A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
26 May 1908: On this day, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas passed away at Lahore. At Fajr, Huzooras performed tayammum [alternative for ablution] and offered salat whilst lying down. In a state of semi-consciousness, he would repeat the words, “Allah! Merey piyarey Allah!” – “O Allah! My beloved Allah!” At 8:30am, Huzooras attempted to write something down about his health, but was unable to complete the sentence. At 9am, his health deteriorated and at 10:30am, the soul of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas returned to his Lord.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”
Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deenra led the funeral prayer of the Promised Messiahas in Lahore at noon. Then, in the evening, the rail journey started from Lahore station to take the coffin to Qadian for burial. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 542)
26 May 2015: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the newly-acquired administrative headquarters of Majlis Ansarullah and Lajna Imaillah Germany. Huzooraa named the five-story building Baitul Aafiyyat. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community inaugurates Baitul Aafiyyat in Frankfurt”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
27 May 1907: The Courier of Dundee, UK, wrote on this day:
“An Exultant Prophet – A curious booklet comes from Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, of Qadian, India. He calls himself ‘the promised Messiah,’ and says that, incensed at the imposture of the Prophet Dowie, he challenged him ‘to pray that of us two whoever is the liar may perish first.’ Dowie declined, and the Indian gentleman prophesied his death. Dowie died, and his challenger, blandly accepting the responsibility of ‘praying’ him to death, issues a fourteen-page booklet on the matter.” (“Promised Messiah’s message spreads to corners of earth and continues through Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya”, Al Hakam, 17 March 2023, Issue 261, p. 7)
27 May 1908: On this day, Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deenra was elected as the Khalifatul Masih I. He addressed the Ahmadis before accepting their bai‘at. Men performed the bai‘at first, followed by the ladies. Among the ladies, the family members of the Promised Messiahas were first.
Afterwards, he led the funeral prayer of the Promised Messiahas and the burial was completed under his guidance. All Ahmadis offered allegiance to him by way of a bai‘at and the Jamaat was again united under one hand to spread the message of Islam.
27 May 2008: On this day, upon the completion of 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered an address at London’s ExCel centre. (“Ahmadiyya Muslim Khilafat Centenary Jalsa held at Excel Centre on 27th May, 2008”, www.reviewofreligions.org)
27 May 2014: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced a special live Arabic programme on Khilafat Day on MTA International with his presence. Huzooraa delivered a special message to the Jamaat. Huzooraa said:
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent for the entire world, for every era and for every place, to remove the ills and wrongdoings of the world and all types of disorder. And according to the great prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, in this era, Allah the Almighty sent the Promised Messiahas in subservience to the Holy Prophetsa. Being the Holy Prophet’ssa subordinate, his task was also to remove all wrongdoings and he was sent for all future eras, for the entire world, until the end of time.” (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Delivers Special Message on Occasion of ‘Khilafat Day’”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
28 May 1953: On this day, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad Sahibra and Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahibrh were released from jail after being unjustly imprisoned for two months due to their faith in Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 15, p. 254)
28 May 2010: On this day, two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore, Pakistan, were attacked during the Jumuah prayer.
While the attacks were still underway in Pakistan, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his Friday Sermon in London, and called the attention of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat towards patience and prayers. Huzooraa further said:
“Allah the Almighty is certainly capable of taking revenge from those who have tried to cause this collective harm. He knows better how He will show His Power, how He will catch those who committed this mischief and oppression. But may Allah make these people, who are repeatedly challenging the honour of God and are increasing in oppression, a sign and an example for people; Insha-Allah, it will happen.” (“28 May: Yaum-e-Takbir and the Lahore Martyrs”, Al Hakam, 22 May 2020, Issue 114, p. 32)
29 May 1947: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered a speech in which he shed light on the country’s perilous circumstances, and advised the Indian Muslims to act with perfect planning and to be aware of the sensitivity of the situation. (“Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad’sra services to the Muslim cause: Guidance and support to leaders of the Pakistan Movement”, Al Hakam, 5 March 2021,Issue 155, pp. 20-23)
30 May 1884: The fiasco of Munshi Inder Man of Muradabad has been shared in this column many times. On this day, the Promised Messiahas published a letter along with a detailed notification containing the complete history and courageous steps taken by the Promised Messiahas in defence of Islam against all opponents. (Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 100)
31 May 1904: On this day, the Promised Messiahas was in Gurdaspur, India, and Maulvi Ilahi Bakhsh Sahib visited him, who came all the way from Banaras (modern-day Varanasi). Before a huge gathering, Huzooras delivered a powerful speech, covering many subjects. (Malfuzat [1988], Vol. 4, p. 38)
31 May 1914: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra nikah with Hazrat Syeda Amatul Haye Begum Sahibara was announced by Hazrat Syed Sarwar Shahra. She was the daughter of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. The dowry was set at 1,000 rupees.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was foretold in a divine vision about this proposal during the life of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. This was his second nikah. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 155)
31 May 1991: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh delivered his Friday Sermon at the Nasir Mosque in Paramaribo, Suriname, and called the attention of the jamaats to make arrangements so that members could listen to the Friday Sermons of the Khalifatul Masih. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 10, p. 457)
1 June 1970: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh returned to England from his tour of Spain. Huzoorrh went to Spain on 25 May 1970. Reporting on this journey, Bashir Ahmad Rafiq Sahib stated that the journey on the plane took two hours. As they approached Madrid, they sensed a sort of anxiousness in Huzoorrh. When Madrid’s airport became visible, Huzoorrh said, “I can hear the stomping hooves of Tariq’s horses. Can you also hear them?” Huzoorrh repeated this sentence two or three times.
During this journey, Huzoorrh stayed in Madrid for two days. He then went to the historic centre of Islamic culture, Al-Andalus, and then reached Cordoba on 27 May. He stayed in a hotel and visited the grand mosque of Cordoba. The following day, Huzoorrh went to Granada and visited the Alhambra palace. During this journey, he went to Toledo as well, which was the capital of Spain until 1560. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 26, p. 83)