Zeenath Malik, Ishaat Desk, Lajna Imaillah Virginia North
This article has been compiled and written by Zeenath Malik the great-granddaughter of Captain Naimatullah Sahib. She gives a special thanks to Sana Siddiqui, Captain Sahib’s granddaughter, for sharing recollections of her grandfather.
Naimatullah Siddiqi Sahib was the son of Hazrat Master Faqirullah Sahibra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas. As a ship captain, he had the honour of transporting Maulvi Imam Din Sahib, a missionary of the Jamaat, to Indonesia. He was a member of Majlis Intikhab-e-Khilafat (Khilafat Electoral College) and participated in the election of the fifth Khalifa. He had the opportunity to serve for a long time as Secretary Rishta Nata in the Philadelphia Jamaat. Siddiqui Sahib was deeply committed to Khilafat and the Jamaat system.
Siddiqui Sahib’s father left the Jamaat in Qadian and joined the Lahori Movement in Lahore. However, in 1944, he returned to Qadian and renewed his Bai‘at under Khilafat. Throughout this period, Master Sahib’s wife (and Captain Naimatullah Sahib’s mother) remained a devout Ahmadi.
My great-grandfather Captain Naimatullah Siddiqui embraced Ahmadiyyat when he was only twenty-five. He visited his maternal aunts in Qadian, where he had the opportunity to sit and have dinner with Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra and his companions. He was so impressed by the affection of Huzoorra, the kindness of the people, and the pious atmosphere of Qadian, that he decided to enter into the fold of Ahmadiyyat.
He wrote a letter to Huzoorra stating his wish to join Islam Ahmadiyyat. Huzoorra wrote back to him on the same letter and asked him to seek permission from his father first. My great-grandfather then sought his father’s permission to join Islam Ahmadiyyat. His father resonated with his feelings and told him that he believed in Islam Ahmadiyyat too and had been thinking about joining them. At the age of 25, my grandfather took the Bai’at. Soon after, he went to join the merchant navy and became captain.
My great-grandfather had a very strong relationship with God. Extremely punctual in his prayers, he never missed a single one. Every night, he would gather all of us to perform Maghrib and Isha prayers in congregation. For Friday prayers, he always dressed immaculately in his freshly ironed shalwar kameez, reflecting his respect for the occasion. Daily recitation of the Holy Quran was a cornerstone of his routine. Honesty was one of his core principles, and he consistently advised us to always speak the truth, no matter the circumstances. In all his life, I never heard him utter a lie, not even as a joke. He often reminded us that God loves those who uphold honesty. Alongside this, he firmly believed in the blessings of financial sacrifices. A model of generosity, he remained regular in his Chanda payments and even contributed on behalf of his late parents. Financial help to those in need was another way he expressed his faith—quietly assisting those too hesitant to ask for help.
He encouraged us to pray fervently and personally prayed for every member of our family, from his children to their grandchildren. His prayers extended to everyone he knew. Never once did I see him worry; a deep contentment and unwavering happiness defined his character. His trust in God’s support, no matter the situation, was absolute. I would always hear him say Alhamdulillah and Astaghfirullah numerous times a day. He was always very grateful even for the smallest things God gave him.
My great-grandfather’s love and loyalty for Khilafat was immense. He was initiated into the Electoral College for the election of a Khalifa. He was called to attend the meeting for the College after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh for the election of his successor. He was on duty in the Navy as Captain and could not attend the meeting.
In 2003, after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, he was called once again to London for the meeting. When the proceedings started, different people were nominated for Khilafat. All those people would get up when their names were called. When Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa got up, my great-grandfather noticed that there was so much Godly light emanating from his face that he immediately decided to vote for him. He was not the only one to witness this aura of Huzooraa; almost all the hands went up in his favour. Allah the Almighty had put his name in their hearts at that very moment. It not only shows his true love and devotion to Khilafat but also his piety.
My great-grandfather had the greatest and the sincerest love for his family. He was so loving and kind that he never raised his voice in anger at anyone, no matter what they did. He would laugh and smile with everyone. He had a very happy and jovial disposition that was reflected in him until his last moments in life. He respected everyone and showed utmost hospitality towards those who would visit him.
He stressed the importance of honesty and education before his kids. He lived his daily life on a set schedule and always made his own bed well into his 90s. He always kept everything very organised and clean. In his later years, his favourite thing was to look at picture albums of his family that he himself had made with immense love throughout his life. Those who saw him or met him would always say that he was one of the best people they ever came across. I feel blessed to say that Captain Naimatullah Siddiqui Sahib was my great-grandfather.