Al Hakam - 2 October 2020

Responding to Allegations

Where stars descend

100 Years Ago...

Did the Promised Messiah ever claim that Allah taught him 40,000 words in a single night?

Chapter 7 (Reaching the corners of the Earth) Part IV

Three Christian ladies convert and establishment of Jamaat in Portsmouth and Madagascar

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Proving the death of Jesus from the Holy Quran: Surah alMaidah and “tawaffa”

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 2 October 2020 | Issue CXXXIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

With Islamophobia on the rise, people should know they can turn to Ahmadiyyat for the true teachings of Islam Belgium amila’s virtual mulaqat with Huzoor Earlier this week, on 26 September 2020, the national amila of Belgium was fortunate and blessed to have a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

The national amila members assembled at the Baitul Mujeeb Mosque complex located in the capital of Belgium, Brussels.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa commenced the mulaqat with a silent prayer, after which the amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective roles and departments.

Every department had the opportunity to present their reports. Huzooraa enquired about the plans, targets and achievements of every department, while also providing valuable advice, direction and guidance on implementation.

Addressing the general secretary, Continued on page 5

Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa

Prayer for contentment and fear of God Hazrat Abdullahra relates that the Holy Prophetsa frequently used to recite this prayer: ٰ ْ َ َ ْ ٰ ُّ َ ٰ ُ ْ َ ُ َ ْ َ ّ َّ ُ ّ ٰ ‫التقی َوال َعفاف َوال ِغنی‬ ‫ا���م ِإنِي ٔاسﺄلک ا��دی و‬ “O Allah, I beg You to grant me guidance and Your fear. I beg You for chastity and contentment.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zikr)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The reality of the relationship between man’s servitude and divine providence The bond between man and woman is a superficial and temporary one. I say that the everlasting epitome of pleasure in its truest sense exists in the bond between man and God Almighty. I feel an immense agony, which at times consumes my soul, that if even one day a person is unable to enjoy the taste of their food, they will visit the doctor and beg and beseech them, even flatter them, and spend money and bear pains so that the pleasure they once felt may return. The impotent man who is unable to feel pleasure with his wife will at times feel so disturbed that he begins to contemplate suicide, and there are many cases of such deaths. But alas!

Why does the ineffectual person with an ailing heart not make an effort to experience pleasure in worship? Why does such a one not feel miserable with grief? They will go to great lengths in pursuit of the world and its pleasures, but feel no thirst or agony for true and Continued on page 5

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This Week in History 2 October - 8 October In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, this time, with some more details

2 October 1891: The Promised Messiahas was in Delhi to spread his message, but was met with bitter opposition, triggered by the local religious schools and mosques. To educate the masses, Huzooras penned a thorough leaflet detailing his religious beliefs on oath and a blueprint of his heavenly mission.

2 October 1896: The Promised Messiahas informed Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra that a donation worth 100 rupees was received yesterday and surprisingly, God Almighty revealed this to him some hours prior to its receipt.

Huzooras prayed for him and shared that some books were being prepared. Hazrat Ahmadas added that some books of other religions like Judaism were available with him in English and some useful abstracts from them were being translated to be added in those new books.

other topics, Hazrat Ahmadas wrote that prayer can make some enormous miracles happen.

4 October 1883: The Promised Messiahas wrote back to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana enlightening his views and thoughts regarding certain topics 2 October 1899: On this date, the Promised of Islamic mysticism, by seeking his arguments and Messiahas wrote to Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha support from the Holy Quran and blessed sayings of Abdur Rahmanra that Hazrat Khalifa Nuruddinra had the Holy Prophetsa of Islam. just returned from Kashmir after his research tour.

He was able to record statements of 556 local men with regard to the grave of the person buried 4 October 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote to in Kashmir, known as Yuz Asaf, Prince Prophet or Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that paan (betel) leaves Isa Sahib etc. worth two annas had been received, but sadly, the Huzooras shared with Seith Sahibra that the cooking oil weighing eight kilograms that was also coming proposed research delegation comprising mentioned by him had not reached Qadian. Huzoor of three persons to be sent towards Nusaybin. wrote that in these situations, where a very Hazrat Ahmadas said that prior to their departure, large quantity of items was being stolen, further a jalsa would be held in Qadian on 12 November dispatches must be stopped temporarily.

1899. This proposed delegation would depart after three days of Jalsa.

4 October 1899: On this date, Zia-ul-Islam Press Qadian printed a detailed announcement 2 October 1902: In the early morning, Hazrat written by the Promised Messiahas inviting his ra followers towards financial sacrifice for certain Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad set out on his journey towards Roorkee (a city in the northern research projects. Huzooras shed some light on district of Haridwar) along with nine respectable the importance of these ventures to prove the elders from Qadian. The entourage was received natural death of Prophet Jesusas in Kashmir after at the city railway station around Isha time by his escape journey from the Middle East. Huzooras ra Hazrat Khalifa Rashiduddin along with his close also shared the names of selfless contributors too, friends. The nikah of the young Sahibzada Mirza to encourage others.

Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra with Syeda Mahmuda Begumra, daughter of Hazrat Khalifa Rashiduddinra, 5 October 1887: The Promised Messiahas sent was announced by Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra his decisive and final response towards Maulvi at a dowry of 1,000 rupees. On 5 October, before Muhammad Hussain of Batala, after his stubborn dusk hours, the group reached back to Qadian and approach and fabricated ideas and thoughts. reported the events to Hazrat Ahmadas regarding outstanding devotion and hospitality of the host.

5 October 1903: The Promised Messiahas was present in the company of his companions in the 3 October 1898: The Promised Messiahas replied evening of this date, where certain newspaper to the letter of Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha headings were read out to Huzooras, which arrived Abdur Rahmanra. In this letter, aside from many from Europe and America. After this, a person

named Mian Gul Muhammad, a Christian by faith, addressed Huzooras with some questions. Huzooras answered him and owing to the poor financial state of this guest, Huzooras gave him three rupees for travel expenses and stated that his whole mission and all activities were solely for God Almighty.

Hazrat Ahmadas announced that if someone from London would travel to him to seek the truth, Huzooras would like to bear even his travel expenses.

5 October 1907: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Seith Ismail Adamra, in which Seith Sahibra sent his condolences of the sad demise of Huzoor’s son, Hazrat Mirza Mubarak Ahmad. Hazrat Ahmadas conveyed that he regularly prayed for him and would continue doing so. How lucky were these men of God, who accepted Imam of the age, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

6 October 1891: The Promised Messiahas was in Delhi and did his utmost to reach the masses with his divine message, but local clerics used their influence to add obstacles in the spread of his mission. Hazrat Ahmadas invited the renowned clergy leaders for a decisive debate.

On this date, Huzooras Hazrat Seith Ismail Adamra wrote to Syed Nazeer Husain (the teacher of the Ahl-e-Hadith section of the ulema in all of India).

This influential teacher was born at Surajgarh, District Monghyr in 1805 AD and came to Delhi in 1828. He was kept in Rawalpindi Jail for one year (1864-65) under suspicion and died on 13 October 1902. During the last quarter of the century, his judgment was affected and his fatwas issued during this period were not trustworthy. (See his biography written by Fadl Husain, Akbari Press, Agra, 1908. pp. 81, 307) In this announcement, Huzooras repeated his invitation to a debate. It was the only course against the vicious machinations of the clergymen.

Hazrat Ahmadas was prepared to hold the debate in Nazeer Husain’s own place, without insistence on the presence of any European officer, if Nazeer Husain openly undertook, by means of an ishtihar (announcement), to be responsible for the proper

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Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM conduct of the debate in writing. This leaflet was printed at the Akhbar Khair Khah Hind Press, Delhi. Instead of meeting Hazrat Ahmadas in a decent manner, the mullahs resorted to a mean trick. Without consulting or even informing Hazrat Ahmadas, they announced that a debate would be held with Hazrat Ahmadas on a certain date.

6 October 1894: The mullahs were already siding with the Christians in the case of Abdullah Atham and were eager to oppose Hazrat Ahmadas at any cost. To confuse and deceive the public even more, the mullahs began to say that the second part of the prophecy regarding the death of Sultan Muhammad and Hazrat Ahmad’sas marriage with Muhammadi Begum had also not been fulfilled. To answer them, Hazrat Ahmadas issued a leaflet on this date, in which he explained that prophecies regarding punishment, like that of Atham and Sultan Muhammad, were not irrevocable decrees to be carried out in a mechanical manner. God is Merciful; He is also Forgiving, and He is not malicious and vindictive. The elements of fear and repentance therefore introduced contingency into prophecy. He suggested that a public meeting be held, at which point he would prove that he was truthful according to Muslim scriptures. If, however, the mullahs still persisted in their view, he would ask them to declare on solemn oath that Hazrat Ahmad’sas view was wrong. They should also pray to God that the advocate of falsehood be chastised by Him. Hazrat Ahmadas promised to give them 200 rupees for this purpose, but nobody came forward. All they did was to ask for illustrations and references in a disbelieving manner.

7 October 1888: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira sharing his deep medical observation regarding types and usage of eggs in different weather conditions.

8 October 1884: The Promised Messiahas wrote to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana, expressing his

worries regarding the news of the sudden and sharp decline in his health. Huzooras stated that he had just returned from Amritsar and a short note was waiting for him sent by Mir Imdad Ali, informing him of the bad health of Mir Abbas Ali. Hazrat Ahmadas wrote that in that moment, he was braving some health issues, but feeble conditions of a friend kept all his attention. Hazrat Ahmadas asked him to add his signature when he next writes a letter.

8 October 1897: The Urdu Al Hakam started its publication from Amritsar. The maiden issue contained Al Hakam’s manifesto and subscription packages, along with some other rich material.

Indeed, it was the great good fortune of Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Alira, a devoted disciple of Hazrat Ahmadas, who later became known as Irfani, that he seized the opportunity and started a weekly paper from Amritsar.

In view of the ancient prophecy that the Promised Messiahas would judge between all peoples, the newspaper was named Al Hakam (the judge). The first issue was published on 8 October 1897, having been printed at the Riyaze-Hind Press, Amritsar. The first issue of the second volume is dated 20 February 1898 and was published from Qadian and printed at the Anware-Ahmadiyya Press, Qadian. Al Hakam therefore enjoys the unique honour of being the first paper of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

8 October 1905: The Promised Messiahas sent out a message for his community regarding the esteemed stature of Hazrat Imam Hussainra. The Promised Messiahas opened this leaflet by writing, “Let it be known that I have been informed through a postal card that certain ignorant people, who associate themselves with my Jamaat, have claimed that Imam Hussainra was amongst those who rebelled owing to his refusal of doing the Bai‘at of the Khalifa of the time, i.e. Yazid and that Yazid was on the side of the truth, God-forbid.” Hazrat Ahmadas went on to say, “Curse be upon the liars! I do not believe that such despicable words could be

Canadian Muslim youth help clean local children’s health facility Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Serving mankind is one of the cornerstones of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. It was with this spirit that Khuddam from Majlis Muqami and Greater Toronto area east region visited the local children’s health facility for a yard cleanup.

Naib Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Canada, Iftikhar Ahmad Sahib reports that on 10 and 11 September 2020, Khuddam spent four hours each day to clean 21 bags of yard waste.

Child Development Institute (CDI) is an accredited children’s mental health

agency in Toronto and is a ground breaker in developing innovative programming.

They offer evidence-based programmes for children ages 0-12, youth aged 13-18 and their families across four streams.

Director CDI, Mr Khalid Daud was very appreciative of the work done by Khuddam.

He said that this act of kindness was very well received by CDI management. In the past, other organisations have sent volunteers to help with outdoor cleaning. This year, due to Covid-19, no other volunteers came.

Khuddam observed Covid-19 protocol.

Another director declared Khuddam as “true champions”. Their dedication and motivation inspired all.

The very first issue of Al Hakam, dated 8 October 1897

uttered by a righteous person of my Jamaat.”

After uprooting many misconceptions, Hazrat Ahmadas penned some powerful words and said, “Such a heart is completely destroyed that bears enmity towards Him, but one that displays love for Him through his actions and perfectly reflects every trace of his faith, morals, bravery, righteousness, patience and love for God will surely succeed, just like a clean mirror reflects the features of a beautiful person’s countenance.

Such people are hidden from the eyes of the world; no one is aware of their true rank except for those who are from among them. The eyes of the world cannot perceive them for they are very far from this world. This was the very reason for Hussain’s martyrdom, for his true status was not recognised.” (Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, pp. 374377)

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Ahmadi Muslims in Nagoya commemorate World Peace Day

Anees Ahmad Nadeem Missionary-in-Charge, Japan

The International Day of Peace or World Peace Day is observed around the world

each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to

contribute to building a “culture of peace”.

Various events and seminars are also held to reassure we are fully committed in playing our part for building a peaceful world.

A seminar and a prayer ceremony was also held in Nagoya to commemorate this day. Aichi Gokoku Shrine is a central shrine dedicated to the fallen heroes of the Aichi region who died protecting their country throughout history. Jamaat-eAhmadiyya was also invited to present the Islamic principles for establishing lasting peace in the world.

I had the privilege of presenting a brief, yet comprehensive introduction to Islam.

Moreover, the noble model and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in regard to establishing peace were shared with the audience. For example, while defining the terms of a believer and Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa stated in his farewell address:

“‘The believer is the one from whom their [people’s] wealth and lives are safe, and the muhajir is the one who forsakes mistakes and sins.’”

An introduction of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya was given to Rev Takaba, the chief priest of the Shinto shrine along with other guests.

Following this, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, a compilation of speeches and letters to world leaders by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa was presented to him as a gift. A copy of the letter of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed to the prime minister of Japan with the Japanese translation was also presented to him.

This seminar was attended by 30 guests including college students. It concluded with a prayer ceremony where everyone prayed for the ending of wars taking place in various parts of the world, for the groups facing religious persecution and for the advancement and prosperity of Japan.

Blood donation in New York Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA

The 9/11 attacks in the USA, in 2001, were certainly a great tragedy in which thousands of lives were lost and countless people were injured. The then Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya USA, Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib, had written a letter of condolence to the then US President, Mr Bush, and Secretary of State, in which it was stated that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is ready to donate blood in New York and Washington to save the lives of all the injured on this occasion.

This anniversary has been celebrated in the country for many years after 9/11 and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has since launched a campaign to donate blood.

So this year, on 9 September 2020, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib, National Secretary Foreign Affairs, made a programme in Detroit. Under this programme, our team teamed up with the Red Cross to advertise the Blood Donation programme in Mahmood Mosque of Detroit, and the American Red Cross and its team organised it in the hall of the Mahmood Mosque.

The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and its translation by Dr Khalid Minhas Sahib of Miami. After this, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib, National Secretary Foreign Affairs, welcomed all the participants and introduced the event. He also mentioned that he joined this programme from California, where the worst fires are currently raging and other surrounding states and about 15,000 firefighters are working to put out the blaze.

He also described the tragedy of 9/11

and said that it was a very difficult time for everyone.

After this, Congresswoman Norma Torres of California thanked for arranging the meeting and the blood donation, and appreciated the Jamaat’s services for the country and the nation, and stated that in this regard, the Jamaat’s leadership is doing an excellent work. She also thanked Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Sahibzada Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib.

“Your community has also opened a hospital in Guatemala to serve the people there and in my district also, you are distributing food to the poor every week, and you are providing great services for refugees as well”, she said.

She stated that you are following the teachings of Islam in its true essence, while the country has many challenges and we need each other’s help.

After this speech, a missionary, Yahya Luqman Sahib of Washington, delivered a speech. In his speech, he described the Islamic teachings regarding the service of humanity and the charitable work of the Holy Prophetsa and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

After that, Mr Paul Sullivan, Vice President of Red Cross USA, delivered his remarks and briefed the public on the services of the Red Cross.

After his speech, Mr Thomas Rice, TX Congressmen thanked and paid tribute to the services of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

After this, California’s Congressman, Pete Aguilar thanked everyone for the blood donation, and said that he paid tribute to the entire Jamaat for its selfless services and was very grateful to all of us for the respect we

extended. “If there is any service worthy of me, you will always find me available”, said the congressman.

After this, a video clip was shown, which presented a glimpse of the Jamaat’s charitable works on various occasions, which were appreciated by various US officials, congressmen and women. This was also the 10th anniversary of the “Muslim for Life” initiative.

After that, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib introduced Shamshad Nasir Sahib, who participated in this programme from Detroit.

Expressing deep sentiments over the 9/11 incident, Shamshad Sahib said: “It was not the tradition of our Jamaat to celebrate anniversaries; the Jamaat has been denouncing terrorism from day one ... There is no place for terrorism in Islam as Islam is a religion of peace and spreads peace. Islam is the name of love and affection. That is why we say ‘Love for all, hatred for none’.

Secondly, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is a divine Jamaat that is guiding people towards the true teachings of Islam in this age.”

He further said: “In 2008, two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore were attacked in which more than 80 people were martyred and more than 100 were injured. Then our mosque in Mong Rasool was attacked at the Fajr prayer and nine Ahmadis were martyred. Our Khalifa and spiritual leader taught us patience. We never arranged an anniversary for these attacks. According to the Islamic teachings, we only recite: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬

meaning, ‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.’”

He further said: “Even now, we are not celebrating the anniversary, but as our then amir had issued a press release in which it was said that we would donate blood, since then, we have been donating blood. This is not specific to any single day, but we will do it today, tomorrow and in the future as well. At the same time, we announce that if anyone needs our help at any time, let us know; we are here. We held interfaith meetings 19 years ago and prayed for the safety of the country and the nation, and will continue to do so.”

Shamshad Nasir Sahib read out a letter written by the then Amir Jamaat USA, Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib.

After that, Nasir Bukhari Sahib of Detroit, who is the local foreign affairs secretary, presented the introduction of the Mahmood Mosque and showed the minaret of the mosque, as it was being broadcast live.

He also showed where the Red Cross has set up beds for blood donation.

Then, Majid Khan Sahib described the efforts of Humanity First USA. Congresswoman, Jackie Spear lauded Jamaat’s services, especially the blood donation programme, and called for the continuation of such programmes.

At the end, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib thanked everyone.

Alhamdolillah, this programme was successful in every way.

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Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

Continued from page 1

Huzooraa enquired as to how many jamaats in Belgium were regular in sending their reports. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further stated that all jamaats should send their reports and that the general secretary should read, analyse and add remarks to the report.

Following this, addressing the secretary of waqf-e-arzi (a fixed period of devotion for the propagation of Islam) and talim-ul-Quran, Huzooraa asked how many amila members, since July, had participated in waqf-e-arzi and further enquired how many amila members were currently holding classes and teaching the Holy Quran to the youth.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then emphasised, “If the national amila members are not exhausting their efforts and setting an example, then what is to be expected of others?” Huzooraa further added, “Work and implementation should begin from one’s home and those near you.

If an example is not set by the national amila, how will others follow? Thus, it is vital that all amila members sacrifice their time for this cause and make a declaration that they will sacrifice two weeks for waqfe-arzi.”

Whilst talking to the secretary of publications (ishaat), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the publications and magazines which were being printed and further enquired about the languages the magazine were published in.

Huzooraa said, “Data should be gathered and collected so that you know how many Ahmadi youth are fluent and speak Dutch, French, Flemish and Urdu; thus, the magazine can cater for all.”

Providing insight and giving guidance to the Waqf-e-Nau secretary, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “It is necessary that information and data should be

collected so that you know how many Waqifeen-e-Nau are above the age of 15 and are currently attending schools and universities, what subjects they are studying, how many are doctors and how many are teachers. All this information should be collected.”

Following this, to the secretary of external affairs (umur-e-kharija), Huzooraa stated that it is absolutely vital and essential to create a relationship and establish close bonds with other communities. Huzooraa stated that it is important to maintain close ties with politicians, churches and other religious and charity-based organisations. They should all know about true teachings of Islam and Islam Ahmadiyya.

In this day and age, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “With Islamophobia on the rise in Europe, it is important that people know they can turn to Islam Ahmadiyya for the true message and teachings of Islam.”

Following this, addressing the secretary of new converts (nau mubai‘een) department, Huzooraa asked about the plans, measures and guidelines that had been made to help further strengthen the faith of the new converts and what tarbiyat related programmes had been set. Huzooraa further said that a system of muwakhaat (brotherhood) should be established to help them and to also take care of them.

As the mulaqat drew to an end, Huzooraa emphasised that it is the duty of the national amila to follow all instructions. Huzooraa further highlighted that all missionaries and waqifeen must work with complete devotion and fulfil their tasks to the best of their abilities.

Huzooraa added that a life devotee (waqfe-zindagi) must work far more diligently than others and set a good example for others to follow.

Continued from page 1

everlasting pleasure. How unfortunate is such a person? How deprived are they?

They will search for a cure in order to experience temporary and transient pleasures and they are successful. Is it possible then that there be no cures which enable one to experience that pleasure which is enduring and everlasting?

There are indeed. But perseverance and persistence are needed in the search for truth. In the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted has described the believers in similitude to women. There is a deep and hidden secret in this point. Those who believe have been likened to Mary and Asiyah; that is to say, God Almighty brings forth believers from among the idolaters. In any case, by likening believers to women there is in actuality a subtle mystery that has been revealed. To elaborate, just as a mutual relation exists between man and woman, so too is the relationship of man’s servitude and divine providence. If a man and woman have a mutual understanding with one another and both are attracted to one another, then such couples are blessed and fruitful; otherwise domestic life is ruined and the actual purpose of this relationship goes unrealised. Men ruin themselves through other relations and are struck by hundreds of illnesses. Some contract infectious diseases like syphilis and are left deprived in this very world.

And if such people do happen to have children, many future generations are left affected by this illness. On the other hand, the woman will begin to lead a life of immodesty and even after her honour and dignity has drowned completely, she is unable to attain true comfort. Therefore,

when the pure relationship of husband and wife is abandoned, this gives rise to countless forms of evil and disorder. In the same way, when a person abandons their spiritual relationship, they are left plagued and forsaken. Such a one falls prey to even greater grief and afflictions than in the case of their worldly relationship. Just as the bond of man and woman is in one way preserved by the pleasure that is derived from it, there is pleasure in the bond of man’s servitude and divine providence, in order to forever maintain this relationship.

The sufis say that a person who is able to experience this pleasure finds it to be more satisfying than all the pleasures of the world. In a person’s entire life, if even once they are able to experience it, they would lose themselves in it. However, the difficulty is that there are a large number of people in the world today who do not understand this secret and their Prayer is but meaningless movements, and nothing more than a process of sitting and rising in a laborious and burdensome state with an unmoved heart. It hurts me even more to observe that some people only offer their Prayers so that they may be deemed worthy and honourable in the world. As a result of their Prayers, they succeed in garnering for themselves a reputation for being holy and pious. Why are such people not consumed by grief that if such false, superficial and insincere Prayers can grant them such a status, why would they not be conferred with dignity if they become true servants of God? In fact, much greater honour would be bestowed upon them in such a case.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 158-159)

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Where stars descend Chapter 7 (Reaching the corners of the Earth) Part IV

Asif M Basit

The greatest fortune of MTA is that as well as being its supervisor, leader and guide, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa is one of its viewers. In previous chapters, we have observed how hectic Huzoor’s daily schedule is, but Allah enables Huzoor’s sight to set upon moments in the MTA broadcast that require guidance and direction.

This can be proven through countless examples. On one occasion, during a nazm, Muslims performing the tawaf (circuit) around the Ka‘bah were shown at a speed which gave the shot a whirlpool effect.

“This is inappropriate. The shot should be edited.”

In this manner, Huzooraa gave us proper direction as regards the Ka‘bah itself and explained that not just the Ka‘bah, but anything that is held sacred should not be shown in a disrespectful manner.

“Kabhi nusrat nahi milti dar-e-Maula sey gandon ko [The impure cannot seek succour from the divine threshold].

During the recitation of this verse, the shot selected to be shown is of worshippers offering Salat. This is not correct. It should be altered.”

Once, while I was seated in my office, I received a call from the private secretary.

All he said was, “Please hold”, after which a tune began playing as I waited. After a few seconds, I heard Huzoor’s voice.

People’s voices are usually somewhat different over the telephone, but every Ahmadi is familiar with the voice of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.

Startled, I immediately stood up.

Huzooraa said, “The promo that is being played currently should be played for a few more days, then it should be stopped.”

One becomes astonished at the attention to detail Huzooraa possesses; Huzooraa felt the significance or insignificance of a promo playing for too long a period.

Once, whilst driving, I received a call on my mobile phone. The private secretary said that Huzooraa would speak to me. I stopped the car to one side. If it was possible to stand up in the car, then I would have. Huzooraa enquired about a programme that was to be produced by

a foreign studio and when it would be completed by. Then Huzooraa asked why a certain presenter did not have a topi (hat) on.

“The way that the presenter is seated is inappropriate. Have it removed from the playlist immediately and tell them to correct this.”

Huzooraa then asked, “Do you understand?” I replied that I did, to which Huzooraa added, “I can visualise your expression right now; you haven’t understood. You’re more shocked and confused.” Huzooraa then repeated the instruction.

Exactly how Ghalib once said: ‫ئ‬ ‫رہبہ وہں ی‬ � �‫ہ‬ � ‫ی‬ ‫م وت اچ ے ُدوان وہ اافتلت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫اتنس ہ ی‬ ‫� وہں ابت رکمر ےہک ب ی ر‬ � “If I am hard of hearing, I need twice the attention; I do not hear without saying, ‘Pardon’”, Huzooraa also knew exactly what this servant must be feeling hearing his voice on a telephone call.

I did not have the audacity to ask Huzooraa to repeat his instruction, but Huzooraa, understanding my situation, repeated himself.

When Huzooraa tours a country, the classes with waqifeen-e-nau and students are a part of Huzoor’s schedule.

At times, I receive Huzoor’s instructions whilst he is on the tour, that such and such programme should be broadcast immediately, or another programme can

wait as there is no urgency. Similarly, I received an instruction like this from Huzooraa a few years ago from Germany.

When I later travelled to Germany for Jalsa Salana there, Huzooraa saw me in Germany and asked, “Did you receive my message? How many programmes have been aired and how many are yet to be shown?”

Jalsa Salana UK has become a key part of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat’s calendar and it is also the main event in MTA’s calendar; “high noon” can best describe the significance of the event.

Huzoor’s usual daily schedule is crammed within the 24 hours of each day, but during Jalsa Salana, his engagements are magnified even more. The mind boggles as to how an incredible amount of extra workload can be packed into the daily 24-hour schedule of the Jalsa Salana period. In a miraculous fashion, Huzooraa is able to accomplish this work too.

Throughout Jalsa Salana and the days preceding and succeeding the event, the management seeks guidance regularly from Huzooraa, the department of Jalsa Gah seeks approval for its issues, waiting rooms are filled to the brim with Ahmadis eagerly awaiting private and collective audiences with Huzooraa. In the midst of all this and much more, Huzooraa is able to study for his numerous addresses that are to be given to the worldwide

audience. At the same time, Huzooraa gives his attention to MTA which shows his concern for the daily broadcast during the three-day period.

It must be mentioned here that Huzoor’s love and attention are able to instil passion and dedication within us more than our own individual abilities can.

Every staff member of MTA is extremely grateful to Huzooraa for this and attests to the fact that without his ample direction and loving guidance, our every task is futile. May Allah enable us to continue to reap the blessings associated with the love and affection Huzooraa shows us.

I should also mention here that it is not as if I have never attempted to be grateful to Huzooraa in person; I have attempted to show my gratitude, but I should also inform you of the details of such an effort.

It is rather brief: “Huzoor, I wanted to express my gratitude…” Huzooraa immediately said: ‫ٹ‬ ‫ک ےتہک وہ؟‬ ‫� ےہ! اب ٓاےگ اتبؤ۔۔۔ ی ا‬ ‫ااھچ ی‬ “That’s fine! Now move on. What else do you have to ask?”

The readers here can imagine how impolite it would have been for me to persist in expressing my gratitude, despite wanting to fully express myself.

Returning to the subject of MTA during Jalsa Salana, readers will be aware that MTA has a special three-day broadcast for the duration of Jalsa UK. The proceedings of all sessions of Jalsa UK are relayed live throughout the world. For the breaks between sessions, MTA produces a variety of programmes, for which a theme is set so that programmes may be prepared with a particular subject in view.

For this, I usually present some themes in January so that they may be selected and approved by Huzooraa or Huzooraa may himself give a theme. With Huzoor’s approval, work commences in view of the specified theme. When the synopses of programmes to be produced for Jalsa Salana are ready, they are submitted to Huzooraa and he provides guidance and approval.

In the ensuing months, I endeavour to keep Huzooraa informed about the programmes and their progress, while at times, Huzooraa himself enquires, “How is

7

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM Huzooraa replied:

‫ بس ےن ی‬،‫ولچ‬ ‫د�ا وہ اگ وت داع یھب رکدی وہ یگ‬

your Jalsa preparation coming along?”

Although I give Huzooraa an update, it is less of a question and more a dose of strength and courage. When I inform my colleagues about this, it boosts within them a new spirit and zeal; our capabilities see new horizons. An increase in our capabilities on such occasions is not really due to our own doing; rather, it is because the work is for the Jamaat and for which Huzoor’s every word proves to be a catalyst.

Then, Huzooraa also provides guidance as regards the participants, interviewees, genre and format of such programmes that is not only guidance for members of our department today, but for the future members of this department.

We make the best efforts to ensure that programmes are produced on time so that these programmes can be viewed by Huzooraa. It troubles me if a programme is not seen by Huzooraa. As the majority of the MTA staff is volunteer-based, most of the work is completed closer to the time of Jalsa Salana.

During such days of anxiety and commotion, I always remember, by the grace of God, to write to Huzooraa seeking prayers for all colleagues. Words such as “Allah fazl karey”, “Jazakallah” and “Dua” provide strength to workers like me who are prone to shortcomings. With Allah’s grace, every worker of MTA – no matter how young or old – is able to overlook the margins of night and day and work diligently.

A young man will be working through the night on a VT that is to be shown the following day and will be found the next morning asleep in his chair; another will have worked through the night and found ready in the morning for another day of assignments and duties; some will have made three rounds of the entire Jalsa area at night to ensure that equipment is set up in different areas; the father of a young

man calls and asks whether his son is in MTA as he has not been seen for the last few nights, and is told that his son is a fantastic young man, who is completely immersed in assignments given to him by his Imamaa. Every staff member during the Jalsa days is a practical fulfilment of the verse: ‫وہ اقہلف اسالر دجرھ ٓاھکن ااھٹ دے‬ �‫مہ اقہلف در اقہلف اُس تمس رواں ہ ی‬ “Wherever the leader of this caravan sets his sight, that is the direction each caravan heads forth.”

Eventually, the day of the inauguration of Jalsa duties and inspection of the Jalsa site arrives, which marks the final day for completing programmes. That day, programmes are displayed on computer screens for Huzoor’s viewing. Each and every staff member of MTA awaits the spiritual light that travels throughout Hadeeqatul Mahdi that day and hopes that they too can partake of its spiritual blessings. It is not our right, nor are we worthy of it, but Huzooraa enters the makeshift MTA compound and each and every person eagerly stands to welcome their beloved Imamaa. Some are fortunate to be seen by Huzooraa himself, while some have the good fortune of shaking Huzoor’s hand and others get the chance to converse with Huzooraa, some of whom, in their own expression of passion, ask for Huzoor’s prayers. Usually, on the day of the inspection, out of his sheer love, Huzooraa watches our programmes or parts of it.

Even those who are present on the day of the Jalsa duties’ inauguration are not aware of this, so for those who watch the Jalsa Salana inspection and duties’ inauguration later on MTA, it is something new.

The land of Hadeeqatul Mahdi is vast and spread across many miles. With each year, the size of the Jalsa site seems to be

expanding also. On that day, Huzooraa covers many miles on foot, visiting every department and encouraging all workers for the upcoming three-day convention.

At times, he will inspect the kitchen and quality of food, after which he will visit other departments, such as scanning, security, transport, accommodation,

“That’s alright. If everyone saw, then they must have prayed also.”

We all request prayers from Huzooraa for our parents and children, but may Allah enable us to remember Huzooraa in our prayers too.

In this age of technology, people are able to inspect the progress of tasks through live streams and videos. The bigger a leader is, the more advanced the technology that assists them in ensuring that targets are being met. However, here we have the biggest leader of all, the most occupied and one who has technological facilities at his disposal, yet he opts to personally inspect the Jalsa progress and bless us with his presence.

He continues to remain anxious for our wellbeing – whether the attendees will be able to sleep comfortably; that it is not too cold; that the bedding and mattresses are comfortable and suitable for the climate.

He remains concerned for the transport of guests; how they will be transported back and forth; if the parking spaces are insufficient, then where else can people park their cars and if another location has been utilised for parking, whether the shuttle service is satisfactory.

These are all but administrative aspects of Jalsa Salana; the main concern remains that after all this is settled, will the attendees be able to spiritually benefit from the blessings associated with Jalsa Salana?

telecommunication, private tents for accommodation etc. Thus, Huzooraa visits every department.

Upon observing the eagerness a worker has for Huzooraa to visit his cabin, Huzooraa will climb the stairs to inspect his cabin that will serve as an office throughout Jalsa. After walking many miles, Huzooraa meets all Ahmadis with the same love, attention and affection, regardless of whether they are the first people to meet him that day or the last.

After a similar function, Huzooraa sat on the stage and during the recitation of tilawat and then nazm, I looked towards Huzoor’s shot in the control room and noticed that Huzooraa was pressing on his leg. My heart sank. Afterwards, I mentioned this to Huzooraa and said that other people may have noticed this too.

May Allah the Almighty bless our beloved Imamaa with a long and healthy life and enable every member of this Jamaat to remember this great leader in their prayers.

Now, let us return to the MTA compound.

Huzooraa arrives here and inspects the efforts of every MTA worker; he inspects the satellite facilities, says words of encouragement for everyone and the precious moments come to a close, much like a dream. The story that follows this is also interesting.

MTA staff members will have been working day and night to make the Jalsa documentaries and programmes a possibility. Our deadline is set as the day of inspection and inauguration of duties.

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

8 If the preparations are not complete by that day, how is it possible for us to stand there emptyhanded and explain to Huzooraa that the programmes still need to be completed. Therefore, all staff members await their beloved Imamaa that day, having completed all their assignments. But the energy level of each worker on that day is as though they had just woken up, fresh and ready for a new day and having relaxed for many days.

It is my deep faith that Huzoor’s attention and love on the day of the inauguration of duties establishes a new fervour within all workers. Without Huzoor’s attention, the strenuous task of broadcasting programmes throughout the three days becomes impossible. We are invigorated by that person, who has been taught by Allah to never tire. Just a single glance in our direction is sufficient to reignite the passion and dedication for the Jamaat within us.

All readers, no matter where in the world they may reside, should know that we are insignificant. Those who watch the proceedings of Jalsa Salana on their screens is a result of Huzoor’s spiritual strength, otherwise presenting this to you would be impossible. May Allah enable us to never forget our beloved leader in our prayers.

On one occasion, Huzooraa had just concluded the closing session of Jalsa Salana UK and returned to his office in Hadeeqatul Mahdi. I had the good fortune to see Huzooraa in person regarding a certain matter. As soon as I entered, Huzooraa enquired, “A programme was just playing on MTA; where did you obtain the footage that was being played in it?”

Before I was able to reply, Huzooraa said, “Right! I remember” and added that it was from a certain occasion.

This was astonishing for me. The video was in fact very rare and had not been broadcast before that, but not only had Huzooraa seen it live and enquired about it, but recalled where the video was from.

Huzooraa had seen the video for the first time also.

Similarly, I was able to see Huzooraa after he had delivered an address on another occasion. With reference to a subject that was under discussion,

Huzooraa said, “I started writing today’s speech yesterday evening and completed it after Zuhr today.”

This also was astonishing for me.

Before that, I was always under the impression that Huzooraa prepared his addresses weeks in advance. I could never have imagined that Huzooraa prepared his addresses in such hectic periods in such a manner.

As I mentioned previously, I always aim to show the Jalsa programmes to Huzooraa before Jalsa, otherwise I feel anxious about them. Yet, there are many programmes that are finalised close to the Jalsa days.

A week prior to Jalsa Salana one year, the recordings for some programmes were sent to Huzooraa. I received the reply: � ‫اب �و�� ی�۔ �د � ی‬ ‫د� ی�۔‬ “Now, [I am] occupied. Please check it yourself.”

Although I had already reviewed the programmes, in following Huzoor’s instruction, I went through them once more. Still, I remained anxious.

Jalsa Salana passed. When those programmes were to be broadcast, I felt uneasy and prayed as they had not been seen by Huzooraa.

After the Jalsa, I took the recordings to Huzooraa. I eagerly desired for Huzooraa to see those programmes himself.

Huzooraa said that he had seen some of the programmes and that I should leave behind those that he had not seen. Then Huzooraa confirmed by asking whether a certain programme was the one in which so and so said something specific.

Although I am unable to, but to this day, I wish to ask Huzooraa how, in the midst of all his engagements and hectic schedule, he was able to closely watch those programmes.

Like I said, I am not able to ask Huzooraa, but I invite the readers to share this astonishment with me.

Whoever Allah chooses, that person’s every second, every endeavour, every word and every action is blessed.

O Allah, bless our Imam’saa health and long life in every respect, for everything we have today is a result of the blessings attached with him. May Allah strengthen his hand. Amin.

ٰ َ ۡ ّ ۡ‫یُریۡ ُد ۡو َن اَ ۡن ّیُ ۡﻄ ِفـُٔوۡا نُوۡ َر الل ِہ بافوَا ِهہم‬ ِ ِ ِ ّٰ َ ۡ َ َ َ‫الل ُہ ِالَّا ۤاَ ۡن ّیُ ِت َّم نُوۡ َر ٗه َو لَوۡ �َره‬ ‫و یابی‬ ِ َ‫ال ۡ ٰک� ُر ۡون‬ ِ They desire to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths; but Allah will permit nothing except that He will perfect His light, though the disbelievers may dislike it.

The Holy Quran - 9:32

Ahmadis give Islamic teachings of peace to President of Sri Lanka Abdul Aziz Sri Lanka Correspondent

A two-member delegation of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Sri Lanka visited President Secretariat Colombo with a peace message to His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksha, President of Sri Lanka.

The delegation also presented the Holy Quran, Life of Muhammad and World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace in Sinhala translations.

Due to the tight schedule of the president, his private secretary received the books on his behalf.

Moreover, a tarbiyat programme

was also held in Ahmadiyya Centers in Colombo, Negombo and Pasyala. This was organised by Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka, to educate Khuddam on the subject of “Islamic Marriage”. Admonishment of the Holy Quran, sayings of the Prophetsa of Islam on this subject were taught. Sayings of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa on the matter of matrimonial issues were also explained in depth.

A question and answer session was also held towards the end of the programme.

A large number of Khuddam participated enthusiastically, alhamdolillah.

9

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

Responding to Allegations

Did the Promised Messiah ever claim that Allah taught him 40,000 Arabic words in a single night?

The opponents of the Promised Messiahas allege that neither did the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat mention anywhere that he was taught 40,000 root words of Arabic in one night by God the Almighty, nor did his companions, who witnessed this miracle, narrate this.

This is an utterly baseless allegation, which has only been raised out of envy.

If the opponents had removed the covers of prejudice from their eyes, they could have easily discovered after little research that not only did the Promised Messiahas mention the said miracle in his sayings and writings, but his companions also highlighted it on countless occasions.

The Promised Messiahas states: ّ ،‫ مع قلۃ جہدی وقصور طلبی‬،‫إن ٌکمالی فی اللسان العربی‬ ُ ‫ فہل‬،‫ظہر علی الناس علمی ؤادبی‬ ِ ‫ لی‬،‫آیۃ واضحۃ من ربی‬ ُ ّ ُ ٰ ‫المخالفین؟ وإنی مع ذلک ًع ِلمت‬ ‫ِمن ُمعا ِرض فی جموع‬ ُ ً ُ ّ ‫ ؤاعطیت بسطۃ کاملۃ‬،‫ٔاربعین ٔالفا من اللغات العربیۃ‬ ّ ‫ مع اعتلالی فی ٔاکثر الٔاوقات وقلۃ‬،‫فی العلوم الٔادبیۃ‬ .‫ وھذا فضل ربی‬،‫الفترات‬ “My proficiency in Arabic, despite a lack of effort and research, is a sign from God Almighty, so that my intellect and literary prowess becomes manifest to people. Thus, can anyone from among the opponents object to it? Moreover, I have been taught 40,000 words of the Arabic language. Despite the fact that I am sick most of the time and I enjoy very few days of health, I have been given vast and complete knowledge in the literary sciences and this has happened only through the blessings of my God.” (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 234) At another place, the Promised Messiahas wrote: “I have been given the sign of eloquence and mastery in Arabic as a reflection of the Quranic miracle of eloquence and no one can challenge me in this.” (The Need for the Imam, p. 42 [English translation of Zarurat-ul-Imam]) Consequently, the Promised Messiahas

wrote about 20 books in Arabic, which are masterpieces of prose and poetry. No one, either in the life of the Promised Messiahas or after his death, had the audacity to come up with better Arabic rhetoric. In this way, Allah the Almighty substantiated the claim of the Promised Messiahas about the said miracle and silenced his opponents.

The Promised Messiahas was taught Arabic by God Almighty despite being a non-Arab. Thereafter, he repeatedly challenged his opponents to hold a contest of Arabic writing so that they could witness the miracle of God with their own eyes. Moreover, he frequently expressed in his gatherings about the time period in which he was blessed with the Arabic knowledge and taught 40,000 words by God Almighty.

An article of one of his close companions, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahibra Sialkoti, was published in Al Hakam on 3 March 1901. In it, he writes: “The motivation for writing in Arabic came from me. God Almighty inspired my soul in the first place that this heavenly blessing should also be presented to the Arabs in Arabic vessels. Upon this stimulation, he [the Promised Messiahas] first wrote the [Arabic book], Al-Tabligh, which is part of Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam.

Only my heart fully knows the situation, which I observed from his reservation and expression of wonder that came upon him at my request. He said with sheer innocence and unpretentious simplicity and straightforwardness, ‘It is a very good idea, but this work is very delicate.

It is beyond my power and ability.’ Then after some thought, he said, ‘Alright, I will first prepare a draft in Urdu, then you (this humble one), me and Maulvi Sahib (Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib) will work together and translate it into Arabic.’ He was fully motivated at that time. During the night, the Omnipotent All-Wise God, Exalted be His name, sent a revelation

about it and told him to write in Arabic and also assured him that he had been blessed with the mastery of a vast part of the Arabic language and that the Ruh-ePak [Gabriel] would cause to flow Arabic words on his tongue and pen when he started to write.” (Al Hakam, 3 March 1901, p. 4) The Promised Messiahas did not deny the above fact in the remaining years of his lifetime and continued to announce that he was given the miracle of Arabic by Allah.

Likewise, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, the son of the Promised Messiahas, who became his second Khalifa, wrote an article entitled, Mann Ansari Ilallah, which was published in the May 1911 issue of the monthly magazine, Tashheez-ul-Azhan, Qadian.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “The Promised Messiahas used to say that he was taught the root words of several thousand Arabic words in one night.” (Tashheez-ul-Azhan, May 1911, p.

165) This article was later published in the first volume of Anwar-ul-Ulum and this statement is present on its page 335.

The Promised Messiahas passed away on 26 May 1908. Thousands of his Companionsra were alive when the above mentioned article was published in May 1911, but none of them disagreed with it. Certainly, they were already aware of that miracle and would have also heard it directly from the Promised Messiahas or from other companions.

On the occasion of the Jalsa Salana Qadian 1921, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra delivered a speech, Hasti Bari Ta‘ala (The existence of the Almighty God) and said: “The opponents called him [the Promised Messiahas] ignorant and said that he did not know a word of Arabic.

However, he replied to them, ‘I know where the treasure of knowledge lies and

I will bring knowledge from there.’ Thus, he invoked God the Almighty’s attribute of Al-Aleem [All-Knowing] and he was granted matchless knowledge. He used to say, ‘Once, 40,000 origins of words [of Arabic] were inspired to me by God Almighty in one minute.’” (Anwar-ulUlum, Vol. 6, p. 435) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote a book, Dawat-ul-Amir in the year 1922, which was published in 1924. He mentioned the allegation of the opponents in it that the Promised Messiahas was not acquainted with Arabic and said: “When this objection was widely circulated and the opponent maulvis started raising it on various occasions, Allah the Almighty taught [the Promised Messiahas] 40,000 origins of Arabic words in one night and gave him this miracle that he should write books in Arabic and promised him that he would be given such an eloquence that people would not be able to compete with him.” (Anwar-ulUlum, Vol. 7, p. 502) The first volume of Tafsir-e-Kabir, comprising the commentary of Surah al-Baqarah, was published in 1948. In it, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra states: “A fresh example of direct teaching of God Almighty is also found in this age and that is the [example of] the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, who did not acquire education in any regular madrasa.

When he started writing books in Arabic by the command of God Almighty, he was once taught 40,000 words of Arabic in one night.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 1, p. 319) A commentary on Surah al-Muminun, was published in the sixth volume of Tafsir-e-Kabir on December 1957, wherein Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote: “The Promised Messiahas has said, ‘I was taught 40,000 origins of Arabic words in one night by Allah the Almighty.’”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 6, p. 142) Continued on next page >>

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

10

100 Years Ago...

<< Continued from previous page

The first statement of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra highlighting the time in which the Promised Messiahas was divinely taught Arabic was published in 1911; the second statement was published in 1921; the third in 1924; the fourth in 1948 and the fifth statement in 1957.

The age of these statements was close to the time of the Promised Messiahas and thousands of his companions were alive.

A single rejection of this statement by the companions would have been enough to prove the objection of the opponents, but zero denial shows that each companion of the Promised Messiahas agreed to it and believed in the said miracle.

Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra states: “Mian Ghulam Nabi Sahib Sethi related to me that he was in Qadian once and the Promised Messiahas was writing Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam. Hazrat Sahibas consulted with the Jamaat [members] as to how tabligh be carried out to scholars and gaddi nasheens [successors of a saint, or pir]. Different opinions were exchanged. The Promised Messiahas said, ‘There should be a book in Arabic for such people but the problem is that I do not have proficiency in Arabic as compared to them. However, I will write an article in Urdu and we will then translate it into Arabic by combined effort.’ Thus, the Promised Messiahas went inside his house.

Then, the Promised Messiahas came out with a draft he had written in Arabic.

Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib and Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib were surprised to see it. Consequently, Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib said, ‘I have studied a lot of Arabic literature, but I have never seen such an excellent piece in Arabic [writing].’ The Promised Messiahas said, ‘I prayed to God Almighty about it. Hence, 40,000 origins of Arabic words have been taught to me

by God.’” (Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, Part II, p. 315) Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra wrote a book, Silsila Ahmadiyya (1939), in which he writes: “God sent him [the Promised Messiahas] to serve Islam and blessed him with the knowledge of the Holy Quran. At the same time, He gave him a command in Arabic in a miraculous way. As a result, he first invited the scholars to face him and compete in Arabic writing. Soon after that, he also announced that he had been taught 40,000 origins of words of Arabic in one night by God, and that God had granted him such perfect command over Arabic that no other person could compete with him, whether he was a Hindu, Egyptian or Syrian.” (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 1, p. 55) A great number of Companions of the Promised Messiahas were present at the time when the aforesaid narrations and statements were published. Neither they, nor any other member of the Jamaat in that era raised any question against them.

Thus, in the presence of the above mentioned testimonies, the opponents should gather some courage and accept the truth, rather than levelling false accusations against the Promised Messiahas.

“I shall humiliate him who seeks to humiliate you”: Ahmadiyya victory in Ceylon Al Hakam, 28 September 1920 All praise belongs to Allah that with His grace, a trying time for us has finally ended and we have witnessed a great victory of Ahmadiyyat.

Both my brothers and Muhammad Sharif were acquitted of all the charges that were filed against them out of religious bigotry. Our opponents, who had hoped that the judge would sentence them to at least five years in prison and who had gathered in court with great enthusiasm, returned with great regret after the verdict was announced. Consequently, Allah the Almighty established the truth of the following revelation of Hazrat Ahmadas: َ َ َ َ َ َ ‫ّ ْ ُ ْ ٌ َّم ْن‬ ‫اد اِهان َتك‬ ‫اِن ِي م ِهين ار‬ “I shall humiliate him who seeks to humiliate you.”

As you are well aware, we are being put to test in every way and enduring hardships upon hardships. Ever since Ahmadiyyat was established in this small Island, we have been facing trouble after trouble, but owing to the blessings of Allah the Almighty, we are not worried at all, even if we experience much greater difficulties. By the grace of God the Almighty, we are ready to face them at all times.

The reason for this [resoluteness] is that we witness fresh signs of the truthfulness of Hazrat Ahmadas every single day.

Before I give you a brief account of the proceedings, it will be interesting for you to note that the opponents have now started to change their attitude because of our great victory. Most of the time, they are seen discussing this miraculous victory we have had over them by the grace of God. As we were going through this divine trial, some prejudiced, ill-informed and unfaithful people, deceived by the provocative words of some fanatical and irrational mullahs, tried their best to uproot Ahmadiyyat from the island of Lanka. They wanted to block all avenues of progress for this Jamaat of a handful of people. In order to achieve this goal, they took the services of [two well-known] lawyers, Mr MBA Ka (advocate) and Mr Sam Kadarga, and contrived all possible

schemes against us. However, all praise be to Allah Who saved us by means of His flawless and excellent plan, and He is the best of planners.

Now, I will tell you briefly as to how the case was heard by Justice Felix Dias in the Supreme Court.

First day The three persons accused were escorted to the court on Thursday, 29 July [1920], at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Mr Stanley Obeyesekere CC along with his assistants, Mr MBA and Mr Sam Kadarga, appeared as plaintiffs. Defendants were represented

by Mr C Brooke Elliott and HG Garron.

The first gentleman, [Mr Brooke] is an Englishman. The court was filled with highly interested audience. Mr Stanley Obeyesekere opened the session with a 20-minute introductory speech. The first witness then appeared from Mr Stanley’s side. Mr Brooke Elliott’s turn came after an hour and the proceedings were adjourned for the second day.

Second day At 11am the next day, Mr Brooke Elliott began his first day’s proceedings and asked very logical and wise questions to all the witnesses who appeared one after the other. He even proved to the judge that their testimonies were completely fabricated and fictitious. As it became clear to the judge that their testimonies were unsubstantial and false, the honourable judge did not consider it necessary to let them present any more of their witness.

Mr Elliott then stood up and addressed [the jury], which was assembled to deliberate fully on this matter and give a decision. Its members were Europeans, two Singair and two Tamil linguists.

He completed his speech after an hour or so. It was a great speech and everyone listened to him very keenly and attentively.

Thereafter, he presented my father before the judge and asked Mr Safudeen, “Is he, Mr Lye, the father of the first two accused?” He replied in the affirmative.

He then asked Safudeen, “Has this old man, (referring to my father), served as the head clerk of Justice Walter Pereira and

Mr Arthur Railway?” He admitted that he had. At that moment, the honourable judge scolded him and said, “Don’t you know how to acknowledge the services of a person with such a social position?” Mr Brooke Elliott also expressed that the other accused was the secretary of Anjuman Ahmadiyya Ceylon and the editor of the newspaper, The Message. Moreover, he is from the promulgators of the progressive Jamaat of Islam. The erudite speaker also explained the cause of all that trouble and mentioned the hostility of the people [against the Ahmadis]. The judge then handed over the papers to [the jury] for the decision. The honourable members returned to their seats after 40 minutes with the following unanimous decision: “All the three accused are not guilty of murder. However, the first and the second [accused] have inflicted a slight blow to Safudeen during an instant reaction.”

Thereafter, Mr Brooke Elliott said to the judge that the defendants were unfairly jailed for three months and requested that they should [only] be made to pay some fine for the minor injury they caused to Safudeen. Hence, the judge acquitted the third accused and imposed a fine of 25 rupees each on the first two as a penalty for the slight beating, which was immediately paid. Finally, they were released after three months of suffering which they had to endure for the sake of Islam.

A great number of relatives, friends and well-wishers congratulated them on their release. After a while, they went to the Anjuman’s office with members of the Jamaat. There, they exalted the glory of God and offered supererogatory prayers to express gratitude. People continued to visit us for seven days in a row and we received many congratulatory letters and telegrams. In short, the final outcome was thanks to God Almighty …

I am also very grateful to the markaz of the Jamaat [Qadian] and its members, for they helped us in every way during this difficult time.

Wassalam, T A Lye

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Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

Three Christian ladies convert and establishment of Jamaat in Portsmouth and Madagascar Al Fazl, 30 September & 4 October 1920 Hazrat Maulvi Fateh Muhammad Sayalra

Master Abdul Rahim Sahib Nayyar is currently residing in Portsmouth. Thus, I am writing this week’s London letter.

All of the servants of the Ahmadiyya Mission in London are well by the grace of God Almighty and are engaged in their respective works.

Portsmouth is a large port on the south coast of England and by the grace of God, [its people are] taking great interest in [the message of Messiah]. A Jamaat of Ahmadis has now been established there.

Since these people are only familiar with the doctrines of Islam and have little knowledge of the practices of Islam, it was deemed essential for a missionary to stay there for a few days to organise them into a Jamaat and teach them practical aspects of Islam.

Tabligh in this city began in the year 1914 when I was invited by a society for a lecture, but I never stayed there for more than two days. This was also the case in the time of esteemed Qazi Sahib and Hazrat Mufti Sahib. Now that the Jamaat has greatly increased in number, it was considered necessary to send Master Sahib there for a [tabligh] tour of two weeks.

Moreover, Master Sahib also needed a few weeks’ vacation. Apart from those who are born in London, it is not a favourable place for one’s health. The atmosphere remains smoggy almost all the time and portrays the picture of: َۡ َ َۡ َّ َ ۡ َّ ۡ ُّ َ ُ ُ َ َّ ٌ ‫اس ؕ ٰھ َذا َع َذ‬ َ ‫الن‬ ‫اب‬ ‫ان م ِبی ٍن۔ یغشی‬ ٍ ‫یوم تاتِی السمٓاء بِدخ‬ َ ‫ال ِۡی ٌم‬

“The day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke that will envelop the people. This will be a painful torment.”

(Surah al-Dukhan, Ch.44: V.12-13) Hence, the permanent stay of expatriates in London is detrimental to their health. So the people of Punjab may laugh at this, but for a short period of time, changing [one’s] climate is very necessary.

Allah the Almighty showered special blessings this week. I delivered lectures at two different places in London and people intently listened to them. The lectures were followed by a series of questions and answers. It shows that the people here have started to take a special interest in [the message from] India.

Several people came to visit us. Some of them were going to America and some were heading off to South West Africa.

They wished to be informed about our mission in those countries. At their request, the addresses of Hazrat Mufti Sahib and secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya Lagos were given to them. Apart from them, we met with the editors of some well-known newspapers and related the situation of the Jamaat and presented some books and magazines to them. They listened to the accounts of the Jamaat with great interest and some even wrote about them in their newspapers.

Three ladies convert to Islam By the grace of Allah the Almighty, three ladies converted to Islam this week. All praise belongs to Allah Who made it all possible.

ُ ‫ٰه َذا ِم ْن فَ ْضل َربّ ْی ی ُ ۡؤتِ ۡی ِہ َم ۡن ی َّ َش‬ ‫ٓاء‬ ِ ِ “This is from the blessing of Allah and He bestows it on whom He pleases.”

All three are educated, serious and saintly. The letter of one of them is given below and it can be estimated from it as to how much these people are interested in Islam. Mrs Vernon, an educated and saintly lady, wrote in a letter to me: “You gave me a book on Islam. I return it with thanks and express that I agree with every word of this book. This is a very beautiful teaching that we bow our heads to the ground in the name of Allah the Almighty because He is our only God. He is the Master. Surely, to Him belong the skies and the earth. As Islam teaches us, He is the light of the heavens and the earth.

“The commandments of Islam seem to be more strict than Christianity, but obedience and worship are in fact the name of such submission. What remains of religion without it? The voice of Islam is glorious and fully rules over its followers and pertains to every branch of their life, so that Allah the Almighty always stays in mind. The prayers are arranged in such a way that they come one after the other and before a person could forget Allah the Almighty due to worldly engagements, there comes the time for another prayer and remembrance of Allah. This teaching is very beautiful and it has created a deep impression on my heart. Beyond any doubt, Muslims would get a big share from the spiritual powers that come from prayers and fasting. Christians are afraid

A present day view of Portsmouth, where a jamaat was established in 1920

of fasting and if they are ordered to fast, they will probably shut down all business in the world. They are not like Muslims, who perform their day to day works while fasting.

“I was not a Christian from my childhood. I cannot even imagine that the whole world can be saved by the death of one person. This teaching is also against the sayings of Jesusas. The rest of the doctrines of Christianity are also as irrational as this [teaching].

“My heart is thirsty for knowledge and spirituality. I am very hopeful that you can help me. I sincerely believe that Allah the Almighty has sent you people to completely purify the spiritual matters.

“All the others who give speeches in Hyde Park have no food for spiritually famished people.

“Peace be upon you all, Mrs Vernon” This week, I came across a book named Pan Islam written by Mr Berry.

The book was published in April this year. This clever and meticulous writer, who has lived in Arabia for a long time, writes, “Christian missionaries have been defeated against Islam and will never succeed.” For this reason, he goes on to say, “These missionaries should not bother the Muslims at all because it will cause trouble to Christianity.”

In this regard, he has particularly mentioned our mission and stated, “When Islamic missions have been established in London and are converting the British to Islam, then what are we producing in the East?” It is also mentioned that, “These missionaries continue to publish lies about Islam in the West and especially in America, to solicit donations from the people.”

All the said news are pleasing, but we should not be overly happy with these things, because the people here are far away from the light of Allah.

If someone wants to see the sight of: ۡ َ َ ۡ َ َ ُ ۡ َ ٌ ُٰ ُ ‫ض‬ ٍ ‫ظلمت بعضہا فوق بع‬ [Layers of darkness, one upon another] they should visit England. Darkness and suffering are so prevalent that there seems to be no other way out except to pray.

Thus, I request for prayers from all friends who are well-wishers of Islam and mankind. As the whole nation has gone corrupt, it requires the prayers of an entire nation and not just the prayers of one or two persons.

Ahmadiyyat in Madagascar Secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya Mauritius writes: “Two of our Ahmadi merchants have gone to Madagascar. It is a large island near Mauritius, which is under the control of France and is probably the largest island in the world. As far as we know, Ahmadiyyat has not yet reached it.

Thus, these two Ahmadis have been given many small tracts in French, which they will distribute to the people of that place.

May God soon establish a mission of our [Jamaat] over there.”

Humbly yours, Zainul Abidin, Mauritius

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Proving the death of Jesus from the Holy Quran: Surah al-Maidah and “tawaffa”

Ayyaz Mahmood Khan Missionary, UK In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty states: ُ َّ َّ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ ٰ ُ ّٰ َ َ ۡ َ ُ ‫اس ات ِخذ ۡونِ ۡی َو ا ِّم َی‬ ‫و ِاذ قال اللہ ی ِعی ٰسی ابن مریم ءانت قلت ل ِلن‬ ُ َ َ َُِ َ ّ ُۡ ۡ َٰۡ َ َ ‫الل ِہ ؕ َق‬ ‫ِالہین ِمن دون‬ ‫ال ُس ۡب ٰحنک َما یَکوۡ ُن ل ِۡۤی ا ۡن اقوۡ َل َما ل ۡی َس ل ِۡی ٭‬ َ َ ۡ ُ ُِۡ ِ ۤ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ُ ‫ِب َح ّ ٍق ؃ؕ ِا ۡن کن ُت قلت ٗہ فق ۡد َع َ ِل ۡم َت ٗہ ؕ ت ۡعل ُم َما فِ ۡی نف ِس ۡی َو لَا ا ۡعل ُم َما فِ ۡی‬ ُ ۡ ُ َّ َ َ ۡ َ َ ّ َ ۡ َ ‫ام الغ ُیوۡ ِب‬ ‫نف ِسک ؕ ِانک انت عل‬ ّٰ ُ ُ ۡ َ ۤ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۤ َ َّ ۡ ُ َ ُ ۡ ُ َ ُ‫الل َہ َر ّب ۡی َو َر ّبَ ُک ۡم ۚ َو ُک ۡنت‬ ‫ما قلت لہم ِالا ما امرت ِنی ِب ٖہ ا ِن اعبدوا‬ ِ ّ ‫َع َل ۡیہ ۡم َشہ ۡی ًدا َّما ُد ۡم ُت فِ ۡیہ ۡم ۚ َف َل َّما تَوَ َّف ۡی َت ِن ۡی ُک ۡن َت اَن ۡ َت‬ ‫الرَقِ ۡی َب‬ ِ َۡ ِ ِ َ َ ُ َ ‫َعل ۡی ِہ ۡم ؕ َو ان َت َع ٰلی ک ِ ّل ش ۡی ٍء ش ِہ ۡی ٌد‬ “And when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, son of Mary, didst thou say to men, “Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah?”’, he will answer, ‘Holy art Thou.

I could never say that to which I had no right. If I had said it, Thou wouldst have surely known it. Thou knowest what is in my mind and I know not what is in Thy mind. It is only Thou Who art the Knower of hidden things. I said nothing to them except that which Thou didst command me – “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them; and Thou art Witness over all things.’” (Surah alMaidah: Ch.5: V.117-118) In these two verses of the Holy Quran,

a dialogue between Allah the Almighty and Jesusas has been recorded. Allah enquires of Jesusas as to whether he was the one who taught his followers to take Jesusas and his mother as gods. Jesusas responds to this question posed by Allah the Almighty by stating, “I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them”.

In this brief statement, Jesusas takes full responsibility for his community while he was alive and a guardian over them. He assures Allah the Almighty that for as long as he was present among his people, he ensured that they followed the right path, and believed in only one God. However, in the next part of his response, Jesusas states that he cannot be held responsible for his people’s misguidance after Allah caused him to die, because he was no longer among them to correct their false beliefs.

Jesusas explains his lack of knowledge in regard to what transpired following his demise and states, “[O Allah,] Since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them.”

In this scenario, the word “tawaffaytani” can mean nothing other than death. Moreover, this also naturally leads to the conclusion, that the physical descent of Jesusas in the latter days is also

an ideology that the Holy Quran does not support, for if we were to accept that Jesusas physically ascended into the heavens 2,000 years ago, and shall physically descend in the Latter Days, then this response, as mentioned in the verse under discussion, would not hold true.

If Jesusas is to descend in the Latter Days, how then can he express his complete lack of knowledge as to the false ideologies of his followers before God Almighty on the Day of Judgement, when this question is asked of him? It is obvious that when Jesusas claims that Allah was a watcher over his people after his departing from the physical world, this means that he is unaware of the path of misguidance that his people began to follow in his absence.

If we are to suppose that Jesusas physically returns in the Latter Days, then most definitely, he shall be fully aware of his nation’s misguidance and in such a case, for Jesusas to answer Allah by saying that he has no idea as to what happened after him, is a lie, God forbid.

Therefore, if we analyse this verse logically and rationally, there are only two options.

The first option is that considering the context of this verse, we must interpret the word “tawaffaytani” to mean death.

This is because if we accept that Jesusas has passed away and he shall not return to this physical world again, then – and only then – can Jesusas express his lack of knowledge before God with regard to the polytheistic ideologies of his people on the Day of Resurrection.

In the second case, if we accept the non-Ahmadi Muslim interpretation of this verse, which purports that Jesusas will return physically in the Latter Days to reform mankind, then Jesusas cannot express his lack of knowledge before God with regard to his nation’s polytheistic views, which deify Jesusas. The reason for this is because Jesusas will have seen and witnessed the dire state of his people during his second advent.

As such, in this case, the abovementioned verses would lose their meaning completely and the statement

of Jesusas that he is not aware of what transpired after him would prove to be a lie. The latter is not an option for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community because we believe that Jesusas is indeed a beloved and truthful prophet of God and it does not behove a prophet of God to lie before his Lord.

If Jesusas was to return in the latter days, he would have spoken of his second coming and physical descent, as well as his preaching endeavours etc. He would explain to Allah the steps he took towards reforming his nation and the efforts he exerted in bringing them back to the concept of unity.

Verdict of the Holy Prophetsa Our opponents assert that the meaning of the word “tawaffi” in this verse does not mean death; rather, it means “the taking of something in its physical entirety”, and thus, alludes to the bodily ascension of Jesusas into the heavens.

We have already proven by means of logic and rationality that the context of these verses clearly proves that the word “tawaffaytani” can mean nothing other than death. If we are to accept that this word alludes to the bodily ascension of Jesusas and that he shall descend in the Latter Days, the verse would fail to make sense. If, however, the word “tawaffaytani” as used in this verse is taken to mean death, the subject matter of the verse makes perfect sense. We shall discuss the meaning of this word from a linguistic perspective later on. However, at this instance it seems most appropriate to present a very authentic hadith of the Holy Prophetsa, which sheds light on the true meaning of the word “tawaffi” in this verse as understood by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa himself.

There is no doubt that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, upon whom the Holy Quran was revealed, possessed the greatest and most profound knowledge of the Holy Quran. If it is proven that the Holy Prophetsa also understood the word “tawaffaytani” to mean “death” in this verse, then the matter becomes clear.

There is no need for any further verdict.

The Holy Prophetsa said:

13

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM “Verily! Some men from my followers will be brought and then [the angels] will drive them to the left side [hellfire].

I will say, ‘O my Lord! (They are) my Companions!’ A reply will come, ‘You do not know what they did after you.’ Then I will say as the pious slave [Jesusas] said: ‘...

And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them’. (Surah al-Ma’idah: Ch.5.: V.118) “Then it will be said, ‘These people continued as apostates since you left them.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alTafsir) The Holy Prophetsa was the most eloquent of the Arabs and his knowledge of Arabic was second to none. If the Holy Prophetsa understood this word to mean “physical ascension” or the “taking of something in its physical entirety,” he would not have used this word for himself in the context of death, whilst referring to a scenario of the day of resurrection in the abovementioned hadith.

Linguistic analysis of the word “tawaffi” In the verse presented above, there is no doubt that the word “tawaffi” has been used to mean “death”. The word “tawaffi” is the infinitive form of the verb “tawaffa”.

When this verb appears in the form known as Bab Tafa‘ul, the subject is Allah or the angels, the object upon which the verb is applied possesses a soul and there is no specific mention of night or sleep, the meaning always infers death.

Hence, in accordance with this principal the word “tawaffi” has been used numerous times throughout the

Holy Quran to infer death. (Surah alBaqarah Ch2: V.235; Surah Al-e-Imran Ch.3: V.194; Surah al-Nisa Ch.4: V.16; Surah al-Nisa Ch.4: V.98; Surah al-An‘am Ch.6: V.62; Surah al-A‘raf Ch.7: V.38; Surah al-A‘raf Ch.7: V.127; Surah al-Ra‘d, Ch.13: V.41; Surah Yunus Ch.10: V.47; Surah Yusuf Ch.12: V.102; Surah al-Nahl Ch.16: V.33 & 71; Surah al-Hajj Ch.22: V.6; Surah al-Sajdah Ch.32: V.12; Surah al-Zumar Ch:39: V.43; Surah al-Mu‘min Ch.40: V.68 & 78; Surah Muhammad Ch.47: V.28; Surah al-An‘am Ch.6: V. 61; Surah al-Anfal Ch.8: V.51; Surah Yunus Ch.10: V.105) Even if one puts the Holy Quran and the ahadith to one side and merely studies the word “tawaffi” in its common understanding, the word infers a meaning of death. For example, in Arabic and in the Urdu language as well, the word “mutawaffa” refers to a “deceased person”.

Similarly, in the funeral prayer we are taught by the Holy Prophetsa to recite the following words: ْ َ ُ َّ َ َ ُ َّ َ ‫َو َم ْن ت َوف ْی َتہ ِم ّنا ف َت َوفہ َعلی ال ِایْ َمان‬ “And whoever You cause to die from among us, grant them death upon belief.”

In Qamus, it is written: ُ َ َ ّ ٰ ُ َّ َ ‫الوفاة الموت و ت َوفاہ اللہ قبض روحہ‬ “‘Al-wafatu’ means ‘death’ and ‘tawaffahullahu’ means ‘to subdue the soul, i.e. death’”.

In Taj-ul-Urus, it is written: ّ ّ ّٰ ُ ّ َ ‫عز و جل اذا قبض نفس ت َوفاہ اللہ‬ “‘Tawaffahullahu azzawajall’ means ‘when Allah subdues the soul, i.e. causes death.’”

Explanation of the word “tawaffi” by Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra has also understood the word “tawaffi” to mean death. It is for this reason that in Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tafsir, under the verse “Falamma tawaffaitani...”, Hazrat Imam Bukharirh has quoted the following statement of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra with relation to this verse: ّ ‫قال ابن‬ ‫عباس متوفیك ممیتك‬ “Ibn-e-Abbasra states, ‘“Mutawaffika” means we caused you to die.’”

Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra was a great commentator of the Holy Quran. He was from amongst the greatest of Companions and was granted special knowledge and insight into the hidden secrets of the Holy Quran by Allah the Almighty. The reason for his breadth of knowledge and deep insight into the Holy Quran was due to a prayer of the Holy Prophetsa for Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra. Therefore, his statement cannot be ignored or casually overlooked to hold little or no value.

This statement of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra is a great proof of the fact that the word “mutawaffika” means “death”.

Our opponents often try to disprove this argument by stating that Ahmadis misrepresent Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra by quoting a single reference and leave out all the other references where Hazrat Ibn-eAbbasra has clearly spoken of the physical ascension and descent of Jesusas. These other narrations contain the words “ilassama” (i.e. from the heaven), “bi jasadihi” (with his physical body) etc. However, this is a very weak rebuttal. NonAhmadi Muslims forget one very crucial

point when they present these alternate references. They believe these references to be an irrefutable proof of the physical ascension of Jesus, but unfortunately (for them of course) this is not the case.

The narration of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra, which is presented by Ahmadi Muslims is quoted in Sahih al-Bukhari, which is: ّٰ ‫اصح الكتب بعد كتاب اللہ‬ “The most authentic of all books after the Book of Allah.”

However, the other quotations of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra, which apparently show him to have believed in the physical ascension and descent of Jesusas, are not quoted in Sahih al-Bukhari or any other of the six authentic books of hadith (Sihah Sittah) for that matter. These references are taken from various tafasir or commentaries of the Holy Quran and anyone who possesses even elementary knowledge of the science of hadith knows full well that narrations of sirat and tafsir are not as authentic as narrations of the Sihah Sittah. Moreover, those narrations which are attributed to Hazrat Ibn-eAbbasra in books such as Tafsir Ibn-eAbbas are also not an authentic source by which to deduce the true belief of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra, because the scholars are at an agreement that these are fabricated narrations.

Imam Shaukani states: ‫تفسیر ابن عباس فانہ مروی و من جملة التفاسیر التی‬ ‫لا یؤثق بھامن طریق الكذابین‬ “Among the various commentaries that are unauthentic, one such commentary is that of Ibn-e-Abbas, because it is related by a chain of narrators who are liars.”

(Al-Fawa‘id-ul-Majmu‘ati fil-ahadithilMaudu‘ah) Therefore, the reference of Ibn-eAbbasra, which is presented by Ahmadis, is a true representation of the belief of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra. However, the references that are presented by nonAhmadis are not authentic and therefore cannot be deemed a true representation of the belief of Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbasra.

Challenge of the Promised Messiahas regarding “tawaffi” It seems very appropriate to conclude this linguistic analysis of the word “tawaffi” with an open challenge of the Promised Messiahas. He declared: “If anyone can cite a single instance from the Holy Quran or Hadith, or from ancient or modern Arabic poetry and prose, that the word ‘tawaffi’, when applied to a human being – God being the subject – has been used in any connotation other than death and taking possession of the soul, for instance, in the connotation of the taking the body, then I bind myself on oath that I shall pay that person 1,000 rupees in cash by selling some of my property and shall always hold him in high esteem as a great scholar of the Holy Quran and hadith.” (Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, p. 603) To this day, no Muslim scholar of any calibre has stepped forward to this challenge.

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

14

Celebrating the life of the Holy Prophet in Sierra Leone

Abdul Hadi Qurashi Sierra Leone Correspondent

To increase knowledge and improve expressive skills of Jamia students, seminars and jalsas are held on regular basis. Majlis-e-Irshad regularly organise programmes on various important topics.

On 27 September 2020, Jalsa Seeratun Nabi was organised. The programme started at 11am, which was chaired by the Principal of Jamia, Mubarak Ahmad Ghumman Sahib.

Sulaiman Sow Sahib recited a few verses from the Holy Quran and presented their English translation as well.

Ibrahim S Korom Sahib recited a poem in praise of the Holy Prophetsa, written by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh. Its English translation was presented by Hassan Noah Sahib.

The first speech of the programme was delivered by Abdul Karim Turay Sahib, on “The Holy Prophetsa, as a preacher”.

The speech cited incidents from the life of our beloved Master, Muhammadsa, and showed how profoundly he delivered the message of Allah the Almighty to the people of his country and to various kings.

The second speech was delivered by Hafiz Asadullah Waheed Sahib, Lecturer Jamia, on “The Holy Prophet’ssa manner of advice”. This speech cited the excellent

ways of advice practiced by the Holy Prophetsa.

Principal Jamia, Mubarak Ahmad Sahib delivered the last speech on “The Promised Messiah’sas love for the Holy Prophetsa”. He narrated incidents from life of the Promised Messiahas, which clearly showed how much love he had for his Mastersa. He told the audience that complete obedience of the Holy Prophetsa is the key to gain the love of Allah the Almighty.

A brief question and answer session was held at the end and the students asked questions about the life of the Holy Prophetsa. The lecturers of Jamia answered these questions.

The programme ended with silent prayer.

May Allah the Almighty enable all of us to follow the excellent example of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in our daily lives. Amin.

Tilawat competition at Jamia-tulMubashireen To enhance knowledge and to inculcate the spirit of ‫( فاستبقواالخیرات‬competing in good works with each other) as mentioned in the Holy Quran, the department of Majlis-e-Ilmi is properly established in Jamia-tul-Mubashireen, Sierra Leone.

The students are distributed into

three groups; Nur, Mahmood, and Nasir.

Individual and team competitions take place between the groups on weekly basis.

At the end of the academic year, the best group and student is decided on a point basis.

The first competition for the new academic year, the competition of tilawat, was held on 23 September 2020.

The chief guest for the competition was Hafiz Asadullah Waheed Sahib, a lecturer in the Jamia. Maulvi Sheikh Zafir Ahmad Sahib and Maulvi Hamid Ali Bnagura Sahib assisted him in the judgement.

There was no prescribed syllabus for this competition and the participants could recite a portion of the Holy Quran

of their own choice. Five students from each group took part in the event.

Alhamdolillah, all participants prepared well for the event.

According to the judges, Muhammad Yero Kamara Sahib took the first position, Sulaiman Sow Sahib was second and Muhammad Bilal Koroma Sahib was third.

The chairman of the event addressed the students following the competition and informed them of a few points about the recitation of the Holy Quran. This blessed event ended with silent prayer.

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Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 4 September 2020 Men of Excellence After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

Allah the Almighty stated in the Holy Quran:

َۡ َۤ ۡ ‫اَلَّ ِذیۡ َن‬ ّ ‫اس َت َجابُوۡا ل ِ ّٰل ِہ َو‬ ؕۛ ‫الرَ ُسوۡ ِل ِم ۢۡن َبَ ۡع ِد َما ا َصابَ ُہ ُم الق ۡر ُح‬ َّ ۡ ُ َ َ َّ ‫ل ِل ِذیۡ َن ا ۡح َسنوۡا ِمن ُہ ۡم َو اتقوۡا ا ۡج ٌر َع ِظ ۡی ٌم‬

“[As to] those who answered the call of Allah and the Messenger after they had received an injury – such of them as do good and act righteously shall have a great reward.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.173) Whilst narrating the accounts from the lives of the Companionsra, some of the accounts Hazrat Zubairra remained and I shall narrate them today.

With regard to the verse I have just recited, Hazrat Aishara said to her nephew, Urwah, “O my nephew! Your forefathers, Zubairra and Abu Bakrra were among the companions who have been referred to in this verse. When the Holy Prophetsa was injured during the Battle of Uhud and the idolaters retreated, he feared that they would return to attack again. Hence, the Holy Prophetsa asked, ‘Who will go and follow them?’ 70 companions from among the Muslims were ready to go immediately.”

The narrator of this tradition states that Abu Bakrra and Zubairra were also among them. This narration is from Sahih Bukhari; both, Hazrat Abu Bakrra as well as Hazrat Zubairra were among the injured. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alMaghazi, Bab alladhina istajabu lillah wa al-rasul…, Hadith 4077) A similar narration has been recorded in Sahih Muslim as follows: Hisham narrates from his father, “Hazrat ‘Aishara said to me, ‘Your forefathers were among those companions who responded to the call of Allah and His

Messengersa despite being injured.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Faza‘il al-Sahabah, Bab min Fada’il Talhah wa al-Zubair, Hadith 2418) Hazrat Alira narrates, “I have heard the Holy Prophetsa himself say, ‘Talhara and Zubairra will be granted my company in Paradise.’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab alManaqib, Bab Manaqib Abi Muhammad Talhah, Hadith 3740) Hazrat Saeedra bin Jubair narrates that the status of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Usmanra, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Talhara, Hazrat Zubairra, Hazrat Saadra, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra and Hazrat Saeedra bin Zaid was such that they used to fight ahead of the Holy Prophetsa on the battlefield and would stand [immediately] behind him in prayer. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, Atiyyah bin Nuwairahra [Beirut,

Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003], p. 45) Hazrat Abdur-Rahmanra bin Akhnas relates that he was in the mosque, when an individual spoke about Hazrat Alira in a very disrespectful manner. Upon this, Hazrat Saeedra bin Zaid stood up and said, “I bear witness that I have most certainly heard the Holy Prophetsa say that 10 individuals will certainly enter paradise. The Holy Prophetsa himself will enter paradise, Hazrat Abu Bakrra will enter paradise, Hazrat Umarra will enter paradise, Hazrat Usmanra will enter paradise, Hazrat Alira will enter paradise, and so too will Hazrat Talhara, Hazrat Zubairra bin al-Awwam, Hazrat Saadra bin Maalik and Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf and if I wish, I could name the tenth individual as well.” The narrator states that the people enquired about the identity of

the tenth individual. Hazrat Saeedra bin Zaid remained silent for a short while. The narrator states that some people enquired again as to who the tenth individual was, upon this, he said, “Saeed bin Zaid”, i.e. he himself. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab alSunnah fi al-Khulafa, Hadith 4649) I believe this narration has already been mentioned in the accounts of Hazrat Talhara.

Whilst mentioning the names of the scribes of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra states: “As soon as a revelation was received by the Holy Prophetsa it was recorded in writing from his dictation. A number of persons are known to have been assigned by the Holy Prophetsa for this purpose. Of these the names of the following fifteen have been mentioned in historical accounts; Zaidra bin Thabit, Ubayyra bin Kaab, Abdullahra bin Saad bin Abi Sarah, Zubairra bin al-Awwam, Khalidra bin Saeed bin al-Aas, Abaanra bin Saeed al-Aas, Hanzlara bin Rabi al-Asadi, Muayqibra bin Abi Fatimah, Abdullahra bin Arqamra az-Zuhri, Sharahbeelra bin Hasana, Abdullahra bin Rawaha, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Usmanra and Hazrat Alira. Whenever the Holy Prophetsa received a revelation, he would send for one of these persons and dictate to him the text of the revelation he had received.” (Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 425-426) Hazrat Anasra bin Malik relates that the Holy Prophetsa permitted Hazrat Zubair bin al-Awwam to a wear a silk shirt during one battle as he was suffering from irritable skin condition. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Jihad wa al-Siyar, Bab

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16 al-Harir fi al-Harb, Hadith 2919) When the Holy Prophetsa marked out the boundaries for people’s dwellings in Medina, he allotted a large portion of land to Hazrat Zubairra. The Holy Prophetsa also gave him a date orchard. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990] 76) With regard to the Holy Prophetsa granting land to Hazrat Zubairra, Hazrat Khalifat-ul-Masih IIra says: “The Holy Prophetsa bestowed a vast piece of land to Hazrat Zubairra which officially belonged to the state. It was so vast that his horse could run until its last breath.” In other words, it could run as far as it was able to. “Hazrat Zubairra threw his whip with full force from the point where his horse had stopped running. Thereupon, the Holy Prophetsa decided that he would not only be given the land up to the point where his horse had stopped, but the area where his whip landed would also be granted to him.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra further writes: “The horses in our country can run for miles as well, but Arab horses can run even faster. If we suppose that the horse could only run up to four or five miles [before stopping], even then the land that was granted to him would be approximately 20,000 acres.”

Imam Abu Yusuf writes in his book, Kitab al-Kharaj, that the Holy Prophetsa allocated a portion of land for Hazrat Zubairra which contained date-palms. This excerpt from Imam Abu Yusuf ’s writings was also cited by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra writes: “The land he was given had datepalms and at one point, this belonged to the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir and this was a village recognised as Juruf.” Juruf is the name of a place situated three miles from Medina in the direction of Syria. “This was a traditional village. When we place this account alongside the other narrations, it can be concluded that at the time, the Holy Prophetsa gave the upper part of the land to Hazrat Zubairra” i.e. where there is mention of the horse running, and this equated to approximately 15,000 or 20,000 acres. “This was given to him at a time when he was already the owner of a village which contained date-palms.”

(Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Islam aur Malkiyat-e-Zameen, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 21, p. 429) (Yaqut Ibn Abdullah al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam alBuldan, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi], 247) Urwah bin Zubair relates that Marwan bin Hakam said that the year in which there was an outbreak of a disease which caused [severe] nosebleeds, Hazrat Usmanra bin Affan also suffered greatly from this, to the extent that it prevented him from performing the Hajj and he even wrote down his will. In that moment, one of the Quraish approached him and said, “Elect someone as the Caliph” i.e. due to his severe condition. Hazrat Usmanra asked, “Have people made this request?”

To which he replied in the affirmative.

Hazrat Usmanra asked who they wish to

be appointed as the Caliph, but to this he remained silent. Then another person came, who the narrator says he believes was Harith, and he also asked him to appoint a Caliph. Hazrat Usmanra asked, “Is this what the people are asking?” to which he replied, “Yes”. Hazrat Usmanra asked, “Who should be the Caliph after me?”, to which the man remained silent.

Hazrat Usmanra then said, “Perhaps they desire to elect Hazrat Zubairra.” To which he replied, “Yes”. Hazrat Usmanra then said, “By Him in Whose Hands is my life, as far as I know, he is the best among the people”, i.e. referring to Hazrat Zubairra, “and was the dearest to the Holy Prophetsa.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fazail Ashab al-Nabisa, Bab Manaqib al-Zubair bin al-Awwam, Hadith 3717) Hazrat Zubairra relates that once he had a dispute in the presence of the Holy Prophetsa with an Ansari companion who had taken part in the Battle of Badr, in regard to the tributary they both used to irrigate their fields with. Whilst resolving the matter, the Holy Prophetsa stated, “Zubair, water your field and leave the rest of the water for your neighbour.” The Ansari companion was displeased with this response and said, “O Messengersa of Allah, you have issued this verdict only because he is your cousin.” Upon hearing this, the expression of the blessed countenance of the Holy Prophetsa changed and he said to Hazrat Zubairra, “Control the flow of water so it only irrigates up to your boundary edge [of the land].” Hence, the Holy Prophetsa granted Hazrat Zubairra his full rights, whereas previously, the advice of the Holy Prophetsa was such that it allowed for both Hazrat Zubairra and the Ansari companion to derive benefit.

However, when the Ansari expressed his discontentment at the decision of the Holy Prophetsa, he then issued the verdict according to what was the actual due right of Hazrat Zubairra.

Hazrat Zubairra relates, “By God, my impression is that the following verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed with regards to this incident: َ َ َ ّ َ ُ ّٰ َ َ ُ ۡ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ُ ‫ك ُم ْوك ِفيما شجَ َر ب َ ۡي َنه ۡم ث َّم لا‬ ِ ‫فلا وربِّك لا َيؤ ِمنون حتى يح‬ ّ َ ُْ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ َّ ً ‫ي ِجدوا فِي أنف ِسهِ ۡم َح َر ًجا ِمم ّا قض ۡيت َوي ُ َس ِل ُم ْوا ت ۡسلِ ْيما‬ “‘But no, by thy Lord, they are not believers until they make thee judge in all that is in dispute between them and then find not in their hearts any demur concerning that which thou decidest and submit with full submission.’” (Surah alNisa, Ch.4: V.66) (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 453, Musnad Zubair bin al-Awwam, Hadith 1419, ‘Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1998) Hazrat Zubairra narrates that when the following verse was revealed:

َۡ ُ َ َ ‫ثُ َّم إنَّ ُك ۡم يَوۡ َم ال ۡ ِق َي‬ ‫ند َر ِّبك ۡم تخ َت ِص ُموْ َن‬ ‫ام ِة ِع‬ ِ

“Then surely on the Day of Resurrection you will dispute with one another before your Lord” (Surah al-Zumar, Ch.31: V.32), he asked, “O Messengersa of Allah, does this refer to our worldly disputes?”, to which the Holy Prophetsa answered, “Yes”.

Then, when the following verse was revealed:

َّ ُ َُ ‫ث ّم ل َ ُت ْسـَٔل َّن یَوْ َم ِئ ٍذ َع ِن الن ِع ْی ِم‬

“Then, on that day you shall be called to account about the [worldly] favours’ (Surah al-Takathur, Ch.102: V.9), Hazrat Zubairra asked the Holy Prophetsa, “Which bounties shall we be called to account for when we only possess water and dates?”

The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Beware, the era of bounties and wealth is well-nigh.

Today there may be this restraint, but God-willing, the time of abundance is to come.” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 449, Musnad Zubair bin al-Awwam, Hadith 1419, ‘Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1998) Hafs bin Khalid says, “The noble man who related this Hadith would travel to us from Mosul.” Mosul is a well-known city of Syria and was of great importance among the Islamic territories and cities in that time due to its large population and vast area. People would gather in this city from various cities. It is situated near Nineveh, 222 miles from the edge of the Tigris River in Baghdad. This is what is written in the lexicon which provides historical details of this city.

In any case, the narrator says, “He [i.e. the noble gentleman] would travel to us from Mosul. I have accompanied Hazrat Zubairra bin al-Awwam on a number of journeys. On one occasion, when we were in a desert, he needed to wash himself, so he asked me to form a cover around him.

I therefore formed a covering around him using a cloth as he washed himself.

Unintentionally my gaze fell upon his body and I saw that his entire body was completely covered in sword wounds. I said to him, ‘By God, up until now, I have never seen such scars on a body left by sword-wounds as I have seen upon your body.’ He responded by asking, ‘You have seen the scars on my body?’ and then said, ‘By God, all these scars were received whilst fighting in the way of Allah alongside the Holy Prophetsa.’” (Al-Mustadrak Ala alSahihain li al-Hakim, Vol. 3, p. 406, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Hadith 5550, Dar alKutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-i-Sirat (Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003), p. 84) Hazrat Usmanra, Hazrat Miqdadra,

Hazrat Abdullahra bin Masud and Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf had all instructed that as part of their will Hazrat Zubairra ought to look after their wealth [after their passing]. In accordance with this, he safeguarded their wealth and would spend his own wealth on their children.

As he was blessed with an abundance of wealth, he would not spend their money on their children, but instead he would spend from his own pocket, so that their heirs could make use of their own wealth.

This shows he had no greed at all for any wealth.

It is mentioned with regard to Hazrat Zubairra that he had 1,000 servants who would offer the kharaj to him, i.e. the produce of his lands. However, he would not take any of it for himself, but instead he would give it all away as charity.

Muti bin Aswad relates, “I heard Hazrat Umarra say that Hazrat Zubairra is amongst those individuals who are regarded as the pillars of the faith.” (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz alSahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1995] 460) Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra narrates, “When Hazrat Zubairra was standing on the day of the Battle of the Camel, he called me and I stood beside him.” He then said, “O my dear son, today either the oppressors shall be killed, or the oppressed. It seems as though I shall be killed in a state of being oppressed. My greatest worry is regarding my debt. Do you think there will be enough money from my wealth to pay off my debt?” He further stated, “My son, repay my debts by selling my wealth. I pledge a third of my wealth and so after repaying my debts, if there is any wealth remaining, then a third of it is for your children.” He pledged whatever remained for Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair’sra children.

Hisham said that the sons of Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra were the same age as Hazrat Zubair’sra sons, Khubaib and Abbad. Meaning Hazrat Abdullah’s sons were of similar age to his own brothers. At that time, Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra had nine daughters. Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra relates that Hazrat

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Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

Zubairra began stating his will regarding the debts he owed, saying, “O my son, if you are unable to repay any portion of my debt, then seek help from my Master.” Abdullah bin Zubairra states that he did not understand what he meant by “master,” and so he asked him, “Who is your master?” Hazrat Zubairra replied, “It is Allah.” Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra states that whenever he faced difficulty in repaying his father’s debts, he would say, “O Zubair’s master, repay his debt.”

Accordingly, the debt would be paid off, meaning Allah the Almighty would arrange the means for the repayment of this debt. Whatever property had been left behind would prove sufficient in repaying the debt. When Hazrat Zubairra was martyred, he did not own a single dirham or dinar except a few plots of land, which included Ghabah. He had 11 properties in Medina, two properties in Basra, one in Kufa and one in Egypt.

The manner in which Hazrat Zubairra came into debt was that people used to bring their wealth to keep it with him as a trust, but he would fear the possibility that of the wealth being spent, therefore he would consider it as loan. He wouldn’t take the wealth as a trust but said he would take it as a loan and would thus spend from it as well. Furthermore, the wealth would remain safe from any potential loss, hence he would tell them that he was taking it as a loan and would repay it. In any case, Hazrat Zubairra never became affluent, whether it be through accumulating wealth or generating revenue, nor from any other financial endeavour. However, he would participate in battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and Hazrat Usmanra. In other words, he always participated in Jihad, but he was not from among those who accumulated wealth.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra relates that when he calculated his father’s debt, it amounted to 2.2 million.

Hazrat Hakim bin Hizamra once met

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra and asked, “O my nephew, how much debt does my brother have to repay?” Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra concealed the actual amount and said, “100,000”. Hazrat Hakim bin Hizamra said, “By God, I do not think you have enough wealth to repay this.” He said that this based on the apparent wealth he had. Then Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra said, “If I were to tell you that the debt is in fact 2.2 million, what would you say?”

To this he replied, “I do not think you could bear such a debt – it will be difficult to repay. If you are unable to repay it then come to me for help. I will pay the debt for you.”

Hazrat Zubairra had purchased Ghabah for 170,000; Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra sold it for 1.6 million. He then announced that if anyone was owed an amount by Hazrat Zubairra, they should meet him in Ghabah. Upon selling the land in Ghabah for 1.6 million, he announced that if anyone was owed a debt, they should come to Ghabah to collect it.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Jafarra was owed 400,000 by Hazrat Zubairra; he said to Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra, “If you like I can pardon this debt or if you like, you can include this amongst the debts you owe, on the condition that you will repay it later.”

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra refused this offer. And so, Hazrat Abdullah bin Jafarra said that in that case he could give him a piece of the land. Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra said, “Your portion will be from here to here”, and gave that portion of the land to Hazrat Abdullah bin Jafarra as a repayment of the debt.

Subsequently, there were four and a half portions of the land remaining.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra went to Hazrat Muawiyahra. This is an incident from era of Hazrat Muawiyah. Amr bin Usman, Munzir bin Zubair and Ibn Zam‘ah were also present there. Hazrat Muawiyahra asked what the price of the land in Ghabah was. Hazrat Ibn Zubairra informed him that each portion was worth

100, 000. Hazrat Muawiyahra then asked how many portions of the land remained.

He informed him that there were four and a half portions remaining. Munzir bin Zubair said that he would purchase one portion for 100,000. Amr bin Usman said that he would purchase one portion for 100,000 and Ibn Zam‘ah also said that he would purchase one portion for 100,000. Then, Hazrat Muawiyahra asked how many portions remained, to which Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra replied that one and a half portions remained. Hazrat Muawiyahra said that he would purchase the remaining portion for 150,000. Thus, the land which remained in Ghabah was also sold. Abdullah bin Jafarra later sold his portion to Hazrat Muawiyah for 600,000.

Thus, just as Hazrat Zubairra had said, Allah the Almighty would create means for the debt to be cleared; hence, some of his property was sold and the debt was repaid. When Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra had completely repaid the debt, Hazrat Zubair’sra progeny asked for their inheritance to be given to them, [saying] now that the debt had been repaid, they wanted their share of inheritance. Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra said, “No. By God, I will not distribute it among you until I have made an announcement on the day of Hajj for four years”, meaning he would make an announcement on the occasion of Hajj for four years that anyone who was owed a debt by Hazrat Zubairra should come to him so that they may repay it.

Thus, he made this announcement at Hajj for four years; when four years had passed, he distributed the inheritance among the progeny of Hazrat Zubairra.

Hazrat Zubairra had four wives; he had divided one eighth, i.e. the portion allotted to one’s wife [from the inheritance], into four parts. Thus, each wife received 1.1 million (when the remaining property was distributed, each wife received 1.1 million). According to one narration, his total wealth amounted to 35.2 million.

Sufyan bin Uyaynah narrates that the

inheritance of Hazrat Zubairra which was distributed was 40 million.

Hisham bin Urwah narrates on the authority of his father that the total amount left behind by Hazrat Zubairra was approximately 51 to 52 million. Similarly, Urwah relates that Hazrat Zubairra owned land in Egypt, including Alexandria. He also owned land in Kufa and some houses in Basra. He received an income from his properties in Medina. (Ibn Saad, AlTabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990] pp. 8081) Nonetheless, after all his debt was cleared, the remaining wealth was distributed amongst his heirs.

Mutarrif states, “On one occasion, we said to Hazrat Zubairra, ‘O Abu Abdillah!

With what purpose have you come here now? You have allowed one Khalifa to be harmed to the extent that he was martyred and now you seek retribution.’

Hazrat Zubairra replied, ‘In the era of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and Hazrat Usman Ghanira, we would recite the following verse of the Holy Quran: ً َّ َ ۡ ُ ْ ْ ُ َ َ َ ْ َّ َّ َ ْ ُ َّ ً َ ۡ ْ ُ َّ َ ‫ٓاصة‬ ‫واتقوا فِتنة لا ت ِصيبن ال ِذين ظلموا ِمنكم خ‬ “And beware of an affliction which will not smite exclusively those among you who have done wrong,” [Surah al-Anfal, Ch.8: V.26] (But instead this affliction will be commonplace). Yet we never thought that we would also be the ones on whom this verse would be fulfilled, to the extent that the trial has befallen us.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 451, Musnad Zubair bin al-Awwam, Hadith 1414, Alam alKutub, Beirut, 1998) Whilst mentioning the conditions in which Hazrat Alira was elected as the Khalifa, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “When Hazrat Usmanra was martyred, seeing that the discord among Muslims was growing, the companions present in Medina went to Hazrat Alira and insisted that he ought to take the Bai‘at of the people. At the same time, some from among the rebels also went to Hazrat Alira and said that the Islamic government was close to being divided. They stated that he ought to take the Bai‘at of the people, so that the state of fear could be vanquished and peace could be restored. Thus, the people urged Hazrat Alira to take the Bai‘at and having refused on a number of occasions, he accepted this responsibility and began taking the Bai‘at of the people.

At the time, some prominent Companions were outside of Medina. Some were forced to take the Bai‘at. In this regard, we find mention that Hakim bin Jabla and Malik Ashtar were sent along with a few men brandishing their swords in order to compel Hazrat Talhara and Hazrat Zubairra to take the Bai‘at, i.e. they stood around them with their swords drawn and told them to accept Hazrat Alira or else they will be killed.

“According to some narrations it is even mentioned that they were forcibly dragged and brought along with them.

Undoubtedly a Bai‘at performed under coercion is no Bai‘at in its true essence.

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18 When it came to pledging allegiance, they said that they would perform the Bai‘at on the condition that Hazrat Alira would exact retribution against the killers of Hazrat Usmanra. Later on, when they saw that Hazrat Alira did not exact retribution immediately, they relinquished their Bai‘at and left Medina for Mecca. One group from among those who killed Hazrat Usmanra went to Hazrat Aishara and urged her to seek retribution against the killers of Hazrat Usman by declaring Jihad. Thus, she acted accordingly and sought help from other Companionsra. Hazrat Zubairra and Hazrat Talhara joined her and a battle ensued between the two groups: Hazrat Aishara, Hazrat Talha, Hazrat Zubairra and between Hazrat Alira, which is known as Jang-e-Jamal [Battle of the Camel]. In the beginning of this battle, Hazrat Alira reminded Hazrat Zubairra of a prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, as a result of which Hazrat Zubairra left the battlefield.”

Hazrat Zubairra left the battle early on and vowed not to fight against Hazrat Alira.

He also affirmed that he was mistaken in his understanding.

“Similarly, Hazrat Talhara also pledged allegiance to Hazrat Alira before his demise. We find in narrations that when Hazrat Talhara was left fatally wounded and was suffering from his injuries, a man walked past him. Hazrat Talhara asked him which camp he belonged to? He replied that he belonged to the army of Hazrat Alira. Upon this Hazrat Talhara took his hand and placing it on top of his, stated, ‘Your hand is that of Ali’sra and I pledge allegiance to Hazrat Alira once again.’”

(Khilafat-e-Rashidah, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 15, pp. 44-45) With reference to Hazrat Zubairra it is written that Hazrat Zubairra was martyred when he had left the battlefield and was returning from Jang-e-Jamal. With regard to fighting against Hazrat Alira he affirmed that he was wrong and subsequently, he left but his martyrdom took place on the way back from Jang-e-Jamal. When Hazrat Alira reminded him by saying, “I implore you in the name of God that have you not heard the Holy Prophetsa say, ‘You will fight against Ali and you would be the one who transgresses.’” Hazrat Zubairra replied, “Yes, and I have only just recalled this.” He then left. This was the reason why he refrained from fighting Hazrat Alira. The details of this were mentioned in relation to the accounts of Hazrat Talhara bin Ubaidillah. From these accounts, it is evident that this discord was instigated by the rebels and the hypocrites and as result of the confusion [created by the rebels] many of the companions became embroiled in this. Nonetheless, the event that transpired was not the right course of action.

Harb bin Abi Al Aswad narrates, “I met Hazrat Alira and Hazrat Zubairra. When Hazrat Zubairra was on his mount and began cutting through the ranks in order to leave, his son, Abdullah, stood in front of him and asked what had happened to him. Hazrat Zubairra replied, ‘Hazrat Alira has reminded me of a saying of the Holy Prophetsa, which I have also heard from the blessed tongue of the Holy Prophetsa.

The Holy Prophetsa had stated that I would confront Hazrat Alira in battle and I would be the oppressor. For this reason, I will not fight against Hazrat Alira.’ His son said to him, ‘You have come here to bring about peace between the people and Allah the Almighty will bring about reconciliation through you.’ Hazrat Zubairra said, ‘I have already made a promise [to not fight Hazrat Alira and leave].’ Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubairra said, ‘You can give expiation of this promise by freeing your slave, Jirjis, and remain here until Allah the Almighty brings about reconciliation between the people.’”

The narrator says Hazrat Zubairra freed his slave Jirjis and remained there.

However, the dispute worsened between the people and so he mounted his horse and left. Hazrat Zubairra resolved to leave and on his way back to Medina he reached a place called Safwan, which is located near Basra. A person named Bakr, from the Banu Mujashia met Hazrat Zubairra and said, “O Companion of the Messengersa of Allah, where are you heading to? You are my responsibility and I will not allow anyone to harm you.” So he accompanied Hazrat Zubairra until they crossed paths with another person, Ahnaf bin Qais, to whom he said, “This is Zubairra who I met in Safwan.” Ahnaf said, “Two groups of Muslims are fighting one another and are smiting one another’s heads with swords, whilst he [Hazrat Zubairra] heads to his son and family?”

When Umair bin Jurmouz, Fazala bin Habis and Nufay heard this, they rushed on their mount in pursuit of Hazrat Zubairra and found him with a caravan. Umair bin Jurmouz, mounted on his horse, came behind Hazrat Zubairra and attacked with his spear, injuring him slightly. Hazrat Zubairra, who was mounted on a horse named Zhul Khimar, fought back. Ibn Jurmouz, realising he was moments from death, called out to his two friends. They attacked until ultimately Hazrat Zubairra was martyred.

According to one narration when Hazrat Zubairra was facing his murderer and managed to overpower him, the murderer sought refuge using the name of Allah. Hearing this Hazrat Zubairra let his grip on him go. This man said this a few times but then treacherously rescinded on his oath and wounded Hazrat Zubairra. Hazrat Zubairra said to him, “May Allah cause your ruin. You had been seeking protection by using Allah’s name yet then abandoned your oath.”

After Hazrat Zubairra was martyred, Ibn Jurmouz brought the head and sword of Hazrat Zubairra to Hazrat Alira. Hazrat Alira took the sword and said, “I swear

by Allah, this was the sword that would remove the expressions of anxiety from the countenance of the Holy Prophetsa, yet now it is amidst disorder and bloodshed.”

Ibn Jurmouz requested permission to enter. The courtier informed that Ibn Jurmouz is present who is the one who killed Hazrat Zubairra, and is standing at the door requesting to be allowed to come in. Hazrat Alira replied, “May he enter the hellfire, who killed Ibn Safiyyah (Hazrat Zubairra). I have heard the Holy

Prophetra say that every Prophet is granted companions and his companion was Zubairra.”

Hazrat Zubairra was buried in the valley of Siba‘a. Hazrat Alira and his companions began to cry over his demise. Hazrat Zubairra was 64 years old when he was martyred. According to other narrations he was 66 or 67. (AlMustadrak ala al-Sahihain li al-Hakim, Vol. 3, p. 413, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Hadith 5575, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Ibn Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 2, Mistah bin Uthathahra [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alJil, 1992], 516) (Al-Mustadrak Ala alSahihain li al-Hakim, Vol. 3, p. 412, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Hadith 5571, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 78) (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 83) (Ibn Hajar alAsqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 1995], 460) The residents of Medina would say regarding Hazrat Atikah bint Zaidra, wife of Hazrat Zubairra bin al-Awwam, that

whoever desires to attain martyrdom should marry Hazrat Atika bint Zaidra.

She was first married to Abdullah bin Abi Bakr, who was martyred. Then she married Hazrat Umarra bin Khattab, who was also martyred. Then she married Hazrat Zubairra bin al-Awwam who was also martyred.

On the martyrdom of Hazrat Zubairra, Hazrat Atikara wrote the following couplets: َ ُ ْ ُ ‫َ َ َ بْ ُن‬ ‫س ب ُ ْہ َم ٍۃ‬ ٍ ‫غدر ا جرم‬ ِ ‫وز بِفا ِر‬ َ َ ‫ی َ ْو َم الل ّ َقا ِء َو ک‬ ّ‫ان َغیْ َر ُمعَر ِد‬ ِ ِ ٗ َ ْ َ َ َ ٗ َ ْ َّ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ َ ‫یا عمرو لو نبہتہ لوجدتہ‬ ْ َ َ​َْ َ َ ً َ َ َ ‫ان َولاالی ِد‬ ِ ‫لا طائِشا ر ِعش الجن‬ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َّ َ ‫شلت ی َ ِم ْی ُنک ِإ ْن ق َتلت ل ُم ْسلِ ًما‬ ْ ُ ُ ُ َ َ ْ َّ ‫َحلت َعل ْیک عق ْوبَۃ ال ُم َت َع ِّم ِد‬ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ​ُ َ َ َ ‫ث ِکل ْتک أ ّمک ہل ظفِ ْرت بِ ِمث ِل ٖہ‬ ٰ َ َ َْ ‫ِف ْی َم ْن َمضى ِف ْیما ت ُر ْو ُح َو تغ َت ِد ْی‬ ْ َ َ َ َْ َ َ ‫ک ْم غ ْم َر ٍۃ قد خاض َہا ل ْم یَث ِن ِہ‬ َ ُ َ َ َْ َْ َْ ‫عنہا ِطر‬ ‫ادک یَا ابْ َن فق ِع الق ْر َد ِد‬ “Ibn Jurmouz, on the day of battle, deceived that brave rider, who was not one to flee. O Amr bin Jurmouz, if you had captured him you would find him not cowardly, with hands trembling.

19

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM “May you wither away as you murdered a Muslim. You are now accountable for the punishment of murder. May ruin befall you.

“Amongst all those you spend company with day and night of that era, have you ever vanquished a person with such a high status as he.

“O you who is unable to bear even trivial suffering, Zubair was a person who even in the harshest circumstances would be at the forefront of battle.

“O ye of light complexion, your spear attack could not diminish the honour and greatness of Hazrat Zubairra in slightest.”

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 1990], 83) It is narrated in Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra that when Ibn Jurmouz arrived and requested permission from Hazrat Alira to enter, Hazrat Alira preferred to not see him.

Upon this he [Ibn Jurmouz] said, “Was Zubair not amongst the party creating disorder?” Hazrat Alira responded, “May ruin befall you. I am certain that Talhara and Zubairra will be counted amongst those regarding whom Allah the Almighty says: ً ۡ َ َ ْ ٰ ُ ‫َون َز ۡعنا َما فِي ُص ُدورِ ِه ْم ِّم ۡن ِغ ٍ ّل ِإخ ٰونا َع ٰلى ُس ُر ٍر ّم َتق ِب ِلي َن‬ “And We shall remove whatever of rancour may be in their hearts so that they will become as brothers seated on thrones, facing one another.” (Surah al-Hijr, Ch.15: V.48) (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 84) Hazrat Zubairra had numerous marriages at different times and had a large number of children. The details are as follows: The following were born through Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakrra: Abdullah, Urwa, Munzir, Asim, Khadijatul Kubra, Ummul Hassan and Aisha.

From Hazrat Ummul Khalidra the following children were born: Khalid, Amr, Habiba, Sauda and Hind.

From Hazrat Rubab bint Unaifra the following were born: Musab, Hamza and Ramla.

From Hazrat Zainab Umm Jafar bin Mursadra the following were born: Ubaida and Jafar.

From Hazrat Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah, Zainab was born.

From Hazrat Hilal bint Qaisra, Khadijatul Sughra was born. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 74) And one of his wives was Hazrat Atika bint Zaidra. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990] 83) These were the accounts relating to the life of Hazrat Zubairra, which come to an end here.

After this, I will mention details of some deceased members and will also lead their funeral prayers after the Friday prayer.

The first mention is of Al-Hajj Ibrahim Mbay Sahib from The Gambia, who was serving as the Naib Amir III. He passed away on 10 August.

َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

The deceased was born on 4 June 1944 in Banjul and accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1961/62 during the era of the late respected Chaudhry Sharif Sahib, who was the former Amir of [the Gambia] Jamaat.

He was among the pioneering members of the Jamaat. He was very regular in his five daily prayers and in offering the Tahajud prayer. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, he was also a musi [part of the institution of Al-Wasiyyat] and always remained at the forefront in offering financial sacrifices. The deceased’s son states that shortly before his demise, he offered the Tahajud prayer. He then asked for some water and soon after passed away. The deceased had great love for the Holy Quran and recited it regularly. He had the opportunity to serve his faith as the Naib Amir for a very long period of time. He also had the opportunity to serve as the afsar Jalsa Salana, national secretary for external affairs and as sadr Majlis Ansarullah, The Gambia. The deceased was also a board member of the Masroor Secondary School. He was a qualified teacher and taught in various parts of the country.

The deceased also travelled to the USA to pursue further education in his field of study and acquired a master’s degree.

Thereafter, he returned to The Gambia in order to serve his country and faith. He was among the founding members of a very famous management development institute in The Gambia, which provides higher education to the civil servants as well as others. Many of The Gambia’s top civil servants have received their training from this institute. The deceased also served as the headmaster for Tahir Ahmadiyya Senior School and also the Nusrat Senior Secondary School. He taught many students from his own country and also foreign students. He held a very reputable position amongst the intellectual circles and many would refer to him as their teacher. He is survived by two wives, seven sons and two daughters. One of his wives, Mrs Aqeebah Sahiba, is serving as the Sadr Lajna Imaillah of The Gambia. One of his sons is a life-devotee and graduated from Jamiatul Mubashireen. Similarly, one of his sons has previously served as the Sadr of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. Two of his sons are residing in the USA and one of his daughters resides here in the UK. May Allah the Almighty grant the deceased His mercy and forgiveness and enable his children to also remain attached to their faith in accordance with his wishes.

Amir Sahib of The Gambia writes: “I was also one of his students at the Crab Island Middle School. The Ahmadi students there along with other Muslim students arranged for a class on the subject of Islamic Studies to be held once a week on Thursday and the deceased would take this class. The deceased had great respect for the Jamaat office-holders and the Nizam-e-Jamaat [administrative structure of the Jamaat]. Despite the fact that he

was my teacher, he always demonstrated complete obedience to me as an amir and also the other Jamaat office-holders. He was an extremely sincere, hardworking and generous individual. He was a loyal servant of Khilafat and always showed utmost obedience. He had a bond of great love with Khilafat and always remained at the forefront in the defence of the Jamaat and Khilafat. He possessed a lot of religious knowledge as well and would always use arguments and wisdom when conversing with others. He would utilise the advanced modes of technology and through different means try and convey the message of the Promised Messiahas and would always be engaged in Tabligh work.”

The second funeral is of respected Naeem Ahmad Khan Sahib, son of Abdul Jaleel Khan Sahib, who was serving as the Naib Amir of Karachi. He passed away two to three months ago at the end of April: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

Ahmadiyyat entered his family through respected Akhtar Ali Sahib, who performed Bai‘at through Hazrat Maulvi Hassan Ali Sahib Bahaglpurira, who was a companion of the Promised Messiahas.

Maulvi Akhtar Ali Sahib was the maternal uncle of the deceased’s mother and his father’s paternal uncle. Naeem Khan Sahib completed his matriculation exams from Patna in Bihar, India and after the independence of Pakistan, he migrated to Lahore in 1948. He completed his intermediate studies from Dayal Singh College and then completed his MSc from TI College Lahore. Thereafter, he moved to London and in 1959, he returned to Karachi and was employed in a gas company and retired in 1993 at the position of a senior general manager.

He began his services for the Jamaat as the Naib Nazim for Sanat-o-Tijarat [trade and industry] in Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya. Thereafter, he was appointed

as the Naib Qaid Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Maqami Karachi and was then appointed as the Qaid of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in 1966. He continued to serve at this position for four years and then served as the Zaim-e-Ala for Martin Road Karachi and also served as the Nazim Ansarullah for Karachi district and continued to serve at this position till 1997 and also served as the Nazim Ansarullah of Karachi (local). In 1997, the deceased was appointed as the Secretary for Waqf-e-Jadid Karachi and continued to serve in this role till 2019. He also had the opportunity to serve as the Naib Amir of Karachi and was one of the directors of the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation.

The deceased also had the opportunity to serve as the auditor of the very first executive committee of the International Association of Ahmadiyya Architects and Engineers and for many years he also served as the president for its Karachi chapter. In 1970 when a plan was formed to produce and install machinery for the roti plant for Jalsa Salana, the deceased had the honour of serving as one of the engineers in this project.

The deceased’s daughter, Amaarah Sahiba, writes: “After the demise of our mother”, Naeem Khan Sahib’s wife passed away quite some time ago, “our father not only treated us like a compassionate father, but also fulfilled the role of a caring mother and a sympathetic friend in the most excellent manner. He always demonstrated loyalty for his faith and Khilafat and was very regular in his prayers. He always taught us about the importance of establishing a bond with the Jamaat.”

His son-in-law, Dr Ghaffar Sahib, writes: “Our family ties were formed 30 years ago and during this entire period, I had the opportunity to observe the deceased from close and his close company and companionship has had a very positive impact upon me. He had an extremely pure disposition and always adopted simplicity. His standard of worship was

Friday 2 October 2020 | AL HAKAM

20 indeed worthy of admiration. He was very regular in his Tahajud prayer and even during the latter stages of his life when he needed support to walk owing to a stroke, he still did not allow any change to come about in his regular activities. In fact, he had told the male nurse to wake him up at a certain time and seat him and he would then offer his Tahajud prayer. Similarly, despite his disability, he would continue to do Jamaat work on his laptop.”

Naseem Tabassum Sahib, who is serving as a missionary, states that he would always have a smile on his face and despite his illness, he would always come to the office. He would show great love to the life-devotees and treated them with great respect.

May Allah the Almighty grant the deceased His mercy and forgiveness and elevate his station. May He also enable his progeny to continue on his good deeds.

There is also a further detail about him; Zartasht Munir Sahib from Norway writes, “The deceased was always ready to serve his faith. He always showed great love, sincerity and loyalty for Khilafat.”

He further writes: “When I was serving as the district qaid, he would guide in me an excellent manner. I have observed that he always demonstrated an exemplary level of obedience and cooperation with every Amir.”

The next funeral is of respected Bushra Beghum Sahiba, wife of the late Thekedar Wali Muhammad Sahib of Germany, who passed away on 19 July at the age of 74 owing to a heart attack in Germany: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

The deceased’s paternal grandfather

was Hazrat Mian Nizam-ul-Deen Sahibra of Nabha, who was a companion of the Promised Messiahas.

The deceased was very regular in her Tahajud prayers and Salat. Extremely hospitable, looked after the poor and needy and was always at the forefront in offering financial sacrifices. She was a very pious and sincere lady and had a bond of great love with Khilafat. In her childhood, owing to weakness in her eyes, she could not read the Holy Quran; however, after her marriage, with the help of her children, she was able to memorise a few chapters of the Holy Quran. Apart from listening to the Tilawat of the Holy Quran on MTA, she would also regularly listen to my sermons as well as other programmes.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, she was a musia.

She is survived by four sons and two daughters. One of her sons, Shafiq-ul-

Rahman Sahib, is currently serving as the missionary and is the missionaryin-charge in New Zealand. Another son, Attiq-ul-Rahman Sahib is currently serving here in [the UK] as a life-devotee in the records department of the private secretary’s office.

Shafiq-ul-Rahman Sahib, who is the missionary-in-charge [in New Zealand] could not attend his mother’s funeral. Her burial took place here in the UK. May Allah the Almighty grant him peace and patience. May Allah the Almighty grant the deceased His forgiveness and mercy and enable her progeny to become the recipients of her prayers.

After the Friday prayers, I shall lead their funeral prayers [in absentia].

(Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 25 September 2020, pp. 5-10.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Signs of the Living God is comprised of two short essays in which Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra

details

various

prophecies of the Promised Messiahas to establish the truth of the Promised Messiah’sas claim and to show that God manifested the same signs through him that were manifested at the hands of the prophets of the past. These prophecies include the one regarding Alexander Dowie, prophecies relating to the First World War and the prophecy about the fall of the Tsar of Russia. www.alislam.org/library/books/Signs-of-the-LivingGod.pdf

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial Ataul Fatir Tahir | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2020