The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 394
LETTER TO NAWWAB MUHAMMAD ALI KHAN 393 claims run rampant?' In reply to this question, it is sufficient for me to say that the following matters should serve as signs and indicators to guide a seeker after truth: 1. FIRST, that prophecy of the Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which has attained the status of تَوَاتُرٌ مَعْنَوِيٌّ ]tawatur ma'nawī], the meaning of which is that God Almighty has promised that He will raise a man at the head of every century who will rejuvenate the Faith and, removing its weaknesses, will restore it to its original strength and ability. ¹ It was essential, therefore, that in accordance with this proph- ecy, a person would be raised by God Almighty in the begin- ning of this fourteenth century who would also come forward to rectify the prevailing evils. So, this humble one has been appointed exactly at the proper time. Hundreds of saintly peo- ple had testified beforehand based upon their revelations that the Mujaddid [Reformer] of the fourteenth century would be the Promised Messiah. And the authentic ahādīth of the Holy Prophet emphatically proclaim that the Messiah would appear after the thirteenth century. So, is this claim by my humble self not made exactly at the right time and appropriate occasion? Is it possible that the word of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, should fail to materialise? I have proven that if it is assumed that the Promised Messiah was not born at the head of the fourteenth century, several prophecies of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would prove to be erroneous and hundreds of saintly ones possessed of revelation would turn out to be liars. 2. [SECOND] Let it be considered also that when the ulema are asked 1. Sunan Abi Dāwūd, Kitābul-Malāhim, Bāb Mã Yudhkar fi Qarnil-Mi'ah, Hadith 4291 [Publisher]