Hakeem Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib (1901-1955)
Africa
Alhamdulillah, the accumulation of work that had piled up owing to my journey to England has now been cleared and, by the grace of Allah, I have regained control over my duties.
At present, the region is experiencing heavy and continuous rainfall. Consequently, the soil has become loose and unstable and the condition of the roads has greatly deteriorated due to the burden of heavy motor lorries. For this reason, during the rainy season, all roads are closed under the Department of Public Works and the movement of motor vehicles is suspended – except in cases of urgent necessity, where only very light vehicles may be permitted.
As a result, my travels and direct work with the jamaats are presently halted and my activities are restricted to the town of Saltpond. My efforts here are mainly confined to teaching and supervising the madrasah [school].
At present, the Talim-ul-Islam Ahmadiyya School in Saltpond employs seven teachers, four of whom are Muslims. I am personally engaged in teaching these four, along with the mission secretary, so that they may be prepared and dispatched for preaching as required. In addition, I am instructing three other young men specifically for the purpose of tabligh [preaching of Islam]. I pray to Allah Almighty that He may grant me the ability to impart such knowledge as will prove beneficial and fruitful for the Jamaat and may He grant these individuals sincerity in their learning so that they may serve the cause of Allah’s religion.
Inspection by government officials
By the grace of Allah, the school is making progress. The Deputy Minister of Education and the former District Commissioner have both inspected it. They left highly pleased and content and assured me of every possible support. I am striving to have the school included on the list of government-aided institutions at the earliest opportunity.
Presently, around £25 per month is required to pay the salaries of the teachers, a burden borne by the local jamaats. However, without Allah’s grace, this expenditure far exceeds our present capacity. Furthermore, the construction of a dedicated school building is imperative, for without it, government aid cannot be secured. This requires, first, the purchase of land and then the erection of the building – both tasks demanding considerable financial resources.
As I have written on several occasions, the strengthening of this school will, insha-Allah, bring manifold benefits to the Jamaat. I therefore humbly request the prayers of friends in this regard.
Need for Islamic hymns in English
One of the school’s pressing needs is the composition of short poems in English. I humbly request our educated friends, proficient in English and skilled in poetry, to compose brief poems. These should concisely convey Islamic teachings and other matters beneficial for children – essentially serving the function of hymns. I intend to have such a collection printed.
In this region, singing forms a part of the school curriculum, with formal examinations conducted and the government grants special support for this subject. Clearly, we cannot teach our children Christian hymns. Since one of the fundamental purposes of the school is to open a path for tabligh, the preparation of short Islamic hymns is an urgent necessity. These poems may later be translated into the local language and published for the benefit of the wider community. Some Christian ministers here, with whom I maintain cordial relations, are themselves accomplished poets. I have already given one such friend the poem of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra], “nawnehalan-e-jamaat mujhe kuch kehna hai”, for translation into the local language. However, we are in need of many such poems and I therefore request friends most earnestly to turn their attention to this matter.
Translation of salat
I have also entrusted the salat [prayer] book for translation into the local language. Its publication, however, will require financial resources. Allah the Almighty alone is the true Sustainer. This will be the very first book of Ahmadiyya literature to be published in the language of this country and its dissemination will be an honour granted by Allah the Almighty to the African Ahmadis.
Acquisition of land for mosque and mission
Another noteworthy service of the members in the Gold Coast is that, through great effort, they have purchased a plot of land measuring approximately three and a half kanals [5445 sq ft] for the purpose of constructing a mosque and mission house. The cost amounted to nearly £182. At present, efforts are also underway to acquire land for the school, though financial means are lacking. We pray that Allah the Almighty may grant us His help in this regard.
Hospitality of Sindhi merchants
Recently, four Sindhi merchants stayed as my guests for five days. These friends had previously been working at the Dialdas and Sons factory in Accra, where both I and respected Nayyar Sahib[ra] would often stay as their guests whenever visiting the city. That factory has now been closed and these friends are returning to India. Consequently, I had the honour of hosting my former hosts and was pleased to be able to serve them. Before their departure, Lala Topan Das Sahib kindly gave one pound in cash for the distribution of sweets among the school children and presented a beautiful lamp to be placed in the mosque for illumination. May Allah the Almighty reward him abundantly.
London
Maulvi Abdul Rahim Sahib Dard[ra] MA and Maulvi Ghulam Farid Sahib Malik[ra] MA, are both diligently fulfilling their duty of conveying the message of truth. Brother Azizuddin Sahib, manager of the Natal House, also delivers speeches in his spare time, alongside his business commitments.
The July issue of The Review of Religions has been published. It contains a photograph of the Umar Mosque in Jerusalem, showing Hazrat Fazl-e-Umar, Khalifatul Masih II[ra], standing before the monument of Syedna Umarra, the second Khalifa [of the Holy Prophetsa].
Preparatory arrangements are also underway for the construction of the London Mosque. Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib[ra] BA, is actively engaged in delivering lectures in various learned societies. He has published an excellent list of subjects for his lectures, accompanied by his photograph. The local work in Chicago continues as usual.
Trinidad and the West Indies
Sheikh Ibrahim Mendez, missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, writes from San Juan, Trinidad and the West Indies:
“I am pleased to inform Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] that the work of tabligh in Trinidad is progressing remarkably. Among the most recent converts is our friend Luther Stewart, now known as Abdul Sadiq. He serves as the muezzin at the El Socorro Mosque, where he pleasantly calls the adhan five times a day. I humbly request prayers for the success of the Trinidad Mission. My own prayer is that Allah’s blessings may descend upon the Ahmadiyya Community across the entire world.”
Holland
Our devoted sister, Miss Hidayat Bud, extends felicitations to the Community on the occasion of the Islamic New Year, 1344 AH, from Holland. She writes that Maulvi Dard Sahib[ra] will, insha-Allah, visit Holland in September to deliver lectures. She further notes that the issue of khatm-e-nubuwwat (Seal of the Prophets) had recently weighed heavily upon her mind, but as she had written earlier, Allah supported her and granted her understanding of the truth.
Our sister has also forwarded extracts from certain Dutch newspapers. These indicate that the true faith of Islam has reached not only Sumatra and Java but also the islands of Celebes and New Guinea in the Dutch colonies. However, Christian missionaries are making great efforts to hinder the progress of Islam and to quickly establish control over the idolatrous populations, for once Islam gains ground, the spread of Christianity is halted. The Nazarat Da‘wat-o-Tabligh [Department of Propagation and Preaching] is turning its attention towards the Dutch colonies and, by the grace of Allah, we hope to soon be in a position to publish good news of success.
Australia
Our respected friend, Maulvi Hasan Musa Khan, has not been enjoying good health, yet he continues to devote himself with full effort to the propagation of Allah’s religion. The Australia Jamaat has also participated in the special scheme of One Hundred Thousand. They have contributed a sum of £11 and 10 shillings. May Allah the Almighty reward them abundantly.
Nigeria
In the Igbo-land region of Nigeria, a new Ahmadiyya Jamaat has been established. Imam Shamsuddin has been sent there from Kano. Remarkably, upon the arrival of a young Ahmadi, the entire youth of the village abandoned the Roman Catholic European priest and joined Islam Ahmadiyya. Arrangements are now being made for their proper training and education.
By the grace of Allah, the work in Southern Nigeria is advancing admirably. Brother Junaid Asahani, an esteemed member of the Council of Elders, wrote to Maulvi Abdul Rahim Nayyar[ra]:
“I pray to Allah the Almighty that He may assist you in every way. With the utmost joy I declare that the plant you came here to sow has now extended its branches across the whole of Nigeria. May Allah the Almighty shower His blessings upon you.”
Gold Coast
From the Gold Coast, Maulvi Fazl-ur-Rahman Hakeem writes, after describing his engagements and the progress of work:
“On Empire Day, our schoolchildren, through the neatness of their uniforms and the excellence with which they carried out all tasks, won the hearts of the people. Whereas previously we were met with abuse, now every man and woman speaks in our praise.”
Asian countries
Across different countries in Asia, zealous Ahmadi missionaries, with their very lives at stake, are fulfilling the sacred duty entrusted to them by Allah the Almighty – the defense and preaching of Islam. Everywhere, these self-sacrificing servants of Islam are confronted with the covert intrigues of the Baha’is, the organised campaigns of Christianity and the ignorance of local clerics. Yet they place their hope in Allah that their sacrifices will lead to the triumph of truth.
Persecution in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, the reign of oppression continues. Ahmadiyyat has been declared a state crime. Corrupt officials everywhere arrest people under the pretext of their Ahmadi beliefs, thereby staining their own hands with tyranny. From the prevailing situation, it is evident that those in authority in Afghanistan have no fear of the One God, show no regard for the honour of Islam and remain ignorant of the lessons of world history.
O Ahmadi Community! August has arrived. Remember that on 31 August, our loyal martyr, Maulvi Nematullah Khan, was stoned to death. Reflect upon this event and pray that Allah the Almighty may deliver Afghanistan from the bondage of darkness and ignorance and grant it the freedom of light and guidance.
Egypt
In Cairo, the Eid prayer was led by Sheikh Yaqub Ali Sahib. Sheikh Mahmood Ahmad, missionary to Egypt, writes that a friend named Habibullah is assisting in tabligh and is serving as an honourary missionary. He is presently engaged in spreading the message of Islam in the Cairo region.
Ahmadi missionaries in Palestine
Hazrat Maulana Jalal-ud-Din Shams (1901-1966)
On 1 July [1925], our ship departed from Bombay [now Mumbai] and reached Suez on 11 July. During the voyage, I had discussions with several individuals concerning the claim of the Promised Messiahas. Among them were three Arabs from Medina. Syed Zain-ul-Abidin Shah Sahib[ra] also explained to them certain matters and I read aloud portions from the Promised Messiah’sas books Istifta and Mawahib-ur-Rahman. One of them was a scholar. He remarked:
“Long ago, Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi sought a fatwa of disbelief from the scholars of Medina regarding this claimant. Based on what he had written, they issued the fatwa. But in reality, they had never themselves studied the claimant’s writings. You must send these books here.”
He repeatedly insisted that I give him a copy of the book, but as we had no spare copy, I eventually presented him with the Arabic translation of The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam. He further requested that we maintain regular correspondence.
Arrival in Jerusalem and discussions with scholars
On 13 July we reached Jerusalem, where Shah Sahib’s[ra] friends and students came to meet us. Thereafter, lengthy discussions were held with the Mufti and leading scholars of the city regarding the death of Jesusas, the claim of the Promised Messiahas and the issue of prophethood. They were quick to acknowledge the truth of the death of Jesusas. I then recited the Arabic qasidah of the Promised Messiahas, present in the book A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, composed in praise of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him. Upon hearing it, they expressed delight.
A marked difference was observed between the scholars of this land and those of India: Indian scholars quickly lose their temper and cannot tolerate hearing anything contrary to their views, whereas the scholars here listened to our arguments with patience and composure.
Dialogue in Nablus and Quneitra
We departed Jerusalem on 16 July and arrived at Nablus, where we also conversed with several scholars. Shah Sahib[ra] led the discussions. When he cited the verse inni mutawaffika, one cleric insisted that it did not signify death. I then placed before him the commentary Ruh al-Bayan, which clearly states: inni mumituka hatfa anfika la qatlan bi-aydihim [I shall cause you to die a natural death, not by their hands]. He was astonished upon reading it. Similarly, Shah Sahib[ra] cited the hadith concerning the two different descriptions of the appearance [of the Messiah]. The eminent scholar of Nablus, in whose house we had gone especially to meet him, responded: “Such ahadith we cast aside.” When Shah Sahib[ra] informed him, it was found in Sahih Bukhari, he denied it. I then produced Sahih Bukhari and showed him both relevant traditions.
Thereafter, we reached Quneitra near sunset. The locals insisted that we stay the night. In the evening, upon their enquiry about the Jamaat, we conveyed the message of truth. The imam of the mosque stated that he only had doubts regarding the issue of prophethood. Shah Sahib[ra] explained the matter to him, upon which he responded:
“If this is the meaning of prophethood, then such a prophet can indeed appear.”
Arrival in Damascus
On 17 July we reached Damascus. For two days, we lodged at the Central Hotel, where Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] had stayed the previous year. Shah Sahib’s[ra] friends and students were present there as well and meetings were held with them concerning the Jamaat. We also had an audience with the Minister of Education. The general disposition of the people is more inclined towards politics, while they remain heedless of religion. In dress and manners, European civilisation has greatly influenced them. Prices are exceedingly high and rents are burdensome; two small rooms cost us £4 per month.
In conclusion, I humbly request that friends constantly remember their brethren abroad in their prayers. We are extremely weak and without the grace of Allah the Almighty and the support of His divine power, nothing can be achieved. Therefore, I earnestly beseech you to supplicate for the spread of Islam Ahmadiyyat in the land of Syria.
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّا اِنَّکَ اَنۡتَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡدُّعَا
[“Our Lord, accept this from us; for Thou hear all prayers.”]
Wassalam,
Humble servant in need of prayers, Jalal-ud-Din, Damascus.
Address: Damascus, Syria, c/o Badruddin. Effendi Safadi al-Muhami (Barrister-at-Law).
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 11, 13-15 and 18 August 1925 issue of Al Fazl)