The Heavenly Sign — Page 13
13 discerning readers will have no difficulty in realizing what a superb testimony this is. In addition to this, there is also another prophecy which a godly man named Ni‘matull a h, renowned in India as a saint and seer of true visions, has written in a poem. He passed away seven hundred and forty-nine (749) years ago and this also is the time that has elapsed since the poem which contains this prophecy was written. When Maulaw i Muhammad Ism a ‘ i l Sahib Shah i d was trying desperately to have his mentor, Sayyid Ahmad Sahib, recognised as the Mahdi of the age, he got hold of this poem and did all he could to prove that the said prophecy applied Sayyid Sahib. He even published this poem in his book. However, in no way can the conditions and signs mentioned in the poem be applied to Sayyid Ahmad Sahib. It is true that he who will come to fulfil the prophecy has been named 'Ahmad', it is written that he will appear in India and it is also mentioned that he will appear in the thirteenth century (of the Hijra). A cursory glance can make one imagine that all the three conditions are fulfilled in Sayyid Ahmad Sahib. A little reflection, however, will show that this prophecy is not at all relevant to Sayyid Ahmad Sahib. It is clear from the verses that the Promised Messiah as will not appear in the beginning of the thirteenth century, rather his advent will be at the end of the century after several great events, disasters and catastrophes. That is to say, he will appear at the turn of the fourteenth century. It is obvious that Sayyid Ahmad did not live to see even the