The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 49
Marriage and Righteous Progeny 49 after the demise of the first Bashir, a second Bashirwho will also be called Mahmood-will be given to me. God had addressed this humble one and said: He shall be a person of high resolve and will be like thee in beauty and benevolence. God is Almighty and He creates whatever He wills. . Today, Saturday 12th January, 1889, which conforms to 9th Jamādi-ul-Awwal, 1306 AH, a son was born to me. He has been named Bashīr and Maḥmood in anticipation. An announcement will be made after the matter has become clear, for I have not yet been given to understand whether this son will grow up to be the Promised Reformer or there will be another. I know, however, and I know it for a certainty, that. God Almighty will deal with me according to His promise, and that, even if it is not yet the time for the birth of the Promised Son, he will certainly appear at some other time. If there should remain only one day out of the time specified, God will not let that day come to an end till His promise has been fulfilled. . Once, in a dream, I found myself reciting the following verse with regard to the Promised Reformer: اے فخرِ رُسل قرب تو معلوم شد دیر آمده زراه دور آمده 16. If it had been the Divine will that the 'delay' was only until this son-who has been named Bashiruddin 16. O pride of Messengers, I realize the degree of your nearness to God, your coming has been delayed as you have come from a long distance. [Publisher]