Muhammad Yusuf Khan, USA
53 new converts
Between October 1925 and December 1925, a total of fifty-three American men and women, residing in various cities across the United States, entered the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Some of these individuals accepted the faith of Islam through correspondence, while others embraced this pure religion as a result of the dedicated missionary efforts of American Ahmadi preachers.
Missionary efforts in America
Among our missionaries, the services of Sheikh Ahmad Din of St. Louis, Sheikh Karam Ilahi of Indianapolis, and Sheikh Mustafa of New York City are particularly noteworthy. These friends are carrying out the work of Islamic propagation with great diligence, devotion, and self-sacrifice.
Sheikh Karam Ilahi and Sheikh Ahmad Din frequently travel beyond their own localities to nearby towns and villages for the preaching of Islam.
Majlis-e-Shura
Sheikh Ahmad Din, in fact, is presently away on such a preaching tour. Upon his return, I intend to convene a special gathering of the Ahmadis of this city, wherein consultation will be sought regarding the future means and methods through which the propagation of Islam may be further expanded. It is hoped that this Majlis-e-Shura (consultative assembly) will strengthen and invigorate our missionary endeavours.
Conversion of an enthusiastic student
Among these fifty-three new converts is a particularly passionate young man whose Islamic name has been given as Muhammad Latif. He is a native of the Philippine Islands and a graduate of Glasgow. At present, he is pursuing studies at the Divinity College of the University of Chicago. His original intention had been to qualify as a Doctor of Divinity (DD) and thereafter serve in the propagation of Christianity.
From Christian divinity to Islamic mission
However, when he came to hear about our mission of Islam Ahmadiyyat, he began attending our gatherings. After participating in only two such gatherings, he became convinced of the truth of the Islamic message. He has since commenced a thorough study of our literature and now aspires to become an Islamic missionary himself.
He states that he will strive with all his ability in the propagation of Islam and in the refutation of Christianity. After accepting Islam Ahmadiyyat, he withdrew from the divinity course and instead enrolled in English Literature.
Social and financial trials
Owing to his acceptance of Islam, Muhammad Latif was compelled to relinquish his employment. Furthermore, the landlord of the residence in which he had been living issued him a strict notice to vacate the premises within twenty-four hours and treated him with considerable harshness.
Despite these trials, by the grace of God, he has demonstrated steadfastness, perseverance, and a true Islamic spirit in every respect. Friends are requested to pray that Allah the Almighty may grant him steadfastness in faith.
Five-year work
It has now been five years since the establishment of the mission of Islam Ahmadiyyat in America. During this period, the nature and extent of the work accomplished have continued to appear before friends and supporters through various reports and publications.
Up to the present time, 1221 men and women in this country have entered the fold of Islam. The central Chicago Mission, along with its four branches established in other cities, is progressing day by day.
The role and suspension of The Muslim Sunrise
For the propagation of Islamic teachings and beliefs, the magazine The Muslim Sunrise was launched. It continued to run successfully for three years; however, for the past year and a half its publication has remained suspended.
The reason for this discontinuation was the high cost of printing and circulation in contrast with the relatively small number of subscribers. The financial condition of our central association and the American Mission was not such that it could continue to bear this heavy burden.
There is no doubt that this magazine – Shams-ul-Islam – served as the right arm of our preaching efforts, and through it our mission attained considerable recognition even in foreign countries.
The need for literature
In addition to a capable missionary and a regularly issued monthly journal, another extremely vital requirement for propagation is adequate literature. No leader or missionary can spread his beliefs or mission unless he possesses sufficient means and written material.
Literature in the hands of a missionary is akin to a rifle and ammunition in the hands of a soldier. If a missionary possesses no literature, how can he carry out the work of preaching?
This need is especially acute in a country like America, for it is the land where literature and advertisements are the founders of present-day civilisation. The lives of its people have become so deeply intertwined with modern civilisation that they scarcely find time to attend to religious matters. If high-quality literature were available, we could distribute it among the people in trains and automobiles, in parks and places of entertainment, and in factories, offices, and shops – and in this manner properly fulfil the obligation of tabligh.
The nature and form of missionary literature
Literature printed in India, or written in an Indian style of composition, cannot be regarded with the same appreciation in America. Consequently, such literature cannot produce the effective results that are required, nor can it meet the intellectual and cultural needs of the American audience in the manner that locally produced material can.
It is therefore necessary that different kinds of literature be prepared and printed here in America itself, according to local requirements, and issued in the form of handbills and pamphlets for immediate use in missionary work.
Growing disenchantment with Christianity
As knowledge continues to advance, people are gradually and naturally drifting away from Christianity. In the eyes of other nations, this country is considered strongly bound to the Christian religion, primarily because numerous American missions are established abroad.
Perceptions vs. reality of American Christianity
The abundance of missionaries and the extensive propaganda carried out by the clergy create the impression that the American nation is deeply and firmly Christian. I myself received an education in an American mission school and had heard many admirable accounts regarding America. However, upon arriving and living here, I found reality to be quite the opposite of what I had imagined.
Personal observations cross social classes
I have interacted with various segments of society: I have dealt with the labouring classes, lived through student life here, associated with businessmen, and met individuals belonging to both higher and middle social circles. I have also engaged in frequent dialogue with scholars and clergy.
After this prolonged experience, I cannot refrain from expressing the view that in America, no more than ten per cent may truly be called Christians – by which I mean those who genuinely believe in the divinity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the concept of atonement.
Religious demographics and identity
Approximately one-tenth of this country is populated by people of the Jewish faith. Of the remaining nine-tenths, based on my five years of experience, I would say that not more than another one-tenth can be described as Christian in the doctrinal sense defined above.
Large portion of society receptive to Islamic Monotheism
In summary, nearly half of the population of this country does not, in reality, belong to any particular religion – though nominally they ascribe themselves to Christianity.
Readers should understand that a large portion of the population believes in Divine Unity and is averse to doctrines such as Atonement and the divinity of Christ. In other words, they stand intellectually closer to Islam.
A question of religious affiliation
The question naturally arises: if such people feel aversion toward Christianity, why do they continue to identify themselves as Christians?
The answer is quite simple: if they do not call themselves Christians, what else are they to call themselves?
There exists before them no widely recognised alternative religion whose affiliation they might adopt. Our mission, however, remains unaware of – or unable to reach – these individuals.
Yet this is hardly surprising, for the mission itself has not attained sufficient recognition. And how could it when it lacks adequate resources and literature?
From Muhammad Yusuf Khan (BSc),
4448 Wabash Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois, USA.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 19 February 1926 issue of Al Fazl)