Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 136
136 AHMADIYY AT at its due time. I do not say only that had I been an impostor I would surely have been destroyed, but I affirm that I am truly like Moses and Jesus and David and the Holy Prophet, p~ace be on him. God has exhibited more than ten thousand signs in my support. The Quran bears witness for me and so does the Holy Prophet, peace be on him [Tohfatun Nadawah, p. 4]. As the period of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, extends to the Day of Judgment and he is the last law-bear- ing Prophet, God did not design that the unity of all minkind should be perfected during his lifetime, for this would have indi- cated that the period of his Prophethood was coming to an end, inasmuch as his last task would have been completed and perfected. Therefore, God timed the unification of mankind and their accept- ance of one faith for the latter part of the period of the Prophet- hood of Muhammad, which will be the time of the approach of the Judgment. For the achievement of this purpose God appointed a deputy from among the people of Muhammad, who was named the Promised Messiah, as the Khatamal Khulafa. Thus the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, stands at the beginning of the period of his Prophethood, and the Promised Messiah stands towards the end of it. It was necessary that this dispensation of the world should not be cut off till after his appearance, as the function of the unification of mankind was destined for his time. This is set out in the verse: 'He it is who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that He may bring about its triumph over all religions' (9:33). This means that the Promised Messiah would enjoy a world-wide triumph. All those who have preceded me are agreed that this supreme triumph of Islam would be achieved in the time of the Promised Messiah [Chashmah Maarifat, pp. 82-3]. I have been bestowed two titles by God Almighty. One of my titles is a follower, as is indicated by my name Ghulam Ahmad. My second title, by way of reflection, is that of Prophet. God Almighty named me Ahmad in Braheen Ahmadiyya and called me repeatedly by this name. This was an indication that I am a Prophet by way of reflection. This is also indicated in the revelation set out in Braheen Ahmadiyya: 'Every blessing is from Muhammad, peace be on him, and so blessed is he who taug4t, that is to say, the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, and blessedis he who was taught, that is to say, this humble one' [Zameema Braheen Ahmadiyya, Pt V, pp. 188-9].