The Essence of Islam – Volume I

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) (1835–1908) was born in Qadian, India. From his early life, he dedicated himself to prayer and studying the Holy Quran and other scriptures. He was deeply pained to observe the plight of Islam, which was being attacked from all directions. He wrote over ninety books and thousands of letters to defend Islam and present its teachings in their pristine purity. While participating in many religious debates, he argued that Islam is a living faith which can lead man to establish communion with God and achieve moral and spiritual perfection. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) started experiencing divine dreams, visions, and revelations at a young age. In 1889, under divine command, he started accepting initiation into the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Divine revelations continued to increase, and he was commanded by God to announce that God had appointed him to be the same Reformer of the Latter Days as prophesied by various religions under different titles. He claimed to be the same Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent had been prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas).