Life of Ahmad — Page 193
as BIRTH OF FA D L-E-UMAR ra 193 issued a leaflet (printed at the Riy ad -e-Hind Press, Amritsar) in which he explained the situation and pointed out that there was nothing in the prophecy to confine the birth of a son to that particular occasion. The time appointed for the birth was by no means at an end and therefore there was no reason for them to feel exultant over the matter. Soon after this, however, in accordance with the prophecy made on April 8th, 1886, a son was born on August 7th, 1887 (16 Z i qa‘da, 1304 A. H. ) in the early hours of the morning. The boy was named Bashir Ahmad (now generally known as Bashir I. ) His birth was made public the same day by means of a leaflet. The fact that a daughter had previously been born served to dispel the doubts of those who had written that during the period of pregnancy it could somehow be ascertained whether the child would be male or female. In this manner, it was proved beyond the shadow of doubt that the prophecy was not a biological calculation or a conjecture, but that it was a revelation from on high. At the birth of Bashir I Ahmad as received hundreds of letters asking him if the son was the promised one who would be illustrious. Ahmad as replied by saying that he had received no clear indication of that, and therefore, could not definitely say that it was the promised son. Considering the Divine praise bestowed on the boy regarding his