The Afghan Martyrs — Page 39
embraced Ahmadiyyat. He read most of the book during the first night and he was already expecting the advent of the Mahdi, as soon as he saw this book a great desire to meet the Promised Messiah (PBUH) welled up in his heart. Due to his preoccupation he had no time for a visit, but later, when he left Kabul to perform Raj, he got a tremendous send off at the time of his departure. Before proceeding for Haj he travelled to India with the intention of meeting the Promised Messiah (PBUH) on the way. Many of his disciples and other notables from Khost travelled with him as far as Meeranshah in order to bid him farewell. On reaching Qadian he met the Promised Messiah (PBUH). His Status Hadhrat Sahibzada Abdul Lateef was no ordinary person. He had taken such strides in the acquisition of knowledge and taqwa that in the domain of the Holy Quran, Ahadeeth and Fiqah he had no equal in Afghanistan. Although the divines absolutely refused to accept precedence of some against others, all of them unanimously accepted the Sahibzada as supreme amongst the divines of Afghanistan. He had thousands of pupils all over Afghanistan and students came to him from far flung regions of central Asia and Afghanistan. A large number lived with him and he cheerfully bore all expenses for their board and lodging. He was very fond of collecting books and on his return from Lahore at the end of his last tour he brought a large number back with him. He was extremely hospitable and he was famous for his hospitality throughout the entire region. On one occasion, when the number in the guest house fell to eighty he became very concerned and along with all members of his family he prayed to 39