“Mufti Muhammad Sadiq has a burning desire for the propagation of the Ahmadiyya Movement, and there is hardly any place in England where he has not corresponded with the English researchers or editors of the newspapers that he has come to know about and not communicated to them the claims of the Promised Messiahas……Mufti Sahib does not need any introduction. The entire Ahmadi world knows his renowned name and is aware of his devotion, sincerity, and loyalty.”
(The Promised Messiahas May 1908)
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra, born on 11th January 1872 in the town of Behra, India, played a significant role in the history of Ahmadiyya. Introduced to Ahmadiyyat during his teenage years, Hazrat Mufti Sahib embarked on a journey that would shape his future. At the age of 18, in the year 1890, he traveled to Qadian to meet the Promised Messiahra, marking a pivotal moment in his life. Following the completion of his matriculation in his hometown, Hazrat Mufti Sahibra was appointed as an English teacher at Jammu High School in 1890, with the guidance and support of Maulana Hakim Nooruddin Sahibra. Towards the end of the same year, he made his first visit to Qadian, where he was initiated into the fold of Ahmadiyyat by the Promised Messiahas on 31st January 1891.
Love for the Promised Messiahas in youth
After spending a period of five years in Jammu, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra proceeded to Lahore in 1895, where he initially took up the position of a Mathematics teacher. Subsequently, he joined the Office of Accountant General as a clerk, where he remained employed until 1901. Throughout this time, he made regular visits to Qadian, almost every Sunday, to have the opportunity to be in the presence of the Promised Messiahas. In July 1901, Mufti Sadiq Sahib made the decision to migrate to Qadian permanently, establishing himself in close proximity to his Spiritual Master, the Promised Messiahas. Initially assuming the role of the deputy headmaster, he eventually ascended to the position of Headmaster at Taleem-ul-Islam High School in 1903. Moreover, upon the establishment of the college on 24th May 1903, he was appointed as the Manager, Superintendent, and Professor of Logic.
On 23rd May 1908, a few days prior to his passing, the Promised Messiahas delivered a speech following the Zuhur prayers, in which he expressed admiration for the dedicated endeavors of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra. In his remarks, the Promised Messiahas eloquently acknowledged the remarkable contributions of Hazrat Mufti Sahibra, highlighting his invaluable efforts and commitment. He stated:
“Mufti Muhammad Sadiq has a burning desire for the propagation of the Ahmadiyya Movement, and there is hardly any place in England where he has not corresponded with the English researchers or editors of the newspapers that he has come to know about and not communicated to them the claims of the Promised Messiahas, The sorrowful ending of Dowie of America and the pathetic failure of Piggot of London are the result of the efforts of the respected Mufti [Sadiq] Sahib. While he was the cause of the destruction of Piggot and Dowie, he was also the cause of guidance for many fortunate souls. It was the result of his true and sincere efforts that some gentlemen and ladies of Europe and America accepted the truth of the Promised Messiah as and repented of their false beliefs. In short, Mufti Sahib does not need any introduction. The entire Ahmadi world knows his renowned name and is aware of his devotion, sincerity, and loyalty.
Services During the Blessed Life of the Promised Messiah
Hazrat Mufti Sadiq Sahibra was fortunate to serve Islam in several ways during the times of the Promised Messiah:
- Bishop George Alfred Lefroy delivered a public lecture titled “Living Messenger and Innocent Prophet” (Zinda Rasool aur Masoom Nabi) in Lahore on May 18, 1900. Following the lecture, a question and answer session was held, during which Dr. Sadiq confidently stood up and left the bishop speechless with his response.
- The Arch Bishop of Lahore, seeking to avenge his previous defeat, organized another public lecture on May 25. At the request of Mufti Sadiqra, the Promised Messiahas wrote an article that was passionately read by Mufti Sadiq Sahibra to the audience after the bishop’s lecture. The bishop remarked that his speech was meant for other Muslims and refused to engage with Dr. Sadiq.
- During the composition of the book “Minanur-Rahman” (Bounties of the Gracious God) by the Promised Messiah, Dr. Sadiq was instructed to learn Hebrew. With the guidance of a Jewish scholar in Lahore, he acquired sufficient knowledge of Hebrew to compile a list of words as evidence of its Arabic origins. Dr. Sadiq also conducted research on the Hebrew Bible to identify prophecies related to the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam and the Promised Messiah. Some of these findings were recorded in Hebrew on pages 111 and 138 of “Tohfa-i-Golarhviyya” (A Gift for Golarhviyya). He also meticulously transcribed Hebrew extracts pertaining to the prophecy of false Prophets, which were included in His Holiness’ booklet “Ar’baeen IV, Page 8.”
- Mufti Sadiq Sahib demonstrated a deep commitment to spreading the truth. Starting in 1900, he initiated the propagation of Islam through letter writing to prominent personalities in England, America, Japan, and other countries, including individuals such as Mr. James L. Rogers from California, A. George Baker from Philadelphia, Mr. Alexander Webb from America, and the Russian reformer Count Tolstoy. He played a vital role in disseminating the warnings of the Promised Messiah to Mr. Pigott (Claimant of Messiah in London) and Dowie (Claimant of Elijah the restorer in Zion, USA). The Urdu translation of his letters to the Congress of European Free Thinkers, held in Italy in 1904, is included in his book “Zikr-i-Habeeb.” Dr. Sadiq continued his tireless efforts in spreading the message of Islam through his writings until the end of his life.
- In 1900, Mufti Sadiq Sahib authored all the pamphlets on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Community, Lahore, to present the true facts about Peer Mehr Ali Shah of Golarha. His booklet titled “The Actual Facts” remains a notable publication from this period.
Departure for England
Hazrat Mufti Sadiq Sahibra embarked on a missionary journey to England on the 10th of March, 1917. Throughout his sojourn, he actively engaged in the dissemination of Islamic teachings. On the 17th of April, 1917, he arrived in London, where he joined forces with Qazi Muhammad Abdullah Sahibra , who was already engrossed in the propagation of Islam. During his approximately two and a half-year residency in England, Mufti Sadiq Sahibra authored numerous treatises. Noteworthy individuals, such as King George V, the Queen of England, Secretary of State, Lord Montego, the British Prime Minister, Lord Mayor of London, and Prince Yori Hito Hakashi Foshi of Japan, were among those privileged to receive the message of Islam through his preaching efforts.
Upon concluding his tenure in England, Mufti Sadiq Sahibra was directed to embark on a journey to the United States in 1920. Upon landing in Philadelphia, he was promptly apprehended under suspicion of intending to advocate polygamy, an act prohibited by the laws of the United States. However, he effectively clarified that while polygamy is permitted within the framework of Islam, his purpose was not to advocate for such practices. After spending two months in detention, Hazrat Mufti Sadiq Sahibra proceeded to New York to resume his lecturing and writing activities. Subsequently, he traveled from New York to Michigan, and from there to Chicago, where he established the inaugural Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in the United States. By the grace of Allah, Mufti Sahib was able to convert over 1000 individuals to Ahmadiyyat during his three-and-a-half-year tenure in the United States.
In 1924, following the establishment of a strong foundation for Ahmadiyyat in America, he returned to India. He subsequently dedicated himself to serving the community in various capacities, including undertaking preaching responsibilities in Ceylon. Mufti Sadiq Sahibra continued his noble endeavors until his demise in 1957, having left an indelible impact on three continents and touched the lives of countless individuals along the way.