Death of Promised Messiah

See also: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

In his final days, the Promised Messiah travelled to Lahore from Qadian and arrived on 29 April 1908. He died in Lahore on 26 May 1908 and was buried in Qadian. He travelled to Lahore so that his wife could be treated, as she was suffering from an illness. The Promised Messiah suffered from migraines and dysentery for a long time. However, because of his hard work in defending Islam which consisted of writing, lecturing, and meeting his followers, his health deteriorated. The Promised Messiah passed away at around 10:30 am on 26 May 1908, surrounded by his family and close companions.

His Final Days

The Promised Messiah arrived in Lahore from Qadian on April 29, 1908. He died in Lahore on May 26, 1908.

He undertook this journey so that his wife could see a medical expert about a condition she was suffering from. He stayed first in the home of Khawaja Kamal-ud-Deen and later the home of Dr. Syed Muhammad Hussein Shah, both of whom were his followers. He eventually died in the home of Dr. Syed Muhammad Hussein Shah surrounded by members of his family.

His final month was spent in writing, lecturing and meeting both his followers and those who wished to learn more about his message.

He had always suffered from migraines and dysentery, but his heavy schedule and added burden of travel eventually took its toll. The decree of Allah was absolute, and he had received many revelations in his final months about his imminent death. On May 20, 1908 he received the revelation:

“Departure, then again departure, and death is near”

On May 25, 1908 after finishing his final book Pegham-e-Sulh [A Message of Peace], he offered the final prayers of the day and then had his dinner. He began to suffer from dysentery, which was not out of the ordinary. He went to his room thereafter, where some members of his family massaged his legs. His bed was moved outside in the courtyard, as was customary in that area. He fell asleep, and shortly thereafter he went to the bathroom again, and then became extremely weak. He awoke his wife. She began to massage his legs, but his condition worsened.

She mentions that he felt the need to go to the washroom again, but was too weak to go to the bathroom, so arrangements were made in the room for him to relieve himself. After finishing using the bathroom, he felt nauseous and vomited. After that he came back to the bed but was so weak that he almost collapsed onto the bed. His wife became alarmed, but he told her that was decreed to happen was finally happening.

Hazrat Maulvi Noor-ud-Deen was called, and his son Mahmood as well. Dr. Syed Muhammad Hussein Shah and Dr. Mirza Yaqoob Baig were also called. They prescribed medicine, but his condition worsened. His voice became hoarse, but he continued to repeat the words:

“My Allah, by Beloved Allah”.

Other companions were informed of his condition, and they presented themselves at the house. The night passed in this condition. At around 5 in the morning Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib arrived. He said Salaam to the Promised Messiah who responded with Wa Alaikum Assalam. After the sun rose his bed was moved back into his room. He asked if it was time for prayer. Upon being told that it was, he began to offer the prayer in his bed but fell unconscious. He came to and again tried to offer the prayer, but again fell unconscious. Thereafter, drowsiness overcame him, but he continued to repeat the words:

“Allah, my beloved Allah”.

At around 10:30 am on May 26, 1908 he passed away in his room surrounded by his family and companions.

Death of a Martyr

The Holy Prophet Muhammad said that one who dies of a stomach ailment is a martyr. Through this narration, we see that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad also died the death of a martyr.

‘Narrated Abu Hurairah : The Prophet said, “He (a Muslim) who dies of an abdominal disease is a martyr, and he who dies of plague is a martyr”.’

— Sahih Bukhari, Vol 7, Book 71, Hadith #629

The Promised Messiah not only died a natural death, but also the death of a martyr.

Imam al-Nawawi writes in Sharh Muslim:

‘The one who dies of a stomach disease refers to diarrhea.’

— Sharh al-Nawawi of Sahih Muslim, Part 13, Page 62

Hazrat Imam Ibn Abdul-Barr has also stated the same:

‘As for the one who dies of abdominal disease, it is said he passes unpleasant smell (due to constipation) and other says it refers to one who is purging due to diarrhea.’

— Ibn Abdul Bar, Al-Istidhkâr

Therefore, according to the greatest scholars of the Muslims, the Promised Messiah died a noble death. There is nothing objectionable about it.

Narrations Of Eyewitnesses

Another narration from an eyewitness is that of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad , Son of Promised Messiah,who states in his book, Hadhrat Ahmad:

"He suffered from chronic diarrhea. When he came to Lahore the distemper was further aggravated. The constant stream of visitors left his system no time for repose. In this condition he received the revelation meaning: “The time to march is nigh: again, the time for marching is at hand.” The revelation caused great anxiety among his followers, but shortly there came the news of the death of a friend at Qadian and people were reassured, thinking that the revelation had reference to that event. But when someone asked the Promised Messiah he said that the revelation related to a much more important personage and did not refer to the deceased. Made anxious by this revelation, my mother expressed the wish that they should all return to Qadian. ‘To go back now,’ he said, ‘is not in my power. Now it is God alone who can take me back.’ But despite his illness and the revelation he remained devoted to his work.

In this condition he decided to deliver a lecture on the subject of amity and mutual understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims. He wrote out the lecture and gave it the title, The Message of Peace. The strain and preparing the lecture further weakened his health. The diarrhea increased. On the night before the writing of the lecture was completed the revelation came meaning, ‘Place no trust in this fleeting life’. He immediately mentioned the revelation to his family and said that it related to himself. The next day the lecture was completed, and it was sent to be printed. The following night the diarrhea increased and he became very weak. He roused my mother. When she came, he was prostrate. In her anxiety, she inquired what the matter with him was. The reply was ‘the same that I have told you about’ (meaning death). After this he had another motion and he became weaker. ‘Send for Maulvi Noor-ud-Din,’ he said. And then ‘wake up Mahmood’ (the one who is giving this testimony) ‘and Mir Sahib’ (his father in law). I slept in a lower room at a slight distance from him. I was called up.

I found him very restless. The doctor had already come and given what help he could. But he did not rally. At last an injection was given. Then he fell asleep. When it was dawn he woke up and performed his morning prayers. His throat was completely hoarse. He tried to speak but could utter no sound. He called for pen and ink but could not write. The pen dropped from his hand.

He then lay down. Soon drowsiness came upon him. At about half-past ten, his holy spirit passed away to the presence of the August Sovereign, to the service of whose religion he devoted the whole of his life. To Allah we Belong and to Him shall we return. All through there was one word upon his lips and that word was “Allah”."

— Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, Page 58-59, Hadhrat Ahmad

Further, the last moments of the Promised Messiah are mentioned in Silsila-e-Ahmadiyya, Volume 1, by Mirza Bashir Ahmad, son of Promised Messiah, who was present at the time of the Promised Messiah's death:

‘‘On 25th May, after offering Maghrib and Isha’a prayers and taking some food, he (Promised Messiah) went to bed. At around 11pm, he felt the need to use the privy for defecation. He would often suffer from an upset stomach and diarrhea. He had a loose motion and consequently felt weak. He woke up his wife, who immediately got up to look after him and started massaging his feet. Soon after he felt the need to use the privy again. When he returned, he was weak to such an extent that while he was about to lie down on his bed, he wasn’t able to support his own body weight and almost fell on his own bed. Soon his eldest son and two doctors were also summoned to his bedside and all possible humanly efforts were made to save him. Due to his weakness, He was also having trouble speaking. The only words that could be heard from him were ‘O Allah, my Dear Allah’. I (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad speaking) was standing by him at the time of Fajr prayer. After inquiring whether it was time for prayer he performed Tayammum and tried to offer his prayer in bed. But he fell unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he again inquired about Fajr prayer and offered his prayer while lying down in his bed. He was becoming weaker by the moment and all you could hear were the words:

‘O Allah, my Dear Allah!’

At last, at about 10:30am, with his family by his side, he breathed his last, and his soul departed from this world towards Allah.’’

— Silsila-e-ahmadiyya, Vol.1

We see the same incident mentioned in Seeratul Mahdi:

‘On 25th May 1908, after finishing his final book Pegham-e-Sulh, he offered the final prayers of the day and then had his dinner. He began to suffer from dysentery, which was not out of the ordinary. He went to his room thereafter, where some members of his family massaged his legs. His bed was moved outside in the courtyard, as was customary in that area. He fell asleep, and shortly thereafter he went to the bathroom again, and then became extremely weak. He awoke his wife. She began to massage his legs, but his condition worsened. She mentions that he felt the need to go to the washroom again, but was too weak to go to the bathroom, so arrangements were made in the room for him to relieve himself. After finishing using the bathroom, he felt nauseous and vomited. After that, he came back to the bed but was so weak that he almost collapsed onto the bed. His wife became alarmed, but he told her that what was decreed to happen was finally happening, (referring to his demise.)’

— Sirat-ul-Mehdi

More Articles

More Articles Regarding His Last Days and Death:

• Did Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad die an objectionable death?

• The Noble Death of the Promised Messiah (as)

• Final Days of the Promised Messiah a.s.

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