The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 519
518 Α'ΙΝΑ-Ε-ΚΑMĀLĀT-E-ISLAM-DAFI UL-WASĀWIS of every guidance. He who seeks guidance from anyone other than him is bound to perish. Now-O my brethren!—I deem it appropriate to briefly describe some significant accounts of my life and that of my ancestors so that you may grow in knowledge and insight. I have no power but from Allah who made me speak through His spirit. He is my Lord, Benefactor, and Teacher, and it is He who has illuminated me with the light of certainty. Obrethren! Know that my name is Ghulam Ahmad, son of Ghulām Murtadā, son of Atā Muhammad, son of Gul Muhammad, son of Faid Muhammad, son of Muhammad Qā'im, son of Muhammad Aslam, son of Muhammad Dilāwar, son of Ilāh-Din, son of Ja'far Baig, son of Muhammad Baig, son of 'Abdul Bāqī, son of Muhammad Sultān, son of Mirzā Hādī Baig, who is our common ancestor. This is my name and these are the names of my ancestors. May Allah forgive us and them, and He is Most Merciful. If you are eager to know further details, you may write a letter posted to the following address: Qadian, District Gurdaspur, Tehsil Amritsar, Punjab, India and write my name ‘Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian' at the head of envelope. If Allah wills the letter will reach me, and He is the Best of Providers. Now, I present to you some of those matters in whose description I see benefit and blessing, by which you may realize what you do not know with certainty. O noble ones! Know for certain that my ancestors, as I have already mentioned, were prominent landowners who used to cultivate land. They were chieftains who ruled over many villages and vast lands. They, by origin, were of a noble and pure lineage, having grace, glory, lord- ship, nobility, honour, prestige, and being among those specially cho- sen. They were the hidden gems and the remaining pious chieftains of this land. Some of them were eminent spiritual masters and peerless in their time in their practice of the subtle paths of piety and varied virtues; they were men of that high spiritual station from whom won- ders, Signs, and extraordinary phenomena were witnessed, and they