Intro
Shaikh Yacub Ali Irfani, also spelled as Sheikh Yakoob Ali Irfanee (And also known as Shaikh Yaqub Ali Torab) was an Ahmadi who worked as a major confidant and was on MGA’s team of writers/editors/imams.
In 1886, Yacub Ali Irfani seems to have been a student/assistant of Noorudin while he was in Jammu as early as 1886. Irfani wrote a note in a letter of Noorudin about a potential marriage between MGA and Noorudin’s pre-teen daughter.
In 1887, Ahmadiyya sources allege that the young Yaqub Ali Irfani had seen Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya in 1887 through Maulvi Ghulam Mohiyuddin Sahib – his teacher and headmaster at the Vernacular Middle School (See Maktubat-e-Ahmad, 2008, Vol. 2, p. 499).
In 1889, Yakoob Ali Irfanee is present at the very first Bait ceremony in Ludhiana but doesn’t take bait with MGA.
In 1892 (Feb), Yakoob Ali Irfanee did bait with MGA.
In 1893, “Yakub Ali, Sheikh, Torab, son of Sheikh Muhammad Ali passed his Entrance Examination as a private student. His father was a subordinate teacher in the Adampur Vernacular Middle School.
In 1894, he began work as Editor in Amritsar of the Riaz-i-Hind, Feroz, Ahluwalia Gazette, Jahan Numa and Punjab.
In 1896, Yacub Ali Irfani is NOT mentioned in the famous list of 313 Ahmadi’s. In 1896 he was selected as a special Police Officer to supervise Muharram arrangements.
In 1897, he was he was named as the main editor of Al-Hakam and then wrote many early biographies on Ahmadiyya. He seems to have lived near the house of MGA, his location is unknown (See Dard, page 563).
In 1900, MGA mentioned Sheikh Yaqub ‘Ali in his book (see Arba’in, online English edition, page 69).
In 1901, Ahmadiyya sources allege that Shaikh Ya‘qub Ali, Qadian gave money for the building of the minaret in Qadian (See Dard, page 856). He was also a worker in and around Qadian (see Dard, page 818).
In 1901 (Jul), Ahmadiyya sources allege that MGA was summoned as a defence witness; so
he left Qadian in a ‘feenis’ (a covered seat fixed on two long poles carried on shoulders by four men) at about 7 a.m. on July 15th, 1901. Maulawi Nur-ud Din, Sh. Ya‘qub Ali and other friends got into ekkas to go to Gurdaspur via Batala; while MGA went direct and reached there at about 3 p.m. As requested by Maulawi Muhammad Ali the party stayed at the house of his father-in-law, Munshi Nabi Bakhsh. Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din came from Peshawar in the evening. It was very hot and MGA was not feeling very well, so he could not sleep the whole night (See Dard, page 702).
In 1905, in the Al-Hakam of July-17-1905 (vol. 9, no. 25, p. 10, 11, Malfuzat-7, English, pages 525-529), the editor (Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani) posted a page from an old notebook wherein MGA had written some comments about Buruz. At 45:22, Bro Imtiaz explains how MGA said that the reality of Buruz was opened (like a secret) to MGA. At 49:33, Bro Imtiaz explains how MGA said the concept of Buruz was a secret that was written in the Injil (Gospel).
In 1905-1906, Irfani personally took Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s eldest grandson to Masjid Mubarak and Mirza Aziz Ahmad did MGA’s bait.
In 1908, when MGA died, he was in Qadian.
In 1909 (Dec), he held meetings in Qadian in support of Khilafat (see page 246), he attended the famous meeting on Dec-31-1909 and was forced to renew his bait to Maulvi Nur ud Din.
In 1911 (Aug, via the Al Hakam of 7 and 14 August 1911, Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani wrote vs. Khawaja Kamaluddin after the Khawaja had given a lecture at Aligarh on 29 June 1911, titled Muslim yunivarsiti aur us ka Islami pehlu (“The Muslim University and its Islamic Aspect”), Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din Sahib echoed sentiments of unity, but his rhetoric compromised the distinct teachings of the Promised Messiah.
In 1912, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad with his companions during their visit of different religious institutions of India, Lucknow, April 1912. Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani is seen seated on Huzoor’s right. He also launched the newspaper Ahmadi Khatun in 1912, which lasted for a few years but later was closed.
In 1912, he was for some time [a] translator in the Paisa Akhbar Office. Age 36 years” (See National Archives of India, Home Department, Political, 1912).
In 1914 (Mar), when Nur ud Din died, he stayed in Qadian and supported the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa.
In 1914 (Dec), he was at the 1914 Jalsa at Qadian and even gave a speech.
In 1915, Yacub Ali Irfani wrote 4 historic books in 1915, Sirat-ul-Nabi, Sirat Ahmad, Hyat-e-Ahmad and Sirat Masih Maoud (See Mujadid e Azam by Dr. Basharat Ahmad, the preface). We have found a scan from Hyat-e-Ahmad which indicates that mga was born in 1839 (See in the below). The Khalifa began to officially change this date in 1916 or so.
In 1917, he was working as an assistant secretary of the Sadr Anjuman at Qadian (See ROR of Jan-1918). He also wrote a biography on the wife of MGA, Nusrat Jehan Begum. The year of his death is unknown.
In 1918, he wrote another biographical entry by a toilet attendant of MGA, Mir Hamid Shah.
In 1920, the Aug-Sep-1920 edition of the ROR tells us that the Ahmadiyya Movement has purchased a plot of land wherein housing for missionaries and a small temple could be built. Ahmadiyya sources alleged, that in early 1920, announcements were made to collect funds for a mosque in London. The Ahmadi community in Qadian raised 12,000 rupees. Unlike others, we didn’t plead with the government for funds but came together ourselves. By August 1920, a piece of land and a building were bought for £2,223 (30,000 rupees) in Southfields, London. Today, we’re sharing a rare image of 63 Melrose Road, the mission house before and during the early years of the Fazl Mosque. The building no longer exists, but this photo captures (from right to left): Chaudhry Ali Muhammad, Abdur Raheem Dard, and Yaqub Ali Irfani in front of it.
In 1924, he accompanied the Khalifa on his tour of Europe.
In 1927, he writes a biography on the father in law of MGA, Mir Nasir Nawab, this is wherein MGA blurts out to the effect that he has cholera. After this was published, it was a shocker, Ahmadiya leadership ordered a 2nd edition be published and they erased the relevant sentences. In 1927, Yaqub Ali Irfani, a prominent & devout companion of the Promised Messiah performed the pilgrimage of Hajj. During his stay in Makkah, he also had the opportunity to meet with Sultan Ibn Saud, who was the king of Hijaz. Ahmadiyya sources admit that the King knew that Irfani was a Qadiani-Ahmadi and still allowed him to perform the Hajj.
In 1929, he gave a speech at the 1929 Jalsa at Qadian.
In 1939, Mahmud Ali Irfani, son of Yaqub Ali Irfani, crafted a stunning world map to commemorate two monumental milestones: the Golden Jubilee—50 years of the Ahmadiyya Community—and the Silver Jubilee—25 years of Musleh-e-Maud’s Khilafat. A Global Legacy: This map, recently rediscovered by the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre, beautifully captures the global presence of the Ahmadiyya Community, marking its remarkable journey of faith and unity across the world. Explore More: Want to see more treasures like this? Visit the Ahmadiyya Museum at http://ahmadiyyamuseum.artsteps.com for a journey through history!
In 1940, he is mentioned in the ROR of Jan-1940 (via “Truth About the Split”).
In 1942, he is mentioned in the ROR of Oct-1942 by Mirza Aziz Ahmad. Mirza Aziz Ahmad alleges that he went to the school in Qadian which had Sheikh Yakoob Ali Irfanee and Hakeem Muftee Fazlur Rahman as instructors (is this the Talim ul Islam High School?).
In 1943, his son (Mahmud Ahmad Irfani) wrote a book entitled, “Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Movement” and it was reviewed by the ROR of May-1943. Mahmud Ahmad Irfani is listed as the current editor of the Al-Hakam.
In 1970, the Muslim Sunrise of Oct-Nov-1970 was edited by Maulvi A.R. Khan Bengali. The magazine reports on the World Conference of Religion and Peace that was held in Kyoto, Japan on Oct 16-21, 1970. Major Abdul Hamid and Zafrullah Khan were there and represented Ahmadiyya. The newspaper also reports on the tour of West Africa by the 3rd Khalifa (on April 27th, 1970)(Mirza Nasir Ahmad) and how visited Abidjan, Ivory Coast. A lecture by the 2nd Khalifa on May-29-1922 is reproduced. The same lecture by Mirza Mubarak Ahmad is continued, in this write up, Seth Ghulam Nabi is mentioned, Maulvi Abdul Karim and his book, “Sirat Masih-e-Maud”. Munshi Zafar Ahmad of Kapurthala is also quoted, a book named “Ashab-e-Ahmad” is quoted. Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani is also quoted via his book “Shamail Hazrat Masih e Maoud”, he quoted Lalah Sharampat of Qadian and Lala Malawamal, Mirza Bashir Ahmad alleges that Lala Malawama lived to be over 100. The story of Dr. Henry Martyn Clark is also given , as well as the role of Captain Douglas in the case. Muhammad Hussain Batalvi is also quoted. 4 Ahmadiyya locations are given out, the Dayton Mosque-temple at 637 Randolph St, Dayton, Ohio, the Fazl Mosque, 2141 Leroy Place, Washington D.C., the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Chicago, IL, on Wabash Ave and an Ahmadiyya mission in NY, on 147-20 Archer Ave, Jamaica-Queens.

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