Intro
In 1858, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti was born (see Dard, page 816).
In the 1860’s, while MGA was forcibly living in exile in Sialkot, they never met in this era, however, MGA must have known some relatives of Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti. Maulvi Abdul Karim’s father was the Municipal Commissioner in the Sialkot Municipality, his name was Chaudhri Muhammad Sultan. Its quite possible that MGA’s father knew Abdul Karim’s father and they helped MGA get this job.
In the 1880’s, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti was a follower of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
In 1891, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti and his wife moves into MGA’s home. Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti, Amrohi and Noorudin become the imams of the mosques at Qadian. Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti’s young wife also seems to move in. He reads out MGA’s book, “ASMANI FAISALAH” in english as “The Heavenly Decree” at the first ever Jalsa Salana in Ahmadiyya history.
In 1896, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti delivers the famous lecture, “Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam“, however, Nooruddin is one of the judges.
In 1900, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti announces MGA’s prophethood and argues with Syed Muhammad Ahsan Amrohi about it (See ‘Haqiqatun Nubuwwat”, 1915). Also in 1900, a book was published entitled, “Life of the Promised Messiah” by Maulvi Abdul-Karim of Sialkot.
In 1902, Ahmadi biographers have written that Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti was slowly going blind. If you see his pictures from roughly 1900, he is wearing glasses, however, soon thereafter, all of his pictures show him to be wearing glasses, which are an indication that he had totally went blind by roughly 1902. He also admonished a wife of his and was rebuked by MGA (See Appendix Tohfah Golarhviyyah, [Arba‘in, no. 3, p. 38, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 17, p. 429 and Appendix Tohfah Golarhviyyah, p. 25](See Also, the 2009 online english edition of Tadhkirah).
In 1902, a letter by Maulvi Abdul Karim is reproduced by the editor (Maulvi Muhammad Ali) of the ROR-Aug-1902 (see pages 306-336). The title/heading of the letter is given as “Muslim Resuscitation and The Means By Which It Can Be Brought Out”. This is a letter, which was written to the “Nudwat ul Ulema”, this was in response to their invitation to MGA to attend their annual Jalsa at Calcutta (Dec-1902). Maulvi Abdul Karim starts off with saying that he is looking out for Muslims and their welfare and yearns for Islam to dominate once again. Maulvi Abdul Karim gives a long speech and then finally says Muhammad (saw) is the best example of morals. He then presents MGA as the second coming of Muhammad (Saw)(naozobillah) and as a unifier for the Muslims in India. Maulvi Abdul Karim was critical of the Mutazalite‘s, and Sir Syed and his Aligarh College and that entire thrust of modernism and mixing it with Islam. Maulvi Abdul Karim then poses a question to the “Nudwat ul Ulema”, he asks as to who is the “perfect manifestation of the glory and attributes” of Muhammad (saw), Maulvi Abdul Karim then poses another question: “Who is it that claims to be Baruz? (representing the spiritual appearance) of the Great Arabian Prophet” (this is implying that MGA is the Baruz)(note by AFCB). Maulvi Abdul Karim then asks the “Nudwat ul Ulema” to point to anyone else that they had in mind who could fit as the 2nd coming of Muhammad (saw)(nauzobillah)(see page 321). Maulvi Abdul Karim then gives a long speech on the objectives of the “Nudwat ul Ulema”. On page 328, Maulvi Abdul Karim tells how (and laments) all Muslims, from the Ahl-e-Hadith to the “Naichri” (the English word ‘nature’ pronounced like a desi)(Sir Syed type of Muslims) believe that prophethood has finished. Maulvi Abdul Karim does describe other means of communication by Allah and he could mean the good dreams (which are 1/46th of prophethood) and seems to be implying MGA’s prophethood. Maulvi Abdul Karim criticizes the “Nudwat ul Ulema” and says that they keep trying to unite Muslims and will never achieve that. Maulvi Abdul Karim mentions Dowie and calls him a crazy old man. On page 330, Maulvi Abdul Karim presents the common Ahmadi argument that since Islam is a living religion, and thus, that must also mean that Allah is still speaking and via miracles and signs. Maulvi Abdul Karim then argues that any religion that is devoid of Allah’s speech should be laughed at. Maulvi Abdul Karim then argues that it’s sad that the Jews were blessed with so many prophets, but not in Islam. On page 332, Maulvi Abdul Karim argued that the previous Jalsa failed. Maulvi Abdul Karim the quotes 62:3 and presents MGA as someone who fulfills this so-called prophecy and as the second coming of Muhammad (saw)(naozobillah). On page 333, Maulvi Abdul Karim writes:
“””In other words, the wise and knowing God has raised Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian with the same spirit and power, the same blessings and favors and the same miracles, with which he raised the Holy Prophet. Since the same and even greater evils and corruption had appeared in the world, and the same teachings, the same sanctifying power, the same heavenly blessings, the same miracles, supernatural signs and grand prophecies were needed as at the time of the Holy Prophet, therefore, the God of jealousy and power has sent his true representative and perfect manifestation who has annihilated his own self in obedience to his Holy Master and tries day and night to re-establish his honor, glory and greatness, and he has given the same power and magnetism that the whole world may be replenished…..”
In 1904, Lecture Sialkot was delivered by Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti.
In 1905 (Mar), Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti found out that 90% of his village were dead from plague and decided to travel there and try to get his uncle to convert to Ahmadiyya, however, he failed (Via Malfuzat-7, pages 126-127, Al-Badr, vol. 4, no. 7, p. 2, dated 5 March 1905; al-Hakam, vol. 9, no. 8, p. 7, dated 10 March 1905).
In 1905 (Apr), after returning from a village raging with the plague, the illness of Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti began. MGA got a sample of his urine and was concerned (See Malfuzat-7, pages 158-160, via Al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 6, dated 6 April 1905).
In 1905 (Apr), MGA keeps praying for the recovery of Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti (See Malfuzat-7, page 161, via Al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 6, dated 6 April 1905)(Via Malfuzat-7, page 181, Badr, vol. 1, no. 3, p. 2, dated 20 April 1905).
In 1905 (Apr), Ahmadiyya sources report that Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti has frequent urinations for the past 2-3 days. MGA comments on this and admits to also suffering from the same condition (sporadically in the past). MGA is surprised that Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti has been coming to prayers. Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti admitted to be almost fainting (Via Malfuzat-7, page 158-161), via Al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 6, dated 6 April 1905). MGA then gave him medicine. The ailment of Maulawi ‘Abdul-Karim was mentioned. MGA addressed him and said, ‘I have prayed for you so much that it has no limits.’
In 1905 (May), Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti’s was in Qadian and visited her son before he died (See Via Malfuzat-7, page 225).
In 1905 (July), Maulvi Abdul Karim is mentioned in Ahmadiyya newspapers (See Malfuzat-7, page 259-260, via Al-Hakam, vol. 9, no. 27, p. 3, dated 31 July 1905). Also in 1905 (July), Maulawi ‘Abdul-Karim was writing on behalf of MGA (Via Malfuzat-7, page 250, 27 July 1905 issue of Badr). Also in July-1905, Maulawi ‘Abdul-Karim narrated a dream that he felt as if his clothes had caught fire but when he poured water on them, the clothes came out completely safe as if the heat had not reached it at all. The father of Maulawi Sahib is sick. The Promised Messiah as said: ‘This indicates that he [his father] will get well (See Malfuzat-7, page 248,via
al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 16, p. 3, dated 20 July 1905).
In 1905 (Aug), Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti fell ill due to diabetes and excessive urination. On 12 August he developed an abscess on his back between two shoulders which converted into a large carbuncle causing him severe pain. Dr. Khalifa Rashiduddin, Dr. Mirza Yaqub Baig and Dr. Muhammad Hussain Surgeon Medical Hospital Lahore conducted surgery on his carbuncle which could not succeed and his condition further deteriorated. He got infection in his teeth and his gums start bleeding. Then he hit a wooden window door in his head resulting into profuse bleeding (See Ref.Seerat e Masih e Moud Vol-2 pages 190 onward by Yaqub Ali Irfani, and Tareekh Ahmadiat Vol-3 pages 417 onward by Dost Muhammad Shahid). MGA provided every medicine and food to him during his sickness. He spent too much money for his treatment. He liked cold water and drinks, so two mound’s of Ice were brought from Batala for him and equal quantity more was ordered before it is fully consumed. All kinds of fresh fruit like melons, grapes and pomegranate were made available to him. Three or four male chickens were slaughtered daily for preparing soup for him beside one Jug full of mutton soup was given to him to overcome weakness and for fast digestion as a light food. A request was made to MGA that Molvi sb may be given imported beef Juice made of Wythe Company England. So MGAQ arranged the said beef juice for Molvi Abdul Karim. In order to perform surgery on his carbuncle, chloroform, local anaesthesia, and most modern surgical equipments were brought to Qadian which were not even available at good hospitals at that time. Although MGAQ took great care of Molvi Abdul Karim and spent lot of money for his cure, yet he did not come to see him fearing his disease might be contagious. Molvi Abdul Karim would remember him when he was in severe pain. So He would scream demanding his family to take him to Mirza Ghulam Qadiani. He often cry and scream saying to take him to Mirza sb I want to see him. One day in a state of semi consciousness, he said to his wife to go to Mirza sb and tell him that I have died plz come to me and show me your face from a distance. His wife went downstair and told Mirza sb of the request of Molvi Abdul Karim Finding MGAQ in hesitation, Nusrat Jehan interfered and said to Mirza, why don’t you go to him when he is in so much pain and wanted to see you. Mirza said you know I might fall ill if I see him in a condition like this. After much persuasion by Nusrat Jehan Mirza sb agreed to go to him. He put his turban in the head and got ready to ascend on to the stairs. Wife of Molvi Abdul Karim quickly went upstairs to tell Abdul Karim that Mirza is coming to see you. But once she told him of his arrival he admonished her as to why did you put him in botheration. She said you requested for it. He said he did not mean it, was just telling the condition of his heart. Now you go and ask him not to bother yourself because he knows the reason why he does not come to him. So she ran back and told Mirza sb of the new instructions of her husband. Hesitant MGAQ went back half way.
In 1905 (Sep), Mufti Muhammad Sadiq and Dr. Mirza Yaqub Baig allege to have dreams about the recovery of Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti (See Malfuzat-7, pages 369-370, Badr, vol. 1, no. 26, p. 2, 3, dated 29 September 1905).
In 1905 (Sep), MGA keeps asserting that Maulvi Abdul Karim will survive (See Malfuzat-7, page 335-336, via al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 23, p. 2, dated 7 September 1905; al-Hakam, vol. 9, no. 32, p. 3, dated 10 September 1905).
In 1905 (Oct), the illness of Hadrat Makhdumul-Millat [the leader of the nation—Maulawi ‘Abdul-Karim of Sialkot] was mentioned. A respected elder made the observation during the course of the discussion that some practitioners of mesmerism claim that they can shift the disease from one part to another by their focused attention (See Malfuzat-7, pages 381-382, via Al-Hakam, vol. 9, no. 35, p. 4, 5, dated 10 October 1905).
In 1905 (Oct), he died on Oct. 11th, 1905 (see English ROR, November-1905 pages 446-447). An Ahmadi scholar tells us how much Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti suffered and then eventually died in MGA’s house. While on his death-bed, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti busted his head open and required an additional surgery. He left his widow behind, they didn’t seem to have any children. Furthermore, in 2019, an Ahmadi mullah, Irshad Malhi tells us that Maulvi Abdul Karim was in the hospital and was suffering from hydrophobia as well (the Ahmadi mullah gave no reference). MGA admonished Ahmadi’s and said that excessively mourning Maulawi ‘Abdul-Karim’s passing is a sort of idolatry since someone who is excessively loved or whose loss is excessively mourned falls within those deemed worthy of worship. God calls one, and another is put in his place. He is All-Powerful and Self-Sufficient (See Malfuzat-8, pages 11-12, via al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 28, p. 2, dated 13 October 1905). At page No 125 of his book Zikr e Habib, Mufti Sadiq Qadiani writes that When Molvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti died, his body was brought to the ground and kept for funeral prayer. His face was uncovered so that people might see him for the last time. Hazrat Masih e Moud (Mirza) came to lead the funeral prayer. Huzur (MGAQ) said his face may be covered I can,t see him.
On Dec-26-1905, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti’s coffin was dug out and he was re-buried in Bahishti Maqbara (See Via Malfuzat-8, page 251,via al-Badr, vol. 1, no. 41, p. 2, dated 29 December 1905).
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