Al Hakam, 14 & 21 August 1918
Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira, Editor, Al Hakam (Urdu)
Correspondence from Dalhousie has given invigorating news that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah strengthen his hand, departing Dalhousie on 16 August 1918, will, by the grace of God, arrive in [Qadian] Dar-ul-Aman on the evening of 17August 1918.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’shealth and counsel of medical advisors had not yet permitted him to return from the mountains. Due to a cessation of rainfall, the state of sultry weather in this period in the field is obvious. However, anguish for his nation and Jamaat, enthusiasm and fervour for the needs of the community and service to religion was compelling him not to remain on the mountain any longer. In those days, when I was with Huzoor, I used to observe that had he not been compelled by health reasons, he would not have undertaken the journey. Through his conduct, his being reiterates the words that the Promised Messiahas once said in a state of passion for the service of Islam:
چہ افتاد اىں سرمارا كہ مىخو اہد مصىبت را
[(Persian) What has happened to my thoughts that they welcome trouble?]
Had he not sacrificed his comfort and health for the needs of the community, the situation would not have taken this shape. During the previous four years, he carried out tremendous efforts and the effects which his health suffered, from the difficulties which he had drawn the community out of, were inevitable. Nevertheless, it is the grace and bounty of God that He restored Huzoor’s health. Much benefit was acquired by the grace of God from this journey but there is still great need for rest. However, I know that the anguish, passion and fervour which is bringing him back from the mountains, in these days of heat and sultry weather, will not permit him to rest.
The counsel of the medical advisors will be put aside and Huzoor will busy himself in work. Previous accounts bear witness to this fact. In any case, what words can be used to gauge the delight and fortune of the dwellers of Dar-ul-Aman that their master and leader is arriving safely. His every movement is controlled by God Almighty’s hidden Hand and it is believed with certainty that he shall remain a blessing for the community in every scenario.
Readers! Pray that Allah Almighty, out of His grace and bounty, grants Huzoor perfect health and makes his being beneficial and blessed for us and the world for a long period of time. May he create the means to spread the Jamaat, at his hands, to the horizons and corners of the world. Al Hakam is fortunate that it is the very first to convey this comforting news to readers. By the time Al Hakam reaches the hands of readers, it is expected that Huzoor will have arrived in Qadian. For this reason, on behalf of its readers, Al Hakam welcomes its Imam on entrance to Qadian and states with great zeal:
“Welcome! With your entry comes joy and bliss.”
Where I convey this comforting news to the entire Jamaat, I respectfully remind every Ahmadi to regularly pray in their daily prayers for the constant health and longevity of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may God assist him, and to exert their best efforts for the completion of those tasks which Huzoor desires; those which are necessary for the welfare and benefit of the community.
Now is time to exert your efforts. Abandoning all other thoughts, attach yourselves to this one purpose with diligence that will spread this Silsila [movement] to the horizons of the world.
Blessings Attached to the Arrival of Khalifatul Masih
Al Hakam, 21 August 1918
As was revealed in the previous issue of Al Hakam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II arrived in [Qadian] Dar-ul-Aman with his entourage prior to Isha prayer on the evening of 17 August.
The Qadian Jamaat, along with their Amir, welcomed Huzoor near the first mileage signpost outside Qadian. Huzoor sent a written instruction beforehand for the people not to move ahead of that borderline. Otherwise, many were prepared to travel to Batala station and most would have advanced till the rivulet. Nevertheless, a long queue of devotees was waiting to shake Huzoor’s hand. Hazrat Ummul Momineen [Amma Jan, Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara] also stepped outside to greet her Mahmud. Having met Hazrat Ummul Momineen, Huzoor met the Ahmadis present and shook everybody’s hands. Afterwards, he entered the city. For those present, that day held no less joy than of Eid.
Maghrib prayer was offered in the same area. Following Maghrib, the entire Jamaat stood in wait. Hearts were brimming with passion and ecstasy.
In a manner of love and zeal, a friend had written a letter to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih saying, “For your father, God Almighty used to create the means for cool winds in this very place.” The essence of what he was inferring is that it was not the practise of the Promised Messiahas to travel to the mountains in the summer. Cool winds would blow and rain would shower on Dar-ul-Aman itself. The writer’s aim and objective was for Mahmud-ul-qaum [referring to Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, meaning, the nations praised] to return to Qadian. This was an incidental remark.
The effect of the drought this year until now is evident. A terrible situation has arisen in the entire country due to a cessation of rain. Qadian was also no exception to this. Yet, observe God’s power; the evening of the seventeenth, the successor of God’s revered Messiahas stepped into Qadian. That night, clouds began to amass and stir in the heavens, and rain descended on the eighteenth; a blessing from God to negate those experts who used to say that a monsoon would not occur.
As I write these words, the soothing heavy rainfall descends before me. I had described the departure of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih from Qadian and mentioned how a heavenly sign had manifested. Today, this sign upon his return, at a time of deadly drought, is a proof of truthfulness for the dwellers of Qadian to say the least. This is a sign of mercy and blessing and this is the first of the blessings in relation to Huzoor’s return…
With the arrival of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, the drought transformed into the descent of Divine mercy. If we offer gratitude for this Divine bounty in our actions, numerous blessings will follow thereafter.
I desired to write extensively regarding this bounty and blessing of Allah the Almighty, but I have seen that each and every drop of rain which currently falls holds infinite blessings within it. Thus, what elucidation can I give thereafter? It is best that I rest my pen. But I would like to remind the readers to remember that the time for immense blessings is approaching. Prepare yourselves for it.
[Translated by Al Hakam]