Ariyo Fadlul-Hakeem Ahmad, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
The Bible is widely debated regarding its authenticity, with many questioning the accuracy of its accounts. However, the Holy Quran confirms that some truths from earlier scriptures have been preserved, as it says:
مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ
That is The Holy Quran testifies to that which existed before it. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.42)
This purports to say that despite the unreliability of the previous scriptures due to human interpolations, there still lie some accounts in which point to the truth of that which is to come. And in their fulfillment, Prophet Muhammadsa was sent with the everlasting Divine guidance: The Holy Quran.
One such example is the prophecy mentioned in the Book of Revelation, chapter 10.
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.” (Revelation, 10:1)
“And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth,” (Revelation, 10:2)
“And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.” (Revelation, 10:3)
In verse one, according to Bible scholars, it was deduced that this event would take place at the second coming of the Messiah to this world and that with his arrival, the prophecy mentioned later will be fulfilled.
In the following verse (verse 2), the description was made of “a little book open.” The Hebrew word used for open was “Fatoah” which has great resemblance to that used in Arabic that is “Fatiha”. Thus, this points to an important fact that the fulfillment of this prophecy is related to the Muslims.
To substantiate this, verse 3 made a more clear mention of the miracle that will follow that book by stating “[…] Seven thunders uttered their voices”. This means that the book will be accompanied by seven great subject matters.
In its fulfilment, the first chapter of the Holy Quran is a chapter called al-Fatihah (The Opening) and it contains seven verses (seven thunders), each addressing different subjects of great importance. About this, we read in the Holy Quran:
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكَ سَبْعًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَثَانِى وَٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٱلْعَظِيمَ
That is, “And We have, indeed, given thee the seven oft-repeated [verses], and the Great Qur’an.” (Surah al-Hijr: Ch.15: V.88)
The first phase of the prophecy has been fulfilled and that leads to the second phase. We read:
“And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (Revelation, Ch.10: V.4)
The prophecy foretold that al-Fatihah would, for a time, remain a “closed book,” but the day would come when its spiritual treasures would be revealed. This unveiling was prophesied to occur in an era of spiritual decline, as described by God’s appointed in the following verse:
“But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:7)
Once this prophecy was fulfilled, the spiritual treasures of al-Fatihah would be unlocked, and people across nations would once again benefit from its profound wisdom:
“And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)
This prophecy was fulfilled with the advent of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, peace be upon him. He claimed to be the Messiah, and God Almighty confirmed his claim through undeniable Divine support.
By Allah’s grace, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas unlocked the spiritual mysteries of al-Fatihah, revealing Divine truths that had remained hidden. He authored an exegesis titled I‘jazul-Masih (The Miracle of the Messiah), where he unveiled the deep meanings of the seven verses of Surah al-Fatihah, presenting profound spiritual realities previously unknown. It was as if the chapter had remained sealed until Hazrat Ahmadas laid bare its divine treasures.
I end with words of the Promised Messiahas:
“The treasures that laid buried for more than a thousand years; are now being distributed by me to the one who is ready to accept them.” ([Translation of an Urdu couplet] Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 5, p. 117, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 21, p. 147)
