Intro
He was born on 19 June 1894 in Ludhiana to Hadhrat Master Qader Bakhsh and Basheerun Sahiba of Ludhiana, both of whom in 1892 had the honour of taking Bai’at (initiation) at the hands of the MGA. At birth, he was named Mian Rahim Baksh (or M. Rahim Baksh, see the ROR of January-1924 and March-1924). He was supposed to go to London in 1921 and relieve Fateh Muhammad Sayyal, however, this was cancelled abruptly, the ROR of Oct-1921 tells us the reason was financial embarrassment, however, we don’t know what that means.
In the summer of 1924, he accompanied the Khalifa on his tour of the British empire and stayed in the UK as the missionary-in-charge. He returned to India by 1928. In the Oct-1924 edition of the ROR, his name is listed as Maulvi Rahim Bakhsh Dard. It seems that his name was changed by the Khalifa when they were in London. In the November-1924 and January-1925 edition of the ROR, the name Dard appears. His second tour in the UK was from 1933 to 1938. He published the famous life of Ahmad from Pakistan in 1948. He died suddenly in 1955 from a heart attack (see the Al Fazl Daily, 18 December 1955). You can read the full entry about his life herein.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1890’s
Maulana Dard met MGA at the very young age of about five when he went with his father to the Promised Messiah ’s house – an encounter that he held close to his heart throughout his life. Maulana Dard undertook his primary education in Ludhiana, Lahore and Patiala.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1914
Allegedly, he graduated with a BA in Lahore in 1914 and then an MA followed by a BT. He also completed the ‘Civil Service’ exam in 1919 (although he never entered government service).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1915
Maulana Dard was married twice; once in December 1915 to Sara Begum, daughter of Mian Muhammad Ismail, and then to Maryam Begum (his first cousin) daughter of Hadhrat Mian Abdullah Sanauri in December 1917. On both occasions, he was blessed to have Hudhur perform the Nikah (Islamic marriage pronouncement ceremony). It is relevant to point out that this second marriage occurred due to the wish of the Promised Messiah expressed when Maulana Dard was young and which later was brought to the attention of Maulana Dard ’s father. He had 14 children, yet despite his extremely busy schedule that left almost no time for his family, Maulana Dard knew how to make his presence felt even when he was physically absent, often thousands of miles away. Whilst in London, he used to write to each of his 14 children regularly to keep up their spirits. This shows how conscious he was of his role as a father, husband as well as his role as a servant of the community.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 1917
The ROR of April-May-1917 contains an english translation by Dard. The article is written by unknown and is titled, “Ahmad’s Teachings to his Followers”.
The ROR of July-1917 reports an essay by him entitled, “The Need of Revelation”. His name is written as M. Rahim Baksh, M.A.. In it, he argues why revelation is needed.
Khutbah Ilhamiya has 12 pages translated into english in the ROR of Sep-1917, translated by M. Rahim Baksh (M.A.) aka Dard.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1919
After completing his studies in 1919 at the age of 25 in the holy citadel of Qadian, he devoted his entire life to God and became Waqif-e-Zindagi (i.e. a life devotee) and thus started a journey of one of the most illustrious services rendered in the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
The Mar-Apr-1919 edition of the ROR shows that he translated 8 pages of “A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam” into english. The Dec-1919 edition of the ROR tells the world that Mufti Muhammad Sadiq has been ordered by the Khalifa to go the USA. The essay or announcement is written by Rahim Baksh aka Dard.
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1920
He is at the 1920 Jalsa at Qadian, via the ROR of Jan-1921.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1921
Just two years later – at the age of just 26 – he held the post of ‘Post Officer’ (1920 – 1922), which may not sound like an important or senior post, but it certainly was, for it was during his period in this office that it was renamed as ‘Private Secretary’. So he had the distinction of being the very first person to hold the title of Private Secretary to a Khalifa.
You can see his essay’s in the ROR, see the Dec-1921 edition. The ROR of August-1921 reports that Maulawi Rahim Bakhsh, M.A., B.T. is about to be sent to London to relieve Fateh Muhammad Sayyal.
He was supposed to go to London in 1921 and relieve Fateh Muhammad Sayyal, however, this was cancelled abruptly, the ROR tells us the reason was financial embarrassment, however, we don’t know what that means.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1924
At birth, he was named Mian Rahim Baksh (or M. Rahim Baksh, see the ROR of January-1924 and March-1924). In the summer of 1924, he accompanied the Khalifa on his tour of the British empire and stayed in the UK as the missionary-in-charge. He returned to India by 1928. In the Oct-1924 edition of the ROR, his name is listed as Maulvi Rahim Bakhsh Dard. It seems that his name was changed by the Khalifa when they were in London. In the November-1924 and January-1925 edition of the ROR, the name Dard appears.
He travels with the Khalifa to London. The historic journey to London took them through many places including Damascus, Palestine and Egypt. They also visited Italy and France and finally reached England on 22 August 1924. The Conference on 23rd, September 1924 – at which Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan read out Hudhur’s speech ‘Ahmadiyyat, the True Islam’. It was during this visit, on the 19th of October, 1924 when Hudhur laid the foundation stone of the Fazl Mosque, the very first Mosque in London (also commonly known as the London Mosque) and appointed Maulana Dard as Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community UK. In this day and age where every modern facility is available this does not seem to be a major issue but it was a huge sacrifice to live thousands of miles away from home in a foreign land with meagre resources and without the modern communications we take for granted. Yet he bore this challenge with pride and he devoted his time to preaching, not only in the UK, but across Europe as well. He was phenomenally successful.
During his time, Maulana Dard oversaw the construction of the very first mosque in London that was opened in October 1926, and he had the honour of being appointed as its first Imam. The mosque has since played a critical role in the history of the Ahmadiyya community and indeed the wider world.
More on the name change, we have heard that this is due to an incident that took place many years later in early-1924 whilst on tour with Khalifatul Masih II in Dalhousie. At Dalhousie they received the good news that Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sial (the first Ahmadi missionary in England) had just acquired land for the construction of a mosque. A Jalsa of thanks was held at which Hudhur (Khalifatul Masih II) asked people to prepare and recite poetry. Hudhur was so impressed with Maulana Dard’s poetry that he said that he has turned out to be a hidden gem. The Mirza family always has their mullahs carry out their orders, since they know that they can trust these brainwashed mullahs. Maulana Abdur Raheem Dard is another such mullah.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1928
In 1928, he had already visited Damascus, Constantinople and Baghdad and during his second term he visited Spain, Albania, Holland, Belgium and Germany. All the time he was engaged in preaching to people he met whilst on travel.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1931
One of the key political roles played by Maulana Dard was in the All India Kashmir Committee. The origins of this committee lay in Hudhur’s concern for the plight of the Muslims of Kashmir and by 1931 the situation had deteriorated dramatically and Muslims were facing severe persecution at the hands of a tyrant Maharaja.
Hudhur was moved to bring together leading Muslims of India to help alleviate the suffering of Muslims in Kashmir and the All India Kashmir Committee was formed. At the recommendation of Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Hudhur was elected the first president of the committee and Hudhur appointed Dard sahib its first secretary.
When Hudhur was granted a meeting with the Viceroy of India at Shimla, Maulana Dard was with him. In Shimla he met with political leaders and ministers and they were so impressed with his knowledge and political acumen that this opened doors to further discussions and resulted in great progress in helping the Kashmiri Muslims.
A great attribute of Maulana Dard was that despite the fact the he was regularly meeting and mixing with the highest authorities he never let such matters get to him and always remained humble and clear of the purpose of his mission. Once, Hudhur sent him to Sri Nagar on behalf of the Kashmir Committee to independently assess the situation. The Ahrar (an organisation that was opposed to Muslims) found out about this visit and they alerted the Maharaja of Kashmir to this. The Maharaja sent a full delegation to meet Maulana Dard at the border and they insisted that he stayed at the palace as their official guest. However, Maulana Dard refused and never moved an inch from his mission so that his impartiality could not be called into question. Despite the strenuous attempts by the Maharaja’s representative, he remained firm and stayed in a houseboat instead. Such was his sense of duty and purpose of mind. It was such acts that won him acclaim and respect.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1933-1938
In 1933 (See ROR of May-1933), Maulana Dard was again appointed to England for a second term as Imam of The London Mosque. He is mentioned in the ROR of May-1933 as doing religious work in London.
He is also mentioned in the ROR of Aug-1933. Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif (Secretary and assistant imam of the London mosque wrote a report on Ahmadiyya in London on July 20th, 1933, this report was published in the ROR of Sep-1933. He mentioned how Dard gave a speech to many visitors, how Zafrullah Khan was there. Zafrullah Khan had been in England for about 3 months, (June, July, August) and would be travelling to Canada on behalf of the British Government and then to the USA.
Dard’s report of missionary activity is published in the ROR of Nov-1933. He claims to have given a lecture at the Dorking Rotary Club. He talked about MGA’s prophecies like Dowie, Lekh Ram, the Great European War (doomsday earthquake), the destruction of the Czar dynasty (Russia). He also mentioned how Ahmadi’s are persecuted and killed in Afghanistan, Maulvi Abdul Latif and a few others. Dard also claims that M.M. Ahmad (B.A.) had recently came to London.
The ROR of Dec-1933 has a report of missionary work by Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif (assistant imam of the London mosque) dated Oct-26-1933. He reports that Maulana Abdur Raheem Dard gave the Friday sermon. He then alleges that a Mr. and Mrs. Kween have accepted Ahmadiyya.
He also alleges that a South African man named Dr. Sullaiman’s (who was allegedly one of the most sincere Ahmadi’s of England) brother-in-law had converted to Ahmadiyya. He reports how Zafrullah Khan was in England and helping the Ahmadiyya mission. Maulvi Muhammad Yar Arif claims to have went to Hyde park and did some preaching.
Jinnah announced his plan to return to politics from an Ahmadi mosque in the UK
As we all know, Ahmadis were heavily involved in politics since at least 1889. Before that, MGA was favored in British-India, they dropped charged on MGA many times and always offered him a chair when he came to their court. here is a famous incident from the late 1890’s wherein MGA’s biggest critic and old friend wasn’t given a chair…whereas MGA was. It’s obvious, that Ahmadis were always favored by the British and used to shape the politics of the sub-continent.
Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (1978). Ahmadiyyat: the renaissance of Islam. Tabshir Publications. pp. 242–. He, therefore, directed Mr A. R. Dard, Imam of the London Mosque, to get in touch with Mr Jinnah and try to persuade … of 9 April 1933: There was a large gathering in the grounds of the mosque in Melrose Road, Wimbledon, where Mr Jinnah, ..
____________________________________________________________________________________________
1934
He is mentioned in the ROR of Jan-Feb-1934 in terms of an essay entitled, “Ahmadiyya Movement in Foreign Lands” (England). This is a series of letters that he wrote to Qadian. He mentions that someone has converted to Ahmadiyya from South Africa and 2 in England. The ROR also alleges that a young man named Abdul Aziz did lots of preaching and also mentions the assistant Imam at London, Muhammad Yar Arif. Zafrullah Khan was also there as well as Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad.
The ROR of June-1934 has an extensive report by Dard wherein he explains his missionary work in and around London. The ROR of June-1934 alleges that the Qadiani-Ahmadi missionary Maulana Abdur Raheem Dard had 2000 letters published and sent to Holland (Netherlands). Ironically, he sent birthday and new year greetings to many British politicians. Jinnah was invited to the latest Eid festival, all of this is reported by Dard. Zafrullah Khan is mentioned in terms of Kashmir and a situation therein. He wrote a book review in the ROR of July-1934. He is mentioned in the ROR of August-1934 as working in and around London. His work with Zafrullah Khan is mentioned in England. He has an essay in the ROR of Sep-Oct-1934 entitled, “The Claims of Islam”.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1935
In 1935, he started a newspaper while in London called “Muslim Times”, he attacked the Ahrar’s and the local British officials in the Punjab (See ROR of August-1935 also). In 1935, he wrote letters to British officials about the Ahrar situation (1934-1935)(See page 198/356). The ROR of Sep-1935 reports that Dard has a book for sale about hadith. He is also mentioned in the ROR of Nov-1935.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
1937
He is mentioned in the ROR of Apr-1937. It seems that he has recently published an Ahmadiyya Album.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1938
He returned to Qadian.
He has an essay in the ROR of March-1938 entitled, “The Islamic Caliphate”. He quotes 24:55.
He has an essay in the ROR of May-1938 entitled, “The Importance of Hadith”.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1939
He is mentioned in the ROR of Oct-Nov and Dec-1939, he seems to be writing his famous book, “Life of Ahmad” by Dard in pieces.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1941
He has an article in the ROR of Aug-1941 wherein he discusses MGA’s books of 1891 and opponents. Ghaznavi is mentioned, Maulvi Abdul Jabbar, Syed Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and Nazir Hussain were also mentioned.
The ROR of Oct-1941 mentions the son of the Khalifa, Mirza Khalil Ahmad as being barely 17. He had received a packet wherein the sender’s name was not given, he was in Dalhousie with his father (the 2nd Khalifa) and a huge entourage. He decided to ask Dard to ask his father (the 2nd Khalifa) for advice on the matter. They decided to give the package back to the postmaster and refuse acceptance. Mirza Khalil Ahmad was able to open the packet and look at the contents, and they were anti-British, he then showed his father (the 2nd Khalifa) and he saw the same and sent this to the Governor of the Punjab. Then the police showed up and asked Dard about speaking to Mirza Khalil Ahmad, wherein Dard refused, the 2nd Khalifa heard about it and agreed to let his son speak to the police. Mirza Khalil Ahmad spoke to the police and offered no answers. Dard then began arguing with the police and refusing to give them the packet. At this point, the police snatched the packet out of his hands. Mirza Nasir Ahmad was also there, as was Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad, both of these were called for a huge police brigade was enroute to the place wherein the 2nd Khalifa was staying. The ROR argues that Mirza Nasir Ahmad had studied for the BAR while at Oxford and was of the opinion that the police should leave ASAP. Mr. Slater, a sub-divisional magistrate of Dalhousie soon showed up to this scene. Its a lengthy entry.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1942
He has an essay in the ROR entitled, “Harut, Marut” and another one entitled, “The Bible Interpolated”. He also translated a Friday Sermon of the 2nd Khalifa into english, which was published in the Al-Fazl of June 5th, 1942.
He has an essay in the ROR of Dec-1942 entitled, “Stray Notes”.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1943
He has an essay in the ROR of Feb-1943 entitled, “The Islamic Method of Slaughter”.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1944
The ROR of March-1944 reports that Dard gave a speech in January of 1944 at Qadian during the announcement/claim of Musleh Maud.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1947
He moved to Lahore and later Rabwah with the Khalifa during partition.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1948
He famously publishes “Life of Ahmad”, which is the most comprehensive book on the life of MGA.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________1955
After having served the community for more than 40 years, Maulana Dard had earned many distinctions. On 7 December 1955 when Maulana Dard suffered a heart attack whilst working in his office, and within a few hours, at 2.30pm, he breathed his last. He was aged 61. On Friday 9th December, 1955 in his Friday Sermon, Khalifatul Masih II reflected on the life and times of Maulana Dard and paid glowing tributes to him in affectionate terms. So strong was the bond between Hudhur and his servant that as he delivered the sermon and recalled the services of Maulana Dard he had tears in his eyes.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________Links and Related Essays
https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/29299/1/10731394.pdf—“Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and the Construction of the Ahmadi Identity”
http://alhafeez.org/rashid/british-jewish/bjc_10a.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Kashmir_Committee
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/19/in-1929-the-ahmadiyya-khalifa-went-to-jammu-kashmir/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/29/who-is-shaikh-muhammad-ahmad-mazhar/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/24/who-is-shaikh-bashir-ahmad/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghulam_Ahmad_Ashai
Facebook to its moderators: Look out for phrase ‘Free Kashmir’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fazl-i-Hussain
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/csas/PDF/12_v33_1_18.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Kashmir_Committee
https://www.dawn.com/news/1069712
http://alhafeez.org/rashid/british-jewish/bjc_10a.htm
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/05/who-is-khwaja-jamal-ud-din/
Copland, Ian, “Islam and Political Mobilization in Kashmir, 1931-34”, which was published in an academic journal entitled: “PACIFIC AFFAIRS”, Vol. 54, No. 2 (Summer, 1981), pp. 228-259 (32 pages), Published by: Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2018/06/14/was-an-ahmadi-made-the-1st-president-of-azad-kashmir/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1931_Kashmir_agitation
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/05/the-origins-of-the-quit-kashmir-movement-1931-1947/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/06/29/ahmadiyya-places-of-worship-in-azad-kashmir-pakistan/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/03/11/are-there-really-10000-ahmadis-in-kashmir-india/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/06/28/ahmadiyya-in-kerala-india/
https://ahmadiyyamosques.blogspot.com/2013/03/ahmadiyya-mosque-rajauri-jammu-and.html
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2757363?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/11/05/the-origins-of-the-quit-kashmir-movement-1931-1947/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/06/29/ahmadiyya-places-of-worship-in-azad-kashmir-pakistan/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/03/11/are-there-really-10000-ahmadis-in-kashmir-india/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2019/06/28/ahmadiyya-in-kerala-india/
https://ahmadiyyamosques.blogspot.com/2013/03/ahmadiyya-mosque-rajauri-jammu-and.html
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2757363?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2018/06/14/was-an-ahmadi-made-the-1st-president-of-azad-kashmir/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1931_Kashmir_agitation
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