have been made stable in the way of His will, should always be coming. This much is also certain, beyond any doubt, that this great and important function of the reformation of the creatures of the world, can never be achieved by the mere flying of pages of printed matter; for the accomplishment of this purpose, it is necessary to strive, in the same way as did the holy prophets of God in olden times. It is to the credit of Islam, that, as soon as it came into the world, it made that efficient system current, and set it on

who is holding office and resident at Lahore. and who served me during the days of my ill-health. to such an extent. that it is beyond my power to give expression to all these people who are sincere to me, I call as witnesses to the state of my health. But it is to be regretted, that while. it is but meet that every believer should entertain an unbiased opinion about others. the said Moulavi Saheb of Aligarh, wantonly did not receive it so. in that spirit. with a pure heart; but "entertained extreme suspicions and had had resort to dishonesty and falsehood. Therefore. all his speeches and utterances. which have been put in black and white and published by a friend of Doctor Jamaluddin. with his permission are given under, as they were published among the people. along with my answers to them.

Answers to the objections of a critic.

Monla"i Saheb .. I asked him (this humble servant at Aligarh) to deliver a sermon to-morrow. since it was a Friday, and he promised to do so. But in the morning, there came a letter to the effect that he was prevented from delivering the sermon through I revelation

from God. I think that. because of the fear of be-

ing examined and because of the weakness of expression. he has efused."

32

such a permanent basis, with such stability, that a like of it is not to be found in any of the other religions; who could show the existence of such a big association in any other place ,whose number has exceeded even ten thousand? and that too such an assembly, which, with perfection of belief, humility, devotion and complete absorption, was staying day and night at the residence of the prophet, to attain to truth and to imbibe honesty and veracity. No doubt, Moses too had an assembly of the people of his day, but how insolent, arrogant, stubborn, and how removed from the path of Truth and Spirituality and how alienated from Religiosity! This is wellknown to those only, who study the civilization of the people and the history of the Jewish race. But the followers of the Holy prophet had attained to such

The desciples of t h e prophet use d to stay at his residence.

The followers of the holy prophet Muhammad.

My Answel'. "This opinion of the Moulavi Saheb has no truth in it. except its being an ungrounded suspicion. which is one of the things prohibited by Islamic Law. and which does not become any right-minded person. If I had only put forth a claim to revelations particularly on this occasion alone. undoubtedly. there would have been some justification in this suspicion of the said Maulavi Saheb: and certainly there would have been also room to think that knowing the greatness of the literary attainments of the Moulavi Saheb. and being overpowered by his abilities and accomplishments. I had managed to escape from his clutches., by advancing an excuse and inventing a plea. But on the contrary. I had advanced and proclaimed throughout the country. this claim to> revelation. evcn as early as six or seven years ago, and long prior to my journeying to Aligarh and many passages of the .. Bura-heene-Ahmediah" are too replete

33

unity and spiritual concord and such uniqueness, that from the point of view of Islamic Brotherhood, they had become as if they were all a single organism; and their conduct in their daily life and their internal as well as external nature were so imbued with the light of the Prophet, that they all appeared to be Iacsimilies of the Prophet himself. Thus, this great miracle of inner reformation, as a result of which, the worshipper of obscene idols reached to the stage of worshipping the One God and in consequence of which, those that were for ever immersed in worldly affairs secured. such a relation with the Beloved of God, that they became

with these claims. If I were diffident in making speeches, then I ask. how could those books. which have been compiled out of the speeches, which i have delivered in the midst of vast assemblies. consisting of both my followers and dissen ters or opponents. works. such as the .. Surmay-Chashme.Arya." have resulted from such weak powers of speech? How could this great department of verbal discourses. in which I have to discuss always with thousands of people of . different temperaments and varying talents, be kept alive to this day? Alas! alas! woe unto the Moulavie~ of the present day! the fiery Rames of envy have devoured them even from within themselves. They always preach to the multitude, religious habits. brotherly conduct and treatment, and the entertaining of good motives with regard to one another; they ascend the pulpits and quote verses from the book of God in support of their contentions. But what an irony of fate that they themselves do not act up to those ordinances and commandsl Oh Sirs! May God open your eyes! Is it not possible for God to deter His inspired Servant from doing a certain work with a set purpose of His own? It might be that a second reason for this prevention was,to put on trial your inner qualities and characteristics, and also of those. who are of the same mould and character. so that the filthy matter in them might be brought t o light. It remains to be seen whether I was

3

34

ever prepared to flow their boold like water, in his way and for his sake; all this was, in fact, the result of serving one's life with all sincerity, in the company of a true and perfect Prophet. So it is, that this humble servant also, with this object in view, has been appointed to preserve that very system and I wish that the fold of those who have chosen to reside in my company be further enlarged, so as to enable all such people to be in society, as are anxious and eager to increase their faith, love and beliefs; and that the self-same lights may be shed on them, as they have been shed on my humble self; and let those tastes and pleasures, be granted to them, as have been bestowed upon me; so that, the glory of Islam might once again be

frightened by the greatness of your literary attainments and abilities; and in controvention of this idea. let me assure you that. for those people who are immersed I in darkness. selfish desires. and vain pleasures. however much learned and well versed they might be. in all the philosophies and sciences of the world. I have not any greater estimation than I would have for a dead worm; and you are not even a person of that standard of learning. but you are only an imbecile and ineffective theologian. with antiquated ideas; and the same meanness and evil thoughts and wickednesses. as are found among the ignorant theologians, are present within you as well; and be it known to you. that many research scholars. philosophers. persons learned in all the laws and the sciences and masters of the widest knowledge. have been going to me and reaping benefits out of the knowledge and wisdom imparted to them; and if I even call you a school-boy in comparison to them. it will be only doing you honour which you do not deserve."

If your faculty of superstition be not enlightened even now. and if your suspicious nature is not curbed down. then. I have to inform

35

spread throughout the world, and the black spot of contempt and ignominy might be washed off from the foreheads of Muslims. The All-powerful God has sent me giving me this goodnews, and has said, "advance with delight, for your time has fast approached, and the feet of the followers of Muhammad have been permanently settled on high minarets."

The Fourth branch of this Movement consists of those letters and epistles, which are written for the benefit of the seekers or of the deniers of truth; for instance, in the already mentioned period of

you that with the help and mercy of God, I shall be prepared to lecture in defiance of you. But I cannot now make any long and wearisome journey owing to my ill health, but if you will consent I shall go to a central place like Lahore, at your own expense and choose to trouble you for that purpose and that examination (which you have referred to) and be assured that I am making this offer in all fairness of purpose and determination and I shall await your reply."

JiIoui&vi Saheb: "This person is simply incompetent and possesses no literary attainments."

My Answer: "Oh, my Sir! I lay no claim to any wisdom or knowledge of this world. What shall I do with the knowledge and cunning of this world for they do not enlighten the soul, they cannot wash off the inner dross of men and they cannot instill humility and submissiveness into men's hearts. On the contrary, they produce one layer of rust over another, and increase infidelity over infidelity. But for me, this much alone is enough. that the bounty of My Lord has come to my assistance and has blessed me with such learning as is derived not from any schools or colleges but only from the Heavenly Tutor, If I am called an illiterate, how is my dignity lowered in any way? On the contrary, it is only a matter of pride to me.for not only my preceptor, but that of the entire creation' of God, and he who was sent for the reformation of His Creatures was himself an illiiterate (Ummi}

36

seven years, more than 90,000 letters have been received, to all of which, replies have been sent, excepting those which have been considered un-

necessary and useless; and this sys-

The depart.

ment of cones- tern of writing letters and epistles

pondence and d

epistles. has been continue as usual, so

much so, that in every month the number of letters received and despatched ranges between 300 and 700 or even a thousand.

The Fifth department of this Mission is the one that is established specially by God through

I do not attach any value to that skull, which has in it the haughtiness and arrogance of learning, while his external and internal nature is too over-run by darkness. Just open the Holy Quran and ponder over it with the patience of a donkey. Will not this suffice?"

MouIa-vi Saheb: "I put him certain questions with regard to revelation; after advancing somewhat meaningless answers he preserved silence."

lily Answer: "I quite remember that the answer that was given was too full of meaning and it was sufficient for anyone, who possessed some common sense and some sense of justice. But you /did not understand. Whose is the equivocation. (or concealment) in this, yours or of anybody else? Do publish the very same questions in any of the newspapers and test your powers of understanding a second time,"

MouIa-vi Saheb ; "It cannot be believed that the selfsame person is the author of such excellent writings."

My Answer: ., No wonder if you do not believe! For that kind of belief was not within the reach of even those infidels, who had seen the Holy Prophet with their own eyes; and except their being put to shame, the excellences of the Prophet could not become clear or obvious to them; and it was their habit to say always that those eloquent utterances which went forth from his mouth, and the Quran, which was being recited to all the creatures of God, that all these

37

His revelations and inspiration, viz" that of the

The depart- desciples and those who enter the ment of the oath Movement by swearing the oath of of allegiance.

i.e .• of desci- allegiance, For, at the time,

pleship.

when this branch of the Movement

was established, God spoke to me thuse-" A storm of error has deluged the world; soyou shall prepare an arc and whoever chooses to board on that arc, shall be saved from being drowned; and as for him who refuses, death shall overtake him", And further said, "he who extends his hand to you,

compositions and expressions were. in fact. the manipulations of other persons. Who were teaching him both morning and I evening, in a concealed and hidden manner. And in a sense, the infidels also had spoken the truth: and what has escaped from the lips of the Moulavi 5aheb also may be true: for undoubtedly, the words of the Quran are far surpassing the intellectual powers of the Prophet, in their style. diction and wisdcm.. nay, they excel even all the powers of the creatures of the earth put together; for it (the Quran] could not have been brought into existence by anyone except the Omnipotent and the Absolute Knower. 50 also, are the books. which this humble servant compiled and published. in fact. the results of devine help. and they really surpass the actual ability and capacity of this humble servant. This. happily. serves as an occasion for thanksgiving. for by these remarks of the Moulavi Saheb. a prophecy has unconsciously found itself fulfilled. which is mentioned in the ··Buraheene-Ahmediah." viz., that some people will read these compilations of mine and will say that these books are not his compilations." (Ref. Page 239. "BuraheeneAhmediah.")

)(ou}aYi Saheb: "Syed Ahmed. Arab. whom I know to be truthtelling. has directly told me that he had stayed for two months with him (Mirzah Saheb) as one of his particular desciples. and that having been present on every important occasion with a view to test and examine him from time to time, he (Syed Ahmed Arab) found

38

extends it not to you, but to God." And God, the Lord, has given me the goodnews that He will cause me to die, and that He will raise me or take me up towards Him, but that my true followers and devotees shall live till the day of Reckoning and that they shall have always the mastery over the deniers.

This Movement of five different departments is one which has been established by the hand of God, the Exalted. Though a superficial observer

him to be possessed with powers of witchcraft. and thathe makes use of them."

My Answer: "Come. let us call our sons and your sons. and our women and your women. and our people and your people; then let US be earnest in prayer. and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars I". (Ch. Ill: v: 60). My answer in fact, is only that. which is contained

~~~J'".1\~?y'))3~t..:;,V,~~$~!,L;~'f~,}t.i

in the sacred verse. which I have quoted from the Holy Quran. I do not at all remember. who that Syed Ahmed Saheb was .who reports as having resided with me for two months; the burden of proving this allegation lies on the Moulavi Saheb. and he should submit the person. so that it might be ascertained from him what instruments of magic he saw with me; and while I am yet alive. let the Moulavi Saheb himself observe me with his own eyes. by residing' with me for two months, and what necessity is there for an Arab or a Persian to mediate."

Moula vi Baheb. "When I reflected upon the revealed sentences of his. I could never believe that they were revelations."

lIy Answer: "No wonderl For those generations also. did not

believe. concerning whom God has said •

• 'They called Our communications a lie. giving the lie {to the truth)".

39

will think only of the first branch, viz., of compilation as necessary and of the

A n the five

departments are rest as superfluous and unnecessary,

necessary for d

the rectification yet, in the sight of God, all these e-

of the people. partments are equally necessary and

the reformation, which He intends to bring about, cannot be wrought without the use of all these five branches. Although all these activities have been made dependent on the special assistance and benevolence of God, and although for their fructification, Himself and His promises, giving goodnews and glad tidings alone are sufficient and satisfactory, yet it is only at His command and suggestion, that the attention of Musal. mans is drwn towards the necessity of supporting the cause, just in the same manner as all the pro. phets of God, who have passed before, have been (Ch, LXXVIII: v: 28). Pharoah did not believe; the Scribes and Phari sees did not believe; Abu-jehal and Abu.Lahab did not believe. But they believed, who were meek and humble at heart and pure in spirit."

. 'Not due is such good nature to any strength of arm; Not until He forgives, the forgiving God."

Jfoulalli Saheb: "To claim to be the recipient of inspiration or revelation is not in consonance with supernatural powers, and to retort by saying, that he, who denies should go and see, is an untenable plea."

My Answer: ''These things are not from any human being. but from Him. to whom all claims and pleas ultimately reach. Then, which worshipper of Truth. could deny them as false? But one thing is certain, that not even the prophets could lay any claim to the excellence

40

drawing the attention of the people when faced with difficulties. So, with this same purpose of drawing your attention, that I say that it is obvious to you what an amount of liberal and unanimous support by the Musalmans is required to conduct on the most beneficial lines these five departments and to carry it on, on a wider scale. For instance, just take the one branch of compilations alone and see what material resources will be required to work it out to its completion, if we only take the responsibility with a view to its full propogation. For, if in fact, propogation to the fullest extent is our purpose, then our desire ought to be that all our religious compilations, which are

of Divine or Supernatural power; and yet, is not such a claim, viz .• to revelation and inspiration from God through the mediation of any prophet. messenger. or apostle in itself proper and reasonable?"

Moulayi Saheb: "After having interviewed him. I came to have no belief in him; and in my opinion, any believer in the Unity of God who meets him. will not be his follower. His prayers are offered at the last moment (of the expiration of the hour fixed) and he does not care for congregational prayers."

My Answer: "I am least troubled by the disbelief of the Moulavi Saheb but what 1 arn grieved at exceedingly, is his falsehood. malicious accusation and his extreme suspicion. all of which came to me as a surprise. Oh! Exalted God. bestow Thy Mercy on this g eneration which has understood such Moulavi es, as its guides. saviours and protectors! Let the readers now consi der this criticism, which has been directed against me. by the envy and wickedness of the Moulavi Saheb. Be it known to you all that when 1 was at Aligrah. I had stayed there for only a few days. as a traveller. and that I. as a traveller was entitled to avail of all those privileges, which;are allowed by the IslamicLaw.and a permanent deflection from which,has been considered i rreJigion, heresy, or atheism. A consideration of all these factors was

41

For the propogation of religion free publications

too full of the jewels of literary investigations and delicacies, and which are capable of attracting the seekers of truth towards the right guidance, should, in all speed and enormity, be put within easy reach of all those people who, being influenced by the evil effects of pernicious teachings, have either fallen victims to mortal diseases, or have, more or less, neared the point of death (spiritual). This fact also must always be kept in view, that our books should be circulated broadcast in all haste and without any further delay, in those countries, whose present atmosphere has been most endangered by the deadly poison of error and ignorance ; and besides, every seeker of truth must early be put in possession of those books. It is obvious that we cannot achieve our aim and purpose, thoroughly and in the desired manner, if we think or have in view, that our books should be given wide publicity and circulation, by means of a regular

are necessary.

essential for me. and I did only that which should have been done; for, i do not deny that during the stay of those few days, I had combined but lawfully, two prayers on some occasions; and sometimes, I have offered together both the Zohur (mid-day) and Asr (before Sun-set) prayers at the end of the time for Zohur. But strange to say, the socalled believers in the one God do sometimes offer combined prayers in their very Homes and adopt such a course without being on any journey or voyage. I do not also deny that. during my short stay there, I did not make any particularly assiduous effort to be present in the Mosques; nor did I wholIy omit to do so, in spite of my continued illness and my being on journey; for it may be known to the Moulavi

42

sale of them; it is very mean and objectionable that we should publish books with the sole object of sale, and thus by our selfish motives introduce world. liness into religion, by reason of the adverse con. sequences of which, we could neither speedily diffuse 01.1,r books in the world, nor could we pro. duce them in great numbers. Undoubtedly, this is certain and very certain, that if we were to distribute a hundred thousand books free of cost, we could, within a period of twenty days, send them to all distant countries, distribute them to every

Saheb, that I offered my Friday prayers once under his lead. in the fulfilment of which prayers. I have now begun to entertain serious doubts. But this much alone is certain and more than certain, that during the days of my travel, I often hate and feel it loathsome to enter Mosques. But the reason for this does not lie in my indolence or dis. daining of God's commands. but the real reason lies in this. viz .• that I find the state and the management (conduct) of these Mosques becoming most deplorable and pitiable;for if you happen to go to any of these Mosques. and there intend to lead the prayer. those who hold the office of the Imam (leader) turn out pale. ghastly and greatly displeased. But if you acced to their leadership in prayer. then I doubt the efficacy of the performance of that Namaz (prayer); for it is a proved fact that. these so-called Imams have converted the office of the Imam into a pro. fession. like any other. Thus. they do not go into the Mosque to pray five times. but they have made it a shop which they open at fixed hours. and their livelihood and that of their families seems to be dependent upon that shop; for in the matter of removal and appointment of persons to that profession. as it has been taken to be. these people have resorted to litigation. and in order to secure judicial decrees. these MoulaviSahebsmove about. preferring appeals against appeals.Thusthis is no more 'Imernath,' but it has become an abominable way of living on the wages of iniquity. and I ask whether you are also entangled in the meshes of such sensual passions and desires. Therefore. how could anyone knowingly. and with full sense of the iniquity, choose to waste

43

community and in every locality, and present them to every inquirer of truth and seeker of knowledge; but it is true also that we could not accomplish such efficient and speedy work, even within a period of twenty years, if we were to do it by way of sale. In the case of sale, we have to keep the books safely locked in boxes and be on the lookout, whether any purchaser turns up or any letter is addressed to us by any intending purchasers, and it is quite within the sphere of possibility that even during this long period of hopes and expectations, we might ourselves bid good-by to this world leaving the books lie there in the boxes safely locked forever. Since the field for sale is very limited and harmful to our real purpose, and as it post-pones the work of but a few years to hundreds of years, and since there has been among the Muslims as yet no single devout, able and generous

his faith. The assembling of hypocrites in the Mosques. which has been spoken of in the Traditions. as one of the signs of the Last Days.,.thal prophecy concerns only tho~e doctors and theologians, who. standing in the niche of the Mosque, recite the Holy Quran with their lips, but really count only their loaves in their heart of hearts; and I am not aware, when it was forbidden to offer combinedly, the prayers of Zohur and Asr, or Maghrib (after Sunsetland Isha' (after nightfall). during the days of travel. and who promulgated the Fatwa (juristic pronouncementjon the illegality of delay or post.ponement. How strange it is. that they consider the eating of dead flesh by their own brothers to be lawful. hut the offering of Zohur and Asr prayers comhinedly during days of travel. to be strictly forbidden! "Be careful of your duty to Allah. Believers shall be served fjl!t; surely death is nigh and Allah knows what you hide."

44

Ameer (wealthy Prince) who has directed his attention towards this work, and who could afford to purchase ia good number of copies of our new publications to distribute them 'free; and since in the Islamic commonwealth there is no such society, as exists in the Christains Nations, (viz., Missionary Societies) to uphold this work; 1 and as we cannot put much trust upon our life, though we expect a considerably long time to elapse, in the hope of a prolonged life; so in consideration of all these, I have made it a necessary rule from the beginning with regard to my publications, that a major portion of the books should be distributed free, as far as it lies in my power, so that these books which are so full of the light of truth, may be circulated speedily and among all the public. But since my personal resources were not such as would enable me to undertake solely and singly, this great burden and as the enormous expenditure on the other departments is contiguous with this, the work of publishing the compilations, after having been

Many books are being distributed free.

I. It is said that the British and Foreign Bible Society, within a period of 20 years of its existence has diffused more than seven crores of its religious books in support of the Christain Religion. The well-to-do but indolent Muslims of this age must read this account which is published in the newspapers of October and November. 1890, with utter shame and regret; let them also ponder. whether these books have been published by any selling agencies or by the enthusiastic society of a nation, in support of their Religion.

45

conducted for a time, has now come to a dead stop, which subsists even to this day. God has treated all these departments of the Movement in the same light, and with a view to their being equally necessary, He wishes their perfection and stabilisation. But the expenses of these five departments are so great, that a special interest and sympathy of the liberal-minded is very essential; and if I were to write in detail on the various items of expenditure and their significances concerning religion, it will be a very lengthy dilation. But oh brethren in Islam! just consider, for ins. tance, the department of visitors to and fro, and you will see that within a period of seven years, something like, nay, even more than 60,000 guests have visited me ; and you "can imagine what an amount of money would have been spent in inviting these dear guests, entertaining them and in ministering unto them in other ways and what necessary clothing would have had to be provided for their comfort in the winter and summer seasons. Undoubtedly, a farsighted man would be surprised to know how the various materials and necessary dignities of the entertainment of such a big assembly of people could have been provided for at different times, and on what basis this big business would have to be conducted in future. And so with the 20,000 notices, which have been published in both Urdu and Eng.

46

lish, and more than 12,000 notices, which have been despatched, through registered post, to the respective heads of the various sects and groups of opponents; and there is not a single Missionary in the land of India, to whom that registered notice has not been sent. But not content with this, these notices have been sent even to the distant countries of America and Europe, through register. ed post, thereby giving finality to our argument. When you consider all these items of expenditure, is there not an occasion for surprise, as to how, with such limited assets, these expenses are coped. Behold! these are big items of expenditure; but just consider the expenses that are being incurred month after month in despatching letters, and you will End that they also amount to such an enormous sum, for the regular continuance of which, there has, as yet been no source of help. And for the maintenance of those, who come under my fold by swearing allegiance to me, and who also choose to remain with me in seeking after truth like the friends of Safa", I only look up to Heaven. And I know that the Supremely Powerful Being, in fulfil. ment of Whose will, this Movement has been found. ed, will find out a way for the support and establish. ment of these five departments. But from the point of view of the propogation work, it is felt necessary that the community at large might also

47

be made acquainted with this. I have heard that some ignorant people are publishing this calumny against me, that the price of the book, 'BuraheeneAhmediah'; and some subscriptions amounting to nearly Rs.3,000 have been collected from the public, but that the book has not yet been completely printed. In refuting this charge, I wish to make it clear to them, that the amount that was received from the

people was not merely Rs. 3,000 but Reply to the

charges of the more also, perhaps, even Rs. 10,000

ignorant public h h b

whic amount, was neit er y way

of donations for the book, nor by way of the price of the book. On the con tray , some who sought after blessings, gave it by way of presents, and some friends tendered it simply as an expression of their love; and all that amount has been spent then and there, on the necessary and unavoidable items of the work of the Movement. Since the . Divine Wisdom had postponed the work of publi-

cations and as there was no balance and saving from the other departments for this purpose, and the secret of that postponement being, that in the interval, some of the difficulties and intricacies might be made perfectly clear to the writer, and that all the rage of the opponents might be given full vent to, and now since the will of God has once again turned its attention towards the completion of the remaining publications, He has directed me

48

towards the writing of this pamphlet, by way of an invitation to the general public;and at this juncture, I feel the utter necessity of completing my works. A good portion of the 'Buraheen' is now ready to go in print and if it is printed, it will be put in possession of the subscribers and others, to whom the first portions have been sent free, along with a promise to send the other portions, when ready, also free. So also with regard to the other treatises such as the 'Ishaa~th~i-Quran', 'SiraH~Munir', 'Thajdeed-e-Deen' , and "Arbayn.Fi-Alamath-ulMuqarrabine'; and I also intend to write a commentary on the Holy Quran, and there is a further desire of the heart to start a Monthly Journal as a counteraction and in opposition to the corrupted religions, like Christianity, etc., and their mouth.

pieces. And for the regular execution

Appeal for of all these functions, there is no other support. obstacle than the lack of providing suitable funds and material help. If we are provided with a press of our own, and if a copyist were to reside with us permanently, and all the necessaay expenditure on the defferent items, such as the cost of paper, labour of printing, and the

salaries of copyists etc., were provided for, in short, if funds for all these itmes were to be within our command then and there, then sufficient arrangement might be made for the full and perfect development of at least one of these five departments.

49

"Dh, country of India! Is there not on your soil, such a liberal-minded prince as would afford to bear upon himself the expenses of at least this one Department, if not more?" If only five wealthy Believers understand the present age and its significance, then each one of them can take upon himself the responsibility of conducting each one of the five departments. Oh God, my Lord! awaken these souls I Pauperism and helplessness have as yet not overtaken Islam. There is only niggardlinessnot bankruptcy I Even those who do not command full resources to help this Mission, can yet do so, according as their means permit, by pledging themselves to send regular monthly donations by way of presents to the Mission. No benefitisgained by the Religion, from indolence, cold sympathy, and suspiciousness. Suspiciousness brings families into disruption and creates factions among the people. Just call to mind for a moment, what precious sacrifices were made by those early generations who had understood the prophets and their times. Just as a wealthy person would readily present all his precious wealth in the way of religion, so did even the beggar present his purse full of lovely pieces. The same was always being done until the time of victory from God approached. To become a Musalman is not easy; to be entitled to be called a 'Believer' (Momin) is not easy. Therefore, Oh peo-

4

50

plel If you have that spirit of sincerity which is given to 'believers', then do not look upon this, my invitation with any superficiality. Be mindful of achieving good; for your God, the most High, is observing you as to what reply you would give after listening to this message.

Oh ye Musalmans! Ye who are the inheritors (of the characteristics of) or the relics of the magnanimous believers and the progeny of the righteous people, do not make haste in denying and resorting to suspicions; Beware of the plague that is fast spreading around you and to which innumerable people have fallen victims. Do you not perceive what violent attempts are being made to wipe out the religion of Islam~ Is it not your incumbent duty that you should also set to work ~ Islam is not from any human source, so as to be destroyed by any human efforts. Miserable is their lot, who are bent upon rooting it out; and a thousand regrets on those, who have everything for their wives, their children, and for the satisfaction of their sensual passions, but nothing in their pockets for the share of Islam, their religion. Alas! for the indolent I Ye do not possess now any strength to show forth the excellences of the teachings of Islam and the splendour of that religion; nor do you even accept with gratitude, this Mission which has been established by God the Almighty, for the manifes-

61

tation of the lustre and glory of Islam. To-day the religion of Islam is like a bright lamp, which is locked up in a trunk, or like a sweet or delicious spring which is hidden under the growth of weeds and meshes. Hence, it is, that Islam is in a state of decline and downfall. Its beautiful face does not show itself out; its attractive figure is not visible. It was the duty of Musalmans to strive with all the strength of their lives and their wealth, nay, by even shedding their precious blood, in order to manifest its loveable form. But they did not do so. They are immersed in utter ignorance and by reason of this ignorance, they are labour. ing under the error of thinking whether their time. honoured compilations alone are not sufficient and adequate by themselves. They do not understand that, in order to repel the new types of feuds and factions which are making their appearances in newer and newer aspects, only newer modes of replusing and averting are required. And in every age, when darkness over-ran the land, and when prophets and messengers and reformers were making their appearance, were there not similar books preceding in existence? So brethren, it is neces, sary that whenever darkness and ignorance prevail over the land, light and guidance should also des. cend from the Heavens. In this same treatise I have explained before, that God expresses in the chapter entitled, the Majesty, [Surat-ul-Qadr}, nay

52

gives goodnews to believers, that His revelations and His prophet have descended on the Grand Night, and every reformer and verifyer that comes from God, descends on the same night. Do you understand what is meant by the Grand Night? Grand Night is the name of that age of darkness and injustice, when darkness and injustice reach to their utmost point of culmination; and consequently that age struggles with the forces of nature and demands the descending of such a light as would extirpate all darkness. And this age has been figuratively called the Grand Night. But, in

fact, it is not a night; it is an age The interpre-

tation of t he which is styled a night, by reason Grand Night.

of its darkness and injustice which

partake of the nature of night. This night begins to gather its strength, when, after the death of the prophet or of his spiritual successor, a term of thousand months, i.e. ,a period, which in the sphere of human beings terminates the age of man and which forebodes the loss of organic senses, lapses; then by the divine ordinance, the seeds of one or more reformers are sown in a secret manner, and which reformers are trained up, even in such privacy ,to appear at the beginning of every new century. God points only to this when He says, "the Grand Night is better than a thousand months", that is, he who sees the

Every Refermer and Renovator descend. on the Grand Night only.

53

The company light of that Grand Night and he of the Reformer who attains to the honour of the comof the age for

even an hour is pany of the Reformer of the age, is bet t e r than

I i yo i n g for 80 better than an eighty-year old man

yealll. who has not taken advantage of the

enlightenment of the age; and if anyone has gained it even for an hour, then even this hour is better than the 1000 months which preceded that hour. How is this better? Because in that night, the angels and the Holy Spirit of God descend, by His permission, from the Heavens along with the descent of the Reformer of the Age; not in vain, but to alight on the responsive hearts and to lay open the ways of peace; and thus, they so busily engage themselves in laying open all those ways and in the lifting up of all those veils, until darkness and apathy or indifference are extirpated and the dawn of guidance becomes visible.

Now, Oh Musalmansl Read these verses carefully and consider how God de scribes the features of that age, in which he sends a Reformer to the world whenever the necessity is felt. Will you not then realise the value of such an age? Will you then look upon the utterances of God with ridicule and mockery?

Therefore,Oh well-to-do people of Islaml Behold!

I am delivering this message to you, that you should se e your way to help this Mission of Reformation

54

with all your hearts, all your attention and energy, and all your sincerity and attachment and that you should view every aspect of it with due deference, and discharge your duties towards the truth in all haste. Any person who wishes to make any monthly donation, according as his means permit, must consider it as his bounden duty and right religion, and remit the subscription every month promptly and such contribution must be understood as a mere present in the way of God and no delay or negligence should be shown in its remittance. And any person, who wishes to advance donations in a lump sum, may also do so; but it must be remembered that the real basis, on which, it is hoped, this Mission could be conducted and sustained without any break, is this arrangement, viz., that the true well-wishers of religion must, in accordance with their resources and means, bind themselves with an irrevocable promise to pay such monthly instalments, as would be convenient for them to remit regularly, unless and until some untoward event prevents them from so doing. But those whom God has given the will and the openness of heart might also, besides these monthly subscriptions, according to the liberality of their spirit and in consideration of the extent of their resources, help with donations of lump sums. And you, Oh, my beloved ones, my dear ones, the green branches of the tree of my existence, who have entered my

56

fold by the mercy of God, which is bestowed on you and who sacrifice your life, your comfort, and your property! I know that you will consider it your duty to accept whatever I might say and will not falter, as far as it lies in your strength.

But I do not wish to fix anything as binding upon you for this service, so that your services might be rendered not under any compulsion of what I might say but from your own free choice and spontaneity. Who is my friend and who is my beloved? He who understands me, and only he, who believes in me as one that has been sent, and he, who receives or accepts me in the same manner as those people have been received, who were sent. Verily, the world cannot accept me, for I am not of the world; those whose natures have been imbued with a fraction of His (God's) know. ledge, will accept and are accepting me. He who forsakes me, forsakes Him, who has sent me; and who joins me, joins Him, from whom I have come. Behold, I hold a lamp in my hand, whoever comes to me shall have a portion of that light, and who .. ever, out of doubt and suspicion or superstition, chooses to flee from me, shall be cast into darkness and perdition. I am the beauty of the beautiful of

this age; he who enters in me shall

1 am the save his life from thieves, robbers and beauty of the

beautihll of this wild animals; but as for him, who

wants to live away from me and

age.

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my ramparts, death shall overtake him in every direction and even his carcass shall not be safe. And who enters in me~ Only he, who forsakes evil and embraces the good; who forsakes crookedness and follows the right, and who liber~ ates himself from the bondage of the devil, and be. comes a faithful and obedient servant of God. Every one who does in this wise is in me and I am in him. But he alone is able to do these, who has been thrown by God, the Most High, under the shadow of the Purifying Spirit; then He plants His foot in the Hell of his self, which becomes so cold as if there were never fire in it; and then the individual soul advances from progress to progress, so much so, that the spirit of God the Most High, finds a resting place in him; and a corresponding lustre of the excellent light of God, the Lord of all the worlds, is shed on his heart. Then, as a consequence of this, his old human nature is burnt up and a new and pure human nature is bestowed to him; and God also, becoming a new God, establishes His relationship with him in a new and special manner and all the pure means of a Heavenly life are given to him in that state of his, in this very world.

In this place, I cannot with-hold myself from expressing this fact and rendering my thanks to God, that by His beneficence and bounty, He has not

57

chosen to leave me alone in this great task. Those who maintain fraternal relations with me and those who enter this Movement, established by God's own hands, are imbued with love and attachmen t in a very strange and wonderful manner. It is not as a result of my efforts but by the special favour of God, that I am blessed with such truthful spmts, First of all, I feel it inspired to speak about a spiritual brother of mine, whose name, befitting to his light of sincerity, is Nooruddin. (the light-of religion). I look upon certain of his services, which he is performing at the expense of his lawfully earned wealth, for the exaltation of the teachings of Islam, with passionate sighs aspiring at the same time as to whether those services could not be performed by me as well. On reflecting upon the enthusiasm which is glowing in his heart for the cause of religion, I see a picture of the power and glory of Gud portrayed before my mind's eye, as to how He attracts His servants towards Himself. He (Nooruddin) stands ever ready for the service of God and His Prophet with all his wealth, his strength, and all the resouree at his command; and it is out of actual experience and not out of any goodness of disposition in me that I possess this certain and sure knowledge, viz., that in my way, what wealth and what property, his very life and honour, he will not for a moment deny. If I had only permitted him, I am

58

sure, he would have sacrificed even all these, and just as he has attained to spiritual companionship, he would have enjoyed physical companionship as well, and thereby would have fulfilled his duty of residing in my company. By way of illustrating what I have been saying, I wish to give my readers some lines of certain of his letters, so that they might come to know how far my dear brother, Moulavi Hakeem Nooruddin Hheravi, Physician to the State of Jammun, has advanced in the degree of love and sincerity. Those sentences are:-Moulana, Murshadana; Imamana, (My

Master, My Spiritual Guide and My

The letter of

Moulavi Noo- Leader)! Peace, and the Mercy and the

ruddin Saheb. Blessings of Allah be upon you. Exal-

ted Sir. my prayer is that I may be present always before your honour. and achieve through the Spiritual Leader of the Age, those aims and objects for which he has been made Reformer. If permitted, I shall resign my office and engage myself night and day In thy exalted service; or if commanded, I shall sever this connection and go abroad into the world inviting people to the true Faith, and even give up my life in this nry path. I am ready to be sacrificed in thy cause Whatever I have is not mine. but yours. I submit. your hollness, my preceptor and Guide, In all honesty, that I shall attain to the highest Good, which is my goal, if all my wealth and property be expended in the propogation of Religion. If the purohasers. of "Burahee-ne Ahmediah" are agitated at the delay In the printing of the book. do permit me to perform tbis

59

trifling servioe, viz., to return to them the amount that has been advanoed by them as price for the bock, from my own coffers. Your Holiness, my Guide, and my Spiritual Leader! with great diffidence do I make this supplleatlon, wh~oh if granted, would be my good fortune, and it this. viz., that all the expenditure that might be incurred in printing the book = Burahea-na, Ahmediah", should be exclusively brone by me; and whatever amount might be realised by way of sale, It should be spent according to your necessities. My relations with you are like those of Farooq. and I am prepa.red to sacrifice my all in this cause. Pray for me that my death might be like that of truthful men." 1

Just as the truthfulness, courage, sympathy and devotion of the said Moulavi Saheb are well expressed by his words, so are they even more fully manifested by his conduct and sincere and ardent ser-

The sincerity and religious zeal of the Moulavi Saheb,

vices; and he desires, being actuated by his sentiments of perfect love and sincerity ~ that every thing, even the very necessary and un-

I. Hazreth Moulavi Saheb has a high degree of proficiency in Islamic Jurisprudence. the Tarditions. and the Commentaries: and in Philosophy and other sciences. both ancient and modern. he ha. great learning. He has collected a rare Library consisting of books on every branch of learning. secured from countries. like Egypt. Arabia. Syria and Europe. Just as he is well accomplished in the other departments of knowledge. 80 also does he command a wide reading and broad outlook in the sphere of Religious Literature. He ha. compiled many an excellent volume; only recently has he compiled a book in corroboration of the truth of "Burahee-ne-Ahmediah", which is more valued by every critically minded person. than many a precioue gem.

60

avoidable means for the sustenance of his family may be sacrificed in the same cause. His spirit, because of its overflowing enthusiasm and ardent love, teaches him to step even beyond his power and ability; and every moment and every second, he is engaged in service and service only. But it will be the height of cruelty, if on such a zealous devotee be placed all that heavy burden, which it is the duty of an organised association to shoulder. There is not the least doubt that the said Moulavi Saheb will be only too ready to consent to forego all his estates, in order to render services to the fullest extent, and be content to exclaim like Job, "Lonely did I come and lonely shall I go". But this function is one that pertains to and is common to the whole community; and it is incumbent upon every one that in these dangerous and turbulent times ,which shake with a violent and severe shaking the tender relation which ought to subsist between God and His servants, he should be mindful of a good end for himself and achieve those good deeds, on which is dependent his salvation, by sacrificing his beloved wealth and by utilising his precious time in the cause of service. And let them fear those established and unchangeble laws of God, which He describes in His dear Book:-

. ~ It' ~ . ._:. \I t - j "By no means shall you at~..... ~""~-t~ oJ tain to righteousness until

you spend (benevolently) out of what you love."

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(Ch.lII. v: 91.) tThat is, you shall not attain to or achieve true goodness which leads to your salvation, unless you spend in the way of Allah, out of your wealth and out of all those things which are dear to you.

In this place, I think it proper to speak about certain other of my sincere friends, who have entered this divine Movement and who bear towards me earnest love combined with enthusiasm. Among those is my brother, Shaiq Muhammad Husain of Mooradabad, who at present has come

up from Mooradabad to Qadian and The Descrip-

tion of certain is writing the fair copy of this pam-

Iriends. h

p let, out of sheer love to Allah

and with no other motive than to serve Him. The heart of Shaiq Saheb appears to me as though it were a mirror and it bears a high degree of love towards me for the sake of Allah. His heart, in

truth, is filled with affection to Him Shaiq Muham-

mad Husain of and he is a man of wonderful abilities.

Mooradabad. h b h bi

I take im to e t e azening torch

for Mooradabad and I hope that the light of that love and sincerity, which is in him, will some day penetrate into the hearts of others as well; though Shaiq Saheb is a man of limited resources, yet he is generous of heart and possesses an expanded breast. . He is ever engaged in serving me in all possible ways. A faith filled with affection permeates his viens and filaments.

62

Among that group is also my brother, Hakeem F azluddin Bheruvi; I am unable to describe the extent of love and sincerity, good inten .. tions and hidden relations, which the said Hakeem Saheb bears towards me. He is my true wellwisher, sincere sympathiser, and one who under ..

stands the real significance of things.

Hakeem Fazlud-

deen S a h e b, After God had directed me to write Bheruvi.

this pamphlet and gave me hopes through his special revelations, 1 spoke to many people about the writing of this pamphlet, to which none concurred with me; but this dear brother of mine voluntarily suggested to me the writing of this pamphlet, even without my telling him of it; and he gave me a hundred rupees towards the expenses of its printing. I am simply surprised at the insight he has into religion, and I wonder whether his will has not become united with the will of God. He renders service always in secret; he has given several hundreds of rupees in secret for this cause, just to incur the pleasure of God. May God requit him with a good recom ..

pense.

Of the same group is also my dear brother who has left an indelible mark upon our hearts by his untimely separation, viz., the late Mirza Azeem Baig Saheb (may God be merciful to him and forgive him), resident of Samana in the districtofPatiala, whode-

63

parted from this perishing world on the 2nd. of Rabius-sani, 1308, A.H. "Surely, we are Allah's, and to Him we shall surely return" (Ch. I I v: 156).

uj~~~~l .)~......w) 7L'! • '.-..11 "Tearsflow from

- .!' "'? 1 tlJ '-', the eyes, the

heart is aching and indeed, we are grieved at your separation." Where shall I seek such words as are fit to describe that degree of affection, that ardent love for me just for the sake of God, and that self-anihilation of his in me, which the late Mirza Saheb expressed ~ In all my past experience, I find very few examples of the sorrow and grief which his untimely death caused in me. He was our guide-post and our Quarter-Master-General who was snatched away from us, even under our very eyes; and as long as we live, we shall never forget the shock and grief we have sustained by his untimely separation from us .

• I' • " I '2. . - ,f/i

(-: 1.lJ..: ~ '(':1.( ;,:, -:,;":-:;; /,'j')"" ~.)~J

Translation:-"My heart is so filled with grief that if I were to remove the sleeve from the eyes, my whole garment will be flooded with tears."

On a recollection of his death, the spirit becomes damped and owing to the uneasiness of the heart, a sort of depression and melancholia is caused, grief overpowers the heart and tears flow from the eyes. His whole existence was filled with love and

64

he was a great adept in the art of expressing the emotions of benevolent love. He has devoted his whole life to this cause; I do not think that he ever even dreamt of anything else. Though Mirza Saheb was a man of limited means, yet in his sight, all the wealth, when compared to the timely religious services which he was rendering, possessed no greater value than that is attached to dust. He was possessed with a high type of intelligence to grasp divine knowledge. The faith conjoined with affection, which he had in me, was itself a miracle of the infinite power of God. Our nature becomes so glad at seeing him, as it does when we chance to see a garden full of flowers and fruits. Apparently he has left his survivors and a minor child of his in a state of destitution and without any means and resources for them. Oh God Almighty, and the Absolute! thou become the guardian and trustee of them; and infuse into the hearts of those of my true lovers, by means of Your revelations, that spirit by which they might see their way to discharge their duty of sympathetic interest in the destitute survivors of their brother, who belongs to one and the same banner as themselves.

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Translation:-

"Oh God, who heals every grieved heart!

Oh Refuge of every helpless being and Forgiver of sins!

Bless this servant of Thine, out of Your bounty; And look upon those who are removed from Thee, with Thy mercy."

In this place, I have only described certain of my friends by way of specimens. There are also other friends of mine, who are of the same merit and eminence, and about whom, I shall speak in detail in a distinct pamphlet. Now, as the matter grows too elaborate, I shall stop with this much.

I think it desireable here to express also, that all those who have entered my fold by swearing the oath of allegiance, have not all reached as yet to that stage, when I could be able to express any good opinion of them. But on the other hand, some, there are, who resemble dry or withered branches, whom my God who is my Trustee, will cut away from me and cast them in to the burning embers. Some, there are, who were at the first

In this Move- stages very sincere and sympathement there are tic; but now, they seem to be p08- some who shall

be cut off from sessed with forces of evil. There is

me. not now left in them, that ardent and loyal attachment and that brightness of the devotion of a desciple ; but there is left in them, only

5 .

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roguery and cunning in the manner of phlegm. And like a decayed tooth, they serve no purpose, except to be rooted out from the mouth and trampled under foot. They are wearied and worn out and their lot is miserable. The vain world has pressed them under its feet. I tell you, verily, that they will soon be cut off from me, except him whom the grace of God catches hold of by the hands in a renewed manner. There are also some, whom God has given me to abide by me for ever, and they are the green twigs of the tree of my existence, and God willing, I shall have occasion to write about them some time hence.

In this place, I wish to remove also the apprehensions of those people, who are wealthy enough and who imagine themselves to be very generous and munificent and as having sacrificed much in the way of religion, but who are in fact, totally averse to spending anything on a right cause and at the proper occasion; and they say that if they had but realised the age of any truthful man, who, having derived strength from God would have come from God for the support of Islam, then they would for his victory have so submitted themselves as to be ready even for being sacrificed. But what shall they do? In every direction the world is over-run by fraud and roguery! But Oh People! Be it clearly known to you that a person was eertainly raised for the support

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The ultimate goal of life.is'to achieve com munion w~i t h God.

of religion, but you did not recogn ise him though he is in your midst, and he is the same person who writes this treatise and addresses you. But there are thick veils over your eyes; if your hearts are really yearning after the truth, then it is quite easy for you to try and test the person who claims to hold communion with God. Ye enter into his service, live in his company, stay for a period of two or three weeks, so that if God willing, you might see with your own naked eyes, those bless.

ings that are showered upon him,

Admonition

to stay i n his and the light of those revelations

company. which descend upon him. He who seeks attains to what he seeks for: to him who knocks, it shall be opened. If you choose to shut your eyes and conceal yourselves in a dark chamber, and exclaim that the Sun is not to be seen, this is your futile complaint. Oh ignorant people! Open the doors of your chamber, and lift up the veil over your eyes, so that, not only the Sun might be visible to you but that it might also illuminate you with his light.

Some contend that the establishing of associations and the opening of schools alone is sufficient in the way of the support of religion. But they do not seem to understand what it is, that goes by the name of Religion, and what is the ultimate purpose and goal of our existence, and how and by what means those purposes could be achieved.

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Therefore, be it known to them, that the real and ultimate purpose of our lives is to attain to that true and real One-ness with God, which releases us from the bondage of sensuality, and which enables us to attain to that fountain of the salvation of the soul. But the ways to gain this certain Faith cannot be laid open by the ingenuities and inventions of human beings; and all the philosophy fashioned and invented by human beings is not of any avail here, for it is of no use here. On the contrary, this enlightenment is sent by God from the heavens through the medium of His chosen servants in times of darkness and corruption; and only he who desends from the Heavens, takes you towards the Heavens. Again, Oh ye men; ye, who are drowned in the abyss of darkenss, who are the victims of grave doubts and suspicions, and who are the slaves of sensual passions, do not pride over your nominal and ceremonial Islam, and do not imagine that your real elevation ,your true welfare and your final and ultimate success lie in those devices and schemes, which are created through the present day associations and institutions. These occupations are useful, no doubt, as the first beginings: they could only be treated as the first steps towards progress. But at the same time they are yet far removed from the real purpose and aim. Perhaps, by these

devices, mental ingenuity might be Admonition.

created, or skilfulness of nature,

keenness of intellect, and tact in theoretical and cold logic, might be attained; or again, a title for learning and accomplishments might also be gained. And perhaps, after a long period of liter. ary study, they might be of some little assistance to the real purpose; but as the proverb goes, "bythe time the antidote is secured from Iraq (Mesopotamia) the patient of the serpent-bite might die." Therefore, Oh people, awake and arise, lest you should tumble down. God forbid, that your journey to the next life should occur at such a time, which should actually happen to be an age of Atheism and Agnosticism. Know it for certain, that the hope of success in the next life could never be entirely dependent upon and restricted to, the attainment of these theoretical sciences and arts; but that it' is necessary that that heavenly light should descend, which alone removes the contamination of doubts and scepticism, extinguishes the fire of lust and passion, and attracts us towards true love, real affection and true obedience to God. If you just interrogate your own conscience, you will get the same reply, that true contentment, true solace, and true satisfaction, which will effect a sudden spiritual transformation, you have not attained to. Thus, how utterly regretful it is, that you do not care to devote, in the cause of this Divine Move. ment, even a hundredth part of the enthusiasm that you manifest in the propogation and diffusion

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of all the theoretical and formal sciences and ceremonial observances! Your life is mostly reserved, in the first place, for such works as do not at all bear any sort of relation to your religion. If at all there is any relation to it.it is of the lowest degree and is very remote to the real aim and purpose. If you happen to possess that desire and that wisdom, which leads to your legitimate and necessary aim, then do not rest in peace until you reach to your real object. Oh people! you have been created to understand, love and obey your true God, the Lord, your real Creator, and your true Deity. Therefore, unless and until this Final Cause of your race finds expression in you, in all its clearness, you are not any way nearer to your true salvatiun.

If you are just and fair In your dealings, you can bear witness against ,yourself that instead of the love and worship of God, there is present before your heart, an idol of Mammon -worship, before which you make thousands of prostrations, within the space of a second. Your precious time and energy is aU so pre-occupied with every idle talk and prattle that you do not find time even to direct your attention to the other side. Have you ever even pondered as to the end and future of this existence of yours? Where is justice in you? Where is trust-worthiness in you? Where is in you, that honesty, that fear of God,

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that trust and that humility, towards which the Holy Quran invites you ~ You do not seem to bring to mind, even in an unguarded moment, for years together, whether there is any God for us all. It does not occur to you at all what duties and obligations towards Him are imposed upon you. Yes! the truth is this, that you have neither any business with Him, nor any concern with Him, nor even any relation with Him, who is the Eternal and the Everlasting. It is difficult for you even to mention His name. But now, you will argue with great skill and dexterity that it is not at all so. But hark! the law of God puts you to shame, when it points out to you that there are in you no signs of the religiously-minded-people. Though you may claim for yourselves, with great force, wisdom and thoughtfulness in worldly schemes and designs, yet be assured that all your ability, your sagacity and penetrating intellect, and your fore. sight must end with the shores of the earth; and that with all your wisdom you cannot hope to perceive, even to the extent of an atom, that other world, in which to rest eternally, your souls have been created. You repose so contented with the life of this world, as though it were a permanent and abiding thing, with which any person would rest secure. But you do not call to mind, even once in your whole life, that other world, the joys and pleasures of which are abiding and capable of

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yielding true contentment and satisfaction? What a misfortune it is, that you should sit with closed eyes, completely unmindful of and throughly indifferent to this great and important affair; and in the desire of things which are merely transitory and which are to be neglected, you seem to rush headlong. Are you aware of that time, which is sure to befall you and which will put a drastic end to all your desires, your ambitions and to your very life? What a deploreable evil it is, that you should waste all your time in seeking after the world, inspite of such knowledge! And even this desire for the worldly goods and possessions is not limited to the legitimate means; but you have made lawful all illegitimate means, beginning from falsehood and fraud and ending with even unlaw. ful murder. In addition to all these disgraceful crimes that are so rife in you, you yet dare to say, that you do not require any Heavenly Light and Heavenly Movement. Nay, you bear the bitterest hostility towards it; and you have considered this Heavenly Movement of God to be a trifling affair, so much so, that your tongues only discharge the function of scorn and ridicule through words filled with contempt and that in the most insolent and haughty manner, whenever they choose to speak about it. And you frequently reiterate as to how you could become convinced of the fact of the Movement being from God. I have just now re-

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plied to this question, that you should recognise the tree by its fruits, and the star by its light. I have for once delivered to you this message and henceforth, it is left to your will and pleasure to accept or reject it, and to remember or erase from memory my words.

Translation:-

" Not honoured is man when yet alive, dear ones; " After my death, my words remember you will.

ELEGY ON THE DISPERSIONS AND DISSENSIONS IN ISLAM.-

Meet but it is that blood the eye of every Muslim should shed

On the state embarrassed of Islam and of Musalmans the dearth;

Misfortune severe and calamity have befallen the true Religion

(of Islam), The earth severe tumult has over whelmed. born of infidelity

and rancour ;

Whose soul is bereft of all goodness and beauty, himself

Many a blemish carves out in the person of the Best of Messengers.

He who is captivated and encaged in the prison of impurity.

Is himself the caviller at the glory of the Imam of the pure ones;

• The following verses are a free translation of the Persian poem with which this booklet concludes.

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As at the innocent. the wicked and the unprincipled arrows Iling.

It is only meet that stones the Heavens should rain on earth;

Before thine very eyes Islam has unto dust crumbled.

And what excuse will plead ye before God. Oh the wealthy!

All over. infidelity there is. raging like the army of YEZEED.

But true Religion (of Islam) like ZAINUL-ABE-DEEN. lies diseased and destitute;

The Well-to-do men are busy with their own pleasures. and

Seated are they gay and merry amidst dainty sweethearts;

The learned (Ulemas) out of the passion of their selves are in mutual feuds and factions ever involved.

And totally unmindful are the devotees. of the necessities of Religion;

Entangled in every direction is every person for the sake of his

own base self, And in the Ilank of Religion (of Islam) is left a gap wherefore springs up every foe;

Oh ye Musalmans I Are these in thee the signs of Musalmans?

Miserable is the lot of Islam. and pledged are ye to the carcass

of a world!

What stability is in thine eyes attached to this worldly edifice?

Or is it that of your certain death ye have become oblivious?

Nigh has approached the time of your death; be ye mindful. Oh negligent!

For how long! this round of wine amidst damsels fair and beautiful?

Keep not thine soul en-chained unto this world. Oh ye sensible!

Lest the severity ye should suffer of the agony of death;

Give not thine heart to any except the One whose is the beauty everlasting, That eternal bliss derive ye may from the Best of Benefactors;

He is the wise who hast become mad after His (God's) path.

He is intelligent who with love of that, His beautiful face is intoxicated;

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The cup of His love is but the water of Life Eternal.

Whoever has drunk of it. him death shall never affiict;

Oh my brother! Set not thy heart upon the wealth of this base world.

For know there lieth in every drop of that honey a deadly poison;

Strive as far as it lies in thee for the cause of ISLAM with all thy

life and means.

Th~t thou mayest receive from God on High. the distinction

of a hundred laudations;

That light which is in thy faith. by thine actions prove.

When to YUSUF thy heart thou hast given. on the road to Canaan thou must needs travel;

Rememberest thou the days. when of every other the focus this Religionwas.

When every world it saved from the path of the accursed devil !

From the light of Lore its reflection of education it cast on earth. and By its eminence and glory. exalted it had become to the very Heavens as it were;

But now has come su ch an age that every son of Ignorance

By his stupidity. to this sacred Religion (of Islam) gives the lie;

Away from this Religion have turned a hundred thousand simpletons. and Victims to the snares of the vile and cunning have fallen a hundred thousand;

In this wise have all the calamities befallen the Musalmans. and

Far removed is their courage for ISLAM from sense of shame and honour;

Were it even one whole world to turn away from the Religion of MUSTAFA (MUHUMMAD).

As motionless as the still-born child. will yet remain their

sense of honour;

In the direction of this vain world are their thoughts always immersed, Wasted is all their property in the cause of their wives and children;

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Wherever of iniquity is there an association. they its presidents notorious happen to be, Wherever of sin and crime is constituted a ring (or circle).

form they the stone set in i

Friends are they of the Ale-houses. but to the paths of guidance utter strangers, Aversion they show towards the friends of Islam. but intimacy with the wine-bibbers,

He has turned his face away. who had sincerity a hundred fold.

When found he no attachment in the hearts of this nation;

Them has forsaken their wealth and prosperity from onwards that time.

Such a state (of decay) the wickedness of their deeds hast wrought,

By reason of the upkeep of their very religion. rose they to eminence.

And doubtless jf prosperity were to revisit them. by means of religion only shall that be;

Oh Thou God! when shall the hour of Thy succour come?

When shall we see those blessed days and years?

These two are the cares for the Religion (oO'AHMED which

melt away my life.

The abundance of the foes of Islam, and scantiness of the helpers of the Religion (of Islam);

Come soon, Oh God! shower do thou upon US the water of victory, Or take me away from this burning place, Oh God!

Oh God! Bring forth the Light of Guidance Thou from the East of Mercy, Enlighten Thou the eyes of the misguided with Thy clear signs;

Even as Thou hast bestowed upon me Truth in this very burning

and melting.

I hope not Thou wilt cause me in this. to die untriumphantly;

Of truthfulmen the work will never be left unfinished.

For them there always lies hidden in the sleeve. the hand of God.

Printed at the Guardian Press. 158.B. Broad-~~';Y:-Mad;~;.