A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
20 December 1895:On this day, the Promised Messiah’sas book, Nur-ul-Quran Part II, was published by Zia-ul-Islam press, Qadian. Fateh Masih, a Christian missionary stationed at Fatehgarh in the district of Gurdaspur, India, had written two letters to the Promised Messiahas, in which he resorted to offensive language regarding the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. He spoke scurrilously about the Prophet’ssa marriages, character, and the Islamic concept of paradise. In response, the Promised Messiahas authored the second part of Nur-ul-Quran. The book comprised approximately 80 pages. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 179)
To read its English translation, visit: www.alislam.org.
20 December 1975:On this day, a grand musha‘irah (poetry event) in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was held at Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah. More than 40 poets presented their poetic compositions in Urdu, Arabic, Persian, and Punjabi. Proper arrangements were made for women with appropriate segregation. A large number of attendees benefitted from this gathering of na‘at recitation. (Daily Al-Fazl, Rabwah, 22 December, 1975, p. 1)
21 December 1944:On this day, based on one of his visions, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra directed the Jamaat to thoroughly study the emerging Communist movement and formulate counterarguments against it.
Huzoorra instructed the Jamaat’s scholars, jurists, teachers, professors, life devotees, and students of Madrasa-e-Ahmadiyya and Jamia Ahmadiyya to study the Communist movement critically and comprehensively. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p. 573)
21 December 2021:On the instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, the renovation of the house of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was initiated. This historic house, built in 1891, was inhabited by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira from 1893 to 1914 and is located near Dar-ul-Masih, Qadian.
The renovation work was completed in December 2021, and the inauguration ceremony took place on this day in Qadian. (“Renovation of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I’s house, and Jalsa Salana Qadian 2021”, www.alhakam.org)
22 December 2019:On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address at the sixth National Qaideen Forum of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK. In his address, Huzooraa explained that the word qaid means “leader,” and a true leader is one who leads by example and guides his people along a path that he himself walks upon. (“Safeguarding the institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya – Huzoor addresses UK Khuddam at Qaideen Forum”, alhakam.org)
23 December 1959: In December 1959, Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary-General of the United Nations, visited Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, during his official tour of African countries. On this day, Maulana Muhammad Siddiq Amritsari Sahib, the missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Liberia, had the opportunity to meet him and present him with a copy of the English translation of the Holy Quran and other Jamaat literature.(Ruh Parwer Yadain, p. 534)
To read more about his missionary activities, see: “Pioneer Missionaries: Part 4 – Taking Ahmadiyyat’s message to the highest echelons of society” at alhakam.org (11 November 2022, pp. 10-11).
23 December 2005:On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his Friday sermon from the jalsa gah in Qadian, which was the first time that a live transmission from the jalsa gah of Qadian was broadcast throughout the world. During his Friday sermon, Huzooraa granted valuable guidance to the volunteers and guests of Jalsa Salana Qadian. (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 3, pp. 731-746 )
24 December 1902:In this day’s issue of Al Hakam (24 December 1902, pp. 11–12) it was reported, “On the night between 21 and 22 December, which was the first night of the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Promised Messiahas received the revelation:
يَأْتِيْ عَلَيْكَ زَمَنٌ كَمِثْلِ زَمَنِ مُوْسٰي
“[A time is coming for you which will be like the time of Moses.]
“The Promised Messiahas said, ‘I have not received this revelation before during this period of 24 or 25 years, even though I have been given the name Musa [Moses] several times in divine revelations.” (Tadhkirah, Qadian, India, 2019, p. 605)
24 December 2004: During his Friday sermon on this day, delivered from Baitus Salam Mosque in Paris, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa shed light on resolving marital challenges in light of the Holy Quran. (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 1, pp. 923-940)
25 December 1907:On this day, the staff of Tashheez-ul-Azhan held a meeting in Qadian. This initiative was inspired by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad’sra vision to provide like-minded individuals with a platform to discuss ways to propagate the message of Islam.
The meeting commenced after Zuhr prayer, beginning with Hafiz Abdur Rahim Sahib’s presentation of the yearly report. This was followed by various speeches and poems. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra, while describing the state of affairs, drew the youth’s attention to their responsibilities and duties.
The meeting concluded with a speech by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 508)
To read more about the history of Tashheez, see: “Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad: The young Editor of Tashheez-ul-Azhan” at alhakam.org (16 February 2024, pp. 8-9).
26 December 1896: On this day, a three-day conference commenced in Lahore, which was later extended to 29 December upon the unanimous demand of the audience to hear the full speech of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, titled Islami Usul Ki Falasafi (The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam).
The purpose of the conference was to provide representatives of all faiths and groups the opportunity to present the positive teachings of their religions based on their respective scriptures.
To read more about this book, see: “Khaybar has fallen”: Anniversary of The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam” at alhakam.org (8 January 2021, pp. 18-19).
26 December 1985:On this day, the Jalsa Salana was scheduled to commence in Rabwah; however, the government authorities of Pakistan did not grant permission. In response, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, during his Friday sermon on 22 December, taught Ahmadis worldwide the manner of observing a day of protest before Allah.
Huzoorrh urged Ahmadis to engage extensively in prayers and worship, stating, “All Ahmadis across the world should protest, but not a single word of protest should be directed towards anyone other than Allah. On this day, observe fasting […]” (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, p. 1007)
26 December 1991:On this day, at 10 am, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh inaugurated the 100th Jalsa Salana Qadian. This was the first time since the migration from Qadian in 1947 that a Khalifatul Masih was physically present, creating a unique sense of enthusiasm among the attendees. (Silsilah Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 868)
To read more about this historic occasion, see: “Retracing Blessed Steps” at alhakam.org (28 December 2018, pp. 14-15).