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
As the Jamaat’s pioneer missionaries ventured out to spread the message of the Promised Messiahas as representatives of the Khalifatul Masih, they encountered various obstacles, including severe weather and enemy attacks, just to name a few.
What happened when the enemies attacked Abraham with fire and what occurred to those who believed in Noah and boarded the ark are incidents we are familiar with. It is the same God who saved His noble prophets and continues to care for those whom He loves. Those who have accepted the Holy Prophetsa of Islam and are completely obedient to him have also embraced the Messiahas he prophesied would come in the Latter Days.
Divine protection amidst adversity: Miraculous preservation of Ahmadiyya mission in Ba, Fiji
The Jamaat’s Missionary in Fiji, Sheikh Wahid Sahib, writes that in 1968, it was decided to establish a branch of the Ahmadiyya Mission in the renowned city of Ba in Fiji and purchase a suitable house for this purpose. However, he writes, strong opposition began in this city. Opponents of Islam Ahmadiyyat initiated efforts to prevent the success of this Islamic mission in the city of Ba and hinder its progress.
During that period, the leader of the opponents was a formidable individual named Abu Bakr Ko Ya. He, along with other opponents of the Jamaat, started openly declaring their intention to set fire to the Ahmadiyya mission building in Ba. Thus, with this danger on site, every possible measure was taken to ensure the security of the premises. He writes that they also informed the local police station about the situation, and they assured their vigilance and support.
One night, the opponents managed to find an opportunity to express their innate feelings towards Islam Ahmadiyyat. One of them set fire to a portion of the mission house by pouring oil. The opponents deemed that the fire would quickly spread throughout the wooden structure, causing extensive damage. As soon as the fire started, the arsonist fled the scene. However, by the grace of God, the fire miraculously extinguished itself without causing any harm.
Sheikh Wahid Sahib writes that the mission house was empty at that moment. Upon their return the following day, they discovered that a fire had been intentionally set on the side of the building, which was predominantly made of wood. Some of the wooden areas were burnt, but fortunately, the fire had been extinguished before it could spread further. He added that on that very day, the damage was repaired.
During the inspection of the damaged area, the missionary in charge, Noorul Haq Sahib Anwar, stood in the burnt room and let out a deep sigh, expressing his sadness. He uttered the following words, “Whoever attempted to set fire to this centre for the propagation of the religion of Islam, may God reduce their own house to ashes.”
As fate would have it, a few days later, the house of Abu Bakr Ko Ya, the leader of the opponents, unexpectedly caught fire in Ba. Despite all their efforts to extinguish it, his house was completely reduced to ashes. (Ruh Parwar Yadain, Muhammad Sidique of Amritsar, pp. 94-95)
“Fire is my servant, and a servant of my servants”: Divine protection during war
Maulvi Ghulam Hussain Ayaz Sahib, a respected figure in the Jamaat, was among the dedicated and self-sacrificing missionaries who not only engaged in preaching but also bore their own expenses. He shouldered the responsibility of his financial burdens, relieving the Jamaat from any kind of financial obligation.
During the war between the British and the Japanese, as the British forces were retreating from Singapore, there was intense shelling from both sides. In the midst of this chaos, a shell exploded near the neighbourhood where Maulvi Ghulam Hussain Ayaz Sahib was residing. A fire broke out, rapidly spreading closer to his house. Upon witnessing this incident, members of the local Jamaat became greatly concerned. The nearby area was ablaze, and retrieving the belongings seemed challenging. However, the men present at the scene intended to somehow retrieve the goods. In such a scenario, Maulvi Ghulam Hussain Ayaz Sahib forbade them, assuring them not to worry, and he added that the Promised Messiahas had once stated, “Fire is my servant, and a servant of my servants.” Just as Maulvi Sahib uttered those words, a miraculous event occurred; the fire abruptly changed its course, consuming the houses situated in front and behind, sparing only a few houses in the middle. Remarkably, much of the area remained unscathed, and the neighbouring houses were also kept safe from harm. (Al Fazl, 6 February 1946)
An example of great humility and unwavering faith
A lengthy article by Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh was published in Al Fazl on 23 July 2010. The author expresses the view that his grandfather, Hazrat Mian Ghulam Qadirra was from a place near Qadian and was the first member of his family to accept Ahmadiyyat. Two of his sons, Maulana Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib and his elder brother Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Hussain Ayazra, had the privilege of dedicating their lives.
Major Muneer Ahmad Farrukh Sahib further mentioned that in 1972, his father, Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib, was dispatched to Fiji as a preacher. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke during his time there. In light of his health condition, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh advised him to return. According to the planned schedule, Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib states that they were present at Karachi Airport to receive him. Considering his situation, an ambulance was arranged as well. However, upon the plane’s arrival, Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib was not among the passengers who disembarked. Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib adds that communication methods in those times were not as advanced. And thus, when they contacted the airport authorities, they were informed that the plane had made a stopover in Singapore before reaching Karachi and that they would only be able to obtain further information the following morning.
The news of Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib’s health had deeply unsettled everyone. His absence from the expected flight has only added to the anxiety. Particularly, Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib writes that his mother, while concealing her grief, remained engrossed in prayers. Witnessing her yearning, they, as siblings, also joined her in fervent supplication. The night was spent in prayer. Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib states that the next morning, his mother sat by the outer door, waiting, as if certain that someone would arrive. As someone knocked at the door, the mother hastened to open it, firmly believing that it could be none other than her husband. Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib states that he witnessed that his father’s feet were unsteady due to his health condition. His health conveyed a powerful message that even if similar situations were to occur a hundred times, where he would have to sacrifice wealth, life, and children, he would still believe that the debt of righteousness has not been fully repaid.
Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib added that tears welled up in his father’s eyes as he looked at his family. Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib said that he arrived in Karachi at night and spent the night at Ahmadiyya Hall Karachi. In his hand, he held an old, small bag that he had brought with him from Pakistan. Major Munir Ahmad Farrukh Sahib said that the family assumed that the remaining luggage would be in the taxi. As they quietly ventured outside with the intention of retrieving them, Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib gently remarked, “This is all I have in my hand.”
This humble soul made his stopover in Singapore with the aim of meeting those Ahmadis who had joined Jamaat after the preaching of his brother when he was stationed there and was able to make a big Jamaat.
The miraculous storm: A testament to faith and Divine intervention
Among the early preachers of the Jamaat, we find the notable figure of Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasool Rajekira who dedicated his entire life to the propagation of Ahmadiyya. He had the privilege of spreading the message of the Promised Messiahas throughout the Indian subcontinent. While he was not sent to regions beyond Pakistan and India, his preaching services had a significant impact and encompassed a wide range of areas.
Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasool Sahib Rajekira mentioned that Chaudhry Nithe Khan Sahib, who was a sincere Ahmadi, organised a preaching meeting in his village. He extended invitations to Ahmadi friends residing in the vicinity, urging them to participate in this gathering. The gathering was planned to span two days. Upon learning about this gathering, non-Ahmadis of the area, known for their slanderous and abusive remarks, including their clerics, also became aware of the event. They, in turn, set up their own canopy and erected a stage near the local jamaat’s jalsa place, where they initiated their customary series of insults directed towards Islam Ahmadiyyat.
The opponents began uttering profanities and engaging in blasphemy. Then, within a few minutes, a powerful wind emerged from one side, and this storm veered towards the opposition’s gathering. The gust was so strong that their canopy was lifted and carried away, while the structures collapsed and scattered in different directions, resulting in complete chaos and the failure of their plan.
The Jamaat’s gathering was scheduled to commence after twelve o’clock. The storm persisted. Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasool Sahib Rajekira stated that as he went to deliver his speech, he humbly requested everyone in attendance to pray that Allah grant success to their gathering in every respect.
Therefore, he said, he raised his hands, along with all those present, and prayed fervently before the Almighty. He said that he prayed fervently to God saying that God promised in the Holy Quran that sincere believers and the transgressors and disbelievers cannot be equal. The non-Ahmadi gathering had no purpose other than to mock and deny the Promised Messiah, while the Jamaat’s purpose was solely to affirm and uphold the Messiah of the age. He prayed to Allah to demonstrate the difference through this storm and command the angels who control it to cease, so that the Jamaat may proceed with the proceedings of the gathering and elevate the word of Allah.
Suddenly, the wind ceased, gradually transforming into a gentle, cool breeze that eventually subsided completely within a matter of minutes. This cessation of wind had a profound impact, affecting both the adversaries and members of the Jamaat present. (Hayat-e-Qudsi, Part III, pp. 26-27)