A Present to Kings — Page 49
( 49 ) inct is well known and requires no proof how in this age canals have been opened and water from the rivers has been drawn off till the beds have been left dry. Similarly, there were many other signs, which, it was said, would indicate the age of the Promised Messiah and the approach of the last day, and they have all duly met with their fulfilment. Thus it clearly follows from the testimony of the Holy Quran and the traditions that this age is undoubtedly the age of the Promised Messiah. In fact the age commenced 83. Fears ago because it is clear from the traditions that the reformer is to come at the beginning of every century, and now the 13th century has already elapsed and more than a third of the 14th has also been passed. . INDIRECT EVIDENCE OF THE TRUTH OF THE CLAIM. OF MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD. . Now, when it is proved that this age is the age of the. Promised Messiah and the time of his advent is the beginning of the century there is no more excuse left not to accept the claim of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, because besides him there is now no other person on the face of the earth setting up a similar claim or even the claim of being a Mujaddid (reformer). Only two alternatives are left open. Either the claim of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad should be accepted, or this grand prophecy of Isfam, in spite of the fulfilment of its signs, should be discredited and the truth of Islam be denied (God forbid). The opponents of Islam are rightly entitled to ask the Mussalmans to point out to them the reformer of this century, about whose advent at the beginning of every century a promise was given to the Muslims. Similarly, they may question the Muslims about the coming of the Promised. Messiah saying, that of the time assigned for his coming 32 years have now elapsed, still why does he fail to make his appearance, when the nonappearance of any such claimant would cast a doubt on the truth of Islam. Likewise, the opponents may say to the Muslims, that if it is true, as they state, that Islam is the chosen and approved religion of God,