Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 477
LAYING TO REST SOME DOUBTS 477 equal even to Israelite women? Can it be expected that now is such an age that in this age God still hears but no longer speaks? If there is no dishonour for Him to hear the supplications of poor mortals, why is it a dishonour to speak to them? Let it be remembered that attributes of God Almighty are never suspended. So, just as He shall always continue to hear, so shall He con- tinue to speak. And what can be a clearer argument than this that the continuation of God's speaking, like His hearing will never come to an end? And it proves that there will always remain a group of people with whom God will continue to have converse and discourse. And I cannot comprehend why people get so agitated by the word Nabī [Prophet]. Once it has been established that the coming Messiah will be from within this Ummah, what is the harm if God called hima Nabi? Such people do not see that he has also been called an ummati [follower of the Holy Prophetsas] and invested with all the attributes of an ummatī. This compound name is quite distinct and Hadrat 'Isā, the Israelite, was never known by this name. Further, Almighty God has repeatedly called me an ummatī as well as a Nabi in His revelations. Hearing these names creates extreme ecstasy in my heart and I express my gratitude that I have been honoured with this compound name. The wisdom behind the granting of this compound name seems to be to strike the whip of castigation upon the Christians that whereas they portray Jesus, son of Mary, as God, our Prophet, may peace and bless- ings of Allah be upon him, is a Prophet of such calibre that an individ- ual from his Ummah can be a Nabi and can be called 'Isā despite being an ummati. HIS STATEMENT-With regard to the Promised Mahdi, there are found in some ahādīth words such as من ولد فاطمة from among the prog- eny of Fatimah'], and من عترتى from my progeny'], and من اهل بيتى from among the people of my household'], and it is also written يواطئ إسمه إسمى و إسم إبيه إسم إبى ]his name will be my name, and the name of his