You have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
We praise Allah and invoke blessings upon His Noble Messenger(sa)
To write on the life and character of the Promised Messiah(as) and suffice on a few pages is no doubt, astonishing. On hearing this name one will obviously think that a large and voluminous book is needed. However, the fact of the matter is that whatever I have written or stated serves only to pave the way for those who are worthy and truly perceptive. It is possible that another who is more knowledgeable and satiated in love may, at some point, be able to write more effectively and clearly than I on this holy and significant subject, or perhaps I may be blessed with the opportunity to complete this exposition of mine. All that I have written herein is based on my sincerest intuition and conscience—it is the essence of my honest experience. I believe absolutely that neither have I been deceived, nor have I sought to deceive others. After having verified the truth over a long period of time, my desire to support goodness and always impart good counsel to my brothers, has compelled me to serve the nation and put forth a few points in this manner. By this means, perhaps a good-natured person may be fortunate enough to be enlightened with divine light and truth—for which the sheer grace of God Almighty has chosen our community.
In writing this treatise my real purpose, by which every particle of my body is leavened, and for the propagation of which my every strand and fibre surges forth with passion, is so that I may demonstrate the nature needed by one in whose hand we place the most valuable trust of our faith. Today, in the Punjab and all across India there are many Sufi leaders and those who claim to show God. It cannot be denied that these people also command the love of a good following of people. Even in Dhaunkal, which is situated near Eminabad, countless people congregate in large numbers. It is possible on this account for the line between truth and falsehood to be blurred in the eyes of the ordinary man, or for the complex challenges hindering a person from the path of truth and the hardships of the quest to crush their resolve and dishearten them. I have penned this biography of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, keeping in view the exemplary model of the Prophet Muhammad, our Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and have made it the basis of this work. In actuality, by the grace of God, I have successfully proven that the true Leader and Guide, and he who is divinely guided in this era, is our Beloved Master, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. I have not gone out of my way to artificially show that the life and character of the Promised Messiah(as) is similar to the life and character of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. However, the fact of the matter is that the disposition of our Beloved Imam Mahdi has been fashioned by the hand of God in such a way that the same actions and words spring forth from him uncontrollably which are seen in the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who is the Chief and Master of the Promised Messiah(as). We Muslims are immensely blessed by God Almighty. Allah the Exalted states:
1
You have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day.
This verse of the Holy Quran has lifted us out from all the difficulties and ill confusions in which the people of falsehood are overcome. The utterly deficient example of Christ in his morals, deeds, social interactions and politics—in every walk of life really—ineluctably resulted in the Christian priests seizing for themselves the seat of Prophet and Messenger, in order to compensate for the deficiencies of Christ. The pure life of our Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, furnishes an example to follow for a flourishing, developed, perfectly mannered life in every field. Whether in the case of a reformer, a nation builder, a commander in war, one who seeks deeper understanding in the respect that is owed to other nations or who already possesses a deep insight in this already, a husband, a father, a magnificent friend, a beneficent man, a generous benefactor, a man who holds the power to exact revenge but then forgives, an illustrious ruler, a humble man who severs all ties to the exclusion of Allah; in short, all people find a perfect example in the character of that holy man who is Muhammad, the Pride of the Children of Adam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. What example of character can we find in the weak, helpless Christ, who had no real opportunity to exhibit any moral quality? Therefore, the exemplar of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has raised us from the lowlands of every darkness to the highlands of clear decision and divine light.
How easy now is it for us to judge every claimant on this perfect criterion? The greatest aspect of the life of the Prophet of Islam, our Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his fundamental objective, and his life and his nourishment was nothing else but to spend every hour of his time to preach the Word of Allah and to stand against the enemies of God. Read the Quran and see how it clashes against falsehood in the most awe-inspiring manner. It was the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who manifested this book by acting upon it. Even if someone were unaware of the life history of the Holy Prophet(sa), whenever they act upon the Quran it becomes evident how great a task was assigned to the Prophet of Islam. Then, from this, one can judge just how comfortable and indolent the life of the Holy Prophet(sa) could have possibly been. Now, for the sake of God Almighty, reflect and see who at present is walking precisely on the footsteps of the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Who has clinched the argument in favour of the truth of Islam against the Christians, the Arya Samaj, the Sikhs, the Jainists, the Jews, the Brahmo Samaj and atheists? Who has revived through his own example the religion of Islam, the Quran, the Messenger, and miracles and wonders? In whom do we see an example of the moral qualities and deeds of Prophet Muhammad(sa), the Messenger of God?
Therefore, in these few pages, by the will of Allah, I have manifestly shown who, in today’s day and age, is worthy of occupying the seat of God’s vicegerent on earth. May Allah accept my humble effort.
Abdul-Karim
26 June 1900
Qadian
1 al-Ahzab, 33:22