The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 19
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI -spent most of his time in his room surrounded by books. The principal books he read during his teen years were the Holy Quran and the books of tradition or Hadith, (recorded sayings of the Holy Prophet. Muhammad) especially Bukhari. Some of the other books he read included Masnawi Maulana Rum, Fothoohul Gaib by the well known. Saint Abdul Qadir Gilani. He had also studied the Bible and the. Vedas of Hindus. . His father was always urging him to secure some job as he was worried that Ahmad would not be able to support himself after his death. . Finally his father prevailed. In 1864, when Ahmad was 29, he secured for him a job as a court clerk in the civil administration of the district Sialkot (also in Punjab). His life in Sialkot was quiet, studious and somewhat lonely. He made many friends which included. Muslims, Hindus and Christians. They often discussed religious topics. One of his friends was Rev. Butler of the Church Missionary. Society. Rev. Butler regarded Ahmad as a great religious thinker. . People who knew him, described him thus: "There was a special kind of shine and quality in his eyes. His nature was humble but commanding. His temperament was cool, but heartwarming. He talked so softly that he appeared to be smiling. . FF. This aspect of his character, his smiling face and his magnetic personality was noted and mentioned often by both friends and foes. . One friend described him as having a halo of spiritual radiance and serenity and a glow of supernatural glory. . He radiated a loving tenderness. Others described: "his spiritual glow and serenity" and "his serene and peaceful brilliance". . He was sweet tempered and never became angry. . He had a very fair complexion. His hair was black, his beard thick, his eyes dark brown with long eyelashes and his forehead was fairly broad, straight and upright. . After four years in Sialkot, his father called him back to. Qadian in 1868 when Ahmad's mother passed away. His mother was a kind gentle woman who was very generous to those in poverty or 19