Perseverance — Page xxi
xx – the story of al-haj Rashid ahmad american if the children fail to take advantage of this knowledge, they will be taught the harsh lessons of life by time. They will repeat the same mistakes and will lose precious time in the process of recovering from those mistakes. Had they but listened to their parents, they would have compounded the impact of their years and preserved their wealth, respect and honor. This also explains the h ad ī th in which the Holy Prophet saw said, “He who desires to increase his wealth and attain a longer life, should keep good relations with his kith and kin. ” 4 This book’s primary aim is to guide the youth and seekers of truth through the lessons learned in Rashid’s life. Rashid Ahmad is a pioneer and an elder in the American Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and has sought to benefit others through his own life’s experiences. Essentially, he is a spiritual father who dedicated his life to shepherd those who are struggling through the darkness of their own trials. Life’s overwhelming challenges can be more easily overcome with the guiding light of a role model who has succeeded through similar circumstances. HISTORY This book also provides valuable insight to Mirz ā Bash ī r-ud-D ī n Ma h m ū d Ahmad ra , one of the most towering figures in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s history. He was the second khal ī fah [ successor or caliph ] of the Promised Messiah as and the 4 “Sa h ī h al-Bukhārī”, Book 73, Kit a b-ul-Adab [Book of Good Manners], Hadith # 14. [Writer]