A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
15 November 1901:Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra brought a phonograph, the latest sound-recording technology of the time, to Qadian. On this day, the Promised Messiahas examined this new device after Asr prayer and later composed the following poem:
آواز آرہى ہے یہ فونوگراف سے
ڈھونڈو خدا كو دل سے نہ لاف و گزاف سے
“This voice is coming from the phonograph
Find God with your heart, not with futile talk and gossip.” (Al Hakam, 24 November 1921)
The first recordings made on the device included Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Kareem Sialkotira reciting the Holy Quran and a Persian poem by the Promised Messiahas in praise of the Prophet Muhammadsa, “Ajab Nooraest Dar Jan-e-Muhammad – Ajab La’alaest Dar Kan-e-Muhammad.” Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra later recorded a brief commentary on Surah al-Asr. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 193)
15 November 1906: On this day, the nikah of the Promised Messiah’sas son, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra, was announced with Hazrat Bu Zainab Bibira, the daughter of Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 474)
16 November 1942: On this day, Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad-ud-Dinra departed from Qadian for Africa to carry out tabligh (propagation of Islam Ahmadiyyat). Under Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra direction, he was to assume responsibility from Hakim Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib, then serving as a missionary in Nigeria.
Departing from Bombay by ship, the vessel was tragically destroyed, likely by a torpedo, and all passengers, including this devout missionary, perished, granting him the unique status of martyrdom while en route to fulfil his mission. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p. 358)
To learn more about this missionary, see “Pioneer Missionaries: Part 8 – Forever in service: Maulvi Muhammaduddin” at alhakam.org (7 April 2023, p. 7).
17 November 1884: On this day, while in Delhi, the Promised Messiah’sas nikah was announced with Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jehan Begumra, daughter of Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra. The announcement took place on Monday, 27 Muharram 1302 Hijri, and was officiated by the prominent cleric and leader of the Ahl-i Hadith movement, Syed Nazeer Husain Dehlawi. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, pp. 242-244)
17 November 2015: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited the Meiji Jingu Memorial in Tokyo, Japan. The Vice-Priest of the Meiji Shrine, Mr Shigehiro Miyazaki, officially welcomed Huzooraa and described his presence as a “great honour.” Later, Dr Mike Sata PhD, a close friend of the Jamaat, hosted a special dinner in Huzoor’saa honour at the Meiji Kinenkan (also known as Constitution Memorial Hall). (“World Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community visits Meiji Memorial in Tokyo,” www.pressahmadiyya.com)
18 November 1902: Hazrat Syed Abdul Latifra of Afghanistan arrived in Qadian on this day. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 312)
18 November 1910: On this day, while riding his horse, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira suffered a fall when the horse suddenly panicked, resulting in severe injuries. It was a Friday. During his recovery, Huzoorra appointed Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra to lead the congregational prayers in the central mosque in his stead. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 329)
18 November 1972:On this day, during the annual Lajna Imaillah ijtema, which also marked the Golden Jubilee of its inception in 1922, a sum of 200,000 rupees was presented to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh by Lajna Imaillah for the publication of the Holy Quran. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 28, p. 138)
19 November 1920: On this day, during his Friday Sermon, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra provided guidance on the principles of borrowing and loans, addressing their effects on society.
To learn more about this important social matter, see: “Islamic guidance on trade and business in the words of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud” at alhakam.org (18 February 2022, pp. 15-16).
20 November 1898: On this day, the Promised Messiahas completed his book Najm-ul-Huda. He began writing it on Thursday, 19 November, and remarkably finished it by the following day. Written in eloquent Arabic, this work extols the greatness of the Holy Prophetsa. The Promised Messiahas himself provided the Urdu translation, while a Companion translated it into Persian. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 21)
20 November 1979: On this day, Juhayman al-Otaybi led an armed group in seizing the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, taking thousands of worshippers hostage. Claiming the arrival of the Mahdi and calling for the Saudi government’s overthrow, the group’s siege lasted two weeks, leading to significant casualties among hostages, security forces, and militants. In his Friday Sermon on 23 November 1979 at Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh expressed deep concern over the desecration of the Ka‘bah. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 8, p. 449)
To read more about this tragic event, see: “The devastating 1979 siege of Mecca and the blood-thirsty Mahdi” at alhakam.org (19 November 2021, pp. 11-12).
21 November 2014: On this day, during his Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa honoured the memories of three recently deceased Darweshan-e-Qadian. Huzooraa reminded Jamaat members to remember these devoted individuals and their progeny in prayers, acknowledging their immense sacrifices for the Jamaat.
To learn more about their unique sacrifices, see: “Darweshan-e-Qadian” at alhakam.org (28 December 2018, pp. 12-13).
21 November 2015: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Baitul Ahad Mosque in Nagoya, Japan. Over 100 non-Muslim dignitaries and guests attended the evening reception. (“Spread Islam through love, not by force or compulsion – Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community,” www.pressahmadiyya.com)