Ahmadi Khatoon

The earliest publication exclusively for the women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community dates back to 1912. It was called Ahmadi Khatoon. Its publication was started by Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani (ra) (editor Al Hakam) on the behest of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih I (ra). However, Ahmadi Khatoon ceased publication in 1916. (Tarikh Lajna Imaillah (in Urdu), Vol. 1, 1970: Lajna Imaillah Markaziyyah, p. 33)

Ta’dib-un-Nisa

It was relaunched in March 1923 and Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, chose the name Ta’dib-un-Nisa for it. It was published for about two years and reported on the various efforts by the women of the Community. (Tarikh Lajna Imaillah, Vol. 1, p. 148) After Ta’dib-un-Nisa ceased publication, a dedicated segment in the Daily Al-Fazl was allocated for articles published by the women of the Community. 

Misbah

Once the organisation of Lajna Imaillah had been established on strong footings, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II (ra) launched Misbah on 15 December 1926 (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 28, p. 150), upon the suggestion of various members of the Community, the most prominent among them being Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Zuhuruddin Akmal (ra) and his wife Sikkinat-un-Nisa. (Tarikh Lajna Imaillah, Vol. 1, p. 184) Misbah comprised 16 pages and was published fortnightly. (Ibid., 183-185) It served as a “gazette and forum”, “popular” among the women of the Community. (Soofi, N.R.A.G. (May 1973), “Moon in the East – A short biography of the late Khalifat-ul-Masih II”, The Review of Religions, LXVIII, No. 5: 171)

Supervision of Misbah

Upon further consolidation of Lajna Imaillah, with permission from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), Misbah was brought under the exclusive supervision of Lajna Imaillah on 27 May 1947. (Daily Al Fazl, 27 May 1947) However, due to uncertainties surrounding the partition of India, its publication was delayed until April 1950. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 14, p. 216) It began regular publication from Rabwah, Pakistan in April 1950 under the editorship of Amatullah Khurshid Sahibah. (Tarikh Lajna Imaillah, Vol. 1, p. 183-185) 

Temporary hurdles

The Government of Pakistan began banning specific issues of the Misbah before forcing it to cease publication altogether. Misbah continued publishing until the mid-2010s when it was ordered to be banned.