3 July 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiah (as) sent a reply to a letter from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Ali (ra), elaborating the philosophy of istighfar. Huzoor (as) instructed this devout companion to never discontinue the habit of seeking forgiveness from Allah because this blessed conduct of seeking forgiveness would initially safeguard a person from the wrath of God and finally, the seeker would get rid of sins. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 477)
3 July 2009: On this day, advising English-speaking Ahmadis, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa) called their attention towards reading The Essence of Islam (a collection of writings, speeches, announcements, and discourses of the Promised Messiah). During his Friday sermon, Huzoor (aa) stated that every Ahmadi household ought to have these books, which have been translated into English. Huzoor (aa) also advised English-speaking Ahmadis to study the Promised Messiah’s (as) books, learn the arguments, and then convince opponents with those arguments.
While advising Urdu-speaking Ahmadis, Huzoor (aa) said that they ought to have the complete set of the Promised Messiah’s (as) books in their homes and read them regularly.
4 July 1989: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) granted an audience to the then-president of Guatemala. Huzoor (rh) arrived in this Central American country a day before. This was the first ever visit of any Khalifa to this part of the world. During his stay, Huzoor (rh), besides meeting with local Ahmadis and some dignitaries like the country’s Foreign Minister and Minister of Health, also inaugurated the first Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque and Mission House in Guatemala. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, pp. 856-857)
4 July 1997: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) delivered his Friday sermon in Bait-us-Salam Mosque, Toronto, Canada. Huzoor (rh) emphasised that before the beginning of the new century, every Ahmadi house should be filled with worshippers, and recitation of the Quran should be done daily. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 16, pp. 489-509)
5 July 1932: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) presided over a session of the All India Kashmir Committee held in Lahore. This committee was formed by the prominent Muslim leaders soon after communal tensions sprang forth from the Kashmir riots of 1931.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) was invited to join the committee by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who, at that time, held the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and its leadership in high esteem. Subsequently, Huzoor (ra) became the president of the committee upon the invitation and persuasion of Muslim political leaders of that time. This provided the Jamaat with an opportunity to display its ability to get involved in a major crisis and to lead the Muslim population.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) reached Lahore through a night journey after a medical check-up for his eyes from Rawalpindi. He stayed in Lahore until 7 July. This session of the Kashmir Committee continued for three hours. The same evening, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah MSc, who came to Lahore from Kashmir, had a meeting with Huzoor (ra). As it was very late, the meeting was very short; however, the next day, Huzoor (ra) granted him the opportunity of two longer meetings.
For more details on this Committee and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s (ra) efforts for the rights of the oppressed Muslims of Kashmir, see “Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s (ra) services to the Muslim cause: Guidance for Turkey, peace in the Arab world and the Kashmir Movement”, alhakam.org (19 February 2021, Issue 153, pp. 41-44).
5 July 2008: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa) graced the inaugural reception of the Baitun Nur Mosque in Calgary, Canada. The event was attended by the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other dignitaries. The event was attended by more than 3,000 people. Huzoor (aa) delivered the keynote address.
It is interesting to note that before this reception, a flag hoisting ceremony was also held; Huzoor (aa) hoisted Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat, the Canadian Prime Minister hoisted the national flag of Canada and Deputy Mayor Ron Stevens hoisted the flag of Alberta province. It was the first occasion on the American continent that a country’s Prime Minister had the privilege to hoist the national flag while Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aa) hoisted Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat. The flag hoisting ceremony was covered by the country’s media as well. (Al Fazl International, 19 and 26 September 2008)
6 July 1967: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) left Rabwah for his first visit to Europe. During this visit, Huzoor (rh) addressed seven press conferences, attended eight receptions and delivered five Friday sermons at different locations. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 24, p. 67)
7 July 1886: On this day, The Promised Messiah (as) shared his happiness upon developments in the job pursuit of Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen (ra). This letter adds to our knowledge that Hazrat Hakeem Sahib’s (ra) resignation was not accepted as earlier wished by Hazrat Ahmad (as). Huzoor (as) also predicted the promotion of Hazrat Hakeem Sahib (ra) in some coming stage.
To learn more about this life and services in Kashmir, see: ‘‘Pursuit, betrayal and triumph: The formative years of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin – Part II’’ at www.alhakam.org
7 July 1920: Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (ra) engaged in correspondence with notable figures in the British monarchy and political circles. On this day, he wrote to Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Empress Mary of England. This correspondence was in continuation of his previous communications addressed to various leaders worldwide as part of his missionary efforts.
For details of a reply to him from the Indian Office, Whitehall, London, and other correspondences, refer to “100 Years Ago… – Brief report of one year’s Moslem missionary work in America” at alhakam.org (20 August 2021, p. 26).
8 July 1935: On this day, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmad (ra) was attacked by an opponent. Mischievous activities by the Ahrar were on the rise, and the situation was turning tense and gruesome even in Qadian during those days. It was around 6 PM, when he set off from his office on his bicycle for his residence, that someone attacked him with a long and sharp club three times. Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad (ra) courageously blocked this sudden assault with sharp reflexes. In his Friday sermon of 12 July 1935, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) detailed this incident and informed the Jamaat about the conspiracy behind this cruel event. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 16, pp. 401-421)
8 July 2016: Following the death of the renowned humanitarian, Abdul Sattar Edhi of Pakistan, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa) said:
“I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Mr Abdul Sattar Edhi. On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I would like to extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.
“Abdul Sattar Edhi was an extremely sincere man who devoted his entire life to serving humanity. Living his own life with great simplicity, his only concern was to selflessly serve others and to help those in need. Indeed, it was his exemplary humanitarian and philanthropic work that led him to being the second recipient of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace.
“I pray that Pakistan is blessed with many more people who exhibit the same selflessness, sincerity and humanity that Abdul Sattar Edhi displayed throughout his life so that Pakistan can be saved from its current plight and move towards a better and brighter future.
“May God Almighty have mercy on the deceased and grant patience to his family members and all of those left bereaved at this difficult and sad time.” (“Statement by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community following death of Abdul Sattar Edhi”, pressahmadiyya.com, 10 July 2016)
9 July 1883: The elder brother of the Promised Messiah (as), Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib passed away on this day at 7 PM at the age of 55. In 1868, Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib became seriously ill. The Promised Messiah (as) had earlier seen a dream in which he saw that his brother would die, so he prayed to God for his recovery. His prayer was accepted and it was revealed to him that his brother would recover, as he did. Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib left behind no child and his wife, Hurmat Bibi later entered the fold of the Jamaat as foretold to the Promised Messiah (as). (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 223)
9 July 1957: During his Eid-ul-Adha sermon on this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) hinted at a new scheme, which was later named “Waqf-e-Jadid”. The primary objective of this scheme was to look after the spiritual upbringing of the Jamaat members living in rural areas. The secondary objective was to propagate the message of Islam to the Hindu population of the country. For more details, see “A chronology of Waqf-e-Jadid’s early years (1957-1965)”, Al Hakam, 25 December 2020, Issue 145, pp. 12-14.