Hamamatul-Bushra

The Harbinger of Good News

Background

An Arab, Muhammad bin Ahmad Makki of Shi‘b-e-‘Amir, Mecca, came on a sight-seeing tour of India in 1893. On his arrival in Qadian, he remained in the company of the Promised Messiah(as) and then became an Ahmadi. When he returned to Mecca after completing his tour of India, he wrote a letter to the Promised Messiah(as) about his safe arrival and of the interest that was aroused by the Community in Mecca. He particularly mentioned the zeal of ‘Ali Ta’i, Ra’is of Shi‘b-e-‘Amir , Makkah. He wanted the Promised Messiah(as) to send to him his books so that he might distribute them. He was so enthused that he was determined to send these books even to the the nobles and ulema of Mecca. He stated that he was a brave and courageous man and was not afraid of anybody.

The Book

The Promised Messiah(as) sent him a reply in elegant Arabic. This was published in a book form for the benefit of the public. Other literature also seems to have been sent to Arabia. This book was given the title of Hamamatul-Bushra and though it was written in 1893 but was published in February 1894. It was reprinted in Cairo many years afterwards.

On the title page of the book, the Promised Messiah(as) wrote two couplets which say: “Our dove flies with the wings of fondness and in its beak are the presents of peace—and it flies to the land of the Prophet who is our beloved lord, Chief of the Messengers and the best of creation.”

The Promised Messiah(as) added that this book holds some of the spiritual secrets of the Holy Quran.

Specimen of Writing

It has been conveyed to me that the words of the hadith concerning the descent of ‘Isa(as) [Jesus] near the minaret of Damascus indicate the time of his appearance inasmuch as the value of the letters of those words indicate the year of Hijrah in which Allah raised me. The word ‘minaret’ was chosen to indicate that the land of Damascus will be illuminated and brightened in consequence of the supplications of the Promised Messiah after having been darkened by all sorts of innovations. You are also aware that the land of Damascus has been the source of the mischief of the Christians.1

Impact

It is recorded that a learned and pious Muslim scholar came from Tripoli and joined the fold of Ahmadiyyat. He was Muhammad Sa‘id Nishar Homaidi Shami. He remained with the Promised Messiah(as) for about seven months. The Promised Messiah(as) wanted to send him out to the Arab countries as his representative but it is not known whether or not this could be arranged.2

Muhammad bin Ahmad also wrote a poem in Arabic, praising Karamatus-Sadiqin and its high literary merit and beautiful Arabic language.

It is wonderful indeed to see how the news of the Promised Messiah’s advent spread all over the world and seekers after truth came into touch with him from distant lands.