Asif M Basit, Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre
“Children! When you see an empty house, do not think that your father has left nothing for you. He has left behind for you a treasure of prayers…”
Hazrat Sayyida Nusrat Jahan Begum Sahibara uttered these famous words at the time of the founder of the Community, the Promised Messiah’sas death. But what is less well-known is that shortly before this, Hazrat Amman Janra sold much of her jewellery and a piece of land to pay off the debts that were owed by the Promised Messiahas. That is, she also sacrificed her own savings in the path of the Promised Messiahas. So, when Hazrat Amman Janra spoke these words, she not only knew that the house was empty, but had herself sacrificed many possessions in the way of God.
And the Promised Messiahas had also dedicated his orchard, in which all his children had a share, for the Bahishti Maqbarah (the graveyard associated with Al-Wasiyyat). This is a small example of the sacrifices made by the Promised Messiahas and his household in the way of God.
Whether it was the donation for the construction of Minarat-ul-Masih, or any financial scheme issued by the Promised Messiahas for any religious purpose, his respected wife, Ummul Momineen Hazrat Amman Janra is seen at the forefront. Once, it so happened that funds were short for a Jamaati undertaking. The Promised Messiahas saw no option but to take a loan. Hazrat Amman Janra presented her jewellery and part of her owned land to the Promised Messiahas, requesting not to take a loan but to sell these and fulfil the religious purpose. Huzooras accepted this gift as a loan, and brought it into written record as an agreement according to Islamic practice.
The children raised in the lap of such parents also remained at the forefront of those offering sacrifices in the way of their faith, and then, with time, the progeny of the five children of the Promised Messiahas continued and spread throughout the world. In these descendants, too, a tremendous spirit of sacrifice in the way of faith has been evident and continues to this day.
Not only would the details of financial sacrifices become lengthy, but the writer would face the challenge that while some sacrifices of the Promised Messiah’sas family have become known, countless others were and are never made public and may perhaps never be known.
When we mention the troubles and hardships that befell Ahmadis, while every Ahmadi steadfastly faced the most difficult circumstances and gave precedence to their faith over everything else, the members of the family of the Promised Messiahas remained a practical example for all of them and stayed at the forefront in every type of sacrifice.
Recent attack on Ahmadi mosque in Rabwah
Recently, during the Friday prayers in Rabwah, terrorists opened fire on Masjid Mahdi. Among the innocent Ahmadis who came under fire was a young man named Muhammad Ahmad Sahib (great-grandson of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra) who was on duty. He was severely injured and suffered life-changing wounds. He was part of the team responsible for protecting the center and was on security rounds at that time. Other members of this team were also injured – Sabah-ud-Din Sahib and Imran Butt Sahib received severe wounds from the firing. Similarly, Arsalan Ahmad Sahib, Usama Saeed Sahib and Imran Shah Sahib were also injured in the firing. They reached the scene at such a moment that nothing remained between them and the terrorist’s bullets. They received these wounds out of love for the Ahmadiyya Community and the people of Rabwah. The wounds were complex, but they faced them with bravery and, by the grace of Allah, are recovering.
The example of this young man connected to the family of the Promised Messiahas brought to mind the sacrifices of other family members. To fully encompass these sacrifices would be impossible, but let us try to take a brief look through the windows of history, as these glimpses are also very faith-inspiring.
Incidents involving the Promised Messiah’s family
When Allah the Almighty began bestowing progress upon the Jamaat, it was natural for the envy of the opponents to rise. When the envious ones were defeated at the level of arguments, failed in their attempts to surpass the Jamaat and show it down, and failed in debates and discussions, they resorted to a series of vile and disgusting accusations against the head of the Community. These accusations were levelled against the character of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra, al-Musleh al-Maud, and were extremely hurtful – so distressing that they could break the back of even the strongest person.
However, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra always responded to all accusations and continued to fulfil the God-given responsibility of leading his Jamaat with complete dedication.
Amid this storm of indecency, Fakhruddin Multani, an opponent of the Jamaat, was murdered. An accusation was made that the attacker was incited by a sermon of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra to fatally attack, resulting in Fakhruddin Multani’s death. In this connection, law enforcement agencies summoned Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra to appear at the police station. Although this matter caused severe distress to the entire Jamaat, in respect of the law, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra presented himself before the police and resolved the matter by informing them of the true facts.
During these tumultuous days, when a series of lowly and disrespectful accusations against the Imam of the Jamaat were ongoing, and even false accusations of intent to murder were easily thrown around, another way was found to cause pain to the family of the Promised Messiahas.
In July 1935, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra Sahib was returning home from the office on his bicycle in Qadian. As he passed through the streets, an attempt was made to fatally attack him, which, by the grace of Allah, failed. The attacker’s staff did not hit the target as he had aimed, and Allah the Almighty protected Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib.
During these dangerous days, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had established a department called Nizamat-e-Khas for the purpose of protecting the sacred places and the residents of Qadian, and had appointed Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra Sahib as its supervisor.
The attacker wanted to target the supervisor of the center’s protection so that the security of all of Qadian would be at stake. Thus, this conspiracy made Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra Sahib the one who offered this sacrifice, and by himself receiving the blows, he earned the honor of keeping the center of Ahmadiyyat safe.
Staying back for Qadian – family was the first line of fire
The blood-soaked incident of the Partition of India subjected individuals living in the subcontinent – from racial and linguistic groups to religious and political communities, families and tribes – to a painful experience. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was no exception. Members of the Jamaat, like other victims, not only became homeless but also had to bid farewell to their holy headquarters, Qadian.
In this situation, selected individuals were ordered to remain in Qadian under extremely perilous circumstances to fulfil the responsibility of protecting the markaz of Ahmadiyyat. Among these, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra first entrusted this responsibility to members of his own family.
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra Sahib was appointed as the ameer-e-muqami (acting ameer of the markaz), who became the supervisor of all security measures for Qadian. Morning and evening, clouds of riots and disturbances would hover. Sometimes groups upon groups would attack; sometimes the police and army would conduct unlawful raids, trying to seize Qadian’s sacred buildings and locations. In these unfavourable circumstances, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra – the second of three sons of the Promised Messiahas – continued to fulfil the responsibility of protecting Qadian by putting himself in the line of fire.
The heart-wrenching details of the circumstances of those days are revealed in two of his letters that he wrote from Qadian to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on 2 September 1947, and 22 September 1947, informing him of the ever-changing situation. Similarly, a daily journal was also sent to Huzoorra in which details of extremely dangerous circumstances were recorded. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 11, pp. 150 onwards)
Thus, one son of the Promised Messiahas received the opportunity to remain in the front ranks of the protectors of the heart of the Jamaat, putting his life at risk and handling unprecedented and delicate matters.
When Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra received instructions to migrate from Qadian, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra appointed Hazrat Mirza Aziz Ahmad Sahib as the local Amir of Qadian. Thus, in these challenging circumstances, the place of the Promised Messiah’sas son was taken by his grandson – that is, Hazrat Mirza Aziz Ahmad Sahib (son of Sahibzada Mirza Sultan Ahmad Sahib) – and he stood firm against the ferocious storms facing Qadian.
Heartfelt letters reveal sacrifices of women from the family
During this entire period, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra entrusted the responsibility of the safe evacuation of Ahmadis from Qadian to his eldest son, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh Sahib. He fulfilled this heavily demanding responsibility of safely transporting Ahmadis across the border to Pakistan during this most challenging phase of the Partition of India – from August 1947 to November 1947 – by putting his own life at risk. In a letter to his wife, Sayyida Mansoora Begum (who had migrated to Pakistan), he wrote:
“The circumstances are not good. When all stratagems are exhausted, nothing remains except reliance on God, the most Merciful. Four to five thousand women and children are trapped in Qadian. Arrangements must be made to evacuate them. It seems like a very difficult task. […] We are having to fight many fires simultaneously. However, ‘fire is our slave, rather the slave of slaves.’ Therefore, there is no reason to panic. […]”
Similarly, in another letter he wrote:
“God Almighty will never let us be wasted. These are temporary trials. Time will pass, but these circumstances will be remembered forever in the Jamaat’s history. There is not an iota of burden on my heart… Huzoor’s weakness of health, however, does keep me in sorrow. May God protect you all. Tyranny has reached its peak. God’s help is also near. Do not worry at all.”
Later, while recalling those days, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh Sahib narrated an astonishing incident. Those who came to seek refuge in Qadian were not only men but also women. These were impoverished people who had barely enough clothes to cover themselves. From where could clothes be immediately arranged for these poor women? Cities upon cities and towns upon towns were in the grip of riots.
“I thought, what should I do? In my own house were Mansoora Begum’s dowry clothes that Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib had given as very expensive outfits at the time of our marriage. Each outfit would have been worth one and a half to two thousand rupees. I thought I am responsible – if I don’t first open my own trunks, there will be a valid objection against me. So I had all the trunks of women’s clothes from my household opened and sent the clothes for the women, not keeping even a single outfit. I knew there would still be more demand because only a small need had been fulfilled so far, and many women were still in the same condition. Then I thought that my conscience is clear and I moved on to have the locks of my sisters’ belongings opened. The trunks of my brothers’ wives, even my mothers and aunts – all the trunks were laid open and the clothes were given to the needy women, and thus their bodies were covered…”
This incident not only reveals the spirit of sacrifice of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh Sahib but also highlights the sacrifices of the women in the family of the Promised Messiahas. All these women of the Promised Messiah’sas family had also migrated with minimal belongings. The possessions they had left behind in the hope that they might reach them someday all came to use for the afflicted women, and thus this sacrifice was also included among the very great sacrifices of the family of the Promised Messiahas.
During those days, Sahibzada Mirza Munawar Ahmad Sahib was also blessed with the opportunity to offer sacrifices. And when these family members migrated to Pakistan, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra permanently sent another of his sons, Sahibzada Mirza Waseem Ahmad Sahib, to Qadian, who handled all kinds of delicate circumstances and remained in Qadian until his death.
Movement for dismissal of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Ahmadis declared non-Muslim
When Pakistan came into existence, the treatment the Ahmadiyya Jamaat received there and continues to receive to this day needs no mention. Everyone knows. The movements based on malice and enmity that had been simmering on a low heat were now brought to a full flame. The reins of this newborn state were placed in the hands of mullahs, and these self-appointed custodians of religion began to exert their full force to ensure that no Ahmadi could ever reach a key position in the state. This was at the time when Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra was Foreign Minister.
The foundation of this movement was based on the point that Sir Zafrulla Khanra was a “Qadiani” and should be immediately dismissed. But along with this, a demand was also made that Ahmadis should be declared non-Muslim.
This demand, which arose with the establishment of Pakistan, took the form of a regular movement by 1953, and violent demonstrations against Ahmadis erupted. The looting and burning of Ahmadi homes and businesses became rampant, and, along with it, a wave of fabricated accusations and lawsuits saw a sudden rise.
Baseless accusations and imprisonments
An incident from those very days works as a sample. The establishment of Rabwah had already taken place. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh Sahib and Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra Sahib were residing in Lahore when they were arrested on a baseless accusation. Their case was tried in a military court, which sentenced both gentlemen to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of five thousand rupees each. This was a despicable attempt by those in authority to cause pain to the entire Jamaat.
Thus, one son and one grandson of the Promised Messiahas themselves endured the hardship of imprisonment and captivity to protect the Jamaat. By the special grace of Allah, the five-year imprisonment was changed to a period of two months, and these worthy sons of the family of the Promised Messiahas, who were imprisoned in the way of Allah on 1 April 1953, were honourably acquitted and released on 28 May.
M M Ahmad: Economic advisor to President of Pakistan
The fire of the opponents’ envy did not subside, and they continued to try various tactics. The malicious attempts to target members of the family of the Promised Messiahas continued. They knew that due to devotion to the Promised Messiahas, any wound inflicted on any member of his family would be a cause of pain and distress for the entire Jamaat.
Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib, commonly known as M M Ahmad, was the economic advisor to the President of Pakistan in 1971. This was a key position, and the opponents did not like the fact that not only was such a person in such a key position an Ahmadi, but the grandson of the Promised Messiahas.
On 15 September 1971, M M Ahmad Sahib was in the elevator of a government office when an opponent of the Jamaat attacked him with a knife. He made a full effort to control the attacker, but in this effort, deep wounds were inflicted on his hand and leg, and much blood was lost.
The attacker later openly emerged as an opponent of Ahmadiyyat, but at that time Allah the Almighty protected M M Ahmad Sahib and no significant harm occurred. However, he remained in the hospital for several days under treatment. After this, Allah the Almighty granted him the opportunity to serve in critical economic positions on an international scale. High-ranking economists in Pakistan were his students and continued to view him with great respect. No one can deny his services to Pakistan.
Opposition heightens with General Zia: More false imprisonments
During General Zia-ul-Haq’s draconian rule, many Ahmadis were subjected to fabricated cases under the so-called anti-Qadiani laws. During this era, Sahibzada Mirza Khurshid Ahmad Sahib and Sahibzada Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib were detained and imprisoned for some time. A baseless case was also filed against respected Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, and he was imprisoned.
Many Ahmadis had to face hardships in false cases, in which some members of the family of the Promised Messiahas have also undergone the hardships associated with such pseudo-legalities.
The waves of false accusations continued to rise and fall. Allah the Almighty continued bestowing progress upon the Community. The enemy’s envy also naturally remained directly proportional.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s arrest prior to Khilafat
By 1999, opposition had taken a very cruel turn. At that time, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa Sahib was the Ameer-e-Muqami of the Jamaat in Pakistan. The opponents of the Community made a false accusation against Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib that he had erased the official name of Rabwah, Chenab Nagar, and written Rabwah in its place, and that by erasing a Quranic verse, he had, God forbid, committed blasphemy of the Quran. This was a completely baseless and false accusation. However, the police arrested Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa Sahib along with some other Ahmadi friends. He remained a prisoner in the way of Allah in a jail cell for eleven days.
This incident and these eleven days were days of severe anguish for the entire Community. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa Sahib was also subjected to the hardship of imprisonment and captivity by having a false accusation levelled against him, like his grandfather, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra Sahib. The enemy knew that his position in the Jamaat, his goodness and nobility, and his being a member of the family of the Promised Messiahas would be more agonising for the Jamaat than the arrest of a thousand people.
But Allah the Almighty not only very soon arranged for the honourable acquittal and release of Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa Sahib, but also established him in the position of Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat as the fifth Caliph of the Promised Messiahas. During his Khilafat, Allah Almighty has bestowed and continues to bestow immense progress upon the Jamaat.
Ghulam Qadir Sahib: First martyr from the family
A similar attempt to cause such pain to the Ahmadiyya Community through a member of the family of the Promised Messiahas had been made. Before this arrest, another painful incident had occurred in the same month when, on 14 April 1999, Sahibzada Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib was martyred with extreme cruelty. In the web of conspiracy being woven against the Ahmadiyya Community, the plan was to extract sensitive information from Sahibzada Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib.
Sahibzada Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib saw death standing before him, but there was no slip in his steadfastness. He presented such a magnificent example of giving precedence to his faith over the world that he accepted being martyred.
Martyrdom of Syed Taalay Ahmed in Ghana
Sahibzada Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib left behind his wife and young children. One of his daughters grew up and was married to Syed Taalay Ahmad Sahib. Talay was a devoted young man from the family of Hazrat Promised Messiahas. While travelling in Ghana for Jamaat work, he was shot and martyred. After the love with which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned this young man, nothing needs to be said.
Hazrat Sahibaa declared him to be such a member of the family who was unique in his love and attachment to Khilafat. Now, if we look, this is not just the sacrifice of the young martyr Taalay. His widow and his children are all participants in this sacrifice. This righteous young presented himself before Allah, and to continue a long chain of sacrifice, his family members, who are from the family of Hazrat Promised Messiahas, remained behind, presenting an excellent example of sacrifice with great patience.
Many false cases were filed against many members of the Jamaat under Pakistan’s anti-Ahmadiyya laws. Members of the family of the Promised Messiahas have been no exception.
Thus, while every Ahmadi is ready at all times for every kind of sacrifice for the sake of the exaltation of the Holy Prophet’ssa final Jamaat, the members of the family of the Promised Messiahas have continued to present and still present such a noble example that is worthy of emulation for every Ahmadi.
We have seen, and the history of more than one hundred years bears witness, that the family of the Promised Messiahas has not considered itself above an ordinary Ahmadi. Rather, they have presented themselves for every sacrifice just like other Ahmadis. In fact, they have been especially targeted, and they have never hesitated to make sacrifices. This is undoubtedly the blessing of the Promised Messiah’sas prayers and his practical example.
In any financial sacrifice schemes, from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra until today, all Khulafa are themselves the first to offer sacrifice.
If the writer were to mention the sacrifices of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, it would be a case of speaking beyond one’s station. Many of these sacrifices are hidden from the public eye anyway. But for the welfare and well-being of us all, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, offers not daily but several times daily, multiple sacrifices. We have no recompense for these sacrifices. Nor do we have words to express our feelings of gratitude.
O Allah, strengthen our Imam with the Holy Spirit. Amin.