Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam
Allah the Almighty granted glad tidings to the Promised Messiahas about a son, through whom Islam Ahmadiyyat was to prosper and whose great attributes were to be manifested in every corner of the world.
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was the fulfilment of this glad tiding. From the very beginning, he was seen as an extraordinary person. Then in 1914, Allah the Almighty bestowed upon him the mantle of Khilafat. He devoted his entire life to the service and propagation of Islam and always strived to carry forward the mission of the Promised Messiahas.
At every step, many enemies emerged and made every effort possible to stop him from accomplishing his mission. But the help of God Almighty remained with him. He initiated such great movements and schemes for the progress of Islam, the fruits of which are still visible today and will continue till the Day of Judgment, insha-Allah
Tahrik-e-Waqf-e-Jadid is also one of the great achievements of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. During his Eid-ul-Adha sermon on 9 July 1957, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated:
“It is my desire that if there are such youngsters who have the desire in their hearts to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Sahib Chishtirh and Hazrat Shahabuddin Sahib Suhrawardyrh, then just as the youth of the Jamaat dedicate their lives under Tahrik-e-Jadid, they should dedicate their lives directly to me so that through me, they can perform the task of educating the Muslims. They should take instructions from me and then serve in this country [Pakistan]. Our country is not deserted in terms of population, but very deserted in terms of spirituality […]
“So I want the youth of the Jamaat to have the courage and dedicate their lives to this cause. They would not be employed under Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya or Tahrik-e-Jadid, but instead, they will use those ways for their livelihood, which I will tell them. Thus, they will gradually establish new communities [jamaats] in the world […] and create new Rabwahs and new Qadians […] They will teach people the Holy Quran and hadith and train their students. In this way, the era of the old sufis will re-emerge in the whole country.” (Al Fazl, 1 August 1957, pp.4-5)
He then elaborated on the scheme in his address of Jalsa Salana on 27 December 1957 and said:
“Now, I am launching a scheme for a new kind of waqf [dedication]. I had mentioned it in a sermon on 9 July 1957 […] The purpose of this waqf is to create a network of our muallimeen [missionaries dedicated to the scheme of Waqf-e-Jadid] from Lahore to Karachi. There should be a muallim present in all places at short distances, i.e. 10 to 15 miles. He should either start a madrassa or run a shop and live and work among the people of the area all the time.
“This is a very vast scheme, but I have decided to take only 10 devotees in the beginning, considering the expenses. It is possible that some devotees may be taken from Africa or other countries, but in any case, the beginning will be with 10 devotees and then more efforts will be made to increase their number to thousands.” (Al Fazl, 16 February 1957, p. 3)
In his Friday sermon on 3 January 1958, Huzoorra stated that the Jamaat must remember that if it wanted to make progress, it would have to make sacrifices and spread the network of guidance and reform. Huzoorra stated:
“So I urge the Jamaat to pay attention to this waqf as soon as possible and make yourselves recipients of its reward. This is the reward you get for free. If you do not take it, it will be given to others instead of you.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, p. 5)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote a special message to members of the Jamaat on 5 January 1958 to further explain this scheme. He stated that on 27 December 1957, he had presented an important proposal for reform and guidance, which had two parts, i.e. waqf and chanda. He expounded that though he did not declare the chanda as mandatory, but every Ahmadi should try to donate six rupees per year in one lump sum or through 12 instalments.
Huzoorra expressed that the Jamaat could easily have had 100,000 such people and if they donated in this way, the Jamaat could easily spread the scheme of guidance and reform – from Dhaka to Karachi, from Karachi to Multan and then via Lahore and Rawalpindi, to Peshawar and the valleys of Hazara.
Huzoorra said that five requests had been received after his sermon, two of whom were maulvi fazil [degree holders] and others who had passed matriculation exams, with one who had simple education.
During the same message, Huzoorra said:
“This task is from God Almighty and it will surely be fulfilled. As God Almighty has put this scheme in my heart, even if I have to sell my house and clothes, I will still fulfil this duty. Even if not a single member of the Jamaat supports me, God will separate those who do not support me and send down angels from the Heavens to help me. Thus, I declare once again for the sake of itmam-e-hujjat [completion of responsibility] that people should pay attention towards financial sacrifice and waqf as well.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, pp. 6-7)
Huzoorra hoped that the esteemed Ahmadi landowners would dedicate their lands around their respective villages, from Karachi to Peshawar, for this scheme. Then, the devotees would cultivate those lands and that would help run the scheme.
On 5 January 1958, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra instructed the wakil-e-ala to transfer 600 rupees from Huzoor’sra personal account of Tahrik-e-Jadid into the account of Waqf-e-Jadid. In this way, the foundation of Waqf-e-Jadid’s financial system was laid through this blessed donation. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, p. 19)
On 9 January 1958, Huzoorra appointed Syed Munir Ahmad Sahib Bahri as in-charge Waqf-e-Jadid and directed him to open an office. On the same day, this office was set up in the premises of the private secretariat. The first resolution of Waqf-e-Jadid took place on 13 January 1958. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, p.20)
Then, in his Friday sermon on 10 January 1958, Huzoorra said that the structure of waqf, which he had presented to the Jamaat, still needed a lot of money. A minimum of 600,000 rupees was required annually for this.
Huzoorra mentioned that Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khan[ra] had promised a donation on his behalf and his family and also promised to donate 10 acres of his land under this scheme. Huzoorra said that he would himself dedicate 10 acres in Tharparkar district or Hyderabad district.
Huzoorra further said:
“Our war is not a war of swords, but a war of arguments. And during the war of arguments, a man who has the spirit of working never says that he will show his back in the field of arguments, but rather, if the time comes to compete, he will be first and foremost [to compete] and will not give up the pledge of sacrifice until his death.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, p. 17)
Huzoorra hoped that if this example was followed, then in his view, the scheme would be a great success.
Huzoorra added:
“Look at the Companionsra [of the Holy Prophetsa]: they used to fight with swords and they got martyred in the battlefield, but they were not afraid of it at all.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, p. 18)
After narrating the sacrifices of the Companionsra, Huzoorra said that if one created such courage in themselves, then spreading the religion is not a difficult matter.
Huzoorra added:
“God’s mercy is about to descend. Now it is impossible for the Heavens to withhold its help for a long time. For about 25 to 26 years, the Promised Messiahas listened to the abuse of his enemies […] but he continued to preach. Then, we also continued this task [tabligh] for about 50 years. This whole period comes to about 75 years in total. After all, Allah the Almighty does not allow a nation to be abused, beaten and stoned for 75 years and even then remain silent. Now, I think – rather, I am convinced – that the time has come that the succour of Allah the Almighty will descend from the Heavens.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, pp. 19-20)
On 12 January 1958, Anjuman Waqf-e-Jadid was formally registered. Huzoorra approved the following members:
1. Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Mazhar Sahib Advocate (President)
2. Syed Munir Ahmed Bahri Sahib (Secretary)
3. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahibrh
4. Maulana Abul Ata Jalandhari Sahib
5. Maulvi Abul Munir Noorul Haq Sahib
6. Maulvi Abdur Rahman Anwar Sahib
7. Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif Sahib Fazil
After that, Huzoorra delivered another special message on 13 January 1958. He stated that whether a person can afford 12 rupees a year or 50 rupees, they should make donations according to their financial situation.
Huzoorra said that his donation had been published as 600 rupees. His intention was that if God Almighty gave him the strength, he would donate 6,000 rupees.
Huzoorra added that even under Tahrik-e-Jadid, he did not increase his donations at once. The first year, he donated 300 rupees, and this year, he had promised 11,000 rupees.
Huzoorra prayed that Allah the Almighty would help him to increase his contribution to this scheme up to 25,000 rupees or more, and the whole Jamaat should collectively donate 600,000 to 700,000 rupees.
He said that only then would the Jamaat be able to spread the network of guidance and reform from Karachi to Peshawar, insha-Allah.
Huzoorra prayed that Allah would guide members of the Jamaat and help them to participate in good deeds and bless their wealth so that they could effectively serve in the way of religion.
In his Friday sermon on 17 January 1958, Huzoorra mentioned the preaching efforts of the Christians and expressed that if they could be so enthusiastic about their religion, then why was there no enthusiasm among the people to support Islam, which is the true religion.
Huzoorra said that it is only our negligence that we do not create enthusiasm in people; otherwise if there is enthusiasm in them, it will spread so much that the Heavens and the Earth would shake and Islam would be seen everywhere in the world.
Huzoorra expounded:
“When all of you move forward for the service of religion, know that it is imperative that if a jamaat of one million people moves forward and each of them conveys the truth to 10 people, then the following year, there would be 10 million Ahmadis. Then we will have 100 million Ahmadis the next year and eventually, we will have 1 billion Ahmadis the following year.
“This means that Ahmadiyyat will spread to almost all countries of the world. But this requires enthusiasm. Currently, our Jamaat is in such numbers, by the grace of God Almighty, that if it fulfils all the duties and creates enthusiasm in others, then in a very short period of time, there would be only Ahmadis in all corners of the world. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, pp. 27-28)
Along with the financial system of Waqf-e-Jadid, interviews and the selection of devotees also commenced. While approving the selected devotees, Huzoorra said that the struggle for the reform and education should be started through 10 muallimeen at the outset.
A short training class was arranged and soon, a group of muallimeen was ready for the field.
On 31 January 1958, the Waqf-e-Jadid office and Majlis-e-Tujjaar [Traders’ Association] organised separate evening parties in honour of muallimeen, in which Maulana Ghulam Rasool Rajekira and Maulana Jalaluddin Shams Sahib led dua (silent prayers) respectively.
The next day, on 1 February 1958, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, along with other members, led silent prayer at Rabwah Railway Station and the first delegation of Waqf-e-Jadid muallimeen marched towards their destinations.
Five more delegations were sent in March, April, May and September of the same year. Thus, by September 1958, 81 muallimeen of Waqf-e-Jadid had become active.
The first Yaum-e-Waqf-e-Jadid (Day of Waqf-e-Jadid) was celebrated on 9 February 1958, to present the three demands of Waqf-e-Jadid to the Jamaat and to collect complete lists with promises of chanda from its members.
During his Friday sermon on 28 February 1958, Huzoorra said:
“The reports which are coming currently are very pleasing […] by the grace of God Almighty, the signs of this scheme are showing that its future will be very glorious.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, pp. 40-41)
On 1 March 1958, in accordance to the instructions of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, Waqf-e-Jadid was established in India as well. Its members were as follows:
1. Sahibzada Mirza Waseem Ahmad Sahib (in-charge Waqf-e-Jadid)
2. Maulvi Barkaat Ahmad Rajeki Sahib (member)
3. Malik Salahuddin Sahib MA (auditor and member)
4. Maulvi B Abdullah Sahib Fazil (member)
5. Muhammad Karimullah Sahib, Editor Azad Naujawan of Madras (member)
6. Seith Yusuf Ahmad Ilah Din Sahib (member)
7. Dr Syed Akhtar Ahmed Sahib (member)
During his Friday Sermon on 7 March 1958, from Muhammadabad Estate, Huzoorra said that it had been nearly 25 years since our estates were established here. However, the pace of growth of the Jamaat had been very slow till now.
He stated:
“So, you must bring a transformation in yourselves and realise your duties. I have initiated the scheme of Waqf-e-Jadid after seeing such people who are not paying full attention to their duties.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 39, p. 44)
Huzoorra added that he had mentioned this scheme during the Jalsa Salana, but at that time, people did not fully understand it. Now, people were gradually becoming aware of its importance.
Huzoorra expressed that if 800 to 1,000 devotees could be possible in a year and a half and then through each one of them, 5,000 people became aware of the Islamic teachings and firmly attached to it, then it meant that 5 million people could become firm upon the teachings of Islam annually. And the love of Islam and the Holy Quran would thus be established in their hearts and within two to three years, this number could reach tens of millions.
In short, the following key points of this scheme were laid out:
1. In villages, such muallimeen should be appointed who spread the teachings of the Holy Quran and Ahmadiyyat throughout the country
2. For the expenses of these muallimeen, members of the Jamaat should donate at least six rupees per annum and the landowners should dedicate parts of their land for spreading the religion of Islam
3. If any local chapter in a specific place was small in number and economically less privileged, then two or three members could jointly participate in donating chanda or land
The speeches, special messages and sermons of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra created a great zeal of sacrifice in the whole Jamaat. Many members of the Jamaat became increasingly involved in this financial sacrifice by dedicating lands and making donations.
In 1958, Waqf-e-Jadid’s income from donations was 59,719 rupees and 1,771 rupees from land production only. Then this income started to increase every year. The amount of donations in 1965 was 115,418 rupees, and the income of land was 6,216 rupees.
By the first week of May 1958, 38 active centres had been set up under Waqf-e-Jadid. The first budget of Waqf-e-Jadid for the year 1958-59 was prepared with an income and expenditure of 88,600 rupees.
On the occasion of Jalsa Salana 1958, Huzoorra said:
“This year, 90 muallimeen are working under Waqf-e-Jadid and the promises of 70,000 rupees came from the Jamaat, which have almost been fulfilled. Thus the department is working wonderfully. 400 people performed Bai‘at through Waqf-e-Jadid.” (Al Fazl, 25 January 1959, p. 5)
On 20 October 1959, Huzoorra appointed Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahibrh as Nazim Irshad (Director) of Waqf-e-Jadid.
On the occasion of Jalsa Salana 1959, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra expressed his satisfaction over the activities of Waqf-e-Jadid and stated:
“This year, better work has been conducted than last year, so work has started in East Pakistan [now Bangladesh] and one inspector and four muallimeen have been appointed there. Last year, 500 people performed Bai‘at after seeing the education and training of these muallimeen and their spirit of serving humanity, while this year, 628 people have done Bai‘at.
“Therefore, I urge the members of the Jamaat to realise the importance of this scheme and pay full attention to it and make every effort to make it a success; make sure there is no member of the Jamaat who does not participate in this chanda, despite having the capacity to do so.
“Remember, the age of a nation is much older than the age of a human being. So you should try to spread Ahmadiyyat all over the world in your time.” (Al Fazl, 17 February 1960, p. 4)
Then, at the beginning of the third year of Waqf-e-Jadid, Huzoorra stated in his special message:
“So, where Allah the Almighty has elevated you in wealth, you should also donate generously for the progress of the Jamaat, so that Allah the Almighty may spread Islam Ahmadiyyat all over Pakistan and all over India. May Allah the Almighty help you to hearken to the call of the time […] May Allah enable you to hear the call of the Heavens and the call of the Earth as well, so that you may be exalted.
“Remember, he who does not hear the call of God on time is unfortunate. Those days have come when the whole world will enter Islam through Ahmadiyyat. If you do not have a share in it, it will be extremely unfortunate for you!” (Al Fazl, 31 December 1959, p. 1)
Some non-Muslims in Eastern Punjab were greatly impressed by the religious and national activities of Waqf-e-Jadid. A famous Sikh leader, Sardar Amar Singh, wrote an article in the December 1960 issue of Daily Akali Patrika of Jalandhar and explained the revolutionary programme of Waqf-e-Jadid and appealed to all Sikhs to take this scheme as a role model for themselves and try to propagate their religion in this way.
Then, on 27 December 1960, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered a message at the beginning of the fourth year of Waqf-e-Jadid. Huzoorra said that the number of Ahmadis was increasing through the workers of Waqf-e-Jadid.
He expressed that if more effort were exerted and the financial situation of Waqf-e-Jadid was improved, the number of members of the Jamaat could be further increased.
Huzoorra said:
“So, at the beginning of the new year, [I say to] take part in this scheme with more courage and enthusiasm than ever before and make it a success.” (Zamima Al Fazl, 12 January 1961, Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, p. 37)
In 1960, Tahrik-e-Waqf-e-Jadid took a practical step of preaching to the Hindu community of Pakistan, the wonderful results of which soon began to appear.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahibrh, Nazim Irshad Waqf-e-Jadid, wrote in a report of Waqf-e-Jadid that the muallimeen’s attention had been repeatedly drawn towards preaching in the areas where Hindu communities were living.
He stated that in 1960, he had suggested that trained Ahmadi compounders should be encouraged to dedicate themselves for this task and start living in the Hindu areas at their own expense, where they should preach Islam in addition to making a living through medical practice.
He continued in his report by stating that as a result of this movement, Muhammad Saeed Sahib, Inspector Mal Tahrik-e-Jadid, offered his services and started preaching in a deserted area of Tharparkar District in Sindh under very difficult and unfavourable conditions.
Then, for the first time, four people from the so-called “untouchable nations” of that area were blessed to accept Islam Ahmadiyyat. Consequently, Waqf-e-Jadid was able to open a regular centre in the main settlement there.
A new-Muslim Homeopathy Doctor, Nisar Ahmad Rathore Sahib was appointed as a muallim there and three Hindus from three different villages converted to Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, pp. 37-38)
On 29 December 1962, the foundation of the Waqf-e-Jadid headquarters was laid. When the building was partially completed, it was inaugurated on 19 April 1964.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahibrh made an appeal for donations towards this building by writing to the amirs of districts and other members of the Jamaat. He wrote:
“This office has been built through many difficulties. A few months ago, a meeting of district amirs and other officials was held outside this office. At that time, only walls were built and there was no arrangement for roofs. But the workers of Anjuman Waqf-e-Jadid have exerted great effort to put roofs on the entire building in such a short period of time.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, p. 43)
Tahrik-e-Waqf-e-Jadid, after its great efforts to spread the religion of Islam among the Hindus, turned its attention to Christians, who were doing their utmost to convert Muslims to Christians, which had caused great concern and unrest in the religious circles of Pakistan.
In this regard, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Nazim Irshad Waqf-e-Jadid, issued a special circular to all the muallimeen of Waqf-e-Jadid, in which he wrote that at the time, Christians in Pakistan were converting more Muslims to Christianity than Ahmadis were succeeding in converting Christians or Hindus to Islam in the country.
He stated that it was not only a moment of great sorrow, but also a matter of our honour and dignity. He encouraged Ahmadis to realise their responsibilities in fighting this cause with propagating the message of Islam even more fervently as Christians were converting 8,000 Muslims to Christianity a year.
In this regard, a form for collecting data was also sent along with this circular. The purpose of the form was to collate facts and figures as regards preaching efforts of Christians.
In 1964, it was the first time ever that the annual budget of Waqf-e-Jadid was presented before the Majlis-e-Mushawirat, which consisted of an income and expenditure of 150,000 rupees.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Nazim Irshad, wrote a detailed article to introduce the representatives of the Shura with the importance, objectives and services of Waqf-e-Jadid. It was published in the form of a pamphlet entitled Waqf-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh proposed a comprehensive plan for the publication of literature, in collaboration with Nazarat Islah-o-Irshad. According to this, some books were translated into different languages, some of which were published by Nazarat Islah-o-Irshad and some by Waqf-e-Jadid. Through these books, millions of souls were informed of the knowledge and understanding of Islam and many pious souls accepted the truth.
In mid-July 1964, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh asked for financial sacrifice from members of the Jamaat. He said that Waqf-e-Jadid needs sincere devotees who can afford to donate one thousand rupees or more annually.
After this, many sincere members participated in this financial jihad by paying 500 or 1,000 rupees, with some going even further than this.
Although short educational classes for Waqf-e-Jadid muallimeen were already being held since 1958, but for extensive educational and training classes, Maktaba-e-Waqf-e-Jadid was launched in 1965.
The small seedling of Waqf-e-Jadid, which was planted by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, continued to flourish through his unparalleled wisdom, farsightedness and guidance and the Jamaat continued to reap its fruits.
During the period of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, this scheme became stronger day by day and the Jamaat made extraordinary progress through it.
Earlier, this movement was limited to Pakistan and India only. Then, during his Friday sermon on 27 December 1985, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh announced to establish this scheme internationally.
Today, as we are living in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, this scheme is playing its role even more than ever before and the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is reaping its great fruits and will continue to do so. Insha-Allah
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, during the 62nd year of Waqf-e-Jadid (2019), members of the Jamaat were able to sacrifice a total of £9.643 million. The blessed seed sown by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in 1957 is flourishing year after year, alhamdulillah.
