This Week in History: 19-25 May

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

19 May 1892: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as sent a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali^ra mentioning that he had returned to Qadian and was planning to prepare a publication to clear certain misconceptions. Hazrat Ahmad^as also advised him to share a book of Hazrat Shah Waliullah^rh, which he had borrowed from a certain Maulvi Sahib. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 583)

19 May 1955: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra was in Zurich and sent Eid greetings to members of the Jamaat through a telegram:

“Eid Mubarak to all Ahmadis of Pakistan, India, and around the world. I pray for the removal of their worries and problems and for their spiritual progress.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 515)

19 May 2005: On this day, during his visit to Uganda, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa graced Jalsa Salana Uganda with his presence. This was also Uganda Jamaat’s first Jalsa Salana, in which a Khalifatul Masih was present. (Al Fazl International, 24 June 2005)

20 May 1908: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as remained occupied with drafting his last book, Paigham-e-Sulh – A Message of Peace – and received the following Arabic revelation:

اَلرَّحِيْلُ ثُمَّ الرَّحِيْلُ وَالْمَوْتُ قَرِيْبٌ

“It is time to march; again, it is time to march and death is near.” (Tadhkirah, [English], p. 1034)

20 May 1953: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra introduced a project for compiling and preserving the history of the Jamaat. Huzoor^ra urged the Jamaat to make a financial sacrifice of 12,000 rupees to bear the expenses of the venture and assigned Mahasha Fazl Hussain Sahib to this task.

Later, on 25 June, this task was handed over to Maulana Dost Muhammad Shahid Sahib, who remained tirelessly occupied in it till his demise. Huzoor^ra especially oversaw and guided the department. From the start, Huzoor^ra had instructed that a weekly report be provided. Apart from the days of Huzoor’s^ra tour of Europe, these reports were being presented to him regularly. He would look at the reports and sometimes make some remarks and grant instructions in writing or, at times, verbally. Some instructions would be written by Hazrat Syeda Umm-e-Matin Sahiba, as per Huzoor’s^ra instructions. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 44)

20 May 1989: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh graced a reception held in his honour by the Council of Churches in Zurich. (Silsila-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 4, p. 855)

21 May 2005: On this day, during his tour of Uganda, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa inaugurated a mosque in Busia. Upon reaching this city, Huzoor^aa gave instructions regarding the mosque and the adjoining mission house. Later, Huzoor^aa went to Mbale to inspect an Ahmadiyya hospital there. (Al Fazl International, 24 June 2005)

22 May 1893: A debate that took place between the Promised Messiah^as (representing Islam) and Abdullah Atham (Christianity), started on this day and continued until 5 June 1893. Huzoor^as had mentioned that he spent those days like a warrior, giving precedence to this historic debate and ignoring everything else, at times even meals. This debate was titled Jang-e-Muqaddas (The Holy War). (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 484)

22 May 1948: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra issued a written message under the title, “Aap Ki Talash Hei” (I Need You). This announcement was made in search of young waqifeen. (“I need you”, Al Hakam, 14 February 2020, Issue 100, p. 6)

22 May 2013: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa arrived in Calgary during his historic tour of North America. At the airport, Huzoor^aa was greeted by four members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and by Calgary’s Deputy Mayor, Ray Jones. (“World Muslim Leader Arrives in Calgary”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

23 May 1970: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh inaugurated the newly-built Mahmood Hall at the London Mission. This building consisted of a hall, offices and three residential flats for missionaries. Huzoor^rh had laid the foundation of this building during his previous European tour on 30 July 1967. Its expenses were provided by Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khan^ra, something that became openly known only after his demise. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 26, p. 75)

23 May 2015: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa inaugurated the Mansoor Mosque in the German city of Aachen. In the evening, a special reception, attended by more than 210 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the mosque. (“New Ahmadiyya Mosque opened in Aachen, Germany by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

24 May 1932: On this day, Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaq^ra read out his research paper in Lahore during a session arranged by Sanatana Dharma Hindus. His topic was, “Is religion an obstacle to a nation’s development?” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 6, p. 88)

24 May 1946: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra commented on the Cabinet Mission’s scheme in regard to the political future of India, and said:

“As far as I have pondered over this scheme, in my view, there are certainly such flaws that it cannot ensure the protection of the Muslims’ rights completely. In other words, considering the current circumstances of the country and the sentiments held by the people towards each other, the rights of the Muslims cannot be completely protected.” (“The deadlock over Interim Government and Constituent Assembly for India: Its background and Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad’s^ra guidance”, Al Hakam, 15 July 2022, Issue 226, p. 18)

25 May 1908: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as addressed his followers for the last time. Availing the moment, Hazrat Chaudhry Jahan Khan^ra from Mangat, district Hafizabad, held the hand of the Promised Messiah^as and pledged allegiance [bai‘at]. He was the last fortunate person to enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat at the hand of the Promised Messiah^as in this way during his life. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 532)

25 May 1941: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra delivered a speech about the situation prevailing in Iraq due to World War II. Huzoor’s^ra analysis was broadcast from Lahore Radio Station along with Delhi and Lucknow radio stations. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p. 227)

25 May 2013: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa was visited by the Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi, and various other dignitaries at the Baitun Nur Mosque. Huzoor^aa also answered questions during a media conference. (“Calgary Mayor comes to meet Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)