Siyyid Maḥfúẓu’l-Ḥaq ‘Ilmí
Maḥfúẓu’l-Ḥaq ‘Ilmí | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1894 Satbaria, Chittagong, Bangladesh |
| Died | February 8, 1978 Lahore, Pakistan |
| NSA member | India & Burma ???? - ???? Pakistan 1957 - ???? |
| ABM | Asia ???? - ???? |
Siyyid Maḥfúẓu’l-Ḥaq ‘Ilmí (1894 - February 8, 1978) was an early Bangladeshi Bahá’í who served as a travel teacher and National Spiritual Assembly member.
Biography[edit]
‘Ilmí was born into a Muslim family in Satbaria, Chittagong, in 1894. He excelled in his studies as a child particularly in studying Arabic. After his schooling he complete a degree at Punjab University in 1920 and began working as a teacher at a Theological College in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, India.[1]
After several years in Uttar Pradesh ‘Ilmí became a lecturer at the Ilahiyyat Theological College in Kanpur and while teaching he was introduced to the Bahá’í Faith by Mawlana ‘Abdu’l-Qádir. While living in Kanpur he in addition to his teaching he wrote articles, working as a freelance journalist, and poetry.[1]
At some point ‘Ilmí moved to Qadiyan where he became an Ahmadiyya Muslim however when Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání visited the city he became a Bahá’í. He was immediately an active teacher of the religion and launched a monthly Bahá’í magazine titled Kawkab-i-Hind in May 1924 with the first issue including an article by him outlining Bahá’u’lláh's claims directed to Ahmadiyya Muslims. His wife, Zaynab Bagum, also became a Bahá’í.[1]
‘Ilmí was highly successful in teaching the religion across India and Pakistan and was able to proclaim the religion to both Islamic and Hindu audiences. In addition to teaching through public speaking he visited prominent individuals to proclaim the religion presenting Bahá’í literature, wrote several pamphlets, and also translated many Bahá’í books into Urdu.[2]
‘Ilmí served on the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma from at least 1932 to 1940.[3][4] In 1957 he was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan,[5] and he later served as an Auxiliary Board member for Pakistan until at least 1972.[2][6]
In 1978 ‘Ilmí passed away in Lahore and the Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after his passing:
GRIEVED PASSING MEHFOOZULHUQ lLMl LIFELONG DEVOTED EXEMPLARY SERVICES FAITH SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT UNFORGE'ITABLE ASSURE RELATIVES FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERING.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1981). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 17 (1976-1979), Pg(s) 446. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1981). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 17 (1976-1979), Pg(s) 447. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1937). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 6 (1934-1936), Pg(s) 313. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1941). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. No 142, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1957). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 318, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1973). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 502, Pg(s) 11. View as PDF.
