Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra (1894-1955)
Sudanese dignitaries in London
Several chiefs from Sudan arrived in London at government expense and were being hosted as official guests. Last Friday, they came to the mosque for prayers, and their visit was reported in 10 newspapers, including the Morning Post. One paper even published a photograph of us.
Visit to the London Mosque
One newspaper reported:
“Among the eight chiefs from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan who have arrived in the capital as royal guests, four visited London’s first mosque yesterday, built by the Ahmadiyya Community. The prayers were led by Maulvi Abdul Rahim Dard, who also delivered the sermon in both Arabic and English. The sermon welcomed these Sudanese dignitaries, explained [the teachings of] Ahmadiyyat, and expressed gratitude to the British Crown for the religious freedom it has granted to all faiths.”
Sermon highlights
In the sermon, I presented evidence from the Holy Quran and Hadith substantiating the death of Jesusas. I explained that although Christianity rests upon the doctrines of Jesus’ continued life and his death upon the cross, we openly refute this belief, yet no one objects to us for doing so. Such freedom, however, is not available to us in certain other countries. For this reason, we remain grateful to the British Empire.
Lecture by Malik Ghulam Farid
On Sunday, Malik Ghulam Farid Sahib delivered a lecture attended by about 20 people. The subject of his discourse was the Sermon on the Mount. Among those present was a gentleman from Holland, who had come to London for his holidays.
Upcoming lecture by Brother Asadullah (Mr Andrew Shelley)
Next Sunday, Brother Asadullah (Mr Andrew Shelley) will deliver a lecture on the “True Religion.” He has a deep understanding of Islam and is a most devoted Ahmadi Muslim. He studies the Jamaat’s literature with great attention and enthusiasm.
Regular participation in prayers and reflections by new converts
Mr Manhattan attends the five daily prayers with consistency. In a recent letter from Manchester, Mr Arthur Plant wrote:
“Allah the Almighty alone is Merciful to me. He granted me from the East that which the West could never give. And what is it that He granted me?
“It is love. It is truth. It is light.
“I have completed reading the book A Present to the Prince of Wales. I read it thoroughly and reflected deeply upon its contents. From beginning to end, I have studied it four times. In spite of that, I return to it again and again, reading sections of it repeatedly.
“I also recite the Holy Quran regularly. I keep it by my bedside and always read before sleeping. It grieves me that I cannot read the original Arabic text. I feel that reading the translation alone is not sufficient until one understands the Arabic text itself.
“You do not know how much you have changed me. I was once indolent, but now Allah has made me active and He has heard my prayers. I can only offer gratitude to God.”
Wassalam, Dard, London, 27 August 1925.
Ahmadiyya response to Prophet Muhammad’s caricature
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872-1957)
European literature is replete with misconceptions about Islam, and new books, pamphlets, and newspapers continue to add to these misunderstandings day by day.
An exhibition by Christian missionaries in London
When I was in London, the Christian missionaries organised an exhibition depicting African villages and settlements. Among the displays was a scene showing how children were criminally captured and enslaved. An advertisement for this exhibition appeared in The Star, the cheapest daily newspaper in London. Its headline read: “Islamic Assaults for Slave-Trading.”
A response to false accusations
I was deeply grieved to read this, for slavery in Africa had first been introduced by Christians, who carried it on for centuries. Even now, if a few plunderers – trained and habituated to this practice by them – continue such vile conduct, why should it be attributed to “Islamic assaults”?
Engagement with clergy and the Press
I personally met several clergymen as well as the officials of the exhibition. Eventually, I submitted articles refuting this misleading title and mode of presentation, which were willingly published by The Star and other daily newspapers.
Fruitful outcomes
Among the various positive results of this effort was the beginning of correspondence with a gentleman named Lieutenant Fergan, who subsequently embraced Islam. Another friend, too, was inclined towards Islam through this engagement.
Offensive cartoon in The Star
Recently, The Star published a blasphemous cartoon on 18 August 1925. In it, a mocking miniature caricature of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was printed alongside a grand portrait of the celebrated cricketer Hobbs. Similar derisive sketches of other world figures – including Prophet Adamas – were also included.
Within Christendom, such depictions are not deemed objectionable. Even if such images were made and published of their own deity, Jesus Christ, the people of the country would remain entirely indifferent.
In contrast, in the Islamic world, the dignity and sanctity afforded to all prophets – and above all, to the Chief of the Prophets, the Seal of the Messengers, Muhammad al-Mustafa al-Mujtaba, peace and blessings be upon him, – is such that Muslims can never accept an insult of this beloved of God.
Had The Star been published in India, it is impossible to predict the magnitude of unrest that might have ensued. Even as matters stand, the grief and anguish inflicted upon the hearts of Muslims by this offence remain unbearable.
Immediate response by an Ahmadi missionary
Our esteemed brother, Maulvi Rahim Bakhsh Sahib Dard[ra], acted with faithful zeal. Upon seeing the cartoon, he immediately wrote a most powerful letter of protest to the King, and had copies printed and dispatched to all newspapers.
News of his letter prompted the Egyptian press to publish strong articles on the issue, which they also forwarded to Indian newspapers. Consequently, Indian papers have also begun printing responses.
Hope for action
We congratulate our dear friend for his timely and appropriate action taken in defending the honour of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. May Allah the Almighty bless his courage and his work, and grant him success in his missionary endeavours.
We also hope that the Government will take fitting action against the editor and publisher of The Star, in a manner that will serve as a guiding lesson and establish a precedent for the reform of newspapers in future.
[Further Reading: To read more about the 1925 efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in defending the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, see: “A modern history of the Prophet’s caricatures: Ahmadiyya response to acts of blasphemy” (alhakam.org, 2 April 2021)]
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 22 September 1925 issue of Al Fazl and 27 September 1925 issue of Akhbar Faruq)