Our beloved Imam, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (may Allah be his Helper), once stated:
‘The status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) was such that, having received divine knowledge of it, he claimed to be a Mau’ud Khalifa [a Promised Khalifa], meaning that he possessed a status higher than a Khalifa, but less than a Prophet. To preserve the memory of such a man is essential. Huzoor (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
اک وقت آئے گا کہ کہیں گے تمام لوگ
ملت کے اس فدائی پہ رحمت خدا کرے
‘A time shall come when all will proclaim, “May God have mercy on this ardent devotee of Islam.”’
That time has now come. And even now, people are yet to be properly acquainted with the status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him)”’
(Al Hakam, February 15, 2019).
These profound words beckon us to understand, realize, and revere the true status of this magnificent devotee of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Huzoor-e-Anwar (may Allah be him helper) raised a vital point: if someone is told to proclaim their status by Allah the Almighty, then imagine the status they possess. Huzoor-e-Anwar (may Allah be his helper) explained that the status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) was higher than a Khalifa, but less than a Prophet, for he was a Promised Khalifa.
To realize the high status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him), it is important to remember the following Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):
یَنْزِلُ عِیْسَی ابْنُ مَرْیَمَ اِلَی الأَرْضِ فَیَتَزَوَّجُ وَیُوْلَدُ لَهُ
“Jesus, son of Mary, will descend on earth and shall marry and have children”
(Mishkat al-Masabih, 5508).
The reason why the mention of the children of the Messiah (peace be upon him) was spoken by our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is that these children would have special characteristics and be pure. This is the secret, as explained by the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him):
“Obviously, marriage and children have not been mentioned incidentally, because everyone normally gets married and has children, and there is nothing remarkable about it. Marriage here means an extraordinary marriage which would serve as a sign, and the children are the special children regarding whom I have already made a prophecy. In other words, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has answered these dark-hearted deniers and has told them that these prophecies will surely be fulfilled” (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 11, p. 337, footnote; translated from Urdu).
In his book Al-Wasiyyat (The Will), the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) prophesied not only the establishment of Khilafat after his demise, but also reiterated the prophecy regarding the Musleh-e-Mau’ud, the Promised Reformer. He wrote:
“God has informed me: ‘I shall raise for thy Jama‘at one from thy progeny and shall honour him with My revelation and nearness. Truth will flourish through him and a large number of people accept him.’ So wait for those days. And you should remember that one is recognized only when one’s time comes. And it is possible that before such a time one may appear to be an ordinary person; or because of some deceptive thoughts, one may even be regarded as objectionable; just as one who is destined to be perfect, is at one time, only a drop of semen or clot of blood in the womb” (The Will, p. 8, footnote, 2023 ed.).
It is noteworthy that he mentioned the Promised Reformer alongside the prophecy of Khilafat. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) informed the entire Jama’at, “So wait for those days,” meaning the days of the coming of the Promised Son. It is a great misfortune that such a clear prophecy about both Khilafat and the Promised Son was misunderstood by some and misconstrued by others.
Not only did the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) write extensively about the prophecy of the Promised Reformer, including in books such as A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam and Haqiqatul-Wahi, but other Prophets of God also foretold the coming of the Promised Son. In Judaic scriptures, it is mentioned that the son and grandson of the Messiah would rule after his death. As Maimonides, a prominent Judaic scholar, writes:
“But the Messiah will die and his son will reign in his place, and [likewise] his grandson. And the prophet has already elucidated his death: ‘He will not tire and will not be crushed until he puts justice in the world’ (Isaiah 42:5)”
(Rambam on Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:1:15)
All these great proofs about the high status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) actually show the magnificent rank of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and how clearly his prophecy was fulfilled. It shows the truth of Islam because the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) prophesied this great servant of Islam Ahmadiyya, and the fulfillment of this prophecy was announced to be an irrefutable proof for Islam and his truth. It showed the honor of Muslims in front of all nations. Every single quality, beauty, and achievement of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) magnifies the seal of his immense obedience and total servitude to Allah Almighty, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his greatest devotee – the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
It thus behooves us to realize now the magnificent rank and status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) from all aspects, spiritual, secular and temporal! This is the wish of our Beloved Khalifa (may Allah be pleased with him), that we realize this magnificent rank and personality, so in obedience we say to our Khalifa: “We hear, and we obey.”
O Emmanuel, O Bashir
O Mahmud, servant of Al Kabeer
Thine status is like the brilliant sun
Thy blessed face holds nothing of fear
O Messiah’s son prophesied by nations of yore
By our Muhammad, his servant, and the prophets before
O thy rank! Commended till the end of time
Among the greatest servants of the Prophet Sublime
O he whose service to the Master Prophet
To us, gave immeasurable, unsurpassable profit
Blessings be on thee, peace be on thee
Thine glorious rank and servitude forever beyond me
Blessings for thee be ever on our tongue
Among thy supporters we forever be counted among
O Emmanuel, O Bashir
O Mahmud, servant of Al Kabeer
