In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiahas with some more details
22 January 1883: On this date, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib in which he acknowledged the receipt of 10 rupees he sent, expressed his gratitude and prayed for him. Huzooras, whilst describing the Muslim Ummah, stated that there were many sects that had moved away from the teachings of Islam, some of whom no longer believed that God was eternal. Some sects did not give Salat and fasting their due attention, while others refused to believe in the reality of Heaven, Hell and angels and said that the door to revelation is closed. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 510)
22 January 1886: The Promised Messiahas, accompanied by Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanaurira, Hazrat Sheikh Hamid Alira and Fateh Khan Sahib, arrived in Hoshiarpur. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 274)
22 January 1888: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. Huzooras stated that he had read his letter many times and added that whenever he remembered God’s gracious nature, his worries would drift away. Huzooras stated that Allah is All-Powerful and has the ability to save one from problems and difficulties. Huzooras added that one should exhibit patience as there is a certain time for everything to happen. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 54)
22 January 1889: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanaurira in which he expressed his happiness upon receiving his letter as Huzooras was waiting for him to come and visit him. Huzooras said that he expected him to arrive within 2-4 days. The Promised Messiahas, alluding to his frail health, stated that at times, it proved difficult to even respond to letters. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 205)
22 January 1897: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanaurira in which he congratulated him on his marriage and informed him that the Walima was served to guests on Friday.
Huzooras stated that more than 80 guests, including Hazrat Seith Abdur Rahman Sahibra Madrasi, Sheikh Rahmatullah Sahib and many other respectable people, had attended. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 230)
22 January 1897: The Promised Messiah’sas book Anjam-e-Atham was published on this date. Towards the end of Jang-e-Muqaddas, on 5 June 1893, the Promised Messiahas published a prophecy about Abdullah Atham (who represented the Christian community in the debate of Jang-e-Muqaddas) that Atham would be thrown into Hell within 15 months – one month corresponding to each day of the debate – and that he would be (severely) disgraced “provided he did not incline to the truth”.
A period of 15 months had elapsed on 5 September 1894, by which date Abdullah Atham was still alive. There was a great uproar that the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas turned out to be false as he was still alive. A procession was taken out on 6 September 1894 in Amritsar in which Atham was paraded as a sign that the Christians had become victorious over Islam. The Promised Messiahas wrote that the prophecy made by him was fulfilled in letter and spirit because during the period of 15 months, Abdullah Atham had repented, inclined towards the truth and had remained quiet without saying a single word against Islam and the Holy Prophetsa, nor did he write any article or book against Islam during this period.
Since 6 September, the Promised Messiahas issued seven announcements, one after the other, inviting Atham to take an oath that during the period of 15 months, he did not incline towards God. In the posters, he offered a prize of 1,000 rupees which went on increasing with every poster – to 2,000, 3,000 and then 4,000 rupees. Every time, Atham was invited to take an oath. It was after the seventh poster (issued on 30 December 1895) that the refusal of Atham had reached a point where he would not be given any further respite. Abdullah Atham died on 27 July 1896.
This book, Anjam-e-Atham, contains the related details of the events. The book also bears the list of Hazrat Ahmad’sas 313 Companions.
22 January 1897: On this day, the Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar, in which he stated that Islam was a living religion and signs of its truthfulness had been granted to him. Hazrat Ahmadas stated that he could demonstrate and show to all opponents that the Holy Quran was a miracle containing deep knowledge and sublime wisdom. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, p. 191)
23 January 1888: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra in which he stated that he had prayed for him. Huzooras added that he had sent letters to various people with regard to the proposal of his (Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin’sra) second nikah. He mentioned that he had received a letter from Mir Abbas Ali Shah Sahib, which Huzooras had attached along with this letter. Huzooras mentioned various matters with regard to the proposal and stated that the proposed woman was the daughter of Munshi Ahmad Jan Sahib. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 55)
24 January 1898: The Promised Messiah’sas book, Kitab-ul-Bariyyah was published on this date by Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian. History shows us that the Christian missionary of Amritsar, Dr Henry Martyn Clark, brought a charge of conspiracy to murder under Section 107 of IPC against the Promised Messiahas on 1 August 1897 in the court of Mr AB Martineau, District Magistrate of Amritsar.
Dr Clark stated that Hazrat Ahmadas had sent a young man, Abdul Hamid, to murder him. Abdul Hamid’s statement was also recorded. The magistrate immediately issued a warrant of arrest for Hazrat Ahmadas under Section 114.
The news of the arrest spread like wild-fire and opponents eagerly looked forward to seeing the Promised Messiahas alight the train at Amritsar railway station handcuffed. They gathered every day at the station waiting for him, but God would not let him be humiliated at the hands of his enemies.
The warrant of arrest never reached its destination and was never served to the Promised Messiahas. On the other hand, the district magistrate of Amritsar later realised his own mistake that he had no jurisdiction outside of Amritsar. Therefore, the case was transferred to the district magistrate of Gurdaspur.
This book carries the details of this court case and also briefly mentions details of the Promised Messiah’s ancestry.
25 January 1888: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira. In the letter, Huzooras stated that he should continue to inform him of his well-being and also instructed him to inform him of Sundar Das’ health in detail. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 531)
25 January 1890: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra in which he stated that his health was improving and also stated that his son, Mahmud (Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra), was suffering from a fever.
Hazrat Ahmadas went on to say that he had intended to pray for his Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin’sra friend, but could not do so due to the arrival of Qazi Ghulam Murtaza Sahib.
Huzooras said that as Qazi Ghulam Murtaza Sahib had arrived and visited after bearing many difficulties and losses, it was inappropriate to not show full hospitality towards him. This highlights Huzoor’sas great love and level of hospitality. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 92)
25 January 1890: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Numanira in which he expressed his condolences at the demise of his mother and prayed that Allah granted him patience. Huzooras mentioned a maulvi in Mecca who had taken it upon himself to declare him (the Promised Messiah) a kafir.
Huzooras said that simply declaring a person a kafir would not make them a disbeliever. A person could only be deemed kafir in the sight of Allah alone. In reality, a person who declares another Muslim a kafir becomes a disbeliever in the eyes of God.
The Promised Messiahas stated that a believer is he who is declared a kafir by ignorant men. Hazrat Ahmadas gave the example of Mosesas and the Pharaoh and quoted the verse of the Holy Quran:
وَ فَعَلۡتَ فَعۡلَتَکَ الَّتِیۡ فَعَلۡتَ وَ اَنۡتَ مِنَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ
“‘And thou didst do thy deed which thou didst, and thou art of the ungrateful.’” (Surah al-Shu‘ara Ch.26 V:20) (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 107)
25 January 1892: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter from Hazrat Munshi Habib-ur-Rahmanra, Raees of Haji Pura, in which he stated that he had received his letter after a long period of time. Huzooras added that his books, Dafi-ul-Wasawis, commonly known as Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, would soon be published.
The Promised Messiahas, answering a question Hazrat Munshi Habib-ur-Rahmanra asked about Zakat on jewellery, stated that various views on this topic had created many conflicting issues. Huzooras said that the majority of scholars say, no Zakat is due on jewellery that is worn every now and then. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 51)
25 January 1897: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he stated that Jesusas had passed away according to the verse of the Holy Quran:
فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ کُنۡتَ اَنۡتَ الرَّقِیۡبَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ
“But since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them.” (Surah al-Ma‘idah Ch.5 V:118)
Huzooras added that according to Hazrat Ibn Abbasra, “Inni mutawaffika” meant to cause one to die. Huzooras expounded that the Messiah who was promised to come in the Latter Days was to be from among the Muslim Ummah, as opposed to Jesusas of Nazareth. Thus, Huzooras claimed that he was that very Messiah who was to come in the Latter Days and break the cross. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 462)
25 January 1899: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he acknowledged receipt of 99 rupees and expressed his gratitude. Hazrat Ahmadas added that whilst writing this letter, his eyes were in so much pain, yet Huzooras still managed to write the short letter. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 632)
26 January 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that he had reached Hoshiarpur on Friday. Huzooras stated that he should pray for him that Allah blessed the journey. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 469)
26 January 1892: On this day, the Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that he had fervently prayed for him and added that God would not let his prayer go to waste. Huzooras told him to wait and show patience and remain focused on his work. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 583)
26 January 1896: The Promised Messiahas expressed the intention of writing a commentary on the gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. An announcement regarding this was published by Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, p. 115)
28 January 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that he had arrived in Hoshiarpur. Huzooras stated that he was unable to recall if he had conveyed his arrival in Hoshiarpur to him. Hazrat Ahmadas also told him to continue to pray for him and his journey. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol.2, p. 470)
28 January 1892: The Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar in which he stated that he had deemed it appropriate to hold a jalsa-e-aam (open meeting) to elucidate certain doubts and misunderstandings and to remove those objections which were raised against him that he had claimed to be a law-bearing Prophet, denied miracles and various other baseless allegations. Huzooras mentioned the location of this Jalsa and stated that it would take place at 1:30pm on 31 January 1892. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 328)
28 January 1897: On this day, the Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he claimed that the prophecies fulfilled through him were greater in proportion, number, quantity and power than those of Jesusas. Huzooras made an open challenge that if any priest could prove otherwise, he would offer them 1,000 rupees. 5,600 copies of this announcement were printed and published in Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, p. 193)