Some time back I was recommended to read The Promised Son, a short and easy read- based on the life of our beloved second Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (ra). This book was both written and published first in the UK by author Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib, not long ago in 2017 through the Islamic International Publication. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad Sahib (1889-1965), Khalifat-ul-Masih II (1914-1965) or else known as Musleh Maud (The Promised Reformer) was the second successor to the Promised Messiah (as).
As we begin reading, the author does a fantastic job at skimming through the Promised Messiah’s life by pinpointing key achievements and events of his life from his childhood all the way to his last days. If anyone out looking to learn more knowledge on the beautiful journey the Promised Messiah (as) paved through his claim which initiated the Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya- I would definitely recommend this book. But what was the Promised Messiah’s (as) claim? “God had revealed to the Promised Messiah (as) that he was the Messiah who had been promised to the world. This claim was supported by various verses of the Holy Quran, traditions of the Holy Prophet (saw), and visions and revelations of many great Muslim saints, as well as the religious and historical records of the past. God also revealed to him that he had been raised in the spirit of past prophets. God made him announce that he was the Messiah for Christians, Mahdi for Muslims, Krishna for Hindus, Buddha for Buddhists and a counterpart of all the previous prophets. He was a Redeemer for the whole of humanity.” a blessing bestowed upon us beyond our knowledge.
However, because the book is fundamentally based on Khalifat-ul-Messiah ll most of its mentions are revolved around him. For example, we learn how involved the Promised Messiah, his wife Hazrat Amma Jaan (ra) and close companions and relatives had been in the upbringing of their children and especially that of Khalifat-ul-Massih ll. He was a loved and extremely disciplined child who was blessed to attain treasures of wisdom from his father at every step of the way. On one such occasion; “Mian Mahmud (ra) shot a parrot whilst out hunting. The Promised Messiah (as) told Mian Mahmud (ra) that a Muslim is not forbidden to eat a parrot, but there are some animals that are beautiful to look at. In other words, he was taught at an early age that even though certain things were not forbidden, the Holy Prophet (saw) did not prefer to eat them.” Simultaneously, in response we also learn that Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra) was very much loved by both his parents however he too worked tirelessly to prove himself worthy of not only their love but also to fulfil the prophecy the Promised Messiah (as) had versioned long before on 20th February 1886 relating to the birth of a son. “The prophecy described in detail many of the characteristics that the son would have. The Promised Messiah (as) mentioned that he had been told by Allah that his son would be a sign of Allah’s mercy and an answer to the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as). His son would be a key to the success and victory of the Promised Messiah’s (as) Jama’at.” The prophecy further inculcated key features of appearance and personality, to name a few “his son would be handsome and pure. He would be blessed with a great intellect. He would be invested with the spirit of God and would be free from all impurity. His purpose of life was to heal many of the disorders that were prevalent in society. His birth would be greatly blessed, and he would enjoy the protection of Allah throughout his life. And his fame would spread to the corners of the earth.”
On the other hand, Hazrat Musleh Maud essentially devoted his life to work as a protector of Islam and the Holy Qur’an from a young age who took allegations against his faith very seriously. In an effort to deal with the growing enmity “he formed Anjuman Tash’heezul-Azhaan and started a magazine by the same name. As the Jama’at in those days had very little funds Mian Mahmud’s wife donated her jewellery to the Jama’at so that the magazine could be published.” This again was a small yet highly regarded sacrifice in the way of Allah. Allah Ta’ala has blessed this Jama’at and flourished our ability to grow in publications and especially magazines since then as we have numerous magazines published by all groups of Jama’at members. This includes, Lajna, Ansar, Nasirat, Atfal and waqfeen-e-nau members who provide content to their magazines at a monthly basis involving as many members as possible. Alhamdollilah.
I now recommend all Nasirat’s reading this review to wait no longer and grab either an electronic or hard copy of this book and get reading. I say so because there had been many more great occasions worth learning from the virtuous and pious life of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra).
Author: Saba Chima