Prophet Muhammadsa foretold that Allah would revive Islamic teachings – when Muslims would forsake them – through an elected class of men who were His chosen ones and of “Persian” descent.
This narration of Prophet Muhammadsa is to be found in the most authentic book of hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari. The Prophetsa, putting his hand on Hazrat Salman al-Farisira, a Persian companion, said:
“If faith were to reach the Pleiades [the highest stars] even then some men or a man from these people [i.e. Hazrat Salman’sra nation (Persians)] would retrieve it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, The Book of Tafsir of the Prophetsa, Hadith 4897)
In another narration mentioned in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, the Holy Prophetsa recited the verse:
وإِنْ تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَكُونُوا أَمْثَالَكُمْ
“[…] And if you turn your backs, He will bring in your stead a people other than you, then they will not be like you.” (Surah Muhammad, Ch.47: V.39)
The Companionsra asked who these “people” were. In reply, the Holy Prophetsa “patted the shoulder of Salman, and said: ‘This one and his people, this one and his people.’” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, The Book of Tafsir of the Prophetsa, Hadith no. 3260)
It is well known that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi was not only a non-Arab but of Persian descent – a direct fulfilment of the prophecy. He came as the reviver of faith, the Prince of Peace, who began a new enlightenment of peace for the world that was based on true Islamic teachings.
Without Islam – the truest of all religions – there can be no lasting peace. The very absence of true Islamic teachings meant the wider world could not experience lasting peace.
Therefore, the reformers Prophet Muhammadsa foretold were not only for the Muslims but for the whole world, which has to become a global village as per the prophecies.
Interestingly, Prophet Muhammadsa did not just refer to one man in the above narrations (though the Promised Messiahas was the primary recipient of the prophecy) but also spoke of “people” or “men” [rijal] of Persian descent who would continue to revive Islam, thus enabling the world to escape the shackles that tied it down.
The history of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya shows how magnificently the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa were fulfilled and today his words continue to be fulfilled through another man of Persian descent: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdias.
For almost 20 years, he has been a lone – yet divinely inspired – voice that has warned the world about an impending disaster, powerful enough to shake humanity to its core. Despite naysayers and sceptics, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s words have rung true; analysts now agree that the threat of nuclear war and complete and utter devastation is not a stretch of the mind or an exaggeration.
The warnings of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa have not been mere alarm bells – he has given actionable Islamic solutions for the unrest we are experiencing. He has paved the pathway to peace – true and unadulterated Islamic teachings. Teachings like upholding absolute justice, shunning vested interests and turning to Allah as a means for lasting peace and morality. His addresses and discourses are full of gems and actionable advice, yet world leaders and humanity at large fail to take heed.
Just recently, during Jalsa Salana UK 2022 and Jalsa Salana Germany 2022, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa delivered pertinent addresses that unpacked solutions for peace and harmony in our personal, national and international lives. During Jalsa Salana UK 2022, Huzooraa spoke about the rights of men and women that Islam affords and how they benefit society as a whole – creating a just world while giving due rights. In his address to Lajna, Huzooraa also showed how exemplary Muslim women led the world in their greatness of sacrifices and high levels of faith and how Ahmadi women should strive to achieve those great heights. He reminded Ahmadis around the world about the internal spiritual revolution they have to instil within themselves in order to honour their pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiahas. If acted upon, all the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa would create a revolution in the world.
In his concluding address during Jalsa Salana Germany 2022, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa spoke on the current and dire geopolitical situation of the world – its causes and solutions. Huzoor’s analysis shows how he has the support of Allah behind him as no other leader or analyst can pinpoint with such accuracy and profoundness – and give solutions – to the underlying issues that prevent lasting peace and harmony.
For example, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa told world leaders and nations that while peace was lauded and desired around the world, in reality, nations only desired peace for themselves, not for others. This had led to clashes between politicians and injustices between countries and peoples. The selfishness only createed disorder – and the desire for “peace” in turn became a curse as it was peace for one, not the other. Today, standards differed and in reality, peace was only desired for a select few, not the whole world.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said that the Holy Prophetsa of Islam taught that once one realised there was a Higher Power Who watched over us, we would understand and act on the “golden rule” that we must desire for others that which we desired for ourselves – a teaching Islam has at its core. In turn, universal peace would be established.
Another point Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa raised was that belief in a God, Who was “Lord of all the worlds”, would break down the barriers of hatred and discord amongst people. By realising God is One and the Lord for all, one removes hatred towards any other, whether a Christian, Jew or Muslim.
These addresses and discourses of the man who stands today as the reviver of faith, following the footsteps of the Promised Messiahas, are to be acted upon. As Ahmadis, we should be the first to take heed and change ourselves for the better. We must be the change we desire and to stay protected from the ills and vices of the world, we must endeavour to follow every instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, whether the world acts on his guidance or not.