Al Fazl, 13 July & 17 August 1923
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Dinra (1881-1983)
New converts
According to the report of the week under discussion, eight new converts joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, alhamdulillah. These new converts include four white Americans, a native of China, and an African.
Lectures and interesting questions and answers
This week, both sessions of our Sunday jalsa [gathering] were very successful. In the morning session, there were around 70 people, some of whom were newcomer orthodox Christians. Among them was a Christian sermoniser as well, who had come all the way from the West Indies. She was presented with the message of Islam in person.
There were also a lot of people in the second session of the gathering. After Hazrat Mufti Sahib’s lecture, a very interesting discussion on the Issue of Buruz [Spiritual Projection], Existence of God, and Reincarnation, was held.
An allegation raised by an atheist made this discussion even more interesting. When this argument was presented to him that a person all alone declared that he had come from God and that whoever did not obey him would come to nought. The people of the world stood against him and, by all means, tried to annihilate or even kill him, etc. However, he stood resolute and said that even the greatest of empires would perish and be destroyed if they were to stand up against him. And then, for not one or two years, he continued to deliver this message for 23 years, practically proving that what he said was absolutely true. This truth was firmly established in the world, and he witnessed before his very eyes that all his enemies were humiliated, disgraced, and defeated. And the empires that wanted to lay hands on him fell to pieces. He declared this as proof of the existence of God, and in his formative years, he presented it as proof of his truthfulness. [The atheist was asked], “Is this not an undeniable proof of the existence of God?” Upon this, he was astounded and suddenly enquired as to who this person was. He was informed that there were many such chosen ones of God, but the greatest of them all was the Holy Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and all this was presented as proof by him. He replied, “I cannot believe this.” He was told that it is only in the hands of God to guide a disbeliever, but he could not refute this argument because nobody can deny the factual events.
Interest in learning the teachings of Islam
Many people who come to take Arabic lessons are expressing their desire to convert to Islam. These people are not able to spare time during the day due to their businesses, work and labour. Some friends are not only memorising different parts of the Holy Quran but are also trying their best to learn its correct pronunciation. Hence, they regularly come here two to three times a week and recite [the Holy Quran] by repeating it after me.
For the information of merchants
Many friends enquire of us about certain matters of trade and the names of the merchants here. By spending effort, time, and money on our part, they are provided with the necessary information. However, it does not mean that we are responsible in any way. It is their responsibility to start the business to their own satisfaction and take absolute care by utilising all available means. In other words, as much as they take care and caution in other worldly businesses, they should do the same in this case as well.
Moreover, one should also be mindful that some people send items to sell here. First of all, these friends should pay attention to the fact that heavy import duties have to be paid here. And sometimes we don’t even have the expenses to cover our food costs. On the other hand, those items are sometimes such that there is no demand for them here. So, they should first send a sample and enquire with us. Furthermore, keeping in mind our financial condition, please try your best not to burden us. For example, it costs us about two dollars to send a simple prospectus. That is, six to seven rupees are spent on this trivial matter. We do not and should not have any excuses for serving our friends, but considering the conditions here and taking the duty of preaching into account, these few lines had to be written. We never refuse to help and never will, insha-Allah.
New converts observed fasts
Some of the new converts here devotedly kept all the fasts of Ramadan last month, even though they were not used to it. Rather, under the conditions here, they were used to eating four times a day. They are so fond of food that it is very difficult for them to resist the temptation, but still, with great sincerity and enthusiasm, they observed all the fasts. May Allah the Almighty grant them the best of rewards and bless them with the ability to progress further in goodness.
Likewise, some other new converts who live on the West coast of America, several thousand miles away from us, have also sent letters saying that they have also kept all the fasts of Ramadan. Moreover, they expressed that their fasts did not have any effect on their work. Here, labourers have to work very hard. Although there was no holiday here on the day of Eid, several people left their businesses, gathered in large numbers, and offered Eid prayer in congregation.
By the grace of God Almighty, the work of preaching Islam is being done very well. New converts seek to learn and practise religion. Many righteous people and seekers of truth are engaged in research on Islam. May Allah the Almighty grant them the strength to accept Islam soon.
Al Fazl, 17 August 1923
Although the following report is short, the readers can observe how every word of it manifests great success, which is the result of the blessings and mercy of Allah the Almighty. May God grant Mufti Sahib the best of rewards, and may the seed of Ahmadiyyat that has been planted in America through him continue to grow by the day. —Editor, Al Fazl
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872-1957)
Alhamdulillah, the work of preaching that I had started in this country [of America] was accomplished only by the grace, mercy, and generosity of Allah the Almighty. A mosque has been built here, a mission house has been established, and a sincere Jamaat has been formed.
Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib has understood and taken over all the work in the last three months. May Allah the Almighty help him and bless him with the strength to do more work. Brothers Muhammad Yusuf Khan Sahib and Syed Abdul Rahman Sahib are also staying with Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib and helping him in his work. I have handed over the charge of all the work to Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib and its copy has been sent to the office of Nazir in Qadian. The council here [in America] has also been forwarded a request to register the Ahmadiyya Jamaat with the government. Once the Jamaat is registered, the mosque and mission house will not be taxed by the government.
After handing over the charge, I am only staying here waiting for the travel expenses from Qadian.
We are receiving requests for lectures from other cities. I found it apt to spend the waiting time delivering the lectures. Hence, I moved from Chicago to Ashland, Kentucky. The population of this city is only around 10,000, but the streets are wide and clean, the market is extensive, and the houses are splendid. The city stretches for several miles along the river. Moreover, the mountains and the landscape are captivating, the people are creative, and the city has electricity, gas for cooking, underground drains in the toilets and bathrooms, a good library, several bunk beds, and all the essentials for comfort. Here, a sermon was to be held in a church, but it could not be delivered due to the opposition of the priests. Consequently, a lecture was given in a house. It had a great impact on the audience. Afterwards, literature was distributed, and the message of Islam was verbally conveyed to the participants. A lady converted to Islam, and several people came closer who are now studying the literature.
We have to visit another city from here, but I have to leave soon. Our mailing address is the same, and friends should keep sending all the letters, etc., to Chicago. Until the telegram about my departure is received from Qadian, friends should continue to send their letters here and bless me with their half mulaqat [meeting through letters].
My brother, Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib, is sending reports about the work going on in Chicago. Therefore, I did not feel the need to write anything about it.
Wassalam,
Muhammad Sadiq,
9 July 1923.
(Translated and edited by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 13 July and 17 August 1923 issues of Al Fazl)
