Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948), London
Malik Ghulam Farid[ra] MA, an Ahmadi missionary from London, writes:
“By the grace and mercy of Allah the Almighty, encouraging signs are gradually emerging from various quarters. A gentleman named Arthur Plant from Manchester has taken a keen interest in Islam after reading The Review of Religions. In one of his letters, he requested contact information for people from India so that he could acquire further knowledge about Islam. I responded by explaining that this is precisely why we are based in London – to assist anyone seeking information about Islam. I assured him that he is welcome to ask any questions freely and, God willing, he will receive satisfactory answers. I am including excerpts from his letter, which reflect the depth of his affection for Islam and his earnest desire to gain a deeper understanding. He writes:
“Dear Brother, I am not corresponding out of mere curiosity about Islam; rather, I write because I sincerely wish to acquire knowledge.”
“Further on, he adds:
“Please, send me a copy of [the Arabic words of the] salat. I intend to purchase the Holy Quran and will do so when I am able.”
“Similarly, a woman named Miss Vera Maitland has also expressed significant interest in Islam. She has requested a copy of [the Arabic words of the] salat, The Review of Religions, the lecture by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] titled The Ahmadiyya Movement, and A Present to the Prince of Wales, among other literature. She has already remitted payment and is actively exchanging letters as well.
“Moreover, an individual from Holland has sent payment for a copy of the first part of the Holy Quran, requesting that it be dispatched promptly.
“Last Sunday, I delivered a lecture on Islam at our mission house. Following the lecture, there was a question-and-answer session. A particularly prejudiced Christian woman from our neighbourhood, who attended and took notes, later wrote to say that she had greatly benefitted from the lecture.”
Holland
Our respected sister Miss Hidayat Budd from Amsterdam, Holland, writes to the esteemed Dr Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib[ra]:
“I am eagerly awaiting the Ahmadiyya lectures that Maulvi Abdul Rahim Sahib Dard[ra] will deliver on 7 and 10 April [1925]. After these lectures, I plan to open my own reading room and publish announcements as well. I also intend to publish my articles written in Dutch in the form of a small treatise. I have begun a series of articles on Islam, which will be organised as follows:
- The fundamental principles of Islam: Tawhid [Oneness] of God Almighty, Angels, Divine scriptures, Prophets, the afterlife, and Predestination.
- Moral and religious principles, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, Hajj.
“All these articles will be published together in Dutch as a treatise. I am pleased to report that the journal De Tempel has begun publishing my articles, and the magazine’s staff have told me several times that these articles are written in a style that is particularly well-suited to their publication. This journal is read in over 250 towns across Holland, and it has a significant readership in the capital, Amsterdam, as well as many subscribers in foreign countries. Therefore, you can be assured that many people around the world will now become familiar with the finest and truest religion – Islam.
“Even if people do not accept Islam in large numbers immediately, I am grateful that my efforts are helping to present the noble image of Islam more honourably than before, and that people are beginning to develop affection for this pure religion. Once I have done my part, someone else can come and benefit from this prepared ground by bringing people into Islam.
“A few weeks ago, I received a letter from my sister. Although she has not yet converted, she congratulated me on my acceptance of Islam and wrote that her husband also admires my decision. He is a very good man, and if both of them were to accept Islam, I would be overjoyed. I believe that my brother-in-law would be very beneficial to our cause, as he is a highly intelligent and courageous person.
“I was delighted to learn the name His Holiness has given me. It sounds very pleasing to my Dutch ears, and the meaning of this name (Hidayat) will always serve as a special source of inspiration for me.
“At the moment, I am facing some challenges – particularly from people and quarters where I least expected them. No doubt, I will not be capable of guiding others until I myself face difficulties and overcome them. I am hopeful that these challenges will soon be resolved, and that I will be able to successfully continue on this path.”
The readers of Al Fazl will be pleased to know that our esteemed sister also writes Arabic script on her letters, as follows:
بِسْمِ اللّٰہ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمْ
نَحْمَدُہُ وَ نُصَلّیِ عَلٰی رَسُولِہِ الْکَرِیْمْ
[“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We praise Him and send salutations upon His Noble Messengersa.”]
Nigeria
Chief Brother Zakariya Tambo, the president of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Lagos, writes:
“I am pleased to inform you that the lawsuit concerning the mosque, which had been filed against us by deserters in the High Court of Lagos for the past two years, has been decided in our favour, and God Almighty has granted victory over our opponents. However, these people have not taken heed; instigated by Augusto, they have filed another case. Please continue to pray for us regularly so that the disbelievers face defeat. I have decided to send my son, Abdul Hameed, to England for studies in law, medicine, or civil engineering. Kindly pray earnestly for him as well.”
After the above news, Imam Qasim R Ajose, missionary-in-charge of Nigeria, provides a report. A summary of the report is as follows:
“Our chief imam, Muhammad Dabiri, and the Jamaat convey their congratulations and request prayers. Preaching work is proceeding smoothly as usual. The annual gatherings of the First and Third Divisions were successfully held over the past two weeks. Electricity has been installed in the central mosque at the expense of the president. The office of the Ahmadiyya Literary Society has been relocated to the Talim-ul-Islam School. Brother AR Balogun (a capable and devoted member of the Lagos Jamaat and an employee in the Survey Department) has recently visited and delivered a highly impactful lecture in front of the Ire-Waluya (ایرولویا) Mosque.
“Our Jamaat’s women have also made considerable progress. On 16 January [1925], Mrs Giwa delivered a lecture, and on 21 January, Miss Subrat Dabiri gave a speech, detailing the ways in which the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has protected the rights of women and refuting the clerics’ claim that women are forbidden from preaching. Miss Dabiri has memorised a large portion of Surah al-Baqarah. Brother Joshua Shodande continues to diligently fulfil his preaching duties.”
Gold Coast
Maulvi Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib Hakim[ra] writes:
“Land has been sought for the mission, school buildings, and mosque; however, it is difficult to acquire in the town of Saltpond. For the mission, school, mosque, and also for a playground for children, approximately 300 square feet of land will be required for now. Thus far, friends have pledged a total of £349, 16 shillings, and 9½ pence.”
After writing his last letter, Maulvi Sahib[ra] left for Accra, the capital of the Gold Coast, where the Prince of Wales was on [an official] visit.
Mauritius
Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqi Sahib (secretary of tabligh) reports from Rose Hill:
“The work of Ahmadiyya preaching is ongoing. We are conducting visits, and Brother Ahmad Ibrahim Achha and Mian Nizamuddin Sahib (tailor master), who have recently arrived from Qadian, are assisting in the preaching work. Hafiz Sufi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib[ra] BA, missionary-in-charge, is delivering daily dars of the Holy Quran, Sahih Bukhari, and Kashti-e-Nuh.”
Egypt
An Ahmadi missionary, Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Sahib[ra] reports from Cairo:
“The work of serving Islam is being carried out through meetings, speeches, and debates. During the week being reported, there was a four- to five-hour debate with Dr Abdul Aziz, a Muslim influenced by Christian doctrines. Additionally, at the request of a group of Egyptian Muslims, a debate on the refutation of the divinity of Christ was held with Kamel Mansour, a Christian, at the American Church, which had a very positive impact on non-Ahmadis.
“Moreover, discussions on the distinct beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat were held with Ghalib Bey, Tahir Pasha, and other dignitaries. The Indians here have also formed an association, and I am guiding them. This association has now permanently moved into the Ahmadiyya Mission House, and a telephone has also been installed at the premises.”
In another letter, Sheikh Sahib[ra] writes:
“On Sunday night, I preached for three and a half hours to Bash Aana, a special officer and Pasha of the Sarai Mulki [Royal Palace]. Other individuals were also present. He listened to the introduction of the Jamaat with great astonishment. Detailed explanations were given regarding the death of Jesusas, the claims of the Promised Messiahas, and his miracles. He remarked, ‘In my entire life, I have met many prominent people, but I have never heard anything like this before.’ He was very pleased and promised to arrange another meeting.
“Very soon, I will also meet Amir Lutfullah, who belongs to the royal family of Antioch, to convey the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to him.” […]
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 5 and 7 May 1925 issue of Al Fazl)
