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
22 May 1893: A debate that took place between the Promised Messiahas (representing Islam) and Abdullah Atham (Christianity), started on this day and continued until 5 June 1893. Huzooras had mentioned that he spent those days like a warrior, giving precedence to this historic debate and ignoring everything else, at times including meals also. This debate was titled Jang-e-Muqaddas (the Holy War) and publicised by the Christian camp, even before the start of the debate.
22 May 1900: The Promised Messiah’sas book Government Angrezi Aur Jihad (The British Government and Jihad) was published on this date. This book explains the true nature of jihad and its philosophy. The arguments presented within the book derive from the Holy Quran, hadith and human conscience. In the book, the Promised Messiahas announced the foretold religious decree about jihad according to ahadith.
24 May 1892: The fatwas (edicts) of disbelief against the claims of the Promised Messiahas, which were gathered by Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, is mentioned a lot. This useless exercise and unnecessary fatigue saw yet another blow when a Maulvi Hafiz Azim Bakhsh from Patiala wrote a letter to the Promised Messiahas distancing himself from the above mentioned fatwa-e-kufr prepared by Maulvi Muhammad Hussain. Maulvi Hafiz Azim Bakhsh Sahib requested Huzooras to remove his name from the list of religious scholars who issued fatwas against Huzooras. This Maulvi Sahib also dispatched his poem expressing his reverence for Huzooras. Some other people also exposed the deceitful approach of Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Sahib.
24 May 1897: In the month of May, Husain Kami, the Consul for Turkey stationed at Karachi, after several requests for an interview, came to Qadian probably out of Islamic sentiments to meet the Promised Messiahas. What happened in Qadian has been mentioned in the previous episode, yet this meeting created quite a commotion among the Muslims of Punjab and indeed of the whole of India. Vernacular papers – of both Shias and Sunnis alike – the Nazimul Hind (Lahore) and The Chaudhwin Sadi etc. played the typical role of yellow journalism and misguided the masses that the Promised Messiahas wanted to repent from his claims in the presence of the Consul of Turkey. On this date, Huzooras had to write and publish a detailed notification to clarify the matter. Huzooras also reproduced the letters of Husain Kami here.
25 May 1908: The Promised Messiahas addressed his Jamaat for the last time on this day. Availing the moment, Hazrat Chaudhry Jahan Khanra from Mangat, district Hafizabad, held the hand of the Promised Messiahas and performed the Bai‘at. Chronologically, he was the last fortunate person to enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat at the hand of the Promised Messiahas.
25 May 1908: After the Asr prayer, the Promised Messiahas went out with his family for an outing. In the evening, he was occupied in writing his last book, Paigham-e-Sulh (A Message of Peace) and before midnight, his final illness intensified.
26 May 1884: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana, commenting on some contemporary issues about some friends and the acceptance of prayers.
26 May 1899: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to his companion and devout friend, Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra, educating him about the philosophy of divine decree. Huzooras diverted his attention towards the countless bounties of Allah being showered and reiterated that his faith and trust in God must never weaken. Huzooras also informed him that he had just received one hundred rupees sent by Seith Sahibra.
26 May 1908: The Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas passed away in the morning of this day at Lahore. At Fajr time, Huzooras performed tayammum [alternative for ablution] and offered Salat whilst lying down. In a state of semi-consciousness, he would repeat the words, “Allah! Merey piyarey Allah!” that is, “O Allah! My beloved Allah!” At 8:30am, Huzooras attempted to write something down about his health, but was unable to complete the sentence. At 9am, his health deteriorated and at 10:30am, the soul of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas departed this earth and returned to his Lord.
إِنَّا للہ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”
27 May 1891: The Promised Messiahas dispatched a caring letter to Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, expressing his concerns about the escalating tensions amongst the public of the area, where Maulvi Sahib would paid visits and speak. Huzooras wanted to settle this matter without any delays because these vilifying activities of Maulvi Sahib were harming common Muslims.
27 May 1908: The blessed body of the Promised Messiahas was removed from the coffin, placed on a charpai (traditional Indian bedstead) and carried on the shoulders of his servants at 2am. The funeral procession reached Qadian at 8am. After the Asr prayer, the Jamaat unanimously elected Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra as Khalifatul Masih I. After Bai‘at, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira led the funeral prayer and the Companions saw their master, the Promised Messiahas, one last time. At 6pm, the blessed body of the Promised Messiahas was buried at Bahishti Maqbarah Qadian.
28 May 1888: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra while residing in Batala, where his ailing son, Mirza Bashir Ahmad was under treatment. The Promised Messiah’sas personal love and care for matters of Maulvi Sahib becomes evident from this letter.
28 May 1900: The Promised Messiahas wrote a detailed notification, in which he unveiled the construction project of a minaret in Qadian. Huzooras urged his followers to donate towards this fund and explained the reason behind this elevated tower and other functions it would serve after its completion, for example a clock and a light. In this same announcement, Huzooras made his famous and historic verdict about jihad by the sword. Huzooras decreed that from now on, no one would be allowed to engage in any combat of the sword or firearms because a new dawn had approached, which was the jihad of the pen.
28 May 1903: Talim-ul-Islam College was inaugurated in Qadian. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. The Promised Messiahas was unwell and so he could not attend. Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira was appointed the principal of the college.
28 May 1903: In reply to the report of the above mentioned inaugurated college, sent by Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra, the Promised Messiahas mentioned the reason why he could not bless the ceremony with his presence that night. Huzooras had experienced chest pains near his heart a day before the ceremony was due to be held. Yet, Huzooras remained occupied in prayers in Bait-ul-Dua for the success of this college.
28 May 1906: The Promised Messiahas wrote a thorough letter to Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra. In it, Huzooras guided him from the wisdoms provided by Islam, about predicaments he was facing in his princely state of Malerkotla. Huzooras elaborated his word by citing examples from the verses of the Holy Quran and from the holy life of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.