Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 240
240 and the blessings of God be upon him, thirteen centuries ago. (Vo). II. R. R. 1903. ) Listen Earth ! and bear witness Heaven I that I have received inspiration from on high, and have found access to the Divine mysteries. I have been sent in the early piart of this century in order that I may restore Islam to its original purity, and as a judge remove the differences that are tearing asunder the Muhammadan sects, and armed with the weapons of heavenly signs, destroy all false principles, and bring about a spiritual transformation in the whole world. (Vol. II. R. R 1903. ) Another point which deserves to be noticed is that the revelations of all the Muhammadan saints fix the appearance of the Messiah at the commencement of the 14th century of Hejira, and not a single revelation takes it further. There is moreover an authentic tradition to the effect that a Spiritual Revivalist will be raised among the Muslims at the commencement of every century, and since the Messiah will also be a Spiritual Revivalist, therefore if he does not appear in the earlier part of the century his advent shall have to be delayed for another century, an idea not only repugnant as suggesting the decline of Islam for another century, but also opposed to all prophetical writings. . ,; (Vol. II R R 1903. ) The advent of a Reformer at the commencement of every century is admitted by all, and it is further admitted that the Promised Messiah will also come as a Reformer. But no one can point out where the Reformer is who ought Jto have appeared at the commencement of the fourteenth century of Hejira. The eclipse of the sun and the moon in the month of Ramzan was the sign fixed for the advent of Mahdi (another name for the same Reformer), and more than eight years have elapsed since that sign was seen on the heavens, but no Bother Mahdi can be