This Week in History: 19-25 January

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

19 January 1903: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as completed his successful tour of Jhelum, where he attended court proceedings of the case with Karam Din of Jhelum of alleged defamation, met with hundreds of new followers, and arrived back in Qadian. The judge, Rai Sansar Chand, announced the final verdict, which was in favour of the Promised Messiah^as as foretold by God Almighty. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, pp. 268-269)

19 January 1954: On this day, a court of inquiry for the investigation of the disturbances against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Punjab took a statement from Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khan^ra. In this statement, he dispelled many misconceptions spread in the country about Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Essential parts of this statement can be read in volume 15 of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat (pp. 420-432).

20 January 1954: During his Friday sermon on this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra urged members of the Jamaat to study the books of the Promised Messiah^as carefully. Huzoor^ra also directed Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya to take suitable measures to ensure the preservation and protection of the clothes and relics that belonged to the Promised Messiah^as. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, p. 385)

20 January 1966: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh addressed the first batch of mu‘allims (missionaries) of Waqf-e-Jadid. Huzoor^rh called their attention to religious and national duties and emphasised the Islamic teaching that one ought to love one’s homeland and fulfil its rights. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, p. 448) For more details, see “A chronology of Waqf-e-Jadid’s early years (1965-1982)”, www.alhakam.org.

21 January 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as went for a chillah (a 40-day retreat specifically for worship) to Hoshiarpur on a small ox-drawn two-wheeled vehicle. During this journey, Huzoor^as crossed the Beas River. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 275)

For more details, see “Forty nights of seclusion”, www.alhakam.org.

21 January 1909: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra asked Jamaat members to pay special attention to helping orphans, people in need, and students with insufficient resources. (Badr Qadian, 21 January 1909, p. 1)

21 January 1910: On this day, a Friday sermon was delivered from the Aqsa Mosque in Qadian, where the presence of women was also recorded. It was perhaps the first time since its construction that arrangements could be made for Ahmadi ladies to offer prayer in congregation at this mosque. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 315) For more details, see “The First Ahmadi Mosque”, www.alhakam.org.

21 January 1937: Malik Muhammad Sharif Sahib reached Rome, Italy, to spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. On this day, he sent his first report to the Markaz about his safe arrival and commencement of activities. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 296)

22 January 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as, accompanied by Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanauri^ra, Hazrat Sheikh Hamid Ali^ra and Fateh Khan Sahib, arrived in Hoshiarpur for a period of spiritual seclusion, during which he received the grand prophecy of Musleh-e-Maud, foretelling the birth of a son who would significantly advance the cause of Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, pp. 274-276)

22 January 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh urged the youth of the Jamaat who had achieved BA, BSc, MA, or MSc degrees to dedicate their lives to the cause of Islam. He emphasised that young people should understand and embrace their pivotal role in advancing the cause of Islam and the profound impact they can make through this sacrifice. Huzoor^rh further stated that no worldly sum, even a million rupees a month, compares to the honour and blessings gained from sincere devotion to God and experiencing His love. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 9, pp. 369-373)

22 January 1988: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh made his historic tour to West Africa, during which he visited the following countries: The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria. On this day, Huzoor^rh delivered a Friday sermon from the Gambia and announced the new phase of the Nusrat Jehan Scheme, titled Nusrat Jehan-e-Nau, and called Ahmadis of every profession and every knowledge for service.

For more details, see “Nusrat Jehan Scheme: Khilafat’s impetus for ‘Africa to Leap Forward’ – A glimpse into the early years (1982-2003)”, www.alhakam.org.

During the same visit, Huzoor^rh inaugurated two mosques in the Gambia, and the foundation stones for new mission houses and medical clinics were laid. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 845)

23 January 1921: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra devised a unique and beneficial plan to foster interfaith harmony and help eliminate prevailing inter-religious conflicts in India. Huzoor^ra proposed that an exchange system be set up between Hindu and Ahmadi students. Huzoor^ra graciously invited 20 Hindu students to study the Holy Quran in Qadian free of charge. In return, Huzoor^ra said that Hindu faith leaders should accommodate at least two Ahmadi students who should be taught Sanskrit and the Vedas. Huzoor^ra said that the Jamaat would bear all the expenses of this project.

Inspired by this proposal, a Hindu student who was studying at a renowned Hindu institution in Kangra came to Qadian. After receiving his education and falling in love with Islam, he accepted Islam. His name was changed to Mahashah Muhammad Omar. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 266)

23 January 1922: On this day, Hazrat Hakim Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib set off for West Africa for tabligh. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra gave him some important instructions in person as well as in writing. They included things like learning the local language, serving the people with love and wisdom, etc. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 292)

24 January 1988: During his tour of West Africa, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh arrived in Sierra Leone. Huzoor^rh visited six local jamaats in Sierra Leone and had a meeting with the president of the country. Moreover, Huzoor^rh also addressed two press conferences. On 29 January, Huzoor^rh delivered a Friday sermon in the Nasir Mosque, located in the city of Bo. Huzoor^rh also announced the establishment of Jamia Ahmadiyya in Sierra Leone. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 845)

24 January 2015: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa delivered the keynote address at the International Conference of Humanity First held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses Humanity First International Conference”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

25 January 1974: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh urged English-speaking scholars, doctors, teachers, and professors of the Jamaat who were approaching the age of retirement to dedicate themselves to the cause of Islam. Huzoor^rh said that the Jamaat was in need of those who had been able to attain religious knowledge, even if they were not able to attend Jamia Ahmadiyya. Huzoor^rh said that their hearts should be pure, they should have a close bond with Allah, and they should be courageous. Huzoor^rh said that such people should dedicate their lives to the service of religion so that they could be sent to various countries to propagate the message of Islam. (Khutbaat-e-Nasir, Vol. 5, pp. 396-397)