Al Fazl, 4 April 1924
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)
Guests
Returning from Hajj, the Right Honourable Lord Headley’s religious zeal has progressed significantly. He possesses a deep love for Islam. I also attended one of his lectures in a [literary] society and observed that he sincerely admired the religion of Islam.
Witnessing Lord Headley’s considerable efforts to successfully guide Sir Archibald Hamilton [5th Baronet] to convert to Islam and discovering that all the works of (the Woking Mission) rested on his shoulders, this humble one invited him. He confirmed his arrival time on the telephone and came to meet us. He stayed with us for almost 3 hours and listened to the claims of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, with great attention. Moreover, I read before him a Persian poem by Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib, which he penned [before he parted ways with the] Ahmadiyya Jamaat under Khilafat. [Hearing] the words, الا اے منکر از شان مسىحا, Lord Headley enquired, “Ah! Has this been written by Khawaja [Kamaluddin]?” I turned his attention to Khawaja Sahib’s son, and also recited the original Persian text [of the poem].
[The complete Persian poem by Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib with its English translation has already been published in the 8 March 2024 issue of Al Hakam.]
Lord Headley was misinformed that, God forbid, we consider the Promised Messiahas to be superior to the Holy Prophetsa and that the [then] Khalifa, [Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra] calls himself a Prophet. Many other misconceptions of a similar kind were also dispelled. Moreover, the difference between an Ahmadi and a non-Ahmadi was explained as well. After listening to our views, our honourable guest, [Lord Headley] said:
“I agree with everything that I have heard.”
In my humble opinion, this distinguished person, who loves Islam, is now as much ours as anyone else can claim to be theirs.
Woking
At present, the non-Ahmadi son of Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib, [Khwaja Nazir Ahmad] is discharging the duties of the imam in Woking.
Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib edits the monthly, [Islamic Review], which is a completely non-Ahmadi magazine. Meanwhile, his son considers attacking the character and life of God’s chosen Messiah as the core part of his efforts, and through his endeavours, he is increasing the medals of his father. I have reason to believe that Lord Headley is by far a better believer than the Lahoris, [i.e., those who did not take bai‘at of the second Khalifa].
Baha‘is and Ahmadis
There was a lecture on the Baha’i Faith at a society in London and a large number of Christian and non-Christian women gathered to proclaim peace and harmony in the name of Baha’ullah. The audience comprised of all kinds of participants from the East and the West, including secular and religious people.
After the completion of the first speech, the audience began to voice their opinions. Thereafter, Lord Headley made a short speech and then requested this humble one to say a few words. As per the occasion, I delivered a brief speech, highlighting to those present that the principles of “Peace and Harmony” have been described in the Holy Quran. These pearls of wisdom were resting at the depths of the ocean, waiting for a skilled diver to unearth them, so he appeared in the blessed personage of the Promised Messiahas and enlightened the world with the deep insights and verities of the Holy Quran.
I explained that the Holy Quran is the last book and the final sharia [Divine Law]. No other scriptures are required after this Holy Book. A reformer, who is appointed by God Almighty, comes either to complete the sharia or to complete the spread of religion. There is no need for any revelation to complete the sharia [as it has already been completed with Islam]. The Promised Messiahas is reforming people through various means
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 4 April 1924 issue of Al Fazl)