An Ummati and a Prophet

I have been bestowed two titles by God Almighty. One of these is the title of a follower, as indicated by my name Ghulam Ahmad. The second title given to me, by way of reflection, is that of Prophet, since God Almighty has named me Ahmad in the earlier parts of Brahin-e-Ahmadiyyah and addressed me repeatedly by that name. This was an indication that I am a Prophet by way of reflection. Thus, I am an Ummati [follower of the Holy Prophet^sa] and also, by way of reflection, a Prophet. This is also indicated in the revelation set out in the earlier parts of Brahin-e-Ahmadiyyah:

That is, every blessing is from the Holy Prophet^sa and blessed is he who taught—the Holy Prophet^sa—and, thereafter, blessed is he who was taught myself. Therefore, through perfect obedience, I was named a follower and having acquired the full reflection of Prophethood, I was named Prophet. Thus I acquired two titles.

[Brahin-e-Ahmadiyyah, Part V, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 21, p. 360]

Why the promised reformer is named Messiah?

The reason for calling the Reformer of this age by the name of the Promised Messiah appears to be that his great task would be to put an end to the supremacy of Christianity and to repel the attacks of the Christians and to demolish their philosophy—which is opposed to the Holy Qur’an—with strong arguments and to convey to them fully the truth of Islam. The greatest calamity for Islam in this age consists of the philosophical attacks and religious criticism by the Christians, which cannot be repelled without Divine support. It was necessary that someone should come from God Almighty to combat them.

[A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 5, p. 341, first pub. Feb, 1893]

His claim: Sent in the likeness of Jesus

I believe in all that which is contained in the Holy Qur’an and in true Ahadith. I do not claim that I am Jesus son of Mary^as nor do I believe in the transmigration of souls. I only claim that I have been sent in the likeness of Jesus. As Muhaddathiyyat resembles Prophethood, in the same way my spiritual condition very closely resembles the spiritual condition of Jesus son of Mary^as, and I am truly a Muslim.

In short, I am a Muhaddath from God and have been commissioned by Him. And at the same time I am a Muslim who has come in the fourteenth century as a Reformer of the faith from the Lord of the heavens and earth in the character and spirit of Jesus son of Mary^as. I am not an impostor.

God Almighty looked at the world and found it in darkness and singularized His humble servant for the reform of His creatures. Do you then wonder that according to the Divine promise a Reformer has been sent at the turn of the century? God created him in the image of whichever Prophet He chose. Was it not necessary that the prophecy of the Holy Prophet^sa should be fulfilled?

[Majmu‘ah Ishtiharat, vol. 1, pp. 231-232. Published Oct 2, 1891]

God: our highest delight

Our God is our paradise. Our highest delight is in our God for we have seen Him and have found every beauty in Him. This wealth is worth procuring though one might have to lay down one's life to procure it. This ruby is worth purchasing though one may have to lose oneself to acquire it. Oh ye, who are bereft, run to this fountain and it will satisfy you. It is the fountain of life that will save you. What shall I do, and how shall I impress the hearts with this good news, and by beating what drum shall I make the announcement that this is our God, so that people might hear? What remedy shall I apply to the ears of the people so that they should listen?

[Kashti Nooh, p. 19-20]

Muhammad: the pride of the prophets

It would not have been possible for me to have attained this grace if I had not followed the footsteps of my lord and master, the pride of all the prophets, the best of mankind, Muhammad, the chosen one, peace and blessings of Allah be on him. Whatever I have achieved, I have achieved by following him, and I know from verified reliable experience that no man can reach God and obtain a deeper understanding of His ways without following that Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him.

Now, let me also make it known that the very first thing you are rewarded with, after having completely submitted yourself to the instructions and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, is that you are granted a new heart which is always rightly inclined, that is to say, a heart which has turned cold upon the love of this material world, and instead it begins to yearn for an everlasting heavenly pleasure. Having achieved this desire, this heart is now fit to receive that perfect and purest love--the love of God. Because of your complete obedience to him, all these blessings are bequeathed to you as his spiritual heritage.

[Roohani Khaza'in, Vol. 22: Haqeeqatul Wahi, pp. 64-65]

Muhammad: the chosen one

That light of high degree that was bestowed on perfect man was not in angels, was not in stars, was not in the moon, was not in the sun, was not in the oceans and the rivers, was not in rubies or emeralds, or sapphires, or pearls; in short, it was not in any earthly or heavenly object. It was only in perfect man whose highest and loftiest and most perfect example was our lord and master, the Chief of the Prophets, the Chief of all living ones, Muhammad, the chosen one, peace be on him. That light was bestowed on this man and, according to their ranks, upon all those who bore the same colour to some degree.... This dignity was found in its highest and most perfect form in our lord and master and our guide, the immaculate Prophet, the righteous one, testified to by the righteous, Muhammad, the chosen one, peace be on him

[Ayenae Kamalat-e-Islam, (Qadian, Riyadh Hind Press 1893); Now printed in Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984), Vol.5, pp. 160-162].