Al Fazl, 16 January 1922
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)
Another Romahin
The news of our arrival had reached the neighbouring village and the amir halqa of Saraha Jamaat had informed the king of Ejakun Division, i.e. Rumahin (روماہىں), that a “White Maulvi” was going to visit. The public was eagerly awaiting. The horns were ringing and the drums were being beaten. It was as if the village was preparing for a war with the invaders.
Anyhow, the first Adam, who was making the announcements for the caravan, raised the slogan of “Subhanallah”, “Alhamdulillah”, and“Allahu Akbar”, and the whole caravan became ready. The arrangement of the procession was such that the first Adam was in front of me, the second Adam was my interpreter, two Braham amir jamaat were to my right and left, and the rest of the people were behind me. Everybody was repeating the words of the first Adam in a loud voice.
In that formation, we entered the court of Rumahin located in the middle of the village. There was an arrangement of two-sided tables. The chief, wearing gold ornaments, was present with his dignitaries under a big umbrella. After taking their seats, members of jamaat recited naat [poem in praise] of the Holy Prophetsa in Fante language, which was presented by the new missionary of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Yaqub, in his very melodious voice, and everyone else repeated after him in an amazing voice that was also melodious. However, the listeners could not understand anything other than “dwa dwa du dy”. Thereafter, I addressed the chief and the audience, and instructed the disbelievers to repent and convert to Islam by explaining the concept of Paradise and Hell as described in the Holy Quran. In short, I carried out tabligh and by the grace of Allah the Almighty, I preached to best of my abilities. As a result, the translator, who was an apostate Muslim, converted to Islam, alhamdulillah. A young man immediately became a Muslim, alhamdulillah. Moreover, the chief became convinced of Muhammadsa, the messenger of Allah, with all his heart.
Sincerity of the chief
Being in awe of the Supreme Being of God Almighty, the chief asked me, “Can I be saved?” I said, “Yes. Listen! Muhammadsa of Arabia was permitted to tell people that: ‘My children! If you have wronged yourselves, do not despair of God’s mercy. He is Forgiving and Merciful.’”
The pessimistic heart was comforted and the idol worshiper chief respectfully said, “There is Roman Catholic Wesleyan Zion Church and your teachings, which can save me and why should I recognise the truth?” I replied, “Salvation is in Muhammad’ssa deliverance, and a wise man never prefers dangerous paths of the forest or roads over an airplane. The Messiah has come. The living prophet Muhammadsa is the last prophet and the last king of spirituality.” The chief said, “Yes, I certainly understand. Please give me the honour of accompanying you to the main road.” Nayyar said, “You are an important person, stay at your residence. Let me go alone, I am only a humble traveller.”
The chief said, “Not at all. Please pray for me. I am a servant. This is 2 pounds 10 shillings for you as a gift and 10 shillings for your companions.” Thus, the sincere chief insisted and came along with the newly converted translator to the main road. The said young man will soon formally announce his conversion to Islam, insha-Allah.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 16 January 1922 issue of Al Fazl)