Early Life — Essence of Islam Vol. 4

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 4), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Early Life, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 4)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 2: Family and Personal Background
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: Family History | Next: Early Services to Father and Family »

Chiefs of Punjab has made mention of my father. He was very popular with the officials of Government and, as a gesture of approbation, the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner often came to visit him. This is a brief account of my family. I was born around 1839 or 1840, during the latter part of the Sikh rule. In 1857, I was 16 or 17 years of age and had not reached manhood. My father had been beset by great difficulties before my birth and at one time he even had to travel through Hindustan on foot. But with my birth he began to experience a change for the better in his circumstances. It was by the sheer mercy of God Almighty that I did not partake of any of the misfortunes of my father. Nor did I participate in any of the days of rule and statehood of my ancestors. Like Jesusas, who had the nominal title of Prince because of his descent from Davidas, and who had lost all the insignia of statehood, I too can say that I am descended from rulers and heads of state. Perhaps this has happened so that I should have this resemblance with Jesusas as well. Though I cannot say like Jesusas that I have nowhere to lay my head, yet I know that all the rule and statehood of my ancestors has nearly come to an end. This happened so that God Almighty might establish a new hierarchy as indicated in a revelation vouchsafed to me by the Holy One, and which is mentioned in Brahin-e-Ahmadiyyah: Family and Personal Background That is, Holy is Allah, Blessed and High. He will raise thy status above thy ancestors. From now on, He will cut off all reference to thy forefathers and will begin with thee. Also, He revealed to me the glad tiding: 6 …I received my elementary education at home. When I was 6 or 7 years old, a teacher who was learned in Persian was employed as my tutor. He taught me the Holy Qur’an and a few Persian books. His name was Fadl Ilahi. When I was about 10 years old, an Arabic teacher, whose name was Fadl Ahmad, was appointed as my tutor. I conceive that since my elementary education was by way of sowing the seed of Divine Fadl [Grace], the names of both my tutors begin with Fadl. Maulavi Sahib, who was a pious and respectable gentleman, taught me with great attention and diligence. From him I learnt some rules of Arabic grammar. When I was 17 or 18, for a few years I studied under another Maulavi Sahib whose name was Gul ‘Ali Shah. He too had been employed by my father for my tuition at Qadian. From him I acquired further knowledge of Arabic grammar, logic, philosophy, etc., according 6 “I shall grant thee blessing upon blessing, until kings shall seek blessings from thy garments.” [Translator] to the then current syllabus and as far as God Almighty so willed. My father was an expert physician and under him I studied some books on medicine.
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 8]

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Introduction