The Descent of the Messiah — Page 223
HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMADAS 43 [continued] way, a plague broke out when people exalted Lekhram. This was because they had scorned the prophecy of the Lord of Glory and honoured the man whom God had named Samiri's calf. In the announcement following this revelation, it was written: "Today, February 20, 1893, when I prayed to be apprised of the time of Lekhram's punishment, God revealed to me that within a period of six years from today, this man, on account of his inso- lence towards the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would be visited by such a chastise- ment as will be different from minor sufferings. It will be miraculous and will be attended by Divine awe. " It was stressed in this announcement that if I turned out to be false in this prophecy, I would be ready to suffer any pun- ishment, and would even submit to being hanged with a rope around my neck. This prophecy, unlike that re- garding Atham, was not accompanied by any conditions. Rather, it was definite and categorical, and I accepted the severest punishment for myself in case it did not come to pass. A poem was also written at the end of the same announcement on February 20, 1893, which clearly al- ludes to the manner of Lekhram's death. At the place in this poem where, as a prophecy, the words sharp sword are written, a hand was drawn pointing to Lekhram and indicating that this person would die by being murdered. Here I copy this poem word for word from my book A'ina-e-Kamālāt-e-Islām which was published nine years ago and contained the sign of the hand. It is as follows: عجب لعلیست در کان محمد عجب نوریست در جان محمد What a wondrous light is in the soul of Muhammadas, A wondrous ruby lies in the mine of Muhammadas. ز ظلمتها دلی آنگه شود صاف که گردد از محبان محمد The heart is cleansed of all darkness When it joins the lovers of Muhammadsas. 223