18-24 December

In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, this time, with some more details

18 December 1891: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he stated that he had received his postcard. Huzoor^as informed him that a cloth made of gabardine [a fabric used in winter clothing] was sent to Hamid Ali Sahib^ra. Huzoor^as added that just as Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra stated [in his postcard], the robe was given to Hafiz Muinuddin Sahib’s daughters.

Huzoor^as further wrote to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra that he should decide matters regarding the gardens and land with [Hazrat] Mirza Sultan Ahmad Sahib. In those days, Munshi Sahib^ra was in Lahore.

After the demise of the Promised Messiah’s^as father, the elder brother of the Promised Messiah^as, Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib, was not only managing his part of inherited land, but also the part of the land which was inherited by the Promised Messiah^as. As the Promised Messiah^as had no worldly interests and was dedicated to religious work, he never asked for his part of the land. Then, after the demise of Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib, his land’s control was passed onto Mirza Sultan Ahmad Sahib, who began to oversee it. So for acquiring the possession of share from the mentioned land, Huzoor^as directed Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra that he should decide this matter with Mirza Sultan Ahmad Sahib, on behalf of the Promised Messiah^as. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.2, p. 580)

18 December 1889: The Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he stated that he would pray for him that Allah granted that which was beneficial for him in both secular and religious affairs. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 570)

19 December 1883: The Promised Messiah^as replied to a letter he received from Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana in which he stated that he had to make his way to Amritsar for some important work. Huzoor^as said that he, due to the printing capacity at Riaz-e-Hind Press, had given some printing work to the Chashma-e-Nur Press. Huzoor^as added that despite them having given their word that the work would be completed, he received a letter in which it was stated that an issue had arisen, which disturbed print. The Promised Messiah^as further added that he had to make his way back to Qadian by 26 December as guests were scheduled to arrive on that day. This letter perfectly captures Huzoor’s^as selflessness and humility. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 584)

19 December 1892: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Munshi Habib-ur-Rahman Sahib, Chieftain of Hajipura. In the letter, Huzoor^as expressed his concern for Munshi Sahib’s illness and prayed for him. Huzoor^as further stated that he should attend Jalsa Salana and added that one should not shorten one’s Namaz due to an illness; rather, one should offer it while sitting if one does not have the strength to stand. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 53)

19 December 1894: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he stated that Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin^ra and a few guests had come to meet with him. Huzoor^as said that he should also come and told him to bring a few important things with him. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 607)

20 December 1885: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he explained that if a muqtadi (a person who is praying in congregation behind the imam) is unable to recite Surah al-Fatihah, the Namaz is still accepted; however, it is preferred for one to recite Surah al-Fatihah. If the imam is quick in his recitation, then, Huzoor^as stated, a person may recite as much as he is able to; even if it be only a verse or two. Huzoor^as added that this should not distract one from the imam’s recitation. If one is unable to complete the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, then the Namaz will still be accepted, but the reward and standard will not be the same. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 467)

20 December 1886: The Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra and mentioned a review which was written about his book, Surma Chasham-e-Arya. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 483)

20 December 1887: The Promised Messiah^as wrote to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin^ra in which he stated that he had conveyed his salaam to Bashir (Awal – the first). Huzoor^as added that at first, he thought:

کَیۡفَ نُکَلِّمُ مَنۡ کَانَ فِی الۡمَہۡدِ صَبِیًّا

“How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”

Huzoor^as further added that upon conveying his salaam to Bashir Ahmad, who was a child at the time, he began to smile and placed his index finger over his mouth. This letter shows the Promised Messiah’s^as cordial relationship with Hazrat Maulvi Hakim Nuruddin^ra and also complements Huzoor’s^as honest personality in that he passed on a message conveyed in a letter to a young child.

In the same letter, Huzoor^as also instructed Hazrat Maulvi Hakim Nuruddin^ra to prepare a ring, write a response to Lekhram’s book, Takzeeb Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya, and search for a job for Abdullah Khan Sahib, younger brother of Fateh Khan Sahib. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.2, p. 48)

20 December 1890: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin^ra in which he outlined details of the publication of his book Fath-e-Islam (Victory of Islam). Further on, Huzoor^as wrote the detailed symptoms of a young relative, Muhammad Baig, son of Mirza Ahmad Baig. Huzoor^as requested Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin^ra to prepare a medicine for him as he lost his voice and his mother was extremely worried for him. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 97)

20 December 1895: On this day, the Promised Messiah’s^as Urdu book, Nur-ul-Quran Part II was published from Zia-ul-Islam press, Qadian.

Fateh Masih, a Christian missionary, was posted at Fatehgarh, district Gurdaspur. He wrote two letters to the Promised Messiah^as in which he resorted to abuse with regard to the Holy Prophet^sa of Islam. He wrote in a scurrilous manner concerning his marriages, character and the Islamic concept of paradise. In answer to these letters, the Promised Messiah^as wrote the second part of Nur-ul-Quran. It was priced at eight annas and spanned around 80 pages. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.1, p. 179)

21 December 1887: The Promised Messiah^as wrote to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he mentioned a few important matters. He instructed him to arrange for a woman of prominent characteristics to nurse Bashir Ahmad. After stating the required characteristics, Huzoor^as told him to fix a salary and further said that he would, upon fulfilling this task, continue to receive God’s blessing in this world and the in the Hereafter. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.2, p. 530)

21 December 1898: The Promised Messiah^as composed a letter to Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahman^ra in which he stated that he had received a revelation in the morning:

قادر ہے وہ بارگہ ٹوٹا کام بناوے

بنا بنایا توڑ دے کوئی اُس کا بھید نہ پاوے

(Almighty is He. He sets right a ruined project and breaks up a running one. None has access to His secret.)

Huzoor^as further wrote that he should inform him of his wellbeing. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 383)

22 December 1891: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan^ra in which he stated that the Jalsa was soon approaching. Huzoor^as said that due to Nawab Sahib’s^ra poor health and his inability to travel for this blessed Jalsa, he should send his employee, Mirza Khuda Bakhsh, in his stead. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 161)

22 December 1893: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra. In his letter, this noble companion stated that he desired to have a coat prepared for the Promised Messiah^as. Upon reading this, the Promised Messiah^as replied that it would be better that he prepare quilts for guests of Qadian instead.

Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani^ra says that this letter had no date mentioned, but the stamp was dated as 22 December 1893. Moreover, he added that this letter exhibited Huzoor’s^as hospitality for guests. Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra wrote to Huzoor^as expressing his desire to provide him ease, but setting aside his own comfort, Hazrat Ahmad^as instructed Munshi Sahib^ra to prepare quilts for the guests instead. This shows how Huzoor^as morally trained his Companions^ra. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.2, p. 598)

22 December 1901: A student named Munshi Abdul Haqq Kasuri^ra, who became a Christian after being influenced by Rev Newton in Firozpur, upon reading Al Hakam and a few writings of the Promised Messiah^as, wrote a letter to Huzoor^as stating that he desired to witness the truthfulness of Islam. Upon receiving the letter, the Promised Messiah^as wrote that he should visit Qadian and stay there for at least two months. Thus, he made his way to Qadian Dar-ul-Amaan (the abode of peace). This student arrived in Qadian on this date sometime after 2pm. This young man left college to visit Qadian. In Qadian, he was fortunate to have a sitting with the Promised Messiah^as and ask questions and hear their answers directly from Hazrat Ahmad^as. This incident has been recorded in Malfuzat (Vol. 2, p. 69).

23 December 1884: The Promised Messiah^as replied to an abusive letter he received from Haji Waliullah who was from Kapurthala. Haji Waliullah did not accept Ahmadiyyat, but all of his close relatives did. Due to some circumstances and influences, Haji Waliullah had reservations with regard to the claim of the Promised Messiah^as, which he mentioned in a letter to Huzoor^as.

On this date, Huzoor^as replied to that letter. We can only imagine how harsh the letter, written by Haji Sahib must have been; however, we must appreciate the courage and patience shown by the Promised Messiah^as. This incident clearly highlights the high morals Huzoor^as possessed. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 394)

23 December 1891: The Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he stated that on 27 December 1891, a Jalsa would take place in Qadian to decide matters related to his opponents. Huzoor^as further stated that he should attend this Jalsa too. This letter refers to the first ever Jalsa Salana, in which 75 fortunate individuals gathered at Masjid Aqsa, Qadian. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 582)

23 December 1891: The Promised Messiah^as wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra in which he asked him to attend the Jalsa and instructed him to bring two large carpets along with him. Huzoor^as also told him to arrive by 25 December. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 582)

24 December 1902: In this day’s issue of Al Hakam (24 December 1902, pp. 11–12) it was reported, “On the night between 21 and 22 December, which was the first night of the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Promised Messiah^as received the revelation:

يَأْتِیْ عَلَيْكَ زَمَنٌ كَمِثْلِ زَمَنِ مُوْسٰی

“[A time is coming for you which will be like the time of Moses.]

“The Promised Messiah^as said, ‘I have not received this revelation before during this period of 24 or 25 years, even though I have been given the name Musa [Moses] several times in divine revelations.” (Tadhkirah [English translation], p. 605)

25 December 1902: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as received the following revelation.

اِنِّیْ صَادِقٌ صَادِقٌ وَسَیَشْھَدُ اللہُ لِیْ

“I am truthful, truthful; and soon will Allah bear witness for me.” (Tadhkirah [English translation], p. 606)

With regard to this revelation, the Promised Messiah^as writes in his book, Haqiqatul Wahi (English translation, p. 895):

“Verily, God Almighty repeatedly informed me of Dowie’s death; the number of glad tidings in this regard is quite large. All of them were published in the newspapers named Badr and Al Hakam prior to Dowie’s death and before he became afflicted with a number of calamities. One who is ready to reflect should refer to the aforesaid newspapers.”