The Great Reformer

Dispute following Hazrat Mirza’s demise regarding his beliefs The historical narration of the events of Hazrat Mirza’s life has ended. After this, God willing, I would like to provide the reader with a glimpse of his character and morality.  But before embarking on that, I consider it necessary to present Hazrat Mirza’s beliefs in his own words because of the widespread misunderstanding that exists about his beliefs both within and outside Hazrat Mirza’s organization.During the course of this biographical narration, Hazrat Mirza’s beliefs have been referenced from time to time.  These references show thatHazrat Mirza always maintained that his beliefs were the same as those of the Ahle-Sunnat-wal-Jamaat. Hence there should have been no need to separately discuss his beliefs here. But it is with great sorrow and grief that I have to state that in April of 1911, three years after Hazrat Mirza’s demise, his son Mirza Mahmud Ahmad devised a new belief of calling Muslims as unbelievers.  According to Mirza Mahmud Ahmad’s belief, all Muslims of the world who have not taken Hazrat Mirza’s pledge, though they may not even have heardHazrat Mirza’s name, are unbelievers and outside the pale of Islam! Then, three years later, i.e., in 1914, after the death of Maulana Nur-ud-Din, he ascribed the claim of prophethood to Hazrat Mirza. As I have detailed earlier in this biog- raphy, both these beliefs are cruelty andslander against Hazrat Mirza. In that same year, 1914, Mirza Mahmud Ahmad laid the foundation for…

Signs of Spirituality and Piety upon Hazrat Mirza’s Countenance It is possible to describe Hazrat Mirza’s qualities with words. His photographs are also in existence. But it is impossible for the pen or the photograph to capture the signs of piety and spiritual glow that lighted his face at all times. When he entered the mosque through the small…

The cleanliness and simplicity of Hazrat Mirza’s attire Hazrat Mirza had no personal preference in the matter of clothes. His normal attire consisted of a shirt, a loose-fitting trouser known as pajama, waistcoat, and headgear. The chief characteristic of his attire was that it was very loose fitting. The length of the coat, or robe or cloak, whichever he wore, was always below his knees and sometimes…

Food consumption Since his early life, Hazrat Mirza was accustomed to eating very spar- ingly. Even in his youth, which is a time when people areusually in the habit of eating heartily, he used to eat very little. He shared his food with some orphans and needy children on a regular basis. When he received his meals from the house, the children would gather to get their share. He gave a roti and some gravy to each…

Hazrat Mirza loved simplicity Hazrat Mirza lived his life with great simplicity. He often used to say, “I love those people greatly who lead their lives with simplicity.” Simplicity of his house The simplicity of Hazrat Mirza’s dress and diet has already been men- tioned. His house too was very simple. In the section of the house where he resided, there was no furniture except for the beds on which the family slept. There were no tables or chairs and no carpets or rugs. Hazrat Mirza was engaged day and night in writing and compiling religious tracts and he wrote thousands of pages of profound literature by sitting and writing on his bed with…

Hazrat Mirza’s intrinsic nature Up to this juncture, I have only discussed the physical aspects of Hazrat Mirza. Now I would like to say a little bit about his intrinsic nature by briefly sketching his morals and habits. Although it is impossible to describe with words the ecstasy and joy one felt on meeting and interacting with him, I shall nevertheless attempt a description to at least help the reader form a general impression. The best of you is the best to his family Prophet Muhammad (peace and…