A series looking at pioneer missionaries and devotees of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat who gave precedence to faith over the world
Awwab Saad Hayat, Al Hakam
In the early 1920s, Abubakar Ayub Sahib, along with a few young men, travelled from Sumatra to Lucknow, British India, to pursue religious education. However, after a few months, he witnessed one of his teachers prostrate at the grave of his spiritual leader. Disillusioned, he left his studies there and arrived at the Ahmadiyya Building in Lahore, Brandreth Road. After staying there for a few months, they all went to Qadian in August 1923 and, a few months later, pledged allegiance to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. (Al Fazl, 21 August 1923, p. 1)
According to Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Abubakar Ayub Sahib was born on 13 October 1908.
Chaudhry Abdur Rahman Shakir Sahib recalled their arrival and early days in Qadian. He stated that initially, these three students were accommodated in the house of Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismailra. Abubakar Ayub Sahib was very polite, hard-working, and intelligent. He was always seen in clean clothes, deeply respected his teachers, was very punctual, and had a cheerful disposition. He also played football, which is the national sport of Indonesia. (Al Fazl, 20 October 1972, p. 4)
At Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian, he had the honour of being a classmate of Hazrat Sahibzada Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh. He continued his religious education, and in 1929, he passed the Maulvi Fazil exam from the Punjab University. (Al Fazl, 9 July 1929, p. 1)
After completing his education, he was posted to Indonesia, where he engaged in many successful debates and wrote numerous books and pamphlets in support of Ahmadiyyat. (Al Fazl, 24 September 1972, p. 1)
After nearly four years of religious education in Qadian, when he was about to return to Sumatra, he requested Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra for some written advice. In response, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra wrote and granted him the following words:.
“Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy
“I cannot write much, but since you are leaving after staying in Qadian for a long time, I want to give you this advice. First and foremost, keep reading the revelations that the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, received. Keep your faith renewed by reading these signs, for there is nothing more valuable to a person than the love of Allah Almighty.
“Be assured that Allah listens to His servants’ prayers. Therefore, turn to Him and pray to Him for every need, as no one else is more benevolent to a servant.
“Consider salat as an obligation that cannot be neglected under any circumstances. Whether travelling or stationed, in good health or in sickness, do not be negligent in your prayers.
“Preaching is not only a duty but also a service to humanity. Just as one cannot bear to see another person drowning, how can one sit silently when seeing someone moving away from Allah?
“Exemplary morals are signs of faith and its beautiful fruits. Always keep in mind the attainment and adherence to exemplary morals, for faith without them is like a fruitless tree.
“Always maintain your connection with the Markaz, for a branch that is cut off from the root dries up.
“May Allah be with you, guide the people of your country, and make your country an important centre for Ahmadiyyat, as that country is paying more attention to this light than any other country except India.
“Peace be upon you.
“Humbly,
“Mirza Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II.” (Al Fazl, 17 June 1934, p. 5)
After serving in Indonesia, he had the honour of rendering excellent preaching services in Holland and, far from his family by thousands of miles, he departed this world in a state of expatriation on that very land.
Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, imam of the Fazl Mosque in London – who had the honour of temporarily taking charge of the Holland mission after his demise – said that after arriving in the Netherlands, he especially noticed that not only the members of the Jamaat but also those outside the Jamaat were deeply and enduringly influenced by Abubakar Ayub Sahib’s exemplary morals and noble personality. Everyone spoke highly of him. In various gatherings, his name would come up, and the members of the community would describe his outstanding qualities with great love and devotion. He was very organised in his work, cautious in financial matters, well-dressed, mindful of both external and internal cleanliness, hard-working, and passionately devoted to the Jamaat.
Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib states that Abubakr Ayub Sahib took personal care of the education and training of new Ahmadi Dutch members, providing them with opportunities to apply their learnt knowledge. In short, he possessed countless virtues. (Al Fazl, 2 November 1972, p. 4)
The profound impact of Abubakar Ayub Sahib’s personality and high morals on the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Holland is evident from the impressions of those who knew him. He was beloved in the Jamaat, known for his simplicity, sociability, cheerfulness, and deep devotion to Khilafat. He cared deeply for the Jamaat, minimising expenses and avoiding waste. (Al Fazl, 10 March 1973, p. 5)
Abubakr Ayub Sahib passed away on 14 September 1972. In his Friday Sermon on 22 September 1972, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh acknowledged his sincere religious services, saying:
“Our esteemed brother, Abubakar Ayub Sahib, has passed away; انا اللّٰه وانا اليه راجعون. The deceased was a resident of Indonesia. He received his education at Madrasah Ahmadiyya during our childhood. We studied together. Allah Almighty granted him the ability to serve the religion sincerely throughout his life. He was a missionary in the Netherlands and passed away while fulfilling his responsibilities of preaching Islam in the field of the Jihad [of the pen]. May Allah forgive him and grant him the best reward. His body has arrived here, and I will lead his funeral prayer after the Friday prayers. Therefore, despite severe weakness due to illness, it was necessary for me to come here to express my emotions. Allah Almighty granted the Promised Messiahas a generation for making sacrifices and showing selflessness. Most of them have returned to Allah. A few remain, and after them, another generation arose. Many of them have also passed away. Allah has granted and continues to grant many the ability to present their humble efforts and prayers with sincerity before Him.
“Our brother Abubakar Ayub Sahib was among them, becoming an example of ‘مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ’ (i.e., men who have been true to the covenant they made with Allah). Many are alive who are making sacrifices and awaiting their time. Our prayer is that the subsequent generations, and indeed every Ahmadi generation until the Day of Judgement, be those who love Allah and attain His love. May Allah grant the later missionaries the ability to train the upcoming generations. However, the responsibility that lies upon us should be fulfilled with full attention, prayers, and effort.
“As I have mentioned, our brother Abubakar Ayub Sahib was a very sincere Ahmadi. May God grant the Jamaat hundreds and thousands of such sincere hearts, enlightened minds, and those who make sacrifices with full attention and dedication, so that ease, expansion, and speed in the work may be achieved, and the possibilities of achieving results soon may arise.” (Al Fazl, 1 October 1972, pp. 2-3)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh led his funeral prayer on 22 September after the Jumuah prayer at the Aqsa Mosque, Rabwah, in which thousands of Ahmadis participated. Subsequently, the funeral was taken to Bahishti Maqbarah, where he was buried in a designated area. After the burial was completed, Maulana Abul Ata Sahib led the silent prayer. (Al Fazl, 24 September 1972, p. 1)