Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 341
APPE N DI X to B AR Ā H Ī N-E-A H M ADIY YA — PART F IV E 341 I have stated, to claim that the prophecy he narrates is extraordinary or is far and beyond the reach of human knowledge. If the Punjab had experienced earthquakes like the one that occurred on 4th April 1905 even once in every century, this prophecy would have no significance, and everybody would be entitled to say that such earthquakes occurred in the Punjab all the time and it was nothing impossible. However, when the recent earthquake struck in the extraordinary manner that was foretold by the prophecy, all objections were rendered meaning- less. Similarly, the prophecy about the future earthquake, that has been made, is also not an ordinary prophecy. If it ultimately does turn out to be ordinary, or does not occur within my lifetime, then I am not from God Almighty. God informs me that the calamity which He has designated ‘the earthquake’ shall be like unto Doomsday, and that it will be might- ier than the first one. There is no doubt that in this prophecy about the future, as in the previous prophecy, the word ‘earthquake’ appears repeatedly and no other word is used. The literal meaning has greater right to be accepted than the metaphorical meaning, but it has to be said—in keeping with the practice of all Prophets to show deference to the providence of God and to the vastness of the knowledge of God— that although the word ‘earthquake’ has been used apparently, it may possibly mean some other calamity of the nature of an earthquake but it might be even more devastating than the previous one, and may severely impact buildings as well. 1 ٭ 1. ٭ The prophecy that had been made to the Jews about the coming of the Promised Messiah was that he would not come until Prophet Ily a s [Elijah] descends upon the earth from the heavens. But no one descended from the heavens, and Hadrat ‘ I s a [Jesus], may peace be upon him, claimed that he was the Promised Messiah, and that Ily a s [Elijah] referred to Prophet Ya h y a [John], who had appeared before him. Thus, the prophecy about the re-ad- vent of Ily a s, which the Jews awaited, and still do, was metaphorically ful- filled by the advent of Prophet Ya h y a. Thus, it is obvious that it does happen in case of prophecies that God Almighty fulfils them metaphorically and ignores their literal sense. (Author)