Hudhur gave a discourse on faith-inspiring accounts of love of God and His chosen people by some companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He began by citing the following verse of the Holy Qur’an: ‘…those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah…’ (2:166)

Hudhur said it is love of God alone that, step by step, inclines one to love beloveds of God. One makes efforts to enhance in love of God and to find ways that would please the Beloved. Hadith relates that on the day when there will be no shelter apart from the Divine shelter of security, among those who God will take in His shelter of security will be two people who loved each other for the sake of God. Hudhur explained that love for the sake of God is an intense expression of love of God and when God thus blesses loving ordinary believers for His sake, how vast would be His blessings for loving His Prophets and chosen people. The pinnacle of such love is the Being of God and how fortunate are those who experienced the time of those sent by God.

Hudhur said the ancestors of some of us experienced the time of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and expressed their love and devotion directly to him and in turn received his affection and love. How blessed were they to have had the physical presence of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Below are the highlights of these blessed elders.

Hadhrat Wali Daad Khan sahib (may Allah be pleased with him). He was of Rajput caste and belonged to the Narowal area. He had the good fortune to take his bai’at on the hand of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) at the 1907 Jalsa. He arrived at Qadian for the purpose of bai’at and saw a huge crowd gather in the street from where the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was expected to access Masjid Mubarak. A newcomer, he stood in the next street and prayed that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would pass from there instead, so that he could have the opportunity to shake his hand. This came to pass and when he first set eyes on the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) it felt to him as if the sun had emerged from behind clouds.

Hadhrat Madad Khan sahib (may Allah be pleased with him). He was an inspector of the Baitul Maal, Qadian and belonged to the state of Kashmir. He took his bai’at in 1896. He had joined the armed forces and wished to go to Qadian before starting his employment. He had a great desire to see the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), he felt once employment began he may not have the opportunity to do so. When he first saw the blessed face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) he felt that even if he was given the entire state of Kashmir, he would not leave Qadian. He thought even if he was paid a fabulous salary he would not see the spiritually resplendent face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He gave up the idea of returning home and thought if he died the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would lead his funeral Prayer and that would be his accomplishment. He wrote daily to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) for prayers and wondered if this could be an annoyance. But the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) told him it was a good practice and that he was very pleased with him.

Hadhrat Master Muhammad Sohail sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Kamal Dera Sindh area. With the grace of God, he took his bai’at in 1905 on the blessed hand of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In those days Masjid Mubarak was extremely small in size and he used to fan the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) while in the mosque in the summer heat, sitting right next to him. Once Maulwi Muhammad Ali sahib had something to say to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and wanted to sit by him for the purpose. As there was no space for him to do so, he gestured to Master sahib to move. However, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked him not to move and Maulwi Muhammad Ali made his submission standing up. Later, Master sahib felt delight in the fact that while he was a humble person compared to the scholarly Maulwi Muhammad Ali, a prophet of God had treated them both equally.

Chaudhry Abdul Hakeem sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Gujaranwala area. Originally, he belonged to the Ahle Hadith community. He met an Ahmadi who gave him literature to read among which he used to delight in reading Al Hakm newspaper and was intensely drawn to visit Qadian. In spite of mullah inciting him, he prepared to travel to Qadian. His funds were limited and travelling was difficult, he purchased a railway ticket that was not for the entire journey but the ticket checker allowed it as did the person checking at the end of the journey. He saw it as a first miracle of his journey that he flet he made for a good purpose. Finally, he arrived at Qadian with a fellow Ahle Hadith follower. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) arrived in Masjid Mubarak his associate put some questions to him. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) began speaking in response. The man was satisfied and wished to take bai’at but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said he should fully satisfy himself first. A companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) commented that answers to all questions were published but people from outside still troubled the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) with the questions. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that it was him who did the speaking, why were others troubled. Hakeem sahib says that on the evening of the bai’at he went to see Hadhrat Maulana Hakeem Nur-ud-din sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) who sat on a small bedstead on the rooftop and answered many questions, of which one was memorable. He said the detractors say that he had come to Qadian for worldly reasons, although even his bed was too small for him. However, he said he had found God by taking the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

Hamid Hussein Khan sahib (may Allah be pleased with him). He was from Ali Gargh and worked in Meerut where he came to know an Ahmadi and was introduced to some books. He heard the speech of an Ahmadi scholar on the subject of death of Jesus (on whom be peace) and was enthused to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and asked to be informed if the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) visited anywhere near Meerut. In 1904 a huge earthquake came and it was said that it had been as prophesised by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Meanwhile the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) visited Delhi and Hamid sahib went to see him. He arrived at the house where the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was staying where many others had also gathered. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was staying at the upper storey and as he came down the stairs, Hamid sahib did not see him at first as he had his back to the stairs. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came quietly and most informally sat next to him. As he did not recognise him, when told who had just arrived, Hamid sahib was nervous and got up. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked him to be seated. Everyone was informed of his arrival and excitement ensued. Salat was offered and then the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said whoever wished to take bai’at should come to the front. Many did this and Hamid sahib was left at the back. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained that whoever could not reach him should place their hand on the back of the person in front of them. Hamid sahib did not intend to take bai’at at the time. However, when the process of bai’at started, his hand involuntarily extended and reached the back of the person ahead of him. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) recited the [Arabic] prayer ‘O my Lord, I have indeed wronged my soul…’ everyone repeated it as did they its Urdu translation. During repeating the Urdu, Hamid sahib experienced intense pathos and humility. Remembering his sins, he cried so much that he passed out. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked for some water to be fetched, he read some prayer on the water and sprinkled it on Hamid sahib. While fainted, Hamid sahib saw columns of lights of different colours reaching the sky.

Hadhrat Mistri Allah Ditta sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Gurdaspur area. He took his bai’at in 1894 and also met the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He had basic knowledge of the Qur’an and was told by his teacher to take the bai’at of Imam Mahdi and this is why he took the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He often heard the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) say, ‘our mission is true and InshaAllah will never wane/decline’.

Hadhrat Meeran Baksh sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Gujaranwala area. He took his bai’at in either 1897 or 1898 and was disowned by his father for it. He set up a shop and lived on meagre means. It was his wish to sew an outfit for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and he thus made it. He gathered money to travel to Qadian. It was Friday and he wanted his gift to reach the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on the day. Someone took him to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who tried the clothes on there and then. The jacket was a little tight, so Baksh sahib took it to a nearby tailor’s where he borrowed a sewing machine and adjusted it but it was still not the correct size, yet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wore it.

Hadhrat Master Khalilul Rahman sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was from the state of Jummu. At the Jalsa of 1907 when the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) arrived at Masjid Aqsa, the mosque was full to capacity. Some extra Prayer mats were laid out wherever space was found and as a result Master sahib was enabled to offer his Salat very close to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Master sahib relates that he did not listen to any of the speeches ahead of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) concluding speech because he was lost in his gaze on the blessed face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) overcome with emotion. He wept throughout the time and later realised this was because he was not to set eyes on the blessed face again. When the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came on the stage, he gave a most exquisite discourse on Surah Al Fatihah.

Interrupting the accounts, Hudhur said due to the snow there had been a lot of traffic today and he was thus delayed although he had left early. Therefore, he said he would take some extra time.

Hadhrat Ghulam Rasool sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) belonged to Pasroor area. He took his bai’at in either 1901 or 1902. He relates that after Maghrib Salat he would massage the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) legs and he did not stop him from doing this. He relates that when he saw the face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) all the doubts the mullah had put in him were dismissed. He had heard that the face of the Messiah would be luminous like a star and he found the blessed face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) exactly like that.

Hadhrat Rahmat Ullah sahib Ahmadi (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Ludhiana area. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stayed in Ludhiana for a few months when Rahmat Ullah sahib was a student and he found the blessed face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to be full of spiritual light but the mullah kept putting him in doubt. He was given the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) book ‘Izala Auham’ to read. He wept as he read it and wondered why the mullah had abandoned what was in the Qur’an. He corresponded with the mullah and asked them to refute the proof and reasoning of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) regarding death of Jesus (on whom be peace). He heard back that death of Jesus should not be discussed with ‘Mirza sahib and his followers’, that there were Quranic verses on this matter but it was an issue on which there were differing opinions. He was told to argue how was ‘Mirza sahib’ the Messiah. When he gave them his answer, they said he had come under the influence. Rahmat Ullah sahib had a dream in which he saw the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and was so inspired that he wrote a letter of bai’at. Later, he had the opportunity to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in person and met him on a number of occasions.

Maulwi Fatah Ali sahib Ahmadi (may Allah be pleased with him) was from the Jhelum area. He took his bai’at along with his family in 1904 and visited the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) every year with his family and had the beneficence of his sacred conversation. During travels to Qadian the ladies of his family said that as they travelled some distance, they could not bring their bedding with them. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) arranged that bedding be provided to them. Maulwi sahib’s young son used to recite poetic verses of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and he was most affectionate to the boy. Once the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was resting when the boy went up to him to say something and removed the duvet from his face to speak to him. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) did not mind at all and gently listened to the child.

Hadhrat Bahawal Shah sahib (may Allah be pleased with him). He was from Ambala. He relates that he was inclined to religion from childhood and was on the look out for someone to guide him. Once he was involved in a criminal court case and went to Qadian to request for prayers. He met the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in Masjid Mubarak with many of his companions in attendance. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked him if he had come to take bai’at but he said, no he had come to request for prayers. He was asked if he was scared of the mullah to which he replied he was not scared of the mullah and that the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) truth had become evident to him by looking at his face. Another man was also present to take bai’at, together they took the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) bai’at and Bahawal sahib was strongly drawn to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as if he was being pulled by a rope. He experienced intense emotion and pathos during his bai’at. Later, he felt such great love for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and Qadian that he did not want to return home. His condition changed completely after bai’at and he felt ardent love of God day and night. One day he felt as if his heart was being cleansed and spiritual light ran through his heart. He felt spiritual rapture. He relates that this was not his condition but that of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He said God had made the court case a source of reaching the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

Hudhur related another faith-inspiring incident about Hadhrat Madad Khan sahib (may Allah be pleased with him).

In conclusion, Hudhur said he has related incidents about these elders before. In particular those whose families these elders belonged to should be mindful of their great favour on us. Perhaps today, many would not have the courage to accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). We should pray for our elders and also for resoluteness of our own faith. We should try and walk in the footsteps of our elders. Some of these elders may have had little education but they satiated themselves spiritually and were true and ardent lovers of God. Their model of love and sincerity should be kept alive in generations to come. May God enable us to uphold these models for His sake.