Milestones of his Caliphate

1. During the lifetime of the Promised Messiah (AS), a separate department had been established at Taleem al-Islam School to impart theological education. Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih the First wanted to give this department a special status and establish it on a permanent basis in memory of its founder Hadhrat Ahmad (AS).

   Consequently the foundation stone for the new building of Madrassa Ahmadiyya was laid on March 1st, 1909. Hadhrat Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shah was appointed its first principal. Under the dynamic leadership of Hadhrat Mirza Bashir al-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifat al-Masih II, the seminary progressed particularly. The Madrassa is still operating in Qadian, a total of 205 students were enrolled in it last year (2000). The course of study lasts for seven years, in nine years 83 students have graduated from this institution. These graduates are now serving the Community in various parts of India.

2. No Muslim scholar had so far made satisfactory English translation of the Holy Quran, therefore this work was assigned to the Secretary, Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, Maulvi Muhammad Ali. Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih the First, while reviewing the translation and the commentary, suggested necessary corrections. But sadly enough after his demise, and upon election of Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih II as Caliph, Maulavi Muhammad Ali renounced the Ahmadiyya Caliphate and took the manuscript with him to Lahore. Regrettably he made changes to the translated text according to his personal views and beliefs.

   During the Caliphate of Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih the Second (RA), a new translation of the Holy Quran was made that was scholarly, authentic, and faithful to the true import of the text.

   The Khalifat al-Masih directed the Community that every year an examination in the certain prescribed books of the Promised Messiah will be held. The First such examination was held on December 24th, 1908. Since then this method of study of the books of Hadhrat Ahmad (AS) has continued in our Community.

3. As the Ahmadi population was growing rapidly, a new neighborhood by the name of Dar al-Uloom was added to Qadian. Many new buildings were erected such as the Noor Mosque (1910), Talim al-Islam High School (1912) with its fabulous hostel, Noor Hospital. The extension to Aqsa Mosque was completed in January 1910.

   The British government announced that a Coronation ceremony would be held in Delhi on December 12, 1911, to proclaim His Majesty George V, Emperor of India. Hadhrat Maulana decided to request the King that Muslim employees of Government may be granted a leave of two hours on Friday so as to enable them to offer the Friday noon service. A memorial was drawn up for this purpose and presented to the King. In consequence of this memorial Muslims employees were granted two-hour leave.

4. During the caliphate of Hadhrat Khalifa al-Masih I, following newspapers and magazines were introduced:
   Magazines: Ahmadi, Ahmadi Khatoon 1912.
   Newspapers: Noor, Akhbar al-Haq, Payghame Sulah, Al-Fazl.

   Hadhrat Mirza Bashir al-Din Mahmud Ahmad, the Second Caliph, started the publication of a weekly newspaper Al- Fazl on June 18th, 1913. The name was suggested by Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih I.

5. On November 18th, 1910 Hadhrat Maulana was riding his pony when he fell, he received several minor injuries and a serious gash on his right temple. He was bedridden for nearly six months. This was in fulfillment of a dream Hadhrat Ahmad (AS) had seen in 1905 that he had fallen from a horse. In 1913 he issued instructions that Jalsa Salana be held for three days i.e. December 26, 27, & 28th.

6. One of the milestones of his Caliphate was the establishment of the first Ahmadiyya Muslim mission in England in 1914. The first Ahmadiyya missionary sent to London for propagation of Islam was Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sial.