Al Fazl, 5 June 1922
A claimant of prophethood
Earlier, a claimant of prophethood of this country [America] was mentioned in the newspaper [Al Fazl] with whom I had a discussion. Now, another claimant of prophethood was preached to. This person is a Christian from Iraq and has been living in America for a long time. He works in a factory. He claims that he is the greatest prophet. In his view, the first prophet in the world was Aala who had only one son and he is that very person. His name is Bala. He has written a book of revelations which has not been published. His main task is to create unity among the white nations. He is not a prophet for blacks and Indians.
I sent him the magazine, The Moslem Sunrise, preached to him and called him towards Prophet Ahmadas who is a prophet for all whites and blacks like his master, Prophet Muhammadsa. In reply, he sent me a letter and asked me to pay him a visit and become his follower. He wants me to work under him. He has also sent me a pamphlet. I have written in reply, which is quite sufficient for the time being, that, ‘You know that I am an Indian and by mistake, you are inviting me against your law [revelations].’ His pamphlet and letter have been sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra].
I met him in Chicago and he also came to my lectures twice. He is familiar with my endeavours and work. Once, during a discussion with him, there was a mention of India that a lot of rich Nawabs and Rajas live there. He said to me, “[Request] them to help me.” I said, “If you can alter your revelation and include Indians in it, then someone can consider your claim.” He said, “Okay, I will figure out a way to include them as well, but for the time being, do not let them know that I am not a prophet for the Hindus as per my revelation.” His real name is Joseph Simon.
New converts
Below are the names of seven more individuals who have converted to Islam and joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat since the last report:
1. Mr John Williamson (Rahmatullah), Chicago
2. Mr Eugene Charles (Samiullah), Chicago
3. Mr Charles Watson (Karimullah), Chicago
4. Mr Andrew Dagar (Rahimullah), Chicago
5. Mr AK Simson (Shamsuddin), Chicago
6. Mr Thomas Hansen (Saeed), Chicago
7. Mr AK Auranga (Salik), Cincinnati
Magazine subscription
The first year of The Moslem Sunrise magazine has come to an end. The second year will start from 1 July [1922]. Friends are requested to send subscription money and donations for the new year. One can send Indian currency notes in a registered envelope. Insurance is not required.
The postal address is as follows:
Dr MM Sadiq, General Delivery, Highland Park, Mich.
Muhammad Sadiq. 4 April 1922.
Note: Sending money without insurance is risky. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] also sent some currency notes to a person in America but they were stolen along the way. Therefore, it is more appropriate to have insurance.
Rahim Bakhsh MA
Bai‘at-e-Khilafat
“Our leader, master and guide, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
“Thus far, I had been deprived of guidance due to the deceptive writings of the other party, i.e. the ghair mubai‘een [those who did not take bai‘at of the second Khalifa]. However, now, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, my doubts have been removed and I have good views [about the Ahmadiyya Jamaat]. Consequently, I repent of my sins at your hands and want to benefit from your bai‘at. I request you to pray for my perseverance and steadfastness and [that God] may grant me the strength to serve the religion.
“In the blessed time of Jariullah fi hulalil-Anbiya [The champion Allah in the mantle of the prophets], the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, I pledged allegiance to him. Then, I remained attached to Hazrat Khalifa Irh in his time, but I think I was deprived of your [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra] bai‘at only because of my weaknesses and the deceptive writings of the other party [Lahori Jamaat]. However, now I am immensely thankful to Allah the Almighty that He has created for me such means of bai‘at which were beyond my expectations. Now, again I request you for special prayers and I hope that you will take me in your bai‘at and honour this humble one.
“Wassalam,
“Your humble servant, Sheikh Abdul Karim (Bookbinder), Karachi.”
Tabligh of Ahmadiyyat in Bombay [now Mumbai]
“This obedient servant [of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih] has been appointed as the Tablighi Secretary of Anjuman Ahmadiyya Bombay [now Mumbai] for four months. This humble one carried out tabligh [preaching] in various places in Bombay from January to April 1922. It had a positive impact on the people. By the grace of God, most of the people here have become admirers of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace.
“During my time here [in Bombay], I sold almost all the books of Seith Abdullah Aladin Secunderabadi Sahib for 600 rupees and also added five subscriptions to the American magazine, [The Moslem Sunrise]. By the grace and mercy of Allah the Almighty, I have not left any street or neighbourhood in Bombay where I have not conveyed the name [message] of the Promised Messiahas. I am putting in all my efforts to establish a considerable jamaat over here. Allah the Almighty can surely make it happen.
“Mian Fazl Ilahi Mir Hussain, Bombay.”
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in the 5 June 1922 issue of Al Fazl)