Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra Arrival in England
“The Islam that the Promised Messiahas has revived, and which is purified from human conjecture, will eventually spread. England will be enlightened by an individual from a country under its rule, just as Rome was illuminated by a prophet from one of its subjects nineteen hundred years earlier.” [1] – Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra was warmly welcomed by the Ahmadiyya Muslim missionaries and the Jama’at. Upon setting foot on the platform, His Holinessra prayed with his entourage, a scene that was subsequently published in the London newspapers. From the station, His Holinessra proceeded to Bab al-Lud (Ludgate),[2] where he prayed for the success of Islam and the breaking of the cross in the courtyard near the entrance of St. Paul’s Cathedral. This entourage of Eastern saints and their Khalifa garnered the attention of a large crowd. After an extended prayer, His Holinessra, along with his attendants, proceeded to his residence at 6 Chesham Place.[3]
Upon his arrival, the first action taken by His Holinessra was to assign various duties among his entourage. An administrative committee was established, with Hazrat Fateh Muhammad Sayalra appointed as President and Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad-ud-Dinra (a missionary serving in America) as Secretary. Malik Ghulam Fareedra, Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad-ud-Dinra, and Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Raheem Nayyarra were assigned to liaise with the press. From the beginning, the responsibility of sending detailed reports of travels to India was entrusted to Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira, who consistently fulfilled this duty. The duties of handling the mail were assigned to Hazrat Hafiz Roshan Alira, Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif, and Sheikh Abdul Rahman Misri.
The responsibility of organising meetings was given to Hazrat Zulfiqar Ali Khanra, Hazrat Fateh Muhammad Sayalra, and Hazrat Muhammad Zafrullah Khanra. Management of food provisions was assigned to Hazrat Bhai Abdul Rahman Qadianira and Hazrat Chaudhry Ali Muhammadra. Since Hazrat Chaudhry Ali Muhammadra frequently had to be present in the service of His Holinessra, the major part of the responsibility lay with Hazrat Bhai Abdul Rahman Qadianira. Besides his primary duties, he also occasionally sent his daily diary to Qadian thereby updating the members of the Jama’at about their tour. He would also attend to his Holiness’ mail. [4]
On 28th August, His Holinessra was interviewed by The Star newspaper. Later that afternoon, at 4 pm, Hazrat Abdul Raheem Nayyarra organised a press conference, inviting reporters from various newspapers. During this press conference, His Holinessra delivered his first message of peace, love, and co-operation to the people of Britain. While His Holinessra read his message in Urdu, Hazrat Zafrullah Khanra promptly translated it into English for the attendees. Speaking about the Promised Messiah’sas prophecy regarding England, His Holinessra said:
“When he was alone and no one was with him, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians were naturally opposed to him. The government was also sceptical of his claim to be the Mahdi. At that time, he had foretold that God Almighty would spread his name to the corners of the world. Specifically in England, and generally in other Western countries, people would accept his claim and enter Islam, which he revived and purified from the errors that had arisen due to the independent reasoning of those who did not present it with divine inspiration. A hundred years have passed since this claim, and today, nearly a million people acknowledge him around the world. Many people in European countries and America have also come to believe in him. Reflecting on the past, I am convinced that the remaining part of the prophecy will also be fulfilled. The Islam that the Promised Messiahas has revived, and which is purified from human conjecture, will eventually spread.
England will be enlightened by an individual from a country under its rule, just as Rome was illuminated by a prophet from one of its subjects nineteen hundred years earlier. Though this may seem difficult, who could have imagined that the reformer of Nazareth would prevail over the world? God Almighty always employs such individuals whom the world considers lowly and weak so that His glory is manifested, and people do not perceive Him as needing human assistance.” [5]
While speaking about his expectations from the people of England, he said:
“I expect the people of England to seriously consider the claim of this individual, who stated that God spoke to him in the same manner as He spoke to the previous prophets. I assure them that if they pay attention to him, they will perceive the glory of God within themselves and hear His word, just as the disciples of the earlier prophets did.” [6]
An Address in Brighton: A Call for Peace, Justice, and Liberty
“God may so guide those in whose hands lie the destinies of the Empire as to enable them to establish firmly uniform peace, justice and liberty throughout the Empire, and that He may cause the Empire to endure on these foundations” [7]
– Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra
On the invitation of the Corporation of Brighton, His Holinessra travelled there on 29th August, 1923. Accompanied by his disciples, he visited the Chattri Memorial and the Indian Memorial Gateway at the Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion had been transformed into a hospital in 1914 for the treatment of Indian soldiers wounded on the Western Front. Khalid Sheldrake, a Christian convert to Islam who was well acquainted with the Ahmadiyya Jama’at and had previously contributed articles to the Review of Religions, made the arrangements in Brighton for the visit. [8]
His Holinessra first arrived at the Chattri Memorial and prayed for the Indian soldiers who had lost their lives in the First World War. Later, he delivered an address at the Royal Pavilion. Afterwards, His Holinessra performed Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers in the grounds of the hospital. Cameramen and videographers were present to capture His Holiness’ engagements in Brighton. His Holinessra concluded his trip to Brighton by visiting the seafront, where he spent some time before returning to London by train later that same day.[9] Once back in London, His Holiness’ activities included occasional evening strolls in Hyde Park, where it is said he would walk a considerable distance. In late August and early September, two consultation meetings regarding the location of the London Mosque took place. The discussions focused on whether a more suitable place should be acquired compared to its location in Putney. [10]
Martyrdom of Nimatullah Khanrh in Afghanistan
On 3rd September, 1924, at around 3:45 am, a telegram was received reporting the martyrdom of Nimatullah Khanrh, a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Afghanistan. He was stoned to death in Kabul under the orders of the Afghan government due to religious differences. His Holinessra instructed his companions to inform the press about this barbaric act, and after he spent time alone in prayer and contemplation. He stated: “these people have committed treachery. After proclaiming freedom and religious liberty, they summoned our people and then deceived them.” [11]
Various government officials were informed about this act of this treachery, Hazrat Zafrullah Khanra recalling the incident wrote:
“The news of Nimatullah Khan’s death by stoning in Kabul reached during our stay in London weighing down the Imam and his entourage with profound grief and anguish. A meeting was held in London’s Essex Hall in which this brutal act was condemned.” [12]
His Holinessra visited the Putney residence twice in September 1924. On 5th September, he led the Jumu’ah prayer at the Ahmadiyya Centre in Putney, followed by a visit to the residence of Khalid Sheldrake for tea. [13]
Subsequently, on 7th September, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Raheem Nayyarra extended over a hundred invitations for a gathering at the residence in Putney. Among the invitees were English men and women, Indian students, the Turkish Ambassador, and other distinguished guests. Hazrat Maulana Nayyarra gave a welcoming speech, and then S.N. Dasgupta — an Indian philosopher, highlighted the brutality of the Afghan government. He urged everyone to support and take part in the protest regarding the martyrdom of Nimatullah Khanrh, which was to be held in Essex Hall on 17th September, 1924. S.N. Dasgupta met with His Holinessra on numerous occasions to discuss strategies and approaches for organising a protest against this barbaric act. [14]
Hazrat Chaudary Zafrullah Khanra then read out the message of His Holinessra in English.[15] Addressing the transformation that had occurred in the East, His Holinessra stated in his message:
“You may be surprised that the East, which the West used to send missionaries to and considered completely uncivilised, has undergone such a transformation that it now sends missionaries to the West. I can only answer your astonishment with the same response given by a companion of Prophet Muhammadsa in the Sasanian court when he was asked a similar question. He responded, Indeed, all the faults attributed to us were present in us, and even more so, and undoubtedly, we were as low-spirited as you have described. But God Almighty sent a Messenger among us, who changed our condition and elevated our spirits. Now we are not what we once were, and the things that used to satisfy us no longer do so, Oh, sisters and brothers! Our situation is similar. Thirty-four years ago, the state of Islam was such that its best defenders would apologetically make excuses on its behalf. But thirty-four years have passed since God Almighty sent a Messenger amongst us, that Messenger, about whom various prophets had previously foretold under different names. Some called him the Messiah, some the Mahdi, some Krishna. By the command of Allah, he sprinkled the water of life on dead nations, and they revived with the spirit sent by God. They emerged from centuries old cemeteries to populate towns and cities, bearing witness to God’s glory and attesting to His eternal powers.” [16]
On the 8th September, His Holinessra was invited to address the East and West Society’s gathering at Guildhouse, marking his inaugural lecture in the English language. His Holinessra, upon expressing his endorsement of the society’s mission to foster closer ties between the East and West, elucidated that attaining such an objective necessitates a collective journey towards a central figure, namely, our God. He emphasised that genuine unity cannot be achieved without His complete love, asserting that enmity only emerges when we stray from this divine source.[17]
On September 11th, 1924, Mr. Ellison, Secretary of the Religion and Ethics Department in the League of Nations, along with Mr. Ren, visited His Holinessra. His Holinessra expressed his solidarity with “every movement that aims for the betterment and peace in the world because one of the names of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement is Prince of Peace.” He also explained that coercion regarding matters of faith is forbidden according to Islamic doctrine. He expounded that the expression of such beliefs had resulted in their persecution, highlighting the recent martyrdom of Nimatullah Khanrh in Afghanistan. Despite this, he affirmed such sufferings and persecutions, he affirmed, “I consider it my duty to complete what the Founder of the Community has initiated for global peace, and for this purpose, I am ready to give all possible help and willing to make every sacrifice.” [18]
Click here for part 5:
https://history.ahmadiyya.uk/the-islamic-renaissance-part-5-of-the-chronological-account-hazrat-khalifatul-masih-iisra-journey-to-england/
References:
[¹] Al-Fazl (1924), 27th September.
[²] One of the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2937) states that the Messiahas will kill the Antichrist at the Gate of Ludd. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s visit to London for the propagation of Islam is seen as the fulfilment of this prophecy. The Promised Messiahas clarified that prophecies concerning a prophet may be fulfilled either during his lifetime or through a descendant or follower. See Badr (1905), Volume 1, No. 23, September 7th, 1905, p. 2.
[³] Al-Fazl (1924), 23rd September, p. 5.
[⁴] Shahid, Maulana Dost (2007) Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4. Qadian: Nazarat-Nashro Ishaat, p. 447.
[⁵] Al-Fazl (1924), 27th September, p. 4.
[⁶] Ibid., p. 4.
[⁷] The Review of Religions (1924), December, pp. 450-451.
[⁸] Bhai, Abdul Rehman Sahib, Safar-e-Europe, Rabwah: Zia Press, p. 167; Shahid, Maulana Dost (2007) Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4. Qadian: Nazarat-Nashro Ishaat, p. 450.
[⁹] Ibid., p. 170.
[¹⁰] Bhai, Abdul Rehman Sahib, Safar-e-Europe, Rabwah: Zia Press, pp. 174-176.
[¹¹] Ibid., p. 186.
[¹²] Khan, M.Z. (2014) Tehdise Nemat (Recollection of Divine Favours). (Translated from Urdu by Kunwar Idris); Qadian: Zafar & Sons, p. 211.
[¹³] Bhai, Abdul Rehman Sahib, Safar-e-Europe, Rabwah: Zia Press, p. 195.
[¹⁴] Ibid., pp. 197, 199, 204, 211, 255, 276.
[¹⁵] Ibid., pp. 195, 199-204; Also see Shahid, Maulana Dost (2007) Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4. Qadian: Nazarat-Nashro Ishaat, pp. 450-451.
[¹⁶] Fazl-e-Umar Foundation. Anwarul Uloom, Vol. 8. Surrey: Raqeem Press, p. 454.
[¹⁷] Ibid., p. 459.
[¹⁸] Al-Fazl (1924), 14th October, pp. 3-4.
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