Subedar Abdul Ghafoor Khan
My dear and respected father Subedar Abdul Ghafoor Khan (Baba) was born in an Ahmadi family of village of Maini, district Swabi, Pakistan on November 25, 1922. In 1942, his father Subedar Khushal Khan (Shaheed) was martyred on his way back home after offering Jumu‘ah Prayer at Topi. During World War II in 1940, Baba joined the army. He progressed to the rank of Subedar in a very short time. Later, he started his own business in Topi, a business center.
In 1947, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) invited volunteers, especially those with army experience, for the security of Qadian. Baba immediately trusted a well-known Hindu shopkeeper with his business and left for Qadian. At the time of his departure, my mother was expecting her first child, me. Despite the fact, this man of great faith left her in the hands of his Lord, Allah the Almighty, with very little provisions.
Under the directions of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II, Baba became number 175 of the 313 Darveshan of Qadian. Later in 1948, he was directed to come back to Pakistan. Upon his return, he found that the Hindu shopkeeper had to escape his life and the shops were looted. By the Grace of Allah, Baba somehow managed to start a small shop again.
Baba was very particular with paying Chanda in a timely manner. One day, I noticed a small container in his shop where he put some coins. The container was marked “Chanda Tahrik Jadid.” As a child, I wondered what this container was for. He explained to me the scheme of Tahrik Jadid; he also mentioned that the money he put in that container was the profit from the first sale of the day. He successfully instilled in the hearts of his children the importance of paying Chanda punctually.
In 1954, when Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II was stabbed by an enemy, Baba was called back to Rabwah to enhance the security arrangement of the Khalifah of the time. He once again handed his business to his nephew, late Faiz Mohammad Khan, and left for Rabwah. Baba served as in charge of Hifazat-i-Khas (Security of Khalifah) until 1958.
One time, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II disciplined Baba for an act based on an eyewitness account. He stated that he was so sad that he refused to take his dinner. In the meantime, Hadrat Sahibzadah Mirza Bashir Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him) conveyed to Huzoor all the facts. Upon that, Huzoor reversed his orders. Huzoor, out of sheer mercy and love, sent his own dinner for Baba. He returned the meal and responded that he was not hungry. Huzoor replied back, “Tell Ghafoor, tonight you will sleep hungry and so will I.” Upon hearing this, Baba quickly sent a message asking for the dinner and ate it. Indeed, true was the prophecy of Muslih Mau‘ud, “He will be meek of heart.”
In a lighter moment, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II asked Baba how come his father rose to the rank of Subedar (a senior non-commissioned officer rank in the army) in his old age, but Baba became Subedar at a very young age. Baba retorted, “Huzoor, my father accepted Ahmadiyyat late in his life; I on the other hand, was born Ahmadi.” Huzoor enjoyed this reply very much.
Once, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II and his entourage were returning to Rabwah via train. At that time, there was no proper platform at Rabwah Railway Station. There was a special technique to getting off the train safely; one had to face towards the train car and hold the railing carefully before getting off. My father stated that on that day, as the train arrived, he was busy overseeing the ladies, luggage, and staff’s departure when Hadrat Sahibzadah Mirza Bashir Ahmad hurriedly tapped on my father’s shoulder, saying Huzoor was having trouble getting off the train. There were no AirStairs and Huzoor was hanging from the train’s railing trying to get off but was unable to move because Huzoor was facing the wrong way. Huzoor being upset with botched arrangements had already refused the help of many people. My father ran and grabbed Huzoor in his hands announcing that he had arrived and Huzoor should release the handrails. Huzoor being upset, asked my father where had he been all this time, and now to stay away from him. My father quickly thought to himself that although it was essential to obey the orders of the Khalifah of the time, however, in that situation if he did as Huzoor had ordered and left, God forbid, Huzoor could have gotten hurt. So my father then informed Huzoor that he was not moving until Huzoor was safely down. Huzoor, understanding the stubbornness of a Pathan, released his hands and safely descended, Alhamdulillah. Once Huzoor sat in his car, Hadrat Sahibzadah Mirza Bashir Ahmad came to my father and hugged him and kissed him on both cheeks.
My father, Subedar Abdul Ghafoor Khan, was blessed with many qualities and a life full of remarkable experiences. He was willing to sacrifice everything he owned for the sake of Ahmadiyyat, without hesitation. His inspiring sacrifices during the events that unfolded in June of 1974 in Topi, Pakistan, are explained in detail in his book “Saniha Topi.” In 2000, he immigrated to the U.S. and became an active member of the Detroit Jama‘at.
He passed away at the age of 91 on January 12, 2014, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un. He is survived by his wife, 6 children, 22 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. May Allah grant him a place in the paradise and enable his progeny to emulate his many examples. Amin.
