Life of Ahmad — Page 335
as DOMESTIC INCIDENTS 335 pestered Ahmad as to show. And a sign indeed it was. Ahmad Baig died 68 of typhoid in a hospital at Hoshiarpur on September 30th, 1892, only four months after the marriage. Other deaths also took place in the family which was stricken with various afflictions. Ahmad’s as prophecy was fulfilled and struck terror into the hearts of his enemies. Ahmad as rejoiced at the fulfilment of God’s word, but at heart he was sorely grieved. He had not wished Ahmad Baig to perish. Love of God is by no means inconsistent with love of one’s fellow beings. The bereaved members of Ahmad Baig’s family realised their mistake and turned to God and repented. Some of them even wrote to Ahmad as and begged him to pray for the family. They themselves not only offered prayers out of fear, but also gave alms. It appears Ahmad as also prayed for them. As God is not vindictive and desires reform rather than punishment, therefore, in fulfilment of His promise 69 mentioned in the leaflet issued on February 20th, 1886, he forgave 68 The prophecy of his death was originally made in 1883 when his daughter was only eight or nine years of age; but then the full details of the prophecy were not known. 69 The words of God were as follows: 'Thy progeny will multiply exceedingly throughout the world and every branch of thy cousins will be cut off and it will soon come to an end remaining childless. If they will not repent, God will send upon them calamity after calamity until they are destroyed. Their houses will be filled with widows and His anger will descend upon their walls. But if they turn, God will turn with mercy. ' It should be remembered that according to the prophecy, Ahmad’s as marriage with Muhammad i Begum was to take place only if she became a widow. See Anj a m-e- A thim. 216.