Invitation to Ahmadiyyat — Page 124
124 Thus, their rise in itself is proof that the Promised Messiah as has come. Another sign foretold by the Holy Prophet s as was the rise of the proletariat, and poor and ‘naked’ people becoming rulers. 63 The word ‘naked’ is to be understood in a relative sense because the poor would seem unclothed as compared to the rich. This sign has been fulfilled. As governments have become more and more representative, political power has shifted to the less privi - leged and they are becoming rulers. Labour unions are becoming so powerful that governments tremble before them. No party, no matter how strong, finds itself secure unless it can appease them. In some countries, such as Russia and Switzerland, they enjoy full dominion. They are also growing in strength in parts of Australia. Another sign of the time of the Promised Messiah as foretold by the Holy Prophet s as was that there would be a large number of shurt (assistants or deputies of the ruler). 64 This also has come true. In former times, government administrators did not require so many deputies or assistants. One or two representatives in an area were considered sufficient but today the responsibilities of states have become so vast that they have to employ hundreds of officers. Departments, such as the police, public health, reg - istration, public works, post office, communications (railway, telegraph, and telephone), irrigation, excise, audit, etc. , have become so expansive that governments require vast personnel to run them. Another sign related to the time of the Promised Messiah as foretold by the Holy Prophet s as was that the penalties prescribed by the Shariah would be abrogated. This has come to pass and