Rashid Ahmad American
Our dear respected brother Al-Haj Rashid Ahmad American of Milwaukee Majlis passed away on February 7, 2015 at the age of 91, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his helper) led his funeral Prayer in absentia on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.
Life of Brother Rashid Ahmad
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 unshakable 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. Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud himself welcomed him at the railway station of Rabwah. 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. During his stay at Rabwah, he was also able to attain good grasp of Urdu and Punjabi languages.
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 for 20 years. To satiate his thirst for Tabligh, he was actively involved with the local Tabligh stall till his last days.
Brother Rashid Ahmad had the blessed opportunity to perform Hajj. He served as missionary in Chicago and St. Louis Jama'ats. He served as president of the Milwaukee Jama'at for a long period of time. 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.
Some Memorable Videos
- The Passion of Serving Khilafat - A speech by Brother Rashid Ahmad at Jalsa Salana USA 2014
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 1
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 2
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 3
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 4
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 5
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 6
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 7
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 8
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 9
- Memories of Brother Rashid Ahmad - Part 10
- A video recorded by Brother Rashid Ahmad at Rabwah in 1949
At various events of Majlis Ansarullah, USA
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Comments
A Legend passes away
انا للہ و انا الیہ راجعون
Brother Rashid was not
Brother Rashid was not personally known to me as I have known him now after reading his life history, comments of many brothers and watching videos. My only impression about him is that I used to see him on Ansar Ijtema, almost every year, glued quietly to his seat from beginning till the end of the programs. Perhaps he never wanted to miss any thing. I never knew that at one time he was also Amir Jamaat USA. May Allah bless his soul and station him at the highest place in Paradise. Ameen
A personality of knowledge & living history
I knew him for the last 35 years. Every time I meat him, I would try to sit by his side & ask him about the time he spent in Rabwah & Hazrat Musles Maud(rz) He told me a number of historical incidences. Some of them was with President Eisenhower.
I used to speak with him in Urdu .
May Allah shower His choicest blessings on him Amen & have mercy on the remaining members of his family.
Alhaj Rashid Ahmad Welcomes Me to Ahmadiyyat
As Salaamu Alaikum
In the year of 1999 I was following mainstream Islam but was unhappy and still searching for guidance.
I prayed to Allah(swt) to guide me to a Mosque among righteous and pious individuals.I came home from
work one day and turned the tv on and a show called Islam Live by the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam was on.
Alhaj Rashid Ahmad and Alhaj Muhammad Sabir were the host of that show.I had never heard of Ahmadiyyat and
was very interested to know more.I called the show weekly and Alhaj Rashid Ahmad answered every question I
had and told me things that I had never heard before about the teachings of Islam.In December of 2004 I
walked into Baitul Qadir and there was Alhaj Rashid Ahmad and he said As Salaamu Alaikum brother what are you
here for and I said I,m here to sign Ba'it.Every week Monday thru Friday I would come to the Mosque around 12 noon
and Mr Rashid taught me how to pray correctly,the last 10 verses of the Holy Quran and so much more about Ahmadiyyat.I recall having a lot of other Islamic books when I came in to sign Ba'it and he said you don,t need those books anymore.I became his student and for the last 10 years he has continued to teach me.We had been at the
Tabligh both at 7 mile fair together for the last 2 1/2 years and I have truly learned how to preach and keep someone interested in what you are talking about.He has also taught me so much about life in general also.Alhamdulillah for Alhaj Rashid Ahmad,I don,t believe I could have had a better teacher.When Alhaj Rashid Ahmad
step away from the show Islam Live 3 1/2 years ago Alhaj Muhammad Sabir asked me to be a part of the show and I
was honored to be a part of a show that I can know teach Ahmadiyyat to all those who watch.After signing Ba'it
Alhaj Rashid Ahmad said welcome to Ahmadiyyat the True Islam.Jazakallah Kahir Alhaj Rashid Ahmad Sahib American for
all that you have taught me.
Wasalaam Hassiem Abdullah Babatu
Rashid Saheb an Immortal Personality
Assalamu Alaikum
Since I have been a member or Milwaukee Jamat for last 10 years, there are countless memories engraved and a lot to say about him. It is just a matter of weeks, It was Monday in Mid December 2014 around 12 pm I went to the Baitul Qadir Mosque, as I had an appointment with building inspector for inspection of the mosque, there I saw Rashid Saheb is sitting in lobby of the mosque in a quite corner, then later join by Abubakar bin saeed Saheb. At 1 pm Sharp we said our Zuhar prayer, after the Zuhar prayer Rashid saheb ask me in his usual beautiful smile on the face are you joining me in Zuhar prayer tomorrow,I said I will InshAllah if I have enough employees at my business, Rashid sahib take out 3 dollars from his pocket and ask me to bring a roast beef sandwich from my store tomorrow when I come to zahur prayer. What a great trick to make sure that I will come next day also to join him in Zuhar prayer, I said ok Inshallha I will bring a sandwich tomorrow and at the same time I made a request and ask him to go with me to my restaurant right now and have lunch over there,upon my request he immediately agreed and went with me, I had the opportunity to had lunch with him at my restaurant and drove him back to the Masjid after the lunch.
By the grace of Almighty Allah he was in great physical,and had a will power like a mountain, Here is 91 year old Rashid Saheb to my surprise agreed to go with me sacrificing his comfort and ignoring cold and snowing weather.A lot can be learn by exploring his personality.
May Allah grant him the high status in Jannah. Ameen
An Ahmadiyya legend passed away!!
May God Almighty elevate his ranks in Paradise - Amen!!
My long time association with Rashid Ahmad Sahib
Indeed, Rashid Sahib was a very lovely and great man. I had a long time association with and he always met me with very love and affection. His children from his first wife (lived in Rabwah) were very closed to us. His oldest son, Mureed Ahmad was my class fellow in T. I. High school and he died when he was in 8th or 9th grade due to some kind of high fever. Then his younger brother, Mahmood Ahmad (now living in Washington DC area and nick name POPO) was very close to us. His daughter, Nasira was class fellow of my sister. Rashid Sahib knew our association with his family and he always met me very respectfully and affectionately and I did the same thing to him. He will speak to me in Punjabi. I still remember his visit to Rabwah (I believe in late 60s' or early 70s') to meet his family after a very long time. We were all young boys and were very excited to see him in Rabwah and everyone was saying POPO's dad is here. He brought lot of presents for his family and Popo will show us the presents. Good old time in Rabwah.
Very passionate about Tabligh and he will always advise me about spreading the true message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. In 2013, I visited Milwaukee to attend the regional Ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah and I had the opportunity to sit in his company and had a picture with him. (attached). May Allah bless his soul and elevate his status in Janatul Firdous and grant us the strength to follow his virtues. Ameen.
Role model
The progress of the Jamaat depends on role models like AlHajj Rashid Ahmad American. It is only Allah's grace that we were fortunate enough to witness and learn from such a magnificent personality. This hero of our Islam clearly and humbly showed us that there is something more important than being rich or poor, black or white, strong or weak - he showed us in his life time, by his example, that the most important status to strive towards is to be a humble servant of Islam Ahmadiyyat. May the All Mighty Allah (swt) elevate our hero's status in Jannatul Firdos. Ameen.
Br Rashid was a living history
I am saddened to hear Br Rashid's passing away. He was a living history of Jama'at Ahmadiyya in USA.He was always eager to guide, the younger generation with example. May Allah bless his soul, and bless him a place in His Jannah.
Long standing member of Jamaat - First foreigner to say Adhan in
I knew him since I came to USA in 1970. At occasions I have met him in Milwaukee and at Jalsa Salanas held since then. He used to come to D.C. and we used to go to some nice restaurants to sit down and discuss various things ( at that time I used to live in D.C. in the vicinity of Fazl Mosque). A few time we exchanged gifts as well. While in Rabwah I saw his kid roaming around. He was very courteous and kind to me and he was close to my father-in law (Maqbool A Qureshi Sahib) and he knew and liked the speeches of my uncle (Maulana Abdul Malik Khan Sahib). I have hundreds of pictures with him .
Some 10-15 years ago he gave me a nice present ( a diary) with lots of love and prayers while he narrated stories about Rabwah. I wanted to give him something, relating to that time. Few days after he went back to Milwaukee, I pulled out my father's file and starting some kind of reference to that period of time. Strange enough, I found a copy of AlFazl dated June 27, 1950, wherein an article by Maulana Sheikh Noor Ahmad Muneer (Ex. missionary Seria) was published. The title was: "Rasheed Amerian - a new Muslims's charming Aazan". That Aazan was called in the presence of Hazrat Musleh Moud for Friday Prayers. It is a half page article. I gave him a copy of the original (in Urdu) as well as translated it into English and mailed it to him. He called me and thanked. Only last year his son Mahmood told me that he kept it somewhere and does not remember. Indhallah, I will translate it again for the benefit of our readers. He will, Inshallah, be remembered and missed by all members of our Jamaat. May Allah rise his ranks in Jannatul-firdous. Kalimullah Khan, Laurel Jamaat.
Although my acquaintance with
Although my acquaintance with him was just one Nasir to another at the major Jama'at functions, I found this spiritual giant a very righteous,humble, meek and down to earth person, a true Nasir in all his demeanor. May Allah Almighty elevate his stature in heaven and grant patience for his family. Ameen.
May Allah Clothe this Icon in Brocade and Damask
My heart knocked against my ribs when I heard the passing away of our Dear Beloved, Al Hajj Rashid Ahmad. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un. He never assumed any accolade of piety, yet he was pious. There was no pretense of arrogance about him, yet in realistic terms he was an icon; an astute individual with a firm belief that everything Ahmadiyya emanates with the Khalifa, that although he is elected by the community; he is appointed by God. So, every directive of the Khalifa is Allah inspired.
He had an adoring simplicity about him which the pharos did not have. He was mellow in his speech, miserly with words and persistent with truth. With piercing eyes he seemed to know what’s in your soul. Even though he walked the path of the second Khalifa, Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud and a student of his, he never assumed he knew it all. He was in our memory our first American born missionary and a tribute to our heritage.
I remembered vividly the first time I met him. He was sitting in a remote corner in the Mosque at Fond du Lac. I did not know there was anyone in there until I heard a voice beckoned at me. He said to me, “Young man, why did you enter as if you belonged here?” I told him I belonged. He silently smiled and asked who I am. I told him I am Al Hajj Zubair’s son in-law. He looked piercingly into my eyes and said, “Son, be constant at Jumma, don’t you ever walk away from this mosque and as long as you hold the words of the Khalifa sacred, you are protected.” Yes, that is Brother Rashid as he was lovingly called. May Allah accept him as His true servant, Amin
Rashid Ahmad saheb
I knew him as Rashid Ahmad Milwaukee. There were other Rashid Ahmads, but only one from Milwaukee; that was his surname - Milwaukee. Rest in peace O blessed one, rest in peace. You will be missed.
Led by Example
Where to start with Rashid Sahib, Let's start with the 7 mile fair. Each time I volunteered my time to be at the Tabligh stall, Rashid Sahib was always there and said, "your job is just to give the message and what they do with the message is up to Allah!". I remembered one time, Rashid Sahib was chatting with a young non-Muslim about Christianity at the 7 mile fair in Milwaukee and the crowd grew to double digits. Rashid was providing simple logical answers. Nothing big with references but simple talk. I was also lucky to have traveled by air to the East Coast with him to Majlis-e-Shura and the Majlis Ansarullah USA Ijtema. The respect that our whole Qafla had for him was overwhelming. Once, I said to him that I can carry your bag, Rashid responded back, "will you carry bags in heaven as well!". The whole Milwaukee crew laughed at me as if I was a freshman in high school not knowing better. Once, he had found out about my personal problems and I lost weight and almost hope, he came to me and said that "Allah does NOT over-burden your souls beyond its capacity." I will perform special prayers for you only. I heard that phrase many times but it finally hit me at that time. He was an angel with his thoughts and talks. He always called me Soofi Sahib and I was so embarassed that I asked him don't call me that please, He said, "are you not a Soofi and are you not a muslim man" then you are "Soofi Sahib". Rashid Sahib, we will miss you but there is an old saying, "when we were a new born baby in the world, we were crying and our families were smiling but now we are crying and you are smiling" May Allah bless you with the highest station in Heaven! 7 mile fair will not be the same without you!
A role model
The progress of the Jamaat depends on role models like Bro. Rashid Ahmad American. It is only Allah's grace that we were fortunate enough to witness and learn from such a magnificent personality. This hero of our Islam clearly and humbly showed us that there is something more important than being rich or poor, black or white, strong or weak - he showed us in his life time, by his example, that the most important status to strive towards is to be a humble servant of Islam Ahmadiyyat. May the All Mighty Allah (swt) elevate our hero's status in Jannatul Firdos. Ameen
A true Pioneer
I write this as I have tears in my eyes, I am thankful to Allah for granting me the opportunity of meeting Bro. Rashid, He taught me my prayers and the the religion of Islam back in 1996, he was very consistent being at the mosque for Zuhr and Jummah prayers, I always enjoyed his stories, he will be missed, May Allah grant him Paradise,Ameen.
Late Brother Rashid Ahmad American Sahib
I Knew Rashid Sahib closely since when I lived in Milwaukee 1985-1987. He was very humble, kind, and friendly. Whenever I had an opportunity to meet him at Jama’at events like Jalsa salana, Ijitma, Shura, etc., It was always with a hug and initial few sentences in Urdu from him and then in English. We would refresh our memories. I would ask about Milwaukee Jama’at members I knew and he would update me. His son-in-law Maudood Ahmad Sahib also lives in Milwaukee; we were classmates in Pakistan. Maudood Sahib and I frequently communicated that kept me abreast of Rashid sahib's illness.
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