Before I explain this prophecy and the conditions behind it, I would like state that it is quite upsetting that the non Ahmadi Muslims raise an allegation against this prophecy, although Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) was defending Islam while Atham was defending Christianity. It disgusts me that they have the audacity to defend the trinity over the Oneness of Allah. However, this prophecy was indeed fulfilled beautifully.
The non Ahmadi Muslims claim that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) said that Atham would die within fifteen months but did not die. The sad part is that they do not even dare to look or read the entire prophecy in context with its conditions. This prophecy was based upon repentance and it is indeed a clear fact that Atham did repent.
This prophecy dates to the year of 1893 when Muslims were extremely terrified of the Christians and had to come to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) to defend Islam in a debate with Christianity. The anti Ahmadi ulema themselves came to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) which shows us that no one had the ability to defend Islam and that it was being hammered by the Christians in those days. Only one person stood up and that was no other than Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) of Qadian. Once the debate was coming to an end, near the last day Allah sent a revelation to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). The reason was because of the consistent mockery of Atham against the Seal of All the Prophets Muhammad(saw). Allah revealed to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) that if Atham would not return to the truth he would end up dying within a period of 15 months. This would be a sign for all of the Christians who were bitter opponents against Islam and would also be a huge victory for Islam. It would show the Christians the reality of the Prophet, Muhammad(saw) who Jesus(as) himself prophesied about.
Ahmad(as) published this prophecy as a warning to Atham from Allah. This was in regards to his mockery of Muhammad(saw). The only way Atham would be saved from this death would be him turning to the truth and coming to a stop against the vulgar language he would use against the Prophet Muihammad(saw).
The prophecy is as follows:
“Last night, it was made apparent to me, when I supplicated before God with great humility and emotion saying, ‘Decide in this matter; and we are but your humble servants, we cannot do a thing without your verdict,’ He granted me a Sign by way of glad-tiding that among the two parties, the one who is lying intentionally, and is abandoning the true God, and makes a humble man to be God, would be thrown into a Hawiyyah [i.e., punishment of fire] and be utterly disgraced, within a period which coincides with the number of days in this debate, i.e., for every day a period of one month, that is to say, within a period of 15 months from today, on the condition that he does not return to the truth. Through this, the honour of that person would be manifested who is truthful and believes in the True God. And when this prophecy is manifested, some of the blind would regain their sight; and some of the crippled would begin to walk; and some of the deaf would begin to hear.( Jang-e-Muqaddas, Ruhani Khaza’in, Volume 6, p. 291-292)
After Ahmad(as) had published this prophecy, by Allah something happened to Atham. He became terrified and full of fear. He started to fear things that were not even happening and behaved in a manner which scared people. He would think a serpent was set loose to kill him and would also be extremely afraid of dogs. He would see random things like armed men and evil spirits as well which he thought were coming to attack him. Since he was full of fear because of the things he was seeing, he did not speak against the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) again. His condition itself shows that he had become like one who was dead. The reason he was not given death in the span time of 15 months was clearly because he did repent. He did not have the courage to say or utter a single word against Muhammad(saw) anymore.
When the last day of the 15 months had arrived which was on the day of the fourth of September during the year of 1894, Atham had not died. a lot of people were trying to claim that the prophecy was not fulfilled. It was already shown that this was a condition prophecy and that Atham would be saved he stopped insulting Muhammad(saw). The silence of Atham showed that he became afraid and started to repent. In reply to all the allegations of the Mullahs and Christians, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) made an announcement where he offered 4000 ruppees to Atham if he can claim that he has not repented and has not returned to the truth.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) states:
“Now, if Atham swears on oath (that he has not repented) the promise of one year is conclusive and categorical, with which there are no conditions. And the decree is unchangeable. And if Atham does not take the oath, even then God would not let a culprit go unpunished who tried to deceive the world by hiding the truth. The days are near, not distant.”( Announcement, ‘4000 Rs. Reward’, p. 11, 27 October 1894)
Less than 7 months after this announcement, Atham passed away testifying to the truth of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) as well as Islam being dominant over Christianity. Atham was too scared to utter a single word against our master Muhammad(saw).
Here is an interesting passage from the debate itself showing how badly Atham was indeed shattered:
Statement of Mr. Abdullah Athmam:
In response to your Mubahala of yesterday, we Christians see no need of fresh miracles for old teachings; nor do we find ourselves up to the task. We have only been promised that whatever supplications we make, consistent with divine will, shall be granted, but we have not been promised any signs, whereas you, sir, seem to take pride in showing signs. We have no objection to witnessing a sign, and if it is indeed in the interest of mankind that a decision should be reached through the showing of a sign, we, for our part, have already expressed our inability to do so; it is now up to you to show a sign if you so please.
This is what you said in yesterday’s closing statement, and this is what you have hinted at today; so there is no need to discuss the matter any further. We are both well-advanced in age, and the grave is our destination. Let us be merciful to mankind and settle the matter on the basis of some heavenly sign. You have also said that you have received special revelation to the effect that victory shall be yours in this contest, and that the Just God is surely with those who are true, therefore, this is bound to happen. We have already pointed out in reply to the summary of your statement that we are not debating with you because we consider you to be a prophet or messenger or the recipient of revelation. Nor are we concerned with your personal beliefs, your arguments and your revelations. We assume that you are a Mohammedan, and are therefore having a dialogue with you on the subject of Christianity and Mohammedanism on the basis of the Principles that are generally accepted by both. But as you are willing to show a sign of divine power and are inviting us for the contest in this regard, we have no objection in witnessing a sign. So here are three people, one is blind, one has an amputated leg, and one is dumb. You are welcome to cure any of them if you can. Ad whatever penalty falls upon us as a result of this miracle, we shall be willing to pay. By your own admission, you believe in a God who is not only all powerful in name but is truly all powerful; he should, therefore, have no difficulty in curing them. Why wait then, as, in your own words, God shall most surely be with the truthful. Please do have mercy on God’s creatures, and be quick about it. Moreover, you must have been informed [by God] that today you will face this situation and you must have known that this is going to happen, for the same God who told you that victory shall be yours in this contest, must have also informed you that a blind man and other afflicted persons are going to be presented before you. So please go ahead and do as you have claimed here in the presence of Both Christians and the Mohammedans….
Statement of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as):
Let it be clear that I wrote to Deputy Abdullah Atham and told him that just as he considers the Christian faith to be the only means of salvation, so does the Holy Quran regard Islam as the sole way to salvation. You have made your claim on your own, while I have quoted the actual verses from the Holy Quran. But a claim without proof is of little value. This is why I said to him that the Holy Quran has described the hallmarks of those who have attained salvation, and , in keep with these hallmarks, we find that the followers of this Holy Book attain salvation in this very life. But do you find, in your religion, believers who possess the signs of salvation as Jesus himself as described them?
For example it is written in Mark 16:17:
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any dead thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.”
So now I respectfully submit the following and beg to be forgiven if there is any harshness or bitterness in my words: with regard to the three sick persons you have presented before me, let me say that they symbolize a sign which Jesus has particulary attributed to the Christians. He says “If you are a true believer then your sign will be that you will lay hands on sick and they will recover.’ Pardon me, but if you indeed claim to be a true believer, we have here three sick persons, whom you yourselves have presented; just lay your hand on them and if they recover we will believe that you are indeed true believers and have attained salvation. Otherwise, there is no ground for accepting your claim, because Jesus also says “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove (Matthew, 17:20) I do not want you to remove a mountain right now, because there are no mountains around here, but we do have a very good opportunity for you, since you yourselves have presented the sick, go ahead, therefore, and lay your hand on them and just heal them! Otherwise you will not be left with any faith, not even as little as a mustard seed!
But the same cannot be said of us, Because, in the Holy Quran, Allah has never given us the special distinction that whenever we lay our hands on the sick, they will be cured. True he has said that he shall accept our prayers as and when he pleaces. And if a prayer is not worthy of acceptance, or runs counter to divine wisdom then, at the very least, one would be apprised of it. Nowhere has he said that you have been given the power to do whatever you please. On the other hand, it seems to be the decree of Jesus(as) that he grants his followers powers such as to cure the sick as it is written in Mattew 10:1:
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
It is has now become incumbent upon you, and indeed a test of your faith, that you should cure these sick persons, or else you have to confess that you do not have faith even as little as a mustard seed. Remember everyone is called to account according to his own book. (Jange Muqaddas, Ruhani Khazain Vol 6 page 149-157)
Another interesting statement from this debate said by Ahmad(As) is :
“In your book Adruna-e-Bible, you have called our Holy Prophet(saw) Dajjal, whereas I belive him to be a true messenger, and I firmly believe Islam to be from God. Now this is something that will be decided by heaven. The heavenly decree is that whichever of us is false in his statement and unjustly declares the true messenger to be a liar and dajjal, and whichever of us is an enemy of the truth, shall be cast in hawia [hell] within fitfteen months from today, in the lifetime of the truthful one; unless he turns to the true i.e desists from calling the righteous and true Prophet(saw) Dajjal and refrains from impertinence and abuse. I said this because the mere denial of a religion does not merit punishment in this world, it is audacious, impertinent and insolent vilification that makes one deserve punishment. Thus when Atham was apprised of this prophecy in this gathering of more than seventy people, he blanched visibly, his face turned pale, and his hands started to tremble. He immediately took his tongue out of his mouth, touched his ears with both hands, and began to shake his head and hands just like frightened culprit who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, repents and shows great humility. With a quivering tongue, he kept saying, I repent! I repent! I am not guilty of any disrespect or blasphemy; and I have never called the Holy Prophet(saw) Dajjal. All the while he was trembling and this spectacle was not only be held by Muslims but his humble attitude was also witnessed by a large number of Christians. His denial seemed to signify that his statement in his book Andruna-e-Bible was not meant as an insult. In any case, he ended up retracting the word Dajjal before this gathering of about seventy people, and it was this one word that had occasioned this prophecy. He escaped death within a period of fifteen months, because he had recanted that blasphemous word on which the prophecy depended and God would surely never forget the condition that he himself had attached….”(Nazulul Masih, Ruhani Khazain Vol 18. Pp 541-545]
The non Ahmadi Muslims claim that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) said that Atham would die within fifteen months but did not die. The sad part is that they do not even dare to look or read the entire prophecy in context with its conditions. This prophecy was based upon repentance and it is indeed a clear fact that Atham did repent.
This prophecy dates to the year of 1893 when Muslims were extremely terrified of the Christians and had to come to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) to defend Islam in a debate with Christianity. The anti Ahmadi ulema themselves came to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) which shows us that no one had the ability to defend Islam and that it was being hammered by the Christians in those days. Only one person stood up and that was no other than Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) of Qadian. Once the debate was coming to an end, near the last day Allah sent a revelation to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). The reason was because of the consistent mockery of Atham against the Seal of All the Prophets Muhammad(saw). Allah revealed to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) that if Atham would not return to the truth he would end up dying within a period of 15 months. This would be a sign for all of the Christians who were bitter opponents against Islam and would also be a huge victory for Islam. It would show the Christians the reality of the Prophet, Muhammad(saw) who Jesus(as) himself prophesied about.
Ahmad(as) published this prophecy as a warning to Atham from Allah. This was in regards to his mockery of Muhammad(saw). The only way Atham would be saved from this death would be him turning to the truth and coming to a stop against the vulgar language he would use against the Prophet Muihammad(saw).
The prophecy is as follows:
“Last night, it was made apparent to me, when I supplicated before God with great humility and emotion saying, ‘Decide in this matter; and we are but your humble servants, we cannot do a thing without your verdict,’ He granted me a Sign by way of glad-tiding that among the two parties, the one who is lying intentionally, and is abandoning the true God, and makes a humble man to be God, would be thrown into a Hawiyyah [i.e., punishment of fire] and be utterly disgraced, within a period which coincides with the number of days in this debate, i.e., for every day a period of one month, that is to say, within a period of 15 months from today, on the condition that he does not return to the truth. Through this, the honour of that person would be manifested who is truthful and believes in the True God. And when this prophecy is manifested, some of the blind would regain their sight; and some of the crippled would begin to walk; and some of the deaf would begin to hear.( Jang-e-Muqaddas, Ruhani Khaza’in, Volume 6, p. 291-292)
After Ahmad(as) had published this prophecy, by Allah something happened to Atham. He became terrified and full of fear. He started to fear things that were not even happening and behaved in a manner which scared people. He would think a serpent was set loose to kill him and would also be extremely afraid of dogs. He would see random things like armed men and evil spirits as well which he thought were coming to attack him. Since he was full of fear because of the things he was seeing, he did not speak against the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) again. His condition itself shows that he had become like one who was dead. The reason he was not given death in the span time of 15 months was clearly because he did repent. He did not have the courage to say or utter a single word against Muhammad(saw) anymore.
When the last day of the 15 months had arrived which was on the day of the fourth of September during the year of 1894, Atham had not died. a lot of people were trying to claim that the prophecy was not fulfilled. It was already shown that this was a condition prophecy and that Atham would be saved he stopped insulting Muhammad(saw). The silence of Atham showed that he became afraid and started to repent. In reply to all the allegations of the Mullahs and Christians, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) made an announcement where he offered 4000 ruppees to Atham if he can claim that he has not repented and has not returned to the truth.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) states:
“Now, if Atham swears on oath (that he has not repented) the promise of one year is conclusive and categorical, with which there are no conditions. And the decree is unchangeable. And if Atham does not take the oath, even then God would not let a culprit go unpunished who tried to deceive the world by hiding the truth. The days are near, not distant.”( Announcement, ‘4000 Rs. Reward’, p. 11, 27 October 1894)
Less than 7 months after this announcement, Atham passed away testifying to the truth of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) as well as Islam being dominant over Christianity. Atham was too scared to utter a single word against our master Muhammad(saw).
Here is an interesting passage from the debate itself showing how badly Atham was indeed shattered:
Statement of Mr. Abdullah Athmam:
In response to your Mubahala of yesterday, we Christians see no need of fresh miracles for old teachings; nor do we find ourselves up to the task. We have only been promised that whatever supplications we make, consistent with divine will, shall be granted, but we have not been promised any signs, whereas you, sir, seem to take pride in showing signs. We have no objection to witnessing a sign, and if it is indeed in the interest of mankind that a decision should be reached through the showing of a sign, we, for our part, have already expressed our inability to do so; it is now up to you to show a sign if you so please.
This is what you said in yesterday’s closing statement, and this is what you have hinted at today; so there is no need to discuss the matter any further. We are both well-advanced in age, and the grave is our destination. Let us be merciful to mankind and settle the matter on the basis of some heavenly sign. You have also said that you have received special revelation to the effect that victory shall be yours in this contest, and that the Just God is surely with those who are true, therefore, this is bound to happen. We have already pointed out in reply to the summary of your statement that we are not debating with you because we consider you to be a prophet or messenger or the recipient of revelation. Nor are we concerned with your personal beliefs, your arguments and your revelations. We assume that you are a Mohammedan, and are therefore having a dialogue with you on the subject of Christianity and Mohammedanism on the basis of the Principles that are generally accepted by both. But as you are willing to show a sign of divine power and are inviting us for the contest in this regard, we have no objection in witnessing a sign. So here are three people, one is blind, one has an amputated leg, and one is dumb. You are welcome to cure any of them if you can. Ad whatever penalty falls upon us as a result of this miracle, we shall be willing to pay. By your own admission, you believe in a God who is not only all powerful in name but is truly all powerful; he should, therefore, have no difficulty in curing them. Why wait then, as, in your own words, God shall most surely be with the truthful. Please do have mercy on God’s creatures, and be quick about it. Moreover, you must have been informed [by God] that today you will face this situation and you must have known that this is going to happen, for the same God who told you that victory shall be yours in this contest, must have also informed you that a blind man and other afflicted persons are going to be presented before you. So please go ahead and do as you have claimed here in the presence of Both Christians and the Mohammedans….
Statement of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as):
Let it be clear that I wrote to Deputy Abdullah Atham and told him that just as he considers the Christian faith to be the only means of salvation, so does the Holy Quran regard Islam as the sole way to salvation. You have made your claim on your own, while I have quoted the actual verses from the Holy Quran. But a claim without proof is of little value. This is why I said to him that the Holy Quran has described the hallmarks of those who have attained salvation, and , in keep with these hallmarks, we find that the followers of this Holy Book attain salvation in this very life. But do you find, in your religion, believers who possess the signs of salvation as Jesus himself as described them?
For example it is written in Mark 16:17:
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any dead thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.”
So now I respectfully submit the following and beg to be forgiven if there is any harshness or bitterness in my words: with regard to the three sick persons you have presented before me, let me say that they symbolize a sign which Jesus has particulary attributed to the Christians. He says “If you are a true believer then your sign will be that you will lay hands on sick and they will recover.’ Pardon me, but if you indeed claim to be a true believer, we have here three sick persons, whom you yourselves have presented; just lay your hand on them and if they recover we will believe that you are indeed true believers and have attained salvation. Otherwise, there is no ground for accepting your claim, because Jesus also says “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove (Matthew, 17:20) I do not want you to remove a mountain right now, because there are no mountains around here, but we do have a very good opportunity for you, since you yourselves have presented the sick, go ahead, therefore, and lay your hand on them and just heal them! Otherwise you will not be left with any faith, not even as little as a mustard seed!
But the same cannot be said of us, Because, in the Holy Quran, Allah has never given us the special distinction that whenever we lay our hands on the sick, they will be cured. True he has said that he shall accept our prayers as and when he pleaces. And if a prayer is not worthy of acceptance, or runs counter to divine wisdom then, at the very least, one would be apprised of it. Nowhere has he said that you have been given the power to do whatever you please. On the other hand, it seems to be the decree of Jesus(as) that he grants his followers powers such as to cure the sick as it is written in Mattew 10:1:
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
It is has now become incumbent upon you, and indeed a test of your faith, that you should cure these sick persons, or else you have to confess that you do not have faith even as little as a mustard seed. Remember everyone is called to account according to his own book. (Jange Muqaddas, Ruhani Khazain Vol 6 page 149-157)
Another interesting statement from this debate said by Ahmad(As) is :
“In your book Adruna-e-Bible, you have called our Holy Prophet(saw) Dajjal, whereas I belive him to be a true messenger, and I firmly believe Islam to be from God. Now this is something that will be decided by heaven. The heavenly decree is that whichever of us is false in his statement and unjustly declares the true messenger to be a liar and dajjal, and whichever of us is an enemy of the truth, shall be cast in hawia [hell] within fitfteen months from today, in the lifetime of the truthful one; unless he turns to the true i.e desists from calling the righteous and true Prophet(saw) Dajjal and refrains from impertinence and abuse. I said this because the mere denial of a religion does not merit punishment in this world, it is audacious, impertinent and insolent vilification that makes one deserve punishment. Thus when Atham was apprised of this prophecy in this gathering of more than seventy people, he blanched visibly, his face turned pale, and his hands started to tremble. He immediately took his tongue out of his mouth, touched his ears with both hands, and began to shake his head and hands just like frightened culprit who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, repents and shows great humility. With a quivering tongue, he kept saying, I repent! I repent! I am not guilty of any disrespect or blasphemy; and I have never called the Holy Prophet(saw) Dajjal. All the while he was trembling and this spectacle was not only be held by Muslims but his humble attitude was also witnessed by a large number of Christians. His denial seemed to signify that his statement in his book Andruna-e-Bible was not meant as an insult. In any case, he ended up retracting the word Dajjal before this gathering of about seventy people, and it was this one word that had occasioned this prophecy. He escaped death within a period of fifteen months, because he had recanted that blasphemous word on which the prophecy depended and God would surely never forget the condition that he himself had attached….”(Nazulul Masih, Ruhani Khazain Vol 18. Pp 541-545]