Life of Ahmad — Page 419
as SUN AND MOON DARKENED 419 any kind at the time of the phenomenon described. It is also confirmed by the Quran (Al-Qiy a mah 75:7, 10), which refers to the same prophecy. Now according to this the eclipse of the moon actually occurred on Thursday evening (7:00-9:30, Calcutta time), the 13th of Ramadan, 1311 A. H (March 21st, 1894); and that of the sun occurred on Friday morning (9:00-11:00, Calcutta time), the 28th of the same Ramadan (April 6th, 1894) (vide Bengali monthly Bharatbarsha-Jaistha 1332 B. S. , p. 867). It was recorded and reported in the Civil and Military Gazette of Lahore, the Pioneer of Allahabad and all vernacular papers. The eclipse of the moon generally occurs on the 13th, 14th or 15th day of a lunar month and, according to the prophecy, it occurred on the first date. The eclipse of the sun takes place on the 27th, 28th and 29th and it occurred on the 28th which was the middle date predicted. Hence, Ahmad as rightly claimed that the prophecy was fulfilled and that it was strong evidence of the truth of his claim. People marvelled at the manner in which Ahmad’s as claim was supported by heavenly signs. Seekers after truth poured into Qadian; visitors came from distant places. Ahmad’s as correspondence swelled. A learned and pious young Muslim came from Tripoli and joined his fold. His name was Muhammad Saeed Nishar Humaid i Sh a m i ra. He stayed with Ahmad as for about seven months. Ahmad as wanted to send him out to the Arab countries as his apostle, but it is not known whether or not this could be arranged.