Al Fazl, 19 & 22 February 1924
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Dinra, (1881-1983)
During the period of this report, 21 men and women have converted to Islam [in America] and joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Apart from them, three non-Ahmadi Muslims have also joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
Some of the names of the new converts are as follows:
Ilyas, Bilal, Ilyas, Alam Din, Abdul Mannan, Bilal, Fatima, Bano, Mahmuda, Abdul Hameed, Saeed, Munir, Mahmud, Behram, Buzurg, Maimuna, Mahdi, Dawud, Shakir, Lal Din, Waris Din, Sikandar Ali, and Farid.
The following non-Ahmadi Muslims have joined the Jamaat: 1. Muhammad Ali; 2. Sheikh Ismail; and 3. A Malik Mandal.
The above three friends are residents of the Spanish region of Central America. May Allah grant all of us perseverance.
There was a time when it was a distinguishing feature of Islam and Muslims that they were absolutely committed to cleanliness. Hence, when the Christians started crusades against the Muslims in Spain, like the Hindus, they also introduced chut [untouchability], i.e., the distinguishing mark of a Christian was to remain dirty and not bathe for years. Consequently, cleanliness came to be considered a sign of paganism, and Muslims were already devoted to cleanliness. Traces of this kind of uncleanliness are still found in some places, though now it is not because of the hostility towards Muslims. Recently, a man got a divorce from his wife because she did not bathe for 11 years.
State of Christianity
Every now and then, announcements are published in the newspapers that some bishops convened and published a declaration that they were convinced about the Bible being the word of God and also believed in the virgin birth of Jesus. At the same time, edicts of disbelief are published against those priests and scholars who do not believe in these things. Their number is already very significant, but it is increasing by the day. After all, why are they [other clergymen] getting upset in their abodes? There is surely something they are hiding. Not to mention, along with these announcements, there is also an addendum stating that the resignation of so-and-so bishop has been accepted. People in every part of the world resign and their resignations are accepted; however, publishing the aforementioned kind of announcements of disbelief along with their resignations clearly shows that not only their resignations are accepted but also garlands of disbelief and curses are offered to them as a token for their past services. […]
Muslims of Philippines
Muslims are also living in the islands of the Philippines. Facing the hardships of oppression and imprisonment by Christians, they sometimes stand up to fight with their weapons. However, their swords are of no use against the cannons. So, they are eventually crushed. Recently, there were complaints of mistreatment of their young girls in [Christian] missionary schools. They again stood up to fight. The governor investigated the matter and it was revealed that the root cause of their rebellion was Christian missionaries. Therefore, military action against them [Muslims] has been postponed for the time being. They are of the view that if the Americans vacate the Philippines, they cannot, in any case, survive among the other Christians and missionaries, because, after all, they can present their complaints to the American government.
– Muhammad Din.
Cheerful anecdotes of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II
Al Fazl, 22 February 1924
Hazrat Dr Hashmatullah Khanra, (1887-1967)
The great snake hunt that never was
12 February 1924: On the road of Batala, the tonga driver said, “Huzoor[ra], there is a place nearby along this road where I always see a huge snake.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] asked for a hunting rifle and some cartridges. This humble one, [Hazrat Dr Hashmatullah Khanra] presented the [hunting equipment] and said, “What a pity that Chaudhry Ali Muhammad had returned, otherwise, we would have sent [‘the gift’ of] the first hunt by his hands.” Huzoor[ra] remained silent after hearing this, and then, when we got to the particular place, we did not find any snake there. Promptly, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said, “If Ali Muhammad was with us, what would we have given him?” Huzoor[ra] added, “I deliberately remained silent on your words [of regret], and thought of asking you [this question] when I won’t find the snake.”
Today, we are free, or are we?
Then, we arrived at the Amritsar station. Since Huzoor[ra] had instructed the local jamaats to not inform anyone about his journey, it was presumed that people would not come to the station, and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] could easily stay and rest in the waiting room. When the train stopped, Huzoor[ra] stood up and said, “Doctor [Hashmatullah Khanra] Sahib, come, we are free today, let’s go for a stroll.” As soon as he finished these words, Chaudhry Zafarulla Khan[ra] entered the carriage and said, “Huzoor[ra]! Assalamu alaikum.” Thereafter, there was a line of people shaking hands. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] surprisingly said, “I was just telling Doctor Sahib that I am free today, but how did you people get this news in Lahore?” Chaudhry Sahib stated that he found out from Naik Muhammad Sahib. He explained that Sheikh Abdul Hameed Sahib said to Naik Muhammad Sahib that “I will write a letter to Hazrat [Khalifatul Masih] Sahib[ra] and he will receive it tomorrow.” Naik Muhammad Sahib replied that Huzoor[ra] would not get this letter unless it was given to him, as he was accompanying Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra]. When Naik Muhammad Sahib was asked [as to where Huzoor(ra) was going], he had to tell everything, and at the same time, he requested that we not inform anyone. Chaudhry Zafarulla Khan[ra] Sahib replied to him, “This instruction was meant for you and not for us.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih found it very amusing.
From the station, Huzoor[ra] reached the house of E.A.C. Mian Muhammad Sharif. After having dinner, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih blessed the friends with his company. The series of mulaqats was ongoing and various matters were also being discussed. I [Dr Hashmatullah Khanra] felt drowsy sitting beside Huzoor[ra]. After some time, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said, “Doctor Sahib, the talks are over. Wake up and perform ablution.”
A sleepy audience
Along with this, Huzoor[ra] also told a cheerful anecdote that once Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib[ra] and Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib[ra] had gone for tabligh somewhere, and Hafiz Sahib had a lecture at night. As soon as Hafiz Sahib started lecturing, the audience started snoring so loudly that he was forced to stop the lecture. Since Mufti Sahib was the president of the gathering, Hafiz Sahib looked at him to close the lecture and found him sleeping as well. Thus, after speaking for the last few minutes, Hafiz Sahib said in a loud voice, “People, wake up, the lecture has ended.” […]
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 19 and 22 February 1924 issue of Al Fazl)
