M Adam Ahmad, Al Hakam
Christian opponents raise another allegation against Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas that he was, God forbid, a false Messiah because he was not accepted by all the people of his hometown, Qadian, India.
It is a universal fact that every prophet of God is bitterly opposed and rejected by many in his hometown. Prophet Jesusas was not accepted by many and persecuted by his own countrymen. The Holy Prophetsa was strongly opposed and denied by a lot of people in his hometown. Likewise, all the prophets of God faced opposition and rejection by their fellow countrymen and in some cases, even their friends and family members did not accept them.
Hence, the non-acceptance of the Promised Messiahas by some people of Qadian is proof of his truthfulness and had the Christians thoroughly studied the Bible, their sacred book, they would not have raised this objection.
There are many references of the Bible which substantiate the truth of the Promised Messiahas in this regard. For example, Jesus says:
“He [Jesus] added, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.’” (Luke 4:24)
At another place, the Bible says:
“And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, ‘A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.’” (Mathew 13:57)
The Promised Messiahas said:
“God Almighty likened Qadian to Damascus and also said in His revelation:
اُخْرِجَ مِنْهُ الْيَزِيْدُوْنَ
[“There have been created in it [Qadian] people who possess the qualities of Yazid.” (Tadhkirah, p. 230)]
“This resemblance is due to those disbelievers and wicked people who live in this town because this town is full of people who do not remember death. They are engaged in worldly deceptions and tricks day and night. If the administration of the British government does not come as a hindrance [between them], their hearts are ready to commit any kind of atrocity.
“There are some among them who even deny the existence of God and do not consider anything to be haram [unlawful].
“I see their hearts that if they find an opportunity to commit adultery or unjust murder, not only is it permissible for them, but all these things are worthy of praise.
“To them, I may be worse than the rest of the world, but I have no regret. I am reminded of the words of my spiritual brother, Jesus, that a prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown. I am expressing the truth that if these people would have been present in the time of Imam Husain, I think they would have gone one step further than Yazid and Shimr, and if they had been present in the age of Jesus, they would have left Judas Iscariot behind in their machinations.” (Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 167-68)
In fact, it was a prophecy of Jesus which is recorded in the Bible that just as other prophets, the Promised Messiahas would also be opposed and rejected by his people. Hence, the Bible states:
“But first, the son of man [Messiah] must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the son of man.” (Luke 17:25)
In another book of the Bible, it is stated:
“I [Jesus] tell you [disciples] that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the son of man [Messiah] will suffer at their hands.’” (Mathew, 17:11-12)
Regarding how the Promised Messiahas and his followers were to be treated, the Bible says:
“For I will give you [followers of the Promised Messiah] speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.” (Luke 21: 15-19)
The Promised Messiahas said:
“Sahih Muslim relates that the Messiah would descend near the white minaret in the east of Damascus […] It has been disclosed to me by Allah that the interpretation of Damascus in this context is a town the dwellers of which have the temper of Yazid and the habits and thoughts of the wretched Yazid. […]
“It has been conveyed to me that by Damascus, therefore, is meant the place which possesses this well-known characteristic of Damascus. By specifying Damascus as the place of the appearance of the Messiah, Allah the Almighty has indicated that by the [word] Messiah, it is not meant the first Messiah to whom the Gospel was revealed, but it refers to someone from among the Muslims who, in his spiritual aspect, would resemble the Messiah [Jesus] and also Imam Husain, for Damascus is the capital of Yazid and is the centre of the Yazidis from which proceeded thousands of tyrannical commands. […]
“God Almighty, therefore, mentioned Damascus specifically for the purpose of indicating that whereas Damascus was the source of such tyrannical commands and was the city of such hard-hearted and dark-minded people, now a city like Damascus will become the headquarters for spreading justice and faith, for most Prophets have appeared in towns whose people were wrongdoers and yet God has been converting the accursed places into homes of blessings.” (Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 134-36; Tadhkirah pp. 229-30)
Moreover, the Bible also sheds light on the fact that prophets are generally persecuted and opposed by people. It says:
“Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord.” (James 5:10-11)
Hence, after all the opposition and non-acceptance in his hometown, “the outcome from the Lord” was that the Promised Messiahas and his Jamaat prevailed. Now, the acceptance of the Promised Messiahas and his followers continues to spread across the globe. These blessings of Allah the Almighty on the Promised Messiahas and his community as a result of showing forbearance and perseverance in the worst of times will expand and the majority of the world will eventually accept the truth.
