How Ahmadiyyat was introduced in Singapore
Ahmadiyyat was first introduced in Singapore in 1935 by the late Maulana Ghulam Hussain Ayaz who was a Missionary.
Maulana Ghulam Hussain Ayaz was among the first batch of missionaries sent on 6th May 1935 under the Tahrik-I-Jadid Scheme. He was only given money for the travelling expenses and for a living he got to earn by himself. He was commissioned to preach in Singapore, Malacca and Penang by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih The Second r.a.
Upon arriving he started to preach vigorously. The first person who embraced Ahmadiyyat in January 1938 was Haji Jaafar Sahib. On the 14th March 1936 Maulana Sahib left for Johor (Malaya). He preached at the sultanate of Johor, Pontian Kechil, Batu Pahat, Muar, Kota Tinggi and some other towns. After two days he left for Malacca, Jasin, Merlimau, Tanjong Pinang and some other towns. On the 21st April he left for Negri Sembilan, and on the 24th April for Kuala Lumpur.
Singaporeans was slowly accepting the truth, which brought a wave of strong opposition in mid of 1938. The newspaper Warta Malay published many articles against the Jemaat. The religious scholars passed a degree that those people like Maulana Sahib should be sentenced to death.
Narrated by Maulana Mohammad Siddiq Sahib that in the year 1938 or 1939, a religious leader was giving a speech against our Jemaat at the Sultan Mosque. Maulana Sahib also went there to listen to his speech. In his speech, Abd Alim Siddiqy said that Ahmadiyya’s Quran was different from the one which descended upon the Holy Prophet s.a.w. Upon hearing this, Maulana Sahib stood up and took a Holy Quran from his bag. He then challenged Siddiqy Sahib to compare the Holy Quran with the Jemaat Ahmadiyya’s Holy Quran, and went on saying if there happens to be a slight difference of a dot or a stroke, then by all means Abd Alim Siddiqy could call him kafir, otherwise Siddiqy Sahib should not utter such lies and he should fear God. Siddiqy Sahib did not take the challenge, but went on further to instigate the public against Maulana Sahib. He also continued saying that Maulana Sahib is a kafir, an apostate, and that the punishment in Islam is death, and whether there is anyone among the Muslims who could give him salvation. Upon hearing this, the people started to bash Maulana Sahib. Later, they dragged him and threw him down from the second floor of about 3 meters high. Maulana Sahib became unconscious due to head and back injuries. An Ahmadi friend of Maulana called the police. Half an hour later, the police arrived, and brought him to the hospital. Here, he stayed for about 10 weeks. Another similar incident took place when he was pushed off a moving bus. He was again badly injured, especially on his face and head. Once again, Allah swt saved him!
On the 1st of September 1938, Maulana Sahib left for Selangor. He stopped over at Kuala Lumpur and later at Klang. In Klang, five people embraced Ahmadiyyat and among them was Hafiz Abd Razak. By January 1940, Maulana Sahib formed a Jemaat here consisting of fifteen people.
On the 1st of September 1939, the Second World War broke out, which brought so much hardship to the Singapore Mission and to Maulana Sahib. His health deteriorated, so much so that his beard and head hair turned gray. During these days, he spent most of his time in fervent prayers and in returned, he used to receive visions and revelations regarding the success of the Jemaat. He also used to preach secretly and did the oneness job of helping humanity in social works.
The following are three testimonies regarding Maulana Sahib’s high spiritually:
The first person was Mohammad Naseeb Sahib who was a prisoner of war. In March 1941, he went with some friends to the Mission house in Singapore. Maulana Sahib used to tell him about all the prosecutions he went through. Once for may days he was forced to stay indoor whereby he suffered from the lack of food and many other things. In Malaya when he went to pay his Chanda to Hakim Din, from the accountant he came to know that the Police has blacklisted him. When the Japanese came into power, all the people who opposed him strongly, one after the other got punishment from the Japanese for different crimes committed.
During the war, once a Japanese officer met with an accident just in front of Maulana Sahib’s house. Maulana Sahib gave him first aid and later sent him to the hospital. Upon doing this the Japanese officer was very pleased with him. He gave Maulana Sahib the freedom to stay freely and because of this nobody dared to oppose him. He was able to make a living during those days. He bought three sailing boats for business, which he named Ahmad, Nur and Mahmood. He made some profit but because of the war the economical situation was very bad, which made him to leave the business. Maulana Sahib faced so much hardship in 1943 and 1944 due to lack of finance. But he bear it with patience and in fact spent more time on preaching and administrative work for the Jemaat.
Maulana Sahib is such a devotee that even when Ahmadi prisoners of ware were leaving for their home, they called him along, but Maulana in turn replied that without the permission of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih the Second r.a., to take a step would be disastrous for him. Furthermore, Maulana Sahib has no message for his family, he only told them to convey his salam to Huzur r.a. and prayers for the success of his preaching.
The second person to give testimony was Muhammad Yunos Sahib Faruqi. He took baiat at the hand of Maulana Sahib on 11th January 1946. He was also a soldier. He said that Maulana Sahib was so hard working, so much so that he grew old before time. His health was so poor most of the time, but even then he used to wake up at four o’clock in the morning for Tahajjud prayers and work till eleven or twelve at night. He was always busy translating literatures, writing essays, answering questions pertaining to Ahmadiyyat or going from house to house to preach.
He was often invited by the people to their mosques or houses, where upon they beat him instead. But Allah saved him and made them get their punishment in turn from the hands of the Japanese. Allah showed a lot of signs through the hands of Maulana Sahib. Maulana Sahib protested against the Japanese, he even went to their caps to lodge complaints. Knowing the Japanese no one dare to do such a thing. The CID was always on his back. Allah did promise him that the would never ever be caught, likewise he was not. He used to tell his opponents that those who have opposed him became inclined towards the truth and some even embraced Ahmadiyyat. He was always in the forefront and never even giving up, and if this was not a miracle what else could it bee. When the Indian army came to Singapore, he thought of the Ahmadi soldiers spiritual wellbeing, and as such he taught them about the different aspects of Ahmadiyyat.
The third person to give the testimony was a non-Ahmadi friend by the name of Captain Said Zamiar Ahmad Sahib Jaafry. He wrote a letter in June 1946 to the Jemaat Ahmadiyya. In his letter, he said, “When I reached here (Singapore) with the army, Maulana Sahib was alone. In 1947, Maulvi Abdul Haye and another two persons arrived from Qadian. I just cannot say anything against the personal character of Maulana Sahib. He was doing his work with full persistence and conviction, as though it is part of his faith. He had to face insurmountable difficulties. Maulana Sahib was not good in his English, fortunately there were few Ahmadi Officers from the Indian army. In the beginning I thought these Missionaries were having a nice time travelling abroad, but upon seeing the hardship of Maulana, I could conclude that if he do likewise in his homeland, he would be living a better life.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, the Second r.a. was very pleased with Maulana Sahib. He said that they tried before to spread Ahmadiyyat in this area but was not successful. He said that the condition in Malaya was such that once at night they based him and threw him on the street, so much so that even a dog was licking him. But now, I heard from those who are back from Malaya that wealthy owner of hotels and respectable people have embraced Ahmadiyyat and that the mission is progressing day by day.
Maulana Sahib also preached in Anambas Islands situated in the South China Sea. Here, 8 people embraced Ahmadiyyat and at present is only survived by Syed Hassan as informed by Syed Abdul Rahman.
After fifteen years away from home, Maulana Sahib went back home to Rabwah on the 24th of November 1950. On the 8th of October 1956, he came back to Singapore to spread the truth again. After spending sometime in Singapore, he left for Borneo. Maulana Sahib was a diabetic patient and his health deteriorated during the second week of October 1959. On the 16th of October 1959, he was feeling better, except for a little tiredness. As usual he woke up for Tahajjud prayers in the middle of the night. As he was getting up from his bed, he suddenly fell on to the floor. His wife who was sleeping in the adjoining room, he heard the noise, she rushed to the room and found him lying on the floor. She called for their Ahmadi neighbour, who came and carried Maulana Sahib on to the bed. Later, an ambulance took him to the hospital. Fortunately, there was this doctor to whom he preached before. This doctor tried his level best to save Maulana Sahib’s life. Maulana Sahib regained consciousness for about 36 hours. On the midnight of 17th October 1959, he met his Lord.
Names of all the pioneer missionaries
1) Missionary Anayatullah Sahib Julandary left Qadian on the 18th of April 1936.
2) Missionary Shah Muhammad Sahib Hizawary left Qadian on the 18th of April 1936, after preaching for a few months. In 1937, he was transferred to Java (Indonesia).
3) Missionary Imanuddin Sahib Multani, born 1913, left Qadian on the 18th or 19th of January 1946 and reached Singapore on the 6th of July 1946.
Due to transport difficulties, Imanuddin Sahib worked as a washerman in a navy ship and so reached Singapore. At that time the second world war just ended but Singapore was still in a state of turmoil. Letters and allowances were not reaching him regularly from the centre, as such he used to work here and there to make a living and also doing his preaching at the same time. Four Malabars embraced Ahmadiyyat through his preaching. He worked under Maulana Ghulam Hussain Sahib Ayaz from 1946 to 1949. Later, Imanuddin Sahib left for Padang, Indonesia, and on the 16th of January 1950 he reached Jakarta. From then on he worked in Indonesia.
4) Missionary Chaudari Mohammed Ahmad Sahib served from September 1946 to1949.
5) Missionary Muhammad Said Sahib Ansari, born in 1916, served from 3rd December 1946 till March 1948 and later from January 1961 till June 1962.
6) Missionary Mian Abd Haye Sahib was commissioned on the 1st of May1938 to preach in Singapore and Indonesia.
7) Missionary Muhammad Zaudi Sahib, born November 1918, was also sent here to work for some time.
8) Missionary Kurashi Firoz Muheyudin Sahib served between 11th of January 1953 and 21st of March 1954. During his stay here, he wrote many English publications highlighting the beauty of Islam which brought an awareness among the Muslim intellectuals.
9) Missionary Muhammad Sadiq Sahib served between 15th December 1949 and 8th March 1957, and again from 3 December 1958 till 18 August 1962. During his service, the Jemaat was opposed strongly. So, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, the Second r.a. instructed him to leave Singapore for Penang. During his tour he met about hundred religious scholars. He enlightened them about Ahmadiyyat and 90% came to recognise the Ahmadis as devoted Muslims and were not prepared to all them kafirs.
In Selangor, he debated with the Sultanate of Selangor, Hishamudin Alim Shah, for about 2 1/2 hours. When a Jemaat was established in Jeram, Selangor, the people opposed to it strongly. As the Ahmadis were considered as non-Muslims, there were problems in the matters of marriage and burial at the graveyard. So, Missionary Sadiq Sahib wrote to the Sultan explaining the Ahmadis beliefs and at the same time requested him to recognise them as Muslims. Upon hearing this, the Sultan summoned Sadiq Sahib and the Jemaat members to appear at the palace. The Sultan also invited prominent religious scholars. The Sultan explained to them why the gathering was called upon, ie. to find out more about the new religion. Maulvi Sadiq Sahib in his speech said that it is not a new religion and he explained to them briefly about his beliefs. Maulvi Sahib replied to all their questions regarding Khatamul Nabiyeen and death of Prophet Jesus a.s. When it came to answering question regarding coming of prophets who do not bring a new shariat according to the Holy Quran, Shehul-Islam stopped him and told him to write to them regarding Mirza Sahib a.s., their beliefs, the differences with others and also about miracles, so that they could ponder on the matters. Maulvi Sahib was told to send the reply by 31st of July. Another fourteen days were fixed for the religious scholars to come to a conclusion. The religious scholars wanted Maulvi Sahib and the Jemaat members to pray with them at the big mosque. In reply Maulvi Sahib said that they would be very happy indeed to pray with them if only they had not called Hazrat Masih Maud a.s. a kafir and a liar. Later, the Sultan agreed with Maulvi Sahib that as long as there is no conclusion regarding this new belief, the matter of prayers in congregation should be put off. After that, the Sultan, the religious scholars, Maulvi Sahib and the Jemaat members ate food together. Maulvi Sahib sent his reply consisting of twenty pages to Sheihul-Islam. But unfortunately, they kept quite on that matter.
On the 24th and 25th of September 1960, Maulvi Sahib had a debate with a protestant priest by the name of Mathew Finlay on the subject of Godhood of Jesus and atonement. In this particular debate, Islam got such a victory that even a popular Arab writer by the name of Sheik Alwi Bin Sheik Alhadi wrote in a newspaper that during his seventy years, he had not known whether Christians were given such a defeat before. Furthermore, Mathew Finlay wrote to the President of the Jemaat Ahmadiyya in Singapore, Abdul Hamid Salikin, not to publish that debate. Later, the University of Malaya’s Muslim students obtained recordings of this debate.
Maulana Muhammad Sadiq prepared a lot of publications which was published in Singapore and Malaya. They are as follows:
a) Translation of the Holy Quran into Indonesian language which took him from November 1952 to December 1953 to complete it.
b) “The Truth” – A book consisting of about 120 pages.
c) The “Explanation of Ahmadiyyat” (publsihed in Urdu) – regarding answers to questions raised by the non-Ahmadis.
d) “The Articles of Faith”
e) “Islamic prayers”
Many people accepted the truth through the work of Maulvi Sahib, especially Engku Ismail bin Abdul Rahman Sahib who came from a royal family in Malaysia. Maulana Sahib also served as Raisu tabligh of Indonesia for five years. In early 1980, due to a heart problem, Maulvi Sahib breath his last at Fazal Hospital, Rabwah.
10) Missionary Muhammad Siddiq Sahib Amesthary, served as a missionary in-charge from 3rd May till 9th September 1966. He took part in many debates. He was also involved in the building of the Masjid Ahmadiyya Muslim in Singapore. During his service, he wrote to many prominent people like kings and rulers, inviting them to accept Islam. Along with the letter, the sent the English Translation of the Holy Quran and Islamic literatures. Following are the names of a few people whom he sent the invitation:
Prince Philip of England
Thailand’s King Shah Bahavani and the Queen
The First King of Belgium
England’s Duke of Glaston
Church of Engladn’s Archbishop of Canterbury
Prime Minister of Australia
The High King of Malaya
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman
Prime Minister of Singapore and the rest of the members of cabinet
Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia
On February 1966 in Malaysia, a graduate of Al-Azhar University wrote a book entitled the “World Religions”. In this particular book he wrote many unfounded matters regarding the Jemaat and Hazrat Masih Maud a.s. Maulvi Sahib wrote to him in return, saying that he would give his replies to all his accusations and at the same time Maulvi Sahib challenged him for a debate, and that if he, the graduate, could prove his stand, Maulvi Sahib would be willing to reward him with 1,000 dollars. He is even willing to provide travelling and accommodation expenses of five religious scholars, by the Jemaat. After many reminders he did not take the challenge.
12) Maulvi Osman Chou Sahib left the Centre for Singapore on April 1966. He worked as a Missionary In-Charge till September 1969. During his service, the following were done by him:
a) He gave press reports to three newspapers.
b) “Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam” was translated into Mandarin language.
c) “Why I accepted Islam” was published in Mandarin.
d) Commentaries of certain parts of the Holy Quran was translated in Chinese, Malay, English and Arabic languages which was published and distributed.
e) Essays were published in Chinese papers.
f) “Ahmadiyyat, the True Islam” was translated into Mandarin.
First Ahmadiyya mosque built in the country.
When the Jemaat first bought the land at Onan Rd, there was already a building. That particular building was used as a mosque. Once a storm caused a lot of damage to the building. Whereupon during the time of Maulvi Muhammad Siddiq Sahib that they build the first mosque which was called the Masjid Ahmadiyya Singapura. In 1985 they demolished the first mosque and build a new mosque at the same place which was name as Masjid Taha by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih The Fourth atba.
Names of the companions of the Promised Messiah a.s. who visited the country.
a) Hazrat Hakim Din Muhammad Sahib r.a. who came to Singapore with the Indian Army during the time of Maulana Ghulam Hussain Sahib. He served as the secretary of finance for the Jemaat.
b) Hazrat Sir Zafrullah Khan Sahib r.a.
c) Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Sahib who came to Singapore in 1984.
Name Of The First Ahmadi In The Country And His Brief Introduction.
The first Ahmadi was late Haji Jaffar who embraced Ahmadiyyat in 1938.
An incident narrated by Maulvi Mohammed Siddiq about late Haji Jaffar Sahib is as follows:
During that time he was assisting Maulana Ghulam Hussain Sahib Ayaz. He went through a number of persecutions that led to being beaten up several times. Once, a group of one hundred people equipped with weapons and headed by a religious leader surrounded his house. They demanded him to leave Ahmadiyyat, or else they threatened to break his bones to pieces. When Haji Sahib heard this, he read the Tashadud in a loud voice and said that before this he was already a pious man and now even more, then why should he repent and that he would only ask forgiveness from Allah and not from them. Even then, they refused to go away. So, Haji Sahib went into his house and came out with a knife in his hand. Addressing the people again, he challenged them by saying “if there is any man, son of a father, they should come forward”.
Haji Sahib’s daughter came out from another adjoining house with a sword in her hand. Addressing the people she said that her father is a better Muslin now then before, and that he has not gone against any of the teachings of Islam. She also challenged them by saying that if any of them dare to attack her father or even try to enter the house, they are not going to be safe. Though she was a woman, she said that she would at least kill three of four of them before getting killed herself. With the grace of Allah they became frightened and no one dare to attack or enter the house. Although the local police who was supposed to uphold peace and harmony was there, they were actually supporting those people.
Both Haji Sahib and his daughter were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Ahmadiyyat.
Introduction Of Pioneer Ahmadis.
Not all the names of the pioneer Ahmadis are listed below, there are more:
Late Haji Jaffar Sahib
Late Muhammad Ali Bin Haji Muhammad Sahib
Late Ahmad Nadi Sahib
Late Haji Arshad Sahib
Late Mohammad Ali Sahib
Late Hamid Salikin Sahib (President & Amir of Singapore)
Late Hasan Allahudin Sahib
Late Dr Tahir Muhammad Sahib
Late Said Ahmad Barakbah Sahib
Late Hasan Sahib
Late Hasan Murdi Sahib
Hanafia Bte Ali Sahiba
Mustafa Haji Nahar Sahib
Only after 1940 the actual signing of the baiat form took place, which was translated into Jawi by Syed Adnan Sahib.
Important debates and dialogues with the non-Ahmadis and non-Muslims.
The Singapore Jemaat had a debate with the Ahli-Quran sect in 1986. That particular sect does not believe in the authenticity and highly spiritual value of the Hadiths and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. In that debate Maulvi Khairuddin Barus Sahib of Indonesia and Maulvi Zoudi Sahib of Malaysia represented the Jemaat Ahmadiyya of Singapore.
Important ceremonies and gathering of the community
The first Jalsa Salana was held on the 26th and 27th Dec 1987. It was a combined Jalsa Salana of the Jemaat of Singapore and Malaysia. A total of 121 members of the Jemaat of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia attended the Jalsa.
Visits of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih to the country and their details
The Fourth Khalif Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib atba visited Singapore on the 8th of Sept 1984. Huzur and the other visitors stayed at the paramount Hotel. Three Majlis Shurah was held for the three different Jemaats namely Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The other programmes included Majlis Irfan, questions and answer section and audience with Huzur on individual and group wise.
Two dinners were given in honour of Huzur’s visit, one by the Jemaat of Singapore and the other by the late Hamid Salikin Sahib, Amir of the Jemaat of Singapore. Huzur also laid the foundation stone for Masjid Taha. Among the places of interest Huzur visited the Singapore Science Centre and gave a word of praise by saying that the centre was similar to the one he had seen in Toronto Canada. Huzur had his usual stroll at the East Coast Park Way. The Jemaat of Singapore presented a Projector as a souvenir to Huzur. During his stay, Huzur was very pleased with the service rendered by the Jemaat members as well as the hotel staffs. On the 15th Sept 1984 Huzur left for Fiji.
Visits paid by the representatives of the headquarters to the country
Among the representatives who visited the country were Mirza Mubarak Sahib- Wakilul Tabshir, Chaudari Hamidullah Sahib- Wakilul Ala, and Chaudari Muqtar Sahib- Amir of Karachi.
The name of the first Amir appointed in the Jemaat and the Amirs who followed later and their tenure, with brief description of services rendered by them.
The first Amir of Singapore Jemaat was late Engku Ismail bin Abdul Rahman Sahib who came from a royal family of Johor in Malaysia. The second Amir of the Jemaat was the late Hamid Salikin Sahib. He was appointed in the year about 1955. He was not only appointed as the Amir of Singapore but also Malaya and Sabah. He was very devoted member of the Jemaat. One of the fruits of his endeavour was the Taha mosque of Singapore. He left the world peacefully in the year 1986.
Details of the fulfillment of any prophesy of the Promised Messiah a.s. and his Khulafa in the country.
The fulfillment of a prophesy of the Hazrat Masih Maud a.s. took place during the Second World War when the Japanese was shelling Singapore. Maulana Ghulam Hussain Sahib told the people that the Japanese was about to drop bombs on his house. Except for Maulana’s house, all the other surrounding houses got damaged badly, including many deaths. The prophecy translated from Urdu would mean that “fire is not only our servant but our servant’s servant”.