Lujjatun-Nur [The Ocean of Light] was written by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad – the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Promised Messiah as – in 1900, though it was posthumously published in 1910. Written in Arabic with Persian translation, its purpose was to convey the message of the revival of Islam – in the form of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – to the Arab and Persian world. It was the countless revelations and heavenly signs that moved the Promised Messiah as to author this epistle to Muslim scholars around the world: For example, once in a dream the Promised Messiah as was shown a group of kings from the Arab and Persian lands that would accept his message and enter into the fold of his Community; the dream moved towards a state of revelation at which point the words Kings will seek blessings from thy garments were received from On High.
Lujjatun-Nur is a timeless writing. It depicts, in great detail, the condition of the Muslims and the religious, socio-economic and political turmoil the Muslim Ummah faces. The Promised Messiah as explains that the issues in the Muslim world are due to a lack of following the true teachings of Islam. He outlines his claim and the need for a reformer, presenting arguments in support of his holy person being the Messiah of the Latter Days. When we read this writing and reflect upon the Muslim world today, we find a robust analysis that holds true even after 120 years: events have unfolded exactly as the Promised Messiah as foretold.
Lujjatun-Nur is an excellent introduction to the beliefs of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as especially for those who can speak Arabic and Persian, of course now it is being made available in English.
The Promised Messiah’s Arabic contains a great amount of allusion to verses of the Holy Quran, Ahadith and other well-known phrases found in Islamic literature. In some cases the translation cannot always fully capture the meaning of the Arabic phrase; therefore, a brief footnote is given to assist the reader.
The English translation was carried out by Saeed-ur-Rahman and revised by Raja Ata-ul-Mannan. Valuable services were rendered by Reem Shraiky, Ibrahim Ikhlaf, Rubina Nasser and Nauman Ahmad Hadi. May Allah reward them all. Amin.
Al-Haj Munir-ud-Din Shams
Additional Wakil-ut-Tasnif
January 2022