The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 89
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI hearts of Kings and nobles, so much so that they will seek blessings from they garments". (Tazkira). Hadhrat Ahmad announced that it was not only a prophecy but a grand heavenly sign to demonstrate the truth and greatness of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him. He specified that. Promised Son will surely be born within nine years. On January 12, 1889 Hadhrat Ahmad was blessed with a son whom he named. Mahmood. His full name was Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad. . Later, at different times, Hadhrat Ahmad declared in his books that he was the Promised Son which had been predicted. . This son, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad grew to adulthood. He was a genius and possessed a dynamic personality. He was the image of his great father. Due to his sterling qualities and great influence in the community, he was elected to the exalted office of Second Successor of the Promised Messiah (2nd Khalifa) at the age of twenty five and his period of Khilafat (leadership as a successor) lasted for 52 years. . This became the glorious period in the history of the. Movement. Membership increased vastly. Numerous missions and mosques were established in various foreign countries with his efforts and administrative ability. He has astounding record of success and high achievement in so many fields of human endeavor. He was the author of scores of books including a commentary of the Holy Quran,. Tafsir-e-Kabir, which will live in the annals of Islamic scholarship. . His leadership was outstanding and multifarious and he organized the. Movement on firm foundations. His intellectual capabilities, love of. Islam and the Holy Prophet, his ability to provide political leadership to Indian Muslims are recognised even by opponents. In 1947 when the Indian subcontinent gained independence, in which he had a played prominent role, and was divided into India and Pakistan, he migrated to Pakistan and founded a new modern town, Rabwah, as the international headquarters of the Movement. When storms of persecution arose as a result of bigotry and fanaticism, his forbearance and prayers steered the community out of dangers. 89