From the Markaz
From the Markaz
Ahmadipedia.org research tool launched by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih
Hazrat Amirul Momineen graces Khuddam UK 2021 games
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Memories of 23 March 1989 centenary celebrations
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100 Years Ago... A letter from a new convert to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II and his reply Page 15
THE WEEKLY
www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 9 July 2021 | Issue CLXXIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396
Envy and jealousy: Timeless advice from Prophet Muhammad In a succinct, yet timeless piece of advice, the Holy Prophetsa of Islam said: ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ُ ْ ُ َ َ ُ انﻈ ُر ْوا ِإلی َم ْن ہ َو أ ْسفل ِم ْنک ْم َولا ت ْنﻈ ُر ْوا ِإلی َم ْن ہ َو ف ْوقک ْم َ َ َ َ َ ُ َّ َ ّٰ َ ف ِإنہ أ ْجد ُر أ ْن لا ت ْز َد ُر ْوا نِ ْع َمة الل ِہ “Look at those who are lower than you, but do not look at those who are above you, lest you belittle the favours Allah conferred upon you.” (Sahih Muslim) Here, looking at those “lower” and “above” refers to worldly riches such as wealth and status. This life lesson resonates more than ever. Our postmodern society perpetuates materialism, encourages envy and focuses on wealth and status as the ultimate objects of life. Generations are growing up in the influence of social media – platforms that, unfortunately, also encourage users to compare their lives to others, gravitate toward a hedonistic lifestyle and pursue, with more zeal, material goals. Studies have shown that when materialistic goals continue to be central factors of someone’s life, levels of depression, well-being and even physical health are adversely affected. As Kim Kasser, an American psychologist put it: “Our first studies therefore showed that when young adults report that financial success is relatively central to their aspirations, low well-being, high distress, and difficulty adjusting to life are also evident. Although we cannot be sure
Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa
The virtue of supplication َ ّ ٰ َّ َّ َ َ ُ َ َ ع ِن،ع ْن أ� ِ ْي ہ َریْ َرة الن ِ� ِّ� َصلی الل ُہ َعل ْی ِہ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َّ ُ َ ْ ّٰ َ لی َس ﺷ ْی ٌء أک َر َم َعلی الل ِہ ُس��َانہ،َو َسل َم قال ُّ ِم َن الد َعا ِء Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrated that the Holy Prophetsa said: “There is nothing more noble to Allah, the Glorified, than prayer.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Dua, Hadith 3829)
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words
Man inherently seeks to follow perfection
from these results whether materialistic values cause unhappiness, or whether other factors are at work, the results do suggest a rather startling conclusion: the American dream has a dark side, and the pursuit of wealth and possessions might actually be undermining our well-being.” (The High Price of Materialism, p. 9) “Adults who focused on money, image, and fame reported less selfactualization and vitality, and more depression than those less concerned with these values. What is more, they also reported significantly more experiences of physical symptoms. That is, people who believed it is important to strive for possessions, popularity, and good looks also reported more headaches, backaches, sore muscles, and sore throats
than individuals less focused on such goals. This was really one of the first indicators, to us, of the pervasive negative correlates of materialistic values – not only is people’s psychological well-being worse when they focus on money, but so is their physical health.” (Ibid, p. 11) Richard Eckersley, a fellow of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University, Canberra, described the situation, saying: “Modern Western culture undermines, even reverses, traditional (or universal) values. Individuals are encouraged to make themselves the centre of their moral Continued on next page >>
It ought to be remembered that in the likeness of transmittable diseases, excellent qualities too must be contagious. A believer has been commanded to elevate their morals to a degree where they become contagious. For even the finest of actions cannot be admirable or worthy of emulation until it possesses an inherent radiance and magnetism; its luminescence draws in the attention of others while its magnetism attracts them. Ultimately, the outstanding merits of the action itself encourages a person to act accordingly. One may observe that Hatim has a good name because he was renowned for his generosity, though I cannot say for certain whether his generosity was sincere. Similarly, Rustam and Asfandyar’s courage are known to all, though we cannot say without a Continued on page 3