The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has long been engaged in spreading the message of Islam in Scandinavia – Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. The establishment of Islam in this region, home to snow-covered mountains and vast icebergs, is a faith-inspiring phenomenon, particularly in light of certain prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.
Regarding the era of Dajjal (Antichrist), the Holy Prophetsa foretold:
“In that time, one day will be equivalent to a year, somewhere one day will be equal to a month and somewhere one day will be equal to a week.” He also provided guidance on prayer and fasting in such regions, stating:
“You should work by estimation.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-fitan ‘an rasulillah, Bab ma ja’a fi fitnati d-dajjal, Hadith 2240)
This indicates that during the time of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, people living in areas where days and nights extend for weeks and months would accept Islam and establish their worship accordingly.
Munir-ud-Din Ahmad Sahib, a missionary in Sweden and Norway, once stated: “Our Ahmadi brother Nur Ahmad Bolstad is a local resident of this region. After accepting Ahmadiyyat, he spent several years here and continued to observe prayers and fasting by estimation.” (Monthly Khalid, December 1977, p. 18)
Additionally, the Holy Prophetsa instructed: “When the opportunity comes to see the Promised Messiah, one should take the oath of allegiance (bai‘at), even if it means sliding on the snow on one’s knees to reach him.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4084)
Given that in some parts of Scandinavia, snow covers the land for most of the year and people move by sliding, this hadith is seen as a powerful indication of Islam’s destined spread in these regions.
The beginnings of the Ahmadiyya Mission
During his stay in London in 1955, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra developed a comprehensive scheme for Islamic preaching, which included establishing a mission in Scandinavia. A letter from him reveals that in 1932, he was inspired by Allah that people in Norway, Sweden and Finland were waiting for a missionary.
The mission was formally initiated in 1956, when Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra appointed Syed Kamal Yusuf Sahib as the first missionary to Scandinavia, accompanied by Chaudhry Abdul Latif Sahib, BA. Their work began in Gothenburg, Sweden. Under their guidance, jamaats were soon established in Oslo (Norway), Stockholm and Malmö (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark). Over time, many individuals embraced Islam and translation and interpretation of the Holy Quran commenced.
Early converts and progress
Among the first converts in Scandinavia were the following:
- Saifullah Mahmud (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Abdul Salam Madsen (Denmark)
- Al-Ustadh Nur Ahmad Bolstad (Norway)
- Bay Mortakdi Tolsen (Denmark)
- Madhat Ibrahim Begurochh (Malmö, Sweden)
- Abdul Wahab Hansen (Denmark)
- Abdul Wahid Rolsen (Denmark)
- Noah Svend Hansan (Denmark)
Under the guidance of Khilafat, the Scandinavian mission flourished. Notably, three Scandinavian converts took on honorary missionary roles: Abdul Salam Madsen Sahib in Denmark, Hajj Saifullah Mahmud Arksen in Sweden and Nur Ahmad Bolstad Sahib in Norway. Additionally, the first European donors to Tahrik-e-Jadid emerged from Scandinavia.
The mission’s impact extended beyond individual conversions. The monthly Aktive Islam was published in three languages under the editorship of Hajj Mahmud Arksen Sahib and the foundation stone for the Copenhagen Mosque was laid. Senior Jamaat officials, including Wakil-ut-Tabligh Sahib, visited the region multiple times to oversee and expand the mission’s efforts. The establishment of annual Scandinavian Ahmadi gatherings and European Mission conferences further strengthened the mission’s presence.
Lasting impact
The mission was further blessed when Hazrat Nawab Amatul Hafiz Begum Sahibara visited this region. Through various tabligh methods – including press engagements, public gatherings and personal outreach – the central missionaries worked tirelessly to propagate the message of Islam.
Today, the well-established mosques and Jamaat centres in Scandinavia stand as a testament to the sincerity, dedication and sacrifices of those pioneering missionaries and early converts. Their efforts laid the foundation for Ahmadiyyat’s enduring presence in these northern lands.
(This article has been prepared using references from Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat and the December 1977 issue of Monthly Khalid.)