The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page ix
Publishers’ Note In this text, references to verses of the Holy Qur’ān have been footnoted and are given in the modern numerical system. In these references, we have counted Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm as the first verse, except for Sūrah At-Taubah (that is Chapter 9 of the Holy Qur’ān). In these footnotes, the name of the Sūrah (chapter) has been mentioned, and then the numerical reference has been provided in brackets, whereas the first number refers to the Sūrah (chapter) and the second number refers to the Āyah (verse). The translation of verses of the Holy Qur’ān, Aḥādīth and other Arabic or Persian quotations have been rendered into English from the idiomatic Urdu translation of Ḥaḍrat Mirz ā Bashīr Aḥmad Ṣāḥib ra himself, as found in the original Urdu work. The names of Islāmic months have been used in their original form. In the field of Islāmic history, there are two famous eras in the life of the Holy Prophet sa : prior to migration and after migration. Years spent by the Holy Prophet sa in Makkah, prior to the migration are referred to as Nabawī years, and those following the migration are referred to as Hijrī years. In this text, Nabawī years have been clearly specified, for they have been followed by the term ‘ Nabawī’ in italics. Hijrī years have been specified by the abbreviation A. H. (i. e. , after Hijrah ). In certain footnotes more than once reference has been cited. In all such instances, references appearing in the same footnote have been separately distinguished with bullet points. All of the original references provided in this translation have been checked and verified by the Research Cell, Rabwah. Wherever additional references are provided, which are not cited in the original Urdu book, they have been marked with the words [Publishers] in square brackets. The following abbreviations have been used in this book; Readers are requested to recite the full salutations when reading the book: SA: An abbreviation for Ṣallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam , meaning, “May peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him,” is written after the name of the Holy Prophet Muḥammad sa. AS: An abbreviation for ‘Alaihissalām / ‘Alaihassalām / ‘Alaihimussalām , meaning, “May peace be upon him / her / them,” is written after the name of Prophets other than the Holy Prophet Muḥammad sa , and pious women prior to the era of the Holy Prophet Muḥammad sa. RA: An abbreviation for Raḍiallāhu ‘anhu / ‘anhā / ‘anhum , meaning, “May Allāh be pleased with him/her/them,” is written after the names of Companions of the Holy Prophet sa and Companions of the Promised Messiah as.