Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani (ra) (1875-1957)
بجواز جان و دل تا خدمتے از دست تو آید
بقائے جاوداں یابی گر ایں شربت شود پیدا
[“Strive with all your heart and soul, so that this service may be accomplished through your hands. If you attain this elixir, you will gain eternal life.”]
The readers of Al Fazl are aware that when The Review of Religions began publication from London, the very first person in the world to display enthusiasm for its circulation among non-Muslims was Khan Bahadur Seith Ahmad Alauddin Sahib. Seith Sahib purchased one hundred copies of The Review of Religions for the purpose of distribution, and these continued to be circulated throughout Europe, America, and other countries for an entire year. Whatever benefit has resulted from this dissemination will remain for Seith Sahib as a sadaqah jariyah (continuing charity).
The completion of London’s first mosque
London’s first and only mosque [1926] is now nearing completion, and its inauguration will take place very soon. Such is the level of interest in this mosque throughout London and Europe that dozens of newspapers have repeatedly published various photographs of it, together with essential information concerning its construction.
Newspaper correspondents and travellers from foreign lands visit it and a distinct impression is produced upon them. There is no doubt that this is the first House of God in the stronghold of the doctrine of trinity and in the material centre of the world.
It will serve as a centre for proclaiming the grandeur and beauty of Islam and the majesty and glory of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). My purpose at present, however, is not to write further about the mosque itself, but merely to mention one particular matter.
A generous contribution for the mosque’s carpet
While informing Seith Ahmad Alauddin Sahib of the mosque’s nearing completion, I appealed to him for the provision of carpet flooring for the mosque. Seith Sahib, who has always been granted the privilege of keeping both his heart and his hand open for works of goodness and virtue, responded immediately upon reading my appeal. By telegram, he informed me that he was contributing one hundred pounds towards the carpet flooring of this mosque in London.
May Allah the Almighty accept this service and sincerity of his, and shower abundant blessings upon him and his family. Amin.
I know that Seith Sahib dislikes publicity. Indeed, he performs many acts of charity in such a manner that even his left hand is unaware of what his right hand has given. Yet, despite being fully aware of his humility and his aversion to recognition, I consider it necessary to express my gratitude to him through the columns of Al Fazl.
This is because this mosque possesses a truly remarkable history and its future is destined to be most illustrious.
The future significance of London’s mosque
Today, the people of the world cannot perceive it, but the eye of the enlightened one beholds a time when great kings and rulers will come to this mosque and prostrate at the threshold of the One God. They will lament that they had no share in the construction of this mosque.
Blessed are those who spent their wealth for it. Blessed are those who had the honour of participating in the laying of its foundation. And blessed are those who contributed towards its first carpeting, its lighting, and its other essential requirements.
Seith Ahmad Alauddin Sahib has now joined the ranks of those worthy of congratulations, whose wealth has been spent in this blessed cause. In the future, exceedingly valuable furnishings and costly carpets will undoubtedly be brought for its floors, but they can never possess the distinction of the carpet presented by Seith Ahmad Alauddin Sahib.
A personal reflection
I take pride in my good fortune that my Gracious Lord bestowed upon me the privilege of participating in the ceremony for laying the foundation of the mosque [of London], of taking part in the excavation during its construction, and of having the honour of making this appeal and witnessing its acceptance. For all of this, all praise belongs to Allah the Almighty.
Other needs of the mosque
For the lighting of the mosque, the Hyderabad Jamaat has undertaken to meet the expenses for one year. May Allah the Almighty illuminate the hearts and homes of all these friends with His divine light.
The mosque still has other essential requirements and Allah the Almighty will raise such people as, in His eternal knowledge, are destined to share in this blessing.
In any case, all our friends should pray for Seith Ahmad Alauddin Sahib, that Allah the Almighty may grant him the ability to perform countless righteous deeds and shower His mercy and grace upon him, his wife and children, and his entire family. Amin
Yaqub Ali Irfani ([then] editor of Al Hakam [Urdu]), London.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 2 July 1926 issue of Al Fazl)