Raziullah Noman, Canada
The opponents of Ahmadiyyat spare no effort in their attempts to raise allegations against the Community and its founder, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). One of the commonly raised allegations against the Promised Messiah, (as) is regarding his demise; some creating fabrications saying that he passed away in the washroom – nothing could be further from the truth! All the related traditions and instances found in our literature disagree regarding this point. This is just one of the many lies of the opponents which are brought up to divert the topic of discussion away from the differences of beliefs. This is because they are well aware that they do not have any proof from the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings of the Holy Prophet (sa)) to respond to our arguments, which is why they need the help of falsehood and go well beyond decency. Their allegations are baseless and have no source at all.
The fact of the matter is that the Promised Messiah (as) had a noble death and passed away on his bed engaged in the exaltation, ‘Allah, Mere Pyaare Allah‘ (Allah, my beloved Allah.)[1]
On behalf of the opponents, this is not a new phenomenon of defaming holy personalities. If we examine the history of religions, we come to know that every Prophet sent by Allah the Almighty is mocked. Allah the Almighty states:
يَا حَسْرَةً عَلَى الْعِبَادِ ۚ مَا يَأْتِيهِمْ مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
‘Alas for My servants! there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him.’[2]
Do Not Narrate Everything You Hear
The anti-Ahmadis repeat this allegation without looking into the matter, which is concerning. The Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated:
كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ كَذِبًا أَنْ يُحَدِّثَ بِكُلِّ مَا سَمِعَ
‘It is enough of a lie for a man to narrate everything he hears’[3]
The Prophet Muhammad (sa) prophesized that the Muslims would be blessed with a Messiah from among them, who would resemble the Messiah sent to Bani Israel. The opponents of both Messiahs would also resemble one other. Non-Ahmadis mocking the Promised Messiah (as) are in reality a prophecy made by the Prophet Muhammad (sa). He stated:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مَا أَتَى عَلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ حَذْوَ النَّعْلِ بِالنَّعْلِ حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَتَى أُمَّهُ عَلاَنِيَةً لَكَانَ فِي أُمَّتِي مَنْ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تَفَرَّقَتْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلاَثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلاَّ مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً قَالُوا وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي
Abdullah bin ‘Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said: ‘”what befell the children of Isra’il will befall my Ummah, step by step, such that if there was one who had intercourse with his mother in the open, then there would be someone from my Ummah who would do that. Indeed the children of Isra’il split into seventy-two sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them are in the Fire except one sect.” He said: “And which is it O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Those who are upon what I and my Companions are upon”’.[4]
The Prophet Muhammad (sa) prophesied that the Muslims would become just like the Jews. Even today, the Jews mock the death of Jesus (as) and say that he – God forbid – died an accursed death on the cross. Anti-Ahmadis follow in their footsteps and mock the Messiah which Allah has sent to them, something which was bound to happen. These allegations are only raised by the ignorant, in order to hurt the feelings of the true believers.
In his final days, the Promised Messiah (as) travelled to Lahore from Qadian and arrived on 29th April 1908. He died in Lahore on 26th May 1908 and was buried in Qadian. He travelled to Lahore so that his wife could be treated, as she was suffering from an illness. The Promised Messiah (as) suffered from migraines and dysentery for a long time. However, because of his hard work in defending Islam which consisted of writing, lecturing, and meeting his followers, his health deteriorated. The Promised Messiah (as) passed away at around 10:30 am on 26th May 1908, surrounded by his family and close companions.[5]
Prophecies About His Death
In the year 1905, three years before the Promised Messiah (as) passed away, Allah began to inform him of his impending death.
On 9th April 1905, Allah the Almighty revealed:
قَرُبَ أجَلُكَ الْمُقَدَّرُ
‘Your determined term of life is nearing its end’[6]
On 24th April 1905, Allah revealed:
تمام حوادث اور عجائبات قدرت دکھلانے کے بعد تیرا حادثہ ہو گا
‘Your event will be after all other events and the showing of natural wonders’[7]
Allah the Almighty continued to inform The Promised Messiah (as) about his death and gave him the strength to write his last will and testament, wherein he stated:
‘Since God Almighty has informed me, through recurrent revelations, that the time of my demise is near, and since these revelations have been of such force as to shake me to the very core of my being— turning my heart cold to this life—I have deemed it appropriate to write a few words of admonition and advice for my friends and other such persons as may wish to derive benefit from my words. To begin with, I commit to writing the Divine revelation which informed me of my imminent death and motivated me to undertake this task.’[8]
On 20th May 1908, just a few days before the Promised Messiah (as) passed away, Allah the Almighty revealed:
الرحیل ثمّ الرحیل والموت قریب
‘It is time to march; again, it is time to march and death is near’[9]
These revelations show us the love Allah the Almighty had for The Promised Messiah (as).
Narrations Of Eyewitnesses
Another narration from an eyewitness is that of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), who states in his book, Hadhrat Ahmad:
‘He suffered from chronic diarrhea. When he came to Lahore the distemper was further aggravated. The constant stream of visitors left his system no time for repose. In this condition he received the revelation meaning: ‘The time to march is nigh: again, the time for marching is at hand.’ The revelation caused great anxiety among his followers, but shortly there came the news of the death of a friend at Qadian and people were reassured, thinking that the revelation had reference to that event. But when someone asked the Promised Messiah (as) he said that the revelation related to a much more important personage and did not refer to the deceased. Made anxious by this revelation, my mother expressed the wish that they should all return to Qadian. ‘To go back now,’ he said, ‘is not in my power. Now it is God alone who can take me back.’ But despite his illness and the revelation he remained devoted to his work.
In this condition he decided to deliver a lecture on the subject of amity and mutual understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims. He wrote out the lecture and gave it the title, The Message of Peace. The strain and preparing the lecture further weakened his health. The diarrhea increased. On the night before the writing of the lecture was completed the revelation came meaning, ‘Place no trust in this fleeting life’. He immediately mentioned the revelation to his family and said that it related to himself. The next day the lecture was completed, and it was sent to be printed. The following night the diarrhea increased and he became very weak. He roused my mother. When she came, he was prostrate. In her anxiety, she inquired what the matter with him was. The reply was ‘the same that I have told you about’ (meaning death.) After this he had another motion and he became weaker. ‘Send for Maulvi Noor-ud-Din,’ he said. And then ‘wake up Mahmood’ (the one who is giving this testimony) ‘and Mir Sahib’ (his father in law). I slept in a lower room at a slight distance from him. I was called up.
I found him very restless. The doctor had already come and given what help he could. But he did not rally. At last an injection was given. Then he fell asleep. When it was dawn he woke up and performed his morning prayers. His throat was completely hoarse. He tried to speak but could utter no sound. He called for pen and ink but could not write. The pen dropped from his hand.
He then lay down. Soon drowsiness came upon him. At about half-past ten, his holy spirit passed away to the presence of the August Sovereign, to the service of whose religion he devoted the whole of his life. To Allah we Belong and to Him shall we return. All through there was one word upon his lips and that word was “Allah”.’[10]
Further, the last moments of the Promised Messiah (as) are mentioned in Silsila-e-Ahmadiyya, Volume 1, by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), son of Promised Messiah (as), who was present at the time of the Promised Messiah’s (as) death:
‘On 25th May, after offering Maghrib and Isha’a prayers and taking some food, his father went to bed. At around 11pm, he felt the need to use the privy for defecation. He would often suffer from an upset stomach and diarrhea. He had a loose motion and consequently felt weak. He woke up his wife, who immediately got up to look after him and started massaging his feet. Soon after he felt the need to use the privy again. When he returned, he was weak to such an extent that while he was about to lie down on his bed, he wasn’t able to support his own body weight and almost fell on his own bed. Soon his eldest son and two doctors were also summoned to his bedside and all possible humanly efforts were made to save him. Due to his weakness, Ahmad (as) was also having trouble speaking. The only words that could be heard from him were ‘O Allah, my Dear Allah’. I (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) speaking) was standing by him at the time of Fajr prayer. After inquiring whether it was time for prayer he performed Tayammum and tried to offer his prayer in bed. But he fell unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he again inquired about Fajr prayer and offered his prayer while lying down in his bed. He was becoming weaker by the moment and all you could hear were the words:
‘O Allah, my Dear Allah!’
At last, at about 10:30am, with his family by his side, he breathed his last, and his soul departed from this world towards Allah.’
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’[11]
We see the same incident mentioned in Seeratul Mahdi:
‘On 25th May 1908, after finishing his final book Pegham-e-Sulh, he offered the final prayers of the day and then had his dinner. He began to suffer from dysentery, which was not out of the ordinary. He went to his room thereafter, where some members of his family massaged his legs. His bed was moved outside in the courtyard, as was customary in that area. He fell asleep, and shortly thereafter he went to the bathroom again, and then became extremely weak. He awoke his wife. She began to massage his legs, but his condition worsened.
She mentions that he felt the need to go to the washroom again, but was too weak to go to the bathroom, so arrangements were made in the room for him to relieve himself. After finishing using the bathroom, he felt nauseous and vomited. After that, he came back to the bed but was so weak that he almost collapsed onto the bed. His wife became alarmed, but he told her that what was decreed to happen was finally happening, (referring to his demise.)’[12]
The Promised Messiah(as) passed away in a state of prayer which is not objectionable in any way.
Opponents Were Not Present
The opponents who mock the death of the Promised Messiah (as) were not present during his last moments. They were not eyewitnesses. It was his family and companions who were present. All of the narrations mention that the Promised Messiah (as) died naturally on his bed. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply denying reality. If the Promised Messiah (as) really passed away as the opponents say, why would the companions continue to follow him and be ready to give their lives up for him? Why would the companions sacrifice everything for this Jama’at (community)? Why did no companion leave the true Islam after this incident?
Death Of A Martyr
The anti-Ahmadis forget that the Prophet Muhammad (sa) said that one who dies of a stomach ailment is a martyr. Through this narration, we see that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) also died the death of a martyr.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ الْمَبْطُونُ شَهِيدٌ، وَالْمَطْعُونُ شَهِيدٌ
‘Narrated Abu Hurairah (ra): The Prophet (sa) said, “He (a Muslim) who dies of an abdominal disease is a martyr, and he who dies of plague is a martyr”.’[13]
The Promised Messiah (as) not only died a natural death, but also the death of a martyr.
Imam al-Nawawi (rh) writes in Sharh Muslim:
وَأَمَّا الْمَبْطُونُ فَهُوَ صَاحِبُ دَاءِ الْبَطْنِ وَهُوَ الْإِسْهَالُ
‘The one who dies of a stomach disease refers to diarrhea.’[14]
Hazrat Imam Ibn Abdul-Barr (ra) has also stated the same:
وأما المبطون فقيل المحبوق وقيل صاحب انخراق البطن بالإسهال
‘As for the one who dies of abdominal disease, it is said he passes unpleasant smell (due to constipation) and other says it refers to one who is purging due to diarrhea.’[15]
Therefore, according to the greatest scholars of the anti-Ahmadis, the Promised Messiah (as) died a noble death. There is nothing objectionable about it.
Prophets Do Not Become Ill?
Some ignorant anti-Ahmadis ask: ‘Why did your Messiah get ill? Prophets do not have illnesses.’ This is a self-made criterion which contradicts the Qur’an, Hadith and their own commentaries.
Firstly, Allah the Almighty states:
وَمَنْ نُعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّسْهُ فِي الْخَلْقِ أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ
‘And him whom We grant long life – We revert him to a weak condition of creation. Will they not then understand?’[16]
This is a law for everyone, including Prophets, who are human beings. Allah the Almighty said to the Prophet Muhammad (sa):
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ
‘Say, ‘I am only a man like you’.’[17]
The words of Abraham (as) are also present in the Holy Qur’an. Allah the Almighty states that he said:
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
‘And when I am ill, it is He Who restores me to health.’[18]
It seems as if anti-Ahmadis have also forgotten Prophet Job (as) and what their scholars have written regarding his illness. Allah the Almighty states:
وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
‘And remember Job when he cried to his Lord, saying, ‘Affliction has touched me, and Thou art the Most Merciful of all who show mercy’.’[19]
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ
“And remember Our servant Job, when he cried unto his Lord, saying, ‘Satan has afflicted me with toil and torment’.”[20]
The well-known exegete, Ibn Kathir writes in his commentary regarding chapter 38, verse 41 of the Holy Qur’an:
‘Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Ayyub (Job) and how He tested him. These tests afflicted his body, his wealth and his children, until there was no part of his body that was healthy except his heart. Then he had nothing left in this world which he could use to help him deal with his sickness or the predicament he was in, besides his wife, who retained her devotion to him because of her faith in Allah and His Messenger. She used to work for people as a paid servant, and she fed and served him (Ayyub) for nearly eighteen years. Before that, he was very rich and had many children, being well off in worldly terms. All of that had been taken away until he ended up being thrown into the city dump where he stayed all this time, shunned by relatives and strangers alike, with the exception of his wife – may Allah be pleased with her. She did not leave him, morning and evening, except for when she was serving people, then she would come straight back to him. When this had gone on for a long time, and things had gotten very bad, and the time allotted by divine decree had come to an end, Ayyub prayed to the Lord of the worlds, the God of the Messengers, and said:
أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِينَ
‘Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.’ (21:83)
And according to this verse:
وَٱذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ ۥۤ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ بِنُصۡبٍ۬ وَعَذَابٍ
‘And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he invoked his Lord (saying): ‘Verily, Shaytan has afflicted me with distress and torment!”
It was said that “distress” referred to bodily afflictions and “torment” referred to the loss of his wealth and children.’[21]
The other commentaries mention the exact same points, including Tafsir Jamiul-Bayan by Imam Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Jarir Ibn Yazid al Tabari.
Can A Prophet Be Ill During His Last Moments?
The next allegation of the anti-Ahmadis is that a Prophet cannot be ill during his last moments. They have no Qur’anic verse nor any Hadith to support their claim. They forget that our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (sa) was also ill during his final days.
It is narrated:
حَدَّثَنَا قَبِيصَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ،. حَدَّثَنِي بِشْرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَدًا أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهِ الْوَجَعُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
‘Narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra): ‘I never saw anybody suffering so much from sickness as Allah’s Messenger (sa)”[22]
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي مَرَضِهِ وَهْوَ يُوعَكُ وَعْكًا شَدِيدًا، وَقُلْتُ إِنَّكَ لَتُوعَكُ وَعْكًا شَدِيدًا. قُلْتُ إِنَّ ذَاكَ بِأَنَّ لَكَ أَجْرَيْنِ. قَالَ “ أَجَلْ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يُصِيبُهُ أَذًى، إِلاَّ حَاتَّ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ خَطَايَاهُ، كَمَا تَحَاتُّ وَرَقُ الشَّجَرِ
Narrated by `Abdullah: ‘I visited the Prophet (sa) during his ailments and he was suffering from a high fever. I said, “You have a high fever. Is it because you will have a double reward for it?’ He said, ‘Yes, for no Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of a tree fall down.’’[23]
Our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (sa) was also ill during his final days, and this does not in any way affect his claim of Prophethood He is the greatest of all Prophets and no one compares to him. All Prophets are included in the laws of Allah the Almighty and illness during an old age is completely normal.
He Did Not Die In The Washroom
The Promised Messiah (as) passed away on his bed. The Promised Messiah’s (as) bed was transported from the courtyard to his bedroom because of the cold and after 1:00am, there is no mention of him using the washroom or vomiting. He passed away at around 10:30am, which is more than 9 hours after he used the washroom.
According to this logic of anti-Ahmadis, the majority of those who have died, died in the washroom, as they used the washroom before passing away.
Same Allegation On Our Master, Prophet Muhammad (sa)
Anti-Ahmadis indirectly mock the Prophet Muhammad (sa) as well. Our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (sa) also used the washroom before passing away.
It is narrated that Hazrat Aisha (ra) stated:
وَقَدْ كُنْتُ مُسْنِدَتَهُ إِلَى صَدْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَتْ حَجْرِي ـ فَدَعَا بِالطَّسْتِ، فَلَقَدِ انْخَنَثَ فِي حَجْرِي، فَمَا شَعَرْتُ أَنَّهُ قَدْ مَاتَ
‘Verily when he died he was resting against my chest (or said: in my lap) and he asked for a wash-basin and then collapsed while in that state, and I could not even perceive that he had died.’[24]
It is also narrated:
حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ الْبَصْرِيُّ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمُ بْنُ أَخْضَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ، عَنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ: كُنْتُ مُسْنِدَةً النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، إِلَى صَدْرِي أَوْ قَالَتْ: إِلَى حِجْرِي فَدَعَا بِطَسْتٍ لِيَبُولَ فِيهِ، ثُمَّ بِالَ، فَمَاتَ.
‘Aisha (ra) relates that at the time of the death of the Messenger of Allah (sa), she gave him support with her chest, or she said with her lap. He asked for a container to urinate in. He urinated therein. Thereafter he passed away.’[25]
The shameful anti-Ahmadis use the same allegation on the Promised Messiah (as) which Christians use against the Prophet Muhammad (sa). The truth is that both Servants of Allah are free from any allegations.
The Promised Messiah (as) passed away in a state of prayer repeating ‘O Allah, my Dear Allah!’ on his bed on 26th May 1908.
Prophet Muhammad (sa) Also Had Arrangements Under his Bed
Some anti-Ahmadis claim that the Promised Messiah (as) had arrangements near his bed near his final days. They say that this proves he (as) passed away in the washroom God forbid.
By saying these words, they raise the same allegation against the Prophet Muhammad (sa) who also had arrangements near his bed. It is narrated:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عِيسَى، حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنْ حُكَيْمَةَ بِنْتِ أُمَيْمَةَ بِنْتِ رُقَيْقَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّهَا، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدَحٌ مِنْ عَيْدَانٍ تَحْتَ سَرِيرِهِ يَبُولُ فِيهِ بِاللَّيْلِ .
‘The Prophet (ﷺ) had a wooden vessel under his bed in which he would urinate at night’.(Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 1, Hadith 24)
A Death Caused By Cholera?
The next allegation of anti-Ahmadis is that the Promised Messiah (as) died of cholera – God forbid. This is another lie for which they have no proof. Their allegation contradicts eyewitnesses, science, medical research, the symptoms mentioned, the historical background and also the death certificate of the Promised Messiah (as).
Firstly, the Promised Messiah (as) had stomach problems long before he passed away. In Tadhkiratush Shahadatain, which was written 5 years before he passed away, he stated:
‘One day, during the course of conversation, mention was made of the tradition which says: ‘the Promised Messiah shall descend clad in two yellow sheets, one of these would cover the upper part of his body while the other would cover the lower part. I explained that this means that the Promised Messiah would suffer from two ailments because, according to the elucidation and interpretation of dreams and visions, yellow cloth denotes some kind of illness. I suffer from two ailments. One is the chronic trouble of headaches and the other is diabetes and diarrhea.’[26]
Secondly, in Seeratul Mahdi:
نیز حضرت والدہ صا حبہ نے فرمایا۔ کہ حضرت صاحب کو اسہال کی شکایت اکثر ہو جایا کرتی تھی۔ جس سے بعض اوقات بہت کمزوری ہو جاتی تھی اور آپ اسی بیماری سے فوت ہوئے
Hazrat Amma Jan, Nusrat Jahan Begum (ra), the wife of the Promised Messiah (as) stated: ‘Hazrat Sahib often complained about diarrhea and would often have this problem. Sometimes he would grow extremely weak of it and he passed away because of it.’[27]
The third reference is from Seeratul Mahdi, Volume 5, page 420, which is from Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin (ra), the first Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He explains that this time, the sickness of the Promised Messiah (as) was more than before. Meaning, the sickness was the same, but it was more severe.
The fourth reference is from Seeratul Mahdi Volume 2, page 410, and it is narrated by Hazrat Bhai Abdul Rahman Qadiani (ra). He spoke of the blessed body of the Promised Messiah (as) and mentioned that he had diarrhea and passed away of it. He says that the Promised Messiah (as) would often get tired and have this problem because of his hard work for Islam day and night.
These are four accounts from eyewitnesses.
Reference From Hayat-e-Nasir
Anti-Ahmadis often quote a book titled Hayat-e-Nasir and claim that it is written by the father-in-law of the Promised Messiah (as), Mir Nasir Nawab (ra). Firstly, it is not written by him, rather it is a biography of Mir Nasir Nawab (ra) and is written by Hazrat Yaqub Ali Irfani (ra). A large portion of the book is written by Mir Nasir Nawab sahib (ra). It was published in 1927, three years after Mir Nasir Nawab (ra) passed away. For this reason, he could not confirm or deny this reference.
The anti-Ahmadis quote:
حضرت صاحب جس رات کو بیمار ہوے۔ اس رات کو میں اپنے مقام پر جا کر سو چکا تھا۔ جب آپ کو بہت تکلیف ہوئی۔ تو مجھے جگایا گیا تھا۔ جب میں حضرت صاحب کے پاس پہنچا۔ اور آپ کا حال دیکھا۔ تو آپ نے مجھے مخاطب کر کے فرمایا۔ میر صاحب مجھے وبائی ہیضہ ہو گیا ہے۔ (حیات ناصر ۱، صفحہ ۱۴)
‘The night Hazrat Sahib became sick, that night I had already gone to sleep in my quarters. When he was greatly afflicted, I was awoken. When I reached Hazrat Sahib, and saw his condition, he saw me and remarked, ‘Mir Sahib, I have (have I) been afflicted with epidemic cholera.(?)”[28]
If this narration is accepted in the way anti-Ahmadis present it, it would contradict all of the other narrations which are of higher authenticity, with more detail and published closer to the death of Hazrat Masih Maud (as). It would also go against scientific and medical proof. It would also go against what the doctors said and what symptoms were shown by the Promised Messiah (as). All of these sources are in agreement that the Promised Messiah (as) did not die of cholera.
One way this narration can be understood is that the Promised Messiah (as) was asking a question. Such phrases are normal in the Urdu, Arabic and English languages. For example, one may say, ‘you went to the Mosque’ as a statement or can use the exact same words in the form of a question by saying: “you went to the Mosque?” Therefore, if we were to accept this narration, it may mean that the Promised Messiah (as) asked about his health so that the doctors can attend to him and prescribe the appropriate medicine. It may also mean that the Promised Messiah (as) was saying that it is impossible for me to have cholera, in a way of negation.
The narration, if accepted, cannot mean that the Promised Messiah (as) had cholera. It can only mean that he had some symptoms which are found in cholera. However, these very same symptoms are also found in other illnesses like diarrhea. Therefore, it is possible that he called it cholera which is something normal in our day to day language. For example, a common cold is often called the flu.
In Sahih al-Bukhari, there is a Hadith which anti-Ahmadis often quote. It is said:
إِنَّهُ لَيُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ قَدْ صَنَعَ الشَّىْءَ وَمَا صَنَعَهُ
‘The Prophet (sa) used to think he had done something which in fact, he did not do.’[29]
During the final days of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), he would say that he felt the poison which was given to him by the Jews. He stated:
وَقَالَ يُونُسُ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ عُرْوَةُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ “ يَا عَائِشَةُ مَا أَزَالُ أَجِدُ أَلَمَ الطَّعَامِ الَّذِي أَكَلْتُ بِخَيْبَرَ، فَهَذَا أَوَانُ وَجَدْتُ انْقِطَاعَ أَبْهَرِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ السَّمِّ ”.
Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrated that ‘the Prophet (sa) in his ailment in which he died, used to say, ‘O Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.’’[30]
However, he did not die of poisoning. He only felt the symptoms of it.
Scientific Proof That It Was Not Cholera
Science also proves that the Promised Messiah (as) did not pass away of cholera. He passed away of old age, weakness and a stomach ailment; an illness he had for many years. He passed away on 26th May 1908 and cholera was not even spread in Lahore or Punjab during this time. Therefore, it was impossible for the Promised Messiah (as) to have cholera.
Cholera only spread in India during the late summer to autumn in 1908, not during the month of May.[31, 32]
Symptoms Prove It Was Not Cholera
The symptoms which the Promised Messiah (as) had were not that of cholera. The symptoms of cholera include using the washroom continuously and vomiting continuously. However, the Promised Messiah (as) only had stomach problems five times and vomited only once. This shows that it was diarrhea and dehydration and not cholera. He used the washroom 9 hours before passing away. If anti-Ahmadis disagree, they should argue with the medical research.
Here is a reference from the official NHS website:
‘Dehydration: Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If left untreated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea’[33]
A Sign Of God
وَمَكَرُوا وَمَكَرَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ
‘And they planned, and Allah also planned; and Allah is the Best of Planners’[34]
When the Promised Messiah (as) passed away, the opponents continued their shameful behaviour. On hearing that the Promised Messiah (as) had passed away, the opponents began to raise abusive slogans and began to mock Ahmadi Muslims. Their leaders enjoyed abusing the one chosen by Allah. When Ahmadi Muslims left for the railway station with the body of the Promised Messiah (as) on their shoulders, the opponents began to report to the railway station that the Promised Messiah (as) died of cholera and that because cholera is a contagious disease, he should not be allowed to travel by transport, which was the rule. When this information reached the Ahmadis, a companion, Shaikh Rahmatullah, went to Dr Sutherland who had attended to the Promised Messiah (as) until the end. He obtained the medical certificate from him in which it explicitly stated that the Promised Messiah (as) had diarrhea, not cholera. When the funeral procession reached the railway station, the officials said that they were told it was cholera and that they could not allow the body onto the train, unless there was sufficient proof that he did not pass away of cholera. Then, Shaikh Rahmatullah provided the death certificate and the officials gave permission for the blessed body of the Promised Messiah (as) to travel to Qadian.
This is a sign of Allah which will forever be a testimony against all opponents who raise this false allegation up until the Day of Judgment, that it was explicitly proven that the Promised Messiah (as) did not pass away of cholera.
His Blessed Belongings Prove It Was Not Cholera
After the Promised Messiah (as) passed away, all of his belongings were kept as a means of seeking blessings from Allah, and are now spread throughout the world. However, one who passes away of cholera does not have all of his belongs kept because cholera is a highly contagious disease.
‘Cholera is highly contagious. Cholera can be transferred person to person by infected fecal matter entering a mouth or by water or foot contaminated with vibrio cholerae bacteria. The organisms can survive well in salty waters and can contaminate humans and other organisms that come into contact with, or swim in the water.’[35]
‘Cholera is a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection caused by the bacterium vibrio cholera.’[36]
Footnote Of Hayat-e-Nasir
The footnote attached to the following quote from Hayat-e-Nasir clarifies the matter entirely.
‘The night Hazrat Sahib became sick, that night I had already gone to sleep in my quarters. When he was greatly afflicted, I was awoken. When I reached Hazrat Sahib, and saw his condition, he saw me and remarked, ‘Mir Sahib, I have (have I) been afflicted with epidemic cholera.(?)’’
The footnotes states:
‘This is only what the Promised Messiah (as) thought, whereas in order to take the blessed body of the Promised Messiah (as) on the train, it was upon the verification of his physician, Doctor Sutherland, Principal of the Medical College in Lahore that the responsible authority, Doctor Cunningham, Civil Surgeon Lahore, issued the certificate that his death was a result of dysentery, and thus his body could be taken aboard the train.’
Fake Page Of Hayat-e-Nasir
When the opponents were completely silenced on this issue and realized that their scholars had misled them, they begin to spread a fabricated page of Hayat-e-Nasir which was ‘photoshopped’ by the opponents to deceive others. They resemble the Jews here as well, since the Jews would also change their books, just as the Holy Qur’an explains in the verse: ‘who pervert words from their proper places.’[37]
Two Grand Prophecies
There are two great prophecies made by the Prophet Muhammad (sa) regarding the illness and death of the Promised Messiah (as). The Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated:
إِذْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ فَيَنْزِلُ عِنْدَ الْمَنَارَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ شَرْقِيَّ دِمَشْقَ بَيْنَ مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ
‘Allah would send Christ, son of Mary, and he will descend at the white minaret in the East of Damascus wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two Angels.’[38]
According to the interpretation of dreams, yellow clothes signify sickness. Ibn Sirin of Egypt, who is the most famous interpreter of dreams stated in Ta`bir ur Ru’ya that yellow clothes signify sickness. Here is the explanation from the Islamic Dream Interpretation website:[39]
The Promised Messiah (as) states:
‘I suffer from two ailments, one relating to the upper part of my body, and the other to the lower one. In the upper part, I suffer from migraine, and in the lower, I suffer from frequent urge to pass water. I have suffered from these two ailments ever since I published my claim that I had been appointed by God. I even supplicated for relief from these ailments, but received a negative reply. I was also made to understand that it had been decreed from the beginning that the Promised Messiah would descend clad in two yellow sheets, with his hands resting on the shoulders of two angels. These [two illnesses] are thus the same two yellow sheets which are applicable to my physical condition.’[40]
In the second prophecy, the Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated:
فيدفن معي في قبري
‘The latter-day Messiah will be buried with me’[41]
Apart from this narration meaning that the Messiah (as) would be a perfect follower of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) and his reflection, it also hinted towards their deaths being similar. We see that both the death of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) and the Promised Messiah (as) is mocked in the same way. They resemble each other in many ways.
فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ بِهِ وَرَأْسُهُ عَلَى فَخِذِي غُشِيَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ
‘When death approached him while his head was on my thigh, he became unconscious and then recovered his consciousness.’[42]
We see that the same occurred during the death of the Promised Messiah (as), and both were busy in the remembrance of Allah.
Death Of The Greatest Scholars
In Islam that there are four main schools of jurisprudence. Namely, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali. The Hanbali school of thought is named after Hazrat Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rh). Regarding his death, it is narrated:
وأدخلت الطست تحته فرأيت بوله دماً عبيطاً ليس فيه بول، فقلت للطبيب، فقال: هذارجل قد فتت الحزن والغم جوفه
‘I placed a bowl under him and saw that his urine was pure blood and no urine at all. So I told the doctor and he said: ‘This man has broken sadness and sorrow’’.[43]
The Shafi’i school of thought is named after Hazrat Abu Abdillah Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi (rh). It is narrated that he passed away of hemorrhoids which includes bleeding during bowel movements:
وكان (أي الشافعى) عليلاً شديد العلة، يكاد ربما يخرج الدم منه وهو راكب، حتى تمتلئ سراويله ومركبه وخفه. كان عنده بواسير رحمه الله، والبواسير عندما تنزف دماً تكون متقدمة
This shows us that even Imam Shafi (rh) was seriously ill during his last days and was afflicted with hemorrhoids. Despite this, both Hazrat Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rh) and Imam Shafi’i (rh) are known among the greatest Muslims.
Hazrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rh) is known as one of the greatest scholars of Hadith and is known worldwide for his extensive work on the commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari called Fathul-Bari. Regarding his death, it is narrated that “excess diarrhea led to his death.”[44] And again, the same is written in many Arabic sources:
وفي سنة ثمانمائة واثنتين وخمسين للهجرة أصيب ابن حجر العسقلاني بعلة الإسهال، وبقي كذلك إلى أن توفي ليلة السبت في الثامن عشر من ذي الحجة من السنة المذكورة[45]
‘Hazrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rh) was afflicted with diarrhea and he remained in this condition until Saturday night, when he died.’
Would anti-Ahmadis also now mock all of these great scholars who are considered to be among the main sources of knowledge regarding Islam?
The Promised Messiah (as) stated: ‘A legitimate objection is that which is done in line with the divine books; not one which brings all prophets and messengers under its shade. To make such an accusation is the work of faithless and cursed individuals.’[46]
Sadly, the allegations of anti-Ahmadis indirectly mock even the blessed personage of the Prophet Muhammad (sa). May Allah guide them all to the true Islam, Ameen!
ENDNOTES
[1] Tareekh-e-Ahmadiyyat, vol. 2, pg. 538-543
[2] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 36 verse 31
[3] Sahih Muslim, Book of Introduction, Narration 6
[4] Jami’at Tirmidhi #2641
[5] Tareekh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Volume 2, Pages 538-543
[6] Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 5, Page 115
[7] Ibid
[8] The Will, Page 1
[9] al-Badr, vol.7, no.22, June 2, 1908, p.3
[10] Hadhrat Ahmad, By Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, Page 58-59
[11] Silsila-e-Ahmadiyya Vol. 1
[12] Seeratul Mahdi, Volume 1, Page 10-11
[13] Sahih Bukhari, Vol 7, book 71 Hadith #629
[14] Sharh al-Nawawi of Sahih Muslim, Part 13, Page 62
[15] Al-Al-Istidhkar, Ibn Abdul Bar
[16] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 36 Verse 69
[17] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 41 Verse 7
[18] Chapter 26, Verse 81
[19] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 21 Verse 84
[20] Chapter 38 Verse 42
[21] Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Chapter 38 Verse 41
[22] Sahih Bukhari, Vol 7 Book 70 Hadith 549
[23] Sahih Bukhari, Vol 7 Book 70, Hadith #550
[24] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith #2741
[25] Shama’il Muhammadiyah, The Death of Rasulullah, Book 53, Hadith 361
[26] A Narrative of Two Martyrdoms, Page 46 Urdu Edition
[27] Seeratul Mahdi, Volume 1, Page 12, Narration 12
[28] Hayat-e-Nasir, pg. 14
[29] Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith #6391
[30] Sahih Bukhari #4428
[31] https://cnparm.home.texas.net/Subj/Med/Med01.htm
[32] https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC2542277&blobtype=pdf
[33] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/
[34] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 3 Verse 56
[35] https://www.medicinenet.com/is_cholera_contagious/article.htm
[36] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/cholera/article_em.htm
[37] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 4 Verse 47
[38] Sahih Muslim #2937
[39] https://www.myislamicdream.com/search.html?txtSearch=yellow&cmdSearch=Search
[40] Haqiqatul Wahi, Page 387
[41] Mishkat, #5508
[42] Sahih al-Bukhari #4463
[43] Manaqib Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal by Ibn Al Jawzi, Page 393 and Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Illness of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Volume 1, Page 137
[44] Final Moments of the Pious by Yusuf Motala
[45] أنس الحجر في أبيات ابن حجر
[46] Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 9, Anwar-ul-Islam, pg. 41
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