By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, Sri Lanka.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the 2^nd Khalifa of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam is called the Promised Reformer (Musleh MauƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ood). In 1886, February 20, God revealed to the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad regarding an illustrious sonƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  with many wonderful qualities which were fulfilled in the person of Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, who later became the second Caliph of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ahmadiyya.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at. To mark this, the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community observed February 20 as Musleh Mauood Day.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Following is the prophecy given by God Almighty to the Promised Messiah ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be on him.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the announcement of February 20, 1886, the Promised Messiah says:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-God the Merciful, the Noble, the High, the Exalted, who has power to do all that He wills (Glory be to Him and exalted be His name), has vouchsafed to me the following revelation:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I confer upon thee a Sign of My Mercy according to thy supplications.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I have heard thy entreaties and have honored thy prayers with My Acceptance through My Mercy and have blessed this thy journey (of Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana). A sign of power, mercy and nearness to Me is bestowed on thee.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A Sign of grace and beneficence is awarded to thee and thou art granted the key of success and victory.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Peace on thee, O Victorious one.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  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 there from and so that the superiority of Islam and the dignity of GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s word may become manifest unto the people and so that they 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 (PBUH) may be confronted with a clear sign and the way of the guilty ones may become manifest.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rejoice, therefore, that a handsome and pure boy will be bestowed on thee.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Thou will receive a bright youth who will be of thy seed and will be of thy progeny.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A handsome and pure boy will come as your guest.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His name is Emanuel and Bashir.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He has been invested with a Holy Spirit and he will be free from all impurity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He is the light of Allah.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Blessed is he who comes from heaven.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will be accompanied by grace which shall arrive with him.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will be characterized with grandeur, greatness and wealth.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will come into the world and will heal many of their disorders through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the Holy Spirit.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He is the Word of Allah for AllahƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Mercy and Honor have equipped him with the Word of Majesty.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He will be extremely intelligent and understanding and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will convert three into four (of this the meaning is not clear).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is Monday, a blessed Monday.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  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.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His advent will be greatly blessed and will be a source of manifestations of Divine Majesty.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Behold, a light cometh, a light anointed by God with the perfume of His Pleasure.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We shall pour Our spirit into him and he will be sheltered under the Shadow of God.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will grow rapidly in stature and will be the means of procuring the release of those held in bondage.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His fame will spread to the ends of the earth and people will be blessed through him.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He will then be raised to his spiritual station in heaven.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is a matter decreed.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood AhmadƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s life is a clear evidence of the fulfillment of the above prophecy that preceded his birth:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Would abound in the Wisdom of the Explicit and the IntrinsicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His life was extraordinary and his legacy and accomplishments unparalleled.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Glad tidings that were prophesied before his birth bore fulfillment as he assumed the leadership of Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at at the tender age of 25.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Those were nascent times for the Ahmadiyya Community, which was still devoid of a formal organizational and administrative structure.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It was his sheer caliber, charisma and great leadership that guided a young JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at through its formative years and enabled it to achieve a sound and recognizable footing in turbulent and uncertain times.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He consolidated the institution of Khilafat in the face of venomous assaults from the challengers of this divine institution. Such magnificent achievements that are nothing short of miracles are mere fulfillment of a Divine promise to his father the Promised Messiah and the Mahdi who was foretold that his message and mission was to be carried forward by his Promised Son.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The period of Khilafat of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad is remarkable in many aspects, but his formulation of a structured organization of JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at can be termed as the pinnacle of his tenure.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He was a great visionary who sought a purpose for all JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at members.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Establishment of auxiliaries allowed each and every member to contribute their efforts towards the progress of the Ahmadiyya Community. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This was achieved through education and training of members in a structured format.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Grouping JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at members according to age and gender was helpful in tapping the potential of every member. The benefits of these organizations can be witnessed in the overall success of the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at since then.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  To illustrate, Khuddamul Ahmadiyya enables the youth of the Ahmadiyya Community to mobilize their efforts and work in a collaborative effort, it instills in them a sense of brotherhood and pride by channeling their positive energies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This equips them with a disciplined outlook of life which helps them lead their lives in a constructive and productive manner.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The energized youth are thus able to excel in other spheres of life as well.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Trying to encapsulate the life and all-encompassing achievements of 2^nd Caliph of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in a few lines in near impossible.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  How far the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at has come since his Khilafat (spiritual leadership) and consolidated itself on a sound footing, bears marks of his dynamic leadership which guided the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at to new frontiers, even beyond the Sub-continent.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His vision and dynamism was the great instrument in helping fulfill the Divine prophecy:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The period of his Khilafat saw the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at reach the far-flung frontiers of Europe, North America and Africa.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad imparted the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at with the immense treasure of his wisdom through his profound QurƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢anic knowledge.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This understanding of the Holy QurƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢an was a direct result of Divine guidance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He admitted that while compiling the commentaries of the Holy QurƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢an, at times Allah would reveal and guide him towards the right interpretations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He was a true reformer of the age (Musleh MauƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ood) and his writings and poems instill a sense of pride and love for Islam and Allah.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  To date, they are a source of guidance and are effective moral-training tools for the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, even decades after his passing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This proves that he was indeed the Guided One, not just for his tenure but for ages to come.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His writings are relevant even today and are demonstrative of his astounding vision and sagacity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Under his tutelage, the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢atƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s social and moral well-being was fostered as he instructed the youth regarding an ethos consistent of self discipline, the virtue of hard labor, and a somewhat puritanical and austere way of life, with emphasis on adherence to the regulations and conventions of the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and its leadership.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His literary contributions which cover a wide array of subjects are a source f guidance for generations to come.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His command over world affairs was extraordinary and his thoughtful analysis appears to be a precursor of things to come, when read in retrospect in modern times.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A case in point is his book ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Islam Ka Iqtisaadi NizamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (Islamic Economic system), where he highlighted the flaws of communism (the prevalent, dominant economic system of that time) and also examined the newly emerging capitalistic system, and its inherent flaws. Reading that book in modern times leaves the reader in awe, as no one else had forewarned of the turn of events as explicitly as Hadhrat Musleh MauƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ood.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is all the more remarkable at a time when capitalism was blooming, and the prophecy of a fore- coming debacle appeared a mirage.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is a little known fact that the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinah quit the political scene after being disillusioned with Indian politics after the second Round Table Conference in 1932.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He was ultimately persuaded by Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, whose vision recognized him as the sole honest and outstanding Muslim figure capable of leading the Muslims at their time of disarray.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Sunday Times London (April 9, 1933) carried a report of a reception that was held by the Imam of London Mosque (Maulana Abdur Rahim Dard) where Mr Jinah frankly acknowledged the fact that:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The eloquent persuasion of the Imam left me no way of escapeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The 51 years of Ahmadiyya second Khilafat strengthened the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at into a versatile and dynamic organization which got firmly entrenched globally.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His era was the harbinger for the even greater successes to come.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His was indeed the Golden Era, with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community reaching brand-new frontiers and an unprecedented alacrity of growth.