The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page xxvi
a noble Sayyed family of Delhi. His second wife bore him several children. He was survived by three sons and two daughters. The eldest of these was a son born on 12. January 1889, who was named Bashir-ud-Din Maḥmūd. Aḥmad. In his birth was fulfilled a grand multi-faceted prophecy of his father which had been published on 20. February 1886. . Haḍrat Mirza Ghulām Aḥmad's study of religion was not confined to Islām. At an early age, he entered upon a study of the principal faiths then current in India, which deepened his appreciation of the teachings of Islām, till he emerged as a champion of Islām. He was greatly depressed by the feeling that there was little understanding of true Islamic values even among the Muslim divines and that the common run of Muslims were a prey to ignorance and superstition and had little regard for Islamic teachings. . The collateral branches of his own family were sunk in superstition and made a mockery of religion and religious practices. Some of them openly denounced Islām, gloried in their disbelief, even reviled the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him] and held the. Holy Qur'an in contempt. This occasioned great distress to Ḥaḍrat Mirza Ghulām Aḥmad, and, though he made repeated efforts to win them back to sincere allegiance to. Islām, God Almighty, the Holy Prophets and the Holy. Qur'an, his efforts had little effect upon the attitude, conduct, and behaviour of his collaterals. He was further depressed by the Divine revelation: ينقطع أبائك و يبدء منك. He (God) will cut asunder thy collaterals and will begin (His favours) with thee.