Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif was born on December 2, 1902, in the Sialkot district. His early education was overseen by a dedicated teacher in Yora village. In 1904, his father, Hazrat Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain Sahibra, embraced Ahmadiyyat after pledging allegiance to the Promised Messiahas, fostering the growth of Ahmadiyyat within their family.
In 1916, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yar Arif enrolled at Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian, commencing his academic journey. Upon graduating from Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian in 1923, he initially pursued a government job in the education sector. However, following the guidance of Hazrat Musleh Maudra, he relinquished his government position and dedicated himself to serving the Jamaat by relocating to Qadian. Embracing missionary work, he collaborated with esteemed colleagues like Hazrat Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahibra and Hazrat Maulana Abul Atta Jalandhri. Furthermore, he actively participated in successful debates while simultaneously preparing for and passing his matriculation exams.
Prior to his departure for England, Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib served as an assistant private secretary to Hazrat Musleh Maudra. Preceding his voyage to London, he undertook an extensive tour of India under the guidance of Hazrat Musleh Maudra. Further details concerning his service in England will be furnished in due course. Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib departed from Qadian on July 25, 1931, and rendered his services in England until 1935.
(History of Ahmadiyya Volume 6 p. 349)
Furthermore, he had the privilege of engaging with prominent figures such as Allamah Iqbal and the Secretary of State, acting as a representative of Jamaat Ahmadiyya in his capacity as the Imam. Notably, he participated in the historic public gathering organized by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, where the Quaid-i-Azam (Founder of Pakistan) was also present. As the Deputy Imam of Masjid Fazal in London, the esteemed Maulana Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib graced the occasion with his presence. Upon his return from England, Maulana Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib availed himself of the opportunity to visit various locations, including Calcutta, Bombay, Karachi, and Hyderabad (Deccan). In the 1940 meeting, where a delegation was dispatched to represent the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib was a prominent member of that delegation.
Additionally, he had the privilege of engaging with notable figures such as Allamah Iqbal and the Secretary of State while serving as a representative of Jamaat Ahmadiyya in his capacity as an Imam. It is noteworthy that he actively participated in a significant public gathering organized by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, which was attended by the Quaid-i-Azam (Founder of Pakistan). Serving as the Deputy Imam of Masjid Fazal in London, Maulana Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib attended this auspicious occasion. Upon his return from England, he took the opportunity to visit various locations, including Calcutta, Bombay, Karachi, and Hyderabad (Deccan).
(Supplement of Tehreek Jadid monthly, November 1986, pages 12, 11)
Respected Muhammad Yar Arif Sahib, after enduring a prolonged illness, peacefully departed from this world on the 17th or 18th of November 1986 in Lahore, at the age of 84.