Hakeem Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib (1901-1955)
A chief accepts Islam Ahmadiyyat
In a previous letter, I reported the acceptance of Islam Ahmadiyyat by an independent local chief. A week after his conversion – on 17 July [1925] – and at his earnest request, I delivered a two-hour lecture in the chief’s town before a large gathering comprising several hundred adherents of traditional religions, Christians, and non-Ahmadis.
Reaction of the Christian audience
When I mentioned the death of their self-conceived “god”, the Christians were struck with astonishment. It was the first time they had ever heard such a concept – especially when I presented evidence from their own scripture. Many who had entered the lecture hall with great zeal, intending to challenge and question, found their enthusiasm vanish; they rose quietly and departed in silence.
Prayer request
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, our new brother, the respected chief, continues to advance in sincerity and devotion. Friends are requested to pray that Allah the Almighty may make him a source of blessings for the cause of Islam.
A royal gesture of honour
In these regions, a mark of distinction for independent rulers and nobles is their royal red umbrella, which they use during court assemblies and other ceremonial occasions. During my lecture, the chief graciously sent this symbol of sovereignty for me to stand beneath. Thus, under that royal canopy, with a heart overflowing with praise to Allah, I invited those bereft of Islam’s light towards light and guidance. After the lecture, I returned to my residence beneath the same royal shade.
Seventy new converts to Islam Ahmadiyyat
Following the lecture, 70 individuals – comprising followers of traditional religions, Christians, and non-Ahmadis – entered the bai‘at [allegiance] of Hazrat [Mirza Bashir-ud-Din] Mahmud [Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra]. Subsequently, seven more persons also embraced Islam Ahmadiyyat. All praise belongs to Allah the Almighty. The names of these new converts have been duly submitted to the Khalifa. I request all friends to pray that Allah the Almighty may grant them steadfastness in faith.
Reopening of the school
After the seasonal holidays, the school reopened on 4 August, though not all students have yet returned – about one-third remain absent. Nevertheless, new students have joined the institution.
As I have mentioned repeatedly, our most pressing need is the construction of a proper school building. After much deliberation, friends have reached the conclusion that, given our present weak financial circumstances, constructing our own building would be extremely difficult and time-consuming.
Therefore, it has been proposed to purchase an existing house priced at two thousand pounds, which is well suited for both the missionary’s residence and the school’s operations. A special meeting was convened to decide this matter, and collectors have been dispatched to gather a special contribution for this purpose.
Pray for divine assistance
Friends are requested to pray that Allah Almighty may resolve all our difficulties, fulfil all our needs, and spread the rays of Islam’s light throughout this land of darkness – so that people facing hardship and lacking access to Islamic insights may, by attaining nearness to their Creator, realise the very purpose of their creation, amin.
Journey to Ashanti
Ashanti lies about three miles from here, [i.e., Saltpond]. Although it is under the authority of the Governor of the Gold Coast, it is regarded as a distinct region and polity, with laws somewhat different from ours. Today, I am setting out for that area, where some of our friends also reside. May the Gracious God bless this journey.
Wassalam,
Fazl-ur-Rahman Hakeem,
Saltpond.
Construction of London Mosque
By the grace and mercy of Allah the Almighty, the construction of the Ahmadiyya London Mosque has commenced. This news was conveyed to newspapers by Reuters in the following words:
London, 28 September [1925]: This morning, construction began on the first mosque in London, situated in Southfields. Its foundation stone had been laid last autumn by His Holiness, [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra] with his own hands.
On this occasion, before the commencement of work, the imam of the Ahmadiyya Community in London delivered a sermon in Arabic, in which he recited particularly the two prayers recited by the father of religion, Abraham[as], at the time of constructing the Ka‘bah.
Thereafter, the imam of the Ahmadiyya Community in London, along with other Ahmadi members, personally dug the foundations for half an hour, all the while reciting those supplicatory prayers which were recited by Muhammad[sa] and his Companions[ra] during the building of the mosque of Medina.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 3 October 1925 issue of Al Fazl)