Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih continued with the theme of faith-arousing incidents from the lives of the companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).
Hadhrat Walayat Shah sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that he had very few opportunities to see the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) because he could not get much time off from his employment. He took his Bai’at based on a dream he had. In the dream he saw a rally of people led by an extremely well-dressed holy person who had a crown on his head. The rally climbs on his rooftop and the Adhan is said with the help of a bugle. It appears the group of people offer their Salat and then turn to go back. As they cross Walayat sahib’s bed, the holy person tells Walayat sahib to rid get of all the filth from the house to which he replies, ‘yes sir’. Walayat sahib asks someone in the crowd who the holy person is and is told that he is Hadhrat Mirza sahib. The same day a friend knocked on Walayat sahib’s door and said that Walayat sahib had become an Ahmadi. When Walayat sahib asked him how was that, the [Ahmadi] friend replied that he had seen a dream in which he had seen Walayat sahib dressed in a long cloak. Thus they had both seen dreams on the same night indicating something.
Sometime later Walayat sahib had the chance to go to Qadian with someone and attended Friday Prayers at Masjid Aqsa. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) arrived he requested him regarding Bai’at. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) affectionately took his hand and Bai’at took place.
Hadhrat Inayat Ullah sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that he took his Bai’at in 1901 when he was about 15 years old. He had come to Qadian for the first time and had brought a bottle of perfume with him. However, during the travel all the perfume spilled and only a drop remained in the bottle. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came on the rooftop of Masjib Mubarak in the evening, Inayat sahib started to massage his feet and told him about the bottle of perfume which had only one drop left in it and gave the bottle to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who said that Inayat sahib had been rewarded for a full bottle of perfume. Inayat sahib took his Bai’at after Salat that evening and stayed in Qadian for ten days. Once on his return from Qadian he stayed overnight at Batala. A person who was travelling with him asked if he had sought the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) permission before leaving Qadian. Inayat sahib said he had not and regretted it. At night he had a dream in which he saw that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is eating bread. He gives Inayat sahib half of the bread and tells him he is allowed to leave.
Hadhrat Sheikh Atta Ullah sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that once the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came out of his house and called him by his name and asked him to post a letter for him in the letter box. Atta Ullah sahib was delighted that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) remembered his name. He also writes that once the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was drinking raw goats milk when someone said he should not drink raw milk. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) replied that Prophets of God often drank raw milk.
He writes that he once fell ill and caught tuberculosis. He went to Qadian and stayed with Hadhrat Maulana Nur ud din (may Allah be pleased with him) who treated him. He was put on a special diet. One evening he asked Hadhrat Maulana Nur ud din’s mother that his mouth had a bad taste and could he have something flavoursome to eat. He was told that Hadhrat Maulana sahib would not be pleased but he was given some filtered broth. Next morning when Hadhrat Maulana Nur ud din (may Allah be pleased with him) took his pulse he asked Atta Ullah sahib what had he eaten the previous night. He replied ‘nothing’. Hadhrat Maulana sahib went home abandoning the dars he was giving and when he found out what Atta Ullah sahib had eaten he was annoyed and mentioned this to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who was also displeased about it. He left Qadian after two months when his leave finished. Hadhrat Maulana sahib gave him medicine to take with him and said that he would pray. When he took his leave from the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) he told him to supplicate with great humility and tenderness in Salat and also to regularly write to the Promised Messiah for prayer and also visit Qadian. He said Atta Ullah sahib should be careful with his diet, InshaAllah God would soon grant him health. On his return home he saw a dream with a message in a ‘foreign’ language that he did not understand. He supplicated to God with great humility to make him understand the meaning when his tongue started uttering: ‘healthy, healthy, healthy.’ He writes that after this he did not even have a headache or fall ill and also had children which he did not have earlier.
Hadhrat Malik Barkat Ullah sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that although his father was an Ahmadi and thus he too was, he personally took Bai’at at the age of 14 or 15. He writes that whenever anyone took Bai’at everyone else used to join in to attain the blessing of the prayer said after Bai’at.
Hadhrat Dr Umer Din sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that he was born in 1879 and took his Bai’at in 1905 when he also subscribed to the Wasiyyat scheme. He writes that he served in the Nairobi Jama’at in many capacities. He had arrived there in 1900 where many people had come in the fold of Ahmadiyyat seeing the high morals of a Dr Rahmat Ali sahib. He writes that he also came to know this and prayed to God most earnestly to show him the path that was the right path in God’s sight. His prayers were answered and he started seeing true dreams. As a result of true dreams he wrote a letter of Bai’at in June 1905. Following this he began to enjoy pleasure in worship of God that previously he could not have even imagined. He would be desperate to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) all the time. Eventually it was time for his holidays . He wished to take an offering/gift for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and he decided to take four ostrich eggs and obtained the requisite permit to carry the ostrich eggs. When he arrived home in Gujrat, he found his family opposed him for his beliefs. He prayed most tenderly. When Jalsa Salana time came his father and brother agreed to come along. At Jalsa he saw the amazing scene where everyone was desperate to see the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He writes that he had gone as a traveller for a brief time and was thus desperate to see the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) privately, but it did not seem likely that it could happen. He asked someone that he had come from a long distance and wished to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) privately how he could do it. He was told to speak to an old maid who worked at the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) house. He rushed to the elderly maid and told him his story and requested her to take his message to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). She promptly went indoors and returned with an invitation to go to the house. Umer Din sahib fetched his father and a few friends and they went in the house. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) initiated in saying Assalamoalaikum to the guests. In spite of his opposition Umer Din sahib’s father bowed down to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who told him that only God was worthy of being prostrated to. Umer Din sahib presented the ostrich eggs to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who most affectionately asked after him. He took Umer Din sahib by the hand and told him not to love this world too much and counselled him to engage in Istaghfar and write regularly. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) took the Bai’at of his father and the friends and prayed with tearful eyes. Umer Din sahib writes that when he recalls that very moving experience it is as if an electric current passes through him.
Hadhrat Master Abdul Rauf sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He writes that he took his Bai’at in 1898 and also saw the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in the same year. When he was at school in Bhaira news spread that someone had claimed to be the Imam Mahdi and his name was Mirza Gulam Ahmad. Since he was young he did not know much but his older brother Ghulam Illahi sahib read up and took Bai’at and his name is in the first 313 companions. The older brother had written/given the entire family’s names for Bai’at. Rauf sahib also started reading books and pamphlets and became eager to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He would sit by a bridge after Maghrib Salat and pray that if the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was truthful may God take Rauf sahib to him. He writes that he personally observed the lunar and solar eclipses. His brother took him to Qadian where he took Bai’at on the hand of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and then returned to Bhaira. Meanwhile Hadhrat Maulana Nur-ud-din (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote to his brother to send Rauf sahib to Qadian. He returned to Qadian in 1899 and met the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Hadhrat Maulana Nur-ud-din (may Allah be pleased with him) knew that Rauf sahib was educated and was also needy, so he employed him at the school. In those days Hadhrat Maulwi Sher Ali sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was the headmaster of the school. Rauf sahib would offer all five Prayers with the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In those days Hadhrat Maulwi Abdul Karim (may Allah be pleased with him) used to lead the Prayers. After Prayers, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would relate his revelations and visions and Rauf sahib had the opportunity to massage the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) feet. Elsewhere it is written about Master Abdul Rauf sahib that he also served at Review of Religions as well as the head clerk of the high school.
Hadhrat Maulwi Muhammad Abdul Aziz sahib (may Allah be pleased with him): He took his Bai’at in 1904. He writes that before he relates about his Bai’at it was important to recount about his father who had taken his Bai’at at the hand of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) but the account has not be written down. He felt it important that the son should finish what the father could not. His father Maulwi Muhammad Abdullah sahib belonged to Ahle Hadith and was an important leader of the organisation. Maulwi Muhammad Hussein Batalwi and others had appointed his as the deputy commissioner of Ahle Hadith. He had heard that there was a claimant to receiving revelations in the small town of Qadian who had made a prophecy about a promised son but the prophecy had not been fulfilled as a daughter was born to him and later a son but the son had died. His father decided to enter into a debate over this matter. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had not claimed to be the Messiah at that time and was writing his book Barahin e Ahmadiyya. Aziz sahib’s father discussed the prophecy of the promised son with the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and asked how was it that his prophecy had not been fulfilled. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked him if the prophecy the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had made about Hajj fulfilled the same year? He replied that it was fulfilled the following year. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that likewise he had not said that he would have a son the year he made the prophecy and added that it was a Divine prophecy and it would certainly come true. Aziz sahib’s father did not argue further but maintained his stance. He was a scholar and had knowledge of Arabic, Persian, logic and much else but he did not avail of his knowledge. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gauged that he had knowledge and asked him to proof-read Barahin e Ahmadiyya and said that he would be remunerated but it is a shame that he did not agree to the task. Meanwhile fifteen years elapsed. Although Aziz sahib’s father had not accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) he would always stop anyone using abusive language for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Maybe it was this quality of his that became the source of his guidance later.
In 1902 Aziz sahib’s father read two books of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which answered most of the questions he had in mind. However, new questions arose and he made a list of 21 questions and went to Qadian to debate the issues. He made a point of directly going to Masjid Mubarak on his own. This was because it was rumoured that ‘Mirza sahib’ kept agents who asked anyone who came from outside what questions they had. These questions were then passed onto ‘Mirza sahib’ who had prior knowledge of what was going to be asked of him and thus the guests were misled into believing that ‘Mirza sahib’ was WaliUllah [saintly person/friend of God]. Thus Aziz sahib’s father went directly to the mosque, offered Salat and when after Salat the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) graced the assembly, Aziz sahib’s father began massaging his feet upon which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said, ‘It is not good to test a Prophet of God.’ This attempted massage was not out of sincerity but had an ulterior motive and God had informed the Promised Messiah of this and Aziz sahib’s father indeed observed this. His father had read in Hadith that the Messiah and Mahdi would be sort of flat-footed and it was with the intention of checking this that he had held the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) feet. By doing so, he saw two signs; one that indeed the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) feet were not so arched and the other sign was that the Promised Messiah had told him that it was not good to test a Prophet of God. Many people massaged his feet but he had never said this before. Aziz sahib’s father said he had a few questions. He submitted the first question and that was that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to always relate his fresh revelation to his wet nurse Aiman which used to please her. After the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) passed away Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) became the Khalifa. Once he went to see Aiman who wept when she saw him. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked her why did she cry. He said it was the way of God that everyone passes away. She explained that she cried because revelation had been cut off. Aziz sahib’s father asked the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) if this was the case how could the Promised Messiah say he was a recipient of revelation. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked Aziz sahib’s father a series of questions; he established by asking him that the Qur’an calls Muslims the best of people and that the Qur’an states that the disciples of Jesus (peace be on him) as well as the honey bee was recipient of revelation. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) then asked Aziz sahib’s father that could it be that the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was lesser than the disciples of Jesus (on whom be peace) and the honey bee? The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) went on to further expound the matter by saying that in Surah Al Fatiha we pray to be shown the path of those on whom God bestowed His blessings and one of these blessings was revelation. How this blessing could then be cut off for the Muslim Ummah. Furthermore, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) cited many Quranic verses in favour of this argument. In response Aziz sahib’s father said that indeed all that was presented to him proved that the blessing of revelation was not cut off, why then, he asked, did Aiman say what she did. Did she not have knowledge of all the Quranic verses that had been cited to Aziz sahib’s father? The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) answered that Aiman had said specifically used the term ‘Al Wahi’ [The Revelation] referring to the revelation that was given to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) which formed the Qur’an and which was law-bearing revelation. Indeed, that kind of revelation had been cut off after the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). After this, Aziz sahib’s father did not raise any other question. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) went on to give a reasoned and convincing speech which answered all the objections of Aziz sahib’s father while his questions remained in his pocket. He was astonished and thought that unless the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was a recipient of revelation how could he have known about the specific questions/objections. He asked the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) that he wished to take Bai’at on his hand. After Bai’at Aziz sahib’s father’s faith enhanced by the day. When he returned home it was thought his followers would also take Bai’at. However, they became his enemy and made plans to murder him. Aziz sahib’s father faced this was great resolve. He remained an honorary missionary for eighteen years and three hundred people came into the fold of Ahmadiyyat because of his Tabligh efforts.
May God shower a thousand-fold blessings on these elders and may He also enable us to honour the dues of our Bai’at.
Next Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih said that sad news of a martyrdom had just been received from Karachi, Pakistan. A young Ahmadi had been martyred on motorbike while his family members who were in a car are injured. Prayers should be made for the recovery of the injured family. Another martyrdom is also being reported from Pakistan. In general the situation in Pakistan is grave and prayers should be made in this regard.
A funeral Prayer in absentia was announced for Syeda Amtul Rehman sahiba who passed away on 15 October in Rabwah after long illness. She was the daughter of a companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), she was a Moosia and was the mother-in-law of Munir Javed sahib, private secretary to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih.