Hakeem Noor-ud-Din

Khalifatul Masih I
Leader of the Faithful
(Amir al-Mu'minin)

Khalifatul Masih I circa 1878
Reign 27 May 1908 – 13 March 1914
Predecessor Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Successor Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad
Born 8 January 1841
Bhera, Sikh Empire
Died 13 March 1914(1914-03-13) (aged 73)
Qadian, Punjab, British India
Burial Bahishti Maqbara, Qadian, India
Spouses
  • Fatima Sahiba
  • Sughra Begum
Issue 7 children
Full name
Al-Hajj Maulana Hafiz Hakim Noor-ud-Din
Father Haafiz Ghulam Rasool[1]
Mother Noor Bakht
Signature

Hakīm Noor-ud-Dīn (Arabic: الحاج مولانا حافظ حکیم نور الدین‎) (c. 1841 – March 13, 1914) was a close companion of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, and was elected as his first successor on May 27, 1908, a day after his death, becoming Khalifatul Masih I (خليفة المسيح الأول, khalīfatul masīh al-awwal), head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was a renowned physician, and was also an active writer, theologian, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew.

Royal Physician to the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir for many years, his extensive travels included a long stay in the cities of Mecca and Medina in pursuit of religious knowledge. His lectures on Quranic exegesis and Hadith were one of the main attractions for visitors to Qadian after Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. His sermons and other discourses have been collected into a four volume exegesis called Haqaiq al-Furqan. Many prominent leaders were his students, including Mirza Mahmood Ahmad (Second Caliph) who wrote Tafsir-e-Kabir and Tafsir-e-Saghir, as well as Maulvi Muhammad Ali and Maulvi Sher Ali, who were among the earliest translators of the Quran into English and commentators of the Quran. He is known for his rebuttals to objections and criticisms raised by Christians and the Arya Samaj against Islam. Mawlana Noor-ud-Din was the first person to give bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. After Ghulam Ahmad's death, he was unanimously chosen as his successor and is credited for maintaining unity within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community after the death of its founder.

Family

Hakeem Noor-ud-Din was the youngest of seven brothers and two sisters and the 34th direct lineal male descent of Umar Ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam .[2] The forebearers of Maulana Noor-ud-Deen, on migration from Medina settled down in Balkh and became rulers of Kabul and Ghazni. During the attack of Genghis Khan, his ancestors migrated from Kabul and first settled near Multan and then finally at Bhera. Among his forefathers were a number of saints who taught Islam and claimed a proud privilege of heading a chain of descendants who had memorized the Holy Qur'an by heart. His earlier eleven generations shared this distinction. His ancestors had a great love and fascination for the Holy Qur'an. Among the ancestors of Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen, there were saints and scholars of high repute. Sultans, Sufiis, Qazis and martyrs were all among his ancestors who once enjoyed an important place in Muslim World. The family members of his tribe are still known as Sahibzada. In Bhera (his birthplace), his family was accorded a high degree of respect from the beginning.[3]

Early years and education

Nooruddin considered his mother, Noor Bakht, to be his first teacher. He used to say that he was fed love of Quran through his mother's milk. He went to a local school for his early education. His father Hafiz Ghulam Rasul, a devoted Muslim and parent placed great emphasis on his children's education. Nooruddin recalled his father's love for knowledge, a fact which is recorded by his official biographer, Abdul Qadir Saudagar Mal.[4]

My father had great interest in education of his children. There was a Hindu scholar named Madan Chand who contracted leprosy. People made him a home away from town. My father sent my brother to him to study. People asked, why are you destroying the life of such a handsome boy? My father replied, If after gaining as much knowledge as Madan Chand, he becomes a leper, I will not mind that. You should be such a father to your children. If he (my father) was alive today, he would have sent me to America (for studies).

He spoke Punjabi as his mother tongue, but after hearing a soldier speaking Urdu, he fell in love with language and learnt it by reading Shah Waliullah's books.[4] this statement seems to be wrong as none of Shah waliullah's books were written in urdu further there exist no proof of any authenticity of any urdu translations of Shah Waliullah's writings at that time.

Nooruddin's eldest brother, Sultan Ahmad, was a learned person who owned a printing press in Lahore. Once when Nooruddeen was 12 years old, he accompanied his brother to Lahore, where he fell ill and was successfully treated by Hakeem Ghulam Dastgir of Said Mitha. Impressed by his manner and his renown, Nooruddeen became eager to study medicine; but his brother persuaded him to study Persian and arranged for him to be taught by a famous Persian]] teacher, Munshi Muhammad Qasim Kashmiri.

Nooruddin learnt his Persian in Lahore, where he stayed for two years. His brother then taught him basic Arabic. In 1857 a traveling bookseller came to Bhera from Calcutta. He urged Nooruddin to learn the translation of the Quran and presented him with a printed copy of five of the principal chapters of the Book together with their Urdu translation. Shortly after, a merchant from Bombay urged him to read two Urdu books, Taqviatul Iman and Mashariqul Anwar, which were commentaries (Tafsir) on the Quran.

After a few years, he went back to Lahore and started studying medicine with famous Hakeem Allah Deen of Gumti Bazaar. This turned out to be a short stay and the study was postponed.[3]

Nooruddin was then sent to Rawalpindi to study at Normal School in Rawalpindi. He was 17 when he joined the school. He graduated with a Diploma at the age of 21. He was a brilliant pupil and due to his qualities he was appointed the headmaster to a school in Pind Dadan Khan at the young age of 21.

It was probably Rawalpindi where he had his first contact with Christian missionaries. He recalled later that during his stay at Rawalpindi.[4][5]

When I was in Rawalpindi, there was a bungalow belonging to an Englishman, Alexander, next to our house. Once someone took me there and he gave me two beautifully printed books, Meezanul Haq and Tareeqatul Hayat. I read them intently. Although I was still a child, I had great love of Quran even then. I found both those books vile. In those days, I did not even know what the Holy Spirit was.

Further learning and travels

Noor-ud-Din, c. 1899

Nooruddin travelled extensively throughout India for next 4–5 years and went to Rampur, Muradabad, Lucknow and Bhopal to learn Arabic with the renowned teachers of that time. He learnt Mishkat al-Masabih from Syed Hasan Shah, Fiqh (Jurisprudence) from Azizullah Afghani, Islamic Philosophy from Maulvi Irshad Hussain Mujaddadi, Arabic Poetry from Saadullah Uryall, and Logic from Maulvi Abdul Ali and Mullah Hassan.

In Lucknow, Nooruddin went in the hope of learning Eastern medicine from the renowned Hakeem Ali Hussain Lucknowi. The Hakeem had taken a vow of not teaching anyone. It is narrated by biographers that he went to his house for an interview and the discussion between them impressed the Hakeem so much that he eventually agreed to take Nooruddin as his disciple.

The next city he visited was Bhopal, where he praciticed medicine and was introduced to the Nawab of Bhopal during this time.

Mecca and Medina

In 1865, at the age of 25, he traveled to the cities of Mecca and Medina. He stayed there for many years to acquire religious knowledge. He learnt Hadith from famous Sheikh Hasan Khizraji and Maulvi Rahmatullah Kiraynalwi. He gave 'bay'ah' (pledge of allegiance) to Shah Abdul Ghani, the Grandson of Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi.

Return to Bhera

On his way back to his hometown, Noor-ud-Din stayed in Delhi for a few days. Here, he had the opportunity to attend a session of lessons by the leader and founder of Deoband Seminary, Qasim Nanotawi and had a very good impression of him.[3]

In 1871 he returned to Bhera, his home town, and started a religious school where he taught the Quran and the Hadith. He also started practice in the Eastern medicine. In a short time he became well known for his healing skills and his fame came to the notice of the Maharaja of Kashmir, who appointed him his court physician in 1876.

Royal Physician

In 1876 he was employed as the royal physician to Maharaja Ranbir Singh the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. There are detailed accounts of his tenure as the court physician. All the schools hospitals of the state were placed under him. Initially he worked under the Chief Physician Agha (Hakim) Muhammad Baqir[6] but after Hakim Baqir's death he was made the chief physician himself. During his time as physician he is said to have given a lot of time to the service of Islam; and would often engage in religious and intellectual discussion with the Maharaja himself. During these discussions he was known for his fearlessness and frankness. The Maharaja and his son Raja Amar singh are said to have learnt the Quran from Noor-ud-Din.

The Maharajah is said to have stated once to his courtiers, "each one of you is here on some purpose or to seek some favour from me and keep flattering me, but this man (Hakeem Sahib) is the only person who has no axe to grind and is here because he is needed by the state. This is the reason why whatever is stated by Hakeem Sahib is listened to carefully as he has no ulterior motive."[3]

Being a scholar of Hebrew also, Nooruddin was selected by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as the co-ordinator of the team of scholars in writing a commentary of the Torah from the Muslim viewpoint. During this time he was also actively involved with the Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam.

Nooruddin had been the royal physician from 1876. when Maharajah Partab Singh took over, Noor-ud-Din was made to leave the service of the state of Jammu in 1892 due to various political reasons. He was later offered the position in 1895 but declined the offer.

Introduction to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

Noor-ud-Deen was constantly involved in religious debates with Christians and Hindus during his stay at Jammu. Once he was confronted by an atheist who asked him that if the concept of God was true, then how in this day and age of reason and knowledge, no one claims to be the recipient of Divine revelations. This was a question to which the Noor-ud-Din did not find an answer immediately.[3] During the same period, he came across a torn page from a book named Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. The book was written by one Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, who would later claim to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. Noor-ud-Din was surprised to see that the writer of the page was a claimant of receiving Wahi (revelation). He purchased the book and read it with great interest. He was so impressed by the book that he decided to meet the writer. Noor-ud- Din later recalled his first meeting with Ghulam Ahmad in his own words.[7]

“ As I arrived in a nearby place of Qadian, I got excited and was also trembling with anxiety and prayed feverishly.... ”

Noor-ud-Deen later stated:

“ It was after Asr prayer, I approached Masjid Mubarak. As soon as I saw his face I was overjoyed, and felt happy and grateful to have found the perfect man that I was seeking all my life...

At the end of the first meeting, I offered my hand for Bay'ah. Hazrat Mirza Sahib (Ghulam Ahmad) said, he was not yet Divinely commissioned to accept Bay'ah; then I made Mirza Sahib promise me that I would be the person whose Bay'ah would be accepted first...(Al-Hakam, April 22, 1908)

 ”

During his stay in Qadian, Nooruddin became a close friend of Ghulam Ahmad and it is apparent in the writings of both persons that they held each other in highest esteem. Although this relationship soon became that of a Master and disciple and Noor Deen devoted himself as a student to Ahmad. He eventually migrated to Qadian and made his home there soon after he was made to leave his job in Kashmir. He would often accompany Ghulam Ahmad on his travels.

Noor Deen once asked Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to assign him a task by the way of Mujahida (Jihad). Ahmad asked him to write a book answering the Christian allegations against Islam. As a result, Nooruddin wrote two volumes of Faslul Khitab, Muqaddimah Ahlul Kitaab[8]

After completing this, he again asked Ghulam Ahmad the same question. This time, Ahmad assigned him to write a rebuttal to Arya Samaj. Nooruddin wrote Tasdeeq e Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya.[9]

Caliphate

After the death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Noor-ud-Din was unanimously elected as his first successor. Among his achievements as Caliph were overseeing a satisfactory English translation of the Qur'an, the establishment in 1914 of the first Ahmadiyya Muslim mission in England and the introduction of various newspapers and magazines. After becoming Khalifa, he personally took part in two successful debates at the cities of Rampur and Mansouri. He sent various teams of scholars from Qadian to preach the Ahmadiyya message, to deliver lectures on Islam and hold sessions of religious discussion in numerous cities within India, which proved to be very successful for the community. These teams often included Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din, Mirza Mahmood Ahmad and Mufti Muhammad Sadiq.

The treasury

As Khalifatul Masih, Noor-ud-Din set up an official treasury (Baitul Maal) to cope with the growing financial requirements of the community. All the funds as well as the Zakat donations and other voluntary contributions were directed to be collected in the treasury. Various rules and regulations were given to govern its administration.

Public library

Noor-ud-Din was himself a man of learning and was fond of books. Soon after he became Khalifa, he set up a public library at Qadian, he donated many books from his own personal library and also gave some financial contributions towards it, followed by many other members of the community. The library was placed under the control of Mirza Mahmood Ahmad.

Friday prayers leave

In 1911 the British Government announced that a coronation ceremony will be held in Delhi to proclaim George V, Emperor of India. Noorud-Din requested the King that Muslim employees of the Government may be granted a leave of two hours on Friday for the Friday noon service. As a consequence two-hour leave for Muslim Employees was granted.

Mission in the UK

When Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din visited London in pursuance of his legal practice, Noor-ud-Din advised him to keep three things in view, one of which was to try to get the Mosque in Woking opened which was originally built by the Begum of Bhopal, and had been reported to have been locked for some time. Having reached London Kamaludin enquired about the mosque, met with other Muslims and was able to have the Woking Mosque unlocked.

Internal dissension

He also dealt with internal dissension, when some high-ranking office bearers of the Ahmadiyya Council disagreed with some of the administrative concepts being implemented and regarding the rights of a Caliph. After his death this group eventually left Qadian and made their headquarters in Lahore setting up their own association known as Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam.[10][11]

Writings

Marriages and children

Noor-ud-Din with his son Abdul Hayy.

Noor-ud-Din married three times. His first wife died before his becoming the Caliph. The second wife was the daughter of Sufi Ahmad Jan of Ludhiana. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was instrumental in persuading him to marry her as he did not have any long living sons from his first wife. Sufi Ahmad Jan had cordial relations with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

Noor-ud-Din had children from both his wives.

  1. Mst. Umaamah
  2. Mst. Hafsah
  3. Amatullah
  1. Hadhrat Amatul Hayee, daughter
  2. Mr. Abdul Hayee, son
  3. Mr. Abdus Salaam, son
  4. Mr. Abdul Wahhaab, son
  5. Mr. Abdul Mannaan, son

The information about his third wife is uncertain. He likely married her when he was visiting Mecca and Medina. Many of his children died in childhood.

References

  1. ↑ "Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen (Khalifatul Masih I): The Way of the Righteous" (PDF). Alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  2. ↑ Khan, Muhammad Zafrulla. "Hadrat Maulawi Nur-ud-Din: Khalifatul Masih I" (PDF). p. 1. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Syed Hasanat Ahmad. "Hakeem Noor-Ud-Deen : The Way of the Righteous" (PDF). Alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  4. 1 2 3 "Hayat-e-Noor". Store.alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  5. ↑ "Hayat-e-Noor". Store.alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  6. ↑ Abdul Kabir Dar. "AYUSH in J&K:- A Historical Perspective with special reference to Unani System of Medicine." (PDF). Medind.nic.in. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  7. ↑ Al-Hakam (April 22, 1908)
  8. ↑ "Fasal-ul-Khitab Moqadama Ahl-ul-Kitab - Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Urdu Pages". Alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  9. ↑ (PDF) https://web.archive.org/20070717214159/http://www2.alislam.org/pdf/mulfozaat.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Refuting the Qadiani beliefs". Ahmadiyya.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  11. ↑ Hadrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad Khalifatul Masih II. "Truth about the Split" (PDF). Alislam.org. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  12. ↑ Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Fasal-ul-Khitab Moqadama Ahl-ul-Kitab

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