The Descent of the Messiah — Page 177
HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMADAS 6 [continued] out of the staff [as Moses had done]; rather, the Miracle Eight years of the Holy Quran has been regarded as a substitute for ago. the Miracle of the staff. God does not wish to re-manifest earlier Signs but to manifest them in different ways. Living Witnesses: The proof for prophecy number 5 has already been detailed. In relation to prophecy number 6, criticism and accusations will be levelled at me, just as they were levelled at Adam, but God will ultimately manifest my honour. This is what occurred: the fault-finders were frustrated and defeated, while God stood with me. Divine support is a Sign in and of itself, but when it is announced ahead of time in the form of a prophecy, it becomes in double measure, brilliant. The fulfilment of the prophecy attests to the fact that the support that was manifested was indeed from Allah and not by some coincidence. In short, a messenger and appointed one needs Divine support that is accompanied by prophecy to prove the office of Khilafat and Prophethood. He realises the need for such a Divinely supported prophecy and does not need anything else to establish his claim. No Date of Prophecy The Revelation that I have been graced with has disclosed to me these miraculous prophecies that have already ap- peared in the world, and thousands of witnesses attest to them, some of which have been mentioned here Date Prophecy Fulfilled 7 وَإِنْ يَرَوْا آيَةً يُعْرِضُوا وَيَقُولُوا سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٍ - وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنْفُسُهُمْ - وَقَالُوا لَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ See Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, page 498¹. Translation: "When they see a Sign, they turn away and say: "This is an ordinary and time-worn magic. It is nothing unusual and nothing miraculous. In their hearts, they are con- vinced that there is now no way of escape". The verse وَإِنْ يَّرَوْا آيَةً يُعْرِضُوا وَيَقُوْلُوْا سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌ of Surah Al-Qamar is in the context of the miracle of the split- 1311 Hijri 1 2 See Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part IV, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, 2016. Islam International Publications Ltd. p. 373. [Publisher] "And if they see a Sign, they turn away and say, 'A passing feat of magic. " Al-Qamar, 54:3. [Publisher] 177