Hayat-e-Saeed

Sixth Trip Abroad —1981

The three months of travels by Doctor Saeed Ahmad during 1981 included visits to the Netherlands, Germany, England, multiple locations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He participated in the functions and meetings that were convened in the Netherlands toward the initial part of his travels. Also from Pakistan, Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad, Tahira Fazl-e-Ahmad, and Sultan Ali Shah were accompanying Doctor Saeed Ahmad. Prior to this, and also from Pakistan, Chaudhry Fazal Haq and his wife had arrived in England, and arrived in the Netherlands as part of the delegation from the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London.

During the very initial stage of his travels, Doctor Saeed Ahmad had to face considerable difficulty as a result of the loss of his baggage. He writes:

Start of the journey on May 30, 1981. The sixth time that I am traveling abroad. Starting before the afternoon at 11:00 AM. Most of my relatives came to the airport [in Lahore, Pakistan.] Muhammad Saeed [my son] brought my wife and I [to the airport] in his car. Colonel [Muhammad] Latif took care of checking in my baggage. We arrived at the Karachi airport at 1:00 PM.

We learned that the Samsonite suitcase—the one containing all of my belongings— had been lost. I am beginning to write this diary entry at the residence of Abdul Hayee [Saeed.] Efforts are being made to find my lost suitcase. Our eyes are looking heavenward and—as regards, our affairs that have gone awry—may the Mercy of Allah set our affairs straight. In my briefcase are only my travel reservations and the traveler check and my shaving kit, etc. 

Doctor Saeed Ahmad further writes:

I called Mansur [Ahmad] in Lahore, and then, later, Muhammad Saeed called me. Recommendations were made for certain essential documents to be sent from there. In Karachi, I brought to the attention of Salima [Agha] and Attiya [Saeed] that certain items of travel should be purchased. The update was that, being a Sunday, all stores in the bazaar would be closed today. Attiya surveyed the clothes of Abdul Hayee [Saeed.] She found some clothes that fit me. In short, many of the needed items had been obtained by night time. Muhammad Saeed coordinated with an individual named Tariq, and had some travel items sent to me by air.

The Netherlands

When Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived in the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands on June 1, 1981 in the company of his friends, he was received by the members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in their traditional custom. They took them by car to the city of Utrecht, where functions had been taking place in the new center for the past two days. That day,  during the last session, Doctor Saeed Ahmad gave a talk.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad was immensely impressed by the natural beauty of the Netherlands; by what can be accomplished by making good use of the riches of the human imagination; and by the industriousness of the Dutch people. The Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in the Hague had already prepared a program for the visitors from abroad to go on a sightseeing tour. The next day, Doctor Saeed Ahmad did not accompany his fellow travelers on their sightseeing trip to Belgium, and instead devoted that time to preparing his talks. He writes:

Today, people [my fellow travelers] are traveling to Belgium by bus. I, too, had wished to go and see the famous city of Brussels: It is located approximately 200 miles away, but traveling would have incurred the time consumed by the journey itself, plus the two hours or so of sightseeing, and then the return journey, which would occupy the entire day; and then the fatigue itself from traveling. Moreover, I had before me the matter of preparing the speeches. In this present situation of being without the needed material—my notes and the manuscripts of old speeches—all that had been separated from me by the Wisdom of Allah the Most High. Now my hope is tied to the Divine Being of Allah and His mercy, and my heart is full of hope that He will not leave me helpless.

لَّنْ یُّصِیْبَنَاۤ اِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَنَاۚ هُوَ مَوْلٰىنَا ۚ وَ عَلَی اللّٰهِ فَلْیَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ

Say: Nothing will afflict us save that which Allah has ordained for us. He is our Patron; and on Allah let the believers rely. (Holy Quran—9:51)

I gave up the idea of traveling to Belgium and informed my fellow travelers.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad further writes:

I had dedicated the day today—one supposedly of leisure time—to preparing my speeches. Certainly, the loss of my notes and documents has presented difficulty. But the ways of Allah are strange. I was able to accomplish some work, which brought me peace of mind.

Convention in Rotterdam

Doctor Saeed Ahmad performed the Friday congregational prayer in the Hague in the Netherlands on June 5, 1981, and also participated in a convention in Rotterdam being hosted by the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter of the city. That Ahmadiyya Movement chapter had purchased a building for the center by spending 50,000 Dutch guilders. Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to see the building where some renovations were taking place. A little distance from there was a mosque belonging to the Turkish Muslims, and on the second level of which was an extensive hall. It was in that hall that the convention of the Rotterdam chapter took place; they knew full well that we are Ahmadiyya Movement Muslims but they were not prejudiced, and allocated the hall free of any expense for us to use for our convention. Those Turkish Muslims—admirably unprejudiced as they are—have good relations with the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in Rotterdam. The concluding speech of the convention was made by Doctor Saeed Ahmad. He himself writes about it as follows:

Prior to my speech, I took an individual along with me to the Turkish mosque, and performed an ablution afresh, which brought back my alertness from grogginess. When the time finally arrived for my speech, I found myself surrounded by an extraordinary level of Divine mercy. My minor startle turned into placid camphor [as it were] when I translated verses from the Holy Quran. I gained the broadness of heart, one comes in the wake of enlightenment. Deviating somewhat from my intended subject, and influenced by the atmosphere and the surroundings, I found myself blessed by beginning my speech with a new approach. My heart became a receptacle for receiving an eloquent tranquility and a direction for what to speak on, and I thanked Allah.

الَّذِیْنَ قَالُوْا رَبُّنَا اللّٰهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوْا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَیْهِمُ الْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةُ اَلَّا تَخَافُوْا وَ لَا تَحْزَنُوْا وَ اَبْشِرُوْا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِیْ كُنْتُمْ تُوْعَدُوْنَ۝

Those who say, Our Lord is Allah—then continue in the right way—the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the Garden which you were promised. (Holy Quran—41:30)

The subject of the Ahmadiyya Movement emerged powerfully through these verses of the Holy Quran and I gave a talk—one which was infused by emotions—for approximately 45 minutes. An appeal for funds was made at the wish of the president, Santoe. I personally pledged 50 Dutch guilders. My fellow travelers also made donations. Later, Santoe mentioned that 16,000 guilders had been collected.

Convention of the Chapter in the Hague

Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

The convention started around 7:30 PM. From time to time, I was experiencing dizziness. I kept repeating the prayer of istighfar in my heart. Thoughts of the speech I gave yesterday would arise in how great is the power of Allah and His assistance to me during that speech; my condition, today, feels rather constricted.

Immediately following the speech by Nur Sardar (the chapter’s president), I was asked to give my talk. With the name of Allah, I stood up. Regarding what happened next, my heart bowed in prostration before Allah. What took place, it did so purely through His Beneficence and His Assistance. Over a period of approximately one hour, or perhaps a few minutes less than that, I shed light on some selected verses of the Holy Quran, on the topic of “The Status of the Ahmadiyya Movement and its Missionary Work.”

فاالحمدﷲ علٰی ذالک

Praise be to Allah for that

I also made mention of a historic night in this very hall, when, on November 12, 1978, 45,000 Dutch guilders were received in donations. The hall was packed with people, approximately 500, I would say. Shafiq Abderrazak made a video recording of the proceedings of the entire convention; the plan is that a copy of the video will be shared. Among other speeches, the one by Zahid Aziz was noteworthy.

Meeting of the Netherlands Federation

A meeting of the Federation was convened in the Ahmadiyya Movement Center in the Hague. Participants included the presidents and members of the five chapters in the Netherlands as well as all delegates. Doctor Saeed Ahmad was requested to preside over the meeting as well as to give a talk. Doctor Saeed Ahmad expressed his willingness to give a talk, but excused himself from presiding. Many objections to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters were raised by the members of the various chapters of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the Netherlands. Moreover, an exceedingly accusatory tone was adopted in making the Movement’s headquarters in Pakistan the subject of criticism. Allah the Most High endowed Doctor Saeed Ahmad with the ability to exercise exceptional forbearance and patience in listening to and responding to all objections and then clarifying the position of the headquarters. After that, he was hopeful that a pleasant transformation in the relationship between the headquarters and the chapters of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the Netherlands would take place, and that the disagreements between the chapters themselves would also come to an end.

Opening of School and Library

At the conclusion of the meeting of the Federation, Doctor Saeed Ahmad was requested to perform the ceremonial opening of the school and library, both of which were being established in that same building of the center. The words, “Ahmadiyya Isha’at-e-Islam (Hague) School and Library” were inscribed inside a glass-encased frame, one which was lit up by a fluorescent tube light fixture. Doctor Saeed Ahmad offered a prayer, and performed the ceremonial opening by turning on the tube light.

Convention of the Chapter in Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

A convention of the Amsterdam chapter of the Ahmadiyya Movement was convened that evening. Doctor Saeed Ahmad gave a talk, and at the request of Nur Sardar, he also made an appeal for funds for the chapter’s center in Amsterdam. The building had already been purchased, but the loan was outstanding. At the appeal, a sum of 12,000 Dutch guilders was collected, which was highly encouraging for the fledgling chapter.

Before departing to Berlin (Germany), Doctor Saeed Ahmad devoted two days to meeting members of the chapter, making efforts to resolve their mutual differences between them and to help resolve complaints against one another. He advised them to keep in mind the Quranic verse

ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ

Repel evil with that which is best. (Holy Quran—23:96)

and to move forward on the path of progress in order to further enable the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter to grow by keeping in mind the qualities of gentleness, forgiveness, and resolving issues with refined approaches. He took their pledge that they would reach out to one another, as it were, with their hands extended [to each other] in friendship.

Berlin (Germany)

Doctor Saeed Ahmad and Sultan Ali Shah arrived in Berlin on June 10, 1981. The third member of the delegation—Chaudhry Fazal Haq—had already arrived in Berlin, two days earlier. The arrival of this delegation in Berlin was viewed as highly unpleasant by Yahya Butt—he was the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters’s designated imam in Berlin—and he made his aversion abundantly clear by demonstrating considerable aloofness. No sooner had Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived than Yahya Butt launched a seemingly interminable litany of complaints against the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters, in particular about the office, the incompetence of the workers, and slowness in organizational matters and so on. Yahya Butt declared this incompetence and lack of workers as the cause of the decline of the Ahmadiyya Movement. With great forbearance, Doctor Saeed Ahmad listened to everything that he had to say, following which he responded. In Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s words, from his own writing:

You people harbor hopelessness, and [they then] spread it here. This is why—given how you view the Ahmadiyya Movement and your opinions about it—you continue to express those views. The decline of the Ahmadiyya Movement did not begin with us. Rather, you tell us where the responsibility for it lies, with whom, and where it originated. I can say that at this time, signs of spiritual life are evident in the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters in Dar-us-Salam. In the performance of prayers, sermons, efforts of the local chapter; the successful 15 day long training course last year; the spiritual life in Ahmadiyya Movement chapters outside Lahore, such as Peshawar and certain areas of the Frontier Province; the Friday congregational prayers convened in Dar-us-Salam; the annual Eid prayers; the numbers of worshipers present in the daily congregational prayers; the success of last year’s annual convention; the notable funds donated as contributions; and the circumstances of how many chapters in countries outside Pakistan. (We have seen with our own eyes the situation in the Netherlands.) You are well aware of the manifestation of the beginnings of in-fighting within the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in Utrecht. After that, the eminently successful demonstrations in the Hague, in Rotterdam, in Amsterdam, etc., and my going to attend the meeting in Utrecht and its result. Allah willing, you will soon learn about its results. The reminder to every Ahmadiyya Movement chapter, including the one in Utrecht, to be faithful to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters, the doubts and misgivings of the delegates during the annual convention in Lahore in 1980—those have been insinuated—they were dispelled and categorically resolved, following which we saw the emergence of the strong relationships with the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters, these all are signs of spiritual life. We look to Allah with hope. He [Yahya Butt] listened to all this, and some slight expression of remorse could be seen in his facial expression, and he grew silent.

Prayer in the Berlin Mosque

The Ahmadiyya Movement Mosque in Berlin was not in good shape, and the work of repairs was in progress. But for as long as Doctor Saeed Ahmad stayed in Berlin, he preferred to perform his prayers in the mosque. The other guests present also participated in some of those prayers. In general, Doctor Saeed Ahmad and Sultan Ali Shah would pray together as a congregation in the mosque. Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

Sultan Ali Shah called out to me that the time was approaching 3:45 PM. I got up and performed my prayer [with him] as a congregation in the mosque yesterday, too—much like the evening of the day before—despite it [the mosque] being in a dirty condition. A strange spiritual satisfaction was afforded by praying in congregation.

الحمدﷲ

All praise is for Allah

In the Friday congregational prayer, six guests, including Doctor Saeed Ahmad himself, the imam Yahya Butt, a Turkish individual, and a dark-skinned individual participated. Once they had completed their prayer, a few other individuals came and individually performed their prayers according to their own customs. The Friday congregational prayer took place in the drawing room of the residential area instead of in the mosque.

Organization of Dining

The wife of Chaudhry Fazal Haq did all the cooking herself, and not only for her own family members, but also for Doctor Saeed Ahmad and Sultan Ali Shah. It was decided through mutual consultation that the expenses would be divided among everyone. However, despite Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s insistence later on, Chaudhry Fazal Haq refused to take the expenses with which Doctor Saeed Ahmad wished to reimburse him.

Survey of Accounting, and an Inventory of Ahmadiyya Literature

Sultan Ali Shah followed the directions from the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters and spent many hours going over the accounting records as well as surveying the stock of books. He prepared a report on that basis, while Chaudhry Fazal Haq wrote down his observations, and both documents were submitted to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters.

The Matter of the Berlin Mosque and Turkish Muslims

One day prior to the departure from Berlin of the representatives of the delegation, Yahya Butt made a revelation that was a source of amazement and deep concern. Yahya Butt informed them casually, by the way, that the Turkish community in Berlin had requested him that he instruct the Turkish children in reading the Holy Quran in the mosque, a request to which he had agreed. Moreover, they wished to be given permission to perform their Friday congregational prayers in the mosque. And when Yahya Butt had made mention to the Turks of the challenges that he faced—the heating expenses of the mosque and the shortage of toilets—the representatives of the Turkish community agreed to take on those expenses. A representative of the Turkish consulate, along with an architect, had subsequently surveyed the mosque and even selected a location for the construction of the toilets. And, Yahya Butt continued, he had given them his permission. Moreover, he continued, although those Turks did not have any objection regarding him as their imam, they did not know the English and German languages. Therefore, their own speaker would come with them and deliver the Friday sermon. Because of the ongoing repairs of the mosque, this plan had not been put into action so far. Otherwise, carrying out the aforesaid would have begun by now.

This news was extremely worrisome for everyone in that such an important matter had been decided without even so much as informing and getting the permission from the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters, and how the hidden dangers in such an action could have been overlooked: Bringing the Turkish people into the mosque in that way and giving them control was equivalent to turning the mosque over to them. On hearing this, Yahya Butt stated that this matter could be closed right away; that he could simply tell the Turks that he had not been able to get the permission because an agreement had not yet been formalized in writing. At any rate, the thinking of Yahya Butt was that this was not an objectionable matter to begin with. Moreover, he kept insisting that the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters should give the permission whereby the mosque operations could be put on a sound foundation. On hearing all this, Doctor Saeed Ahmad responded:

This is an easy way to let our mosque slip away from our hands. You are a very good Ahmadi. But look at the circumstances.: The Turkish Muslims take control over the sovereignty of our mosque under your auspices and your protection? Filling the mosque with worshipers is not in our fortune. Perhaps this will be the good fortune of future generations. Even in our own country, only a solitary worshiper or two come to most of our [Ahmadiyya Movement ] mosques but we still seek to keep those mosques in our possession to the fullest extent possible. Here, [in Berlin] too, our mosque lies vacant. But how can we bear to give its possession over to others—to those who do not even consider us Muslims—without so much as lifting a finger? At any rate, this matter will be presented to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters.

واللہُ خَیْرُٗ حَافِظاً

And Allah is the best Protector

Suggestion for Affixing an Identification Plaque Outside the Mosque

On a copper plate outside the Berlin mosque were inscribed the following words:

This mosque was constructed by the Ahmadiyya Movement, 1924—1927.

Other than that, no other plaques had been set up that would make it evident that this mosque was the property of the Ahmadiyya Movement. So the delegates from the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters suggested that a large plaque be affixed outside the mosque’s outer gate to signify that it was a property of the Ahmadiyya Movement; that it should be easily visible to those passing by; and that it ought to be visible from both sides of the street. On this suggestion, Yahya Butt expressed some reservations, saying that if other Muslims learned that this mosque belonged to the Ahmadiyya Movement, they would create trouble. On hearing this, Doctor Saeed Ahmad remarked:

We definitely want a large plaque to be installed. This country is not Pakistan, and Muslims here are migrants and travelers; they cannot create mischief, and the government cannot bow down in submission to this tiny minority. And it was agreed that this was the correct course of action.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad tried his utmost to sort out all the issues of the chapter in Berlin. He also made efforts to address the complaints of the imam of the Berlin mosque and sought to encourage him. He promised to present to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters the reimbursement of his expenditures, as well as resolving all of his other challenges. And moreover, that he (Doctor Saeed Ahmad) would lend his full cooperation in the matter. Yahya Butt said that if the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters were to reimburse his expenditures, then he did not have any other dispute with the Ahmadiyya Movement.

Impressions of Doctor Saeed Ahmad

What follows is a summary of Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s collective impressions of his visit of a few days to Germany:

An effort has been made to write down a detailed report regarding Berlin. Some impressions are not pleasant. Yahya Butt was not pleased by our arrival. Nonetheless, our coming here was not devoid of benefit. Light was shed in the matter of many issues, and the possibility of the Berlin mosque going over to the Turks came to the forefront. Yahya Butt showed us a kind mercy by making us aware, at the very last moment, right before we were departing—in response to my proposed course of action—that this was merely a minor thing. And that, to the people whom he had made hopeful in this regard [the Turks], he would simply tell that the Vice President had not given him the permission; that it was no longer possible. Among the bounties of Allah the Most High is that an adequate arrangement for our dining needs was taken care of by Chaudhry Fazal Haq and his wife along with their children. When I insisted that I would pay my due for those expenses, he refused to accept, and I had no choice but to concede to their gracious insistence. May Allah reward them even more. The visit to Berlin can be declared as useful, though not successful. All affairs are entrusted to God.

England

Muhammad Anwar, along with his wife Arjumand Bano, had arrived in London a few months ago, and taken up their duties as the imam of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London. They were residing in a rented house. Doctor Saeed Ahmad stayed with them. He writes:

Jamila and Faiz took me to the residence of Anwar. What I saw there was amazing. An immaculately clean, bright, and well-aired house. Room for Bano and Anwar, a clean and peaceful location. The toilets are spotless and appropriate. The kitchen is small, but it is so excellently constructed that three or four individuals can be seated on the table for dining. Facing the room of Anwar is a considerably large room, carpeted, with two beds, which had been vacated by the landlord at the request of Anwar, along with an in absentia introduction for me. Thanks to Allah; I cannot find the words with which to thank. It was only through an accident that Anwar found this house during his search; and an eminently decent landlord, moreover. At any rate, these people wait on me, remaining alert to serve, day and night.

جزاھم ﷲ

May Allah reward them.

Engagements in London

The stay in London of Doctor Saeed Ahmad was a busy one. In those few days, he went to the Ahmadiyya House to perform the Friday congregational prayers, carried out some work related to the bank, and in addition to some individual meetings, he also participated in two important meetings of the local Ahmadiyya Movement chapter. The first meeting was at the residence of Muhammad Anwar, and the second one was at the residence of Jamila Khan. In addition to various matters, the most important issue under consideration and deliberation in those meetings was the purchase of an appropriate place for the Ahmadiyya Movement center.

Prior to that, the suggestion had been sent to the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters that Shahid Aziz should sell his house and purchase another house jointly with the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters, or with the Movement’s chapter in London. The Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters had not accepted the suggestion. Now this suggestion was again brought up in the presence of Doctor Saeed Ahmad. His personal opinion, too, was that there were certain aspects in this matter of the suggestion which could not be glossed over; taking a step in this matter would not be devoid of complication. Certain legal aspects in the matter of the purchase of the house were also deliberated as would potentially become an obstacle. It was the intense wish of certain members that a house be purchased as soon as possible because a grand challenge facing the entire Ahmadiyya was that somebody had said that it is impossible for a chapter of the Ahmadiyya Movement to be established in England. And that rising to that was essential. The opinion of Doctor Saeed Ahmad was contrary to this. He wished that further thought and deliberation were warranted; that every aspect ought to be seriously deliberated before making the final decision.

He instructed all members that they should select a good house in a good central location of London, instead of acting with haste and—given the limited funds—end up purchasing a dilapidated building, thereby repeating the mistakes of the past. He was hopeful that Allah the Most High would grant abundance in this matter by assisting with establishing a center in London.

Donation from Pakistan for the British Center

In response to Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s having made mention, some of his relatives in Pakistan had provided some funds, and which his daughter Zubaida Muhammad Ahmad had brought along with her when she visited England. Those funds were deposited in a bank account. The total amount was slightly over £3,376.

Second Stage of the Trip — United States, Canada, and Mexico

Washington, DC

In this second phase of Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s travels, Washington DC was his first destination. His grandson, Shahid Ahmad and his wife Sandy gave him a warm reception. Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s daughter Zubaida Muhammad Ahmad and grandson Tariq Ahmad were also present.

His stay in Washington DC was from June 28, 1981 to July 5, 1981. Shahid Ahmad and Sandy served with excellence as his hosts. He was deeply satisfied and happy with the pleasant home environment in Shahid’s household as well as the refined moral values of Sandy as well as by her pious temperament and pleasant nature. Meetings with other relatives and members of the Ahmadiyya Movement continued as well. Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s granddaughter Ameena, along with her husband Zaeem—they were accompanied by his parents, Chaudhry Fazal Haq and his wife—came from Philadelphia and spent time with him.

He remained in constant contact with others, and plans regarding his future itinerary were put together. In particular, plans were made for him to meet with Zafar Abdullah, Noman Illahi Malik, Muhammad Ahmad, to discuss the convention of the Ahmadiyya and the translations of the Holy Quran into other languages, as well as other literature of the Ahmadiyya Movement. Doctor Saeed Ahmad—he was accompanied by Zubaida Muhammad Ahmad and Tariq Ahmad—went sightseeing to the noteworthy buildings and tourist sites in Washington, DC, along with attending to matters of worship, as well as paying attention to matters of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The Friday prayer as well as the daily prayers. Prayers were performed in the congregation. A program was made to go and see the fireworks on the evening of the Fourth of July, Independence Day. He sensed that it would be a waste of time. It would be better to spend it in worship, and attending to matters of the Ahmadiyya Movement. So he gave up the idea of going to see the fireworks. He writes in his diary:

The evening of the Fourth of July fireworks celebration takes place to commemorate America’s Independence Day, and is widely observed in the country. Everyone in the house was planning to see that exhibition. I, too, was tentatively thinking of going. The idea came that instead of going to the celebration, it would be better to rest and spend some time in the remembrance of the divine, and the words

هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُوْنَۙ

Who shun what is vain. (Holy Quran—23:3)

were repeatedly impressing themselves upon my heart. So I resolved that instead of going to see the fireworks, it would be better [for me] to read and recite from the Holy Quran; to rest; and to do some work of righteousness. All praise to Allah, I did manage to make this decision, and did not go. My heart felt at rest, and my body gained rest as well.

Oklahoma

After a continuous striving of approximately two years, the youngest son of Doctor Saeed Ahmad—Zahid Saeed—had overcome many obstacles and attained honorable employment in the state of Oklahoma. He was busy preparing for the ECFMG examination. Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to see him. When he arrived at the airport in Oklahoma, Zahid Saeed was eagerly awaiting him. Accompanying him was his friend Bernard Bhatti who was ready to make a video recording of Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s arrival and the reception by his son. Zahid Saeed was staying in the home of a gracious friend, Naveed Chaudhry, sharing the house and living simply and amicably. Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

May Allah the Most High dispel the difficulties of Zahid, make him successful in the ECFMG examination, and be his Protector and Helper. My heart has received great comfort by coming here;I slept so peacefully that five hours passed. When I woke up, it was already night time; I had been unable to keep track of time. 

Columbus (Ohio)

Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived in Columbus, Ohio on July 7, 1981 and stayed at the fine residence of Noman Illahi Malik. At that time, his parents—Ejaz Illahi Malik and Nasira Malik—as well as Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad and Tahira Fazl-e-Ahmad were also staying there. Performing the daily congregational prayers in their company afforded Doctor Saeed Ahmad special satisfaction. In particular, those days were blessed ones in view of the month of Ramadan. He writes:

It was the month of Ramadan. The majority of these righteous people were keeping the fasts and performing prayers in congregation, the tahajjud prayers, the Friday congregational prayers, and attending to matters of the service of Islam were afforded to us. These five days in Columbus [Ohio] were special days indeed.

A Meeting with the Translators

In connection with the work of translating the Ahmadiyya Movement’s religious literature, Noman Illahi Malik had already started a dialogue with a few translators, and on the arrival of Doctor Saeed Ahmad and based on his availability, he scheduled an interview with them. Doctor Saeed Ahmad and Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad interviewed the translators in regards to the Chinese, Russian, and Japanese translations. One Russian translator had especially come all the way from New York. In addition, a professor, and a lady had also come. Neither of the two male translators possessed any knowledge of Islam, and their financial compensation was a bit much. In contrast, they found the Russian translator to be hard-working and intelligent. She had been studying the Holy Quran for four years. However, her expertise in the area of translating was not very extensive. It was decided that—on an experimental basis—she would be asked to translate a few pages of the book The Teachings of Islam by Hazrat Mirza Sahib as a sample.

A Discussion Regarding the London Center

On an individual basis, Doctor Saeed Ahmad discussed—with Noman Illahi Malik and Abdullah Jan—the contribution of funds in connection with the acquisition of an Ahmadiyya Movement center in London, England. Both expressed to Doctor Saeed Ahmad their zeal, resolve, and full support in the matter. He found them both unanimous in the viewpoint that priority ought to be given over everything else to establishing a center of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the United Kingdom. And they pledged their full support in this regard.

Los Angeles (California)

The next destination of Doctor Saeed Ahmad was San Francisco, where the center of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the United States was located. During that journey, he stayed in Los Angeles for two days with his granddaughter, Zahida. At that time, Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s daughter Ayesha Baig, along with her husband Abdur Rahman Baig, were also staying with Zahida. In keeping with her long-standing tradition, Zahida remained busy in all ways and at all times with looking after her guests and attending to hospitality. And it was at her great insistence that they all agreed to go with her on a visit to the famous recreational park, Disneyland.

San Francisco (California)

It was on July 15, 1981 that Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived in San Francisco, the center of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the United States. The soul warming sight with which he was greeted at the San Francisco airport was the incredible display of devotional love by the children who had come to receive him along with their parents. They were jumping with joy at the mere sight of Doctor Saeed Ahmad. The matter of who would get to carry his briefcase proved to be—amusingly enough—highly divisive for the children, each one of whom coveted that honor; they were seen arguing with one another in this matter, each one competing for the privilege, each child wanting the honor to come to them. Witnessing this devotion and love produced a strange state of emotions in Doctor Saeed Ahmad as he witnessed in their behavior the signs of a bright future for the Ahmadiyya Movement. The hopes that were now taking hold in his mind in association with the children gained further strength when he went to the residence of Masud Akhtar that evening. He writes:

We went to the residence of Masud Akhtar. I have not been able to meet his wife Qudsiyya during the day. We performed the Isha prayer in their home. Their children are now grown up. The oldest child, Asim, makes the azan with excellence. The youngest one, Bilal, is also grown up, intelligent. At the time of my departure from their home, he [Bilal] said to me: “When will you next come to spend the night with us?” His innocent voice was imbued by heartfelt sincerity and love. The children of sincere people are themselves sincere. Oh, Allah! Bless them with your blessings.

Dissension Within the Chapter

Prior to his arrival in San Francisco, Doctor Saeed Ahmad had learned that differences within the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in that city had arisen, the basis of which were organizational matters. The numbers of those who had migrated from Fiji and settled here was greater than the others, and they sought to gain the upper hand in organizational matters, and even did not want those not from Fiji to participate. To that end, they had created a separate group or organization for themselves, and the Ahmadiyya Movement center in Oakland was in their use. Doctor Saeed Ahmad had written a letter and sent it to their president, notifying them of his arrival, and also expressing his wish to meet them. But he had not received a reply from them. It was his wish to clear up misunderstandings, and to unite the two parties. But the circumstances appear to be unfavorable.

A Meeting with the Translators

In San Francisco, Zafar Abdullah, too, had begun an initial dialogue with Russian, French, and Chinese translators, following which he had set up a time for Doctor Saeed Ahmad to meet and interview them. Meetings and discussions took place with those translators individually, but no immediate decision could be made as to which one of those translators to a collaboration was to be initiated to get the translation work done.

Vancouver (Canada)

Many Ahmadiyya Movement families had settled in the city of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia in Canada. They were essentially immigrants from Fiji, or had ties with that country of origin. One year ago, the regular organization—Ahmadiyya Movement, Canada—had been registered. Hafiz Sher Muhammad and Shaukat Ali from Fiji had strongly expressed their wish for Doctor Saeed Ahmad to come visit them. They described it as having great significance in instilling courage in the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter, and as being a source of strengthening and promoting the Ahmadiyya Movement Center.

An especially active member of the Canadian chapter of the Ahmadiyya Movement—Yasin Sahukhan—had as their representative called Doctor Saeed Ahmad over the telephone numerous times, and strongly insisted for him to come visit Vancouver. Despite feeling unwell, Doctor Saeed Ahmad did not want to disappoint them, and so he did not change his plan to go visit them. He writes:

The program to visit Vancouver is before me. At this time, relying on Allah, I am keeping that plan. May Allah save me from failure and futility, and may He make this planned travel easy for me, and make it a blessed one for the Ahmadiyya Movement indeed. And may He accept my efforts in this regard. The insistence of Yasin Sahukhan, and the wishes of his wife and children, the expressions of which they had made over the telephone calls—and then the insistence of Shaukat Ali from Fiji and Hafiz Sher Muhammad himself—these are things that motivate me to wish for this visit to take place. Allah can make this easy for me and blessed as well.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived in Vancouver on July 20, 1981, where his host was Yasin Sahukhan. The meetings and gatherings of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter, too, were hosted at his residence.

The Program of the Meeting and Convention

A meeting with the members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in Canada, as well as a brief function, took place on the evening of Saturday, one in which the iftar had also been arranged. Included in the function were a few friends, who were not members of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The number of attendees was approximately 50. The preparations for catering to all those individuals was taken care of by the wife of Yasin Sahukhan, her mother, and her sister-in-law. His wife had embraced Islam at the age of 18, and despite her family being Christians, they were not prejudiced, and in fact stood shoulder to shoulder with her, and moreover, participated in the activities of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter.

The commencement of the function began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a brief talk by the president of the local chapter. Doctor Saeed Ahmad gave an effective talk over the next hour. And then, following the iftar and performing the Maghrib prayer, everyone gathered in a friendly atmosphere, a casual one, in which a casual exchange of conversations took place.

A Meeting with the Executive Committee

Once the general gathering was adjourned, the members of the Executive Committee gathered in a room. In lauding the efforts and activities of the members, Doctor Saeed Ahmad encouraged them to resolve to further make progress. He brought their attention to making monthly donations, both with their funds, and through the sacrifice of their time. The subject of the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters in London came up during the conversation, at which time the Executive Committee members expressed their own needs, and clarified that their circumstances did not permit them at that time to canvass the members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in Canada toward the goal of collecting funds for the Movement’s center in London.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s Impression of the Trip to Vancouver, Canada

Extensive discussions took place with the members of the chapter on various issues and subjects. May Allah make this meeting a historic one for our family mission in Canada. Amen.

He further writes:

Today I am preparing to return after a pleasant stay here. Yasin [Sahukhan] and his wife are the very models of devotion. They wish to accomplish a lot in a small period of time. They have been deeply influenced. Their children, and then the uncle of Yasin are in their own place the models of affection. In my room, there is a shirt, a necktie, a pair of socks, and a handkerchief, and they are so insistent that I take the gifts with me that there is no scope of refusing them. And then, in the end, the wife of Yasin brought US $50 and is insistent on giving them. When I tried to refuse, she became sorrowful, so I said that I would accept it as funds toward the London mission, and it would be the first contribution toward it, upon which she was gladdened.

San Francisco (California)

Now the time had arrived when attendees of the function of the Ahmadiyya Movement in San Francisco were streaming in. Doctor Saeed Ahmad was staying in the home office of Zafar Abdullah because the room in which he had previously stayed was now occupied by Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad and Tahira Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad. So as to make his stay a bit more comfortable, Doctor Saeed Ahmad had made a few rearrangements to the furniture of the office in which he was staying. A few guests were staying at the residence of Abdus Sattar. Among others also staying at the residence of Zafar Abdullah were Zubaida Muhammad Ahmad, Tariq Ahmad, and Zahid Saeed.

Farewell Friday

After his arrival, Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad once again, and in his own capacity, reached out to the members of the Fiji section and expressed his wish for everyone to gather together for the farewell Friday congregational prayer. They, in turn, promised to call back after mutual consultation. But that promise was not fulfilled. It was the thinking of Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad and Doctor Saeed Ahmad that if the Fiji faction became agreeable, then they would be able to make the other members—the other faction—amenable to attending. But that did not materialize. Anyhow, a community center hall was rented to host the Friday congregational prayer, one in which the congregational prayer was performed in the leadership of Doctor Saeed Ahmad.

Eid and Convention

The large hall of the community center had been rented for the whole day, and designated as the venue for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer in the morning, and for the evening function. Members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter of the USA had actively publicized this function, in particular, the arrival of Doctor Saeed Ahmad and his plans for addressing the gathering and invitation letters and Eid cards had been published. What follow are Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s impressions in this regard:

My arrival and the programs involving me have been publicized via the invitations and the Eid cards. I feel embarrassed. Oh Allah! These people who love me, my friends—they think so highly of me and have great expectations associated with me—may You bless me especially in this regard and help me Divinely.

All guests were taken to the hall on the morning of Eid Al-Fitr. Zafar Abdullah was welcoming all guests. Among them were a few who did not belong to the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter, newspaper representatives, and a lady representing the Department of Education.

What follow are the impressions of Doctor Saeed Ahmad regarding the Eid Al-Fitr prayer:

The hall of the community center is quite extensive. Two rows for the men and two rows for the women. I explained in English how the Eid Al-Fitr prayer would be performed, and then began the prayer itself. The microphone system was satisfactory. The spiritual satisfaction that was afforded by that gathering and the atmosphere—the takbiraat and the Quranic recitations—will perhaps be etched in my mind for years just to come. My own heart was extraordinarily influenced. As to the experience of others, only they can vouch for it. There was no mistake of any kind. I recited Surah Al-A’la, and Surah Al-Ghashiyah. Then I delivered the sermon. Most of it was read aloud. That with which I was blessed was, a flowing stream of the Mercy of the Divine, one which irrigated my heart, and which the White Americans listened to in particular among the audience with rapt atention, was evident.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad further writes:

Once the sermon had concluded, Zafar Abdullah impromptu introduced—and very aptly so—each and every individual during his speech. This was the first time that I was witnessing the commendable gift of articulation possessed by Zafar Abdullah. Zubaida and Tariq were introduced, after which he [Zafar Abdullah] made mention of Maulana Muhammad Ali. On the mention of Muhammad Ahmad, his voice was overcome by emotion and tearfulness. This extraordinary and strange Eid gathering occupies a historic place in my life, one whose pleasant impact will remain with me. I did not feel any fatigue whatsoever.

الحمدﷲ

All praise is for Allah.

Expected Meeting with Wallace D Muhammad Not Possible

A meeting with W D Muhammad in San Francisco was expected, and it was, in fact, with his convenience in mind that the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in the United States had allocated special time for that meeting during its program. But he grew unwell, and was unable to come. When Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad was in Chicago, Illinois, he had met W D Muhammad, following which he had called Doctor Saeed Ahmad to tell him that the meeting was an interesting one, and that W D Muhammad had liked the recommendation regarding the Ahmadiyya Movement translation of the Holy Quran, and had pledged his cooperation in that regard. and that when he would come to Oakland, California on the occasion of the Eid Al-Fitr, he would like to meet Doctor Saeed Ahmad. He made mention to the members of the chapter, of his telephone conversation with Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad, and sufficient time had been specially created in the programs to that end. The time of 5:00 PM had been designated. But the representative of W D Muhammad notified them that they would be arriving at 7:00 PM. So he designated the time between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM for meeting with the members. But he did not come at 7:00 PM either because he had suddenly become indisposed. So that meeting did not take place.

A Meeting with Members of the USA Chapter’s Executive Committee

Numerous matters were discussed during the meeting, in particular the program to publish the magazine The Islamic Review, translations of the Holy Quran, and the collection of forms. Moreover, additional progressive programs for upcoming years were brought into consideration. A detailed and constructive discussion took place, and several decisions were made. Abdullah Jan and Muhammad Ahmad were included in the Executive Committee.

Third Installment of the Convention — Appeal for Funds for the London Center

This session began after the Maghrib and Ishaa congregational prayers were performed. In this session, Doctor Saeed Ahmad made an appeal for funding the Ahmadiyya Movement’s Center in London. The number of attendees was only 18. Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

I had written down a lengthy speech and brought it with me. But I severely condensed it because of the lack of time. Moreover, my mind was in a state of fatigue at the time. After reciting the first few verses of Surah Taha—and to the extent that Allah granted me—I gave a talk to this small audience while remaining seated. Allah blessed my speech with power. The audience sensed the need for an Ahmadi Center in London, one that would be associated with the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters. I made an appeal for donations, mentioning that if we were able to collect sufficient funds for the down payment, then we would be in a position to purchase a good building for the Center in a good location. The cooperation of members would also be needed to make future payments on the loan installments: [My message, effectively, and in summary, was as follows.] Give top priority to the London Center and, along with it, keep an eye on your other programs. Exceeding our expectations, Noman Illahi Malik announced his pledge of $20,000 for the London Center and $50,000 for the translations of the Holy Quran.

ماشاء اللہ

It is as Allah Has wished

All attendees—men, women, and children—competed with one another and soon a sum of $35,000 had been collected. Doctor Saeed Ahmad had established the goal of $40,000, and was hopeful that this objective would be achieved. Allah the Most High fulfilled Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s wish even before his return to London.

Program for Recreation

Members of the local Ahmadiyya Movement chapter had designated the day following Eid Al-Fitr as a day of recreation for the guests. It was everyone’s insistence that Doctor Saeed Ahmad should accompany them. The children were at the forefront of the instigation. To honor their wishes, Doctor Saeed Ahmad agreed to accompany them. He writes:

The affection and camaraderie with which this day was spent in the midst of our religious group erased for a while all sensations related to the passage of time. I cannot recall such an Eid since my childhood, even though this was for me, as a traveler, an Eid [spent] far away from home.

An especially historic picnic in my lifetime was afforded to me. The road, most of which winds along the coastline was on the one side, and on the other side were magnificent, grand old buildings in the midst of forested areas. I said: “We will perform our prayer along the beach.”

So the place I had chosen, purely on the basis of an overflowing beneficence of the Divine, proved to be the best area. Many individuals had clustered together in small groups and were exploring the area. Assisted by a compass, we determined the direction of the qiblah, and spread on the ground a thick sheet of cloth, one which Zakia had brought in her car. We performed two travelers’ prayers as a congregation, which afforded us the spiritual experience of our hearts melting at the threshold of the Divine. I think that my companions—young and old—were [transported] into that same realm of devotional experience. On our right-hand side, the ocean, on our left-hand side, the cliffs and trees, soft and purely washed sand as a floor, the air unadulterated by any odor. The admixture of that pleasure as it had impinged and impressed itself on the heart remains to this day. During our prostrations, we also got the opportunity to pray for the recovery of Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad, who will be undergoing heart surgery in two days.

Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad is Hospitalized

The heart condition of Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad had been diagnosed in Chicago, and experts had recommended surgery. Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad and his family were considering two hospitals, one in Houston and the other in San Francisco. Both hospitals were contacted, and in fact, times for the surgery were scheduled in both. The scheduled time in the San Francisco hospital was two long weeks out, and the decision to choose one of the two hospitals had become difficult. Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad called Doctor Saeed Ahmad over the telephone and explained the situation, and requested him to pray in this regard. Moreover, he left the decision to Doctor Saeed Ahmad, who gave preference to the hospital in San Francisco, and asked Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad to devote those two weeks in the service of religious matters. Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad participated in all activities taking place in San Francisco related to the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter. At the time of the scheduled surgery, Doctor Saeed Ahmad accompanied him to the hospital. Doctor Saeed Ahmad has recorded his sentiments at the time as follows:

Since Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad had to be admitted into the hospital before 4:00 PM, we took our bag and immediately got into Zafar’s car. My sentiments were forming regarding the surgery as such, and I recalled the time of my own surgery, a time when I was in a state of great weakness, 2000 miles away from my home, in the province of Madras in a location called Madanapalli. I went to undergo the surgery. And my heart was filled with sympathy for my friend [Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad], and with a certain insistence, I got into the car along with him. He could not have understood my sentiments, and my accompanying him was not necessary anyway, and it proved to be of some inconvenience to him, but nonetheless, I accompanied him.

By the blessing of Allah the Most High, the surgery of Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad was successful. When Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to visit Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad, after two days, he found him satisfied and pleased. Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

We—Zafar, his wife and children, Masud, and I—as well as Noman Illahi Malik, along with his parents, reached the hospital. The nurse gave me permission to meet Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad. He was happy to see me. We discussed matters related to faith. He is very pleased, and says that he did not experience any pain, and that he is in good shape. My own heart was filled with gladness, and my eyes became watery with tears. Gaining control over my emotions with considerable difficulty, I said: “May Allah give you a long and healthy life to serve religion, and do virtuous deeds. This is the prayer that has been on my lips.” I added: “I want you to pledge that if you regain good health, then you will firstly be devoted to the service of religion, and only after that to this world‘s life.”

A Meeting with Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel

Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel who is the president of the group within the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter based in San Francisco which consisted of individuals who had migrated from Fiji, and which had seceded from the chapter. After arriving in San Francisco, Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad personally made efforts to contact him, and expressed his wish over the telephone for everyone to unite on the occasion of the farewell Friday, and to gather together for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer in the Ahmadiyya Movement mosque. Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel had promised to respond after consulting with others in his group, but a response had not been received from him, and not even a single individual from their group had joined the Eid Al-Fitr prayer or the function. At any rate, Doctor Saeed Ahmad considered it his duty to offer condolences on the death of the young son of Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel. 

So Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to his residence, where the members of the household displayed an attitude of marked indifference and carelessness toward him. Once Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel himself came, Doctor Saeed Ahmad explained the reason why he had come: It was unacceptable for Doctor Saeed Ahmad to be present in the same city and return without expressing his condolences on the irreparable and grievous death of his son. Doctor Saeed Ahmad also mentioned that he had been in constant touch via written correspondence with another prominent member of his group, and had also notified them of his arrival. But they had not responded even once. Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel began to feel some remorse and hang his head in embarrassment. Doctor Saeed Ahmad also made mention of the Eid Al-Fitr, the function, and the religious services and the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in San Francisco in connection with the Ahmadiyya Movement center in London. Although Maulvi Muhammad Jaleel remained silent throughout, he got up and went inside. When he returned, he gave a donation of $100 to Doctor Saeed Ahmad as donation toward the London Center, which Doctor Saeed Ahmad accepted with gratitude.

Mexico

Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to Mexico on August 6, 1981. Abdulla Saeed, Anjam Saeed, and their children were at all times eager to provide every comfort as well as their company to Doctor Saeed Ahmad, eagerly waiting on him.

Friday Congregational Prayers, and Ceremony on the Completion of the Holy Quran by the Children

On August 7, 1981, the family performed their Friday congregational prayer at home, and on the evening of the same day, both grandsons of Doctor Saeed Ahmad—Yahya Saeed and Muhammad Ali Saeed—completed their first reading of the Holy Quran in his presence. They had actually completed the Holy Quran a little while ago, but were awaiting Doctor Saeed Ahmad to recite from it in his presence, and for him to pray for them. He writes:

We performed a delayed Asr prayer, following which a time had been scheduled for Yahya and Muhammad Ali to complete their respective readings of the Holy Quran. Yahya recited the surahs beginning with Surah Al-Zilzal—beginning with the words below—and concluded with a recitation of Surah An-Nas:

اِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْاَرْضُ

When the earth is shaken (Holy Quran—99:1)

and Muhammad Ali recited the last 10 surahs of the Holy Quran. Yahya has completed a reading of it for a second time, and Muhammad Ali for the first time. After that, I prayed for them, and their parents gifted the two children with valuable wrist watches, and gave cash to Bina. They had been waiting for me for many days, for them to have the ceremony to mark the completion [of reading] the Holy Quran, and to receive their wrist watches. So that moment of happiness finally came this evening.

Donation for the London Center

Doctor Saeed Ahmad writes:

On this occasion—the completion of the Holy Quran by the two children—Anjam Saeed placed in my hand an envelope containing US $1,000. In addition to that, she gave me four valuable bangles, three of them as contribution toward the London Center, and one for a certain woman in difficult financial condition, saying that these were in response to my appeal for funds to finance the London Center. And the small shortage, in reaching the goal of $40,000 will, Allah willing, be covered by this donation.

جزاھم اﷲ و احسن الجزاء

May Allah reward them with the best reward.

Other Engagements

Zubaida Muhammad Ahmad and Tariq Ahmad also arrived in Mexico. This way, Doctor Saeed Ahmad was afforded the opportunity to spend some moments in the pleasant company of loved ones. Away from home, in the company of his darling son—Abdulla Saeed—and his children, Doctor Saeed Ahmad got heartfelt satisfaction from watching him and the children living successful and happy lives. In particular, he was deeply satisfied to watch the children, praying regularly as well as their defined conduct, qualities which he had always longed for.

Friends of Abdulla Saeed would often visit them at his residence. They, too, were immensely impressed by his personality, and would often converse with him on religious matters. Among them, Doctor Saeed Ahmad also met with a highly educated lady named Mrs. Waygard. She would sing the praises of Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s youngest son—Zahid Saeed—who had been of service to her during his brief stay in Mexico. Zahid Saeed had made Mrs. Waygard aware of his religious beliefs, and given as a gift to her, a copy of a book, published by the Ahmadiyya Movement, and titled Jesus in Heaven on Earth. Mrs. Waygard made mention of it during her conversation, and before leaving, presented to Doctor Saeed Ahmad the gift of two beautiful shawls for the two mothers of Zahid Saeed.

During his journey back, Doctor Saeed Ahmad again traveled to San Francisco, where he stayed briefly.

Grand Reception in San Francisco (California)

At the function, Zafar Abdullah made introductory welcome remarks, and then introduced Ms. Sally Lever, who had come to participate especially, from a location called Santa Cruz Fountain. She presented to Doctor Saeed Ahmad a donation in the form of a draft for $38,000, following which he gave a talk to the audience. What follows is and excerpt in this regard from his own writing:

In my preamble, I thanked Allah as well as the donors and the audience, and explained the reason for my selection of my talk’s topic—The Status of the Ahmadiyya Movement and the Services Rendered by the Lahore-based Ahmadiyya Movement—and also explained the reason for my visit. I clarified our Movement’s zeal and spirit—both integral parts—and felt the need to introduce the audience to the Ahmadiyya Movement and the services to Islam by Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters as well as to the Holy Quran. Most people are unaware of it, and often have misunderstandings about it. After that, I read the typed-up contents of my speech in a loud voice. The gathered people were listening silently, and with great intent. The African-American imams are highly impressed. At any rate, purely through the blessings of Allah and the effusiveness of His abundance of graciousness, another difficult task of mine was aided by His Unseen assistance, which made my task easy. How can I ever thank Him, in that I may be accepted in the ranks [of the following]?

لَاَزَیْدَنَّکُمْ

I will surely increase you.

After bidding farewell to friends in San Francisco, and while he was aboard the flight, Doctor Saeed Ahmad prayed for his host during this part of his journey. He writes:

I met everyone, one by one, giving them a hug. As to everyone who has been my benefactor—even the slightest degree—may Allah the Most High reward them, because I have nothing in my possession to give to them. Wherever I have traveled—San Francisco and its nearby cities, Mexico, Columbus (Ohio), London (Ohio), Oklahoma, Alexandria (Virginia), Maryland, etc.—friends and relatives have been extraordinarily loving and generous and devotional. At this time, I am aboard the flight that’s taking me to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)

It was to fulfill the heartfelt wish of his granddaughter Ameena that Doctor Saeed Ahmad graced her home by a visit. Moreover, he had received in those days the news of the passing away of the mother of Ameena’s father, Colonel Mahmood Shaukat. Thus, fulfilling the wish of Ameena as well as extending condolences had been on Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s mind: After making some adjustments to his travel itinerary, it became possible for him to spend a day in Philadelphia. The reward for this spirit of fulfilling his granddaughter’s wish, and of extending condolences, was rewarded by Allah the Most High in that the very next international flight that Doctor Saeed Ahmad was to take turned out to be a direct flight from Philadelphia to London. And in this way, instead of having to change planes—as he would have had to according to the original itinerary and the hassle of waiting in the airport moreover—he was instead able to reach London in an eminently expedient way.

A Meeting with Members of the Rabwah Jamaat in Philadelphia

Zaeem’s friend—he was also a dentist and belonged to the Rabwah Jamaat—had expressed the wish that he and his family wanted to meet Doctor Saeed Ahmad and on learning that Doctor Saeed Ahmad was visiting Ameena, and staying with them, they came over to meet him. There was no discussion involving the difference between the two groups of the Ahmadiyya Movement, the one based in Lahore, and the other in Rabwah. However, Doctor Saeed Ahmad found the opportunity during the discussion to express his thoughts on the services rendered by the Ahmadiyya Movement, as well as his status. He writes:

During our conversation, I got the opportunity—from time to time—to make clear the services rendered by our family and its status. These people view our work as inferior, and our own brethren in the Ahmadiyya Movement community themselves remain awed by their apparent numbers and their organizational prowess, and on the side of regarding themselves excessively inferior. There is no doubt that we faced difficulties, and we are acutely aware of the smallness of our numbers and of our resources—that is apparent to everyone. However, lack of resolve, the inertia of reluctance, and the adoption of a defeatist mentality is regrettable and harmful, too. May Allah save us from despondence, and may He set right for us our circumstances. These people spent about an hour or an hour and a half, and when they were about to leave—either out of habit or as a result of being impressed—all of them requested for me to pray for them. So I prayed for them. And I do so even now. May Allah the Most High have Mercy on them, as well as all those who ask me to pray for them, either out of their devotion to me or otherwise. And may He dispel their difficulties, inducting them into His righteous servants, and may He have mercy on all of us.

Arrival in London

Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived in London on August 21, 1981 and in the company of Muhammad Anwar, the imam of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London, went from the airport to meet Shahzad Sadiq, who was a friend of his son Abdulla Saeed. Shahzad Sadiq was waiting for him in the Ritz Hotel. Nearby was the bank where the sum of £1,000—Mian Fazl-e-Ahmad had entrusted it to Doctor Saeed—was to be withdrawn. After attending to these tasks, he traveled by train in the company of Muhammad Anwar to his residence and rested for a little while.

Historic Meeting in London

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London took place on the evening of August 23, 1981 at the residence of Muhammad Anwar. In that meeting, Doctor Saeed Ahmad shared the details of his travels and announced the donations made to the London Center. He writes:

Allah blessed me in giving a speech such as the impact of whose delivery was really the acceptance of the prayer with which I had begun my speech:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِیْ صَدْرِیْۙ۝۲۵ وَ یَسِّرْ لِیْۤ اَمْرِیْۙ۝۲۶ وَ احْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّنْ لِّسَانِیْۙ۝۲۷ یَفْقَهُوْا قَوْلِیْ

My Lord, expand my breast for me: 

And ease my affair for me:

And loose the knot from my tongue,

(That) they may understand my word.

(Holy Quran—20:25-28)

When I told them about the total sum of the donations—US$40,000—their faces became aglow with excitement.

سُبْحَانَ اﷲِ وَ بِحَمْدِہٖٖٖ سُبْحَانَ اللہِ الْعَظیْمِ

Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him. Glory be to Allah, the Almighty.

Shahid spontaneously remarked: “When I had learned that you had brought a substantial donation with you, I had thought that perhaps it would be as much as $10,000.” In short, expressions of spontaneous thankfulness were on everybody’s lips.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad further writes:

These friends had, during the past one week, surveyed numerous houses in various areas of the city. And the paperwork was in the hands of Jamila Khan. She put those down and remarked that the situation now was a completely changed one. We have been looking at houses with an estimated budget of $30,000 to $35,000 in mind. Now we will start a fresh search for a better house. Fairly extensive discussion, then took place on the location and type of homes as well as its accessibility, the temperaments and outlook of the people in the neighborhood, their ethnicity, etc., and everybody agreed on the principles of the decision. Also emphasized was the fact that we should be able to fulfill the objectives toward which we would be purchasing the house and we should gain all necessary approvals to make that happen. I have a recording of that discussion. Emphasis was placed on taking all precautions as would be humanly possible, and now we are placing our reliance and trust in Allah as far as the final selection is concerned. We should continue to beseech Allah, and everyone was asked at that time to collectively do so at that time. My eyes became wet with tears.

فَاِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا اَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا اَعْلَمُ وَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ

Thou hast power and I have not the power; and Thou knowest and I do not know; and Thou art the Great Knower of the secrets.

Arjumand Bano had prepared a formal tea, following which people left before the Maghrib prayer. I am immensely grateful to Mohammed Sakhee, the owner of this house, who had once again especially vacated for me the best room so that I may rest well and attend the meeting as well.

New Bank Account, and Printing Machine

A new bank account in the name of “AAIIL Lahore Centre and Mosque” was opened in the presence of Doctor Saeed Ahmad and the entire donation amount was deposited in that account. The stipulation was that funds could be withdrawn from that account, requiring the signatures of both Jamila Khan and Muhammad Anwar. And Doctor Saeed Ahmad was invested with the authority to withdraw funds on the basis of his signature alone. The manager of the bank promised that he would look into the details of the rules and regulations, and that he would try to get them on even better terms.

After attending to the task of the bank, Doctor Saeed Ahmad, along with other members of the Ahmadiyya Movement went to the residence of Aziz Ali, where the printing machine had been set up, and his daughter Farida had been designated to use it.

Search for a House

Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to the north London area to look at houses as a potential center for the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London. The area was attractive in every way. In addition to the station being nearby, most city conveniences were also present. But he did not find any house to be suitable enough from the point of view of the objectives that were before him. His personal opinion was that fundamental importance should be given to the most appropriate house in the most appropriate area of the city. And he strongly advised all members of the chapter to keep up with this principle as they continued to search for a home, and to continue their efforts in this regard until they find a house that is suitable from every aspect.

Journey Back Home

When Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived at the Karachi airport at 11:00 AM on August 28, 1981, Nisar Hussain, son of the late Badshah Sahib, was awaiting him. He held a senior position in the Customs Department. Apparently, his brother, Hamid Hussain Shah had notified him about the upcoming arrival of Doctor Saeed Ahmad. Doctor Saeed Ahmad often used to meet Hamid Hussain and Mahmood Hasan in London. The presence of Nisar Hussain at the airport was unexpected for Doctor Saeed Ahmad. Allah the Most High had, out of His special abundance of Mercy, created this convenience for Doctor Saeed Ahmad. The customs officer on duty, on seeing Nisar Hussain, moved forward and immediately stamped Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s baggage with the “Checked” stamp and said: “Out of respect for him [Nisar Hussain], we would even be willing to carry your baggage ourselves atop our heads.” That officer then pushed the baggage cart all the way himself. Mian Umar Farooq was waiting outside. Doctor Saeed Ahmad went with him to his residence. Following the Friday congregational prayer, Doctor Saeed Ahmad went to the residence of his son, Abdul Hayee Saeed.

The stay of Doctor Saeed Ahmad in Karachi was till September 2, 1981. Members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in Karachi had arranged a high tea for Doctor Saeed Ahmad. Other than that, Doctor Saeed Ahmad met with members of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter, with old friends, as well as acquaintances. Mahmood, son of his late, long-standing friend Seth Ishmael, waited on Doctor Saeed Ahmad at all times, eager to serve him. It was thus with great convenience that Doctor Saeed Ahmad was able to travel in his car to meet his relatives in far-flung areas of Karachi. Doctor Saeed Ahmad always remembered this gesture of affection and service and would pray for a great reward for him.

Arrival in Lahore

When Doctor Saeed Ahmad arrived at the Lahore Airport on September 2, 1981, the dozens of friends and relatives who had come to receive him witnessed a strange and serene satisfaction on his smiling face. This was the state of satisfaction and happiness—one with which his soul was suffused—and which was revealing the state of his heart. During the long journey, from which he was returning, he had witnessed such soul-enrapturing sights, and which were a source of immense satisfaction for him. He had witnessed the chapters abroad—in Europe, in the United States, in the West Indies, and in Canada—actively engaged in helping accomplish the objectives of the Ahmadiyya Movement. His eyes also saw that spectacle of great resolve and sacrifice, which was truly a glorious milestone right alongside the brilliant history of other milestones in the Ahmadiyya Movement history. At his request, a handful of individuals submitted and placed at his feet, as it were, extensive and exemplary sums of money, not in years or months or weeks or even days but in a few moments. The acquisition of a building for the center of the Ahmadiyya Movement chapter in London had now become a reality. Progress and development was taking place in the areas of the translations of the Holy Quran as well as the religious literature of the Movement. The results of Doctor Saeed Ahmad’s efforts over the past years were before everyone. And having returned to his homeland, he was sensing within himself a new resolve and a peaceful feeling.

Doctor Saeed Ahmad then arrived in Dar-us-Salam. After introductory meetings, everyone was eager—restless, really—to hear Doctor Saeed Ahmad tell them about the details of his journey and they were exhilarated about his return from his successful trip abroad. Soon after that, Doctor Saeed Ahmad got busy attending to matters of the Ahmadiyya Movement headquarters.