This Week in History: 17-23 January

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

17 January 1905: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as received a letter in English from someone in Europe. In the letter, the gentleman stated that he and his wife had read the English parts of the books of the Promised Messiah^as that they had available. He added that his affiliation was with a small sect of Christianity, which had abandoned the belief in the godship of Christ and believed him to be a pious person who guided people. He further said that he would like to read about Hazrat Ahmad’s^as beliefs regarding Jesus^as and that he desired to read about the evidence proving his grave to be in Kashmir. (Malfuzat, 1988, Vol. 4, pp. 226-227)

17 January 1995: On this day, an earthquake struck the Japanese city of Kobe, resulting in 5,400 recorded fatalities by 25 February due to aftershocks and collapsing buildings. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Japan was blessed with the opportunity to render extraordinary services to the earthquake victims. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh provided direct guidance to the volunteers via MTA and continued to inform members of Jamaat worldwide about the services being rendered to the Japanese public through MTA. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 882)

18 January 1974: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh initiated an appeal to raise over 100,000 rupees from the general Waqf-e-Jadid budget for preaching to Hindus and for their moral training, living in the Nagarparkar region of Sindh, Pakistan. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 5, pp. 385–391)

18 January 2014: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa inaugurated the Noor Mosque in Crawley, UK. (“New Mosque Opened by World Muslim Leader in Crawley”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

19 January 1903: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as completed his successful tour of Jhelum, where he attended court proceedings of the case with Karam Din of Jhelum of alleged defamation, met with hundreds of new followers, and arrived back in Qadian. The judge, Rai Sansar Chand, announced the final verdict, which was in favour of the Promised Messiah^as as foretold by God Almighty. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, pp. 268-269)

19 January 1999: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh urged members during his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon to celebrate Eid with the less fortunate. Members of the Jamaat responded enthusiastically, and a large number of gifts were distributed to the needy in various countries around the world on the occasion of Eid. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 897)

20 January 1954: During his Friday sermon on this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra urged members of the Jamaat to study the books of the Promised Messiah^as carefully. Huzoor^ra also directed Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya to take suitable measures to ensure the preservation and protection of the clothes and relics [tabarrukat] that belonged to the Promised Messiah^as. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, p. 385)

20 January 1966: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh addressed the first batch of mu‘allims of Waqf-e-Jadid. Huzoor^rh called their attention to religious and national duties and emphasised the Islamic teaching that one ought to love one’s homeland and fulfil its rights. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, p. 448)

21 January 1886: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as went for a chillah (a 40-day retreat specifically for worship) to Hoshiarpur on a small ox-drawn two-wheeled vehicle. During this journey, Huzoor^as crossed the Beas River. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 275)

For more details, see “Forty nights of seclusion”, at www.alhakam.org (19 February 2021, pp. 35-36).

21 January 1909: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra asked Jamaat members to pay special attention to helping orphans, people in need, and students with insufficient resources. (Badr Qadian, 21 January 1909, p. 1)

21 January 1910: On this day, a Friday sermon was delivered from the Aqsa Mosque in Qadian. It was perhaps the first time since its construction that arrangements could be made for Ahmadi ladies to offer prayer in congregation at this mosque. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 315)

For more details, see “The First Ahmadi Mosque”, www.alhakam.org ( 18 May 2018, p. 3).

21 January 1937: Malik Muhammad Sharif Sahib reached Rome, Italy, to spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. On this day, he sent his first report to the Markaz about his safe arrival and commencement of activities. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 296)

22 January 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh, observing the needs of the Jamaat, urged young individuals who had completed their BA, BSc, MA, or MSc degrees to dedicate their lives to the service of Islam. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 9, pp. 369–373)

22 January 1988: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh delivered the Friday sermon in Saba, a small town in The Gambia. During the sermon, Huzoor^rh announced the revival of the Nusrat Jehan Scheme and invited Ahmadis with expertise in every profession and field of knowledge to step forward for service. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 7, pp. 55-61)

23 January 1921: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra devised a unique and beneficial plan to foster interfaith harmony and help eliminate prevailing interreligious conflicts in India. Huzoor^ra proposed that an exchange system be set up between Hindu and Ahmadi students. Huzoor^ra graciously invited 20 Hindu students to study the Holy Quran in Qadian free of charge. In return, Huzoor^ra said that Hindu faith leaders should accommodate at least two Ahmadi students who should be taught Sanskrit and the Vedas. Huzoor^ra said that the Jamaat would bear all the expenses of this project.Inspired by this proposal, a Hindu student who was studying at a renowned Hindu institution in Kangra came to Qadian. After receiving his education and falling in love with Islam, he accepted Islam. His name was changed to Mahashah Muhammad Omar. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 266)