who is Data Zaidka,

A year or two later her second child, Rafiq, was born, even more
good-looking and winsome than Zafar. His grandfather told his
mother: Till this one begins to run about and can be parted from
you, it will not be wise for you to visit Data Zaidka. She remained
in Daska till Rafiq was almost two years old. Then a close relative
of hers died and she had to go to Data Zaidka on a condolence visit.
Rafiq's grandfather suggested that she should not take him with
her, but she could not reconcile herself to the separation, and the
grandfather let her take him on condition that their visit should not
last longer than a week or ten days.
A couple of days after they arrived at Data Zaidka, Jai Devi
came and repeated her demand, and received the same reply from
Rafiq's mother. On this occasion her father protested and urged
compliance, observing that it was only a matter of articles worth a
few rupees, and that if she had any scruple they would provide the
articles. She pointed out that what was involved were not articles
worth a few rupees, but the sincerity of her faith in God. How could
she bring herself to acknowledge that a poor helpless woman was
in control of her child's life? That would be outrageous blasphemy.
Her child would live if God granted him life; but if He did not
grant him life, no one else could keep him alive. She would not
compromise her faith, whether the child lived or died.

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Zafar was only a few months old when his mother had occasion to visit her parents at Data Zaidka

The advent of a lovely male child was a Divine favour that filled the
mother's heart to overflowing with humble gratitude to the Bestower
of all bounties. It made the long periods of separation from her
husband more easily endurable; it cemented even closer the bond
between them. The baby was named Zafar, and from the very first
day occupied the foremost place in his proud grandfather's heart.
He was the light of his parents' eyes and filled their lives with
sunshine; even though most of the time one was away in distant
Lahore and the other had him in her lap.
Zafar was only a few months old when his mother had occasion
to visit her parents at Data Zaidka. She naturally took the baby
with her, which delighted the hearts of her parents, who idolised
their lively and lovely little grandson. There was at that time in the
village a Hindu widow Jai Devi, who had earned the reputation of
being a witch. Far from resenting her ill repute she exploited it and
blackmailed ignorant, superstitious women on its basis. Within a
day or two of the arrival of Zafar and his mother, Jai Devi called
on the latter and having greeted her demanded certain articles of
clothing and a small quantity of provisions in a minatory tone. The
response she received was: You are a poor widow. If you were to
ask for alms or charity, I would be happy to help you according to
my means; but I do not hold with witchcraft or sorcery. I believe
in Allah alone as Master of life and death, and do not recognise any
other power in these matters. I consider such claims as blasphemous
and abhor them. I am not prepared to yield anything to you on that
basis. Jai Devi rejoined: You had better think again. If you desire
your baby to live, you will have to comply with my demand.

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My Chlid Hood Story

My grandfather, Chaudhri Sikandar Khan, was a man of a religious
turn of mind and led a pious life. In 1897 he performed the
pilgrimage to Mecca, and also visited Medinah. He wrote a full
account of the journey as it proceeded. In those days it was a very
arduous undertaking. My grandfather and his party performed the
journey from Jeddah to Medinah by sea to Yenbo and thence
overland to Medinah. The return journey was performed in the
same manner. On his return home he told my mother that he had
prayed for little me on every occasion that offered itself. At that
time the pilgrimage was not only an arduous undertaking physically,
it involved a serious hazard for health and life. Dysentery claimed
many victims. Of my grandfather's two companions one began to
suffer from it before arrival back in Bombay, and died soon after
his arrival home. The other developed symptons of it a short while
after his return home and succumbed after a few days. My grandfather
kept in good health for some months after his return and
then fell ill of it. Within a few days his condition became serious.
My father became anxious and began to visit him every evening.
The road from Sialkot to Daska, a distance of sixteen miles, was
not metalled. He rode to Daska every afternoon after court hours,
and rode back to Sialkot early next morning. The time was February
and the return journey during the early hours on horseback was
both uncomfortable and trying. His father's condition continued to
deteriorate and on the last day he stayed with him all the time.

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A non-Ahmadi Frontier Afghan.

A non-Ahmadi Frontier Afghan.
The writing of the Urdu booklet imposed a severe emotional
strain on me. The passage of time - forty-three years - has not
served in the least degree to assuage the heart-ache or to soften the
poignancy of the separation; though in a curious way I have
throughout enjoyed communion with her. Friends have continued
to urge upon me the desirability of making a biographical sketch
of my mother available in English, but I have shrunk from undertaking
the labour of sheer love involved out of fear that the emotional
impact upon me might prove unendurable. Certain recent incidents
have, however, presaged the approach of our reunion. Also there
has been a rapid progressive deepening of sensitive and emotional

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My Mother talk with Jai Devi by Zafar Ullah Khan

A few days later when his mother was washing Zafar, Jai Devi appeared again, and, pointing to the baby, enquired: Is that then the Sahi prince? His mother answered: Yes, indeed. Thereupon Jai Devi repeated her demand, and was met with the same response; on which being somewhat affronted she mattered: Well, then, if you take him back alive, you may account me false; and departed in a huff. Zafar's mother affirmed: It will be as God wills. Jai Devi could have scarcely reached the outer door and Zafar was still being washed when he suddenly vomited and purged blood. Within minutes he lost consciousness and in a few hours he died. His mother supplicated: Allah, Thou didst give, and Thou hast taken away. I
submit to Thy will. Do Thou bestow steadfastness on me. She returned to Daska bereaved.
A year or two later her second child, Rafiq, was born, even more good-looking and winsome than Zafar. His grandfather told his mother: Till this one begins to run about and can be parted from you, it will not be wise for you to visit Data Zaidka. She remained in Daska till Rafiq was almost two years old. Then a close relative of hers died and she had to go to Data Zaidka on a condolence visit. Rafiq's grandfather suggested that she should not take him with her, but she could not reconcile herself to the separation, and the grandfather let her take him on condition that their visit should not last longer than a week or ten days.

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My Mother by Zafar Ula Khan

The advent of a lovely male child was a Divine favour that filled the mother's heart to overflowing with humble gratitude to the Bestower of all bounties. It made the long periods of separation from her husband more easily endurable; it cemented even closer the bond between them. The baby was named Zafar, and from the very first day occupied the foremost place in his proud grandfather's heart. He was the light of his parents' eyes and filled their lives with sunshine; even though most of the time one was away in distant Lahore and the other had him in her lap. Zafar was only a few months old when his mother had occasionto visit her parents at Data Zaidka. She naturally took the baby with her, which delighted the hearts of her parents, who idolised their lively and lovely little grandson. There was at that time in the village a Hindu widow Jai Devi, who had earned the reputation of being a witch. Far from resenting her ill repute she exploited it and blackmailed ignorant, superstitious women on its basis. Within a day or two of the arrival of Zafar and his mother, Jai Devi called on the latter and having greeted her demanded certain articles of clothing and a small quantity of provisions in a minatory tone. The response she received was: You are a poor widow. If you were to ask for alms or charity, I would be happy to help you according to my means; but I do not hold with witchcraft or sorcery. I believe

in Allah alone as Master of life and death, and do not recognise any other power in these matters. I consider such claims as blasphemous and abhor them. I am not prepared to yield anything to you on that basis. Jai Devi rejoined: You had better think again. If you desire your baby to live, you will have to comply with my demand.

Read more »

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