The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 187
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI well, Mirza Sahib has rendered a service to Islam which is of special significance. . . . . . . . . . Irrespective of how extensive our defence of Islam in future, we shall never be in the position to overlook and ignore the writings of Mirza Sahib. It is not hoped that in future religious history of India, a person of such a stature will be born again who sacrificed his best desires for the sake of study of religion. " (Vakeel, Amritsar,. June, 1908). The Promised Messiah founded a Jamaat whose members are fired with love of and devotion to Islam. They excel others in depth of faith, sincerity of devotion, righteousness and spirit of sacrifice. . Every member donates 1/16 to 1/10 of his monthly income for the service of Islam. With exception of any weak individuals, on the whole their moral and spiritual standard is higher than others. Thus they furnish a strong proof of the truth of the Promised Messiah as a tree is known by its fruit. The Promised Messiah has established the habit of prayer among his followers. By prayer, individual Ahmadis establish their relationship with Allah and most of them have seen the signs of power of Allah. If this blessing of prayer is not stressed upon, most persons will falter when faced with trials in this age of materialism. . In the modern age, the Ahmadiyya Movement was first in propagation of Islam. Its missionaries were the first to propagate. Islam with peaceful means in West and East. The first Islamic. Mission in England was started in 1912. The first mosque was built there in 1924. The first Ahmadi Muslim missionaries went to West. Africa and America in the early 1920s. Now some other Muslim organizations have also joined the missionary field but they have done so after the discovery of oil. They are indebted to Ahmadiyya pioneering work in propagation of Islam. . In Europe, Ahmadiyya Muslim communities and their missions are located in England, Holland, Germany, Switzerland. . Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Spain. Mosques have been built in London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hague, Copenhagen and in Gothenberg (Sweden). 187