USA: Remembering Rashid Ahmad American | A Spiritual Icon Passes Away

---

He was affectionately called "Mr. Tabligh" by his companions for his unshakeable services to the spread of Islam and Ahmadiyyat.  

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Majlis Ansarullah USA
By Ansar Connection | February 9, 2015

Our dear respected brother Rashid Ahmad American of Milwaukee Majlis passed away on February 7, 2015, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un.

Brother Rashid Ahmad was born in 1923 in East St. Louis, Illinois. He accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1947 in Chicago. At the time, Imam Bengali was the missionary in Chicago. There were other converts in Chicago as well who had accepted Ahmadiyyat through Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with him). One of his earlier friends, Brother Abid Haneef—who himself is a convert to Ahmadiyyat—recalls that Brother Rashid Ahmad was one of the most effective members of the community when it came to Tabligh and was known for his honesty. He was affectionately called "Mr. Tabligh" by his companions for his unshakeable services to the spread of Islam and Ahmadiyyat.  

Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) indicated his desire around 1948 for American Ahmadis to come to Rabwah, Pakistan, and dedicate their lives to study for the propagation of Islam. Brother Rashid Ahmad leapt at the opportunity and was fortunate to be selected for the honor. He stayed at Rabwah for five years and having been trained under the aegis of Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud, he became the first American missionary of the Jama'at. His friend Abid Haneef recalls, “He was our national hero…everyone wanted to be Rashid Ahmad!”


Brother Rashid’s journey to Pakistan was nothing short of a miracle. He was arrested in the Middle East on his way to Pakistan and accused of spying! When he finally reached Pakistan, he had no idea where to go, in a completely foreign country with a different language. Yet he persevered and with Allah’s support had the honor of studying and serving by the side of Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud.

Brother Rashid Ahmad was always actively involved in the Jama’at’s as well as Majlis’ activities throughout his life. He especially attended the National Ijtima’at of Majlis Ansarullah, USA till his very senior years. He was very passionate about Tabligh and served with great zeal. He regularly appeared on the live weekly TV program Islam Live on Milwaukee Public TV.

Brother Rashid Ahmad had the blessed opportunity to perform Hajj. He has also served as Amir Jama'at USA. He was the first recipient of the Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, USA at their annual Qa’idin Refresher Course (QRC) in 2007.

Please share your memories about our dear Brother Rashid Ahmad American on the web page that Majlis Ansarullah, USA has launched in his memory.


Read original post here: Remembering Rashid Ahmad American | A Spiritual Icon Passes Away


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times. Ahmadiyya Times is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.