Noah's Ark: An Invitation to Faith — Page 30
HAZRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD (AS) I honour not only the Messiah, but also his four brothers,' as all five of them were sons of the same mother. I also regard his two biological sisters as pious, for they are all from the womb of the Holy Virgin Mary. Mary's greatness lies in the fact that she abstained from marriage for quite a time and eventually yielded only due to the insistence of her elders during pregnancy. Certain people object that Mary married during her pregnancy, which is against the teachings of the Torah. In this way, she wrongfully broke her covenant of remaining a virgin and also opened the door to polygamy, since Mary agreed to enter into matrimony with Joseph the Carpenter, though he was already married at the time. However, I say that these were compelling circumstances, which happened to arise, and for this reason both ought to be looked upon with mercy rather than disdain. I repeat that you should not be content with having made a superficial covenant of Baiʼat, for this amounts to nothing. God looks at your hearts and will deal with you accordingly. Look here, I discharge the obligation of conveying my message by telling you that sin is a poison-do not consume it. Disobedience to God is a filthy death-safeguard yourselves against it. ¹ Footnote: Christ the Messiah had four brothers and two sisters who were related to Christ by blood and were the children of Joseph and Mary. The names of his four brothers are (1) Judas, (2) James, (3) Simon and (4) Justus. The names of his two sisters are (1) Assia and (2) Lydia. See Apostolic Records by Father John Allen Giles, London, 1886, pp. 159, 166. (Author) 30