Respected Brother Muhammad Yusuf Khan Sahib, in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Mission in America, is engaged in the work of tabligh (preaching) with such diligence and vigour that it can be gauged from his latest report.
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, he is not only devoted to the edification and moral training of new converts but is also actively striving to bring others under the banner of Islam. Indeed, Allah the Almighty is granting him remarkable success in these endeavours.
We earnestly request our friends to offer special prayers for the continued success of this devoted brother and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to him on his achievements. His latest letter reads as follows:
Twenty-nine new converts
Over the past one and a half months, by the grace of Allah the Almighty and through the blessings of the prayers of my master, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra], 29 new individuals have accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and left Christianity. Friends are requested to pray for these new converts, that Allah the Almighty may enable them to remain steadfast upon the straight path and make their lives a source of blessing for Islam.
The rise of Islam
Christianity continued to keep the creation of God distant from the straight path only so long as it did not encounter Islam in open contest. However, the moment the Promised Messiah (as) emerged onto the battlefield as the champion of Islam, a state of lamentation began to prevail for Christianity in every quarter.
Just as light and darkness cannot coexist in the same space, so too can a Christian not withstand the intellectual and spiritual force of an Ahmadi Muslim. The time has now arrived for Islam to be conveyed to the furthest corners of the world.
The advent of the Promised Messiah (as) signified the decline of Christianity and the era of Fazl-e-Umar [Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra)] marks a period of its further dissolution and lamentation. Everywhere, voices are being raised against the activities of Christian missionaries.
Expansion of Islam across American cities
In brief, the allotted time of Christianity has run its course and pathways are now opening of themselves for the progress of Islam. Of the twenty-nine new converts, 13 accepted Islam in the city of Chicago, 9 in Philadelphia, 3 in New York and 5 in Indianapolis. Their Islamic names, alongside their former Christian names, are as follows:
Mr Adolphus (Lucknow) – Sheikh Abdul Majeed; Mr Samuel (Chicago) – Shamsuddin; Mr Rice (Chicago) – Alim Din; Mr Rice (Chicago) – Nimat Din; Mr Smith (Chicago) – Muhammad Akbar; Mrs Ransom (Chicago) – Rahat; Mr Borner (Chicago) – Hikmat Ilahi; Mrs Anderson (Chicago) – Zinatullah; Mrs Jackson (Chicago) – Khadijah; Mr Clark (Chicago) – Fazlur Rahman; Miss Good (Chicago) – Ulfat; Miss Logan (Chicago) – Fatimah; Mr Dayo (New York) – Yusuf; Mr Alvero (New York) – Mahboob Ahmad; Mr Taylor (New York) – Abdul Ghaffar; Mr Ward Spencer (Philadelphia) – Inayat Muhammad; Mr Ward Jr. (Philadelphia) – Inayat Ahmad; Miss Elaikum Ward (Philadelphia) – Ulfat; Miss Dorothy Ward (Philadelphia) – Bushra; Mr Albert Ward (Philadelphia) – Fazil; Miss Ruth Ward (Philadelphia) – Zainab; Mr Ester Ward (Philadelphia) – Fatih; Miss U Seal Ward (Philadelphia) – Rahmat; Mr Herman Ward (Philadelphia) – Mubashir; Mr William (Indianapolis) – Abdul Rasool; Mr Brandon (Indianapolis) – Khaseem; Mr Alexander (Indianapolis) – Abdullah; Mr Smith (Indianapolis) – Shahab and Mr Joseph (Indianapolis) – Abu Hurairah.
Growth and training of the new converts
Sheikh Karam Ilahi Sahib of Indianapolis writes that the number of the local jamaat has now reached seventeen members. He further notes that he imparts all new converts the fundamental beliefs of Islam to the best of his ability and consistently emphasises that, if they wish to become recipients of divine favour, they must observe the five daily prayers with regularity. Prayer, he explains, is the distinguishing mark between a Muslim and a non-Muslim and it is the primary means through which unity and mutual affection can be cultivated among them. Additionally, a regular weekly gathering is held every Sunday, in which all the newly converted Muslims participate.
Personal testimony of spiritual transformation
Mrs Ummat Subhan of Indianapolis writes that from the very day she began observing the five daily prayers, she has experienced a distinct inner tranquillity and a profound sense of divine comfort. She attributes this spiritual transformation to the dedicated efforts of Sheikh Karam Ilahi Sahib.
The conversion of Sheikh Abdul Majeed
Sheikh Abdul Majeed Sahib is of Anglo-Indian background and is originally a resident of Lucknow. After graduating from Glasgow, he came to America in search of employment and is presently working as a mechanical engineer in a railway company.
He had been under tabligh since the time of Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib [ra]. Having studied our literature in depth, he read Ahmadiyyat [or the True Islam], a recent work by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra], no fewer than three times.
Following approximately five months of regular attendance at lectures, he formally accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat last night. He possesses a deep passion for the preaching of Islam and has expressed his intention that, when he returns to India and God grants him further knowledge, he will devote himself to preaching among the Anglo-Indians.
He further stated that on the forthcoming occasion of Christmas, he intends to send a copy of Ahmadiyyat [or the True Islam] as a gift to his father, as it presents a clear and accurate portrayal of Islam – indeed, a gift superior to any other.
Additionally, he has pledged a monthly chanda (monetary sacrifice) of three dollars.
Establishment of the American Muslim Publishing Society
Under the title of American Muslim Publishing Society, Brother Rahman and I have jointly established an association, which to date has enrolled thirty-nine members. Each member has pledged a monthly contribution of twelve annas towards this fund.
The objectives of the society are as follows:
- To publish Islamic literature.
- To bear the expenses of advertisements.
- To invite non-Muslims towards Islam.
- To initiate the publication of The Muslim Sunrise, once sufficient capital has been accumulated.
This society will be formally incorporated in accordance with American law and efforts will be made to encourage all new Muslims across the United States to join it.
The message of Muhammadan Messiah conveyed to a gathering of two thousand
For the past six weeks, I had been attending a large public hall every Sunday with the hope of being granted an opportunity to deliver a lecture.
Each week, I would sit there for three hours in anticipation that my wish might be fulfilled. Despite the absence of success for six consecutive weeks, I did not lose heart and continued to attend regularly.
At last, the appointed time arrived when God fulfilled my desire: the past Sunday, the chairman of the gathering, Mr Wallace, granted me permission to speak for five minutes.
In five minutes, a formal lecture was scarcely possible; nevertheless, the divine message was conveyed. It was proclaimed that the Messiah for whom they had long been awaiting had indeed come and that those who wished to partake of true spiritual baptism should come to the mosque, the address of which was duly provided to them.
Public engagement and continuing outreach
At the conclusion of the address, Brother Muhammad Akbar Sahib and I stood at the exit and distributed our cards. Some individuals posed questions, which were duly answered, while others promised to visit the mosque.
In addition, every Sunday evening, I deliver lectures on Islam at various public venues.
The mosque has now reached a point where it can no longer accommodate all those who come for prayers and we are therefore considering arrangements to address this matter. It is hoped that Allah the Almighty will soon provide a most suitable solution.
Missionary tours and future plans
Invitations to deliver lectures have been received from two cities; however, owing to the severity of the weather, travel at present remains difficult. With the conclusion of the winter season, we intend – within the limits of our capacity – to undertake a vigorous and extensive campaign.
In order to facilitate missionary visits to nearby cities, we are also considering the purchase of a car. By the grace of God, we remain hopeful of attaining significant success in these endeavours.
– Muhammad Yusuf Khan,
Ahmadi Muslim Missionary, Chicago
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 23 April 1926 issue of Al Fazl)