The Moslem Sunrise, April 1924 & Al Fazl, 16 May 1924

Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Din^ra (1881-1983)

Qadian

Thank God for His Mercy in crowning the efforts of our missionaries to avert apostasy that was one time supposed to engulf certain parts of India and stem the tide of Hindu propaganda, [i.e., Shuddhi Movement]. Not only this but God has given us new converts from among the ranks of those who were erstwhile trying to slice off a portion of our coreligionists. It is gratifying to learn that several thousand Sikhs have joined the ranks of Islam. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [II^ra] and his devoted followers.

New converts in Africa

Secretary of Gold Coast Jamaat, BE Keelson, reports:

Maulvi FR Hakeem, Ahmadi missionary of Saltpond, left Saltpond on a missionary tour on 14 February [1924] along with his secretary and went as far as 70 miles from Saltpond, followed by over 50 Ahmadis from various places in the Assin state.

During his tour, the Maulvi addressed three open-air meetings at Yankumasi, Dompim, and Brecoe, in which explaining the object of the creation of man and the ways to attain this object, he exhorted the audiences to turn towards their Creator. The meetings were well attended by the pagans and Christians, besides the village chiefs and their councillors.

After the lecture, questions were invited, which came from both pagans and Christians and were answered by the Maulvi very comprehensively, and some having, God willing, the best attention of the pagan friends. In this tour of a 10 days period, 123 men and women from among the pagans and non-Ahmadi Muslims joined the Ahmadiyya Mission.

Thanks be to Allah. Besides the three lectures, the Maulvi especially preached to his Muslim members by way of teaching them Islam and asked them to send their boys to his school at Saltpond for education and training so that the foundation of the mission could be laid on a sound foundation and we are glad to note that some of the friends have sent their boys down without hesitation. The Maulvi returned to Saltpond on 23 February. May Allah bless and increase the seed of Ahmadiyyat sown during the tour and may He also bless the brethren who so anxiously and gladly followed the Maulvi.

Mauritius

We reproduce below the correspondence that passed between Mr Dragoon of the American consulate at Colombo, Ceylon, and our Brother HG Muhammad, Ahmadi missionary at Mauritius.

From Mr E Dragoon to HG Muhammad, Ahmadi Esquire:

This morning there was handed to me a leaflet which describes what is called Le Movement Ahmadi and in reading through this leaflet I came across these words, “Les Ahmadis interpret le prophetie de la seconde venue de Jesus de la facon dont Jesus expliquait la prophetie de la secónde venue d’Elie. Jesus ne devaitpas venir en personne mais un autre prophete devait appraitse ayant une ressemblance par faite avec Jesus tout comme la prophetie du second avenement d’Elie fut accomplie par lapparition de Jean-Baptise. La prophetie de la seconde venue de Jesus, affirment les Almadis, a ete accomplie par la venue d’Ahmad qui vint avec la meme puissance que Jesus, comme Jean–etait–venue avec la puissance d’Elie.”

[“The Ahmadis interpret the prophecy of the second coming of Jesus in the same way as Jesus explained the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah. Jesus was not to come in person but another prophet was to appear bearing a striking resemblance to Jesus, just as the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah was fulfilled by the appearance of John the Baptist. The prophecy of the second coming of Jesus, Ahmadis assert, was fulfilled by the advent of Ahmad, who came in the letter and spirit of Jesus, just as John came in the letter and spirit of Elijah.”]

What does this mean? Does it mean that Ahmad^[as] resembles Jesus in all respects physically? Or is it merely conjectured that Ahmad^[as] possesses the same “puissance.” If Ahmad^[as] resembles Jesus in all respects physically, I challenge you to send me his photograph. Also, please furnish me with his address, as I believe it is quite necessary, if the physical resemblance is parfaite [perfect] for me to know the address.

Reply

Addressing the matter, HG Muhammad wrote:

I hereby beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favour, asking me about a point in religion. That shows that you are a seeker after truth. I solemnly declare before all the world that Islam is the only religion that is truth all in all. The truth found in other religions is mixed up with falsehood, which is why other religions are not powerful enough to elevate us to our Creator, the Most High. That is why no prophet is born in other religions claiming to be the recipient of God’s revelation. Their sacred scriptures have long since been dead and their languages are no longer spoken.

Prophets before our Holy Prophet^[sa] were tribal, local or national. Hence, their books and laws were also national and local which could not exist before the universal law, the Holy Quran. They gradually died out and became like a dead letter. The work of God coincides with the word of God. He let all the sacred languages die. Sanskrit, Pali, Pehlvi, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin ceased to exist. Their deaths show that the Vedas, the Jewish and Christian scriptures, Pali, and Persian scriptures are no longer wanted.

The work of God’s book is to take man to God, and how can one know that such and such has access in the sight of God? If one comes so near to God that he hears His voice, and publishes it, and it comes true, our certainty reaches its climax that the thing is from God (Deut. 18:22), “If the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken.” Its converse also holds good. If the thing follow or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath spoken.

No sacred look gives the promise that God will speak to anyone face to face if the person follows it sincerely. Ahmad^[as] was the man who followed the Holy Quran and consequently received the revelation from the Most High in these days of scepticism and materialism. He claimed to be the Messiah of the Latter Days and challenged all the Christian priests and clergymen to compare the miracles wrought by Jesus, son of Mary, with his own. But none came forward. Compare the prophecies of Ahmad^[as] and Jesus and then you will realise that Ahmad^[as] far surpasses him.

As to your point that Ahmad^[as] resembles Jesus even physically, I do not read it in the original pamphlet. The Ahmadis interpret the second coming of Jesus just in the same way as Jesus did of the second coming of Elijah. Jesus need not come down personally but another could appear having a perfect resemblance with Jesus in the same way as John the Baptist represented Elijah. The Ahmadis say that Ahmad appeared in the power and spirit of Jesus.

Your objection is not supported by the actual words of the pamphlet you allude to. We don’t believe in physical resemblance. If I send you the photograph, how will you decide whether Ahmad^[as] resembles Jesus or not, because true portrait of Jesus can be had nowhere?

Jesus well explains such resemblances. Read carefully the following verses from the Gospels and then send me the photographs of both John and Elijah so that I may judge for myself, whether John resembles Elijah in all respects, or Jesus, merely conjectures that Johs possessed the same “puissance.” It is very strange indeed that when the Jews asked Jesus if he were the Messiah, “Where was Elias (Elijah) who was to come before him,” he told them frankly that John the Baptist was Elias, but when they went to John and asked him about it, he flatly denied it. This is something apparently conflicting with each other, and still, you follow it. Please read John 1:17-25. John the Baptist denies to be Elijah or his likeness.

Now turn to Matthew 17: 10-13, “And his disciples asked him saying, why, then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them. Elias truly shall first come and restore all things. But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatever they listed. Likewise shall also the son of man suffer of them.” Matt. 11:14, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear let him, hear.” Jesus was not to come personally from heaven for he himself says, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that hath come down from heaven,” John 3:13. Jesus did not come down from Heaven, everybody knows full well. He was born of Mary as any other child is born. Jesus says moreover that “For I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” Matt. (23:30).

It cannot be the same Jesus who appeared 1900 years ago. If the word Lord means Jesus himself then surely its different personage from Jesus, and if the word Lord means God even then it does not refer to Jesus, for he is called the son of God. The promised one is to appear in the name of the Lord, whom Jesus fully describes in his parable of the Vineyard.

Thus, it is Ahmad^[as] who appeared in power and spirit of Jesus just as John the Baptist appeared on behalf of Elijah. It is high time, for our Christian friends to give up the vain hope of seeing Jesus coming down in person. He has passed away and one who is dead is dead once for all, he cannot come back to this life here on this earth. Jesus warned people against his second coming and wise are they who take to his warning.

Meetings with Egyptian and Turkish ambassadors

Al Fazl, 16 May 1924

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyar^ra (1883-1948)

Egyptian Legation

His Excellency, General [Aziz] Pasha Ezzat, Consul General of Egypt, along with his staff, is currently staying at the Carlton Hotel. I went there to meet him and extend my congratulations on the establishment of the Egyptian Embassy. Besides meeting His Excellency, I also met members of staff, secretaries, and their imam.

The ambassador is a very decent man. He listened to the characteristics of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the claims of the Promised Messiah^as with great attention and consideration, eventually promising to visit the Ahmadiyya Dar al-Tabligh. His English is eloquent, and he possesses a very keen intellect. He expressed regret and indifference towards the foolish insinuations of some Egyptian students that Ahmadis are British agents and spies.

Turkish ambassador

His Excellency, Yusuf Kemal Bey, representing the Republic of Turkey and residing in London along with his staff, met me this week.

He is an exceedingly enlightened individual. Since he is not proficient in English, our conversation took place with the help of an interpreter. This humble one elaborated on the salient features of the Jamaat, the claims of the Promised Messiah^as, and the political stance of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. I explained that this is the right way and there is no need for a political caliphate. As per the spiritual caliphate, it has been granted to the Promised Messiah by Allah the Almighty and that is enough.

Indian Muslims pay heed

The ardent devotees and advocates of the caliphate, especially of the political caliphate, should read through carefully the following words of the Turkish ambassador’s reply:

“Islam flows in the veins of the Turks. And just as you observe me here, even more zealous and fervent devotees of Islam reside among us in Angora. In our view, the path we have chosen is the most suitable way for the advancement of Islam and the rise of Muslim nations. Time would testify to our efforts that we did everything for the betterment of Islam.”

O Muslims of India! Learn from the Turks and partake of the blessing of Allah that you have been granted while sitting at home. Khulafa are chosen by God Almighty; He placed this divine gift where He willed. The Promised Messiah^as, the subordinate of Muhammad^sa, the Messenger of God, has appeared in your country. The world is embracing his teaching. Do not be unfortunate, wake up, open your eyes, and listen. O deniers! It is never too late.

Lecture

A respectable lady named Miss Kichard convenes a gathering of people from India along with individuals who are interested in spiritual matters. Upon her invitation, I attended, and as the conversation commenced, out-of-ordinary or supernatural matters were discussed. I mentioned the vision of the Promised Messiah^as, in which the red drops were observed on his clothes. At the same time, I informed them that, in my view, he was the promised Jagadguru, [i.e., the Worldwide Promised Reformer]. Some people took my card and promised further research.

Kano and Lagos

[…] Imam of Kano Jamaat writes:

“We are aware of the actual accounts of Woking. By the grace of God, no event can shake our faith.”

Secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya Lagos writes:

“The Jamaat is now firmly established by the grace of God. There is no fear of defiance or concern of any menace.”

(Transcribed and edited by Al Hakam from the original English published in The Moslem Sunrise, April 1924, and translated from the original Urdu, published in the 16 May 1924 issue of Al Fazl)