Age Prophecy?

Age Prophecy

One of the signs of the true Prophets sent by Allah are their prophecies. Allah the Almighty States:

عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا {27} إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ مِنْ رَسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَدًا {28}

He is the Knower of the unseen; and He reveals not His secrets to any one, Except to him whom He chooses, namely a Messenger of His. And then He causes an escort of guarding angels to go before him and behind him, (Chapter 72, verses 27-28)

One of the signs for the truthfulness of Hadrat Ahmad (as) is his prophecy regarding his long age and that Allah the Almighty would protect him. This is a prophecy which could never be fulfilled for a liar as the false prophets are killed and destroyed by Allah. They show no signs, and their communities disappear without any real progress.

Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiah (as) :

ثمانين حولا أو قريبا من ذلك أو تزيد عليه سنينا وترى نسلا بعيدا

“Your age will be eighty years – a few years less or some years more; and you will live long enough to witness your distant progeny” (Arbain, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 17, p. 419)

Hadrat Ahmad (as) gives us an estimate of when this revelation was given to him in his books Arbain and Tohf-a-e-Golarviyya and writes that this revelation was given to him 35 years ago meaning 35 years from the writing of this book, he (as) received this revelation:

This would mean that Hadrat Ahmad (as) was around 75 years when he wrote Tohfa-e-Golarhviyya which was written in 1900 which would bring us to the age of 83 years, if we want to follow the way of the non-Ahmadis by seeing the estimations and just accepting them as facts.

Some say Hadrat Ahmad (as) wrote that he is 60 years old in this book when in reality he (as) said approximately. This shows these were all estimations:

Allegation of the Opponents

Regarding numbers, we see that the opponents have always raised such allegations on prophecies with numbers. Allah the Almighty revealed the following verse of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (sa):

غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ {3} فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ {4} فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمِنْ بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ {5}

The Romans have been defeated, In the land nearby, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious In a few years — Allah’s is the command before and after that — and on that day the believers will rejoice (Chapter 30, Verses 3-5)

When the Prophet Muhammad (sa) was given this prophecy, Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that this would take place in six years. After six years, nothing happened, and the opponents began to claim victory. When the seventh year came, then the Romans were victorious over the Persians. Muslims rebuked Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) for agreeing to six years. (Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith #3193)

From this we see that such allegations have always been raised because Allah the Almighty leaves some ambiguity in such prophecies. Allah never gave the exact year of the victory in the Qur’an rather gave the ratio of three to nine years. Regarding the death of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), Allah the Almighty kept the age hidden even in the Qur’an and Stated:

وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ

And if We show thee in thy lifetime the fulfilment of some of the things with which We have threatened them, thou wilt know it; or if We cause thee to die before that, then to Us is their return, and thou wilt see the fulfilment in the next world; and Allah is Witness to all that they do (Chapter 10, Verse 46)

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Prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) and Estimations Regarding His Age

The Prophet Muhammad (sa) also made a prophecy regarding his age and said that Allah the Almighty told him that he would die at the head of sixty. We see that the Prophet Muhammad (sa) was also not given the exact year of his death:

فَأخْبَرَنِي أنَّ جِبْرِيلَ ﷺ كانَ يُعارِضُهُ بِالقُرْآنِ فِي كُلِّ عامٍ مَرَّةً، وأنَّهُ عارَضَهُ بِالقُرْآنِ العامَ مَرَّتَيْنِ، وأخْبَرَنِي أنَّهُ أخْبَرَهُ أنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَبِيٌّ إلّا عاشَ نِصْفَ عُمَرَ الَّذِي قَبْلَهُ، وأنَّهُ أخْبَرَنِي أنَّ عِيسى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عاشَ عِشْرِينَ وماِئةَ سَنَةٍ ولا أُرانِي إلّا ذاهِبًا عَلى رَأْسِ السِّتِّينَ

He told me that Gabriel would revise the Qur’an with him once every year and in this year, he revised it twice and he informed me what Gabriel informed him that every successive prophet has lived up to half the age of his predecessor. And verily, Jesus son of Mary, lived to 120 years. Therefore, I see nothing except that I may reach the age of sixty (Al-Tabarani, vol.22 , p. 418, Hadith #1031)

In this prophecy, Allah did not give the Prophet Muhammad (sa) the exact age of his passing which shows that Allah leaves ambiguity in such prophecies. With regards to the age of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), there is a difference of opinion despite this prophecy:

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْسَ بِالطَّوِيلِ الْبَائِنِ، وَلاَ بِالْقَصِيرِ، وَلَيْسَ بِالأَبْيَضِ الأَمْهَقِ، وَلَيْسَ بِالآدَمِ، وَلَيْسَ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ، وَلاَ بِالسَّبْطِ، بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَأْسِ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً، فَأَقَامَ بِمَكَّةَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، وَبِالْمَدِينَةِ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، وَتَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَأْسِ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً، وَلَيْسَ فِي رَأْسِهِ وَلِحْيَتِهِ عِشْرُونَ شَعَرَةً بَيْضَاءَ‏.

Narrated Anas bin Malik:The Prophet (ﷺ) was neither conspicuously tall, nor short; neither, very white, nor tawny. His hair was neither much curled, nor very straight. Allah sent him (as an Apostle) at the age of forty (and after that) he stayed for ten years in Mecca, and for ten more years in Medina. Allah took him unto Him at the age of sixty, and he scarcely had ten white hairs on his head and in his beard. (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith 5900) ‏

Some narrations say the Prophet Muhammad (sa) passed away at the age of 63:

حَدَّثَنَا مَطَرُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ بُعِثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لأَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً، فَمَكُثَ بِمَكَّةَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِالْهِجْرَةِ فَهَاجَرَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، وَمَاتَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَلاَثٍ وَسِتِّينَ‏.‏

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) started receiving the Divine Inspiration at the age of forty. Then he stayed in Mecca for thirteen years, receiving the Divine Revelation. Then he was ordered to migrate and he lived as an Emigrant for ten years and then died at the age of sixty-three (years). (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith #3902)

Some narrations say the Prophet Muhammad (sa) passed away at the age of 65:

وَحَدَّثَنِي نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرٌ، – يَعْنِي ابْنَ مُفَضَّلٍ – حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمَّارٌ، مَوْلَى بَنِي هَاشِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تُوُفِّيَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسٍ وَسِتِّينَ ‏

. Ammar, the freed slave of Banu Hashim, reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died when he had attained the age of sixty-five. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith #2353c)

If the anti-Ahmadis were alive during the time of the sahaba, many would reject the Prophet Muhammad (sa) for this very same supposed difference in his age.

Why Was the Date of Birth Not Recorded?

In the time of Hadrat Ahmad (as), recording the date of birth was not common and there was no official register either. For this reason, Hadrat Ahmad (as) would estimate his age. Many famous scholars of that time have their date of birth disputed till today. This includes famous personalities like Allama Iqbal:

Only Allah Knows My Age

In the books of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), he has made it clear that his age is always an estimation and only Allah the Almighty Knows his true age. If his date of birth was known with certainty, he (as) wouldn’t say this. He (as) writes:

Only Allah Knows my real age, but according to my knowledge, my age is near 70 years in this year of 1323 and Allah Knows Best (Ruhani Khazain Volume 21, Barahin-e- Ahmadiyya Volume 5, Page 325)

How is it a Sign?

Some raise the ignorant allegation that if Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s year of birth was not known, then how is this prophecy a sign? It is a great sign for the truthfulness of Hadrat Ahmad (as) in two ways:

1. The statements of Hadrat Ahmad (as) throughout his books help us reach the year of his birth and his opponents have also testified to this. Furthermore, Allah did not allow Hadrat Ahmad (as) to be killed and enabled him to die a natural death. Many tried to kill him but Allah granted him a long and healthy life.
2. Allah the Almighty in Haqiqatul Wahi informed Hadrat Ahmad (as) of the range of his age in the revelation:

“Allah will prolong your life. Eighty years—four or five more, or four or five less”

These words were the words of Allah while all other numbers given were calculations by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). Near the end of his (as)’s life, Allah informed him (as) of his age ratio and this was fulfilled as he (as) passed away at the age of 75 and a half (Hijri years) fulfilling the prophecy. Why would Allah the Almighty let a false Prophet live this long and protect him for 75 long years?

We know that Hadrat Ahmad (as) often calculated his age in the Lunar Islamic years and when referring to the court, he would estimate his age in Gregorian years.

Interpretation of the Prophecy by the Messiah

Some of the ignorant anti-Ahmadis present a few references in which Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) has written that my lifespan will be of 80 years or a few years less or a few more (Ruhani Khazain, Siraj-e-Munir, volume 12, p. 81). Then Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes that Allah promised me that I will live up to 80 years, 2-3 years less or 2-3 years more will be your age. (Dhamimah Tohf-a-e-Golarhviyya, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 17, p. 44) Then he writes that Allah told me my age will be 80 years, 2-4 years more or 2-4 years less (Dhamimah Tohf-a-e-Golarhviyya, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 17, p. 66). These are the interpretations of Hadrat Ahmad (as) and not the actual words of the revelation. He (as) was told about the actual ration in 1907 and he records that revelation in Haqiqatul Wahi. He (as) has also given a ration in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya 5 as per his own understanding this revelation. He writes:

“The actual words of the Revelation that pertain to this promise, however, fix the age between 74 and 86.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 5, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 21, p. 259)

This was the estimation of Hadrat Ahmad (as) before the revelation which has been given in Haqiqatul Wahi. The revelation in Haqiqatul Wahi determines the exact ratio of the age he would be blessed with. However, even this ratio of Hadrat Ahmad (as) was fulfilled as he (as) was in his 74^th Gregorian year when he passed away and was 75 years and a half in Hijri years.

I May Not Live to Eighty

Some anti-Ahmadis lie and say the prophecy was that Hadrat Ahmad (as) would live to the age of exactly 80. This was not the prophecy nor the claim of the Messiah. In Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part 5, he (as) writes:

“Nor is there a promise of God that my age will necessarily exceed eighty years” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 5, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 21, p. 259)

Clear Proof of the Fulfilment of the Prophecy

The writings of Hadrat Ahmad (as) make it clear that this prophecy was fulfilled. Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) writes that I started to receive revelation around the age of 40 years and he gives the year of 1290 for when this specific door of revelation was opened for him:

Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) spoke of this specific revelation being given to him at the age of forty. Now Hadrat Ahmad (as) himself says that he was bestowed this divine revelation in the year 1290 Hijri:

“It is amazing—and I consider this to be a Sign of God—that I was blessed with converse and discourse with God Almighty exactly in the year 1290 Hijrah” (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 22, p. 208)

If we take forty years from the year 1290, we come to the year of 1250 Hijri which is gives us the year of 1835 if we look at the month Hadrat Ahmad (as) was born in (14 Shawwal 1250 AH). This proves that Hadrat Ahmad (as) passed away at the age of 75 years and six months in Hijri years fulfilling the prophecy.

This does not mean that he (as) did not have any revelation before this. All Muslims say the Prophet Muhammad (sa) received revelation at the age of 40 but Sahih al-Bukhari says that even before this, the Prophet Muhammad (sa) had revelation in the form of true dreams:

انَ أَوَّلُ مَا بُدِئَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الرُّؤْيَا الصَّادِقَةُ فِي النَّوْمِ، فَكَانَ لاَ يَرَى رُؤْيَا إِلاَّ جَاءَتْ مِثْلَ فَلَقِ الصُّبْحِ

Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The commencement (of the Divine Inspiration) to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the bright daylight. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith #4953)

Words of the Messiah (as) Proving Fulfillment of the Prophecy

In Haqiqatul Wahi, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) wrote that on the 23^rd of August, 1903, he had published an announcement in which he said that he (as) is around 70 years and Dowie is a young man of 50:

“I published an announcement in English on 23 August 1903, opposing Mr. Dowie. It says; ‘I am about seventy years in age and Mr. Dowie, as he states, is a young man of fifty but I do not care for my age because this mubahalah will not be decided by our ages but God who is the Most Supreme Authority will decide it. If Mr. Dowie flees from this confrontation—even then, the calamity will certainly befall his Zion soon. Now I finish this discourse with this prayer: ‘O All-Powerful and Perfect God, who always reveals Himself to the Prophets and shall continue to do so, settle this matter soon and reveal the falsehood of Mr. Dowie to the people. I am certain that whatever You have promised me through Your revelation, shall be fulfilled definitely. O Almighty God, hear my prayer, You have all the powers.’ See English Announcement of 23 Aug. 1903.” (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 23, p. 506)

According to this reference, he (as0 was around 70 years in 1903 and passed away five years later which shows us that his age was around 73 years and 76 according to the Islamic calendar.

Then in Ijaz-e-Ahmadi, Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes:

“So, show me where Atham is today if the prophecy has not been fulfilled. He was as old as I was, i.e. about sixty-four years.”

Atham passed away in 1896 which means the age of Hadrat Ahmad (as) was around 64 in 1896, which would mean he (as) passed away at the age of 76 years according to this calculation.

Facts Hinting to 1835

When we look at the writings of Hadrat Ahmad (as), we see some details which hint to the year of 1835. Hadrat Ahmad (as) wrote:

“I was born on a Friday the 14^th of the Lunar Month”

In Zikre Habib, it is written that Hadrat Ahmad (as) was born in the month of Phagun and it was on a Friday the 14^th:

This information tells us that the following criteria must be met:

1. Friday
2. 14^th Day of Lunar month
3. Bhagan Month

February 13, 1835 fulfills this criteria:

It was a Friday, the month of Phagun and Jumah.

Some opponents reply that these conditions were met in 1839 as well. However, in the year 1839, these conditions were met on the 14^th of Dhul Hijjah which is a day after Eid. If Hadrat Ahmad (as) mentioned Friday as his date of birth, then the 14^th of Dhul Hijjah would be mentioned even before this as it is one day after Eid ul-Adha.

Head of Century?

Some raise the allegation that Hadrat Ahmad (as) said that he was 40 years at the head of the century which means he was 40 in the year 1300. This is completely false. Head of century includes ten years before the century and ten years after. Hadrat Ahmad (as) already gave us the exact year of when he was 40 years of age and that year was 1290.

“It is amazing—and I consider this to be a Sign of God—that I was blessed with converse and discourse with God Almighty exactly in the year 1290 Hijrah” (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 22, p. 208)

Born in 1839?

Some of the non-Ahmadi Muslims quote Kitabul Bariyyah and say that Hadrat Ahmad (as) has himself mentioned that he was born in 1839. This was only an estimate and not a fact. He (as) writes:

“I was born in 1839 or 1840 in the twilight of the Sikh rule and I was in my 16^th or 17^th year in 1857”

As we see, in the time of Hadrat Ahmad (as), births were not registered. These are all estimations of the Promised Messiah (as). The Messiah says 1839 or 1840 and then says I was 16 or 17 in 1857 but if we take 1839 or 1840 he (as) would have said I was 17 or 18. These are only estimations the Messiah has given. Kitabul Bariyyah itself shows that Hadrat Ahmad (as) was not born in 1839. In this book, Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes :

“My father saw a lot of suffering before I was born. Once he traveled in India on foot. However, when I was born, their times of hardships changed to comfort and it is the mercy of God that I did not share anything in the time of their sufferings…”

Before Ranjit Singh, lands were looted and lands were also looted from the father of Hadrat Ahmad (as). They were left homeless, and they had to live in other areas. Then Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes that in the last period of the reign of Ranjit Singh, these lands were given back. This cannot have happened in 1839 as Rajit Singh died in 1839.

Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s father was returned the lands in the last part of the reign of Ranjit Singh, not in his last year. This shows it must be before 1839 as it happened when Hadrat Ahmad (as) was born and after this, Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s father obtained a military rank, performed miltary services and was also given respect from Ranjit Singh.

Hadrat Ahmad (as) did not witness any suffering, and all of these were blessings which came with the birth of the Messiah. If Ranjit Singh gave the lands back in 1839, then Hadrat Ahmad (as) would most certainly be apart of the difficulties. These references show that after these hardships and after Ranjit Singh had rewarded the father of the Messiah, only then was the Messiah (as) born. This further proves he (as) was born at least four years before the death of Ranjit Singh as these are accomplishments of Hadrat Ghulam Murtadha which would take a few years.

In Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes:

“And I heard my mother repeatedly say to me: ‘Our days have been changed since the day you were born, and we were before in hardships and misfortunes and in all kinds of anguish and tribulations, so all good things have come to us with your coming and you are among the blessed ones. My father was ascending from one rank to another, and from one high to the next, until he ascended to the ascents of progress and God bestowed on him a garment of honor and reverence and nothing befell him and he became of the wealthy”

This shows that when Hadrat Ahmad (as) was born, the lands were already returned. Ranjit Singh had already blessed the father of the Messiah with respect and the family had a good standing with Ranjit Singh. All of this could not happen if the lands were returned in 1839. This shows the lands were returned with the birth of the Messiah which would be at least four years before the death of Ranjit Singh (1835). The father of the Promised Messiah (as) to have reached such heights in the life of Ranjit Singh would have taken some years.

Another important point is in Kitabul Bariyyah, Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes that he spent 40 years with his father, and he (as)’s father passed away in around 1876.

What makes this more clear and evident is that Lepel Griffin mentions that Ghulam Murtadha was given the lands first and then he entered the army of Ranjit Singh:

Now Ranjit Singh had two battles in the 1830’s which happened in Kashmir. One in 1834 and one in 1837. This shows Hadrat Ahmad (as) could not have been born in 1839 because he must be born when the difficulties had finished, which was before these military expeditions.

Based on this calculation, Hadrat Ahmad (as) would be born in 1836. He (as) has written in some books that his father passed away in 1874, which further shows these were all estimations and based on that year, he (as) would be born in 1834.

In Review of Religions of 1903, Hadrat Ahmad (as) published an announcement in which he said that he is around seventy years of age while Dr Dowie is fifty five:

As for Hadrat Ahmad (as) saying that I hardly had facial hair in 1857, it is completely normal for one to not have a beard even up to a late age of 25.

View of Khalifa Awwal (ra)

Some raise the allegation that Hadrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin sahib (ra) has written that Hadrat Ahmad (as) was born in 1839 and that this must be taken as the absolute truth. This is a weak argument. If Hadrat Ahmad (as) did not know his year of birth, how would Khalifa Awwal (ra) know it? The only reason we were able to get closer to the year is because of all the research which took place later into the time of Hadrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra).

Regarding worldly matters, the Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated that the sahaba know more than him regarding them. This too was a historical detail which needed more research.

View of Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)

In Al-Fazl, 11 August 1936 Hadrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) presents his powerful research which also leads to the year 1835 for the birth of Hadrat Ahmad (as):

Estimations – Contradictions in how many years?

The anti-Ahmadis quote a few writings of Hadrat Ahmad (as) in which he differs when giving the ratio of how long he will live. However, those were all estimates as Allah had not yet informed him. When he was informed of the exact ratio by Allah, he announced it in Haqiqatul Wahi :

Chart of Estimations

As we see, these were all estimations of Hadrat Ahmad (as) which his normal in the Urdu language. The actual revelation did not specify. However, in 1907 Allah revealed the following:

اطال الله بقاءك اسی یا اس پر پانچ چار زیادہ ای پانچ چار کم

Allah will prolong your life. Eighty years—four or five more, or four or five less.

Left the World Knowing the Prophecy is Fulfilled

Hadrat Ahmad (as) announced in 1905 that the prophecy could be fulfilled in the next or two years which shows that he had already reached an age near to 80 according to him and could not have been born in 1839:

“It is possible that this prophecy may be fulfilled within the next one or two years, or even earlier. Nor is there a promise of God that my age will necessarily exceed eighty years”

Oath in the Court?

The anti-Ahmadis lie regarding an oath and say that Hadrat Ahmad (as) made an oath in the court that he was 60 years of age and that this was from 1901. The quote says near 60, which can even be 65. This is once again an estimation.

Age of the Earth and 7000 Years

Some anti-Ahmadis try to deceive innocent Muslims by quoting Tohfa-e-Golarhviyyah, in which Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes that he (as) was born when eleven years remained until the 6000 years which would gives us the year 5989.

Firstly, the vision of Hadrat Ahmad (as) was only regarding the age of the world based on Surah al-Asr and not regarding his age of birth. Never has Hadrat Ahmad (as) claimed that this was his year of birth because that would mean he (as) is born in 1261 Hijri which is 1845. This is obviously not possible as proven in this article. We do not calculate exact age with numbers in the thousands. What is the need of this when he (as) himself said he was appointed in the year 1290 Hijri and that he was 40 years when he was appointed.

What the anti-Ahmadis musts answer are these narrations of the current dispensation being 7000 years which is proven from authentic narrations:

If the age is 7000 years, then when will their Messiah and Imam Mahdi come? Scholars and saints of the past had prophesied that his time would be the fourteenth century of Hijri.

Prophecy of Prophet Danial (as)

The anti-Ahmadis also misquote Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s mention of the prophecy of Hadrat Danial (as). In Haqiqatul Wahi, Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes:

“Eleventh Sign—The period mentioned in the Book of Prophet Danial [Daniel] for the appearance of the Promised Messiah is this age in which I have been appointed by God. It is written that in that age:

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate is set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days

Footnote: According to the Book of Daniel, one day represents a year. Here that Prophet indicates the year of Hijrah (migration) which is [counted from] the first year of the victory and dominance of Islam

This prophecy tells about the Promised Messiah who was to appear in the Latter Days. According to Prophet Danial, his sign is that the Jews will give up the rite of making burnt offerings, and will fall victim to corrupt practices. The Promised Messiah is destined to appear after 1,290 years. This was the exact time of the advent of this humble one, for my book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was printed and published only a few years after I was appointed and commissioned.”

“Thus, the year 1290 recorded in the Book of Daniel is the year of the Promised Messiah’s advent. The book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, in which I announced that I was commissioned and appointed by God, was published only seven years thereafter, and I have already stated that the series of converse with Allah had started seven years earlier; i.e. in 1290 Hijrah. Again the last days of the Promised Messiah are fixed by Danial at 1,335 years which resembles the revelation of God Almighty concerning my age.”

This too is an estimation Hadrat Ahmad (as) has quoted from Prophet Daniel, which means the Messiah will reign from within the years of 1290-1335 and this was indeed fulfilled as Hadrat Ahmad (as) was appointed in 1290.

Prophecies Regarding His Death

On the 9^th of April, 1905 Allah the Almighty Revealed:

قَرُبَ أجَلُكَ الْمُقَدَّرُ

‘Your determined term of life is nearing its end’ (The Will, Page 1)

Allah the Almighty also revealed that his appointed time has come and very few days remain:

تمام حوادث اور عجائبات قدرت دکھلانے کے بعد تیرا حادثہ ہو گا

‘Your event will be after all other events and the showing of natural wonders’ (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 5, Page 115)

It is recorded in the Review of Religions that Hadrat Ahmad (as) stated:

“A few days ago, I saw in my dream that someone had given me some water in a new earthen vessel. Only two or three mouthfuls of water remained in it, but the water was very clear and pure. This was accompanied by the revelation:

آب زندگی

“[“Water of life”]” (Tadhkirah, p. 786, [The Review of Religions, Vol. 4, December 1905, p. 480])

This referred to the amount of years Hadrat Ahmad (as) had remaining in his life.

Prophecy was Fulfilled

Based on all this information, Hadrat Ahmad (as) fulfilled the prophecy living to 75 years and 9 Hijri months, fulfilling the prophecy regarding his age. Even in Gregorian years, Hadrat Ahmad (as) completed his 73 years.

Hadrat Ahmad (as) on the 20^th of February, 1907 had a revelation that his body is wrapped in a shroud:

The Event on the 27th

The prophecies of Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s death were being published by him regularly. In December 1907, Hadrat Ahmad (as) was told in a revelation that

“An event on the 27^th” ([Badr, vol. 6, no. 51, December 19, 1907, p. 4, 5 and al-Hakam, vol. 11, no. 46, December 24, 1907, p. 4) and it was on the 27^th day of May when the funeral prayer of Hadrat Ahmad (as) took place.

This further proves the truth of Hadrat Ahmad (as) as Allah was informing him of his exact year of death. How can this be possible if he was not truthful?

Seeratul Mahdi Narration Regarding Year of Birth

In Seeratul Mahdi, Narration #265 we have a narration regarding the birth of Hadrat Ahmad (as).

Hadrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib (ra) narrates that Hadrat Miyan ul-Din Fakhr al-Din sahib (ra) swore by Allah that he met Muhammad Hussain Batalvi who said that he was 3-4 years younger than Hadrat Masih Maud (as) and at that time, he said he was 73-74 years of age. In Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, there is a letter in which Muhammad Hussain Batalvi said that he was born in 1256 Hijri years. If we use this calculation, the year of Hadrat Ahmad (as)’s birth would be 1252 which would be 1836.

Testimony of Opponents

It is quite unfortunate that the anti-Ahmadis raise an allegation on the age of Hadrat Ahmad (as) when even the opponents were forced to accept the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Maulvi Sanaullah Amritsari, one of the greatest opponents of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) writes:

“Mirza Sahib has said that his demise would be near 80 years of age and perhaps he has fulfilled all those conditions” (Ahl-e-hadith 3rd May 1907 page 3 Column 2)

This was written in 1899 which means that according to Sanaullah, Hadrat Ahmad (as) would be 79 years of age in 1908.

Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, another opponent of the Messiah writes:

“He is already 63 years of age” (Isha’at ul-Sunnah)

Batalvi made this statement in 1892. This would mean that Hadrat Ahmad (as) passed away at 79 over 80 years in Hijri years.

Dream of 15 Year Increase?

Hadrat Ahmad (as) had the following dream:

[I saw in my dream that] I was sitting near a grave and the person who had been buried in the grave was sitting opposite to me. It passed through my mind that I should supplicate on this occasion in respect of many important matters and that this person should say Amin to my supplications. I started my supplications, some of which I remember and others I have forgotten. To all these he said a hearty Amin.

One of my prayers was: Lord, foster my Movement and lend it Your help and support. Some of my supplications were for my friends. In the middle of all this, I thought I should supplicate that my age might be extended to 95 years. I supplicated to that end but he did not say Amin to it. I asked him the reason, and he remained silent, but I persisted in my request and urged him very vehemently to say Amin. After a long time, he agreed and I supplicated:

Lord prolong my life to 95 years and he said Amin to it. I inquired from him how it was that he had readily said Amin to my other prayers but had made difficulties about saying Amin to this one. He made many excuses which have escaped my memory but the substance of some of them was: When we say Amin, our responsibility becomes very heavy [al-Badr, vol. 2, no. 47, December 16, 1903, p. 374 and al-Hakam, vol. 7, no. 46, 47, September 17, 24, 1903, p. 15 and Notebook of the Revelations of the Promised Messiahas , p. 19 (with variation of some words)]

This was a dream and dreams are meant to be interpreted. If Hadrat Ahmad (as) understood this vision in the way the opponents are misconstruing it, then he (as) would say I will pass away at the age of 95. The vision also says the elder denied saying ameen but at the end out of respect he said it which shows that it was not meant to be fulfilled.

Forty Year Mission?

Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiah (as) :

ثمانين حولا أو قريبا من ذلك أو تزيد عليه سنينا وترى نسلا بعيدا

“Your age will be eighty years – a few years less or some years more; and you will live long enough to witness your distant progeny” (Arbain, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 17, p. 419)

This statement regarding the 40 years mission is not in any revelation. Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes ‘Allah Knows best’ right after this. He (as) did say that the years have passed since his mission began. However, the mission of the Messiah can also be considered to have started from his earlier revelations which date back to even 1865, which would mean he did fulfill these forty years as well, despite it not being a prophecy. The true Qur’anic criteria is mentioned in Surah al-Haqqa that a liar would not surpass 23 years after claiming revelation. Hadrat Ahmad (as) regarding the forty year mission said Allah Know’s best and there is no mention of any revelation here. As mentioned earlier, the 40 years are also fulfilled if we start from the first dreams and revelations of the Messiah.

Hadrat Ahmad (as) did say that ten years have passed in 1892 but this was an interpretation of the poem of Shah Nimatullah Wali (rh) and he (as) did not say it based on any of his prophecies. His prophecy was only regarding the eighty years and these forty years are fulfilled if we count them from the early dreams and revelations of the Messiah.