Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2015
In this era the Promised Messiah (as) was sent in servitude to the Holy Prophet (saw) in order to revive the religion. The Promised Messiah (as) displayed the reality and true beauty of the principles, fundamentals and real teachings of religion. He taught us about uprooting the innovations and erroneous practices that had entered religion.
Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) is the perfect role model and true reflection of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) teachings and blessed example. The Promised Messiah’s (saw) example is a guiding light for us. We are fortunate that our forefathers and the Companions of the Promised Messiah (as)
Conveyed the accounts [from the life of the Promised Messiah (as)] for us. Old Ahmadis may have heard of accounts from the life of the Promised Messiah (as) directly from their elder relatives, who saw the Promised Messiah (as) and benefitted from being in his blessed company.
In one place Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has explained the importance of these accounts, and in his distinct style imparted advice based on seemingly trivial incidents, and based on these extracted fundamentals of Islamic teachings. At time this I will present these. Many Companions were alive during the time of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra).
Thus in those days he drew the attention and counselled the Companions and their relatives to collect together the accounts from the life of the Promised Messiah (as). These very accounts will prove to be, for future generations, the source of guidance, true teachings and the resolution to many issues.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), the Musleh Maud (the Promised Reformer) says, – and the background to what he says is – this was something extremely important [what he says] and at one time there were discord in the Jama’at. So here Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) explains how the discord and rebellion can be uprooted.
Every word and account that reaches us from the life of the Promised Messiah (as) are an aid to us and help us to avoid discord and many vices. Nonetheless – Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, there is a particular matter he is specially drawing the attention of the Jama’at towards, and he says:
‘And what is this matter? ‘It is that the Companions should gather and record the circumstances ‘from the life of the Promised Messiah (as) as well as his words and statements. ‘For one person to conceal even the smallest and most trivial account of the Promised Messiah (as)
‘and to not convey it to others, is a national distrust. ‘No doubt, some matters are quite ordinary ‘- however at times very important details can be derived from ordinary incidents. ‘Now what a [seemingly] small incident is mentioned in the Hadith ‘that once the vegetable, squash was cooked for the Holy Prophet (saw).
The Prophet (saw) keenly would take pieces of squash from the broth, so much so, that no squash remained in the broth. The Prophet (saw) said that ‘Squash is excellent’. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says, “Now apparently this is a very minor thing.”
Many Ahmadis may think, what is the point of mentioning an account relating to squash? Nowadays some people try to be very intellectual and may not be concerned for such accounts, considering them to be trivial. However what great benefit Islam has derived from this ordinary matter.
We cannot imagine the wrongdoing and vice that he set root among the Muslims today. There was a time in India when the Hindu culture has influenced the Muslims, and due to this the Muslims have been led to believe
That a pious person is one who eats unwholesome and filthy things rather than good things. They believe anyone who does not eat the best type of food achieves a standard of piety as this is the way of the spiritual teachers and ascetics.
And when they see anyone eating fine food they say ‘How can this person call themselves a saint?’ For others it is inconceivable that a saint should eat good food. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) relates an incident in this regard,
“Once Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) was returning home after delivering a Dars in Masjid Aqsa. “He met a retired Hindu deputy Sahib in the area where the Nazrat offices once were. “The Hindu had heard from someone that the Promised Messiah (as) ate pilau
“(a sub-continent dish with rice and meat) and used almond oil. “In other words he would eat pilau at times when he could, and would use almond oil also. “The Hindu was sitting outside his home. “He looked at Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) and said ‘Maulvi Sahib, shall I ask something?
“Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) said, ‘Yes’ The Hindu asked, ‘Is it permissible to eat pilau and use almond oil? “He responded, ‘In on our religion all of this is permissible, we are not stopped from it.’ “The Hindu replied ‘I meant is it permissible for ‘Fakir?’ ”
In Punjabi, this word connotes Holy people, or those who call others towards God. People that are considered saints or spiritual guides, ‘Are they allowed to eat it too?’ Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) said, “In our faith, it is permissble for all including saints.” The Hindu said, “Alright”. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says,
“See how this person’s biggest allegation was that the Promised Messiah (as) “being the Messiah and Mahdi, ate pilau and used almond oil. “If the Companions also thought like the Ahmadis nowadays and the Hadith relating to squash “was not mentioned, then a very important matter would not have been addressed.
“The Hadith mention that the Holy Prophet (saw) wore a fine robe on Friday and went to the mosque. “Now if someone comes forward to allege that not wearing good clothes “is the sign of a spiritual guide and saint and of one who is pious,
“we can then present this Hadith to him and inform him that on Fridays, “the Holy Prophet (saw) would be exceptionally clean. “He would wear excellent clothes. “In fact he would be so strict on being exceptionally well kept and clean that some Sufis,
“such as Shah Waliullah Dehlvi, had adopted the habit of wearing new clothing every day, “either washed new or new clothing altogether.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says, “Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) was by nature very simple “and would not be concerned for certain things because he had so much work.”
For this reason sometimes on Friday he would forget to bathe or change his clothes. He would go for Jummah Prayers in the same clothing he had been wearing. Now this was out of his simplicity and not because he was demonstrating the manner a saint or spiritual person should keep himself.
Rather, due to excessive work he would overlook doing so. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says, “I started learning Bukhari from him, and one day when I was going to him for this purpose, “the Promised Messiah (as) saw me and said, “Where are you going?’
‘I replied “I am going to Maulvi Sahib to learn Bukhari.” ‘The Promised Messiah (as) said “Also ask one question on my behalf to Maulvi Sahib. “Do we find in Bukhari that the Holy Prophet (saw), on Friday would bathe and wear new clothes “yet now Sufism stand for one being filthy?”‘
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says ‘That to encapsulate this in a verse, ‘we would say ‘The more filthy one is, the closer he is to God!’ ‘Whereas in reality, the more one is filthy, the further away he is from God. ‘This is why the Sharia has made bathing necessary on many occasions
‘and has enjoined us to wear perfume. ‘We have forbidden from joining gatherings or entering the mosque after eating food ‘which leads to a foul small being emitted.’ In short the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saw) have continuously benefitted the world and will continue to do so for all times.
The world will also benefit from the circumstances of the life of the Promised Messiah (as). It is our duty to collate the circumstances. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says, ‘A young man informed me that he was a Companion of the Promised Messiah (as), ‘however he only remembered one occurrence with him and nothing else.
‘He said, “One day when I was small kid I grabbed hold of the Promised Messiah’s (as) hand “and for a little while I kept a hold of it and stood beside him. “After a little while the Promised Messiah (as) let go of my hand
“and became engaged in some other task.” ‘Now this is a seemingly trivial incident. However it is from these ordinary accounts, that later matters of huge important will be derived. For example take this incident. It shows that even small children should be brought to the gatherings of elders and saints.
During the life of the Promised Messiah (as), people would bring their children to the gatherings of the Promised Messiah (as). ‘It is possible that in the future people will arise who say “What is the benefit of children attending gatherings of saints and elders? “Only mature people should attend such assemblies.
‘Because when worldly philosophies take root such ideas are disseminated ‘and then many such issues emerge and people say what will children do [in such gatherings]. ‘Every time such thoughts are spread, these tradition will falsify their way of thinking. ‘Their thinking will be further rebutted by presenting the Hadith that the Companions
‘of the Holy Prophet (saw) also would bring their children to the gatherings with the Prophet (saw). ‘This account also demonstrates that when a task is at hand, ‘one should let go of other’s hand and engage in the task. ‘This incident details how the Promised Messiah (as),
‘after the child held his hand for a little while, eventually separated his hand. ‘Today this appears to be a trivial incident. ‘At some point in the future people may believe that a saint is one who ‘when someone holds his hand, does not let go of the others’ hand
‘and continues to hold on to it quietly. ‘These days, such traditions can clarify people’s concepts ‘and make them appreciate that these are unjustified actions. ‘The Promised Messiah (as) withdrew his hand; ‘this makes it clear that if one needs to do some important work,
‘one can withdraws one’s hand in a kind and loving manner’. Even if a child is holding one’s hand. So many potential questions can be resolved by these traditions. ‘Today we do not appreciate the value of these tradition’
(he was addressing at a time when many companions of the Promised Messiah (as) were still alive); ‘However, when Ahmadi Fiqah (jurisprudence), ideology and philosophy will be written in the ‘future, these apparently minor traditions will become authenticated references.’ Even today, we need these traditions.
‘When great philosophers of the future will refer to these traditions, ‘they will become astounded and will pray for the reward for the person ‘who narrated this tradition that has helped to resolve a complex religious matter.’ The knowledge of these traditions availed, resolves any questions that might arise in future.
Our scholars will not have to research everywhere for an answer and they will be grateful to the one who has explained these traditions. ‘Then there is a incident that is also mentioned in the Hadith ‘that once the Holy Prophet (saw) was prostrating during Prayer
‘and his grandson Hazrat Imam Hassan (ra) climbed on his back ‘The Holy Propeht (saw) did not raise his head from the state of prostration ’till his young grandson left his back of his own accord.’ Now, if this happens today, people will call such a person faithless
And accuse him of caring more about the feelings of their child than about the worship of God. However, a person with background knowledge and who knows about the example of the Holy Prophet (saw), will understand the true concept of this narration and will not engage with such criticism.
However, some people raise objections anyway. Once a Pashtun was reading Qadoori, the book of traditions. He read in the book that committing certain minor acts can break the Prayer. And then he went on to read the traditions of the Holy Prophet (saw).
He came across a Hadith that once the Holy Prophet (saw) was saying Salat. When in the standing posture, he would lift the child and when he went to Rukuh and Sajdah , he put the child down on the floor.
When he stood up again for the next Rakat, he would lift the child again. When reading this Hadith, Pashtun said that, ‘The Salat of the Holy Prophet (saw) was annulled!’ So in his view, the founder of Shariah was Qadoori and not the Holy Prophet (saw).
So there are people who refuse to accept a tradition despite very clear explanations; such people are few and far between and we should not let them distract us. To advise us, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘If anyone knows ‘even the smallest written information about the Promised Messiah (as),
‘they should narrate it, even if what they know is something like, “I saw the Promised Messiah (as) walking on the grass and then he sat down.” ‘This is because from such traditions important implications can be deduced in the later days.’ Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that he remembers that,
“Once the Promised Messiah (as) went to a garden along with his friends ‘and he said let’s eat ‘Shahtoot’ (a form of sweet berries). ‘They put a picnic rug on the grass, picked ‘Shahtoot ‘ and everyone sat down ‘with the Promised Messiah (as) and the all enjoyed their special ‘Shahtoot’.
‘Now if we face people who would suggest that the piety means ‘that we should not have nice food, then we can tell them that what you’re saying is wrong. ‘The Promised Messiah (as) himself ate very nice fruit.
‘It may be that in the later days some arrogant leaders feel it as a matter of insult ‘for them to sit with their subordinates for a meal. ‘We will be able to present to them that the Promised Messiah (as) used to sit with his friends
‘in an informal and friendly way; so who are you to feel embarrassed by such deeds?’ So some of the traditions may appear minor but these will help to resolve important religious, political and social issues in the days to come. Then Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘Those who have had the opportunity
‘to see the face of the Promised Messiah (as) or spend some time in this company, ‘it is their responsibility that they should save his every tradition, big or small, in writing. ‘For example if a person remembers the dress code of the Promised Messiah (as)
‘then they should record it in writing and send to us.’ Several registers were compiled based on these traditions. I have explained about the state traditions narrated by the companions of the Promised Messiah (as) once before. Now we are updating these handwritten traditions and composing them
So we are able to publish these in a book form. Amongst these traditions are some where there is conflicting evidence, or for we don’t have adequate references and indeed some traditions about the Promised Messiah (as) are clearer than others. So we have taken out the relatively weaker traditions.
When composing this information in a new way, many small things will be reviewed. Some of our scholars who compose these traditions comment on these that if we include such and such traditions, they may impact negatively on such and such a way.
When I read those traditions I feel that these scholars are being overcautious. These traditions should be gathered and collated. In the near future they would be presented to the Jama’at. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘One of the advantages of collecting these notations
‘is that these will help us at a future date, if some people who would start argument.’ For example, someone might argue that it is not necessary to cover one’s head. There is no doubt that there are some Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) and one of them explains about keeping your head uncovered.
Many people when offering the Salat do not cover their head; when reading these traditions it will focus the mind on these aspects as well. Many of these traditions are related to the respect of the mosque and manners of sitting in a large gathering.
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘Indeed there are Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw); ‘indeed he is the law bearing Prophet and indeed the teachings of the Prophet of a time closer to ‘us are regarded as the attestation of the teachings of the law-bearing Prophets.
‘It is said that the Fiqah as explained by Imam Abu Hanifa are more reliable. ‘In the same way, for the future generations, ‘those Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) that the Promised Messiah (as) have acted upon, ‘will be regarded as the authenticated ones.
‘In the same way the Hadith that the Promised Messiah (as) has declared to be fabricated ‘or not entirely reliable will be regarded as incorrect. ‘Therefore the traditions of the Promised Messiah (as) are just as important as Hadith ‘because these traditions will become standard ‘on which the truthfulness or otherwise of Hadith will depend.
Then he said that it is quite possible that publishing some of those traditions was inappropriate at the time of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra), nonetheless, these traditions have been saved. There are some traditions that probably should not be printed even today however they should be safeguarded.
All the traditions that have been given to us by the companions should be saved and whenever the right time comes they should be published. There was a divine revelation of the Promised Messiah (as), which was in Persian. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘The divine revelation was not published at the time
‘but was published at a later date.’ Some people say that this revelation refers to the death of Queen Victoria and others say that there are other aspects to this prophecy. The British Raj ruled most of the globe at one time and progressively that Raj lost its power.
This did not happen overnight but it was a gradual process. However signs of their weakness begin to appear a long time ago. Anyway this was a divine revelation and it can be explained in many ways. So Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that those narrations should be recorded
But should be only published at the time when they do not lead to any danger. He says that, “Now I think the time has come that this work should be completed” and as I have just said with the grace of Allah we are trying to compile these traditions in the best possible manner.
Then Hazrat Musleh Maud (as) says that Imam Bukhari is extremely revered in today’s world; and the cause of his respect is that he gathered the narrations from other people. Those who are the progeny of the companions of the Promised Messiah (as),
If they know of any traditions, than they should try and bring this to our attention. If these traditions look strong and consistent, then these could be included in the compilation. It is also possible that there are some traditions which have not been recorded
And the families of the companions know about these traditions – they can send them in writing. This is because Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has said and it is true that those who explain these traditions, people will pray for them that Allah the Exalted rewards them
Because they have helped us to resolve many problems. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says, “It is my experience “that on such occasions, there is a natural urge to supplicate for these people.” He explains one of his incidents that, “I was looking for a reference from Kaleeday Quran;
“I had a feeling that it will take me a long time to look for the verse “but then I found that reference quite quickly from Kaleeday Quran. “This inspired me to supplicate with extreme dedication for the person “who has compiled this that Allah the Exalted will increase his status
“because of his hard work I was able to find this verse quickly and it made my job easy.” Now such things are really easy for us as literature is easily accessible on the computer. Therefore, we should pray for those who have made these computer programs to make access to literature easy for us.
Every aspect of the life of the Promised Messiah (as) had an educational component in it. Therefore it is necessary for us and it is important for our practical moral training. These may facilitate understanding regarding the verses of the Holy Quran and the Hadith and this will be to our benefit.
Any other Ahmadi, who might get to hear this explanation and benefit from it; he will indeed pray for those who have collated these traditions. Therefore it is an extremely important thing and sometime we do not give this our full attention. I remember that when I started talking about the companions,
Then some members of the family sent me traditions that were known to them within the family. They need to write these traditions properly and send it to the Publications Department. They should be sent to the Additional Wakalatul Tasneef. If necessary, he will consult the relevant committee for recommendations.
Now I would like to explain a tradition which has answered some of those who raise objections. The Promised Messiah (as) was always committed to the progress of Islam; his desire was that Muslims should reform themselves, particularly in the worship of Allah.
Therefore the Promised Messiah (as) arranged that the Muslims living in Qadian should come to the mosque to offer their prayers. Referring to this incidence, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says in answer to non-Ahmadis who accuse Ahmadis of being non-Muslims, God forbid, and say that that the Promised Messiah (as) has brought a new Shariah.
So this tradition relates that even before the founding of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Promised Messiah (as) made arrangements that people should attend the mosque for the prayers and made an effort to get people to the mosque. There are many amongst Muslims who raise objections against us but are not focused on Salat.
So the Promised Messiah (as) used to send people to get Muslims to attend the mosque for Salat. They gave the excuse that “We are farmers and poor people; offering prayer is for the rich. “We poor people can either earn a living or say Salat five times a day, and go hungry.”
The Promised Messiah (as) made arrangements that if they came to the mosque for the prayers, then they will be able to get one meal. After this announcement 25 to 30 people used to come to the mosque for the sake of food.
Then even they lost interest and only attended for the Maghrib prayers when food was distributed. Finally this offer has to be withdrawn. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) says that, ‘The Promised Messiah (as) had this desire that the true picture of Islam should be shown to all. ‘God fulfilled his desire.’
Then Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) said that, “Now we have four mosques in Qadian; “two of them are extremely majestic and Salat is offered five times a day “and the Mosques are full to the brim with those offering Salat.” We must remember that the Promised Messiah (as) had this absolute desire
Before and after his claim and he said it again and again that people should come to Salat, they should offer congregational prayers in the mosque, and they should populate the mosque. With the grace of Allah our mosques are being built all over the world
But we are not as focused in populating those as we should be. Sometimes I see some complaints regarding this. The Ahmadis in Rabwah, in Qadian, in various mosques of Pakistan should populate their mosques. Also, Ahmadis in other countries should strive to populate their mosques.
Secondly, we also get a response here for the criticism when people say that, in order to bring youngsters to the mosque they have arranged for sports. Youngsters can come in the evening and play some sports. This is to bribe them to pray afterwards. So this is not a big deal.
Likewise, some people say that food is arranged for functions and for this reason people attend such events or come for prayer and eat. This is suspicious thinking of some people. However, the halls that have been constructed with the mosques or some missionaries
Who are youngsters and play sports, they started playing in the sporting fields and gathered other youngsters. One benefit of this is that the youngsters pay attention towards offering one or two prayers at the mosque and mosques have become populated.
For this reason, to say that it is a crime to build multipurpose halls with mosques or why is there an arrangement being made for food to be served at mosques, this is a wrongful accusation. It is proven from the practice of the Promised Messiah (as)
That this can happen and there is no problem with it. Now, after offering prayers I will lead two funeral prayers in absentia. The first funeral is of Al-Hajj Ya’qub Sahib of Ghana. He passed away on 20th August 2015. Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. [2: 157]
According to an estimate, his age was more than 100 years. He was from the Eastern Region of Ghana. His grandfather was a Christian but he got married twice. After his second marriage, the Presbytarian Church expelled him from church. He accepted Islam after that and worshiped Allah as a believer in one God.
Then the grandfather of Al-Hajj Ya’qub Sahib whose name was Ibrahim Odobo, gathered money to travel for pilgrimage. He also accepted Ahmadiyyat later on. When he had gathered the amount he was Ahmadi. When he reached Salt Pond, the Missionary In-Charge informed him
That the headquarters were under construction these days and chanda is being collected. So the amount he had collected for Hajj, he gave it away for the construction of the mosque and the construction of the headquarters. After this, Allah the Almighty granted him with such a long life
That after a long time he financed his grandson’s Hajj. Al-Hajj Ya’qub Sahib was also very sincere and hardworking. He had a spirit of sacrifice. When Maulvi Abdul Wahab Adam Sahib was appointed as the National President of Ghana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) sent him there with the instructions to speed up
The propagation for the mission in Ghana. So at that time, Al-Hajj Ya’qub Sahib offered a car for those who did propagation and the following was written on the car: ‘Ahmadiyya Muslim Preacher Association.’ And then through this car he organised many programmes for propagation.
He also had another attribute that he would build a mosque on his own expense wherever a chapter of the Jamaat was established and new converts would gather. He was very caring towards the wellbeing of Life Devotees and Missionaries. Two of his sons are also Life Devotees.
One of them is Ibrahim Bin Ya’qub Sahib who is a Missionary in the Headquarters and Missionary In-Charge and National President in Trinidad. The other son is a local Missionary there. His name is Nurudin Babang Sahib who is serving in the north. Al-Hajj Ya’qub Sahib had also visited Rabwah.
He was a Moosi and by the Grace of Allah the accounts for his property and income were clear. When I was in Ghana, I witnessed that he was a very passionate Da’eeIlAllah and he was ever ready [to serve].
He was a person of a friendly nature and along with that he was very humble. May Allah the Almighty exalt his ranks and enable his progeny and his generations to continue his good deeds. The second funeral prayer will be of an old servant of the Community, Respected Maulana Fazal Ilaahi Bashir Sahib.
Due to some official misunderstanding his funeral prayers were not offered before. He passed away on 3rd August at the age of 97. Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. [2:157] He was born in 1918 at the house of Respected Chaudhry Karam Ilhahi Sahib Cheema.
Maulvi Sahib devoted his life on 24 November 1944. He reached Qadian on 3rd June 1946 and retired on 1978. However, he was reemployed consistently until 1993. He continuously served the Jama’at as a permanent worker. Even after this he did tremendous work for the Jama’at voluntarily until his last breadth.
Particularly, he did proofreading work. It is written that, his father Karam Ilhahi took the oath of allegiance in 1898 and after one year, his grandfather Chaudhry Jalal Din Sahib took the oath of allegiance. His father’s bond with Khilafat and the Jama’at was very strong and Allah the Almighty would guide him.
After the demise of the Promised Messiah (as) he immediately took the oath of allegiance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra). And after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) he immediately to the oath of allegiance of the second Khalifa.
It was shown to him in a dream that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) was the future Khalifa. He was a Moosi and he had signed up for Wasiyyat for 1/8. Maulvi Sahib narrates the incident of becoming a life devotee, he says that his mother narrated to him that
‘It was either the Jalsa Salana Qadian of 1919 or 1920 when I was a baby ‘when Hazrat Hafiz Ghulam Rasul Sahib Wazerabaadi addressed the ladies Jalsa Gah. ‘He said that “Ladies, we are getting old. Successors are needed now. “You should devote your children for the service of faith.
“Send them to Qadian for religion education.” ‘During this speech, my mother prayed to Allah the Almighty that “I will devote this child, Fazal Ilahi, in the way of God.”’ Therefore, in 1931 when he was admitted in middle school, his father informed him about his mother’s covenant and said
‘If you wish to continue worldly education, my position is such that ‘I can make you revenue collector after you have completed your education.’ This position was a great honour in that time. However, he replied immediately that ‘I will devote my life and go to Qadian.’
On 23 February 1947, along with other missionaries he arrived at the port of Mombasa in East Africa. Mir Ziaullah Sahib, Maulvi Jalaludin Sahib Qamar, Syed Waliullah Shah Sahib, Hakeem Muhammad Ibrahim Sahib and Maulawi ‘Anayatullah Sahib were amongst those missionaries who arrived with him.
Shiekh Mubarak Ahmad Sahib was the person In Charge for propagation in Eastern Africa. He got the opportunity to serve in Kenya, Suriname, Ghiyana and Iran for a long time. Then after that he got the opportunity to serve in the headquarters in the offices of Anjuman and Tehrik-e-Jadid.
Hazrat Maulvi Sahib was also a member of the committee which was formed by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) to examine the principals of Wasiyyat. He wrote eleven books in Arabic, English and French. He was married twice. His first marriage was with the daughter of Chaudhry Muhammad Din Sahib
Who was a Sahi of Sialkot. His second marriage took place in Mauritius. He narrates an incident of acceptance of prayer from his childhood that once, when he was 10-12 years old, his mother was very sick and there was no hope of her survival.
He says that ‘Due to the thought that my mother would pass away, my heart sank. ‘I prayed that “Oh my God, will you deprive me from the care of my mother at this age?”’ He says that ‘Only a few minutes had passed that I saw my father coming out of the house
‘and walking towards me. As soon as he arrived, he said “Fazal Ilahi, you mother has recovered.”’ He stayed in Kababir as well, in Palestine. Sharif Odeh Sahib writes that, ‘He was in Palestine from 1966-1968 and from 1977-1981. ‘He used to do tabligh and tarbiyyat work assiduously during his stay in Kababir.
‘He used to visit people’s homes and give lectures on religion and the Holy Qur’an. ‘He improved the administrative matter of Ahmadiyya School Kababir. ‘Similarly, he used to take many tours for propagation and ‘he used to distribute leaflets about the Jama’at in various places.’
He says that ‘I used to accompany him in the tours for propagation when I was young and ‘I learned a great deal from him. He was very hardworking and exemplary in serving faith. ‘He always kept the prophecy of the Promised Messiah (as) at the forefront that
‘You are the revered Messiah whose time shall not be wasted.’ He never wasted his time. He also published a magazine there named of ‘Al Bushra’ and he worked a lot on this and he used to do the composing, writing, printing for this magazine. All of this work was assigned to him.
He also inaugurated the mosque in Kababir and placed the foundation stone for it. Once he said that in 1940 when his father Hazrat Kalam Ilahi Sahib retired, they faced a lot of hardships in the household to the extent that they were not able to pay the fees
For Madrassah Ahmadiyya when he used to study there in Qadian. Once, they received a notice from Principal Sahib that ‘Pay the fees within seven days or face expulsion from the Madrassah.’ Upon this, he quit attending the Madrassah. After a few days, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib,
Khalifatul Masih III (rh), called him and enquired why he was not attending the Madrassah. He replied that ‘I could not pay the fees. So I am not attending due to embarrassment.’ Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib (rh) said ‘I will arrange for the fees.’
He replied ‘I will not accept charity. You can give me a goodly loan.’ In this way, he continued his education. But, between 1940 and 1942, he faced very poor financial conditions and almost starvation. He says that ‘Once, condition was such that no food was available for 56 hours
‘but I did not mention this to anyone. ‘After 56 hours a friend said that you should eat with me today. ‘In this way Allah the Almighty granted me a piece of bread after 56 hours and ‘after this one piece of bread I stayed hungry for another 48 hours.’
He says that ‘Maybe this starvation was a source of training for self-control from Allah Almighty. ‘This training came in handy for me during the hardships of propagation.’ Several times he mentioned the hardships that were faced during propagation. In Africa when he went on tours for propagation with African friends, they had to starve.
Sometimes good food was accessible and they ate whatever was available. It never occurred to them that they were doing a great service for faith. Hence, this thing should be considered by life devotees now days. Now the conditions are much better everywhere by the Grace of Allah the Almighty
And it never happens that anyone has to starve. He strove to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty throughout his life. He devoted his life after 10th grade and he fulfilled this covenant until his last breath that ‘I shall give precedence to my faith over all worldly affairs’.
His granddaughter writes that, ‘My grandfather rarely used to mention the circumstances ‘he faced during his tours for propagation. ‘But one thing he did share was that when he used to travel for propagation, ‘he would prepare two pieces of bread in the morning.
‘He would eat one in the morning and take the other one with him ‘and would eat it during his journey with water or tea.’ When he stayed in Africa, the people there affirmed this that he would prepare two pieces of bread and would leave for his journey for propagation.
The Missionary of Suriname writes that ‘From 1970 till 1972 he [Ya’qub Sahib] got the opportunity ‘to serve as a Missionary of Guyana and he took several tours of various places [in Suriname]. ‘He had the honour of inaugurating the first mosque of the Jama’at on 25th April 1971.
‘He spent the time here in very unfavourable circumstances with immense patience and resolve. ‘Apart from the opposition from the non-Ahmadis (there were many non-Ahmadis there at the time), ‘a group of Khuwaja Isma’il had taken root within the Jama’at which created many difficulties
‘and made every possible effort to ensure Mosque property did not come under the Jama’at ‘but he faced these difficulties with immense resolve ‘and actively stayed busy in serving the Community.’ Apart from spreading true love, he continued to keep the headquarter updated of the situation
And in 1972 he wrote to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) that “The Jama’at in Suriname has obtained a Mosque and Mission house but no Jama’at headquarter “has been established in Guyana and they are deprived of a centre.
“For 12 years there has been a Missionary based from there and it is my ardent desire that “a mosque should be constructed there.” When he was in Mauritius, the Missionary In- Charge there writes that he was appointed there under very special circumstances.
In 1954 when some people refused to listen to Respected Bashir-ud-Din ‘Abaydullah Sahib the Jama’at was divided in two. One group became disobedient and formed its own Association. Upon this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) sent him a message that he should immediately go to Mauritius.
When he arrived in Mauritius, a complaint was filed against him in immigration. However, since he had a British Nationality, the government had to grant him permission to enter Mauritius. He took notice of the situation with immense wisdom and entered the mosque which was taken over by opponents, actually those hypocrites or apostates who
Had taken control over the mosque, he entered that mosque with and started leading prayers and steadily and the Jama’at started to gather around him. During this time in Mauritius, he got married for the second time. Here he also wrote many books in French as I have mentioned
And he protected the Jama’at from that mischief and gathered the Jama’at from scratch and united them on one hand. He used to have strong desire to attend Jummah at Masjid Mubarak and whoever he had requested for a ride, he would wait for that person even during his old age.
He would sit on a chair outside the front door of his house so that the person giving him a ride would not have to experience any discomfort or wait for him so he could leave immediately. He would provide for the poor, according to as much as was possible for him.
Once a poor person wrote that, ‘You provide for my child’s education, this time around, ‘please send greater amount through money order.’ He did not mention this to anyone at home. By chance, his daughter-in-law came across a letter and discovered his help for the poor.
His daughter- in-law says that ‘Once I asked him to share an incident regarding Tabligh’. So he replied ‘I will narrate an incident for you.’ He said ‘It was my daily routine that I would leave for propagation after Fajr prayers ‘when it was still dark and would return home late.
‘One day when I returned home, I saw many people were gathered outside my house. ‘I got worried that ‘why are these people waiting for me?’ ‘In the meanwhile, from very far away they started congratulating me “Maulana Sahib, Congratulations” “Maulana Sahib, Conratulations!” ‘I enquired, “Why are you saying Mubarak?”
‘Those people told me that “this morning when you left a lion was walking with you. “So either you were walking in front of the lion “or you were following the lion but God kept you saved. “We are congratulating you for this reason. Many people saw you working like this in the jungle.”
He used to offer Tahajjud prayer regularly. He used to pray with overwhelming emotions. Many missionaries and other people have written about his circumstances. Truly, his trust was always in God, he was very courageous, patient, a person who would feel pain for his faith and give precedence to his faith over worldly affairs.
There is no exaggeration whatsoever in the incidents which have been mentioned. He had a very strong relationship with Khilafat. May Allah the Almighty exalt his ranks and keep his progeny established upon virtuous deeds.