Born into an aristocratic family, he was a conventional member of the British establishment until his conversion to Islam in 1913, the year he also inherited his seat in the House of Lords. Known alternatively by his adopted name of Shaikh Rahmatullah al-Farooq, Headley founded the British Muslim Society (1914), was declared bankrupt (1922) and in 1926 was offered the throne of Albania, which he declined – much to the disappointment of his wife who promptly left him.
In 1923 Headley completed the hajj, the pilgrimage to the Muslim holy site of the Ka’ba in Mecca. Before leaving the city he paid his respects to King Hussein bin Ali of the Hejaz and was given the gifts which are to be offered at Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art sale in London on October 25, part of the Asian Art in London event.
These are the order of Al Nahda, First Class (estimate £4000-6000), a gold embroidered robe (£1500-2000) and one of two sections of the black and gold kiswah which covered the Ka’ba (£3000-4000).
The latter was displayed on the wall in his drawing room in Ivy Lodge, Twickenham, with a larger piece presented to Woking Mosque.
A signed photograph of Lord Headley wearing the order of Al Nahda by the celebrated society photographer Carl Vandyk is offered in the sale, estimated at £1000-1500.
