Conspiracies against the Jamaat: A study in historical patterns

Asif M Basit

شریروں پر پڑے ان کے شرارے

نہ ان سے رک سکے مقصد ہمارے

“The sparks of mischief fell back upon the wicked; Our objectives could not be interrupted by them.”

Background

In the 1920s, many magnificent qualities of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II^ra came to light before the world.

At the outset of that decade, a plot of land was purchased to build a mosque in London. Then, in 1924, Huzoor^ra undertook a very successful tour of London, during which the foundation stone of the Fazl Mosque was also laid. Eventually, in 1926, God Almighty bestowed the honour of building that first mosque of London upon Khalifatul Masih II^ra.

In the same decade, the missionaries of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community started preaching in England, America and African countries and the message of Islam started spreading all over the world through these preachers of Huzoor^ra.

These achievements were self-evident for the entire world to see.

Around the same time, when the Holy Prophet^sa was attacked in the most wicked manner, Huzoor^ra and his Jamaat were at the forefront of defending the honour of the Holy Prophet^sa. The members of Huzoor’s^ra Jamaat were the first to have the honour of being incarcerated in this regard when Syed Dilawar Shah Bukhari, the Ahmadi editor of The Muslim Outlook and another Ahmadi were sentenced to imprisonment for taking up the pen against the perpetrators of blasphemy and those who issued unfair judgements. Thus, the flag of the honour of the Holy Prophet^sa was also raised by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in the most difficult circumstances.

When the issue of Turkey was presented before the world as the biggest issue of the Muslim world, the proposals of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra were published in the form of a book under the title Mu‘ahidah-e-Turkiyyah aur Musalmanon ka Aainda Rawaiyyah (The Turkish Treaty and the Future Moves of the Muslims). It was well-received by the responsive section of the Muslim world.

In 1923, when the Hindus started converting Muslims through the Shuddhi Movement, the most excellent services were rendered by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat under the guidance of Khalifatul Masih II^ra.

In the Arab world, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was able to establish missions in Palestine, Syria and Egypt.

This was a time when Hindu-Muslim conflicts became the biggest political issue in India. The British wanted to give self-governance to the Indian people, but the Hindu-Muslim conflicts on political issues ran so deep that no form of self-governance seemed viable.

Under such circumstances, the suggestions of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra would come to light as based on the most suitable strategy and guidance towards practical steps. This was acknowledged by the perceptive section of Indian society and the British-Indian government.

In 1917/18, when Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, visited India, suggestions were made from various Indian political circles for India’s independence.

On his return to England, he described the address of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^ra that was presented to him, as the most thoroughly thought over and well-drafted proposal.

Thus, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra emerged as the most important Muslim leader on the horizon of the Islamic world.

Under such circumstances, it was natural for the opponents to develop feelings of jealousy. Hence, in order to quench the fire of this envy and jealousy, they made an attempt not only to slander the character of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra by making vile and wicked accusations, but also tried to defame him in the eyes of the government by filing a false case of attempted murder against him.

The 1927 conspiracy

A family living in Qadian, known as the family of “Mistris” (masons), started concocting false and fabricated accusations against Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. In fact, all these schemes constituted a very nefarious and impious conspiracy to defame Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra.

The main character of this seditious campaign, Fazal Karim Mistri, started a newspaper called Mubahala in which he carried on an uninterrupted tirade of the vilest allegations against the character of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra mentioned this fitna and said:

“During the past few days, based on the product of their own imagination, they [the Mistris] gave rise to the idea among themselves that a certain attempt was being made against them. These people committed some unwarranted actions due to the reasons above – also mentioned in their newspaper (Mubahala). One of them was angry that he did not get married to the woman he desired. Then, his own son-in-law got married to the same woman. Those who become depraved, also become bent upon avenging their hatred in an immoral manner. That is why he started saying things that constituted allegations and false accusations. When I heard about it, I called the father and the son and said to them, ‘I hear you people are saying such and such things. My religious position aside, but you know that my family is the sole owner of this town. I would have considered your intention as well-meaning, if you [were also prepared to] go to some village and make an allegation against one of the landlords who owns even 10 acres of land let alone against the sole owner of that village.

“However, you would not even dare to go to a small hamlet and accuse a sweeper but here you use dirty and vile language against us. There is an acknowledgement in your own actions that since I would not avenge your actions, that is why you are daring to carry them out. Otherwise, either you say that there is no other person in this village who can be accused of the same things, or, if you admit that such an accusation can be made against someone, why do you not dare make it?

“Thus, what you are saying against me is not because of your truthfulness but because of my decency. You know that if you said something about someone else, they would be ready to deal with it in every way possible. However, there is no such threat from me to you. This way of yours is an acknowledgement of my decency and an expression of your depravity.”

The purpose of these evildoers was to make a wicked attempt to slander Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. They also had the backing of the ghair-mubai‘een – commonly known as Lahori (Paighami) Ahmadis (which will be mentioned later).

This attempt by Huzoor^ra to admonish them was also misconstrued by them. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra himself stated:

“On that occasion, they told me that, ‘What is being said about us is wrong and people are lying.’ Then one of them narrated his dream, saying, ‘I have been told to request you for prayers.’ However, I found out that they later went to people and said, ‘He tried to reassure us, but we were not reassured.’ Now, they have gone to the courts and have claimed, ‘We were told to desist or else he would straighten us out.’” (Taqrir Dilpazir, delivered at Jalsa Salana, 27 December 1927)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra further said in the same address:

“This is the conspiracy that has arisen recently. However, God Almighty foretells me when a conspiracy is being hatched. I had seen a vision about this one many years ago and I had narrated that vision to many people […]

“The gist of what I saw is that as I was passing through a valley in Simla, where there were various kinds of jinns who sought to draw my attention to what they were saying in a provocative manner. At that time, I was told not to pay attention to them and to continue by saying:

خدا کے فضل اور رحم کے ساتھ

“‘By the grace and mercy of God.’”

Earlier, on 22 November 1927, an announcement was published by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra in Al Fazl regarding this very conspiracy, in which Huzoor^ra said:

The Jamaat must have come to know, through the note which was published by Al Fazl a few days ago, that some people, who were apparently part of the Jamaat but in reality had no connection with it due to their hypocrisy, have revolted against me and the nizam-e-Jamaat […]

“Now, I leave their case to Allah the Exalted for He is the Best of Judges. He will certainly protect the Jamaat with His mighty signs.”

This is how it transpired and Allah the Exalted protected Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and the entire Ahmadiyya Jamaat from it. Neither were their false allegations substantiated, nor did they succeed in trying [Huzoor^ra] for attempted murder.

Not only this, but the actual reality of the seditionists who were stirring up this agitation, with the backing of the opposing maulvis, non-Muslim opponents and Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib, the amir of the ghair-mubai‘een, was exposed.

Master Faqirullah Sahib, who was the auditor of the group of the ghair-mubai‘een and also the imam of the mosque at Ahmadiyya Building [Lahore], stated:

“All the members of the management committee of the Anjuman are aware that Maulvi Sahib, with his special approval, continued to help the owners of Mubahala with cash and by printing their pamphlets and distributing them to other cities with the help of a special employee of the Anjuman […].” (Risala Furqan, Qadian, July 1944)

Similarly, the general secretary of the group of the ghair-mubai‘een wrote in an open letter to Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib:

“You have always provided moral and financial support for publicising the allegations against Khalifa Sahib of Qadian.” (Furqan, Qadian, May 1942).

The newspaper Faruq published copies of the letters of Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib in their 7 June 1931 issue and wrote:

“The newspaper Mubahala continued to sell hundreds of copies in their offices. Packages of Mubahala were being prepared up to two o’clock into the morning. If there is any doubt, one can check the ledger concerning Mubahala in the accounts of the book depot at the Paigham Building.”

Thus, this conspiracy which arose against the caliph, chosen by God Almighty, not only vanished in thin air but it was also revealed how anti-Jamaat elements have always taken every opportunity to try to injure the Jamaat whenever and wherever they see even a small opening.

Background to the 1937 conspiracy

Now we come to the 1930s. This decade was also a decade leading Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to new heights of success and achievement.

At the beginning of this decade, when all efforts to raise the voice for the rights of Kashmiri Muslims seemed to be failing, Muslim leaders formed the All India Kashmir Committee and unanimously elected Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^ra as its president.

As soon as the charge of this committee was handed over to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, a new wave of awareness and awakening regarding the rights of Kashmiri Muslims spread across India. Kashmir Day started to be celebrated all over India with the participation of people belonging to every Islamic school of thought. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra himself offered the most generous financial help. Upon the encouragement of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, Muslims all over India began funding the Kashmir movement. The efforts of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra proved unparalleled even at the level of negotiations and dialogue with the authorities.

Upon seeing the situation, Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam realised that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was a force against which they would never be able to achieve their nefarious goals in a dignified manner. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, seeing that the issue was becoming a political arena rather than a struggle for rights, resigned from the chairmanship of the Kashmir Committee.

Renowned historian, Dr Ayesha Jalal, in her book Self and Sovereignty, gives a very detailed analysis of this situation and writes that after the stepping down of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra, the committee even failed to call a single meeting of their working body, let alone make any tangible efforts.

However, the fire of the Ahrar’s jealousy had ignited to such an extent that it was not going to cool down. They did whatever they could to hurt and defame the Jamaat. At first, a commotion was created in Qadian and under the guise of a gathering, they continued to spout abuse and carry out acts of violence. They would chant slogans threatening to reduce Qadian down to rubble.

In response to this abuse, rioting and threats, Allah the Exalted revealed the idea of Tahrik-e-Jadid upon the pure heart of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya entered a new era of progress. Let alone Qadian being reduced to rubble, the unity of God Almighty and the pure teachings of the Holy Prophet^sa started to spread from Qadian to the corners of the earth. Under Tahrik-e-Jadid, missions were established in different continents of the world, mosques were built and missionaries spread all over the world to perform the sacred duty of propagating Islam.

In view of this situation, the opponents and adversaries continued to burn in the fire of jealousy and, as usual, resorted to vile attacks.

The 1937 conspiracy

The year 1937 is very important in the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. This was the first time that the hypocrites, apostates, ghair-mubai‘een and opponents joined hands in attacking the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

For this purpose, they always relied on someone who seemed to be very close to the Jamaat, but whose faith had faltered. On this occasion, they chose Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri Sahib. Misri Sahib joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in 1905 after pledging allegiance at the blessed hand of the Promised Messiah^as.

When the fitna of the ghair-mubai‘een arose in 1914, he swore allegiance to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. For the following two decades, he not only considered Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^ra the rightful caliph, but also delivered speeches in favour of this view. He also handed in written testimonies of this belief.

Due to the frustration of some personal ambitions, he developed differences with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and, in 1935, it suddenly occurred to him that Huzoor^ra was “not the rightful caliph”. On this, he wrote a booklet entitled, Kiya Tamam Khalifey Khuda hi Banata Hey? (Does God Make All the Caliphs?)

In it, he expressed his new beliefs, saying, “After the death of prophets and saintly figures, only the first caliph is a divine choice. The rest of the elected caliphs are not the subjects of the Ayat-e-Istikhlaf [the verse of the Holy Quran that states caliphs to be divinely chosen]. The disputed Khilafat here is not the first Khalifa but the present second Khalifa. Therefore, he cannot be the subject of the Ayat-e-Istikhlaf and his election can also not be attributed to Allah the Exalted.”

It is clear from this statement that he had reneged from his allegiance to the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra when his personal desires were not fulfilled. Not only that, but he was laying the groundwork for a conspiracy (fitna) in the Community.

The ghair-mubai‘een, opponents and hypocrites seemed to be ready to use this altercation of his for their own personal gains.

In June 1937, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri started raising all sorts of false allegations against Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and wrote three letters to him on 10, 14 and 23 June 1937. In the first letter, he maligned the character of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. In the second and third, he demanded from Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra to resign from Khilafat on the ground that his character was not such, God forbid, that he could be called Khalifatul Masih.

In the third letter, he wrote, “I want to have you removed from the office and arrange the election of a new caliph because I want to separate from you but not from the Jamaat.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra wrote a reply to him on 24 June 1937, some excerpts of which are given below:

“I received three letters from you. The subject matter of the first letter was so filthy and full of vituperation that it would have been completely absurd to assume after [reading] it that you were still within the bai‘at and a member of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat […]

“I received your third letter saying that if you were not satisfied within 24 hours, then you would leave the Jamaat. Hence, I am writing this, after having performed the istikharah prayer, that your separation from the Jamaat is meaningless. Ever since that bile was generated from within your heart which you have reproduced in your letters, you have been excluded from the Jamaat in the sight of God Almighty […]

“You have issued numerous threats to me. I shall not at all honour those with a reply. I rest my case with God. If I am his chosen Khalifa, if the revelations that have been vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah^as about me and the scores of dreams that have been seen by others are true, then God Almighty shall thwart you despite your claims of influence.”

This letter of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra was published in the Al Fazl of 26 June 1937. The following day, on 27 June, Misri Sahib formed a separate Jamaat called “Majlis-e-Ahmadiyya” and started creating, putting up and publicising posters and pamphlets based on the accusations against Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and demands for his removal.

Opportunism of the opponents

Opponents took full advantage of this situation. The Zamindar newspaper gave a headline, “A new Amirul Momineen elected in Qadian. Khalifa Bashir ordered to secede from the throne of the kingdom.” Under this headline, the news story stated that Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri was declared as the “new Amirul Momineen”. It was also written that the names of those who wanted to join Majlis-e-Ahmadiyya would be kept secret. (The Zamindar, 29 July 1937)

The ghair-mubai‘een were already eager. They diligently published this news of Zamindar newspaper in the 30 July issue of their magazine, Paigham-e-Sulh.

Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib launched a severe attack on the character of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra in his magazine, Paigham-e-Sulh. He termed the mischief of Misri Sahib as a “great achievement” and wrote that “Sheikh Sahib really deserves congratulations in this regard.” Also, “Those who break the idols of saint-worship deserve our sympathy.” (Paigham-e-Sulh, 9 August 1937)

Misri Sahib’s intrigues were so well-received by the opponents and ghair-mubai‘een that he published another booklet, titled Jamaat sey Khitab (An Address to the Community), in which he wrote:

“The day will come, and it shall certainly come, insha-Allah, when the Jamaat, while proclaiming جاء الحق وزھق الباطل [‘Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away’], will have been established upon the truth which the Islamic Shariah has elucidated about the position of the caliphs and the rights and entitlements of them and the ummah. You are not deserving of being the Khalifa. It is to reveal this truth that Allah the Exalted has, by His grace and mercy alone, given me the strength to stand up.

“The step I have taken is for the sake of God alone upon observing great corruption within the Jamaat, which has led many to atheism and is to mislead many more. I have taken this step upon feeling the need to act on this issue; or rather, upon having considered it essential. My voice will be heard tomorrow, if not today; if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow.”

He further wrote:

“Friends, rise up! Take off the veil of fear and start investigating by employing a believer’s courage.”

In his fury, Misri Sahib even knocked on the door of government courts and, in addition to other charges against Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, he even filed cases against him of aiding and abetting murder. The cases were first dismissed from the District Magistrate’s Court and then from the Sessions Judge’s Court.

Although he did not succeed in these cases, he was well-supported by Maulvi Muhammad Ali during all these stages. On 26 August 1937, Maulvi Sahib wrote in a letter to his disciple and lawyer, Hafiz Muhammad Hassan Cheema Sahib:

“You would know more or less the situation of Qadian. Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri is fighting a case regarding his bail […] He is currently being represented by Sharif Hussain, an Ahrari lawyer. It would be very appropriate for our Jamaat to help him on this occasion […] Helping the oppressed in these situations is a pious deed […] Wassalam, Muhammad Ali”.

It is clear from this letter that all the opposing forces against Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and the Jamaat were united in their mischief against Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Enlightening response of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra

Under such circumstances, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra was bestowed with great courage and a high resolve by the God Who had elevated him to the position of Khilafat. In view of these circumstances, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, in his Friday sermons from June to November 1937, stated the real facts in order to clear up any misunderstandings.

In his Friday Sermon of 12 November 1937, he stated:

“They tell me that if the accusations they make against me are false, then I should take an oath invoking God’s wrath upon myself if I was lying. However, I said this against the Mistris, and I repeat it now again: I believe that the demand for oaths etc. in such matters, for which certain limits have been set by Allah, and certain methods of testimony have been taught, is not appropriate; rather, taking an oath upon such a demand invalidates the wisdom for which God has given this command […]

“However, the sceptic, who is given to doubts, may think that I had adopted this kind of belief to avoid taking an oath. Therefore, at least for the consolation of the person who knows that no one can escape the grip of Allah by taking a false oath, I say: I swear by the Almighty God, taking false oaths in Whose name is the work of the accursed and making false oaths in Whose name makes one the subject of His curse, that I firmly believe that the Holy Quran gives the same teaching in this regard that I have elucidated. May Allah’s curse descend upon me if I am a liar in this matter.

“Then, another issue being raised by Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri is whether a Khalifa can be deposed. They demand from me that I should resign from Khilafat, or that the Jamaat should remove me from this office.

“In response to this claim, I swear by the Almighty God, in Whose name taking false oaths is the work of the accursed, that I believe that despite being a weak person, it was God Almighty who made me the Khalifa. I also swear by Him that He told me in a vision about 22 or 23 years ago that ‘you will face such difficulties that, at times, you will have the thought in your heart that, if somehow possible, this burden [of Khilafat] be removed from you. However, you will not be able to remove this burden and you will have to carry out this task at all costs.’ May the curse of Allah descend upon me if I have lied in this statement.

“Then, under Allah Almighty’s warning of لَّعۡنَتَ اللّٰہِ عَلَی الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ (‘accursed be the liars’), I say as informed by God Almighty, that I am the Khalifa established by Him. And my dismissal is not permissible at all. If calamities befall me, as the prophecies of the Promised Messiah^as show that some darkness is destined for me, and they cause the entire Jamaat to turn away from me, then I am sure that Allah will not let me perish until he creates a mighty Community [to stand] by me again […]

“I do not put my trust in humans; I trust in my God. That God Who, when even the thought of my Khilafat did not exist, informed me:

اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡکَ فَوۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی یَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ

“‘Verily, I shall place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection.’

“Thus, this is not just a matter of today, but whoever pledges to offer me his allegiance, he will prevail over my deniers until the Day of Resurrection. This is God’s prophecy that has been fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled […]

“Even now, when this mischief has arisen, I did not rush; rather, I prayed to Allah the Exalted who informed me that He would remove my hardships and would, in a matter of days, destroy my enemies.” (Al Fazl, 20 November 1937)

In the same sermon, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said about their propaganda:

“Have I ever announced that people should not read the announcements they have been displaying on walls? On the contrary, once, when they put up an announcement on a board, I got a letter from perhaps Maulvi Abul Ata that people had gathered to read it and after reading it, they were filled with rage and anger, which posed the danger of mischief. He wrote that it was advisable to stop people from reading such messages through an announcement.

“However, I replied that I do not approve of prohibition because it would mean that I stop people from researching. I am not against argumentation and the correct method of conveying a message. I myself have always been a seeker of truth and this is the food of my soul.

“If they can conquer me with arguments, then they may do so by all means. I shall have no issue with it. My objection is that these people undertake illegal actions which are not permissible in any religion. And since they are committing such acts in violation of civility and decency and Islamic commandments, it is necessary for us to prevent the friends of our Jamaat from engaging in such relations as can lead to mischief […]

“Otherwise, if there is no mischief in someone’s actions and they separate from us and join another group, then we never forbid people from speaking to them. Among the ghair-mubai‘een today, there are many people who were in our Jamaat before, but then they joined them. However, we did not announce regarding them that no one should talk to them […]

“Sheikh Abdur Rahman Sahib Misri has admitted in his letter that he had been conducting a secret investigation against me for two years and used to talk to people about it. If he had come to me on the day when he developed a doubt about me, and had something against me, and had said, ‘I have developed this doubt about you in my heart’, then I would have tried my best to satisfy him and to remove his doubts. Hence, there are several such instances where some people came to me, presented their doubts before me and sincerely tried to have those doubts cleared and I did not get angry with them; rather, I listened to them calmly and tried to explain matters to them in a peaceful manner […]

“If, on the very first day, when he heard something about me, he had come to me and said, ‘I have heard something like this’ and that I should explain it to him, I would have tried to explain to him in every way possible. Although it is God’s job to comfort him, not mine, I would have tried to satisfy him with all my ability. However, he chose a path contrary to piety and then, every step he took, he took it against piety […]

“God Almighty did not make me a tyrant. He has given me a sympathetic heart, which has been and is always melting with the sorrows of the entire world; a loving heart which has sympathy for the entire world; a heart whose greatest desire is that, in addition to the love of Allah the Exalted, my progeny and I should live our lives in the service of His creation. It may be that the intensity of this reduces due to being compelled or due to mistakes, but there is no reduction in his resolve and intention in this regard.”

At the end of the sermon, Huzoor^ra said:

“I then say to Sheikh Sahib with sincerity and goodwill that I have sworn in whatever way it was possible for me by God Almighty, and I advise him to repent and ask forgiveness from God Almighty for his sins. I listened to his words and was patient to the extent that other people cannot even imagine. Nevertheless, let him rest assured and be certain, and if he is not certain, time will convince him, and if he does not believe in this world, then after death he will be convinced that he has done to me the worst injustice that anyone can do to anyone in the world. He has used tactics that Islam and the Holy Quran do not allow.

“By the grace of God Almighty, I have never deliberately wronged another person to this day. If a case comes to me of a person with whom I am displeased, then my way is that I always pray, ‘O God! This is the time of my trial, so keep Your grace with me, lest I fail and lest any resentment of my heart affects this decision and I decide in an unjust manner’ […]

“I appeal to God Almighty: O God! If you have established me upon the Office of Khilafat, but you have restrained my hands and my tongue, then pray come down from Heaven and respond to these atrocities, not for my sake, but for Your sake; not for me, but for Your Community.”

He then said:

“Thus, by the grace of Allah, I am content. Every one of you who is a true believer shall see; rather, most of you shall still be alive to see all these tribulations blown away like dust and the Ahmadiyya Jamaat being established like a mighty rock, with the help of the glory of Allah the Exalted and His beauty.”

Fate of the seditionists and their supporters

These words of Huzoor^ra came true like a prophecy. Sheikh Abdur Rahman Misri went to Lahore and joined the group of the ghair-mubai‘een. Upon arrival, he started publishing advertisements to the following effect: “To this day, I had been deceived into believing that the Messiah was the Promised Prophet. However, now my belief is that he was a muhaddith and not a prophet of Allah.”

Thus, one of his own claims was proved wrong. He wanted to remove the Khalifa and bring in a new caliph. Once the Promised Messiah^as did not remain a prophet in their eyes, then what was the question of a Khalifa? Thus, the humiliation caused by this ideological defeat became instructive.

Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib, who had embraced Misri Sahib and his conspiracy with open arms, himself later became the target of Misri Sahib’s intrigues. Why would a person who had not been faithful to God’s chosen Khalifa, be loyal to an association [anjuman] or its president?

Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib sent a circular to his group regarding the fitnas that arose against him during his final days. This circular was written on 5 July 1951. It reads:

“Ever since I recovered from the last illness, these two elders and Sheikh Misri have been using all their strength for propaganda against me and have started creating a fitna in the [Lahori] Jamaat by turning every molehill into a mountain. Not only are they taking full advantage of my illness, but they are also exacerbating my illness by forcing me to write about these issues.

“An axe has been struck at the root of the structure of the [Lahori] Jamaat and the flag of rebellion has been raised against the leader of the [Lahori] Jamaat [amir-e-Jamaat].”

Subsequently, during the last days of his life, a piece of writing by the maulana was published under the title, Hazrat Amir Marhoom ke Dukhon ki Dastan, (The Tale of the Sorrows of the Late Hazrat Amir). The same conspiracies were mentioned in that too.

He passed away in October 1951, almost two months after writing this “story of sorrows”.

The fate of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, who had fanned this conspiracy abundantly, is well-known to all. In his final days, when he was completely helpless and there was nobody to care for him, if anyone asked after his health and arranged for treatment and care, it was none other than Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^ra.

Conclusion

Upon observing such fitnas rise and then blown away like dust, one is reminded of the following couplet of the Holy Messiah^as:

یہ گماں مت کر کہ یہ سب بدگمانی ہے معاف

قرض ہے واپس ملے گا تجھ کو یہ سارا اُدھار

“Do not think that all this distrust will be forgiven; This is a debt that will be paid back to you in full.”

Let us conclude with the above-mentioned reply by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra to these apparently great tribulations:

“Thus, by the grace of Allah, I am content. Every one of you who is a true believer shall see; rather, most of you shall still be alive to see all these tribulations blown away like dust and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, established on a strong rock, with the help of the glory of Allah the Exalted and His beauty.”

This reply by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra is so universal that it was not only a means of increasing the faith of the believers in those days but also today. Many such tribulations came and went. God Almighty showed His support for His appointed Khalifa and his Jamaat and annihilated the conspiracies of the enemies. This has happened in every age; it is the same today and it will be the same in every era in the future, insha-Allah.

(Translated from Urdu by Aqeel Kang from the original Urdu: www.alfazl.com/2021/12/19/38765/)