Does the prophecy of Jesus (as) about “Ahmad” refer directly to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah?

Not directly. The prophecy refers first to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Only through him, as the return of his attribute “Ahmad”, can it also be applied to the Promised Messiah (as).

One might think the matter is simple. The name of the Promised Messiah (as) contains the word “Ahmad”, so he must be the one meant. But this skips over the most important step.

All the prophecies of earlier prophets point first to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He is their focal point. With him a new age began. For the first time a religion came for the whole of mankind, a complete and final message. Just as in Judaism everything led towards the coming Messiah, so in the history of religions everything led towards him. The second verse above confirms that he is already mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was both “Muhammad” and “Ahmad”. In him power and firmness were joined with gentleness and patience. The side “Ahmad” showed itself especially in the early period in Mecca, when he endured persecution without raising the sword. It resembles the nature of Jesus (as). This side was to return in a later age, and the third verse above points to this.

Only from this focal point can the prophecy be applied to the Promised Messiah (as). He is not meant independently, but as the second appearance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) in his attribute “Ahmad”. Early Muslim scholars already spoke of the attribute “Ahmad” showing itself in this second appearance, and of Islam then prevailing.

Whoever takes a shortcut past the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) rightly loses any debate. He has missed the heart of the prophecy.