Maulawi Muhammad Ali Leaves Qadian

Truth About the Split

Later events show that the suspicions of my friends were well founded. Maulawi Muhammad Ali’s departure from Qadian was a departure for good, and what he had said to me was simply an excuse with nothing sincere about it. The books and other things which he had taken away with him, he refused to return in spite of repeated requests. Now so long as his name continues to be remembered the odium of this misappropriation will remain associated with him. A man who could take away books and other articles on trust for a few months and then refuse to return them could not be the leader of any community much less the leader of a Muslim community.

With the departure of Maulawi Muhammad Ali from Qadian, Lahore became the new Madinatul Masih (the City of the Messiah). The question naturally occurred to many, whether Maulawi Muhammad Ali was himself the Messiah. Because so long as he was in Qadian, Qadian remained the Madinatul Masih. But as soon as he withdrew to Lahore, Lahore became the Madinatul Masih. True, a certain distinction now fell to the share of Lahore, and thus was fulfilled one of the wishes of the promoters of the Paigham-e-Sulh which had found inadvertent expression in its issue of March 10 in the following words: "At any rate, the death of the Promised Messiah (as) in this city ought to bring to Lahore some distinction". Shrewd students of human motives will perceive and enjoy the pathetic humour of these few words in which are packed a mass of ambition, desire, longing and hope.

No sooner was Maulawi Muhammad Ali installed at Lahore than the opposition received an added impetus. The incident of the children’s threat to pelt him came soon to assume the form that "some children threw stones at Maulawi Muhammad Ali, but…God be thanked they did not hurt him". A little later that "some children threw stones at him but God be thanked that his eyes were not hurt". Then, the story underwent a further elaboration, and took the form that "the people of Qadian threw stones." Then that "his life was not safe among the people of Qadian, inasmuch as a beginning had been made by them by throwing stones at him". The last version was one given by Maulawi Muhammad Ali himself before a number of people at Amritsar.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali left Qadian, and it was thought that with his departure would go down the sun of Qadian’s prosperity, and dissolution would set in the centre established by the Promised Messiah (as).

Maulawi Muhammad Ali left Qadian, and it was thought that no trace would now be left of Islam in this place. Mirza Ya‘qub Baig remarked referring to the Ta‘limul Islam High School at Qadian that now that they were going, not ten years would pass before the place would be captured by the Christian missionaries.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali left Qadian, and it was thought that the moving spirit of the place had departed. It began to be remarked publicly that there remained no capable person at Qadian, that not many days would pass before all activities of the place would come to an end.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali left Qadian, and it was thought that with him all blessings had left the place. It was openly asserted that contributions would cease, the people would begin to starve, and would then come to their senses.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali left Qadian, and it was thought that with his departure had vanished the integrity of the Qadian headquarters. For, it was given out that all funds would now be appropriated by the Khalifa, and would be lost to the Community.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali departed from Qadian, and it was thought that with his departure, death would come over Islam in Qadian. For, it began to be feared that open disregard would now be shown to the commandments of Islam, the Ahmadiyya Movement would be brought to ruin and there would be no one to prevent the disaster.

Maulawi Muhammad Ali departed from Qadian, and the Muhajirin of Qadian at once changed places with the unbelievers of Mecca, for it was prophesied that in ten years time Maulawi Muhammad Ali would come back with his friends, and enter the place victoriously like the Holy Prophet (sa) in pomp and power.