Al Fazl, 18 November 1919
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra
Meetings
In the week which is being reported, various non-Ahmadi new Muslim English ladies and certain educated Indian gentlemen paid a visit of the house to meet us. Discussions were held on the distinguishing characteristics of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and other subjects like the difference between Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis etc.
After meeting non-Ahmadi friends, it is disclosed that a conspiracy is being spread with progressive efforts to make people believe that “Ahmadis are enemies of Hindustan and Muslims.” Hapless wrongdoers mislead uninformed people by terming “light” as darkness and the “patron” to be an enemy. If they but knew that the light of God cannot be extinguished from the mouth. It is His promise:
وَ اللّٰہُ مُتِمُّ نُوۡرِہٖ وَ لَوۡ کَرِہَ الۡکٰفِرُوۡنَ
[“Allah will perfect His light, however much the disbelievers hate it.” (Surah al-Saff, Ch.61: V.9)]
We have reformed the views of those who come meet us.
Apart from the mentioned persons, we met male and female new-converts at their residences. We endeavoured to refresh their faith by having discussions on religious matters.
Lectures
I delivered a lecture on the need of the Holy Quran at Ahmadiyya Hall. My previous lecture on the children of God was followed by a significant debate. Similarly, a half hour spirited discussion was carried out after this lecture as well. Brother Muhammad Suleiman Faith and an elderly liberal, Mr McDonalds actively participated in this discourse. The former, with his passion of faith, and the latter presented an ardent desire for finding the truth.
Apart from the main lecture, two lectures, one on the subject of Islam and the other on love in Hindustan were delivered on Friday by revered Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sayal at Folkestone theosophical society and idealist school, respectively. The president of the gathering said, “There is not a single matter in the lecture with which we do not agree.”
Hazrat Mufti Sahib and Qazi [Abdullah] Sahib
Hazrat Mufti Sahib is currently serving outside of London at the coastline. There, he distributes literature and carries out the work of tabligh through lectures. A doctor and his wife, along with certain respectable personalities, have started to take an interest in Ahmadiyyat. The health of brother Qazi Sahib is relatively better now and he equally shares the work with me.
New converts
Certain Arab and Somalian Muslims came to meet us on Sunday. They kept absorbing information from me about the Ahmadiyya Jamaat for half an hour. After keenly listening to the matters of Jesus’as death and the second coming of the Promised Messiah, they accepted the truth and expressed belief in the Promised Messiahas. Their signed requests of Bai‘at have been sent to be presented before Huzoor[ra]. They have presented one pound, six shillings and six pence Chanda for the expenses of the Jamaat. May Allah grants them the best of rewards. They are determined in offering regular Chanda from now on. Below are the names of the new converts:
– Yusuf Imad
– Abdullah Ibrahim
– Abdullah Daham
– Ali Adam
– Farih Abdullah
– A Muhammad
– Muhammad Farih
– Muhammad Ali
Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray that their faith may strengthen.
Several Ahmadi ladies
Below are the messages of female new converts who have sent letters or met in person in the past week for all Ahmadis across the globe:
Salma Croxford states, “I am extremely busy, but my Ahmadi associates, owing to their steadfastness and bearing of hardships, always remain before the eye of my heart. Please convey my Salam to everyone.”
Ms Fatima states, “I am a poor English lady who has recently converted to Islam. At first I converted to Islam for my husband but now I have become Muslim for the sake of Islam. The attributes of Ahmadiyyat are instilling in my heart. I feel an urge to begin talking on Islam. I request to convey my Salam and pray for me.”
Jamila Clara Corden states, “I am a poor English lady who has accepted Islam. I am happy with my current state of life and proud of my religion. I am a member of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and strongly devoted to my beautiful religion. I am under some hardships, therefore I request prayers.”
Lilian Maryam states, “I am learning Namaz. I wish that the day comes soon when I may translate the Holy Quran in my language.”
Request of prayer
An educated new convert lady is experiencing great hardships. Another lady’s husband is out of work and also has children. Both of them strongly request for prayers.
Respected members
The fervour of that God Who, with divine light, commissioned Muhammadsa of Arabia in the Arabian peninsula and who appointed Ahmadas of Qadian in Punjab, is in full swing. His angels are at work. The empire of Christianity has become hollow. People hear and listen to what we have to say with keen interest. For instance, in this very week, questions on religion were presented before this servant in a giant motor vehicle of London. Ladies and gentlemen listened with close attention as if the vehicle was a lecture hall. However, the lack of funds is a hurdle in this way. Everything requires money. [Nowadays] a rupee is like an anna [sixteen annas equate to one rupee] and an anna is like a damri [256 damri equate to one rupee]. Your efforts, sacrifices and prayers, and our honesty, trustworthiness and hard work will surely bear fruit, Insha-Allah. Come and work together with full devotion and have firm faith that:
وہ گھڑی آتی ہے جب عیسیٰ پکاریں گے مجھے
اب تو تھوڑے رہ گئے دجّال کہلانے کے دن
[“The time is nigh when they will start calling me Jesus. The days are few in being called the Antichrist.]
Chanda
In the week under discussion, a collective Chanda of 1 pound, 8 shillings and 9 pence was received by the newly converted members.
End of strikes
A correspondent of the labour party’s newspaper, The Daily Herald had a discussion with Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sayal Sahib regarding the railway strike. The following report was published in The Daily Herald of 7 October (see below):
“No more strikes – Words of the Prophet Ahmad
“Invited to meet ‘the Wise Man of the East,’ and hear his Message to England, I found myself (writes a Daily Herald Correspondent) in a quiet room off the Edgware-road with a quiet, cultured Indian gentleman.
“Mr Fateh Mohammad Sayal, MA, who disclaims any other title than ‘Follower of the Prophet Ahmed,’ has come from the Punjab to tell us that if we would embrace the true religion of Islam as taught afresh by Ahmad, our troubles would soon he over.
“We should have no wars, because the rich, instead of lending money to the state at interest, would be compelled to give it. Also, there would not be any rich because Islam knows no class distinctions, and provides for a fair distribution of wealth.
“Ahmad has about 100 followers in England, and Mr Fayal [sic] says that if we all joined up there would be no need for any more railway strikes.” (The Daily Herald, 7 October 1919)