Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the 19th-century Indian religious leader and founder of the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam, is known to have made many prophecies[1] during his lifetime. Some were of an intuitive nature, pertaining to everyday affairs which are said to have either been fulfilled immediately after having been foreseen or concerned distant or unseen events of which Ghulam Ahmad expressed cognizance. Some of greater significance are believed to have been fulfilled during his lifetime; some, according to his followers, were fulfilled after his death, while some await fulfilment. Others, according to his critics, seemed to have been proven wrong.
Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad was an Indian religious leader and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. He claimed to have been divinely appointed as the promised Messiah and Mahdi—which is the metaphorical second-coming of Jesus (mathīl-iʿIsā), in fulfillment of Islam's latter day prophecies, as well as the Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century.
Ahmadiyya is an Islamic revival or messianic movement founded in Punjab, British India, in the late 19th century. It originated with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), who claimed to have been divinely appointed as both the promised Mahdi and Messiah expected by Muslims to appear towards the end times and bring about, by peaceful means, the final triumph of Islam; as well as to embody, in this capacity, the expected eschatological figure of other major religious traditions. Adherents of the Ahmadiyya—a term adopted expressly in reference to Muhammad's alternative name Aḥmad—are known as Ahmadi Muslims or simply Ahmadis.
The Deputy Inspector General of Punjab Police in 1928 stated that Ghulam Ahmad was a cause of great unrest due to the prophecies he made concerning the deaths of his adversaries. A commentator even blamed his "uncanny knack of predicting the demise of his key enemies" for making a lot of Hindu enemies.[2] One aspect upon which he based the validity of his claims was the fulfilment of prophecies made by him.[citation needed] These prophecies or 'hidden matters' and the knowledge or awareness of events that had not yet come to pass were, he claimed, disclosed to him by God often through visions, dreams and verbal revelation.
A vision is something seen in a dream, trance, or religious ecstasy, especially a supernatural appearance that usually conveys a revelation. Visions generally have more clarity than dreams, but traditionally fewer psychological connotations. Visions are known to emerge from spiritual traditions and could provide a lens into human nature and reality. Prophecy is often associated with visions.
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing of some form of truth or knowledge through communication with a deity or other supernatural entity or entities.
Prophecies
The revolution of Persia
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is said to have prophesied the constitutional revolution of Iran when in January 1906 he claimed to have received the revelation:
“
Shaking in the palace of Chosroes.
”
As was his practice he published it in both Urdu and English newspapers as well as periodicals of the community. By this time the Iranian Shah, Mozzafar-al-Din was already in a secure position and had accepted proposals for creating a Majles (a National Consultative Assembly or parliament) which proved to be successful and gained the king much popularity. He died soon after and was succeeded by his son Mohammad Ali Shah, the last ruler of the Qajar dynasty of Persia.
Shah is a title given to the emperors, kings, princes and lords of Iran. It was also adopted by the kings of Shirvan namely the Shirvanshahs. It was also used by Persianate societies such as the rulers and offspring of the Ottoman Empire, Mughal emperors of the Indian Subcontinent, the Bengal Sultanate, as well as in Afghanistan. In Iran the title was continuously used; rather than King in the European sense, each Persian ruler regarded himself as the Shahanshah or Padishah of the Persian Empire.
The Qajar Empire, also referred to as Qajar Iran, officially the Sublime State of Persia, was the state ruled by the Qajar dynasty, an Iranian royal dynasty of Turkic origin, specifically from the Qajar tribe, from 1789 to 1925. The Qajar family took full control of Iran in 1794, deposing Lotf 'Ali Khan, the last Shah of the Zand dynasty, and re-asserted Iranian sovereignty over large parts of the Caucasus. In 1796, Mohammad Khan Qajar seized Mashhad with ease, putting an end to the Afsharid dynasty, and Mohammad Khan was formally crowned as Shah after his punitive campaign against Iran's Georgian subjects. In the Caucasus, the Qajar dynasty permanently lost many of Iran's integral areas to the Russians over the course of the 19th century, comprising modern-day Georgia, Dagestan, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
This prophecy is believed to have been fulfilled during the reign of Mohammad Ali Shah, when growing tensions began to rise between the parliament and the King leading him to dissolve the Parliament which was shelled and destroyed. These events gave birth to a general rebellion involving many major cities of Iran. The administration was taken over by the Nationalists and democrats. The king began moving the treasury and his personal effects to Russia and the Shah's palace is said to have been a place of growing anxiety during this period. In time, the Nationalists grew in popularity and formed many alliances while the Kings position was weakened and he was forced to declare his acceptance of parliamentary government. The Cossacks who formed the Shah's body-guard also joined the revolutionaries. In 1909 the Shah and his family fled the palace and sought refuge in the Russian embassy and autocracy was replaced by democracy.[3]
Cossacks were a group of predominantly East Slavic-speaking people who became known as members of democratic, self-governing, semi-military communities, predominantly located in Eastern and Southern Ukraine and in Southern Russia. They inhabited sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper, Don, Terek and Ural river basins and played an important role in the historical and cultural development of both Ukraine and Russia.
The prophecy was believed to have been fulfilled again with the onset of the Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution or the 1979 Revolution, was a series of events that involved the overthrow of the last monarch of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, and the replacement of his government with an Islamic republic under the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a leader of one of the factions in the revolt. The movement against the United States-backed monarchy was supported by various leftist and Islamist organizations and student movements.
Ahmad claimed to have foretold the execution of two of his devout followers based on a revelation he claimed to have received:[4]
“
Two goats will be slaughtered and all those upon it are mortal.
”
He claims to have interpreted this to mean that two of his followers would be killed and that as a result general destruction would overtake the country in which they were martyred.
Ahmad's followers claim that this was fulfilled twenty years later in two separate incidents when Ahmad's books found their way to Afghanistan. [citation needed] After reading Ahmad's books, Sayyed Abdul Latif decided to send one of his disciples (Maulvi Abdur Rahman) to Qadian to meet Ahmad. [citation needed] He gave Rahman permission to offer Latif's allegiance if Rahman felt convinced. [citation needed] Rahman was convinced, took an oath of allegiance, and returned to Afghanistan with more of Ahmad's books. [citation needed] He brought the books to Emir Habibullah Khan to proselytise. Rahman was executed by strangling. [citation needed]
A few years later, Latif left Afghanistan for Qadian to meet Ahmad before starting on the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). After having stayed at Qadian with him for a few months, he returned to Afghanistan to proselytise to his King. Upon reaching Khost, he wrote to some courtiers who decided to have him arrested and brought to Kabul. The Emir asked him to renounce his beliefs and recant, but Latif refused. [citation needed] He was then stoned to death before a large crowd. Ahmad's followers claim that Kabul experienced a cholera epidemic within a month of the stoning.[5]
The English traveller, Frank A. Martin, who was for many years Engineer-in-Chief to the government of Afghanistan, recalls this event in his book thus:
Before being led away from the Amir's presence to be killed, the moullah (Abdul Lateef) prophesied that a great calamity would overtake the country, and that both the Amir and the Sirdar would suffer. About nine o’clock at night the day the moullah was killed, a great storm of wind suddenly rose and raged with violence for half an hour, and then stopped as suddenly as it came. Such a wind at night was altogether unusual, so the people said that this was the passing of the soul of the Moullah. Then cholera came, and, according to former outbreaks, another visitation was not due for four years to come, and this was also regarded as part of the fulfillment of the moullah's prophecy, and hence the great fear of the Amir and the prince, who thought they saw in all this their own death and it accounts also for the prince losing control of himself when his favourite wife died.
He also reports on many other cholera epidemics that took place in Afghanistan during his time there.
Prophecy concerning prince Duleep Singh
After the annexation of the Punjab by the British, the young heir to the Sikh throne Duleep Singh was sent away to England, and was to stay there until British rule became established in the Punjab. After the events of the Indian Mutiny of 1857 the young prince decided to return, which was much anticipated by his supporters. At this time Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is said to have predicted the failure of his return. He claimed to have received knowledge from God that the prince will not return, and will have to encounter some trouble, and had informed many people about this. This prediction is believed to have been fulfilled while the prince was on his journey back to India, the British government decided that the prince's return may be dangerous for the government and feared trouble. As his ship reached Aden, he was stopped there and ordered back to England.[6]
Pandit Lekh Ram's assassination
Pandit Lekh Ram, a leader of the Arya Samaj, was a contemporary of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Because of what Muslims characterised as his derogatory characterisations of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his anti-Islamic attitude,[7] but was an analysis of Islam written "using Islamic histories written by and for Muslims",[8] he was in constant conflict with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Upon his growing anti-Islamic behaviour and his demand for a sign, Ghulam Ahmad is said to have prayed and thus made aware of the imminent death of Lekh Ram who expressed his fearlessness upon such prophecies and insisted on a time limit.[9] Ghulam Ahmad withheld the publication of any prophecy for a while in which he is said to have waited for further knowledge. Eventually he announced that Lekh Ram will meet a bitter end within six years from 20 February 1893.[9]
In an announcement dated 22 February 1893 he stated:
“
Like the calf of Samiri, lekh Ram shall be cut into pieces.[10]
”
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have received multiple revelations[11][12] regarding Lekh Ram's death and his likeness unto the golden calf of Samri was a recurring theme in these prophecies. About one of his visions he wrote:
“
On April 2, 1893, I beheld in a vision that a stout and sturdy man, frightful to look at, with blood trickling from his face, stood in front of me. He seemed not a creature of this earth but one of the infernal beings whose appearance struck terror into the hearts. Where is Lekh Ram? He growled in a roaring voice and named one more man. I knew that he had been deputed for the chastisement of Lekh Ram and the other person.[13]
”
He also foretold that his death will take place on a day close to the festival of Eid:
“
And God gave me the tidings that I will witness a day of Eid, and this day will be close to the Eid.
”
Followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad believe that this prophecy was fulfilled on Saturday 6 March 1897 which happened to be a day after the festival of Eid, when Pandit Lekh Ram was brutally stabbed with a dagger by a stranger who it is said turned the knife round and round in his stomach thus cutting his entrails thoroughly. Lekh Ram died the next day. It is said that although his family was at home, and there were some men downstairs, near the gate at the time of the murder, no one saw any person entering or leaving the house.[14] His body was subsequently cremated in accordance with Hindu custom and the remains dispersed of in a river. There was a police investigation but it failed to apprehend the murderer.[9]
The Plague
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is said to have made numerous prophecies concerning the plague in the Punjab and issued multiple warnings against it. This plague was an occurrence of special significance within Ahmadiyya as it is believed to have been mentioned by earlier religious scriptures as one of the signs of the promised Messiah.[15]
In his book Siraj-e-Munir Ghulam Ahmad recalls a revelation which he claimed to have received:
I know that those devoid of spiritual feelings will tend to ridicule my statement. Nevertheless, out of sympathy for them, it is my duty to warn people. The warning is this. Today, February 6, 1898, Monday, I saw in a dream that angels of God were planting black trees in different parts of the Punjab. Those trees were black, ugly, terrifying and of small size. I asked some of those who were planting them: What kind of trees are these? They answered: These are trees of the plague which is about to spread in the country. I am not quite sure whether it was said that the plague would spread during the next winter or the winter after, but it was a terrible sight which I saw. I am reminded also of a revelation of mine about the plague. It said, 'Verily Allah does not change the lot of a people unless they first change their hearts.' It seems that the plague will not disappear unless extreme sin and transgression disappear first.
”
By this time the plague had not spread. Though some research was carried out in Bombay.[18] Subsequently the plague spread throughout the whole of the Punjab, increasing in severity each year. Various kinds of treatments were tried by the British officials but to no avail. Eventually, Ghulam Ahmad claimed that he had been told in a dream that the Plague has gone but the fever remains after which, as is claimed by the Ahmadis, the plague began to decline steadily, having raged for nine years.[19]
The great earthquake of Kangra
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is believed to have predicted the great earthquake of Karanga[20] which devastated the valley of Karanga in 1905.
In 1885 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have received the following revelation:
“
The Most High God shall manifest His glory unto the mountain and crush it to pieces. Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya[21]
”
And in December 1903 he published another revelation in Al-Hakam, 24 December 1903,[21] warning of an impending earthquake. This was followed by another claiming that the earthquake will affect Punjab.[22]
On 8 June 1904 the warning was repeated:
“
Permanent and temporary residences in this part of the country shall be swept out of existence but all those people who shall be within the four wall of your following. We shall preserve and protect in this deadly incident.[22]
”
On 3 April 1905, a day before the earthquake Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have received a revelation informing him that the hour of destruction that he had been informed about had arrived.[22]
Prophecy concerning the Turkish Empire
The Ottoman Empire otherwise known as Ar-Rûm(successor state to the Sultanate of Rum and Eastern Roman Empire) in oriental and Islamic literature ruled over a large part of southern Europe, but having become subject to internal decline, became vulnerable towards the end of the 18th century to the advantage of imperialist powers.,[23] and was called the "sick man of Europe". Following the Crimean war and the peace treaty that was made between Russia and Turkey which lasted for several years. In 1904 Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have received the revelation which is identical to the Qur'anic verse[Quran30:02]
“
The Byzantines have been defeated in the land nearby and after their defeat they will be victorious.
”
This was published in the monthly magazine Review of Religions. The Qur'anic verse is believed to have been fulfilled with the Battle of Issus in 622. This verse of the Qur'an which Ghulam Ahmad claimed was also revelealed to him is believed to have been fulfilled with the occurrence of the Balkan wars. When the Balkan league declared war on Turkey, conquered major parts of the Ottoman Empire and then began fighting among themselves over the spoils or the partition of Turkey among themselves. This gave Turkey some respite. It conscequently took advantage of the division among the Balkan league and managed to gain victory over and retake Adrianople along with the subjoining territory.
The Promised Son
In the early years of the 1880s certain leaders of the Arya Samaj held discussion and debate with Ghulam Ahmad about the truthfulness of Islam and asked for a sign to prove that Islam was a living religion. To dedicate special prayers for this purpose, Ghulam Ahmad travelled to Hoshiarpur where he spent 40 days in seclusion.[24] Subsequently he announced on 20 February 1886 that God had vouchsafed to him the following revelation:
I confer upon thee a Sign of My mercy according to thy supplications. I have heard thy entreaties and have honoured thy prayers with My acceptance through My mercy and have blessed this thy journey. A sign of power, mercy, nearness to Me is bestowed on thee. A Sign of grace and beneficence is awarded to thee and thou art granted the key of success and victory. Peace on thee, O victorious one. Thus does God speak so that those who desire life may be rescued from the grip of death and those who are buried in the graves may emerge therefrom and so that the superiority of Islam and the dignity of God's word may become manifest unto the people and so that the truth may arrive with all its blessings and falsehood may depart with all its ills, and so that people may understand that I am the Lord of Power, I do whatever I will, and so that they may believe that I am with thee, and so that those who do not believe in God and deny and reject His religion and His Book and His Holy Messenger Muhammad, the chosen one (on whom be peace) may be confronted with a clear sign and the way of the guilty ones may become manifest.
Rejoice, therefore, that a handsome and pure boy will be bestowed on thee. Thou wilt receive a bright youth who will be of thy seed and will be of thy progeny. A handsome and pure boy will come as your guest. His name is Emmanuel and Bashir. He has been invested with a holy spirit and he will be free from all impurity. He is the light of Allah. Blessed is he who comes from heaven. He shall be accompanied by grace (Fazl) which shall arrive with him. He will be characterized with grandeur, greatness and wealth. He will come into the world and will heal many of their disorder through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the Holy Spirit. He is the Word of Allah for Allah's mercy and honour have equipped him with the Word of Majesty. He will be extremely intelligent and understanding and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge. He will convert three into four. It is Monday, a blessed Monday. Son, delight of heart, high ranking, noble; a manifestation of the First and the Last, a manifestation of the True and the High; as if Allah has descended from heaven. His advent will be greatly blessed and will be a source of manifestation of Divine Majesty. Behold! a light cometh, a light anointed by God with the perfume of His pleasure. We shall pour our spirit into him and he will be sheltered under the shadow of God. He will advance rapidly and will be the means of procuring the release of those held in bondage. His fame will spread to the ends of the earth and peoples will be blessed through him. He will then be raised to his spiritual station in heaven. This is a matter decreed.
—The green Advertisement, announcement of 20 February 1886
Though Ghulam Ahmad further declared on 8 April 1886 that it was disclosed to him that this son will be born within a period of nine years, however a few days after this announcement his wife, Nusrat Jehan gave birth to a daughter and his adversaries began alleging that his prophecy was proved false. Again in August 1887 a son was born to him but died in infancy, and again his critics alleged that the prophecy was falsified. Ghulam Ahmad pointed out that this son was the 'guest' that was promised, and that the prophecy concerning the promised son began from the passage He will be accompanied by grace (Fazl) which shall arrive with him. On 12 January 1889, Mirza Mahmood Ahmad was born who is believed by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to be the promised son and one who displayed in his person all the qualities mentioned in the prophecy.[25]
The World War of 1914 and downfall of the Russian Czar
Followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claim that one of his revelations clearly prophecies the onset of the first world war and the downfall of the Russian Czar in the following prophecy, made in 1905 (see quoted words below for reference of full date)
“
A sign is going to be manifest some days after this date. The villages and cities and fields shall be in a state of revolution on account of it. All of a sudden all shall severely quake by a quaking, mortal and trees and mountains and seas. In the twinkling of an eye this earth shall turn upside down. Streams of blood shall flow as the water of rivers. Those who don robes white like Jessamine at the night the morning will make them (blood stained) like chanar trees. The travelers shall feel the severity of the hour; those who are on the way shall lose the way losing their senses as it were. The great and the small shall all be in a state of prostration on account of fear. Even the Czar shall at that hour be in a state of utmost distress. That Divine sign shall be a sample of wrath; the heaven shall assault drawing forth its sword (Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya, part 5th, p.120,)[26]
”
“
The date this day is 15 April 1905. and (2) In the Divine revelation the word Zalzalah (meaning a quaking or earthquake), is repeated again and again. … But I cannot yet with certainty take the word in its literal significance. It might be that it is not an ordinary earthquake but some terrible disaster which should bring about a scene of the judgment Day, and a severe destruction should come upon lives and buildings.[26]
”
Ahmadis claim that the prophecy has several parts that all indicate it as referring to World War I (for all references to the words of the revelation, see: alislam.org[27]
1) The prophecy says that the earthquake will involve the whole world. But everybody knows that earthquakes never do that; they only involve parts of the world. Ahmadis point out that the word 'earthquake' is often used for war in the Qur'an:
“
When they came upon you from above you, and from below you, and when your eyes became distracted and your hearts leaped into your throats and you thought diverse thoughts about Allah, there and then. But the believers were sorely tried and they were shaken with a violent shaking (Al-Ahzab, 11,12)[26]
”
2) The prophecy says the calamity will prove very hard on travellers. Ahmadis point out that World War 1 was greatly difficult for all travellers. Ahmnadis point out that earthquakes are not hardy on travellers but war certainly is. Ahmadis say that the word "earthquake" is an allegorical term as used in the Qur'an for War.
3) The prophecy points to the ill-effects of the calamity on farms, fields, etc.; Ahmadis again claim that earthquakes have no ill-effects on farms and fields, which are destroyed only by war. Shelling from both sides destroys them. Sometimes 'scorched-earth' policy destroys them.
4) The prophecy points to the ill-effects of the calamity on birds; they were to lose their 'senses' and their 'songs'. Again, Ahmadis claim ordinary earthquake can have no such effects. The vibrations only last for a time. If birds sitting on a tree or a building fly into the air, they experience no ill-effects whatever. A modern war, however, is very hard on birds. Day and night bombing and the destruction of trees is highly detrimental to bird-life. The birds either die or suffer greatly.
5) The Prophecy stated that the calamity would occur within 16 years of 1905. World War 1 began in 1914.
6) The prophecy contains the revelation 'I have saved Israel from detriment.' This indicates that the calamity was to result in some advantage for the Jews. Such a thing can have no connection with an ordinary earthquake. Ahmadis point out that the foundation of the state of Israel occurred primarily because of World War 1 and was laid while World War 1 was raging, when Lord Balfour declared in 1916 that the Jewish people would be settled in Palestine.
7) The revelations mention the repeated promise 'I will come suddenly with my armies' indicating a war.
8) A part of the prophecy stated 'Raise the anchor.' This points to the entry of different nations into naval encounters against one another. The command 'Raise the anchor' indicates the beginning of naval hostilities. Another revelation says, 'Boats sail that there be duels.' This is a picture of the vessels going in one direction and another in search of naval encounters.
9) The earthquake was to occur suddenly: 'I will come to thee with the armies and will come suddenly' states the revelation. Ahmadis point out that World War 1 began suddenly with the assassination of the Archduke, Franz Ferdinand.
10) A part of the revelation states: 'Avenues useful for Arabs. Arabs set out from their home.' Ahmadis point out that the Arabian people greatly benefited from World War 1, in that through it they fulfilled their long-desired wish of parting from the Ottoman Empire.
11) Another sign was the destruction of cities and places noted for their godlessness. 'I will obliterate habitations much as they have obliterated My name.' It is generally agreed that Eastern France was the worst part of Europe from the point of view of sensual indulgence. From this part was sent the wine consumed in different countries of Europe. It was also the rendezvous of pleasure-seekers from Western countries. In accordance with the prophecy this part suffered the most.
12) The prophecy states that 'Even the Czar at that moment will be in a pitiful condition'. Ahmadis point out that the office of Czar-hood is referred to here, and the end of the institution of the Czar as a whole. Ahmadis point out that World War 1 caused the downfall of the Czar as he was forced to sign a declaration that his family would never institute their monarchy over Russia again. Mirza Bashirrudin Ahmad, the second successor to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, writes:
"On November 7, Bolshevik revolutionaries dismissed the Kerensky government, and the condition of the Czar became so pitiful as to make the stoutest heart flinch. The Czar was removed from internment in the Royal Palace and taken from place to place, ultimately to Ekaterinburg. Here he was to have a taste of the tortures he used to inflict on prisoners serving sentences in Siberia...The Bolshevik government reduced his rations and ordinary comforts. His sick child was beaten by ill-mannered guards. The parents had to watch. His daughters were maltreated. Even these tortures did not satiate the revolutionaries. They invented new penalties and new pains. One day, when the Czarina was present under compulsion, the virgin daughters of the Czar were raped by the soldiers. If the Czarina, unable to bear the sight, turned her face away, the soldiers would compel her to observe the inhuman scene. Witnessing these brutalities and enduring more pains and poignancies than can have been endured by any mortal, the Czar at last met his end. He was shot dead on July 16, 1918, and with him the entire royal family. The prophecy 'Even the Czar at that moment will be in a pitiful condition' was fulfilled literally."[27]
Opponents of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad are largely silent about this prophecy. Others among his opponents state that the fulfilment of the prophecy is coincidental.[citation needed]
Prophecy of AIDS virus
In 1907, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is said to have propheced AIDS virus. He said that
“
A type of plague will spread in Europe and other Christian countries, which will be very severe.
”
This statement is usually linked with an observation by Mohammed that venereal disease, described as a type of pestilence, always strikes the sexually permissive, and as such is commonly believed in Ahmadiyya circles to refer to the AIDS epidemic.[28] However, this cannot be entirely verified due to the nature of the disease not having been specified by Mirza himself. Critics however usually dismiss this prophecy as being riddled with ambiguity.
Reaching Corners of Earth
He was revealed.
“
I will convey thy message to reach the ends of the Earth
Ahmadis believe that this prophecy is being fulfilled by missionaries and by MTA International. Everywhere in the world are the missionaries. MTA International can be viewed everywhere in the globe.
Criticism
Prophecy concerning Abdullah Atham
He repeatedly prophesied a miserable death for Abdullah Khan Atham, a Christian within 15 months, in a debate, which Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's critics claim did not come to pass.[30][31]
Ahmadiyya view
Ahmadiyya Muslims see this episode as reminiscent of the prophecy of the Biblical Prophet Jonah to the city of Nineveh. They answer the critics by claiming that the original prophecy which was published in the book Jang e Muqaddas was conditional upon Atham not inclining towards 'truth' as was stated: provided he does not incline towards truth.[32] They argue that Atham was in constant fear and backed out of his Anti-Islamic stance for the 15 months of the prophecy. Ahmadiyya Muslims say that after much jubilation was shown by the opponents of Ahmad upon Atham being alive once the time limit of the original prophecy expired, Ghulam Ahmad invited him to swear on oath that he did not entertain the least thought of the truth of Islam and the falsehood of Christianity, later offering him a promise of 4,000 rupees if he did. Atham never took an oath, which Ahmadiyya Muslims see as Atham admitting that he retracted his beliefs against Islam.
Prophecies regarding the birth of sons to his wife
He made multiple prophecies regarding birth of sons to his wife. These, his critics claimed, were not fulfilled.[33]
Translation and Commentary of the Holy Quran – More than 300 lessons (mp3 audio file) of Urdu translation and a thorough explanation of the Holy Qur'an by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh)
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