Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani (ra) (1875-1957)
The holiday season
The month of August is generally regarded here [in London] as the holiday season. People, according to their means and circumstances, usually travel to various seaside resorts in England or to other European countries for recreation and leisure. They do so in such large numbers that it is astonishing. Hundreds of thousands leave the country in a single day, while thousands and even hundreds of thousands of people arrive during the same period from America and other countries. Thus, despite the holiday season, there is no noticeable decline in London’s population or liveliness.
The sessions of Parliament have also been suspended. At the final sitting, held on 4 August 1926, the Socialist members moved a resolution proposing that, on this occasion, the parliamentary recess should last only until 17 August, in view of the pressing issue of the coal miners’ strike. However, the proposal was defeated by 173 votes to 49, and Parliament was closed, as usual, until 9 November. People from every walk of life are leaving the city to enjoy a period of rest. For our missionaries, however, there is no holiday; rather, it is an exceedingly joyful and blessed engagement for them.
Germany’s economic and material progress
The London newspapers are observing Germany’s steadily increasing material and economic progress with astonishment. The suffering inflicted upon Germany by the Great War is evident, yet the country is making great efforts to improve its condition and is advancing in the commercial sphere with such remarkable vigour that it is a matter of wonder.
A report on electrical equipment and requirements, published here recently, has revealed some astonishing facts about Germany. It states that Germany is increasing the value of the goods it exports to other countries by between £100 million and £150 million. At the same time, the cost of living in Germany is being reduced considerably.
A highly distinguished and prudent Englishman writes that he did not see anyone in Germany selling boxes of matches. Here in London, many people who are unable to find other work stand in the streets selling matchboxes. He draws attention to this contrast.
In reality, courage, determination and hope are qualities of great importance. If a person does not give up, God Almighty grants such an individual tremendous assistance. This is a lesson taught by Islam, which broadens the horizons of hope and inspires people to work hard and exert themselves.
Thefts in churches
Thefts take place in some churches. We, too, have certain individuals who enter mosques to steal shoes. A priest at one church has established his own CID department to address this problem.
The church in question is a prominent and well-known church in southeast London, built in the name of St Peter. Last year, it celebrated its centenary. For several months, thefts had been occurring there regularly, almost every day. In addition to the theft of property belonging to the church, the handbags of women attending worship were also being stolen.
The priest therefore established his own CID department. The volunteers who join this team will work for one hour each day. He has named this protective unit the Guardians’ Unit. The priest is confident that his proposal will bring these thefts to an end. Indeed, unless sincere and enthusiastic individuals come forward to offer their services on such occasions, it is not possible to reduce the incidence of such offences. There is a need for such devoted members of our Jamaat everywhere, so that they may contribute to the training of its members and the protection of Jamaat property.
A scientist’s prediction
Sir Daniel Hall is a renowned scientist and an adviser on scientific matters to the Ministry of Agriculture. He recently stated that the time is approaching when, owing to overpopulation, people will no longer have access to food in the manner they do today. In the future, meat and alcoholic beverages may no longer be available to people. In other words, they will become vegetarians and teetotallers.
In his speech, while discussing the future dangers of overpopulation, Sir Daniel also revealed that England devotes 1.5 million acres of land to the cultivation of barley, which is used to produce alcoholic beverages, while France devotes four million acres to the same purpose. This gives some indication, albeit a limited one, of the extent of alcohol consumption in these countries.
In short, a discussion took place concerning the prediction of this grave danger, and a doctor remarked that the only remedy was to have fewer children. This problem is already prevalent in this country. On the one hand, scientists warn of the dangers of overpopulation; on the other, there is another group lamenting the declining birth rate in England, stating that the number of births is decreasing every year and opposing birth control and similar principles.
On a third front, there is yet another group that, God forbid, regards marriage as a curse and seeks freedom from its obligations altogether. From this, one can understand the nature of the struggles taking place here. All these movements will eventually lead this nation towards Islam when their faith grows in accordance with [the following verse]:
لَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ
[“Kill not your children for fear of poverty.” (17:32)]
Then the solution to these difficulties will become easy. These philosophers and scientists have come to regard the world as dependent solely upon their own proposals and schemes. Consequently, they continue to express all manner of strange ideas.
The newspapers here
For me, the most interesting thing and the ultimate source of intellectual indulgence is the newspaper. I purchase and read various kinds of newspapers. The newspapers here are a world of their own. I cannot describe their statistics and influence in detail.
These days, their annual figures are being compiled and their circulation figures are formally audited and subsequently announced. The Daily Mail, which I mentioned in my previous letter, had a circulation of 1,734,350 copies in July 1926. Its income is duly recorded. The combined circulation of all the newspapers of India does not equal that of this one newspaper.
There is also a weekly newspaper called News of the World, whose weekly circulation is three million. These newspapers pay their contributors thousands of pounds. A few days ago, the Daily Mail sent a delegation to America to investigate the conditions of workers, spending thousands of pounds on the undertaking.
The leading workers from every branch of industry in England were selected for this purpose. All their expenses were paid at first-class hotels. During their stay, each member was provided with a reasonable daily allowance for personal expenses. Their dependents continued to receive their salaries in England, and their lives were insured separately.
In short, the newspaper sent this delegation abroad and published a detailed report covering all the circumstances. Every newspaper strives to publish news of any matter before its competitors, regardless of the expense involved.
Photographs of the installation of the Maharaja of Kashmir were brought here by special aircraft and aeroplanes. There are not merely one or two such examples, but thousands. Every day, I observe their remarkable enterprise and can only marvel at it.
There are separate newspapers devoted to every subject and every field.
Criminals and witnesses
Crimes of every kind are committed in every part of the world and investigations are conducted and punishments imposed for such offences everywhere. The criminals and witnesses here are also worthy of observation. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that, in one respect, they are worthy of admiration.
I have carefully read the accounts of various court cases. It has often been observed that when criminals have committed offences with considerable boldness and composure, they have not hesitated to confess them. I cannot say that they never attempt to lie, for there are bad characters everywhere. However, the majority here do not lie. This is because they have been brought up in this manner from childhood, and because, being members of a ruling nation, they possess courage and self-confidence. Lying is regarded as a sign of cowardice and is therefore relatively uncommon among them.
A young man strangled and killed his paternal aunt, who was also his beloved. The girl had asked him to strangle her and he did so merely to please her, resulting in her death. The young man was arrested, and his father had to appear as a witness. He knew what the outcome would be, yet praise be given to such a father and countless commendations to that young man. The young man gave a truthful account of all the events, and the father, by giving honest testimony, caused his son to be sentenced to death by hanging.
Natural grief is one matter, but both of them were satisfied that they had acted truthfully and that whatever punishment followed was justified. There are thousands of examples of this kind.
Only a few days ago, ancient Greek and Roman coins were stolen from the Victoria and Albert Museum, named after the late Queen Victoria and her husband. The police arrested the culprit and the case was brought before the court. What is remarkable, however, is that the accused disclosed all the facts with complete candour. He had given one of the coins to a girl, who had sold it for five pounds. She appeared in court and despite all the feelings of love and attachment she may have had for the young man, gave preference to the truth. She knew that she herself would be punished.
The identity of the jeweller to whom the coins had been sold was unknown. He could have escaped the attention of the police without fear or concern. Yet he did not do so. He himself informed the police that some of the coins had been sold to him. Do these remarkable examples not shed light upon the mentality of the people of this country?
This young man had previously maintained an excellent character. He had committed the offence under certain circumstances, but he explained his conduct before the court and stated:
“I committed this offence because I was driven to it by my needs and distress. I am prepared to undergo the punishment for this crime and even if I am released after serving my sentence, I shall make good use of the opportunity and live as a respectable man.”
If such a spirit exists even among the criminals of a nation, what can we, the people of [British] India, do in comparison, when our moral standards have fallen so low that we give false testimony and tell lies at the slightest inducement? To attain prevalence, we need those moral qualities that are characteristic of human dignity.
Another murder case was heard here. The father of the murderer was a highly astute and influential political figure who had demonstrated exceptional ability in Europe and China. He possessed a revolutionary spirit. He was prohibited from entering England and had, for some time, gone to Ceylon, where he became a Buddhist monk. However, when he learned that his son had committed murder, he came to London for his sake.
Permission was granted for him to meet his son, but certain circumstances prevented him from arriving in time and he had to return. I am not relating his story, although it is highly interesting.
The son was sentenced to death. His mother and brother bade him farewell with remarkable courage and he regarded facing death like a man as a source of true comfort. When the circumstances surrounding his walk to the gallows were published, it became evident that he was an exceptionally brave young man. The courage, fortitude and fearlessness of death that he displayed were derived from the truthfulness he had demonstrated in confessing his crime.
In short, the criminals, witnesses, judges and police here are all remarkable. The police do not need to resort to harsh treatment to extract confessions from criminals. Nor do they need to fabricate confessions or obtain false admissions. If a person has not committed a crime, he declares courageously that he is innocent. Even if, under certain circumstances, he falls victim to a conspiracy and the evidence or circumstances against him are such that he appears to be guilty, he continues to maintain that he is innocent.
The relatives and friends who visit an accused person do not teach him false excuses or explanations. Rather, the first thing they say is: “If you have committed this act, then tell the truth and be a man.” Lying is regarded as an offence against humanity and manliness. Consequently, criminals, conscious of the consequences they may face, generally speak the truth.
The world of judges is the most extraordinary of all. No one can exert influence there.
A few days ago, a minor case involving indecent conduct in Hyde Park was heard. The accused was a man of considerable standing. He had formerly been a senior police officer and had been awarded a knighthood. Many prominent individuals appeared as witnesses in his defence. However, the account of the case established his guilt and the judge sentenced him without hesitation.
This is a lengthy account, but it reveals a particular aspect of the character of the nation. If I am granted the opportunity, I shall, insha-Allah, record my observations of the courts here in greater detail.
The police here believe that they are required to serve the country and seek to benefit others. Their purpose is not merely to make arrests and secure convictions or to ruin respectable people in order to maintain their authority. The London police are regarded as the finest police force in the world.
I regret to say that police officers from here go to [British] India with exceptionally good intentions, but at times our own brethren poison their outlook.
Judges and magistrates do not have merely the objective of imposing punishment; their purpose is also reformation. When accused persons are found guilty, they do not simply sentence them; they also offer necessary counsel. In cases involving husbands and wives, as well as minor offences against the law, they act as thorough advisers.
For offences committed by young children, they maintain a staff of clergymen to provide sermons and moral instruction. Their aim is not to damage the character of young people. Rather, they recognise the delicate responsibility of determining whether, at a particular stage, a young person requires guidance and training or punishment. They understand that punishment may turn such an individual into a habitual criminal.
The manner in which they adopt the approach of education and reform is truly unparalleled. There is a need to adopt similar methods to protect the coming generation of India from becoming criminals.
I therefore do not hesitate to respectfully draw the attention of the judicial authorities to the fact that punishment is not the only means of reformation. We should acknowledge our weaknesses with courage and assist judges fully in reaching the correct conclusions. If we have made a mistake, we should admit it. When the time comes to give evidence, we should testify truthfully, even if our testimony is against someone.
This is an Islamic teaching and I see it being practised here. That is why I often say that, in practice, Europe is Muslim to a very great extent.
Consequences of the Great War
Since the Great War is one of the magnificent signs of the Promised Messiah (as), I have always taken a keen interest in collecting books and information about it. I also wish that, if the means become available, I may return after visiting the battlefields, God willing. I still possess a considerable collection of material on this subject in my library. Nevertheless, I wish to add to it whatever new books are published on the war. With this purpose in mind, I read all kinds of reports concerning the consequences of the war.
France recently published a report containing statistics on the reconstruction of buildings and places destroyed during the war. On the one hand, there is the enormous amount of debt owed to America. England’s debt is a separate burden, while the expenses of the war in Syria are an additional liability. The internal situation is also such that the government has collapsed several times and the franc has fallen so sharply that it once declined to approximately the value of a penny. Even now, its exchange rate remains above 160.
The reconstruction of the devastated places is yet another difficulty. However, among the qualities that contribute to the progress of nations are perseverance and manly courage. Despite all its luxuries, France is fully prepared to do everything necessary to preserve its democracy, national identity and strength. Although all kinds of heated and restrained debates take place in its Parliament, every individual in the country is making every possible sacrifice to save the nation. A tobacco merchant has donated tens of millions of pounds.
The report published by France states that, by December 1925, the total number of claims submitted to the government in connection with the losses suffered during the Great War had reached 3,087,666. Even if the exchange rate of the franc were fixed at 100 francs to the pound, the total compensation payable would amount to £380 million. However, the total compensation claimed is £1.24 billion, as it is expected that the amount demanded may be reduced. Consequently, the final sum may come down to approximately £850 million.
In short, the country is facing an extraordinary ordeal. The reconstruction and restoration of the devastated areas will require another two years of work and the interest being paid on these sums since 1914 is an additional burden.
A study of these circumstances reveals the truly magnificent nature of the war as a sign. It is impossible to gain a proper understanding of the situation merely by sitting in [British] India or relying solely on news reports. This is such a momentous prophecy that the world will remember it forever and even its remembrance will cause a tremor.
An example of sacrifice for mutual sympathy
Naturally, various kinds of accidents and incidents occur here. Everyday occurrences include people being struck by cars and falling or losing their lives on the roads, as well as fires and incidents in which people fall into canals or rivers.
Despite being commonplace, such incidents are not viewed by people with indifference or merely as spectacles. Rather, everyone immediately becomes ready to assist those in distress, regardless of their rank, status or age.
I have witnessed many such incidents. Everyone tries to offer help. No one thinks, “This is my responsibility”, or “This is someone else’s responsibility.” Instead, each person believes that it is their own duty.
This spirit is not confined to young people or adult women and men; it is found even among small children.
An incident occurred on 11 August 1926 involving a five-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy who were playing near their home, close to a canal. By chance, the boy fell into the canal. Consider the courage of this five-year-old girl and the manly action she took. Instead of raising an alarm, crying, screaming or running away, she immediately jumped into the canal and attempted to rescue the four-year-old boy.
However, the task was too great for her strength and courage. She herself began to drown and was struggling in the water when another person saw her and jumped into the canal to rescue her. Meanwhile, the boy was carried further away by the current. Another young man, aged 21, saw him, climbed over a ten-foot-high wall and jumped into the canal fully clothed. He caught hold of the boy and efforts were made to revive them both. The girl’s condition was improving, while the boy’s condition was critical.
Imagine what kind of spirit this five-year-old girl possessed.
Had an incident of this kind occurred in our country, she would have run home and if she had reported it to her mother, the immediate response would probably have been, “Be quiet, or your name will be mentioned.” But the situation is not like this here.
We need to cultivate the spirit of saving the lives of others and helping them in times of difficulty. I shall never forget the incident when a fire broke out at the residence of Dr Fazal Karim Sahib and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] was personally present and taking part in the efforts. With deep insight and heartfelt awareness, I know that he wishes to cultivate this spirit among us. He has repeatedly stated that our friends should come forward at the forefront to help others on such occasions and he has presented the achievements of members of the Royal Humane Society as examples for us on such occasions.
I cannot proceed without drawing the attention of the respected head of the education and edification department, whose natural sympathy and courageous character are known to all. Surely, he must have some such training scheme in mind. There is a need to establish, first of all in Qadian, a brigade of this kind whose plan of action should be to assist others in accidental emergencies.
I also regret having to point out that, although Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] has repeatedly called for the establishment of the Boy Scout movement, the responsible friends have so far not paid attention to it. It would therefore be highly appropriate if the [aforementioned] head of department were to incorporate this movement into the same scheme.
A successful attempt to cross the English Channel
Readers of Al Fazl are familiar with the English Channel. Every year, attempts are made to cross it by swimming. Around this time last year, an American girl attempted to cross it but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, she did not lose her determination or courage.
This year, an eighteen-year-old American girl named Miss Gertrude Ederle, the daughter of a butcher, crossed the Channel in the fastest time. She was also the first woman to accomplish the feat. She swam across it in 14 hours and 42 minutes.
The first successful attempt to cross the Channel was made in 1875, but until then no woman had succeeded. The young Ederle, however, achieved this remarkable feat with great distinction.
Her father and her nurse accompanied her, as did her coach. Special newspaper correspondents and photographers were also following the attempt. When the shore was still some distance away, her coach and companions thought that she might not succeed and even told her to give up and let it go. She replied, in effect, “Why should I give up? I will cross it.”
Her father had promised to buy her a fine car if she succeeded. Accordingly, after completing the swim, the first thing she asked about was the car. Her father had remained with her throughout and encouraged her. She had attempted the crossing the previous year as well but had not succeeded. Her father had spent thousands of pounds on her pursuit.
Throughout the swim, wireless communications were continuously transmitting reports of her progress and speed to London and from there to America. The newspapers expressed great excitement and joy at her success.
This is not the first example of such enterprise. The people of these countries are always ready to encourage and appreciate individuals who display such determination and courage. I shall reserve a detailed account of this subject for Ta’dib-un-Nisa.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 10 September 1926 issue of Al Fazl)