Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872-1957)
This lecture, published in the 20 May 1925 issue of Akhbar Faruq, was delivered by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, missionary to America, on the occasion of the annual convention of the Delhi Jamaat. Hazrat MM Sadiqra said:
By “America”, I refer to the United States of America – a country which, in our time, stands foremost not only in the American continents but also in the world at large in terms of liberty, scientific advancement, innovation, experimentation and wealth.
I spent four years in America, during which I established the first Islamic mission there. I helped build two mosques, opened branches of the mission in various cities and launched a quarterly periodical titled The Moslem Sunrise in support of Islam. Through my efforts, approximately 700 Christians embraced Islam. Their former and current names, along with the names of the states in which they reside – and in some cases, their photographs – are recorded in the magazine The Moslem Sunrise. Under the continued efforts of my successor, Maulvi Muhammad Din BA BT, the number of converts has now surpassed 1000.
Why did the American people embrace Islam so swiftly and with such sincerity? The answer lies not in any merit or ability of mine – I am but a weak and sinful human being:
میں نے نہیں کہتا کہ میری جاں ہی سب سے پاک تر
میں نے نہیں کہتا ہے کہ یہ میرے عمل کے ہیں ثمار
[“I do not claim that my soul is the purest of all; I do not claim these are the fruits of my deeds.”]
Rather, the readiness of the American people to accept Islam stems from their love of truth and their deep spiritual yearning. At this time in history, it is the voice of one blessed with divine insight, who, years ago, proclaimed this message loudly to the world, that has reached their hearts.
Instructions to set forth for America
While I was in London, I received a telegram from my guide, the resolute Hazrat Mahmudra, instructing me to travel to America. At that time, I faced considerable difficulty in acquiring a passport.
However, after performing the istikharah [a prayer to seek goodness with God’s help and guidance], I was shown a dream in which I saw myself in America. In it, I was delivering a lecture in a large hall on the merits and beauty of Islam. At the conclusion of the lecture, I responded to questions from the audience. After the session ended and the attendees dispersed, I noticed a lady still seated in a corner. I approached her and said, “Madam, the lecture is over and everyone else has left. Why are you still here?” She replied, “I very much liked your lecture. The virtues of Islam that you described have deeply touched my heart. If you are able to initiate me into Islam, I am ready to embrace the faith.” I responded that I would be happy to do so. I then led her in reciting the shahadah and took her bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] according to the prescribed method of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, for which I had received formal authorisation from the Khalifatul Masih[ra]. She signed a printed form and I gave her the Islamic name “Fatima Mustafa.” At this point, I awoke from the dream. I shared this dream with my companion, Mr Nayyar, who had accompanied me as far as Liverpool to see me off. This vision brought me great inner comfort and clarity – it was now evident to me that my journey to America had been divinely decreed and that many souls were awaiting my arrival, ready to enter the fold of Islam through my efforts.
Facing obstacles in entering America
I encountered numerous trials and tribulations on the path to entering America. Yet, by the grace of Almighty God, I was granted success in every arena. One of the greatest of these trials occurred upon my arrival at the American coast. For the immigration officers, this was the first time an Islamic missionary was seeking entry into the country and they found themselves unable to decide whether or not to permit my admission.
At times, they raised questions about polygamy – asking whether I would teach Americans to take multiple wives. At other times, they enquired who would fund my stay.
I reassured them that Islam permits polygamy only to accommodate certain natural human needs, but it is a permission, not a commandment. While commands must be obeyed, permissions can be dispensed with and thus no compulsion or cause for concern arises. I also clarified that my expenses would be covered by supporters from India and would not burden America.
Despite these explanations, the officers remained unconvinced. They ultimately ruled that I was not to be allowed entry into the country. They instructed me to return on the same ship by which I had arrived and informed me that the return fare would not be charged to me.
However, given the earlier divine glad tidings I had received, I was fully confident that I would enter this country and fulfil my mission. I believed that souls like that of “Fatima Mustafa” were awaiting my arrival. On this basis, I refused to return. I told them they were making a mistake and asked if I had a superior authority to whom they might appeal on my behalf and seek redress. I was then informed that their senior officials resided in the nation’s capital, Washington DC and that I could file an appeal there. If my appeal were granted, I would be permitted to enter the country.
Appeal for entry into America
I then requested permission to travel to Washington to make the appeal in person, but was told that I would not be allowed to board a train. Instead, I could only send my appeal by letter, or authorise a lawyer via written correspondence to represent me. Until a decision on the appeal was rendered, I would be required to stay in a detention house – a facility built along the seashore for such purposes.
The building’s doors were locked; though there was a shop inside for food and drink, I was not allowed to leave the premises, go into the city, or even enter the rooms of other detainees.
This mode of life appeared narrow and bitter, yet I preferred it over the failure of being sent back. Trusting in the eventual opening of the path for religious service, I entered that confined space. From there, I sent my appeal to Washington in writing and by telegram.
American detention facility
The detention facility where I was placed was a large and sturdy building with numerous rooms. I was assigned a space in an upper-level room where four or five other young men from various countries were already housed. These individuals either lacked valid passports or had defective passports and their documents had been sent to Washington for final adjudication.
Each person in the room had a bed and there were also a few stools for seating. In addition to these, I was given a chair and a table. The other young men spent their days playing cards or engaging in games like chess or dominoes. They would tell each other stories or sing songs.
Meanwhile, I remained at my table, engaged in the recitation of the Holy Quran, offering prayers, reading religious texts, or writing letters. From the very first day, they began to regard me with particular respect. They would prepare my bed, wash my handkerchiefs and even arrange a curtained corner of the room to serve as a private space for my prayers.
Tabligh in detention and the conversion of detainees
After a few days had passed, one of the young men approached me with courtesy and asked, “What is your religion and teachings? And what are these books that you constantly read?” I introduced him to the teachings of Islam and informed him about the champion [reformer, i.e., the Promised Messiahas] raised by Almighty God in this era. I gave him a copy of the book The Philosophy [of the Teachings] of Islam to read. He studied the book and regularly sat with me to listen to my explanations.
Eventually, God opened his heart to the truth of Islam and by the third or fourth day, he expressed his desire to embrace the faith. He said, “I wish to become a Muslim. Please initiate me into Islam.” I accepted him into the fold of Islam and gave him the Islamic name Hamid. His original name was Mr Rockford. His photograph has since been published in The Moslem Sunrise. (Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra showed his picture to the audience.)
After his conversion, Brother Hamid, like every sincere and devoted believer, developed a deep desire to convey the message of Islam to others. Unlike worldly millionaires who lock away their wealth in vaults, a person enriched with spiritual wealth is immediately filled with generosity. He longs to share the blessing he has received with others. Worldly wealth diminishes when shared, but the wealth of faith only increases when it is given to others.
Commencement of missionary work
My esteemed teacher, Maulvi Hakim Noor-ud-Dinra – the first Khalifa of the Promised Messiahas – used to say:
“A true man of perfection never withholds the secret to attaining that perfection from others.”
Accordingly, Brother Hamid began preaching to the other residents of the room. Within two or three days, another individual accepted Islam and was given the name Hameed. Soon thereafter, within a few days, more individuals embraced the faith – among them were Brothers Ahmad, Mahmood and Muhammad.
Within four to five weeks, by the grace of God Almighty, the number of new converts within that detention facility had reached 15.
Before my appeal was accepted and I was granted permission to freely enter the country, I had to remain in that detention facility for six weeks. However, the mission for which I had been sent to America had already begun – and its foundation was laid there with complete success.
All praise belongs to God. Again, all praise belongs to Allah the Almighty.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 20 May 1925 issue of Akhbar Faruq)