Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira (1875-1957)
Health of Imam and his travel companions
The health of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] and his companions is now very good, alhamdulillah. No one has any discomfort. Prayers are performed in congregation, and Huzoor[ra] usually stays outside after leading the Zuhr and Asr prayers, and again after the Maghrib and Isha prayers, he spends a long time with his companions. He dedicates the rest of the time to seeking prayers or writing important notes. The significance and greatness of the journey’s purpose, along with its difficulties, have deeply engaged Huzoor’s[ra] attention towards prayer. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih mostly carries out long du‘a during the prayers as well.
Sea conditions
The sea is now calm, with no turbulence or roughness. However, the temperature is rising as we move past Aden, sometimes becoming very intense. After passing through the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, we are now travelling through the Red Sea. One side of it is the coast of Africa, and the other side is the sandy desert.
Coasts of Arabia and Africa
The impact these two coasts [of Arabia and Africa] can have on a Muslim’s heart needs no description. There was a time when this sea, along with its Asian and African shores, witnessed the growing power and triumphs of Muslims. The waters, the dry mountains, and the deserts echoed with the call of Islamic Tawhid [Oneness of Allah], and the flag of Islam waved everywhere. But today, these coasts, which lack natural beauty, also stand as reminders of the diminished essence of spirituality and Islam. There are Islamic populations along the shores, but they lack the spirit that breathes life.
As we move forward, looking at these coasts with amazement and longing, we hear a silent call rising from them, directed towards the Ahmadiyya Jamaat:
بشنا بید نصرت را
“Please heed to (our) call for help.”
Huzoor’s engagements
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud[ra] spends his time in prayer and reflecting on the practical aspects related to this journey [of Europe]. Sometimes, consultative meetings are held to discuss important matters. For instance, on 24 July 1924, he spent several hours in a consultative meeting discussing the pragmatic side of the journeys to Syria and Egypt. Huzoor[ra] repeatedly emphasised that this journey is not for leisure or entertainment but that significant objectives are before us.
On 26 July 1924, around noon, Huzoor[ra] suddenly came out [of his cabin]. Almost all the attendants were asleep after lunch, except for Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib[ra], who was sitting and writing something. He addressed him, saying:
“Friends should be informed of the significance of this journey. Keeping its importance in mind, all the time should be spent preparing for it, and prayers should be made to Allah so that we can attain all kinds of blessings.”
Hence, the main concern he has at all times is to ensure that not a single moment is wasted. Besides making some important notes in his diary, he wrote a letter to the Jamaat, manifesting his deep connection and love for members of the Jamaat. And today, on 26 July [1924] he has also started writing another article.
Summary of the accounts from Aden to Port Said
On the morning of 23 July 1924, our ship reached Aden some time after 9 am, though the mountains of Aden were visible from several miles away. These mountains are completely dry and scorched, with not even a tree or bush, let alone grass or leaves.
Before disembarking at Aden, Huzoor[ra] had assigned various tasks among the friends to ensure the work could be done quickly and systematically, following the principle of work distribution. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Sahib Misri was appointed to purchase food items. This humble one, [Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira] and [Bhai Abdur Rahmanra] Qadiani, were tasked with delivering mail to the post office, bringing back the received letters, and sending some urgent telegrams.
However, as soon as the ship arrived, a telegram and a letter were handed to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], bringing a mixture of joy and concern to his face. The joyous news was that Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib[ra] was blessed with a son, while the worrying news was about the Bhera riot and the imprisonment of Maulvi Nematullah Khan Sahib, a missionary, in Kabul.
A riot had erupted in Bhera between Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis, which must have been reported in our newspapers and other publications, as it included the news of a non-Ahmadi’s death. The impact of this news on Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] was evident when he immediately sent a telegram with necessary instructions to Maulvi Sher Ali Sahib[ra], costing 7 rupees 3 annas [a unit of currency formerly used in the subcontinent, equal to 1/16 of a rupee].
The summary of Huzoor’s[ra] telegram was to appoint a commission to present a complete report [on the Bhera incident]. If it was proven that the Ahmadis were at fault, we would publicly express remorse.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih would never tolerate any accusation of disturbing the peace against any member of our Community, let alone an entire local jamaat. In his speeches on Hindu-Muslim unity, he had emphasised that if, God forbid, there were disputes between Hindus and Muslims, an investigative committee should determine the guilty party, and their co-religionists should condemn them. Until now, it has been common for each party, even when they are sure of their own guilt, to not admit it. However, Huzoor[ra] is mindful of this, and if, God forbid, Ahmadis are found guilty, his decision will be an eye-opener for all, demonstrating that he could never support wrongdoers.
Imprisonment of Nematullah Khan
The news of Nematullah Khan’s imprisonment in Kabul greatly distressed our Imam, not being concerned of it causing any damage to Ahmadiyyat – for we have already professed Ahmadiyyat with our blood on the harsh land of Kabul, and this innocent blood has watered the tree of Ahmadiyyat – but because of the personal suffering of Nematullah Khan. Huzoor[ra] has issued instructions for continuous and concerted efforts to secure his release. The Amir of Kabul, fearing the mullahs, has taken this cruel step to prove his non-Ahmadi identity, which can never be favourable [for Kabul].
– Yaqub Ali Irfani.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 19 August 1924 issue of Al Fazl)
