The Life of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad — Page 17
light to the whole world. As directed by Allah, the Promised. Messiah went into seclusion at Hoshiarpur for the purpose of devotion, prayers and supplication. As a result of this devotion he was given the glad tidings of the spiritual advancement of himself and his family and about the coming of the Promised. Reformer his own son. This prediction was fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad who was born on the 12th January, 1889, and who later became the second successor to the Promised Messiah. . The first Oath of Initiation. March 23rd is a red letter day in the history of Ahmadiyyat. . Because on that day in the year 1889, the Promised Messiah started enrolling his disciples and on that auspicious day forty spirited and ardent lovers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s. a. w. s. ) took an oath at the hand of the Promised Messiah making a solemn promise to serve Islam most faithfully and always to give preference to the needs of the faith over their worldly needs. The honour of being the first to be initiated fell to the lot of Hazrat Maulvi Hakim Nur-ud-Din of Bhera, who eventually rose to the honour of being the first successor to the. Promised Messiah. . His claim as the Messiah ". At the end of 1890, it was disclosed to the Promised Messiah, through Divine revelation, that “Jesus son of Mary is dead and that you are sent, as was promised, in his power and spirit. ". He, therefore, wrote the following three books clearly explaining the controversial points. The books are: (i) “FATHA-1-ISLAM (the Victory of Islam); (ii) "TAUZIH-I-MARAM. TAUZIH-I-MARAM" (Objectives explained) and (iii) “IZALA-I-AUHAAM" (Removal of Doubts). These were the earliest steps taken by the Hazrat towards restoring. Islam to its due glory as had been predicted in the earlier scriptures. He also invited all the Muslim scholars and notables to rally round him to make a united effort for the uplift of the. Muslims and the regeneration of Islam. But, as is usual, a great storm of opposition was aroused by the priest class and the. Promised Messiah had to challenge the prominent leaders from. JULY/AUGUST 1989 17