This Week in History: 13-19 February

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

13 February 1835: On this day, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, was born to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza Sahib and Hazrat Chiragh Bibi Sahiba. It was a Friday, and according to the Hijri Calendar, it was 14 Shawwal 1250 AH. The Promised Messiah^as was born at the break of dawn in Qadian. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 48)

13 February 1955: On this day, a famous Italian academic and linguist visited Rabwah, delivered a lecture and also enjoyed the blessed audience of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra during his short stay. (Al Fazl, 15 February 1955, p. 1)

14 February 1903: On this day, Al Hakam published this revelation, among the many revelations that came to the Promised Messiah^as:

اُخُطِيْ وَ اَصِيْبُ

While explaining this revelation, the Promised Messiah^as writes that in this revelation, Allah the Almighty states: “I […] will postpone or cancel My decree at certain times and will fulfil it at other times.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul Wahi], p. 124)

14 February 1921: The Detroit Free Press, the largest newspaper of Detroit, covered the activities of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq^ra in the USA in several of its editions. On this day, it reported under the heading “Moslems Avow Loyalty To U.S.”:

“Islam set before big businessmen and governmental heads of the neighbor city Sunday the most savory of Eastern dishes in a dinner tendered to Professor Mufti Muhammad Sadiq of India, missionary of the Ahmadia movement […]”.  (The Detroit Free Press, Monday, p. 3)

To read more about this, see: ‘‘Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq and the Arab Muslim community of America’’ at www.alhakam.org (20 August 2021, pp. 27-29).

15 February 1960: On this day, the supervisor of the Ahmadiyya mission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Sheikh Amri Ubaidi Sahib, was elected as the mayor of Dar es Salaam. He was the first native African to be chosen as mayor of the capital of Tanzania at the time. (Al Fazl, 11 December 1998)

16 February 1906: The Promised Messiah^as received the following revelation from God, on this day:

تَکْفِیْکَ ھٰذِہِ الْاِمْرَأَۃُ

“This woman will suffice for you”

“This woman” was none other than Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahiba^ra, who the Promised Messiah^as was married to. Through this revelation, Allah told the Promised Messiah^as that “a virgin and widow” was always about one lady. Consequently, the revelation was fulfilled with Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum^ra, who experienced both “states” of the prophecy as she passed away after the Promised Messiah^as. The revelation was always about her and in this manner, the prophecy was clearly fulfilled.

To understand the whole debate, see: “‘A virgin and widow’: A great sign” at www.alhakam.org (25 October 2019, p. 7).

16 February 2014: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa inaugurated a newly built extension to Tahir House in southwest London. The building was purchased in 2002 to house various central offices of the Jamaat.

Currently, Tahir House is home to many central departments of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, including Al-Shirkatul Islamiyyah, Makhzan-e-Tasaweer and the Ahmadiyya Archive and Research Centre (Ahmadiyya ARC). (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Inaugurates Tahir House Extension”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

17 February 1908: On this day, the nikah of Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begum^ra was announced with Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan^ra, the chieftain of Malerkotla. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Noor-ud-Deen^ra led this nikah at the Aqsa Mosque, Qadian and the mahr was set for 56,000 rupees. Several guests from outside of Qadian came to participate. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 515)

18 February 1988: On this day, a delegation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya presented the Hindi translation of the Holy Quran as a gift to the President of India, Ramaswamy Venkataraman, who served as the 8th President of India from 1987 to 1992 and was known for his extensive political and legal career. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 846)

19 February 1937: The 13^th Jalsa Salana Ghana concluded on this day, in Saltpond, with over 3,000 people attending. The flag of Ahmadiyyat was waving across the jalsa gah in many places, and the words

اسمعوا صوت السّماء جاء المسيح جاء المسيح

[Hearken the voice of the heavens! The Messiah has come! The Messiah has come!] was translated into the local language. The African Morning Post published a report on this jalsa as well. (Al Fazl Qadian 9 April 1937, p. 7)

The journey continued and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ghana held its 92^nd Jalsa Salana on 9-11 January 2025 at Bagh-e-Ahmad, Winneba. The Jalsa was attended by over 39,000 Ghanaian Ahmadi Muslims from all parts of the country, as well as traditional leaders and high-ranking political leaders. Prominent among the dignitaries were Amir Jamaat Nigeria, Amir Jamaat Benin and delegates from various countries of Africa.

19 February 1993: On this day, in his Friday sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^ra highlighted the atrocities being committed against Muslims in Bosnia, who were enduring severe persecution and displacement during the Bosnian War. Huzoor^ra urged members of Jamaat to establish bonds of brotherhood with the affected families. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 12, p. 143)

For more details, see: “Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya: Standing by oppressed Bosnian Muslims” at www.alhakam.org (9 June 2023, p. 15)