This Week in History: 27 August – 2 September

27 August 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra arrived in Zurich, Switzerland where he delivered an address to a gathering of Ahmadis. The next day, on 28 August, Huzoor^ra addressed local dignitaries and representatives of the Swiss press. On this occasion, the missionary of Switzerland, Sheikh Nasir Ahmad Sahib sent a report to Al Fazl: 

“On this occasion, this humble self and a new Muslim of Swiss origin delivered a speech of thanks. Huzoor^[ra] replied that although the Western nations had not yet recognised the truth, the time would soon come when they would accept Islam. And they would associate themselves with the chosen Prophet [the Holy Prophet^sa].”

27 August 1969: On this date, a companion of the Promised Messiah^as, Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Yaqub^ra passed away. 

Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Yaqub^ra was born in 1891. He met with Hazrat Ahmad^as in 1906 and did bai‘at in 1908. His village was four miles from Qadian.

After completing his education, Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Yaqub^ra got a job as the headmaster in a middle school based in Hoshiarpur. Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Yaqub^ra used to express his desire to live and serve in Qadian. Allah Almighty soon accepted his prayer and created means for him to transfer and live in Qadian.

27 August 1973: On this date, during his tour of Europe, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh left for Italy at ten o’clock in the morning. Huzoor^rh, along with his entourage, entered Italy’s border at 7 pm after a long journey. Huzoor’s^rh stay was arranged in Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth Venezia. 

28 August 1955: Syed Ibrahim Abbas Fazlullah Sahib passed away. This devout Ahmadi was from Khartoum and served the Jamaat as an honorary missionary in Sudan.

On 24 November 1941, at the age of 22, he converted to Ahmadiyyat. He then came to Pakistan to study. After studying in Rabwah, he returned to his homeland where he served and preached the true message of Islam.

28 August 1965: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in England held its annual convention, which was attended by Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib, Wakil-e-Ala Tahrik-e-Jadid.

The annual Jalsa started with the speech of Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra at 4:30 pm. He spoke in English for about an hour and a half on the topic of virtues of the Holy Quran. Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib, whilst introducing Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra, said that the position of Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra was very high in terms of service to religion and piety and that he also had the honour of being a companion of Hazrat Ahmad^as.

The second day of the Jalsa was dedicated to the Urdu speaking audience. The inaugural speech was delivered by Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib. In his speech, Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib emphasised the importance of taqwa and establishing a relationship with Allah. 

29 August 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, on his return from his tour of Europe, underwent a medical checkup in Zurich, Switzerland.

29 August 1964: Around 80 people from Jamaat England’s 11 local branches arranged a two-day gathering to enhance their spirituality, which is supposed to be the start of Jalsas in this country. 

29 August 1980: On this date, during his visit to Ghana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh travelled from Accra to unveil the memorial plaque of the Baitul Zikr mosque which was under construction. Following this, after arriving at Salt Pond in the afternoon, Huzoor^rh inaugurated the Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Ijtema of Ghana by hoisting the flag of Ahmadiyyat and then delivered the Friday sermon. 

When Huzoor^rh made his way back, he prayed at the grave of the pioneering Ghanaian Ahmadi, Chief Mahdi Apa in Ekrawfu and then met with the president of Ghana.

On this day, during his journey, Huzoor^rh also unveiled a memorial plaque on the newly constructed building of an Ahmadiyya Secondary School.

After his tour in Ghana, Huzoor^rh returned to London on 31 August.

30 August 1933: Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib embarked on his journey to England to pursue higher studies there. It was a historic moment because he was amongst the first from the progeny of the Promised Messiah^as to travel abroad for studies. On this occasion, his revered father, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^ra, and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra individually penned special instructions for him, which proved very beneficial.

30 August 1973: During his travels in Europe, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh travelled from Venice, Italy to Germany. After travelling to West Germany, Huzoor^rh and his entourage stayed at Hotel Goldener. Huzoor^rh stayed in room number 14 of the hotel. 

31 August 1924: An Ahmadi, Maulvi Nematullah Khan Sahib was martyred in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra was still in London when the painful news reached him that by the order of Amir Amanullah Khan Shah of Afghanistan, an Ahmadi missionary, merely for being an Ahmadi, was stoned to death at the age of 34.

Maulvi Nematullah Khan Sahib was a resident of a village near Kabul in the Rakha district of the Panjshir region.

After becoming an Ahmadi, Maulvi Nematullah Khan Sahib went to Qadian to complete his studies in Islam. While he was still studying, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra sent him to Afghanistan to educate the Ahmadis of Kabul. Since there was no peace for the Ahmadis there, Maulvi Nematullah Khan Sahib fulfilled his duties and preached to the Ahmadis individually. 

31 August 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra delivered a lecture in Zurich, Switzerland about the spirit of religion and its basic principles. According to volume 16 of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, this lecture was given in English.

1 September 1911: Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra began his journey towards England after obtaining permission and prayers from Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih I^ra.

When Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra went for his last audience with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra, Huzoor^ra said to him, “It is generally said that as England is a cold country, it is advisable to drink liquor as a defence against cold. We, the physicians, know it is wholly incorrect. If you need to fend against cold, drink cocoa – it provides nourishment and fights cold at the same time. Keep writing to me. I will pray for you. (Tehdis-e-Nemat)

Huzoor^ra advised Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra to recite Surah Yusuf every morning whilst in London. 

1 September 1968: On this date, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh addressed members of the Jamaat in Karachi in which he said that in this age, the most important task was to make every effort for the spread of Islam. 

2 September 1926: Hazrat Chaudhry Nasrullah Khan^ra, the father of Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra, passed away. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra led his funeral prayer and himself wrote a memorial to be inscribed on the headstone of his grave.

Whilst mentioning him, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said that Hazrat Chaudhry Nasrullah Khan^ra was at the forefront in service to religion. 

2 September 1942: Hazrat Khalifa Nuruddin Jamuni^ra passed away. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra led his funeral prayer.

He accepted the Promised Messiah^as in 1891 and had the honour of doing some field research regarding the tomb of Jesus^as in Srinagar when he was appointed in this locality.

Hazrat Khalifa Nuruddin Jamuni^ra participated in financial sacrifices beyond his means. When the scheme of Wasiyyat was introduced in 1905, he also joined.