A lady from London wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa asking about Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III’srh warning about the potential outbreak of World War III in one of his Friday sermons in light of the Promised Messiah’sas prophecies. She requested more evidence regarding this.
Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 17 December 2021, provided the following answer to her question:
“Allah the Exalted informed the Promised Messiahas through various dreams, visions and revelations about the major calamities and earthquakes that were to occur in the world. Five terrifying catastrophes have been especially mentioned among them. Hence, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“‘The prophecy of the Almighty God regarding the coming of five earthquakes, the words of which are, ‘Five times shall I show you the dazzling manifestation of this Sign.’ The meaning of this Divine revelation is that God Almighty says that, in order to bear witness to the truth of my claim, and so that people may realise that I am from Him, God Almighty will cause five terrifying earthquakes to appear, one following the other, at short intervals. They will bear witness to the truth of my claim, and each of them will display such radiance that the beholder will at once be reminded of God. Such a terrifying effect will they have on people’s hearts, and so extraordinary will be their power, intensity and devastation, that people beholding them will lose their very senses.’ (Tajalliyat-e-Ilahiyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 395)
“Describing the horror and intensity of these calamities, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“‘So know it with certainty that just as, in keeping with the prophecy, there have been earthquakes in America and also in Europe, so will they occur in different parts of Asia, and some of them will be like the Doomsday. There will be death on such a large scale that streams of blood will flow. Even birds and grazing animals will not escape this death. Such destruction will overtake the earth as has not happened since man was created. Most places will be turned upside down as if they had never been inhabited. There will also be other terrible afflictions, both in heaven and earth […] Do you reckon that you will be safe from these earthquakes, or that you can save yourselves by your own machinations? Absolutely not. All human works will come to an end that day. Do not imagine that America etc. were hit hard by severe earthquakes while your country remains safe from them. Rather, I see that perhaps you will encounter greater adversity than them.
“‘O Europe! You are not safe! And O Asia! Neither are you secure! And O the dwellers of Islands! No artificial ‘God’ will come to your aid. I see cities falling and habitations in ruin.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 268-269)
“It should not be assumed from the mention of earthquakes in these warning prophecies that these calamities will only manifest in the form of earthquakes. Rather, it can also mean other disasters that may spread destruction in a similar way to earthquakes. Clarifying this, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“‘And yet it is true that God’s words are often in the form of metaphors, as, for example, He says:
مَنۡ کَانَ فِيۡ ہٰذِہٖۤ اَعۡمٰي فَہُوَ فِي الۡاٰخِرَةِ اَعۡمٰي
“‘[‘Whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter.’ (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.73)]
“‘Therefore, it was quite possible that the earthquake might mean some other great calamity that has all the characteristics of an earthquake. Still, the actual words have priority over the interpretation. Even though this prophecy had a wide scope, God fulfilled it literally as well, so as to humiliate the enemy. And it is possible that aspects of this prophecy might manifest themselves in the future in some other way. But it will still be something out of the ordinary, as stated by the prophecy. […] Thus, this prophecy foretells an extraordinary event of the first order. Moreover, it is quite possible that it may be followed by calamities resulting from various natural causes and lead to destruction that is extraordinary. Thus, even if there were no specific mention of the earthquake in any part of this prophecy, it would still constitute a very great Sign; for, the crux of the prophecy is the extraordinary and unparalleled destruction of houses and places, regardless of whether it comes about through an earthquake or through other means.’ (Appendix to Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya V, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 21, p. 161)
“In exact accordance with the news of the unseen that was revealed to the Promised Messiahas by Allah the Exalted, the world has witnessed the fulfilment of the four signs in the form of two world wars, a plague epidemic, and extraordinary earthquakes that have occurred in most parts of the world, causing unprecedented damage to human and animal lives, birds, and infrastructure. Allah the Exalted had informed the Promised Messiahas about the manifestation of five signs in particular. Allah knows best how the fifth sign will manifest itself and cause destruction in the world; whether it will be in the form of an extraordinary earthquake, a global pandemic, or a third world war. However, it is clear as day that if the world does not use its wisdom and does not turn to its Creator, then, just as the first four signs have been fulfilled, the fifth sign will also be fulfilled, and then, as Allah the Exalted has promised through these prophecies, Islam will prevail with an extraordinary triumph. Insha-Allah.
“During his visit to Europe in 1967, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh discussed the same topic in light of the aforementioned prophecies of the Promised Messiahas and that is what you have also referred to in your letter. Hence, Huzoorrh stated:
“‘The Holy Founderas of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, presented hundreds, if not thousands, of signs to the world as evidence of the truthfulness of Islam. One of these signs was his prophecy, received through divine revelation, regarding five great calamities. The first and second world wars have already occurred, fulfilling two aspects of the prophecy in grand fashion. The effects of the third devastating calamity, whose ominous signs are already appearing on the horizon, will be extremely terrifying and destructive. Along with this, Allah also informed the Promised Messiahas that the time of the victory of Islam would also be associated with this third calamity.
“‘The only way for humanity to escape this calamity is to choose the true path and that path is Islam. Allah’s wrath is about to descend upon this world. The flames of destruction are already raging. Come and cool down the blazing flames of this fire with tears of repentance [istighfar]. Come and seek refuge under the cool shade of the mercy and kindness of Muhammadsa, the Messenger of Allah. Rise up and establish a living relationship with Allah. Come, if you want to save yourself from the raging flames of this fire!’ (Friday Sermon, 11 August 1967, Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 1, p. 808)”