Pioneer Missionaries: 22 – Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz, Companion of the Messiah and pioneer missionary in the land of the rising Sun

A series looking at pioneer missionaries and devotees of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat who gave precedence to faith over the world.

Click here for Part 21

Awwab Saad Hayat, Al Hakam

On 30 October 1978, the pioneer missionary and scholar of Jamaat, Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra, son of Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanauri^ra, passed away after being ill for five months. His funeral prayer was led by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh. 

Who was Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra 

Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra, born in 1899, led a pious life, full of devotion to Islam Ahmadiyyat. As his father was present in Qadian, in the blessed company of the Promised Messiah^as, it is reported that the Promised Messiah^as himself arranged for the newborn’s aqeeqah. Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra had the opportunity to serve the Jamaat in various capacities from an early age. During the Shuddhi movement days in 1922-23, he had the blessed opportunity to serve under the supervision of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra to protect Muslims from apostasy. In his missionary career, he first served as the deputy Imam of the Fazl Mosque, London, for three years when Hazrat Maulana Farzand Ali^ra was the Imam. When Sufi^ra Sahib was back in India, he worked tirelessly for the Kashmir Committee to support the oppressed people of Kashmir.

Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra had special proficiency and capability in the English language. He translated several essays and poems of the Promised Messiah^as. After the formation of Pakistan, his articles continued to be published in various English journals and newspapers. (Al Fazl, 1 November 1978, p. 6)

First missionary to Japan

In the year 1935, Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra was sent to Japan, where he served as the first missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. In Japan, he also regularly contributed articles to Al Fazl. He was also fortunate enough to serve as the private secretary to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra and then as the editor of The Review of Religions for many years.

On 4 June 1935, Ahmadiyya Mission Japan was formally established through Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra. He remained engaged in spreading the message of truth for three years and returned to Qadian on 2 July 1938. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 25, p. 329)

The journey of a Companion of Hazrat Masih-e-Maud^ra as a missionary in Japan was an extraordinary event. On one occasion, regarding this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra stated that our duty is to establish Ahmadiyya communities in every country while the Companions of the Promised Messiah^as are still alive so that people can say that although we didn’t see the Promised Messiah^as, we at least saw those who had seen him. (Friday Sermon, 8 November 1935)

Departure of missionaries

As reported in Jamaat history, the departure of the first group of missionaries under Tahrik-e-Jadid from Qadian to foreign countries was a very faith-inspiring and grand day. 6 May 1935 holds special importance in the history of Ahmadiyyat, as on this day, the first group comprising the following pioneer missionaries of the Jamaat departed from Qadian:

1) Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra – Japan. 

2) Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Hussain Ayyaz^ra – Singapore. 

3) Hazrat Sufi Abdul Ghafoor^ra – China. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 201)

Further, 4 June 1935 will always be remembered in the history of Ahmadiyyat in Japan as a special day holding the desire of the Promised Messiah^as to preach Islam and the determination to deliver the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa to the corners of the earth. Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer^ra reached the coastal city of Japan after approximately a month-long journey. (Daily Al Fazl, 7 June 1935, p. 2)

Initially, Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra spent much time learning the Japanese language, but gradually, he succeeded in creating influence in various circles of the country. He delivered lectures at Kobe College of Commerce, Canadian Academy, Osaka English Speaking Society, and several other societies, and established connections with many Japanese personalities. Through him, an educated Japanese person also accepted Ahmadiyyat.

Due to his arrival from India, the Japanese government initially suspected that he might be a spy for Britain or the allied countries. In November 1937, Japanese police began strict surveillance of him. He was taken into custody but was released after investigations were completed. 

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra mentions Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra in his sermon 

While mentioning Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz’s^ra imprisonment, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra stated in his Friday sermon on 5 November 1937 that he had just received a telegram informing him that the Japanese government had imprisoned Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra. 

Huzoor^ra urged the Jamaat to pray for him. Huzoor^ra added that at the beginning of the fourth year (referring to the fourth year after the launch of Tahrik-e-Jadid), this incident serves as a kind of warning from Allah the Almighty. We must reflect, Huzoor^ra said, on all circumstances and understand that such difficulties will also arise in the path of preaching.

Huzoor^ra further said that an order for Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz’s^ra return had already been issued, as another missionary, Maulvi Abdul Ghafoor Sahib – brother of Maulvi Abu’l-Ata Sahib – had already arrived there. If an Ahmadi travelling for commercial purposes faces such challenges, then one can imagine how severe the difficulties would be for those travelling for the purpose of preaching.

Huzoor^ra then remarked that, as far as he had learnt, the accusation against Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra was that he was opposed to the Japanese government. This presents the Jamaat with a new experience. The British say to us that we are against them, while other governments claim that we are well-wishers of the British. Nevertheless, these are new experiences the Jamaat is encountering, and through them, we can understand the types of obstacles that will arise in our path. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 18, p. 503)

Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra, pioneering the message of Islam for generations

Although during his stay in Japan, Hazrat Sufi Abdul Qadeer Niaz^ra also began writing a book covering the biography of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, Islamic teachings, acts of worship, and their wisdom. A rough translation of approximately 1,300 pages had already been completed in Japanese, and discussions were underway with a publisher regarding the sale of publishing rights when he was called back. He arrived back in Qadian on 12 July 1938.

Historically, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat continued its efforts to convey the message of truth to the people of Japan.

This was also in fulfilment of a prophecy of the Promised Messiah^as, in which he desired that Allah create in the pure-hearted people of Japan a desire for Islam. (Malfuzat, Vol. 7, p. 385, Edition 1985, Published in the UK)

A manifestation of this truth was seen in 2015, when, after the inauguration of the first Ahmadiyya mosque in Japan, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa stated:

“All praise belongs to Allah that today, along with the translation of the Holy Quran, thousands of pieces of literature are being prepared in the Japanese language by the Jamaat. Moreover, with this mosque, Allah has opened such doors to fulfil the desire of the Promised Messiah^as that now the message of Islam is reaching millions.” (Friday Sermon, 27 November 2015)