Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 241
241 shown. If it be said that though the sign has appeared, yet the person whose advent it denotes, will appear after some time, there would be great difficulties, for in that case any number of men may claim Mahdiship and accordingly the advantage of the sign. Heaven has shown a mighty sign, but people do not care for it. The prophets had also spoken of another sign to appear after the eclipse,- a heavy disaster which was to befall the world. This has appeared in the form of plague which has wrought a havoc in the country. It has destroyed hundreds of thousands of souls, and who knows what destruction it may yet bring about, but people have not recognised him whose sign it is. Heaven and earth have borne testimony to my truth, but their testimony has been rejected. God is jealous and He will show His jealousy because His signs are denied. He will not leave this disobedience unpun- ished. Both the Quran and the traditions speak of another sign, a new conveyance which was to replace camels. Thus the Holy Quran says: u>ils ^ U. *J ) i ) ^ " When the camels will fall into disuse," while a tradition says : ^* ^*~ ^ u* ^ J ^ j*tf "Verily the camels will be given up and they will not be used for riding upon. " This sign has been brought to fulfilment in a wonderful manner, so much so that even in the deserts of Arabia where camels have not been dispensed with from time immemorial, railways are under construction, and thus camels will soon fall into disuse there fulfilling the great prophecy. Could I bring about the fulfilment of these signs in support of my claim by my power? Had I any control over the solar system that I should have brought about the eclipse of the sun and the moon in accordance with the prophecy ? Or could I create the germs of plague in order to fulfill the prophecy concerning this epidemic? Or was it at my instance that pilgrimage to Mecca was obstructed? All the signs fixed for the advent of the Messiah have been