Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira (1875-1957)
Regarding Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra lecture
The individuals who attended the [religious] conference particularly noted Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s[ra] lecture as engaging, impactful, and instructive. Many attendees came to meet and personally expressed their appreciation and delight. Newspapers also reported on that day, especially mentioning Huzoorra and highlighting his lecture, with the conference’s organisers attributing much of the event’s success to Huzoor’s[ra] participation.
Sir ED Ross remarked during his speech at the Ritz Hotel on 28 September [1924], that had it not been for the encouraging response from Qadian, they might not have felt emboldened to hold this conference. The organisers consistently express their gratitude whenever they meet, [acknowledging the significance of Huzoor’s[ra] participation]. This lecture opened a new avenue for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, touching the hearts of many. Societal constraints and cultural norms act as obstacles in their path. If Allah the Almighty wills, these barriers will be removed.
Lecture by Hazrat Hafiz Roshan Alira
At 5 pm on 25 September [1924], Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra] was scheduled to deliver a lecture on Sufism. His lecture was translated and presented by Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib[ra] BA, a missionary to America. Although prior lectures saw sparse attendance, this lecture drew a large crowd, with many audience members bringing their chairs close to the stage.
The session was chaired by Sir Frederick KCSI, CSO, who introduced Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra] as a born Sufi, noting that “His ancestors were Sufis, and he hails from the Gujrat District of Punjab. Roshan Ali[ra] has memorised the Holy Quran and has been part of the Ahmadiyya Community for 20 years. First, he will recite verses from the Quran, then present a few Persian couplets. After that, Dr Muhammad Din[ra] will read out his lecture.”
Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra] began by reciting the first ruku‘ of Surah an-Najm, followed by Persian verses of the Promised Messiahas written in the book, Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam. [One of those couplets is]:
محبت تو دوائى ہزار بیمارى است
بروے تو كہ رہائى دریں گرفتارى است
“Your [God’s] love is the cure for countless ailments; by Your very Countenance, I swear that true freedom lies within the bounds [of His love].”
Following this, Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib[ra] read the lecture, with the audience showing their appreciation with cheers several times. Although the allocated time had ended, the interest from the audience kept the lecture going. However, given the length of the lecture, it could not be completed, and the president had to conclude it. The organisers highly valued the schedule, yet the audience expressed their regret that the lecture remained unfinished. At the end, Mrs Sharples, the conference secretary, stated that the audience enjoyed the lecture immensely and regretted its early conclusion. Numerous attendees approached Hafiz Sahib[ra] one after the other, sharing their delight and disappointment that the lecture could not be completed.
After the president had concluded his remarks with gratitude, the audience remained seated. Hafiz Sahib[ra] was set to present a few opening verses of the Masnavi, a proposal initiated by the conference organisers. Hence, when the president announced it, the audience expressed their happiness with enthusiastic cheers. When he recited those couplets, it left a profound impact, and many wished he could continue, though time constraints prevented this.
Afterwards, the attendees gathered around Hafiz Sahib[ra] and enthusiastically expressed their gratitude and admiration for the lecture.
An attempt to stop Hafiz Sahib’s lecture
Khwaja Hasan Nizami, (well-known for boasting about his asceticism and Sufism), upon learning in India that Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra], an Ahmadi Sufi, would be delivering a lecture at the religious conference, published a note titled “A Sufi from Qadian” in the 1 September [1924] issue of Dervish. In this note, he wrote:
“The greatest enemy of Sufis, upon reaching Europe, intends to deceive Europeans by posing as Sufi while opposing Sufism. He will speak against Sufism under the guise of Sufis. This is the greatest deception, and nothing could be more hostile to Sufism than this. I have informed my friends and followers in London of this deceit and have written to the secretary of the religious conference, declaring this a clear fraud and deception. I also plan to hold a gathering of Indian Sufis and send a telegram to London.”
Whether Khwaja Hasan Nizami actually held this gathering of Sufis or sent the telegram is still unknown, but he did admit to writing to the conference secretary and notifying his disciples in London. Despite these efforts, did Hafiz Sahib’s[ra] lecture get cancelled?
Khwaja Hasan Nizami might feel inclined to leave this world upon hearing that the English public greatly appreciated the lecture. When he eventually reads Hafiz Sahib’s[ra] lecture himself, he may realise that his outburst was nothing more than a manifestation of his hostility toward Islam Ahmadiyyat. Neither he nor the Indian Sufi leaders he intended to rally to send a telegram to London could have managed to present the realities of Sufism to the Western world. Yet, when the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, a true servant of Islam, presented the essence of Sufism to the Western audience, envy and hatred overwhelmed them, leading these so-called Sufis – who often say “Allah Allah” to Muslims and “Ram Ram” to Hindus – to resort to such slander.
Khwaja Hasan Nizami himself had witnessed Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib’s[ra] profound knowledge and eloquence in Jammu. The verities and insights of the Holy Quran presented by Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra] left him so astonished that he could not bring himself to speak afterwards. He was so humbled that he praised Hafiz Sahib[ra] and sat down. And yet, today, he labels this very scholar of the Holy Quran as an enemy of Sufism. Indeed, Hafiz Sahib[ra] does not believe in superstitions unrelated to true Sufism. He is not a “neo-Sufi” but comes from a lineage esteemed for its connection to Sufism since the era of Emperor Babur, with his ancestor Hazrat Naushah, founder of the Naushahiah Sufi order, and Hafiz Sahib’s[ra] forebear nine generations back. It seems likely that Khwaja Hasan Nizami is unaware of this heritage.
Though a response to his accusations will be provided on another occasion, I only wish to point out here that despite Khwaja Hasan Nizami’s attempt from 7,000 miles away to stop the Ahmadi Sufi, he failed entirely, by the grace of God. The London press also published reports on the interest generated by this lecture.
Tea invitation
On 23 September [1924], following the success of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] lecture, an African lady, Mrs Bean, invited him to tea, setting the same date for the occasion. Huzoor[ra] explained that he was extremely busy and unable to set a specific time. However, due to the sincerity of her request, he could not entirely decline, as she persistently insisted. Finally, she suggested that he come at any convenient time between 3 and 5 pm, and bring his companions along. Huzoor[ra] graciously accepted this arrangement, and thus he attended with his companions.
Photograph without pretension
On 26 September [1924], it was raining from the morning. The day before, on 25 September, the secretary of the religious conference had requested that Huzoorra come on the platform [of the conference] with his group. When Huzoor[ra] arrived, he was positioned where he had addressed the audience, with some friends seated on chairs and others standing. The conference secretary also sat among our friends. After taking one photograph, the photographer requested a second, this time capturing a scene in which friends would appear to be conversing with Huzoor[ra]. However, considering this a bit of an unnecessary display, Huzoor[ra] declined, responding through the secretary that they could not act out a scene, prompting the secretary to inform the photographer that neither unnecessary display nor pretension was appropriate. Naturally, this had a positive impact on everyone. The photographer, who had made the request, was greatly impressed. Hence, the photo was taken, and afterwards, Huzoor[ra] returned to his residence, where he led the Friday and Asr prayers.
Since he was scheduled to deliver a political lecture that evening, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] became occupied with writing. He instructed Hafiz Sahib[ra], Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib[ra], and this humble one to attend the conference session. We went as per Huzoor’s[ra] directions, with instructions to return precisely by 7 pm. We arrived back as instructed, had our meal, and then proceeded to the lecture requested by the Conservative Party. Huzoorra travelled by car with some of his companions, while the rest of the group arrived by train.
On 27 September, Lady Branfield invited Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra], Hafiz Roshan Sahib[ra], and all the conference delegates and officials, along with other distinguished guests, to a gathering. Consequently, Huzoor[ra] graced the occasion.
On 29 September [1924], mail from India arrived, taking up a significant amount of Huzoor’s[ra] time. In the evening, at 5 pm, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] attended a lecture on the religions of East Africa. He admired Mr DA Dunlop’s speech, especially in terms of his oratory skills. After the conference session ended, Mr Dunlop was introduced to the Khalifa by the conference secretary, and various others came forward to meet him. The presence of Huzoor[ra] at the conference gatherings brought excitement and interest, with eyes turning towards him wherever he stood, naturally drawing people around him and forming a circle.
The growing practice of not shaking hands
While Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] was standing in the conference hall, a lady approached with great sincerity and extended her hand to shake his, but she quickly remembered that Huzoor[ra] does not shake hands. She then apologised, explaining that she had forgotten.
Many women have now learnt about this, and word has spread that Huzoorra and his companions do not shake hands. Initially, some viewed this behaviour as unconventional from their perspective, but their viewpoint has shifted, and they now perceive it as an expression of purity and moral dignity. Instead, they now show respect by bowing slightly in greeting – a gesture traditionally reserved for esteemed and sacred persons. This example serves as a lesson for those who previously claimed that one could not live in England without shaking hands [with women].
By the grace of God, the spread of Islam’s message of purity has commenced in England through the Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra], and people view it with honour and respect. The anticipated aversion has been dispelled by divine grace.
Health
In the morning [of 30 September], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] went out with Dr Hashmatullah Sahib[ra] and Chaudhry Ali Muhammad Sahib[ra] to acquire some necessary items and books, returning around 3:30 pm. Due to an irregular meal, Huzoor[ra] began feeling unwell and experienced some fever. May Allah the Almighty, through His grace and mercy, grant this great leader complete health and strength so that he may continue his work for the betterment of the world. Amin.
Launch of The Review of Religions from London
The powerful movement sparked by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] visit to London has highlighted the need for a monthly publication here. Accordingly, Huzoor[ra] has decided to establish a regular monthly magazine titled The Review of Religions, which may either be transferred from Qadian or published as a London edition. Preparations are already underway, and with God’s grace, this magazine is expected to launch by 15 October 1924.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 28 October 1924 issue of Al Fazl)