Departure from Batala
On 28 April 1926, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] departed from Batala by the evening train with the intention of travelling to Lahore. A large number of members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat residing in Batala were present at the railway station, where they were honoured with the opportunity to meet him.
At Amritsar station, an equally significant gathering of members from the Ahmadiyya Jamaat of Amritsar had assembled. They had the privilege of greeting the Khalifa and shaking hands with him.
Upon arrival at the Moghalpura station, members of the Lahore Cantonment Jamaat were also present and met with him. Finally, at Lahore station, a grand reception was organised by a large number of Ahmadis. Garlands of flowers were presented and all attendees stood in a line along the platform, while Huzoor [ra] graciously shook hands with each individual as he passed by.
Following his departure from the station, he proceeded to a residence on Nisbat Road, where he stayed. This house had previously been occupied by Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan [ra] (Barrister-at-Law) and was at the time the residence of Raja Mahmood Amjad Khan Janjua Sahib, also a Barrister-at-Law.
Public gathering and meetings
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] remained present in a public gathering for approximately one and a half hours, during which members from Lahore and surrounding areas continued to receive the honour of meeting him.
Conversion of a student from Gujrat
A young man from the district of Gujrat, who was pursuing his college education, took the pledge of allegiance (bai‘at). After doing so, he submitted:
“I have, after several years of research, come to believe that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is true and thus considered it necessary to enter into it. However, I still possess many weaknesses. I request that Huzoor [ra] pray that God may remove these shortcomings and grant me the ability to serve the faith.”
Spiritual reform following bai‘at
In response, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] said that certain weaknesses are of such a nature that they are removed after entering into bai‘at. When attachment and a sincere relationship are established, a spiritual connection develops, which generates a paradigm shift that exerts a transformative influence.
In this regard, Huzoor [ra] observed that a most fitting analogy is that of a shopkeeper who initially offers a small sample of a product free of charge to a prospective buyer, in order to cultivate interest in its purchase. Thereafter, the buyer himself becomes inclined to spend his own resources to acquire it. In a similar manner, when an individual enters the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat through bai‘at, God Almighty, as a result, immediately brings about a degree of reform within that person in order to demonstrate that such transformation is indeed possible.
Thereafter, if the individual seeks to benefit from this divine grace, he may do so through personal effort. However, if one fails to exert effort at such an opportune moment and instead succumbs to indolence, then a prolonged spiritual struggle becomes necessary.
Congregational prayers and daily routine
At approximately 1:30 pm, after taking a meal, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] led the Zuhr and Asr prayers in congregation, combining them.
Around the time of Maghrib, he again appeared and led the Maghrib and Isha prayers. He then remained seated among the gathering for some time, engaging in discourse.
Thereafter, he met with Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Mohiuddin Khan Sahib [ra] (Lawyer of Kasur) and continued discussions until 11 pm regarding the prevailing condition of Muslims and contemporary political matters.
Upon learning of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s [ra] presence in Lahore, individuals from distant places began arriving in order to attain the honour of meeting.
Friday prayer and sermon
On 30 April 1926, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] led the Jumu‘ah prayer at the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Lahore, which had been recently constructed.
In his Friday sermon, which lasted for approximately one hour, he instructed that the Jamat should devote particular attention to its internal reformation and to the tabligh of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
Huzoor [ra] especially addressed the Lahore Jamaat, drawing their attention specifically towards these responsibilities.
A very large number of men and women were present in the mosque. For ladies, a designated prayer area had been arranged in the upper section on one side of the mosque.
After the Friday prayer, as Huzoor [ra] rose to depart, members continued to shake hands with him for nearly half an hour as he proceeded.
Evening meetings and discussions
Around the time of Maghrib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] met with certain individuals and continued conversing with them for an extended period.
Visit of a ghair mubai‘ missionary
On the morning of 1 May 1926, Maulvi Ismatullah Sahib, a ghair mubai‘ [one who did not take bai‘at of the second Khalifa] missionary, came for a meeting. He engaged in discussion for approximately one hour, raising questions on points of disagreement, all of which were answered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra].
Continued engagement
At around 12 noon, the health of Huzoor’s [ra] first wife suddenly deteriorated. However, when he was informed that a visitor, Dr Muhammad Yusuf Sahib, had arrived for a meeting, he immediately granted him an audience.
Despite the fact that a member of his blessed household was in severe discomfort, he continued to converse with the doctor with complete composure, addressing all his questions until the discussion naturally concluded.
Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] remained present in the gathering for a considerable period, continuing to engage with members on various matters.
Exemplary devotion to the service of faith
In such circumstances, the manner in which the Khalifa remained wholly absorbed in religious discourse demonstrates the extraordinary serene state of mind and breadth of resolve granted to him by God Almighty.
At a time when his presence beside the sick would ordinarily have been considered indispensable, he did not deem it appropriate to deprive a seeker – who had come in pursuit of truth – of the opportunity for meeting, nor did he postpone responding to his questions.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] continued answering with such calmness and assurance that it was impossible to perceive any distraction or indication that his attention was divided by other concerns.
One is compelled to reflect that if only God Almighty were to grant each of us even a fraction of such devotion and absorption in the service of faith.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 4 & 7 May 1926 issue of Al Fazl)