He seems to have converted in roughly 1933 by Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali. It seems that he was the President of the Chicago Jamaat from roughly 1934 to 1954. By the mid-1950’s, he was kicked out of Ahmadiyya (see Rashid Ahmad via his book, “Perseverance”) and was claiming divine revelations. Rashid Ahmad tells a story wherein Nur ul Islam tried to break into the famous Qadiani temple on Wabash Ave (in Chicago) and Rashid Ahmad called the police, the next day they were in court and Rashid Ahmad agreed that Nur-ul-Islam was the President of the Chicago branch of Ahmadi’s for a long time, however, he was no longer a member.
He first appears in Ahmadiyya literature in the Aug-1937 edition of the Moslem Sunrise, he seems to be in-charge of the Chicago mission while Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali was away in British-India. He explains how and why he converted to Qadianism in the Moslem Sunrise of Oct-1939.
Nur-ul-Islam was born in Georgia on 22 August 1908 as Timothy Titus Smith. He was the son of Samuel Smith and was a middle child of 11 children. His parents were first cousins. His father was a Baptist minister. They were quite well-off, having 300 acres of land and a huge house. They had a house of seven gables. Unfortunately, their wealth was short-lived; at the age of around 20, he was ironing his slacks, getting ready to go on a date, when their house caught fire. The family instantly became homeless and then relocated to Chicago, Illinois.
In the Aug-1937 edition of the Moslem Sunrise, Titus Smith (aka Noorul Islam) wrote an essay entitled, “Activities of Ahmadiyya Moslem Mosque in Chicago”. He explains how most Ahmadi’s in Chicago are new members, this seems to be referring to the schism which caused lots of African-American’s to leave Ahmadiyya and search for an alternative cult which mixed the Bible with the Quran. He also mentions how Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali had been gone for almost a year and returned to Chicago on Dec-10-1936. Titus Smith (aka Noorul Islam) also mentions how Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali brought his wife and 9-year old daughter. Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali’s wife was pregnant when they arrived and the baby came soon thereafter, most likely Jan. of 1937. Moreover, Titus Smith (aka Noorul Islam) alleges that meetings are held 4 times a week, Juma is held every Friday, members are meeting for congregation prayers only 3 times a week, classes on Islam are held simultaneously. Similar activities are held in Ahmadiyya centers in Kansas City, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
He explains how and why he converted to Qadianism in the Moslem Sunrise of Oct-1939.
Via the Moslem Sunrise of First Quarter-1940, Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali only gives one address for Ahmadiyya in America, 56 Congress St, Suite 1102, Chicago, Il. On Dec-29-1939, Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali was in Logan, West Virginia and looking to speak to the community of Syrian Muslims (about 50) who were working therein. He stayed until roughly Jan-4-1940. Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali was staying at the Aracome Hotel and was giving lectures therein. A letter to the 2nd Qadiani Khalifa is also given in congratulations for his 25 years of Khilafat. Timothy Titus Smith (aka Nurool-Islam) gives a report of the “Activities of the Ahmadiyya Moslem Mosque Chicago”. Ramadhan started on Oct-13-1939 and allegedly, Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali was leading Tarawih prayers for the first 10 days, however, he became ill and someone else led the congregation. On Jan-19-1940, Eid-ul-Azha was held at the Chicago Temple/Mosque on Wabash in Chicago. Speeches were given by Bro Omar Cleveland (white man), Bro Omar Khan (black man) and Bro Noorudin. The Moslem Sunrise alleges that similar events were held at Ahmadiyya centers in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Dayton and Kansas City.