An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 268
268 The Book The book gives details of a meeting that was called by the Promised Messiah as on the occasion of I dul Fi t r (February 2, 1900). More than a thousand Ahmadis had gathered in Qadian from Afghanistan, Iraq and different parts of India. After the Eid prayers led by Hadrat Maulav i H ak i m N u r-ud-D i n in the old I dg a h to the west of Qadian, the Promised Messiah as delivered an impressive address. Drawing a picture of the tyrannical Sikh rule in the Punjab from which the British rescued the Muslims, he urged the audience, in accordance with the Isl a mic teachings, to pray for success and victory of the British in the war with South Africa. In his sermon, the Promised Messiah as gave an illuminating commentary on s u rah al-n a s and enumerated the favours done by the British Government. The meeting ended with a long prayer for British victory in Transval, South Africa, which certainly did not go in vain; the tide of war turned in favour of the British. On account of the prayer rendered by the Promised Messiah as in favour of the British Government, it has since been called Jalsa-e-Du‘ a’ (Meeting for Prayer). On February 10, 1900, the Promised Messiah as issued an appeal for funds to help the orphans, widows and wounded of the war, and Rs. 500 were immediately collected and sent to the Chief Secretary to the Punjab Government and, later, the Lt. Governor thanked the Promised Messiah as for this donation on behalf of the Government. ( Life of Ahmad by A. R. Dard ra , edition of 2008, pp. 720-721)