100 Years Ago… – Recommended order for studying books of the Promised Messiah, by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II

Al Fazl, 9 December 1920

A member of the Jamaat wrote a letter to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra and sought guidance about the order in which the books of the Promised Messiah^as should be read. The following reply was given:

[Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra said:] You have enquired in your letter as to which books [of the Promised Messiah^as] should be read first. May Allah the Almighty grant you the best of rewards.

You have benefited many people by asking this question to Khalifatul Masih. According to a hadith, the Companions^ra [of the Holy Prophet^sa] used to wish that a wise outsider may come to visit the Holy Prophet^sa and ask him about some important matters related to religion so that they would also benefit by listening to the reply because they used to get a lot of knowledge and wisdom from such questions. In the same way, those people who send such significant and essential questions not only benefit themselves from such insightful and wise words, but also become a source of benefiting many other people and in return, receive multiple rewards …

First of all, it is imperative to study the book, Izala-e-Auham [The Removal of Misconceptions]. Then, study the books, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V, Tohfa-e- Golarhviyyah [A Gift for Golarvi], Al-Wasiyyat [The Will], Taqwiyat-ul-Iman [Noah’s Ark] and Haqiqatul Wahi [The Philosophy of Divine Revelation].

After understanding the said books to the fullest possible extent, the order in which the other books should be read is as follows:

“Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya first four parts, Surmah Chashm-e-Aryah [Guidance for the Aryas], Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam [The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam], Islami Usul Ki Philosophy [The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam] and Chashma-e-Ma‘rifat [Fountain of Knowledge].

Thereafter, study the rest of the books of the Promised Messiah^as whenever you have time.

As the book Izala-e-Auham was written in the early era of the Promised Messiah^as, it contains some issues which were declared null and void in the later books of the Promised Messiah^as, so the books Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V and Haqiqatul Wahi should be read alongside it. If there is no time for research, then the book Haqiqat-ul-Nubuwwah should be studied. However, it should be borne in mind that merely reading the books of the Promised Messiah^as is not enough. They only perfect the side of knowledge. There is another thing without which man cannot fully benefit from the advent of the Promised Messiah^as and that is the study of the diaries that have been published in the newspapers from time to time. Their part of knowledge is not as accurate as the books of the Promised Messiah^as because sometimes, a diary writer was not able to memorise the exact words. However, we learn two things from them. Firstly, [they tell us] what the Promised Messiah^as considered to be the purpose of his arrival and how he kept trying to fulfill it. The second thing [we learn from those diaries] is about the people before whom the claim of the Promised Messiah^as was presented and they accepted it and stayed with him for many years or frequently visited him, what they understood from the words of the Promised Messiah^as and what they believed him to be. We cannot understand the essence of Ahmadiyyat without knowing these two things.

(Originally transcribed by Muhammad Ismail [Maulvi Fazil], Acting Postal Officer, Qadian)

Donations for the launch of a magazine from America

1. In support of the appeal of Mufti Sahib [to start a new Ahmadiyya magazine in America], I am sending one rupee and I promise to send one rupee monthly till April 1931, insha-Allah. My young student brothers! Develop the power of self- and financial-sacrifice immediately to become the arms of the nation in the future. By doing this, your wealth will never be an obstacle in the way of attaining goodness. Help your elders by minimising your monthly expenses.

(Wassalam, Muhammad Ishaq, Class Five, Zamindara Muslim High School, Gujarat)

2. I promise to donate five rupees for Hazrat Mufti’s proposed magazine. I will present it soon, insha-Allah. Moreover, I seek the help of God Almighty to contribute in this cause in the future as well.

(Wassalam, Ghulam Ahmad Ahmadi Kashki)

3. I promise to give five rupees for the magazine suggested by Hazrat Mufti Sahib. Instruct [me] to send them whenever you want. May God Almighty grant success to Hazrat Mufti Sahib in the new world. Amin. Please request all members of the Jamaat to pray for me.

(Humbly yours, Muhammad Ibrahim Ahmadi, Sub Postmaster, Kirpilian, District Hazara)