HAZRAT MIRZA BASHIRUDDIN MAHMUD AHMAD (RA), SECOND WORLDWIDE HEAD OF THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Translated by Zafir Mahmood Malik for The Review of Religions translations team
The month of March marks a historic month in the history of Russia. It was in March 1917 that a three-hundred-year old dynasty was brought to an end. Nikolai Aleksandrovich, commonly known as Tsar Nicholas II, was forced to abdicate the throne as revolution spread throughout Russia.
Born in 1868, Nikolai was the eldest child of Aleksandr Aleksandrovich – Alexander III. He succeeded his father in November 1894 and was subsequently crowned as Tsar on 26th May 1896.
By all accounts Nikolai was a family man and through his marriage to Alexandra, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, in 1894, he had five children: four daughters and one son. Despite the growing tensions within the empire and war with Japan, the Tsar was undoubtedly a powerful monarch. His estimated wealth was a staggering $300bn[1] – making him the seventh richest person in history.
What caused the downfall of such a powerful empire and the end of a dynasty that wielded supreme power for hundreds of years? Despite the fact that the Tsar was closely related to many monarchs in Europe – including King George V of England – why was the he not given granted refuge elsewhere?
Twelve years prior to the abdication of the Tsar, in a remote village of India, a remarkable prophecy was made. On 15th April 1905, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) – the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community published an announcement in which he said that God Almighty had informed him of an impending catastrophe that would encompass the entire world. It would be so horrific that it would resemble Judgement Day.
In 1905, whilst the Tsar was engulfed in a bitter war with Japan and was successful in crushing a revolution, little did he know that his fate had thus been sealed. Hindsight tells us that the prophecy referred to none other than the Great War, or World War I, one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of the human race, which ended with the loss of approximately 37 million lives[2] – (both civilian and military). It was during this very war that the Tsar was forced to abdicate, arrested and then, within a matter of 15 months, killed along with his wife, daughters and son, bringing an end to the Romanovs.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) claimed to be the reformer of the latter days, awaited by all major religions of the world. One of his main claims was that God Almighty existed and spoke to his chosen servants. He published countless prophecies in which he foretold of events relating to his own person, family members, friends and foes as well as events around the world. In this treatise, titled ‘Magnificent Signs of the Living God’, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) – Second Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – highlights some of these magnificent prophecies, such as the plague of India, the earthquake of Kangra Valley, the Balkan Wars, the Iranian Revolution and the deposition of the Tsar of Russia, to name a few.
وَ مَا کَانَ رَبُّکَ مُہۡلِکَ الۡقُرٰی حَتّٰی یَبۡعَثَ فِیۡۤ اُمِّہَا رَسُوۡلًا یَّتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِنَا ۚ وَ مَا کُنَّا مُہۡلِکِی الۡقُرٰۤی اِلَّا وَ اَہۡلُہَا ظٰلِمُوۡنَ
[‘And thy Lord would never destroy the towns until He has raised in the mother town thereof a Messenger, reciting unto them Our Signs; nor would We destroy the towns unless the people thereof are wrongdoers.’[3]]
Magnificent Signs of the Living God
دنیا میں ایک نذیر آیا پر دنیا نے اس کو قبول نہ کیا۔ لیکن خدا اسے قبول کرے گا اور بڑے زور آور حملوں سے اس کی سچائی ظاہر کردے گا۔
‘A Warner came unto the world, but the world accepted him not; yet God shall accept him and demonstrate his truthfulness with powerful signs.’[4]
The Tsar of Russia’s Pitiable Fall from Grace Was Foretold Twelve Years Earlier by the Prophet who Appeared in India.
It is God Almighty’s eternal practice that whenever the world is immersed in sin and immorality, when people abandon God and their moral condition deteriorates, and as mankind begins to lose all hope, as the throats and lips of those who yearn for spiritual rain dry up and the hollows under their eyes deepen due to their relentless thirst, that He sends His prophet and messenger for the reformation of the people.These messengers are clouds carrying spiritual rain, drenching every patch of earth capable of absorbing it, quenching the thirsty. These prophets are the spiritual light through which those who are immersed in darkness are able to see once again. They are a fire which burns the enemies of truth and reduces them to ashes. They are the lightning which strikes the blessed in such a way that instantly instils them with such strength whereby the blind begin to see, the lame begin to walk and the mute begin to speak. In short, the bond formed with a prophet is the antidote to every deadly poison, and opposition to prophets is like consuming deadly poison, after which no man-made remedy in the world can prevent one from perishing or falling to ruin.
In the current time, people have utterly disassociated themselves from spirituality and to brazenly sin and transgress has become common practice, so much so that this age is crying out that if a prophet has ever appeared at any point in time, then a prophet should definitely come in this era as well. If reformers have been sent to people of the past, then a reformer should certainly be sent in this era as well. Prophets of the past have unanimously prophesied that this era would be the time for the advent of a prophet. Although different religions disagree on thousands of matters, and there is rarely anything that all religions agree upon, all religions unanimously agree that a prophet will appear in the latter days. And the signs that have been foretold about the era of his advent are all being fulfilled in this very age. Regrettably, despite the need of the hour and the unanimous testimony by all religions, people have not paid any attention to recognising the prophet of this age, who God Almighty sent down from the heavens at the precise time of need. Is the world waiting for a prophet to literally descend from the skies with angels by his side and for God Almighty to loudly announce his advent so that the whole world hears and immediately accepts him? And for heaven to be placed on his right and hell to his left and for such a prophet to be granted authority over divine decree? If this is what people are expecting, then this expectation will never be fulfilled. No prophet in the past has appeared in such a manner, nor will a prophet ever appear in this way in the future.
For the guidance of mankind, prophets have always been raised from amongst them, because a different kind of species cannot serve as a role model for another. Prophets are sent to this world as role models and guides. They do not physically descend from the heavens, but rather, just like other human beings, they too are born from the womb of a woman. Thus, no prophet can appear who does not conform to this practice of the past prophets. Any prophet that will appear will do so in the same way that prophets appeared in past eras.
O ye who wish to listen, pay attention! O ye who wish to see, observe! O ye who possess intellect and wisdom, comprehend! The age-old practice of God Almighty that was manifested in the times of the earlier prophets has been witnessed again in this era as well. The Promised One that was destined to appear has indeed arrived who according to the Hindus was Krishna, Mesio Darbahmi according to the Zoroastrians and according to the Jews, Christians and Muslims, was known as the Promised Messiah. God Almighty manifested the same signs at his hands, just as He has done for the prophets in the past. The Promised Messiah (as) prayed and God Almighty accepted his prayers. Those patients who were medically incurable were cured through his hands. The events he foretold before the entire world were fulfilled to the letter. As is unanimously agreed by all religions, events of the unseen are not disclosed in such magnitude to anyone except Messengers of God. The Holy Qur’an states:
فَلَا یُظۡہِرُ عَلٰی غَیۡبِہٖۤ اَحَدًااِلَّا مَنِ ارۡتَضٰی مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ
‘and He reveals not His secrets to anyone, except to whom He chooses from among His Messengers.’[5]
Similarly, the Bible states: ‘If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.’[6]
O ye who are in search of the truth! What method should I adopt to make you understand that the Promised Messiah, who in different religions was prophesied as the Mahdi (as) or Krishna (as) or Mesio Darbahmi (as) or Buddha (as), is none other than Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. And from now through the Day of Judgement, no other person will appear who can fulfil this prophecy. How can I instil in your hearts that for people to recognise an appointed one of God Almighty is a blessing that is unparalleled by any reward found in this world? With which words should I inform you that those who attempt to wage war against God Almighty reach a pitiful end, and that whosoever rejects the Messengers of God, in fact, rejects God Almighty!
Alas! Which trumpet shall I sound in order to awaken the people of this world for them to see that the Light of God has reached its zenith! The majority of the world’s people claim to be followers of prophets sent by God Almighty in the past. However, it is regretful that there are few among them who have ever contemplated over why they have accepted these past prophets. Had they reflected over this, they would come to understand that the same arguments that convinced them to accept the past prophets that they follow would also lead them to easily identify the Messenger of this age. Alas! In this era, true faith has been replaced by one that is merely inherited. And if the prophets of the past, who were accepted by various nations, returned to this world and once again presented all the evidence that were granted in support of their truthfulness when they were first sent, their followers would contest even those signs as well.
یٰحَسۡرَۃً عَلَی الۡعِبَادِ ؑ مَا یَاۡتِیۡہِمۡ مِّنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا کَانُوۡا بِہٖ یَسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ
‘Alas for My servants! there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him.’[7]
God Almighty has manifested such a multitude of signs and arguments in favour of the Promised Messiah (as) that they are sufficient for those who are willing to believe. At a time when the world was unaware of him, the Promised Messiah (as) wrote the following revelation in his book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part III, page 241 (which was published throughout India in 1883):
یَاْ تِیْکَ مِنْ کُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیْقٍ۔ یَاْ تُوْنَ مِنْ کُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیْقٍ
[Help will come to you by every distant track. People will come to you so that the track will become deep due to excessive travel. So many people will come to you that the track on which they travel will become deep.’] (In other words, people and gifts will come to you from the far corners of the world.)
Similarly, on page 489 of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part IV, which was published in 1884, the following revelation was also published:
فَحَانَ اَنْ تُعَانَ وَتُعْرَفُ بَیْنَ النَّاسِ
‘The time is near when you will be helped and your name will be exalted among people.’
Likewise, in the appendix of the newspaper Riaz-e-Hind of Amritsar, dated March 1st 1886, several revelations of the Promised Messiah (as) were published. Among them were the following:
خدا تیرے نام کو اس روز تک جو دنیا منقطع ہوجائے عزت کے ساتھ قائم رکھے گا اور تیری دعوت کو دنیا کے کناروں تک پہنچا دے گا
‘God will maintain your name with honour till the day when the world comes to an end and will convey your message to the ends of the earth.’[8]
مَیں تیری تبلیغ کو زمین کے کناروں تک پہونچاؤں گا
‘I shall carry your message to the ends of the earth.’[9]
In other words, the Promised Messiah (as) would receive people and gifts from all four corners of the world. The time has come for him to be helped and become widely recognised among people. God Almighty will spread his message throughout the world. The way in which events have unfolded have proven that these words were the words of God, because after these revelations, hundreds of thousands of people accepted the Promised Messiah (as). His name is revered in countries of the world, be they in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia. Righteous souls from all continents of the worlds have accepted his message and are continuing to do so. Despite all manner of persecution, his community continues to make rapid progress with the dawn of each new day.
Furthermore, on page 519 of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiah (as) prophesied the spread of the plague throughout India. Thus, the plague appeared in India approximately fifteen years after this prophecy was published. Even today, hundreds of thousands of people die each year owing to this epidemic. Even now there seems to be no sign of it coming to an end. When the plague was in its early days and it had resulted in only a few deaths, the Promised Messiah (as) published a revelation in an announcement on 6th February 1898 titled The Plague in which he wrote that he was shown in a vision that certain plants were planted into the earth in the Punjab and that these plants represent the plague. Consequently, a severe outbreak of the plague ravaged the Punjab. Likewise, in relation to the plague, the Promised Messiah (as) was vouchsafed another revelation:
مو تا مو تی لگ رہی ہے
‘There is death everywhere.’[10]
Similarly, the Promised Messiah (as) foretold about the earthquake that occurred on 4th April 1905 in the following words:
زلزلہ کا دھکا – عَفَتِ الدِّیَارُ مُحَلُّھَا وَ مُقَامُھَا
Meaning that a severe earthquake will upend and destroy buildings from their foundations. [11] Temporary and permanent structures alike will be torn from their foundations and be demolished. Hence, this revelation was published in the Al-Hakam newspaper on 31st May 1904 and in Al-Badr on 24th May and 1st June 1904 one year prior to the earthquake. Subsequently, one year after this prophecy, an earthquake struck in the Kangra Valley on 4th April which resulted in the deaths of 30,000 people and those injured numbered many more. Villages were wiped out of existence so that no trace of them was left and all of Punjab, from one end to another was shaken to the core. And even towns hundreds of miles away suffered significant loss of life and property. Tremors of this earthquake were felt outside of the Punjab as far as Bengal. In short, this earthquake was an unprecedented event in the history of India.
When the province of Bengal was to be split, all government officials unanimously agreed that the decision to split it would not be reversed. British government ministers announced repeatedly that this decision would be binding and unchangeable. In 1906, the Promised Messiah (as) published the following revelation in The Review of Religions, in English and Urdu volume 5, number 2, February 1906, as well as in the newspapers of Badr, Al-Hakam and the Indian Mirror, Calcutta:
پہلے بنگالہ کی نسبت جو کچھ حکم جاری کیا گیا تھا اب اُن کی دلجوئی ہوگی
‘Concerning the order that had been issued with regard to Bengal, they will now be consoled.’[12]
Exactly six years later, despite constant refusal by the government officials, this decision was revoked on the occasion of the coronation of George V and thus this prophecy was majestically fulfilled.
A man by the name of Alexander Dowie, who resided in Chicago, USA, and was the head of a large sect, claimed to be Elijah. On one occasion, when he spouted venom against Islam, the Promised Messiah (as) published an announcement about him in which he prophesied that Dowie would suffer a chastising punishment. Thus, soon enough, Dowie’s wife and son turned against him, he was discovered to be an illegitimate child and his followers abandoned him. He was paralysed and eventually died in a state of insanity. There are countless other signs such as these; however, he is mentioned here particularly because he was well-known throughout Europe and the Americas, and his followers were spread across these two continents.
The Promised Messiah (as) foretold both the downfall of the Ottoman Empire and the fact that Sultan Abdul Hameed Khan would suffer owing to his viziers. A while before this incident took place, the Promised Messiah (as) published this in an announcement on 24th May 1897, which was later fulfilled very clearly.
With regards to the revolution in Iran, on 15th January 1906, the Promised Messiah (as) published the following revelation:
تزلزل در ایوانِ کسریٰ فتاد
‘The palace of Chosroes has been shaken.’[13], [14]
This revelation was fulfilled three years later when the Iranians revolted against the Shah of Iran, who was then forced to flee.
The Promised Messiah (as) was vouchsafed news about the Balkans War ahead of time. In the January 1904 Urdu edition of The Review of Religions, the following revelation was published:
غُلِبَتِ الرُّوْمُ فِیْ اَدْنَی الْاَرْضِ وَھُمْ مِّنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِھِمْ سَیَغْلِبُوْنَ
‘The Turks have been defeated in the land nearby, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious.’[15]
Subsequently, the Ottomans suffered defeat at the hands of the Balkan League close to Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. However, owing to the outbreak of civil war among the Balkan League, shortly after this defeat, the Ottomans managed to recapture Adrianople [present-day Edirne] in an emphatic victory, thereby fulfilling both parts of this prophecy in an extraordinary manner.
With regards to the present war [World War I], the Promised Messiah (as) foretold of the events in an announcement published in 1908:
اک نشاں ہے آنے والا آج سے کچھ دن کے بعد
جس سے یگر ںدش کھا ئیںگےدیہاتوشہرو مرغزار
A Sign will appear some days hence
Which shall overwhelm the countryside, the cities, and the meadows.
لیکنخدااسےقبولکرےگااوربڑےزورآورحملوں
اِکبرہنہسےنہیہہوگاکہتاباندھےازار
People will be seized with a revolution by the divine wrath
So suddenly that a naked one will have no time to secure his clothing.
یکبیکاِکزلزلہسےسختجنبشکھائیںگے
کیابشراورکیاشجراورکیاحجراورکیابحار
All of a sudden, with a severe earthquake, all will be shaken up.
Be they humans, tree, mountains, or seas.[16]
اِکجھپکمیںیہزمیںہوجائےگیزیروزبر
نالیاںخوںکیچلیںگیجیسےآ ِبرودبار
In the twinkling of an eye, the earth will be turned upside down;
Streams of blood shall flow like the flowing of a channel.
رات جو رکھتے تھے پوشا ی ک برنگِ یاسمن صبح کردے گی انہیں مثلِ درختانِ چنار
Those whose night garments were white as jasmine,
Will wake up in the morning as if clad in red, like the poplar tree.
ہوش اُڑجائیں گے انساں کے پرندوں کے حواس بھولیں گے نغموں کو اپنے سب کبوتر اور ہزار بلبل
Men and birds will lose their senses;
All pigeons and nightingales will forget their songs.
ہر مسافر پر وہ ساعت سخت ہے اور وہ گھڑی راہ کو بھولیں گے ہو کر مست و بیخود راہوار
That hour will bear heavily upon every traveller,
And those who are on a journey will lose their way in a fit of forgetfulness.
خون سے مردوں کے کوہستان کے آبِ رواں سرخ ہو جائیں گے جیسے ہو شراب انجبار
The flowing waters of mountain streams
Will run red, like red wine, with the blood of the dead
مضمحل ہوجائیں گے اس خوف سے سب جنّ و انس زار بھی ہو گا تو ہوگا اُس گھڑی باحالِ زار
Men, high and low, will be consumed with fear;
And the Tsar himself will, at that hour, be in a pitiable state.
اِک نمونہ قہر کا ہوگا وہ ربّانی نشاں آسماں حملے کرے گا کھینچ کر اپنی کٹار
That divine Sign will be a specimen of terror;
Heaven will attack with a drawn dagger.
ہاں نہ کر جلدی سے انکار اےسفیہِ ناشناس اِس پہ ہے میری سچائی کا سبھی دارمدار
Hasten not to deny this – O ignorant fool! –
For my truthfulness depends entirely on the fulfilment of this Sign
وحی حق کی بات ہو کر رہے گی بے خطا کچھ دنوں کر صبر ہو کر متقی اور بُردبار
This is a prophecy based on the revelation of God and will surely be fulfilled;
Wait, then, a while in righteousness and steadfastness
یہ گماں مت کر کہ یہ سب بدگمانی ہے معاف
قرض ہے واپس ملے گا تجھ کو یہ سارا اُدھار
Do not imagine that all your ill thinking will be forgiven;
It is a debt that will be repaid to you in full.
Similarly, there was the revelation:
کَشتیاں چلتی ہیں تا ہوں کُشتیاں
‘In others words, many ships will sail extensively to engage in naval warfare.’[17]
We observe that in the present war [i.e. World War I], ships have played a significant part because different armies are being transported to various battlefields through them. This is something that has never been witnessed before in the history of mankind. Furthermore, submarines are carrying out very devastating attacks. Due to naval warfare, which is a unique aspect in itself, there are thousands of ships and vessels, both large and small that have been in constant use throughout this war. Not only is there not a comparable example [of ships being used], in past wars, [naval] ships did not play even one-tenth the role that they have played in this war. Although the word used, ‘کشتی’ – kashti – can be used to mean large ships, it is primarily used for smaller vessels. It also refers specifically to submarines, whose merciless attacks are the most important parts of naval warfare.
These signs presented above are but a few examples among the thousands of signs from God Almighty fulfilled by virtue of the Promised Messiah (as). When one recognises these, not even an iota of doubt can remain about the truthfulness of the claim of the Promised Messiah (as), because it is not possible for an ordinary human to predict so many future events, which are then fulfilled with absolute clarity and at the appropriate time. A few predicted events could be called deception or conjecture. But to prophesy a multitude of events, again and again, all of which come true at their appointed time, is a matter that is beyond the realm of human capacity.
Followers of different religions, when they study the prophecies made by their prophets in their scriptures, believe them and attest to their truthfulness. This is despite the fact that there is some doubt that these prophecies could have been added to their books at some later point in time. Why, then, do they deny the truth of the Promised Messiah (as), after the fulfilment of prophecies about which there can be no doubt? This is the era of the printing press. Verbal claims and proclamations alone do not hold any ground. The prophecies of the Promised Messiah (as) that I have mentioned were published in several books and newspapers and magazines prior to their fulfilment. Therefore, even the staunchest and most dangerous opponent cannot dare contend that these prophecies were fabricated afterwards, because not only were these prophecies published ahead of time and distributed among friends and foes alike, God Almighty also ensured another method by which their truthfulness can be ascertained. This [method] was that the Promised Messiah (as) lived under a non-Muslim government and it was stipulated by them that one copy of every book, magazine, advertisement or newspaper that was published had to be sent for governmental records. This can serve as proof of whether these prophecies were really published ahead of time or not. Proof can be obtained from the records and files of the government, and this is evidence that nobody could reject.
Thus, with the presence of such signs and proofs, how can one reject the claim of the Promised Messiah (as), yet still profess belief in the prophets of the past, regarding whom – with the exception of the Holy Prophet (sa) – there is no certainty as to whether their prophecies were published before time or not? Furthermore, this does not only apply to the prophecies that have been fulfilled thus far, in fact, we are constantly witnessing new prophecies that God Almighty is manifesting as proof for the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as). As a matter of fact, recently two more magnificent prophecies have been fulfilled. One is regarding the conquest of Iraq and the other is about the deposition of the Tsar of Russia. Details regarding the former prophecy will be published in a separate treatise. Currently, I would like to present the latter prophecy to the world. May God Almighty enable all virtuous souls to derive benefit from this.
As mentioned previously, the Promised Messiah (as) foretold the coming of the present world war [i.e. World War I] in an Urdu poem of his which included the following couplet:
مضمحل ہوجائیں گے اس خوف سے سب جنّ و انس زار بھی ہو گا تو ہوگا اُس گھڑی باحالِ زار
This meant that all men, of whatever station [in life], would be consumed with fear during this war; and the Tsar himself would, at that hour, be in a miserable state. This prophecy was written in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, part 5, on 15th April 1905[18], as is stated in the note given below it, however, owing to certain reasons, this book was published in 1908. Similarly, in 1914, this entire prophecy, along with its English translation, was published in an article in The Review of Religions. In the said article, the Editor wrote a note under the prophecy and he singled out this particular part of the prophecy. He writes: ‘This is a harrowing account of a future distress which is to fall humanity in the near and remote future. The description is of a complex character and its dire details are dreadful enough to cause a shudder and make one’s hair stand on end…but the name of Russian Tsar attaches special interest to the predicted event.’[19] This prophecy was then published in an article in September 1914. It was subsequently published in June 1915 and January 1916. The words of this prophecy are so clear that it is unnecessary to write anything further about it. It clearly states that during this war, the Tsar of Russia will suffer a miserable and pitiful fate. The words used in Urdu to describe the condition of the Tsar are: حالِ زار – ‘Haale Zaar’ – which means a state whereby a person loses all their strength and resources, and they are in such a wretched and terrible state that it announces its own misery without any explanation needed.
When this prophecy was made, there was not even the slightest sign or indication of the events that are happening now in 1917. There is no doubt that at the time, Russia was engaged in a war with Japan, but measures were already in place to reach reconciliation through the help of the United States of America. The prophecy states:
اکِ نشاں ہے آنے والا آج سے کچھ دن کے بعد
[‘A sign will appear some days hence.’]
This indicates that this sign would appear sometime in the future after this. Secondly, it is evident from the prophecy that this calamity would affect the entire world and there will be general misery. The words of the prophecy clearly state that they were not referring to the times in which it was made, but instead referred to events that were going to take place in the future, the like of which had not been witnessed in history. Thus, this prophecy was made at a time when it was impossible to predict these events, because the prophecy stated that the time of the Tsar being in this wretched state would coincide with the time that the world would be undergoing this general calamity. It was also stated:
خون سے مردوں کے کوہستان کے آبِ رواں سرخ ہو جائیں گے جیسے ہو شراب انجبار
[The flowing waters of mountain streams
Will run red, like red wine, with the blood of the dead]
As well as:
مضمحل ہوجائیں گے اس خوف سے سب جنّ و انس
[Men, high and low, will be consumed with fear]
These conditions were not in place before 1914. In fact, at the time, even those who held the reins of the opposing governments in their hands could not perceive the dangerous state of affairs that would later transpire, to the extent that some British ministers were adamant that the war would be concluded within one year and that the British armed forces would return home in time to celebrate Christmas by December 1914. Thus, to predict a great war in 1905 and to stipulate that during the war, the Tsar of Russia would be in grave calamity and his state would be so perilous and feeble that it would become self-evident, is such an outstanding prophecy, the like of which is seldom found in the predictions of the earlier prophets. Furthermore, the historical evidence that this prophecy was published beforehand is unprecedented.
The more one analyses the words of the prophecy in the context of the power and might of the Tsar, whilst noting the events surrounding his abdication, the more one realises the grandeur of this prophecy. Anyone aware of the history of Russia will be very familiar with the might and influence the Tsar wielded. As the respected author has written under the heading ‘Russia’ in Encyclopaedia Britannica that even the rebellious factions of the society were gradually leaning towards reconciliation and, with the establishment of the Duma [state assembly], much of the of the public uprising had been suppressed. Moreover, a large unit of Cossack soldiers, whom the Tsar deeply trusted, were assigned the duty of protecting him. Yet, despite the power of the Tsar and the fact that the revolution within the country had been subdued, the 12th of March brought an uprising so powerful that the Tsar was forced to abdicate within a matter of just three days. His ruin was further evident from the several changes he was forced to make. Initially, he alleviated the concerns of his ministers by informing them that he had appointed General [Mikhail Vasilyevich] Alekseyev to run affairs of the Capital. This demonstrates that the rebellion had spread so rapidly that even the Tsar was oblivious to the full gravity of the situation and dismissed it as insignificant. However, a little while later, when he discovered that the Imperial Guard protecting the Capital had defected to the revolutionaries and the other soldiers were also joining, he decided to abdicate the throne in favour of his brother. However, when he realised that the people were not satisfied even with this decision, he ultimately declared: ‘In agreement with the Imperial Duma, we have thought it well for the good of the country to abdicate the crown of the Russian State and resign the supreme power.’ This was not the end of the matter, however, as the provisional government decided that the Tsar ought to be imprisoned. Thus according to a reporter, the lawyers of the Duma reached Mogilev [headquarters of the Russian Imperial Army] before the Tsar reached the royal palace. They presented an order for the arrest of the Tsar to General Alexziyen. The general immediately informed the Tsar, who at the time was seated in his royal carriage. The reaction of the Tsar to this decision of the Duma is a manifestation of the words of the prophecy; as he replied that he was prepared to go anywhere ordered and would be willing to accept any verdict. From these words it is clear that he was in a state of utter despair. With regards to his condition, a reporter writes: ‘When he arrived at the royal residence, the former Tsar, wearing the uniform of a Russian soldier, appeared to be worried.’ After his arrest, it was reported that his condition became even worse. Thus, one reporter writes: ‘Newspapers daily publish reports of meeting with the Tsar’s brothers [including the Grand Duke] which show that the Tsar and Tsarina are in a painful isolation. They are completely unacquainted with both the country’s state of affairs and the condition of the rest of the royal family.’ All this shows that in a most unusual way, the Tsar went from being a powerful monarch to a defeated person, thereby fulfilling the words of God Almighty:
زار بھی ہو گا تو ہوگا اُس گھڑی باحالِ زار
‘The Tsar himself will, at that hour, be in a pitiable state.’
Aside from the incidents mentioned earlier, certain other events took place which indicate that this prophecy was fulfilled in full grandeur and glory:
1) As proven from later correspondence, the leading thinkers of Russia had decided that there would no longer be a Tsar and that instead, a republic government will be formed. If they had decided to appoint another Tsar in place of the current one, the criticism could have been raised against this prophecy, that a new Tsar has been appointed who is not in a ‘pitiable state’. But now that a republic has been formed, there will be no Tsar.
2) The words of the prophecy show that the Tsar would be forced to abdicate in a manner that would not bring about his immediate death, because one who is killed cannot be described as being in حالِ زار – ‘a pitiable state’. One can only be in a pitiful state when he is alive yet in worse circumstances than he was before, having lost all his resources. And this is what happened; instead of being killed, the Tsar was kept alive and arrested and removed from the throne and the entire world was a witness to his ‘pitiable state’.
3) This prophecy was fulfilled in a way that it could be publicised well and is evidence of God’s power. Otherwise, had the Tsar been defeated at the hands of the Germans, or if the provisional government that ordered his abdication did not have friendly ties with the British government, political considerations would have prevented the publication of the fulfilment of this prophecy. However, prophecies are published for the reformation and guidance of the people and God Almighty Himself ensures that when they are fulfilled, the means are provided that they can be published far and wide. Hence, for the Tsar – who was a close ally of the British government – to abdicate in such a manner whereby it did not contravene any policy [or diplomacy], demonstrates that the One Who revealed this news was none other than the All-Powerful God. As He Himself revealed the news beforehand, He also ensured the means of its propagation Himself.
At the end, I would like to draw the attention of all people in the world – irrespective of which faith or faction they belong to, or whichever part of the world they live in – and say: is the fulfilment of this magnificent sign not ample proof that the one who foretold this sign was sent by God Almighty and was from among His chosen ones? If the answer to this is in the negative, then there is no evidence for the truthfulness of any other prophet either.
O my dear ones! Seeing the level of immorality and sinfulness in the world, God Almighty desires to bring the world back towards the path of guidance and truth and to fill the world with piety and righteousness. The mercy of the benevolent God, Who in times of darkness and misguidance has always sent His guides and shone the light of truth, deemed it necessary that this era ought not to be deprived of His mercy. Thus, by sending His Messenger (as), God Almighty opened the doors that lead to His nearness.
Whoever holds love for God in their hearts and whosoever’s soul is yearning to submit at the threshold of the divine, come forward, for the time has come for your desire to be fulfilled the hour approaches in your wish will be granted.
Alas! Is it not enough to open the eyes of the wise that right now every single religion is deprived of that supreme blessing [divine communion or revelation] that they all admit was bestowed to their forefathers? Followers of every religion claim that their saints were blessed with divine revelation, but at the same time they also confess that they are not blessed in this way. Is there no virtuous one among us who would reflect as to why the door of revelation was open in the past, but is now sealed shut? Is this not proof that those religions who were once on the path of guidance, have now strayed far away from the right path? How shameful it is that one is prepared to lay the blame on God, but unable to admit their own weaknesses? It is asserted that God Almighty closed the door of revelation for no reason and that people continue to carry out the same deeds as the people of the past, yet God does not send down any revelation to them. People refuse to accept that God Almighty is willing to send down His Grace even today, but it is the people themselves who have abandoned His ways, as a result of which, they are deprived of the blessings of God. On the contrary, God Almighty still speaks today. Thus, in this day and age, God Almighty spoke to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah, and to thousands of his followers.
O people of India! Irrespective of your nation, whichever religion or whatever language you may speak, I urge you to value this divine blessing which God Almighty has bestowed upon you out of His grace. For a prophet of God to appear in a country does not diminish its honour; rather, this is a divine favour of which other nations are envious. Rejoice therefore that God Almighty has chosen India, your abode and homeland. People from many countries deeply desired and each one of them wanted this blessing for their [own] country. However, God Almighty deemed India worthy of this divine favour. Therefore, no matter how much gratitude the people of India show, it would be insufficient. Can there be a greater act of foolishness than that God Almighty bestows His grace upon a nation and they refuse to accept it? Thus, hasten to accept this truth, for there is honour in this for you both spiritually and secularly. Those days are nigh in which the name of India will be renowned because of the Promised Messiah (as); in fact, that day is knocking at the door and will soon dawn. Therefore, do not be neglectful of this matter. Do not become like the person who has a spring flowing in front of his house which people flock to from all over to camp around and quench their thirst, but who himself is wracked with thirst and yet does not try to drink from the spring. The fortunate people from various countries around the world are forging a relationship with this appointed one of God and deriving the spiritual blessings associated with him. Alas! How unfortunate is the nation who, despite being in close proximity, remain distant and being so close, is yet so far. The Ganges is flowing within your homes, bathe in its blessed water and remove all your impurities, for in the eyes of God Almighty, the pure are not those who clean themselves with physical water, but those who cleanse themselves with spiritual water.
O people of India! It is part of human nature to be mindful of one’s honour, and this can be found in everyone, although each person’s level of honour may vary. Many people unlawfully attribute all honourable matters to themselves. Just look at Muslims. The graves or sacred artefacts of every renowned saint which are located in any other country are copied here and declared to be authentic. The Hindus do the same. Several areas are declared to be the home and birthplace of various saints because they consider it to be honourable. When one can strive to such an extent to acquire a false and superficial honour, why then would you abandon the true honour? Value the favours of God, for all goodness is found within them. If you have been blessed greatly, remember that this places a great responsibility upon your shoulders, because whoever rejects a divine favour suffers God’s wrath. Thus, in your hearts decide for yourselves, which of these two outcomes is worthy of acceptance – is it the wrath of God, or is His blessings? Know this very well: no one has the strength to withstand God’s wrath. Therefore, accept the divine favours bestowed by Him and believe in the appointed ones and vicegerents of God so that you may enjoy peace, both in this life and the hereafter.
O people of Europe and America! You have derived great benefit from the material world created by God Almighty and the doors of knowledge and sciences have been opened to you. Is this not enough to kindle in you a desire to drink from the spiritual realm also and succeed even further? You are witnessing God Almighty’s power with your own eyes. You know full well the devastation caused by this World War and you can understand the wretched condition of the Tsar of Russia better than those living in other countries. Thus, derive benefit from the signs of God so that you may become the recipients of divine favours. Behold! The Islam presented before you by the priests is not the real Islam, but instead they present to you their own distorted view of what they deem Islam to be. True Islam is a priceless treasure of spiritual knowledge, the like of which is unmatched by any other religion. Prophet Jesus (as) said that a tree is known by its fruits. Therefore, do not view Islam from the angle shown to you by its enemies, rather view it in the manner the Prophet Jesus (as) wished you to see it and ponder over how sweet the fruits of Islam are.
In this day and age, when all other religions have failed to provide any living proof of their truthfulness, it is only Islam which can prove that it is a living religion and through which one can discover the path that leads to communion with God Almighty. Thus, accept Islam and believe in the Prophet (as) who was bestowed his rank by God Almighty after showing complete obedience to the Holy Prophet (sa) and by acting on the shariah of Islam. In this manner, you will be deemed as those who follow the commandments of God and believe in all the prophets, and the spirit of Jesus (as) will be pleased with you, for whosoever accepts the one who was sent in the likeness of Jesus (as), it is as if he accepts him. And whoever rejects the one who was sent in his likeness, it is as if he rejects the very prophet who he has come in place of.
وَ اٰخِرُ دَعْوٰنَا اَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِللہِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ
[And the conclusion of our prayer shall be, all praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.]
Humbly
Mirza Mahmud Ahmad
4th April 1917, Qadian
ENDNOTES
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47379458
[2] https://www.historyonthenet.com/how-many-people-died-in-ww1, https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I/Killed-wounded-and-missing
[3] The Holy Qur’an, 28:60.
[4] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2016), 435.
[5] The Holy Qur’an, 72:27-28.
[6] The Bible, Deuteronomy 18:22.
[7] The Holy Qur’an, 36:31.
[8] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publications Ltd., 2009) 181.
[9] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2009) 405.
[10] See the Announcement titled Al-Wasiyyat, published 27th February 1905, also in the Al-Hakam Newspaper, Vol.9, No.7, p. 11. [Author]
[11] See Tadhkirah under ‘December 1903’. [Author]
[12] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2009) 792 [Author]
[13] See January 1906 edition of The Review of Religions in Urdu. [Author]
[14] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2009) 785. [Publishers]
[15] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2009) 654. [Publishers]
[16] Divine revelation has repeatedly employed the word ‘earthquake’ and has indicated that the earthquake will present a spectacle of Doomsday, as described in the Qur’anic verse:
اِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْاَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا
[When the earth is shaken with her violent shaking (The Holy Qur’an 99:2)].
But I still cannot say with certainty if it will, in fact, be an earthquake. It may not be an ordinary earthquake but some other dire calamity evoking the spectacle of Doomsday, the like of which would not have been witnessed by this age, and which would bring about great destruction of life and property. However, if no such extraordinary sign appears and people do not openly reform themselves, then I shall prove to be a liar. I have also written time and again that the terrible calamity which God has given the name of ‘earthquake’ will not strike merely on account of religious differences, nor will the calamity befall anyone just because he is a Hindu or Christian, or because he has not pledged allegiance to me. All such people have nothing to fear. But everyone, regardless of which religion they belong to, who is a hardened criminal or is engrossed in sin and transgression, or anyone who is an adulterer, murderer, thief, oppressor, or unjustly ill-thinking, or foul of tongue and character; all such people should be fearful. And if they repent then they, too, have nothing to fear. This calamity can be averted through piety and righteousness and is not inevitable. [This footnote originally appeared in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya and was written by the Promised Messiah (as) himself.]
[17] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Tadhkirah, (Tilford, Surrey Islam: International Publication Ltd., 2009) 821. [Publishers]
[18] Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV, Ruhani Khaza’in Vol. 21, (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publication Ltd., 2008), 152.
[19] The Review of Religions, August 1914, p.307.
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