Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra), also known as "Sabz Pagri Wale [The Green Turbaned One]," (حضرت مولوی محمّد حسین، سبز پگڑی والے) was a companion of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian and a dedicated servant of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Early Life
Born on January 1, 1893, in Bullowal, Tehsil Batala, District Gurdaspur, British India, Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra) was the son of Hazrat Mian Muhammad Bakhsh (ra). He took the pledge of allegiance in 1902 and accompanied his respected father to Qadian, where he enrolled in Talim-ul-Islam High School for education.
Education
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra)'s formal education began at Talim-ul-Islam High School in Qadian, where he enrolled in 1902. After completing only three classes, his father withdrew him to learn the trade of metal craftsmanship. He later entered the first class of Madrasah Ahmadiyya but left after six months. Despite these interruptions, he continued acquiring religious education independently from esteemed teachers.
Service to the Ahmadiyya Community
During the Shuddhi movement in 1923, he devoted his life to serving Islam. He initially volunteered in Malerkotla and subsequently dedicated himself [waqf] to missionary work. He was appointed the Ameer of Puri, Farrukhabad, Etah, and later served in various regions of India, including Dalhousie, Shaker Garh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Punch (Kashmir), Ambala, Karnaal, Kathgarh, and District Hoshiarpur etc. After the partition, he continued his service in Jhelum and Gujrat. Throughout his missionary work, he participated in numerous debates and discussions. He was bestowed with two special honours: leading the funeral prayer for Hazrat Chaudhri Muhammad Zafarulla Khan (ra) in 1985 and for Hazrat Nawab Amatul Hafeez Begum (ra) in 1987.
Later Life and Travels
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra) travelled extensively to visit various Jamaats around the world at the behest of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV (rh). He visited Australia in 1983 to lay the foundation stone of Baitul Huda Mosque, Britain in 1989 for the centenary celebrations of thanksgiving [sad-salah jashn-e-tashakkur], and Qadian in 1991 for the 100th Jalsa Salana of Qadian, India, wherein Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) also participated.
Personal Attributes and Legacy
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra) was renowned for his simple but effective speech. His extraordinary memory enabled him to narrate events from the blessed period of the Promised Messiah (as), even up to the day of his demise. His dedication to spreading the teachings of Islam and serving the Jamaat left a lasting impact.
Illness and Passing
Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra) had been unwell for nearly two years before his passing. Despite the worsening of his condition, his memory and senses remained intact. On June 19, 1994, he passed away in Islamabad, Pakistan, at around half-past ten in the evening.
Funeral and Burial
His funeral prayers were held on the same night at around 3am at the mosque in Islamabad. His body was then transported to Rabwah, where a second funeral prayer was held on June 21 after the Asr prayer at Mubarak Mosque, led by respected Maulana Sultan Mahmood Anwar Sahib. He was laid to rest in the special section reserved for companions of the Promised Messiah (as) in the Bahishti Maqbara, Rabwah.
Quotes and Tributes
In a touching tribute, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh), during an address of the Annual Convention [Jalsa Salana] in 1989, introduced Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Husain (ra) and highlighted his presence as a companion of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, and requested him to sit next to him as a revered guest.
