100 Years Ago… – A challenge to Christian and Muslim scholars of Sri Lanka and Nayyar’s request from Africa for huffaz, 1921

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Al Fazl, 21 November 1921

Hazrat Musleh e Maud 1
This photo was taken in 1924 during Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra tour of Europe. Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra can be seen standing on Huzoor’s right

Master Abdur Rahman Sahib BA delivered lectures in different cities of [Sri] Lanka in English. These [lectures] have been published in the Ahmadiyya newspaper, The Message. In this way, the message of the Promised Messiahas has been conveyed to around 3,000 learned people. Lord Bishop of Colombo, Rev Luck Gak MA, Rev H Highfield MA etc. and the maulvis of [Sri] Lanka have been challenged that Master Abdur Rahman Sahib is ready to hold a debate with any rival on the subject of the death of Prophet Jesusas and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas – the Maitreya Buddha. The challenge is as follows:

“O Heaven! Bear witness that I have carried out my duty of preaching to the people of [Sri] Lanka. Through my regular lectures, I have openly conveyed [to them] that Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas Sahib of Qadian is the reformer of the world, who is the Imam Mahdi and the Promised Messiah for Muslims and Christians, the Maitreya Buddha for Buddhists and the Krishna Rudra Gopal for Hindus. He appeared and fulfilled his responsibility. 

“All the signs that are mentioned in the holy books of the aforementioned religions have been fulfilled. Jari-ullah fi hulalil-Anbiya [The champion of Allah in the mantle of the Prophets] came at the right moment and in the time of need. He was the holy one who came as the hakam [judge] and adl [just arbiter] for all religions and all the prophecies made by the founders of religions about the advent of this holy reformer have been fulfilled. The said divine reformer presented that living religion of Islam which was far and hidden from the eyes of millions.

“I now challenge the honourable Rev Father Luck Gak MA, the honourable Rev H Highfield MA and the maulvis of [Sri] Lanka that if they possess the courage, they should refute with arguments whatever I have said in my series of lectures about Prophet Jesusas, Christianity and the Promised Messiahas. I have evidently proved in my last two lectures that Prophet Jesusas passed away and his tomb is located in Srinagar, [Kashmir]. 

“The one who was to come has appeared just as John the Baptist came as an embodiment of Prophet Elijahas. Prophet Ahmadas of Qadian showed such mighty and extraordinary miracles that were far greater than the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth in power and glory.

“O Western Christian missionary! Give up falsehood by taking verdict from your conscience and heart, and accept the truth. However, if you will still use your abilities and knowledge to mislead the people of Allah, then the sin of thousands of poor souls whom you mislead will fall on your neck. O God! Bear witness that I have conveyed the truth.”

From, Abdur Rahman.

Africa

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)

Hafiz, tailor, barber or doctor

If any hardworking, white gentleman is a hafiz [memorised the Quran] of the Holy Quran and is a skilled tailor, barber or doctor, then they should plan, for the sake of Allah the Almighty, to come to this country [in Africa] as soon as possible. God will provide for their livelihood. Such people will be able to earn a lot of money and will be deemed a white man. There is a great need for the huffaz [plural of hafiz] of the Holy Quran. Even if someone is not a hafiz but knows Arabic and is skilled in a particular profession, they can also come. Such people should send their requests to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s nazir of talif-o-ishaat and also inform me as well. [This humble one] needs your prayers. 

The traveller, Nayyar.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 21 November 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

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