Abdullah Atham, A Christian Fraud

The End of Abdullah Atham

In 1893, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) had a debate with a Christian pastor titled ‘The Holy War’. The debate took place from 22 May 1893 to 5 June 1893 and thirteen papers were published in total. In the end of this debate, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) made a prophecy regarding Atham. The words of the prophecy are as follows:

جو فریق عمدًا جھوٹ کو اختیار کر رہا ہے اورسچے خدا کوچھوڑ رہا ہے اور عاجز انسان کو خدا بنا رہا ہے وہ انہی دِنوں مباحثہ کے لحاظ سے یعنی فی دِن ایک مہینہ لیکر یعنی ۱۵۔ ماہ تک ہاویہ میں گرایا جاوے گا اور اس کو سخت ذِلّت پہنچے گی بشرطیکہ حق کی طر ف رجوع نہ کرے

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)

The prophecy is clear that it was conditional as the Promised Messiah (as) said ‘on the condition that he does not return to the truth’. When the fifteen months passed, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) announced that Atham had turned to the truth and that if this claim is false and he truly remained wholeheartedly committed to Christianity, then he should swear on oath and receive an award. If, later on, he is not destroyed by heavenly punishment, then consider me a liar. However, Atham was so terrified and he did not consider this option. Instead, he complained that Hadrat Ahmad (As) sent armed men with spears and swords to kill him, and venomous snakes chased him from city to city. He left Amritsar for Ludhiana and then went to Ferozepur, hoping to escape the punishment. However, even in those areas he kept seeing these visions. Eventually, he turned to the truth. Because of this, during this period, he was saved from destruction. However, after some time, he did not remain steadfast in this repentance as he hid the truth.

Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) writes:

ضرور تھا کہ وہ کامل عذاب اُس وقت تک تھما رہے جب تک کہ وہ (آتھم ) بیا کی اور شوخی سے اپنے ہاتھ سے اپنے لئے ہلاکت کے اسباب سدا کرے

“It was necessary that the complete punishment be withheld until he (Atham) openly and mockingly prepared the means of his own destruction” (Anwar ul-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 9, p. 5)

اور یادر ہے کہ مسٹر عبد اللہ آتھم میں کامل عذاب (موت) کی بنیادی اینٹ رکھ دی گئی ہے۔ اور وہ عنقریب بعض تحریکات سے ظہور میں آجائے گی ۔ خدا تعالیٰ کے تمام کام اعتدال اور رحم سے ہیں اور کینہ ور انسان کی طرح خواہ نخواہ جلد باز نہیں

“And remember, Mr. Abdullah Atham has laid the fundamental cornerstone for the complete punishment (death), and it will soon manifest through certain movements. All of God’s actions are balanced and merciful, and unlike the spiteful human, He is not hasty.” (Anwar ul-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 9, p. 16)

اس ہماری تحریر سے کوئی یہ خیال نہ کرے کہ جو ہونا تھا ، وہ سب ہو چکا اور آگے کچھ نہیں۔ کیونکہ آئندہ کے لئے الہام میں یہ بشارتیں ہیں محمدقُ الْأَعْدَاء كُلَّ محمد ق ہم دشمنوں کو ٹکڑے ٹکڑے کر دیں گے۔ یعنی اپنی حجت کامل طور پر اُن پر پوری کر دیں گے

“Let no one think from our writing that what was meant to happen has already occurred and that there is nothing more to come. Because for the future, there are revelations containing glad tidings: ‘We will scatter our enemies into pieces,’ meaning that we will fully complete our argument against them.” (Anwar ul-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 9, p. 16)

After this, Atham refrained from preaching Christianity or making any such oath. He became like a dead corpse. Then on October 27, 1894 which is one year and 144 days after the initial prophecy, Hadrat Ahmad (as) published in announcement in which he said the following:

“Now, if Atham Sahib swears an oath, the promise will be certain and definitive for one year. If he does not swear, then even so, God Almighty will not leave such a criminal unpunished, who tried to deceive the world by concealing the truth.”

Then on May 1895, Hadrat Ahmad (as) stated:

“This refusal (i.e., Atham’s denial to swear) is in vain because God Almighty does not leave the guilty unpunished. All the foolishness of the priests is upon Atham’s neck. Although Atham, by avoiding complaints and oaths, clearly showed that he had indeed turned to the truth, and the manner of the three attacks (which he claimed) also demonstrated that those attacks were not human attacks. Yet, Atham is not exempt from the crime that he did not openly declare the truth with his tongue.” (Zia ul-Haq, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 9, p. 269)

After this. Hadrat Ahmad (as) published his final announcement of December 30, 1895:

In the end of this announcement, Hadrat Ahmad (as) made it clear that if he makes the oath he will be destroyed. Atham was given every reward possible but denied to make the oath and hid the truth.

Thus, according to the prophecy, Atham died on July 27, 1896 in Ferozepur. The prophecy was clearly fulfilled.

The anti-Ahmadis are forced to accept that this prophecy had a condition which was that if he does not return to the truth. The prophecy was regarding Atham’s mockery of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) and calling him (sa) a Dajjal and then preaching the false faith. When Atham did not die in fifteen months, Hadrat Ahmad (as) issued a pamphlet that Allah has told him that Atham has repented.

Why did it take long? Why didn’t Allah tell him before?

Answer : Why didn’t Allah tell Yunus (as) not to leave and that his people would repent. The whale would not have swallowed him then. Why did Allah only tell Nuh (as) during the flood that his son is not of his family? Allah waited till the end to tell them. They were also waiting.

Hadrat Ahmad (as) not only claimed that Atham turned to the truth but rather challenged him to make an oath against this. Atham was scared and unable to make any oath. He was offered a great reward but still feared this oath. He was destroyed and felt people wanted to kill him, and always felt that snakes are following him. He then left Amritsar and moved to Ludhiana so he is saved from these hallucinations but they followed him there as well. He hid this repentance from the public which is why he (as) said in the end that he will be punished regardless for hiding the truth and he died 7 months after the final announcement of 30 December, 1895.

Itmam-e-Hujjat was done in two ways:

a) He (as) said you should claim you are not going through such fear. He never dared to say this rather Nur-e-Afshan accepted this. Sanaullah also accepted this. These are secondary sources.

Hadrat Ahmad (as) writes:

“Who does not know that Mr. Atham published a clear statement in the Noor Afshan Paper (which was a Christian newspaper) that ‘definitely during the term of the prophecy I became scared of blood thirsty angels?’ Who does not know that there were so many signs which pointed towards Atham being scared that it is impossible to cover them up?” (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 11, p. 17)

Nur-e-Afshan Reference:

Sanaullah Testimony: Maulvi Sanaullah even accepted that we accept that Atham was in fear. He writes:
“”In summary, the one who was terrified in his heart, fearing that he might die, continued to run away in fear, from Amritsar to Ferozepur. However, wise people understand that this fear, which is generally experienced by everyone when faced with death, has no comparison to accepting the teachings of Mirza (the Promised Messiah) or becoming a Muslim. Yes, we believe that Atham must have feared death, and certainly, he did. And from that fear, he took every possible precaution,”

b) He (as) challenged him to make an oath that he did not return to the truth. He was not ready for this. It is this when Hadrat Masih Maud (as) said since you are hiding the truth, punishment is near. He (as) said if he makes the oath, there is no condition and even if he makes no oath now because of ikhfa-e-haqq, Allah will punish him

The relation of ruju is with the heart. True ruju is not ruju of tongue. Even ruju on tongue can remove the punishment so imagine ruju in the heart? Even in temporary and weak faith, Allah removes the punishment although he knows the person would turn back. Imam Razi says Allah only punishes those who continuously do wrong.

وَقَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَ السَّاحِرُ ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِنْدَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهْتَدُونَ {50}

فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنْكُثُونَ {51}

And they said, ‘O thou magician, pray for us to thy Lord, according to the covenant He has made with thee: for, then we will surely accept guidance.’ But when We removed the punishment from them, behold! they broke their word. (Chapter 43, verse 51)

Some say that he spoke ill of Islam in Amritsar : During the prophecy, Atham was fleeing from one place to the other seeking shelter, seeing snakes, feeling as if there are murderers at his door. Punishment can be removed because of temporary inclination to the truth as well we have Qur’anic examples:

وَقَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَ السَّاحِرُ ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِنْدَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهْتَدُونَ {50}

فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنْكُثُونَ {51}

And they said, ‘O thou magician, pray for us to thy Lord, according to the covenant He has made with thee: for, then we will surely accept guidance.’ But when We removed the punishment from them, behold! they broke their word. (Chapter 43, verse 51)

Even when the prophecy’s time completed, it was Henry Martyn Clark who released a message, not Atham. In the fifteen months, he did not utter a word against Islam. After the time period finished, he said he is still Christian and against Islam. After this, he died because of Ikhfa-e-Haqq. He was afraid of making the oath of repenting or not being afraid of the prophecy.

فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

And when they go on board a ship, they call on Allah, with sincere and exclusive faith in Him. But when He brings them safe to land, behold, they associate partners with Him; (Chapter 29 verse 66)

Proof of Atham’s Qalbi Ruju (Repentance in the Heart)

1. In all of this time, his opposition towards Islam, the founder of Islam, and restraining from promoting Christianity is the biggest proof
2. Going to Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ferozpur and accepting three attacks shows his condition of fear and accepting this in Nur-e-Afshan
3. Denying taking Hadrat Ahmad (as) to court for these attacks
4. Denying the oath and being afraid of it despite great financial reward
5. His dying right after ikhfa-e-haqq
6. After hearing the prophecy he put his hand on his tongue and his fear began from there and he denied writing this in Androona Bible

Allama Iqbal, an opponent of the Jamaat accepted that the first prophecy was conditional and the second one was unconditional and it was fulfilled as Atham died:
Allama Iqbal Testimony:

Khawaja Ghulam Farid sahib also accepted the prophecy was fulfilled:

Thereafter, when Atham ultimately died, he said Atham had died through the “breath of Mirza Sahib” (Isharat-e-Faridi, p. 15, published 1302 AH [c. 1902 CE]). In other words, according to Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Atham died through the prayers and the powerful spiritual effect of the Promised Messiah^as.

Based on the Biblical teachings, Hadrat Ahmad (as) asked Atham to make an oath. It is written in the Bible that the last thing in everything is making an oath.

And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people.  But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 12:16-17)

Patialvi said Atham was ready for court case as long as Mirza sahib makes the claim. So the attack of snakes and killers is on Atham yet Mirza sahib makes the claim? Mirza sahib challenged Atham to make the oath and was ready to give 4000 rupees and yet Atham stayed silent.

Sanaullah said Mirza sahib had no right to ask Atham for an oath as per Qur’an and Ahadith. Are Qur’an and Ahadith hujjah for Atham?

Allegation : Ruju and Haawiya?

He repented and Allah gave him respite but because of ikhfa-e-haqq (hiding the truth), he never took advantage and died.

If Atham does not do ruju, then he will fall into haawiya so you cannot have both at once?

1. This is true that the word hawiya and ruju cannot be taken together but the question is what does hawiya mean here? The tashreeh Hazur (as) has given is : Yaad rahai is jaga hawiya kai mania maut kiyay gai hain – hawiya meant sazai maut. This hawiya cannot be put together with ruju. Athams ruju was proven and he did not fall into this hawiya (death) in that time and got muhlat
2. Hazur (as) himself answered this in his books. Hazur (as) writes in Anwarul Islam : He definitely fell into the hawiya and his heart was full of that ranj and gham and he was fearful and this is nothing far from the punishment of the fire. It is death. But yes the full manifestation of hawiya which we have understood has not yet happened.

Sanaullah said : His constant fear which took his heart was haawiya. And saza-e-maut was the kamaaal.

Meaning Hawiya had two meanings. Adna nateeja which is always being afraid and ala which is death. If he did kaamil ruju then he would be safe from both. But because he did naaqis ruju, he was saved from full manifestation of hawiya but not safe from adna.

1. Let us assume hawiya meant just ghamm and fear in Jang-e-muqaddas in which Atahm was even then the allegation is wrong because ruju meant kaamil ruju meaning alal ilaan ruju and he should have accepted Islam then he would be saved. He didn’t do kamil ruju so he fell in hawiya – no contradiction
2. Ruju ila al-haqq can mean a lot. Al-haqq means Islam and ruju to haqq means not staying upon Christianity. There can be many meanings to turning to Islam and not being qaim on Chrsitianity- qalbi like yaktumu imaanahu

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَانَهُ

Second is zaahiri like the munafiqeen – they were munafiq from inside and from outside Muslims

Thirdly, true believers. Heart and tongue is upon truth. Atham only followed the first one his ruju was naqis. How close he came to Islam or moved from Christianity, based on that he was saved from hawiya