Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sialra, a devoted follower of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiahas, and the first Ahmadi missionary dispatched from India to London for the purpose of Tabligh by Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira, occupies a prominent and significant place in the historical narrative of the Ahmadiyya Community in the United Kingdom. Born in 1887 in Jora Kalan, a small town in the Kasur district of Punjab, Hazrat Fateh Muhammad Sialra and his father, Chaudhry Nizam Din, pledged their allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas in 1899. Subsequently, in 1900, the family migrated to Qadian.
In the year 1901 Promised Messiahas encouraged the members of his community to dedicate their lives to the service of Allah and his religion in the following words:
“Practical verification is crucial when it comes to verbal promises. Hence, it is imperative to wholeheartedly dedicate your life to the path of Allah. Embracing the true essence of Islam and fulfilling its purpose is the reason behind my divine mission….rather than worshiping spiritual guides, aspire to become a guide yourself”
(Malfuzat Urdu Vol 2 P.523 Edition 2022)
At the youthful age of 20, he penned a letter to the Promised Messiahas, wholeheartedly embracing the divine summons to dedicate his life to the service of religion. The names of such individuals were meticulously recorded in a distinct folder, which was entrusted to the custody of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra. The Promised Messiahas himself acknowledged the sincerity of Fateh Muhammad Sial’s commitment by writing a note of appreciation on his letter.
(Tareekh-e-Ahmadiyya Vol 3 P.459)
Hazrat Fateh Muhammad Sialra successfully earned his bachelor’s degree from the Government College University, Lahore, in 1910. Subsequently, he pursued a Master’s degree in Arabic at the Aligarh Muslim University. Upon his return to Qadian in 1912, he expressed his willingness to serve the community and approached the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya for an appointment. However, the Secretary, Maulana Muhammad Ali, conveyed that his services were not needed within the community and suggested seeking employment elsewhere. Upon receiving this information, Hazrat Mirza Bashirudeen Mehmood Ahmadra, who was responsible for overseeing education in Qadian, took action and appointed Fateh Muhammad Sial as an English teacher for the 6th grade at Madrasah Ahmadiyya. During that period, Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin Khalifatul Masih Ira, made an impassioned appeal, urging the members of the community to step forward and volunteer as a missionary to serve in London. Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sialra, at the young age of 26, became the first servant of the Promised Messiahas to embrace this responsibility.
(Al-Fazal 25 December 1956 P.5)
Prior to his arrival Khawaja Kamaludeen, a companion of the Promised Messiah, had travelled to England in 1912 with the primary objective of representing a nawab from Hyderabad Deccan in a legal case. In the course of his stay, under the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, he received instructions to explore the status of a mosque in Woking. Consequently, he successfully secured the management of the mosque, utilizing this opportunity to propagate the message of Islam among the local community.
Upon his arrival in the British Isles, Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Sial Sahibra provided initial assistance to Khawaja Kamaludeen in Woking, thereby facilitating their collaborative missionary endeavours. Notably, his arrival coincided temporally with the commencement of the First World War in 1914. However, following the division within the community in 1914 upon the passing of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, Fateh Muhammad Sialra received instructions from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra to relocate to London and establish an independent mission. Upon his arrival in Great Britain on 22 June 1913, Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Sial Sahibra embarked on a missionary journey. This coincided with the onset of the First World War.
Chaudhry Fateh Sial Sahibra began disseminating the message of Islam among the British populace. His initial location for preaching was Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, where he distributed leaflets and engaged in conversations with residents while conducting interviews with the press.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra instructed Hazrat Muhammad Sial Sahibra to procure a property suitable for the construction of a mosque for the Muslim community. In August 1920, he acquired a one-acre site in Southfields, which served as an active mission house and his primary operational base. However, due to increased requirements, the Mission House soon proved inadequate, prompting the formulation of plans for a mosque on the premises. The inauguration of the Fazl Mosque (also known as the London Mosque) took place on October 23, 1926.
Chaudhry Sahib assumed the role of missionary-in-charge in 1913 and served in the UK until 1916. He returned in 1919 for a second term, continuing his service to the UK mission until 1921. Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sial Sahibra passed away on February 28, 1960.