Al Hakam - 21 April 2023

Introduction to chapters of the Holy Quran:

Prophet Ezekiel: A messenger among ‘the steadfast’

Did Prophet Muhammad’s mubahalah challenge fail?

Charter of Medina: A blueprint for peaceful coexistence

Chapter 101-114 Page 6

Page 14

Page 12

Page 8

THE WEEKLY

A

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023 | Issue CCLXVI Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7388

True Eid of this era Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow, which signifies the day of celebration upon the completion of the holy month of Ramadan. This Eid only lasts a day; however, God has blessed this era with an ‘Eid’ which will continue till the Day of Judgement. Are the Muslims paying heed to that ‘Eid’?

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

Caring for orphans

َّ َ َّ َ ْ َ ْ ْ َ ْ َ ‫ ﻋ ِﻦ اﻟﻨ ِ� ّ� ﺻﻠﻰ‬،‫ﻋﻦ ﺳﻬﻞ ﺑﻦ ﺳﻌ ٍﺪ‬ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ّ ٰ ‫ أﻧﺎ و�ﺎ ِﻓﻞ‬:‫ا��� �ﻠﻴ ِﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ ﻗﺎل‬ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َْ :‫�� �ِ� ا��َ ّﻨ ِﺔ ﻫﻜﺬا َوﻗﺎل‬ ِ ‫اﻟﻴ ِﺘ‬ َ ْ َّ .‫ﺒﺎﺑﺔ َواﻟ ُﻮ ْﺳﻄﻰ‬ ‫ﺑِ ِﺈ ْﺻ َﺒ َﻌ ْﻴ ِﻪ‬ ِ ‫اﻟﺴ‬ Hazrat Sahl ibn Sa‘dra narrated that, “The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for them, will be in Paradise like this,’ putting his index and middle fingers together.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-adab, Bab fadli mun ya‘ulu l-yatiman, Hadith 6005)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

‘Eid’: Advent of a prophet

Signs of the Latter Days

In November 1907, the Promised Messiah received the following revelation: ‫�د �رك �رب‬ ‫ی‬ ‫آ�نِ ی‬ ‫ادت۔�د وتےہ �ےہ �و ی�ا � �و۔‬ “Felicitation on the coming of the ‘Id [Festival]. It is ‘Id [Festival], celebrate it or not.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 1011) Commenting on this during his Eid-ulFitr sermon, delivered on 13 March 1929, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “The revelation of the prophets comprises vast meanings. [...] There is a revelation of the Promised Messiahas that relates to Eid. There was an immediate import to the revelation, as there was doubt as to whether it was Eid on that day or not.

That uncertainty was removed by Allah the ‫ ی‬.

Almighty, as He said: ‘‫’�د وتےہ �ےہ �و ی�ا � �و‬ However, in my opinion, this revelation is not limited to that aspect alone. [...]

“I believe that in addition to the above meaning, there is another subtle point that has been stated in this revelation, which points to the advent of the Promised Messiahas. The advent of the prophets is also an ‘Eid’. That is, by their appearance, the as

On 17 August 1907, the Promised Messiahas stated: “Today, I received the following revelation at 2am after midnight:

َ َ ٌ ّٰ ‫ِا ّن خ�ْ َر َر ُسوْ ِل الل ِہ َواقِﻊ‬

[The news conveyed by the Messenger of Allah is about to happen. [Tadhkirah [English], p. 992]

grace of God descends upon the world, and the seed of progress is sown through them.

It is a seed that grows gradually into such a big tree that the whole world benefits from its fruits and shade. However, many people

fail to recognise that ‘Eid’ and turn away. […] ‫ ی‬, “The sentence: ‘‫’�د وتےہ �ےہ �و ی�ا � �و‬ Continued on next page >>

“It can be deduced from this that a prophecy is about to come true.

Every two to three months, a sign is manifested. It indicates that the end of the world is near, as it is written that new signs will appear during the Latter Days, and the signs will appear one after another, and that, just as the beads of a tasbih fall one after another when the thread is broken, similarly, Continued on next page >>

2

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

“

Therefore, the [advent of the] Promised

Messiahas is also an ‘Eid’. God Almighty has provided the means for the progress of the

Muslims through him. Now, it is up to them whether they benefit from those means and

methods by utilising them to attain progress and honour or whether, by not doing so, they increase in regression and humiliation.

Hence, undoubtedly, prophets are also an ‘Eid’. However, God does not compel people to ‘celebrate’ that ‘Eid’, but rather, leaves it up to their own wishes.

points towards that ‘Eid’, which is the ‘Eid’ of the Promised Messiah’sas advent. However, it does not mean that it makes no difference whether you ‘celebrate’ it or not. In fact, it is like the expression, ‘He is truthful, whether you agree or not.’ [Thus, the revelation] means that the blessing has been made available; it is up to the people to benefit from it or not.

“Therefore, the [advent of the] Promised Messiahas is also an ‘Eid’. God Almighty has provided the means for the progress of the Muslims through him. Now, it is up to them whether they benefit from those means and methods by utilising them to attain progress and honour or whether, by not doing so, they increase in regression and humiliation.

Hence, undoubtedly, prophets are also an ‘Eid’. However, God does not compel people to ‘celebrate’ that ‘Eid’, but rather, leaves it up to their own wishes.

“If one celebrates Eid, they attain happiness and contentment; however, if they decide otherwise and continue to mourn, then it is also up to them. There is no compulsion. In this revelation, Allah the Almighty has stated a deep psychological point. To celebrate Eid depends upon one’s inner feelings, and the mere availability of means is not enough. Rather, it is essential that those means be put to use.” (Al Fazl, 19 March 1929, p. 5) Then, during his Friday Sermon, delivered on 20 February 1931, which was also the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra said: “There are certain days that hold similarities with certain eras, and due to those similarities, they become even more blessed. […] In the same way, today, two Eids have occurred together, i.e., Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Jumuah. Thus, for this reason, this day has become a source of even greater blessings and grace. Moreover, this day becomes more important since it indicates an extraordinary era. Therefore, our Jamaat is the only community that can realise the perfect reflection of this day, because this day is testifying that there can be another ‘Eid’ on the day of Eid. And that is the era in which the ‘Eid’ of Ahmadiyyat manifested during the ‘Eid’ of Muhammadiyyat.

“The era of the Holy Prophetsa will continue till the Day of Judgement, thus, the ‘Eid’, which was established through him, can never cease to exist. It is a separate matter if someone ‘ends it for themselves’. […] Similarly, if those who claim to be Muslims part ways with the Holy Prophetsa and abandon the sharia that he brought, it cannot bring an end to his era. […] That ‘Eid’ will continue to flourish, and yes, there can be another ‘Eid’ within it, which has, in fact, manifested itself, i.e., the reformer of the Latter Days and God’s appointed one – whose advent was prophesied by various prophets – has been sent by God Almighty. […]

“Today, Eid has coincided with Jumuah.

Thus, just as this day comprises two ‘Eids’, in the same way, the current era is also a compound of two ‘Eids’ – two glorious manifestations have been witnessed. […]

It means that this is the era of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, which is superior to the eras of all other prophets – whether lawbearing or non-law-bearing – with respect to its blessings.”

<< Continued from previous page

the signs will appear one after another.

It is astonishing that not a single year goes by without some sign being manifested every two to four months.

All the prophets have agreed that the intensity of the signs of the End Times will never have been witnessed before.”

(Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 9, pp. 336-337, Al Hakam, 24 August 1907)

Huzoorra then added that this era was also the era of the Promised Messiahas, the most ardent devotee of his lord and master, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. And, with the Promised Messiahas being Khatam alKhulafa i.e., the perfect reflection of his holy master, his era was also superior to the eras of all prophets who came to manifest or establish the blessings of a law-bearing prophet’s sharia. Thus, in this era, two superiorities had merged together.

Huzoorra went on to say: “The Promised Messiahas has stated that God Almighty – by His sheer wisdom – has granted him this status to prove the perfection of the Holy Prophet’ssa spiritual blessings. […] He has gained the [divine] light from that [spiritual] sun, which is second to none [in its status] and was granted the [divine] light for that ummah which is unmatchable because it is the ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. […]

“Thus, just like this day [where Eid-ulFitr and Jumuah have occurred together], this era holds great significance as well. […]

In fact, the meaning of a Muslim’s Eid is for them to increase their level of sacrifice for God Almighty. Since God Almighty has created us in such an era which is a manifestation of two ‘Eids’, where the majesty [jalal] of Muhammadiyyat and the beauty [jamal] of Ahmadiyyat have manifested, it is our duty as well to strive to double our efforts.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 13, pp. 67-69)

The greatest ‘Eid’ During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 August 1916, Huzoorra said: “In reality, [true] happiness lies in unity, and since gathering together is the source of ‘Eid’, the biggest and greatest ‘Eid’ can only be the one that comprises the greatest assembly. Thus, the greatest ‘Eid’ which has ever occurred was when a person [the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa] called on all mankind and said:

ُ ّٰ ّ ُ َّ َ ُّ َ ٰۤ ‫اس ِانِ ۡی َر ُسوۡ ُل الل ِہ ِال َ ۡیک ۡم َج ِم ۡی َعا‬ ‫یایہا الن‬

“[‘O mankind! truly I am a Messenger to you all from Allah.’ (Surah al-A’raf, Ch. 7: V. 159)] “The world had surely witnessed several small ‘Eids’. There was an ‘Eid’ at the time of Mosesas, and there were ‘Eids’ at the time of Davidas, Jesusas, Krishnaas, Ramchandaras, and Zartashtas as well. However, those ‘Eids’ were limited to either India, Egypt, or Iran, and thus, they were small ‘Eids’. However, the greatest ‘Eid’ that has ever occurred in this world since the creation of Adam, was when God Almighty commanded his chosen one [the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa] to unite

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023 the whole world on one hand, through him.

This was the greatest ‘Eid’. [...]

“Then came the day of another great ‘Eid’, when God Almighty appointed the Promised Messiahas to complete the tabligh [propagation of Islam to all corners of the ّ َ ٗ ۡ world]. That was the time when ‫الدیۡ ِن‬ ِ ‫ل ُِیظ ِہرَہ َعلی‬ ُّ ٖ‫‘[ ک ِلہ‬That He may cause it to prevail over all religions’ (Surah as-Saff, Ch. 61: V. 10)] was decreed to occur.

“The sharia of Islam was perfected through the Holy Prophetsa, and thus, with his advent, the whole world was called on, without any exception, that now such a prophet has come who brings along immense amounts of treasures, and you should join him and get whatever you desire. He raised this call to invite people towards him with such power that its echo continued to rise and reached the heavens, and then [that call] returned to the world in the person of the Promised Messiahas.

Thereafter, he [the Promised Messiahas] also announced the same [in accordance with the glad tidings from God]:

ُ ّٰ ّ ُ َّ َ ُّ َ ٰۤ ‫اس ِانِ ۡی َر ُسوۡ ُل الل ِہ ِال َ ۡیک ۡم َج ِم ۡی َعا‬ ‫یایہا الن‬

“[‘O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p.

490)] [...]

“Every new soul who joins us is a source of ‘Eid’ for us, and everyone who becomes a Muslim increases our happiness. This is the ‘Eid’ of uniting on the commandments of the sharia, and the ‘Eid’ that will occur when all people will practically gather on one Faith, will be the greatest ‘Eid’. And God Almighty has given us the responsibility to bring about that ‘Eid’.

“It was the act of God Almighty to appoint a prophet [the Holy Prophetsa] for the whole of mankind, to send down a perfect and complete sharia for the whole world, and then to appoint the Promised Messiahas to complete the propagation [of Islam to all corners of the world]. However, He has given us the duty to bring about that ‘Eid’.

“Therefore, I advise the members of the Jamaat with great emphasis that they should ponder over the [true] ‘Eid’, and realise that all happiness is achieved through unity. [...]

You ought to be delighted, and may it be blessed for you that the era of that great ‘Eid’, ۡ about which God Almighty has stated: ‫ل ُِیظ ِہرَ ٗہ‬ ُّ ۡ ّ َ َ ٖ‫الدی ِن ک ِلہ‬ ِ ‫‘[ علی‬That He may cause it to prevail over all religions’ (Surah as-Saff, Ch. 61: V. 10)] is the era of the Promised Messiahas.

“That is, the era of the [Promised] Messiah will be the time when Islam will become victorious over all other religions, and all people will be united on one hand by propagating the truthfulness of the Holy Prophetsa through the Promised Messiahas and his Jamaat. That will be the time of the true ‘Eid’ for us.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, pp. 28-32) During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon on 7 August 1948, Huzoorra said: “No doubt, our God has commanded us to celebrate Eid in a manifest manner, and for this reason, we celebrate it. However, we will attain true happiness when Islam spreads to all corners of the world, mosques are filled with those who occupy themselves in remembrance of Allah, and when the majesty of the Holy Prophetsa and the Holy Quran is established in all corners of the world. Thus, each member of our Jamaat should remember that [...] our greatest ‘Eid’

3

will only be when Islam spreads the world over, and the call of Allahu Akbar [Allah is great] echoes from every corner of the world.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 423)

The need for an Imam: Hope and certainty through the Promised Messiahas We witness that Muslims are divided and regressing in all fields – due to their not paying heed to the true teachings of Islam.

This was all prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa 1400 years ago, and thus, he instructed the Muslims to join the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah in the Latter Days for their reformation. Moreover, the Promised Messiah was to unite all mankind under the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

Thus, God Almighty appointed Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon on 24 March 1928, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “It is hope and certainty that bring a true Eid, and it is this very hope and certainty that was brought by the Promised Messiahas. [...] There is a sense of discomfort and worry amongst all nations, communities and countries. However, if there is any Jamaat that is firm in its Faith and filled with hope and certainty, it is the Ahmadiyya [Muslim] Jamaat. [...] We are happy that God Almighty has promised us that no one can ever destroy us. The Promised Messiahas has been told: ‫آگ امہ�اری الغم ہکلب الغومں یک الغم ےہ۔‬ “‘Fire is our servant and indeed, the servant of our servants.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p. 537) “Fire implies troubles and destruction which are very devastating. Thus, such calamities and troubles are befalling the world, that are very catastrophic. However, God Almighty has stated in His Word, which was revealed to the Promised Messiahas, to proclaim: ‫ت‬ ‫آگ ےس ںیمہ ی‬ ‫� تم ڈرا۔ آگ امہ�اری الغم ہکلب الغومں یک الغم ےہ۔‬

“

“‘Do not threaten us with fire, for fire is

our servant and indeed, the servant of our servants.’ (Ibid) “Thus, these troubles cannot efface us, since they are the prelude to our progress. [...] Therefore, an Ahmadi should never fear these troubles that are befalling [the world], because God states that they have been made our servants. [...] Hence, there is such a glorious festivity and a pleasing ‘Eid’ that has not been granted to anyone else. [...]

“One ought to study the revelations of the Promised Messiahas, and when you will study them, you will feel as if your worries are vanishing away, and you will come to know about [the value of] your sacrifices, which you are offering for the Faith, as to what you are presenting to God and how great is its reward. After this, I pray that Allah the Almighty may make us the true recipients of that ‘Eid’. That ‘Eid’ will surely occur, but may we also get the opportunity to witness it, may we witness the propagation of the Word of God, may the honour of His chosen Servant [Muhammadsa] and the Promised Messiahas spread [to all corners of the world], and may His Religion [Islam] spread

so much that it becomes victorious over all other religions.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, pp. 157-162)

No power can efface this Godgifted ‘Eid’ During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 25 April 1925, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “In this era, we have been granted an ‘Eid’ from God Almighty, and the God-given thing holds so much power that no other power can efface it.” Thus, since we have accepted the ma’mur and mursal [appointee and messenger] of God Almighty, pledged bai‘at and become the followers of His prophet, and have achieved great success through him, no power can ever crush us and there is no reason for our hearts to be grieved. I do not say that there will be no troubles in the future, difficulties will occur and will be more than have occurred by now, and even greater sacrifices will be required than have been offered by now. […]

“There is no reason for these worries,

It must be remembered that now the ‘rope of Allah’ is the personage of the Promised Messiahas and acting upon his teachings. Moreover, your connection with Khilafat would also keep strengthening you. Khilafat would be your unifying force and strength. Khilafat would be a means to connect you with Allah the Almighty through the Promised Messiahas and the Holy Prophetsa. Therefore, one should hold fast to this ‘rope’, otherwise, those who fail to do so would become scattered. They would not only ruin themselves, but cause the ruin of their progenies as well.

4

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

troubles and difficulties to end this ‘Eid’ of the Promised Messiah’sas era. If we [are determined with a] desire to celebrate this era as an ‘Eid’, then there is no one who can halt us from doing so. Therefore, I advise the members to make a firm determination in their hearts to celebrate this ‘Eid’. Hence, when you will be determined to celebrate the Promised Messiah’sas era as an ‘Eid’, you will witness that the troubles that frighten you today will not do so after this resolve, those worries and anxieties that make you fear today will not do so after this determination, and those difficulties that seem to you like mountains will not hold any significance, not even equal to a straw, after making this resolve.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 134) Speaking about the need for sacrifices, during his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 May 1924, Huzoorra said: “The early era of the prophets, denotes ‘Ramadan’, and the era of their progress signifies ‘Eid’. One is required to offer sacrifices along with the prophets, and to be delighted on the day of ‘Eid’ that God’s prophecy has been fulfilled. On that day, even the [spiritually] blind will cry out that ‘we have witnessed the ‘moon of Eid’”.

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 122)

Continuation of the Promised Messiah’sas mission through Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya The Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas is continuing to flourish and is achieving new heights of progress with each passing day.

His mission is continuing under the blessed institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, which was established in accordance with the promise of Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet’ssa prophecies.

In regard to the establishment of Khilafat after him, the Promised Messiahas also said: “It is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement. And that second Manifestation cannot come unless I depart.

But when I depart, God will send that second Manifestation for you which shall always stay with you just as promised by God in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. And this promise is not for my person. Rather the promise is with reference to you, as God [addressing me] says: I shall make this Jama‘at who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment. […] I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power [of God].” (The Will, pp. 7-8) During the past 115 years, Khilafate-Ahmadiyya has not only been a source of peace, tranquillity, and progress for the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat, but has also continued to guide the Muslim world and invite them towards the true teachings of Islam. However, the Muslim world is generally negligent in paying heed to the true ‘Eid’ of this era. Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has not only guided Muslims, but continues to invite the whole world towards the peaceful message of Islam, and strives to remove the misconceptions about Islam. In this era when we witness all kinds of conflicts, wars, and disorders, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya is a beacon of peace and harmony.

Surah al-Fatihah and the true ‘Eid’ During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 October 2008, which was the first Eid of the second century of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that a believer’s ‘Eid’ is the one that comes time and time again and brings along with it the message of God’s pleasure. Huzooraa said that such an ‘Eid’ brings along with it the signs of the acceptance of the following prayer mentioned in Surah al-Fatihah:

َۡ ّ َ ۡ ّ ‫ا ۡہدنَا‬ ‫الص َر َاط ال ُم ۡس َت ِق ۡی َم۔ ِص َر َاط ال َ ِذیۡ َن ان َع ۡم َت َعل ۡی ِہ ۡم‬ ِ ِ ِ

“Guide us in the right path, the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed [Thy blessings].” (Surah alFatihah, Ch. 1: V. 6-7) Huzooraa continued by saying that the true ‘Eid’ is the one that is accompanied by the blessings of Allah the Almighty, and the true blessings are attained through complete obedience to Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa. Hence, in this era, as a result of such obedience, Allah the Almighty manifested the peak of these blessings in the personage of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, who was appointed by Him as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. He has attained the status of a prophet, but only due to his absolute obedience and servitude to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Thus, these

“

are the blessings that differentiate Ahmadi Muslims from others.

Huzooraa said that the Ahmadis are blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate the true ‘Eid’ in this era by accepting the Promised Messiahas. (Al Fazl International, 17-23 October 2008, pp. 1-2)

Hold fast by the rope of Allah During his Friday Sermon, delivered on 21 May 2004, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “Always remember that He is the God Who fulfils His promises. He is still keeping His hand on this beautiful Jamaat of his beloved Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas]. He will never leave us! He will never leave us! Surely, He will never leave us!

He is still fulfilling the promises He made to His Messiah today, as He has been doing since the time of the previous Khulafa. Even today, He is bestowing His blessings and favours in the same way as He has in the past and will continue to do so, insha-Allah.

Therefore, if there is any need, it is for one to ensure they never stumble on their own by disobeying the commandments of Allah the Almighty, and hence ruin their fate. So, one is required to seek help from Him by praying and bowing down to Him, asking for His grace, and holding fast by this strong rope [Khilafat]. Then no one can ever harm you.

May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to

do so. Amin.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 2, p.

354) Every year, we witness hundreds of thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and beliefs, unite on one hand through this divine institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Now, this is the means through which mankind can attain spiritual and worldly progress. This is the pathway that will prevent people from becoming prey to material aspirations.

Commenting on verse 104 of Surah Aal-e-Imran, during his Friday Sermon, delivered on 26 August 2005, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “It must be remembered that now the ‘rope of Allah’ is the personage of the Promised Messiahas and acting upon his teachings. Moreover, your connection with Khilafat would also keep strengthening you. Khilafat would be your unifying force and strength. Khilafat would be a means to connect you with Allah the Almighty through the Promised Messiahas and the Holy Prophetsa. Therefore, one should hold fast to this ‘rope’, otherwise, those who fail to do so would become scattered. They would not only ruin themselves, but cause the ruin of their progenies as well. […] How could one hold fast to this ‘rope’? This would not be achieved by merely taking the bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] – accepting the Promised Messiahas – but rather, it is essential to act upon the Conditions of Bai‘at as prescribed by him.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 3, p. 516) We, the Ahmadi Muslims, are fortunate to be blessed with the divine institution of Khilafat. It is our responsibility to show complete obedience to Khilafat-eAhmadiyya and to abide by the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. To read more on this topic, please see “Abide by the words of Khalifatul Masih: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s advice to Ahmadis”, Al Hakam, 10 February 2023, Issue 256, pp. 10-13) May Allah the Almighty enable us all to become the Sultan-e-Naseer of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, and to play our part in achieving the true ‘Eid’, i.e., the victory of Islam over all other religions. Amin.

(Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam)

Since God Almighty has created us in such an era which is a manifestation of two ‘Eids’, where the majesty [jalal] of Muhammadiyyat and the beauty [jamal] of Ahmadiyyat have manifested, it is our duty as well to strive to double our efforts.”

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023

5

This Week in History

21 - 27 April

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat 21 April 21 April 1896: On this day, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanaurira. Earlier, this devout companion had conveyed through a postcard that his application for

Vol. 26, pp. 48-49)

21 April 2006: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa laid the foundation of the Khilafat Jubilee Hall in Sydney, Australia. (Al Fazl International, 2 June 2006, p. 9)

22 April 22 April 1908: On this day, The Promised Messiahas received the following Urdu revelations from God Almighty: ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ �‫ن‬ ‫ی�رے � یا� ��ان آ�ن � امہ‬ ‫�ا۔ ی‬ ‫�رو�� � �ان۔‬ � ‫��ر‬ ‫�اد� �ری ی‬ ‫ی‬ ‫��۔‬ ‫ی�ری‬

“A Sign appeared for me in the heaven. A Sign, good and excellent.

My wishes have been fulfilled.”

(Tadhkirah [English], p. 1031)

Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanaurira

leave had been accepted. Huzooras was so pleased to hear that he would come and stay in Qadian for a period of two months. Huzooras repeatedly persuaded him to be prompt and reach Qadian without any further delays because one of the relatives of Maulvi Sahibra was under the care and treatment of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra in Qadian. (Maktubat-eAhmad [2013], Vol. 3, p. 226)

21 April 1923: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra issued detailed guidelines for the missionaries who were serving in the Malkana area to tackle the issue of the Shuddhi Movement. In particular, Huzoorra instructed them to pay special attention towards prayers (du‘a), and the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah and durood sharif. (“Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad’sra response to the Shuddhi movement and the Jamaat’s relentless services for Islam”, Al Hakam, 17 December 2021, Issue 196, pp. 18-20) 21 April 1970: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh inaugurated the Mission House in Kumasi, Ghana. On the same day, Huzoorrh delivered addresses at Talim-ulIslam Secondary School and Kumasi University. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat,

22 April 2003: On this day, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa was elected as the Khalifatul Masih V. Around 11,000 members of the Jamaat pledged allegiance at his hands at the Fazl Mosque in London; moreover, Ahmadis around the world pledged allegiance through MTA International. (Silsila-eAhmadiyya, Part 4, p. 913) 22 April 2006: On this day, during his tour of Australia, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the new Ahmadiyya mosque in Brisbane, named Baitul Masroor. (Al Fazl International, 2 June 2006, pp.

10-11)

23 April 23 April 1902: On this day, the Promised Messiahas issued an announcement about Chiragh Din of Jammu, an erstwhile follower of Huzooras. 5000 copies of that announcement were published for the members of the Jamaat.

In it, Huzooras announced the expulsion of that person from his Jamaat after refuting his untruthful and deceitful views. (Majmua-eIshtiharat [2019], Vol. 3, p. 259) 23 April 1910: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira inaugurated the Nur Mosque in Qadian. Its foundation had been laid by Huzoorra on 5 March 1910. (Tarikhe-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 311)

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurating the new Ahmadiyya mosque in Brisbane, Australia

24 April 24 April 1908: This day was a Friday and the last Friday of the Promised Messiahas in Qadian, as he would soon depart for his last journey to Lahore. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra led the Jumuah prayer.

24 April 1970: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh addressed a press conference in Accra, Ghana, and then went to Saltpond, where he visited the mosque and mission house. Around 12,000 Ahmadis were present there to see their beloved Imam.

The attendees also included various dignitaries, such as the paramount chiefs. Huzoorrh led the Jumuah prayer and after that delivered another address to the members who had gathered there. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 26, p. 51)

25 - 26 April 25 April 2006: On this day, during his tour of Fiji, Huzooraa arrived at Nadi airport. A correspondent of the national television interviewed Huzooraa as well. (Al Fazl International, 9 June 2006, pp. 1-2) 26 April 1931: On this day,

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered a lecture in the town hall of Mansoori on the topic of HinduMuslim unity while he was on his journey to northern India. (Tarikhe-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 5, p. 274)

26 April 1984: On this day, the infamous dictator of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq, issued Ordinance XX, which made it unlawful for Ahmadis to engage in any kind of Islamic practice, from modes of worship to dress code, from greetings to using any terms that were Islamic, and it also included not having Muslim names.

27 April 27 April 2005: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited the complex adjacent to the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Nairobi, Kenya. Huzooraa also visited the graveyard, where some of the Promised Messiah’sas companions are buried. (Al Fazl International, 13 May 2005, pp. 8 and 16) 27 April 2006: On this day, during his tour of Fiji, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted an audience to the then-president of Fiji. In the evening, Huzooraa addressed a reception held in his honour at the capital city of Suva’s central hotel, which was attended by various dignitaries as well. (Al Fazl International, 9 June 2006, pp.

9-10)

6

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

Surah al-Qari’ah, at-Takathur, al-‘Asr, chapters of the Holy Quran al-Humazah, al-Fil, Quraish, al-Ma’un, al-Kauthar, al-Kafirun, an-Nasr, al-Lahab, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas Introduction to

The English translation of the introduction to chapters of the Holy Quran as given by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh is being presented for the benefit of our readers. This is the last instalment of this series.

101. al-Qari’ah This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of 12 verses.

This Surah reiterates the warning of the preceding Surah that, in order to awaken Man from a sleep of ignorance, sometimes a thunderous sound will knock at their door.

What is this knocking sound? Ponder again as to what this sound is, when, as a result of destructive and horrific wars, Man will be ruined like scattered locusts; and mountains will be rendered into crumbles like carded wool. Here, mountains signify major powers of the world, and surely it is not a reference to Judgement Day, as no mountains will be crumbled to pieces on that day. The nations with better war equipment will overpower, whereas nations with relatively lesser war equipment will bear the brunt of war. This is a blazing fire.

102. at-Takathur This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of nine verses.

Man has been warned in this Surah that, as a result of their love for wealth, they will end up in graves. On the one hand, major powers have been warned here that the result of this race will be nothing but destruction. And some weaker nations have also been referred to here as saying that in order to fulfil their demand and passion for wealth, they will not abstain even from visiting graves. As a result of it, Man has been warned twice, i.e., worldly powers as well as religiously superstitious peoples, in that it will conclude at their acquisition of the knowledge of the fire that has been lighted for them. And then they will see it before their eyes. When they are thrown into it, they will be asked what they achieved by blindly following the desire for worldly possessions.

103. al-‘Asr This Surah was revealed in the early period of Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of four verses.

This Surah describes that, as a result of the kinds of people mentioned in the preceding Surahs and the mammon worship warned against, the entire world will testify that that Man is in a state of loss, except for the ones who believed and did righteous deeds, exhorted for truth by adhering to truth

themselves, and exhorted for steadfastness by adhering to steadfastness themselves.

104. al-Humazah This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of ten verses.

Surah al-‘Asr is followed by Surah alHumazah, which is the strongest among all the warnings mentioned so far for those keen on worldly possessions. It states that big men of that age will believe that they have amassed so much wealth that they can spend it generously for their security as if now they have overpowered the world permanently. Beware! They will be thrown into a fire that has been locked up into very small particles; and what do you know as to what that fire is?

Naturally, a question arises as to how fire can be locked up in a small particle.

Most surely, it is a reference to the fire that is enclosed in an atom. And the words ‫ۃَمَطُح‬ and “atom” match in sound. This is a fire that leaps at hearts, and to attack hearts, it has been closed in extended columns.

The whole of this scenario cannot be understood unless one has knowledge of the current atomic age. The atomic material that ُ َ encloses the fire takes the form of ‫ٍۃَدّدَمّم ٍدَمَع‬ (extended columns) before exploding. That is, it extends due to the increasing pressure inside; and before burning human bodies, its fire attacks the hearts, and the human heart stops throbbing. All the scientists testify that this is exactly what happens when an atomic bomb explodes. Before its explosive material reaches Man, extremely powerful radioactive waves stop the throbbing hearts.

Another meaning of this is that human body particles also contain a hidden fire; once it manifests, it will attack the human heart and render it useless.

105. al-Fil This Surah was revealed in the early period of Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of six verses.

The progress of worldly nations will come to an end at the culmination, when all the major powers will have been after Islam to bring it to an end. Relating a past incident, the Holy Quran states that earlier also apparently great and big powers had tried to ُۡ ُ destroy ‫( ا ّم الق ٰری‬the Mother of Towns), i.e., ۡ َ Mecca. They were ‫ ا ۡﺻ ٰح ِب الف ِۡی ِل‬i.e., the People of the Elephant. But before they reached

Mecca, mounted on those big elephants, the swallows that nest in hollows of ocean rocks, showered upon them pebbles infected with smallpox. And the entire army was infected with that dangerous disease and in no time, they were rendered into piles of dead bodies like eaten-up, broken straws. The carrioneating birds would strike their bodies against the soil. In the future as well, if any people, depending on their power, intended to desecrate and destroy Islam or Mecca, they too would be destroyed in a similar fashion.

source of ruin for them, as such prayers will be meant only to show off. Similarly, their spending will also be for showing off. They will spend huge amounts to increase their popularity, but will hesitate to give even very petty items to the poor for their needs.

108. al-Kauthar This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of four verses.

Immediately after Surah al-Ma’un, the Holy Prophetsa has been given the good news of the bestowal of a never-ending Kauthar.

One meaning of this is that the wealth they will spend in the cause of Allah-even if they spend without care-Allah the Almighty will continue to bestow more and more wealth on them. And the greatest good news is that the Prophetsa was granted the Quran, whose subject matters will continue to benefit mankind until the Day of Judgement like a never-ending treasure. None will be able to encompass its subject matters.

Further, it states that (the Prophetsa) should pray to his Lord and offer sacrifice in gratitude for this magnificent bounty.

Surely, it is his enemy who shall be without issue, whereas his munificence will never come to an end.

109. al-Kafirun 106. Quraish This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of five verses.

Immediately after Surah al-Fil, this glad tiding has been given in this Surah that, as prior to this incident, trading caravans of the people of Mecca used to move in summer and winter, and by all types of fruits they were secured against hunger and fear, this will continue in the future as well.

107. al-Ma’un This Surah was revealed in the early period of Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of eight verses.

The ostensible connection of this Surah with the preceding one seems to be that when Allah the Almighty will bless the Muslims with an abundance of bounties, then they will not hesitate to spend liberally in His cause and will not at all show off in the worship that was taught by the Lord of Kaaba, or else their prayers will become a

This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of seven verses.

The disbelievers have once again been warned in the current Surah that neither will I (the Prophetsa) ever follow your religion nor will you ever follow that of mine.

Therefore, you may continue following your religion, and I will continue following mine.

110. an-Nasr This Surah was revealed at Medina, and, including the basmalah, it consists of four verses.

In this Surah, in fact, another form of the Kauthar has been presented. That is, just as the bounties of the Holy Quran will never cease to exist, similarly, the series of Islamic victories will also be never-ending. And surely a time is going to come when nations will join Islam in troops. Instead of blowing the trumpet, this will be a time of seeking forgiveness, because one must not give way Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023

7

100 Shuddhi Movement: Third Ahmadiyya Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya

Years Tabligh Delegation to Agra Ago...

Al Fazl, 9 April 1923 and helper. May countless nations accept Islam at their hands and the people be granted strength to adhere to their religion.

The following are the names of the aforementioned missionaries who [went to Agra] in the cause of Allah:

<< Continued from previous page

attributes to beget a son if He didn’t have a father? And why did Jesusas, who is considered a hypothetical son of God, not inherit the attributes from the father? And if the father had begotten a son, then why didn’t he (the son) beget further sons?

Further, (Allah) says that there is none like unto Allah the Almighty. Therefore, such futile statements will not result in anything save blasphemy against Allah of Magnificent Glory.

111. al-Lahab This is one of the earliest Surahs that were revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of six verses.

Abu Lahab, the name of a paternal uncle of the Holy Prophetsa, always incited others to hatred against the Prophetsa. And his wife also assisted him with it. The Quran states: Both of his hands will be cut off.

That is to say, inciters for war against Islam in the future as well, whether they belong to the rightists or the leftists, will meet only with humiliation and disgrace. And their submissive nations, who will assist them in providing fuel for war, will have nothing but gallows as their fate.

112. al-Ikhlas This Surah was revealed at Mecca, and, including the basmalah, it consists of five verses.

Though it is a very brief Surah, magnificent victories have been promised in it, which will be granted to Islam against Christianity. And it has been disclosed that Allah had neither any father, nor any son. The entire building of Christianity is collapsed with this one sentence. That is, how did Allah the Almighty get the

Gambia International (TFGI) 2023 Rohan Ahmad Missionary, The Gambia

As reported in the previous [5 April 1923] issue of Al Fazl, the third delegation of our Jamaat left after the Asr prayer on 4 April [1923] to curb the apostasy of the Malkana [Rajputs]. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] went to the car along with a large number of friends [to say goodbye to the missionaries].

Upon reaching there, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih delivered a speech, which will be published in a coming issue [of Al Fazl].

After the speech, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih gave 45 rupees on his and his family’s behalf to the head of the delegation, Babu Jamaluddin Sahib, for the journey and for the needs there [in Agra]. Other friends also contributed according to their strengths.

The total contribution presented to this delegation amounted to 201 rupees.

Thereafter, members of the caravan stood in front of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih on the road as per usual, and then, after seeking permission, they left saying assalam ‘alaikum.

May God Almighty be their supporter

to arrogance as a result of these victories.

On the contrary, with all the more humility, one must believe with certainty that this was achieved by the sheer grace of Allah. Thus, on such an occasion, one must busy himself in seeking forgiveness all the more, and all the more one should sing the praises of Allah the Almighty.

participates in Trade Fair

1. Babu Jamaluddin Sahib of Gujranwala 2. Mian Muhammad Yusuf Sahib, son of Maulvi Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sahib, of Gilgit 3. Chaudhary Itar Din Sahib Bhatti 4. Abdullah Khan Sahib, son of Maulvi Zulfiqar Ali Khan Sahib of Rampur 5. Maulvi Mahbubur Rahman Sahib of Banaras 6. Munshi Muhammad Hanif Sahib Mirpuri of Jammu 7. Chaudhry Barkat Ali Khan Sahib Rajput of Garhshankar 8. Chaudhry Muhammad Fazl Khan Sahib Rajput 9. Chaudhry Rashid Ahmad Khan Sahib Rajput of Saroa

113. al-Falaq This Surah was revealed at Medina, and, including the basmalah, it consists of six verses.

A warning has been given in this Surah that, as a result of every creation, evil also takes place along with good, and one should continue seeking refuge in Allah against their evil consequences. And also seek refuge in Allah Almighty from the dark night that is going to engulf the world once again. And also seek refuge from such peoples, who create dissensions and divides between one individual and another, as well as between one nation and another, as if they follow the principle of “divide and rule”. That is, one has to create dissension between nations if they want to rule. This is the summary of imperialism, which was to rule the world. In spite of this, Islam will make progress; otherwise, in a state of being annihilated, it cannot inspire jealousy. The subject of envy shows that Islam is making progress. And whenever it makes progress, its enemies will be jealous of it.

114. an-Nas This Surah was revealed at Medina, and,

10. Chaudhry Butay Khan Sahib Rajput 11. Jamadar Muhammad Khan Sahib of Ferozpur 12. Muhammad Hasan Sahib of Ceylon 13. Abdul Wahid Sahib of Patiala 14. Maulvi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib Amritsari, Qadian 15. Munshi Wazir Muhammad Sahib of Patiala 16. Munshi Muhammad Hussain Sahib, son of Muhammad Bakhsh Sahib 17. Chaudhry Abdul Latif Khan Sahib Firozpuri Rajput 19. Muhammad Amin Sahib, brother of Lal Din Sahib 20. Mistri Sultan Muhammad Sahib of Quetta 21. Maulvi Chirag Ali Sahib of Multan 22. Maulvi Umaruddin Sahib of Jalandhar (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 9 April 1923 issue of Al Fazl)

including the basmalah, it consists of seven verses.

This Surah sums up all the collective endeavours of Judaism and Christianity, which, in a nutshell, will be that they will claim to be the Lord of mankind, i.e., they will control their economies as well. And along the same lines, they will claim to be their king, i.e., they will control their politics. And then, as if they themselves will become deities. And they will confer upon those who worship them and humiliate those who refuse to worship them.

The most dangerous weapon of theirs will be to whisper like Khannas, i.e., they will whisper into the hearts of others but themselves vanish from the scene. This will be the state of affairs of the major powers, i.e., capitalism, and the people’s power, i.e., communism, in the world at that time.

Thus, whoso comes in the refuge of Allah the Almighty against all such things, Allah the Almighty will protect them.

The most dangerous weapon of theirs will be to whisper like Khannas, i.e., they will whisper into the hearts and themselves vanish from the scene. This will be the state of affairs of the major powers, i.e., capitalism, and the people’s power, i.e., communism, in the world at that time. Thus, whoso comes in the refuge of Allah Almighty against all such things, Allah the Almighty will protect them.

(Translated from the original introduction of chapters as presented in the Urdu translation of the Holy Quran by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh. Translated into English by Shahid Mahmood Ahmad, missionary in Ghana)

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) launched the 16th edition of the Trade Fair Gambia International (TFGI) 2023 on 10 January 2023. The trade fair was held from 18 February to 19 March 2023 at the National Trade Fair Ground in Brusubi, The Gambia.

There were more than 400 stalls at the trade fair and apart from The Gambia, people from various countries participated in it, such as Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, India and Mauritania, etc.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya The Gambia also participated and organised a bookstall. This was the only religious stall out there. At the stall, with the Holy Quran exhibition, the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya The Gambia was also briefly displayed. Some Jamaat literature was also exhibited and made available for sale, which included various books of the Promised Messiahas translated into English and French, the books of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat, salat learning books, Yassarnal Quran, etc. And a corner within the stall was also organised to present the work of The Review of Religions.

The event attracted a large number of people and many visited the Ahmadiyya stall. Most of the visitors held conversations with the Ahmadiyya representatives at the stall and were touched by and appreciated the message of true Islam.

A man from Belgium visited the stall and was briefed about Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya which he appreciated and thanked the community for organising.

A woman passing by the stall stopped and shouted very cheerfully, “Wow, Ahmadis are here. I cannot pass by without seeing them and I love these people.” She was then introduced to the Jamaat and ever since she has been in touch with us.

Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya The Gambia also visited the stall and was delighted with and appreciated the work of the team.

8

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

Charter of Medina: A blueprint for peaceful coexistence Sabah-Uddin Aleem Ahmad Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK

Jerusalem ranks among the foremost cities in the world in terms of holding collective religious significance. It is home to the holy sites of the main three Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. As a result, Jerusalem is home to a diverse, multifaith society. However, in modern times, unfortunately, this diversity has done little else than affect violence and tensions within the city. The most recent attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan and subsequent violence in the region, have only added to these tensions.

The international community has called for the de-escalation of violence and for a solution to be found. The White House Press Secretary, Karine JeanPierre said, “It is imperative now more than ever that Israelis and Palestinians work together to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.” (www. whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ press-briefings/2023/04/05/ press-briefing-by-press-secretarykarine-jean-pierre-24/) However, these calls for peace have never really amounted to anything.

The city and the state at large continue to be in dire need of an effective solution where the followers of every religion can co-exist peacefully in society.

The Charter of Medina, which was constituted by the Holy Prophetsa some 1400 years ago, offers us an already-tested and successful blueprint for establishing peace in a multi-faith society.

At the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the population of Medina was divided into four sections (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. II, p. 25): 1) The Muslims were divided into two groups: (i) The Ansar (the pre-existing Muslim convert residents of Medina) (ii) The Muhajirun (the Muslims who had migrated from Mecca) 2) The hypocrites (those who apparently had become Muslim but were disbelievers at heart) 3) The idolaters were divided into two tribes: (i) The Aus (ii) The Khazraj 4) The Jews, of which there were three

tribes: (i) Banu Qainuqa (ii) Banu Nadir (iii) Banu Quraizah When the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa migrated from Mecca to Medina to escape their endless persecution, the aim was to establish an administration in Medina that would be accepted by all parties and bring an end to the violence. After the migration, the Holy Prophetsa emerged as the obvious candidate for the leadership role and was unanimously accepted as the leader of

enmity, or corruption between believers” (Ibid.) and that they would be against such a person “even if he be a son of one of them.”

(Ibid. p. 232) The goal of the Holy Prophetsa was to create a society founded on high moral standards, and the constitution reflects this. If there was ever a hint of injustice, the people were expected to oppose it.

Religious freedom was essential to this charter, as tensions were bound to resurface without it. After establishing internal administrative rules in relation to the Muslims, attention was turned to the Jews.

thing was that the Holy Prophetsa, as the State Leader of Medina, led by example by upholding the articles of the charter himself and acting with the utmost sincerity and justice.

However, it should be borne in mind that the basis for this charter was the Holy Quran and its perfect teachings, which were continuously being revealed to the Holy Prophetsa . The success of this treaty is largely attributed to this, as the articles of this treaty are not merely man-made but rather derived from Divine teachings.

The underlying message of the charter is reflected in the following verse of the Holy Quran:

ُ ٰ ۡ َ َ َّ ُ َّ َ ُّ َ ٰۤ ٰۡ ُ َ َ َ ‫اس ِانا خلقنک ۡم ِّم ۡن ذک ٍر ۡ ّوانثی‬ ‫یایہا الن‬ ۡ‫َو َج َع ۡل ٰن ُک ۡم ُش ُعوۡ ًبا َّو َق َبٓائ َل ل َِت َع َار ُفوۡا ؕ ِا َّن اَک َر َم ُکم‬ ِ ّٰ َ ُ ٰ ۡ َ ّٰ ۡ ۡ َ ٌ‫ِعن َد الل ِہ اتقک ۡم ؕ ِا ّن الل َہ َع ِل ۡی ٌم خ ِبیر‬

Medina.

With this new responsibility, the Messengersa of Allah was tasked with finding a practical solution to establish peace and harmony in Medina’s widely diverse and multi-faith society. To achieve this, he drafted a charter that guaranteed the safety of all citizens, regardless of their religion, and brought an end to internal conflicts.

One of the more salient points of this charter is the recognition of all people as “one community to the exclusion of all men.”

(The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah, Alfred Guillaume, 1998, p. 231) This article, which is included at the very beginning of the charter, acts as an outline for the underlying message of the treaty. It marks the establishment of the new Republic of Medina and the newfound unity between tribes.

The charter also encouraged the believers to unite against “the rebellious or him who seeks to spread injustice, or sin or

The charter guarantees that the Jews would have the same right to practice their religion as the Muslims did because “the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs.”

(Ibid. p. 233) This ensured that the Jews and Muslims could go about their own worship without fear. In addition, they were reassured that they would be treated equally and that no help would be given to their enemies.

Rather, if the Jews or Muslims were to be attacked, each party was expected to help the other. Furthermore, if Medina were attacked, all parties were bound to defend it, regardless of the circumstances, and all parties were expected to “seek mutual advice and consultation” from each other.

(Ibid.)

These were all exceptionally practical methods of instilling a sense of pluralism in Medina, which was key to establishing a society based on freedom, mutual respect, and trust. However, the most important

“O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes and sub-tribes that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.14) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, while addressing UNESCO on 8 October 2019, expounded on the outstanding leadership qualities of the Holy Prophetsa in relation to the Charter of Medina and stated: “The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was elected as the head of state and under his leadership, the covenant proved to be a magnificent charter of human rights and governance and it ensured peace between the different communities.

“For example, on one occasion, an affluent lady committed a crime and many people suggested that, given her high standing in society, it was better to turn a blind eye to her crimes. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) rejected their advice and made it clear that even if his daughter committed an offence, she too would be subject to the law and no favouritism or nepotism would occur.

“In addition, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) established an excellent education system, through which the intellectual standards of Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023 << Continued from previous page

that society were raised. Literate and welleducated people were instructed to teach the illiterate. Special measures were put in place to provide education to orphans and other vulnerable members of society. This was all done so that the weak and powerless could stand on their own two feet and advance.

“A taxation system was established, whereby taxes were levied on wealthier members of society and the proceeds were used to provide financial aid for disadvantaged members of society.

According to the teachings of the Holy Quran, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) established a code of business and financial ethics to ensure that trading was fair and honest.

“In an age when slavery was rampant and slave-owners treated their slaves mercilessly, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sought to bring about a revolution in society. Slaveowners were ordered to treat their slaves with compassion and respect and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) repeatedly urged them to free them.

“Also, under the leadership of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a system of public sanitation was developed. A city cleaning programme was implemented and people were educated about the importance of personal hygiene and physical health.

The roads of the city were expanded and improved. A census was conducted to collect data and to identify the needs of the citizens.

“Thus, during the 7th Century, under the government led by the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), astonishing progress was made in Madinah to advance the cause of individual and collective rights. Indeed, for the very first

9

time amongst the Arabs, an orderly and civilised society was established.

“In many ways, it was a model society, in terms of infrastructure, services and more importantly, in terms of the unity and tolerance displayed in what was a multicultural society. The Muslims were immigrants, yet they integrated smoothly into the local society and contributed to its success and development. […]

“The reality is that the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) spent every moment of his life championing the rights of all people, and through the teachings of Islam, he established an incomparable and timeless charter of human rights. For example, he taught that people should respect the beliefs and feelings of one another. They should abstain from criticising what others held sacred.

“Once, a Jewish person came to him and complained about the conduct of one of his closest companions. The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) summoned him and asked what had transpired. He said that the Jew had claimed that Moses (peace be upon him) was superior in rank to the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he could not tolerate this.

He had strongly refuted it and said that the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was of a higher rank.

“Upon this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) expressed his displeasure with his closest confidant and said that he should not have argued with the Jew and should instead have respected his religious sentiments. These were his peerless teachings, and in my view, it is deeply regrettable that the principle of mutual respect, which is the means of establishing love and unity, has been sacrificed in the modern world in the name of so-

called freedom and even in the name of entertainment.

“In terms of fulfilling the rights of the weak and poor, the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) established various schemes and projects to raise their standards of living and to ensure that they were not deprived of their dignity.

He said that whilst most people afforded a high status to those who were wealthy and powerful, a poor person who was moral and considerate had far greater value, than a rich person who cared not for the feelings of others and merely lived off his name.

“Even in small matters, the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) paid great attention to ensuring that the feelings of underprivileged people were protected. For example, he instructed Muslims to always invite the poor and needy to their dinner parties or social gatherings.

If less affluent people were exploited by the rich or powerful, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed his followers to help the weaker party attain justice.” (“Islamic Principles on Education and Serving Humanity”, www.reviewofreligions.org/18885/islamicprinciples-on-education-and-ser vinghumanity/) So, if the world really wants to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – and for the rest of the world – and to “deescalate tensions,” particularly in the holy city of Jerusalem, they will have to turn to the one instance in human history where peaceful co-existence between religious groups was effectively established.

They will have to recognise that the only way forward is to set aside their differences and do away with their vested interests by adopting the principles laid out in the Charter of Medina by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in forming a society based on mutual respect and trust.

Remembering the Promised Messiah: Hamilton Mountain Ahmadis hold Jalsa Masih-e-Maud Waqqar Azeem Secretary Ishaat, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Hamilton Mountain, Canada

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Hamilton Mountain, Canada, held Jalsa Yaum-e-Masih-e-Maud on 26 March 2023. The event, which began after the Asr prayer, was presided over by the local president, Rashid Ahmad Sahib, and regional missionary Naveed Mangla

Sahib.

The programme commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran, Hadith, and a poem, followed by the background, essence, and history of the Promised Messiah Day, presented by the local president.

After this, the Ten Conditions of Bai‘at were presented in Urdu and English, followed by a speech by Syed Qasid Saleh Sahib on the topic of “Truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas Through Prophecies.”

Next, the regional missionary addressed the gathering, which included incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiahas and he also shared the signs of his truthfulness.

Following this, an interactive question and answer session was held, which further enriched the attendees’ understanding. The event concluded with the Maghrib prayer and an iftar dinner. The event was attended by 170 participants.

Jalsa Yaum-eMasih-e-Maud held in North Macedonia Sohaib Nasir Missionary, North Macedonia

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya North Macedonia held a Jalsa Yaum-e-Masih-e-Maud on 26 March 2023 at the Mission House in the town of Pehcevo.

The event began with the recitation from the Holy Quran and its Macedonian translation. The first speech was delivered

by Talha Ahmad Sahib, President Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Slovenia, who presented some facts about the Promised Messiahas and answered in a simple way some accusations made about his blessed life. After this, a poem was recited in Macedonian regarding the advent of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi.

The second speech was delivered by Wasim Ahmad Saroa Sahib, President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya North Macedonia, who explained the purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent.

The event concluded with silent prayer, followed by iftar and Maghrib prayer. The jalsa was attended by a large number of Ahmadis and non-Ahmadi guests from Pehcevo, Berovo, Kumanovo and Skopje.

Uniting through sport: First Ahmadiyya Football Tournament held in Jamaica Misbah Anmol Tariq Jamaica Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Jamaica held its inaugural Ahmadiyya Football Tournament on 12 March 2023. In total, there were four teams, representing the following communities from the vicinity of the mosque: Vineyard Estate, Island Farm, Gutters and Old Harbour. Each team consisted of seven players.

The event began with practice matches in February. During this time, teams continued to visit the Mahdi Mosque on Thursdays and Saturdays to prepare for the tournament.

On the day of the tournament, more than a hundred visitors had come to watch the games. The Island Farm team won the tournament.

The event concluded with a short speech by our invited guest, who is a Justice of the Peace. She motivated the youth to be respectful and make better choices in life.

The speaker also urged young people to visit the mosque regularly and gain a better understanding of Islam, which is often misunderstood in Jamaica.

In conclusion, the missionary-in-charge, Tariq Azeem Sahib, thanked the visitors and also expressed gratitude towards the volunteers, who made this event successful.

10

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

Islamic Economics: Remedy for ailing financial world Sarfraz Ahmad Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK

Recently, the United States of America witnessed the collapse of one of its biggest banks: Silicon Valley Bank (known as SVB).

While the odd bank run is not something to be too anxious about, geopolitical tensions, increasing inflation in many parts of the world and the ever-looming sword of global conflict are making it increasingly plausible that we may witness economic misery, similar to the Great Recession of late 2007.

This begs the question: To what extent is our current economic system to blame for our woes? And does Islam provide a better solution that would lead to more prosperity?

Whilst it is important to acknowledge our current free-market capitalism has been at the centre of economic prosperity for many years, we must first understand what facets of this system are inherently problematic.

Capitalism, debt and interest

The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the triumph of capitalism over socialism. Since then, capitalism has been the only prevailing economic ideology in the world.

Capitalism seeks to boost an economy by providing loans to businesses with interest. The idea is that if, for example, an entrepreneur wishes to kick-start a new business idea that requires £500,000, they can borrow the money from a bank under a binding agreement that it will have to be repaid to the bank with a certain amount of interest. This provides the entrepreneur with immediate funds and allows the bank to secure a possible profit. It sounds fairly simple and profitable.

However, what must be realised is that, like any economic system, for this one to work at a national level, it must adhere to the concept of recycling. That is to say that businesses must create a profit that is greater than their debt, incurred through borrowing from the banks. Those businesses

must then continue to spend their profits on their workers, and those workers must also continue to spend their wages in other businesses and shops. This, in turn, will allow businesses to repay their debts and, for more expansion and success, acquire larger loans from the banks (and repeat the cycle). Therefore, the economic output of businesses has to remain greater than the debt they are incurring. The turbulent and uncertain nature of our world is completely overlooked, and there is no real plan of what to do when businesses are not profitable.

Whilst there is no denying that spending is, by all means, the key to a healthy economy, the problem lies with the driving factor for this spending – interest.

Interest stems from the miserliness of man. Banks and lenders seek to make money without taking on the risk of spending in the first place, cutting the risk of losing their own earnings and wealth at the expense of the needy. It also encourages the needy (i.e. the borrower) to spend extravagantly, because it hands over a large sum of money all at once and with little regard for the fact that it has to be paid back.

Hence, our current system is one of the extremes of both miserliness and extravagance.

The Holy Quran repels this altogether and uproots usury and interest by teaching against miserliness, extravagance and interest itself. It recognises that miserliness is appealing to human nature, but that a wealthy believer must strive to benefit the wider society with his wealth rather than hiding it away.

ۡ ۡ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َّ ُ َ ُ ‫َو َم ۡن ّیوۡق شح نف ِس ٖہ فاولٰٓ ِئک ُہ ُم ال ُمف ِل ُحوۡ َن‬

“And whoso is rid of the covetousness of his own soul – it is these who will be successful.” (Surah al-Hashr, Ch.59: V.10) There are countless examples of believers being enjoined to spend on the needy, with clear categories of who is deserving of their wealth.

ۡ َ َۡ ُ ۡ َ َۡ ۤ ۡ ۡ َۡ ‫ق ۡل َما انفق ُت ۡم ِّم ۡن خی ٍر ف ِللوَال َِدیۡ ِن َوالۡاق َر ِبی َن َوال َی ٰت ٰمی‬ ُ َۡ ّٰ َ َ ۡ َ َّ ۡ َ ۡ ٰ َ ۡ َ ‫الس ِب ۡی ِل ؕ َو َما تف َعلوۡا ِم ۡن خی ٍر ف ِا ّن الل َہ ِب ٖہ‬ ‫والمس ِکی ِن واب ِن‬ ٌ‫َع ِل ۡیم‬

“Say: ‘Whatever of good and abundant wealth you spend should be for parents and near relatives and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatever good you do, surely Allah knows it well.’” (Surah al-

Baqarah, Ch.2: V.216) Similarly, the prohibition of careless spending is absolutely clear:

ّ ُ َّ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ۡ ۡ َ ٗ َّ َ ٰ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ٰ َ ‫الس ِب ۡی ِل َولَا َ ت َب ِذ ۡر‬ ‫وا ِت ذا القربی حقہ والمس ِکین وابن‬ ّ َ َ َ ۡ ٰ َ ّ َ َ ۡ ۤۡ ِ ُ َ َ ۡ ّ َ ُ ۡ َ ّ ً ۡ ۡ َ ُ‫الش ۡی ٰطن‬ ‫تب ِذیرا۔ ِان المب ِذرِین کانوا ِاخوان الشی ِطی ِن ؕ وکان‬ َُ ‫ل ِرَ ِّب ٖہ کفوۡ ًرا‬

“And give thou to the kinsman his due, and to the poor and the wayfarer, and squander not [thy wealth] extravagantly.

Verily, the extravagant are brothers of satans, and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord.”

(Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.27-28) In fact, the virtue of the believers is to spend in moderation:

َ َ ٰ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ ۤ َ َ ۡ َّ َ ‫ان بَی َن ذل ِک قوَ ًاما‬ ‫وال ِذین ِاذا انفقوا لم یس ِرفوا ولم یقتروا وک‬

“And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly but moderate between the two.” (Surah alFurqan, Ch.25: V.68) The Holy Quran goes on to address the real crux of the matter. In relation to seeking and giving out loans the Holy Quran is categorical: both the lender and borrower should seek to fulfil their duties to the best standard, with the following exception:

ُ َّ ۡ َ ُ َ َ َ ٌ َ​َ ُ َ َ ۡ َ ‫ان ذ ۡو ُع ۡس َر ٍۃ فن ِظ َرۃ ِالٰی َم ۡی َس َر ٍۃ ؕ َوا ۡن ت َص ّدقوۡا خی ٌر لک ۡم ِا ۡن‬ ‫و ِان ک‬ َ‫ُک ۡن ُت ۡم تَ ۡع َل ُموۡن‬

“And if any [debtor] be in straitened circumstances, then [grant him] respite till a time of ease. And that you remit it as charity shall be better for you, if only you knew.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.281) The borrower should be mindful of his duty to repay the loan as quickly as possible; however, the lender must also be flexible in regaining his loaned amount, or in exceptional circumstances, should forgive the repayment of the loan altogether. It teaches both factions of society to recognise their obligations but with the important note that the borrower is the one in need, and ought to be afforded leniency on behalf of his/her lowly state.

And then there is the outright prohibition of interest, the catalyst to both spending extremes.

ً ۡ َ ّ ُ ُ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ٰ َ ۡ َّ َ ُّ َ ٰۤ ‫الرِ ٰۤبوا اض َعافا‬ ‫یایہا ال ِذین ام َنوا لا تاکلوا‬ ّٰ ُ ّ َ ً َ َ ٰ ُّ َ‫الل َہ ل َ َع َّل ُک ۡم تُ ۡف ِل ُحوۡن‬ ‫مضعفۃ ۪ واتقوا‬

“O ye who believe! devour not interest involving diverse additions; and fear Allah that you may prosper.” (Surah Aale-‘Imran, Ch.3: V.131) In summary, whereas freemarket capitalism encourages a “winner takes all” attitude,

Islam’s teachings show due regard to the poor and vulnerable and protects them from exploitation.

Unequal distribution of wealth It is indeed surprising how today’s freemarket capitalism is so diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Holy Quran, and simultaneously so detrimental to the vast majority of the human population. The suffering of the poor under free-market capitalism is not a matter of opinion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) admits that “The richest 10 percent today snap up 52 percent of all income. The poorest half get just 8.5 percent.” (www.imf.org/en/ Publications/fandd/issues/2022/03/Globalinequalities-Stanley) What is more alarming is that the wealthy have already devised ways to protect their wealth, much to the detriment of the global economy. Bankers are a prime example. If we return to our above-mentioned example of an entrepreneur borrowing £500,000 from a bank, a banker will seek to make back the loaned amount as soon as it has been transferred to the borrower. They will, for example, encourage ordinary customers to invest in the business and buy shares of, say, £100 each. As soon as 5000 shares of £100 each are sold, the banker will prescribe an interest rate on it, from which the shareholders will benefit, however, it will be less than the interest rate that the original borrower (the entrepreneur) has been charged. The bank, therefore, will still make a profit and will almost immediately also get back the £500,000 that it had loaned out, without having to wait for the entrepreneur to pay it back.

As harmless as this sounds, it sets a dangerous paradigm in which banks grant loans to anyone and everyone, becoming uninterested in whether their loans will be repaid to them in the future or not. This has an adverse effect on the whole system, as the Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023

11

<< Continued from previous page

debt catches up with economic production, directly harming the “recycling” required for the economic wheel to operate and pushing it towards a recession.

Yanis Varoufakis, one of the most famous economists of recent years, states in this regard: “The black magic of banking destabilises market societies. It massively amplifies wealth creation during the good times and wealth destruction during the bad times, constantly skewing the distribution of power and money.” (Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism, Yanis Varoufakis, p.

64) If the rich are to get richer without risking their fortunes, regardless of whether the economy as a whole may suffer as a consequence, the hoarding of wealth by them is unavoidable.

Zakat: The engine for economic growth Being so accustomed to our current financial systems has made us reluctant in accepting a solution. However, the Holy Quran has presented a golden principle that the world needs to adopt if it wishes to avoid the dire consequences tied to freemarket capitalism.

The Quran offers the ultimate antidote to interest – Zakat. Whilst capitalism encourages the wealthy to increase their wealth through idle capital, Islam seeks to scrutinise idle capital so that it is forcibly recirculated back into the national economy.

The believers, who are wealthy above a certain threshold, are instructed to pay 2.5% due on any wealth that has not been used for over a year. This encourages the wealthy to spend their wealth, as opposed to hoarding it. Yes, the wealthy are allowed to accumulate wealth, but with the caveat that they must pay the Zakat which will then be spent on the poor of the community as per the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa: “It [Zakat] is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 537) Consequently, the gap between rich and poor is reduced, the problem of debt is solved and the objective that interest seeks to attain (to get rich people to throw their money into the economy) is achieved through fairer means. This is why the Holy Quran is categorical in its statement:

َ َ ّ َ ۡ َ ۤۡ ۠ َ ُ ۡ َ ّ ً ّ ۡ ّ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ٰ ۤ َ َ ّٰ ۡ � ‫اس ف�َا یَ ۡربُوۡا ِعن َد الل ِہ‬ ِ ‫وما ۤات َیتم ِمن رِب ٰا ل ِیرُبوا فِی امو ِال ٰالن‬ َ ّ َ َۡ َُۡۡ َ‫الل ِہ َفاُولٰٓئ َک ُہ ُم ال ۡ ُم ۡض ِع ُفوۡن‬ ‫َو َما ٰات ۡی ُت ۡم ِّم ۡن زكو ٍۃ ترِیدون وجہ‬ ِ

“Whatever you pay as interest that it may increase the wealth of the people, it does not increase in the sight of Allah; but whatever you give in Zakat seeking the favour of Allah – it is these who will increase [their wealth] manifold.” (Surah ar-Rum, Ch.30: V.40) The fact of the matter is that when debt reaches its limits and becomes unpayable, it has to be written off in order for economic activity to continue. Zakat poses no such problem, in fact, it allows for an amicable society, free of unjust exploitation.

Hence, the answer to our economic struggles is embedded in Islamic Economics, an ideology that is as moral as it is practical.

It is incumbent on our Jamaat to revive this practice Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra said: “It was the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa that he would observe six fasts in the month of Shawal after Eid. It is incumbent on our Jamaat to revive this practice. Once, Hazrat Sahibas made preparations for all of Qadian to observe the six fasts after Eid in a manner that would resemble Ramadan. In the end, because the Promised Messiahas had reached old age and would remain ill, he could not fast for two or three years. Those of you who possess no knowledge should listen and those who are careless should become alert that aside from those who are sick or weak, everyone should observe the six fasts [of Shawal]. If they are unable to observe the six fasts one after the other, they may fast by taking breaks between days.”

(Al Fazl, 8 June 1922, p. 7)

Spreading message of peace: National Tabligh Day observed across Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada held its National Tabligh Day on 19 March 2023. In this event, the members visited communities, towns, and cities assigned to them. Once there, they distributed “Explore Islam” flyers by knocking on doors and speaking to residents. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada launched the “Explore Islam Campaign” in December 2022. Its purpose is to educate about the true teachings of Islam, its commonalities with other faiths, its distinctive features, and how they lead to a life of peace, serenity, and fulfilment. Over 126 such places have been visited so far.

The Tabligh Day began with members gathering in their local mosques for congregational Tahajjud prayer.

The members from the British Columbia region participated enthusiastically in

this event. The areas that were assigned to the region included the community of Aldergrove, and the cities of Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Prince George, and Victoria. Many Lajna members also joined their respective families for flyer distribution. A total of 1,200 flyers were distributed across the Region.

Faxing a letter for prayers to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa started the Tabligh Day activities for Brampton East Imarat.

The areas assigned included the village of Dundalk, the community of Elora, and the towns of Fergus, Georgetown, Shelburne, and Stayner. At around 11am, all participating members gathered at their respective assigned places. They offered a congregational silent prayer and left for their assigned destinations. The event concluded at around 4pm. Members from across all auxiliary organisations participated. A total of 87 members

participated and about 2,000 flyers were distributed. A resident of Dundalk said, “I have many Muslim friends, and I am aware that misconceptions about Islam are widespread in today’s age. However, I wish you good luck with your work”.

Upon receiving the “Explore Islam” flyer, a French immersion teacher at the Peel District School Board commented that she is doing similar programmes in her school and the information on this flyer will be helpful.

About 150 members of Brampton West Imarat gathered at the Mubarak Mosque at 9am. The assigned towns were within a 2-hour drive of the mosque. Many people mentioned that they received the message of Islam for the first time.

In total, more than 66,100 flyers were distributed across Canada in 116 communities by 1,900 volunteers in just one day.

12

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

Did Prophet Muhammad’s mubahalah challenge fail?

Qamar Ahmed Zafar Ahmadiyya Archive and Research Centre

Introduction Mubahalah or prayer-duel, a synonym of mula‘anah, literally means “mutual imprecation, curse” (e.g., “may God’s curse over the one of us who is wrong, who lies”), implies swearing a conditional curse (e.g., “may God’s punishment hit me, may I be cursed if...”) and a purifying oath. (EI, New Ed. (1993), Vol. 7, pp. 276 f.) Thus, a mubahalah is invoked by two parties to call upon God’s curse or judgement to determine who is truthful, as mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Quran:

َ َُ ۡ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ � ۡ َ َّ َ ۡ َ َ ‫ٓاءك ِم َن ال ِعل ِم فق ۡل ت َعالَوۡا ن ۡد ُع‬ ‫فمن حٓاجک فیہ من بعد ما ج‬ َُّ ۡ ُ َ ُ ۡ َ َ َ َ ُ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ِ َ َ ِ ۡ ُ ِ َ ِ َ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ ‫ابنٓاءنا وابنٓاءكم ونِسٓاءنا ونِسٓاءكم وانفسنا وانفسکم � ﺛم‬ َ َ​َ ۡ ٰ ۡ َ ّٰ َ َّ ‫ن ۡب َت ِہ ۡل فن ۡج َع ۡل ل ۡعن َت الل ِہ َعلی الک ِذ ِبی َن‬

“Now whoso disputes with thee concerning him, after what has come to thee of knowledge, say [to him], ‘Come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and our people and your people; then let us pray fervently and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie.’” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.62) The term ‘mubahalah’, as mentioned in this article, refers to a historical event that took place during a theological dispute between the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and a delegation of Christians from the town of Najran. To resolve the dispute, the Prophetsa proposed a mubahalah. The Najranis, who had initially agreed to participate in the mubahalah, had second thoughts after realising the potential consequences. Hence, the mubahalah was avoided altogether, and

they were granted a treaty of protection with specific rights and duties as non-Muslims.

(EI, New Ed. (1993), Vol. 7, pp. 276 f.)

An allegation It is alleged by a web video producer hellbent on misrepresenting Islamic historical sources that this event led to the subsequent demise of the son of the Prophetsa, Ibrahimas, in 10/632-3. This was allegedly followed by the demise of the Prophet Muhammadsa and his daughter Fatimahra only one year later.

The web video producer alleges that this is sufficient evidence to invalidate Prophet Muhammad’ssa claim of being a true Messenger of God. They claim to have cited credible, authoritative, historical records such as Ta’rikh at-Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Ta’rikh al-Ya‘qubi and Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari. If only they had done this in reality, their conclusion would have been very different. In addition, they seem to have failed to comprehensively review other notable resources such as Tafsir al-Kashshaf, as-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Mafatih al-Ghayb, Asbab an-Nuzul and al-Kamil fi t-ta’rikh etc.

Throughout the course of this article, we will present the very sources the web video producer has claimed to present in their video. This time, we will present an accurate portrayal and present a conclusion that is far from their misrepresentation.

Background It is indeed correct that a delegation of Christians from Najran arrived to see the Prophet Muhammadsa in 10/632-3. (EI, New Ed. (1993), Vol. 7, pp. 276 f.)

It is written in Tafsir at-Tabari: “This [above-mentioned] verse was revealed in relation to a delegation of Christians from Najran who came to Prophet Muhammadsa to debate about Jesusas. After the debate, Allah revealed this verse to the Prophetsa.” (Tafsir at-Tabari, Cairo, 1954, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.62) However, it is crucial to understand the circumstances behind why this delegation decided to appear before the Holy Prophetsa in Medina. In reality, the Prophetsa had sent a letter to Abu Harithah ibn Alqamah, the Grand Bishop of Najran, among other leaders, inviting them to Islam or giving them the option to agree on a treaty of protection with specific rights and duties as non-Muslims. (Tafsir-i Kamalayn sharh Urdu Tafsir-i Jalalayn, 2008, Dar al-Isha‘at, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61; See also alBidayah wa-n-nihayah, Maktaba Al Assrya, Beirut, Lebanon, p. 53; Bihar al-Anwar, AlA’lami Publications Beirut, Vol. XXI, p.

285.)

In response to this letter, 60 Christians from Najran, comprising 14 leaders,

departed to meet the Holy Prophetsa to offer a formal response to the letter. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Maktabah Quddusiyya, 2006, Surah Aal ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61) Among these members, we find three notable individuals who were responsible for swaying public opinion and decisionmaking among the Najran delegation. They were Abu Harithah ibn Alqamah, the Grand Bishop; al-‘Aqib ‘Abd al-Masih, the leader of the convoy; and as-Sayyid al-Ayham, a highly revered priest who was also the Grand Teacher and many churches were built in his name. In reality, he was in awe of the message of Islam but remained silent as he had been chosen for the delegation.

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61; See also at-Ta’rikh al-Ya‘qubi, Vol. 2, p.

66)

The debate When this delegation arrived in Medina, they began debating with the Holy Prophetsa about the divinity of Prophet Jesusas. The contents of the debate are slightly varied depending on the sources, but there is no major difference in how the events proceeded. A comprehensive yet concise summary is presented here in as-Sirah l-Halabiyyah: “The Prophetsa: I invite you to the religion of monotheism and the worship of One Allah and submission to His commands.

(Then he recited some verses of the Holy Quran before them.)

“The representatives of Najran: If Islam means faith in the only Lord of the World, we already believe in Him and act according to His commands.

“The Prophetsa: Islam carries a few signs and some of your actions show that you do not believe in Islam. How do you say that you worship One Allah when you worship the cross, do not abstain from pork, and believe that Allah has a son?

“Representatives: We believe him (i.e.

Jesusas) to be God because he brought the dead to life, cured the sick, made a bird with clay and made it fly, and all these things show that he is God. “The Prophetsa: No. He is the servant of Allah and His creation. Allah placed him in the womb of Mary. And all this power and strength was given to him by Allah.

“One of the representatives: Yes! He is the son of God, because Mary gave him birth without marrying anyone, and it is, therefore, necessary that his father be the very Lord of the World.

“At this juncture, the Archangel Gabriel came and advised the Prophetsa to tell them: ‘From this point of view, the condition of Jesusas resembles that of Adamas, who was created by Allah with His unlimited power from clay without his having a father and

a mother and if one’s not having a father is the proof of one’s being the son of Allah, Adamas is all the more entitled to this position, because he had neither a father nor a mother.’” (as-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Dar-ulIsha’ah Karachi, 2009 ,Vol. 3, p. 239) The verse revealed regarding the argument of Adamas, in particular, is: “Surely, the case of Jesus with Allah is like the case of Adam. He created him out of dust, then He said to him, ‘Be!,’ and he was.”

(Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.60) Despite the clear arguments presented by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa to the Christians of Najran, they did not wish to accept Islam openly, even though some of them were convinced of it in their hearts.

All of the cited sources are unanimous that it was at this time that the above-mentioned verse of the mubahalah was revealed.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah, also states that the prayer-duel was a commandment revealed once the Christians failed to accept the clear and manifest arguments that refuted the divinity of Jesusas. He writes: “Furthermore, these verses indicate that initially, God Almighty clarified to the Christians with clear proofs that there is no divine element in Jesusas, son of Mary, and when they persisted, [the Holy Prophetsa] proposed a mubahalah to settle the matter.

These verses also demonstrate that the prescribed method of mubahalah requires both parties to be present. (Majmu‘a-e Ishtiharat [1989], Vol.1, p. 215) Regarding the discussion between the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the Christians of Najran, the dispute is recorded in Asbab an-Nuzul by al-Wahidi to be based upon the following differences: “On the authority of al-Hasan, who said: “[The delegation of] Najran came to see the Prophetsa and he invited them to surrender to Allah. One of them said: ‘We have surrendered to Allah before you’. He said: ‘You lie! Three things prevent you from surrendering to Allah: your prostration before the cross, your claim that Allah has a son and your consumption of wine’.” (Asbab an-Nuzul, Surah Aal ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61)

Christian delegation has second thoughts Hearing this verse of the Holy Quran, the Christians of Najran were awestruck and decided to negotiate amongst themselves. (as-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Dar-ul-Isha’ah Karachi, 2009, Vol. 3, p. 240)The Najranis, who had been summoned to this and had had second thoughts, are said to have been given a respite for reflection and deliberation. Under the impression of the presumed calamity that was most certainly going to hit their community and native

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023 town, and of the increasingly growing certainty that Muhammadsa indeed was the promised Prophet and an authorised messenger of God, they decided to request him to postpone the threatening curse.

This allowed them for an intermission for deliberation. (EI, New Ed. (1993), Vol. 7, pp.

276 f.)

Second meeting The decision was made that the party of Najran would meet with the Holy Prophetsa outside Medina in a desert the next day. (asSirah al-Halabiyyah, Dar-ul-Isha’ah Karachi, 2009, Vol. 3, p. 240) Before the meeting occurred, the chiefs of Najran concluded with the following decision: “In case you see that Muhammad has brought his warriors and officers into the field of mubahalah and has displayed his material grandeur and external strength, you should conclude that his claim is not true and that he has no faith in his prophethood.

“If, however, he comes for mubahalah along with his children and the dearest ones and appears before the Almighty Allah devoid of every sort of material might and glory, it would mean that he is a true Prophet and has so much faith and self-reliance that he is not only ready to be annihilated personally, but is fully prepared with perfect courage to let his dearest ones also meet destruction and extinction.”

(Tafsir al-Kashshaf, Vol. 1, pp. 282 f..; Tafsir Mafatih al-Ghayb, Al-Qahirah, 1862, Vol. 2, pp. 481 – 482; Tarikh-i Kamil, Dar-ulHadith, Vol. 2, p. 112) It is written in Majma‘ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an that indeed, the Christians feared a mubahalah with the Prophet Muhammadsa, especially if he were to turn up with only his family and himself: “When they returned to their people, the bishop said to them, ‘If tomorrow he is with his family, then do not participate in the mubahalah, for it will not achieve anything.’

When the next day came, the Prophetsa came out holding the hands of Alira, al-Hasanra, and al-Husaynra, with Fatimahra walking behind him, and the Christians came out with their bishop.” (Majma‘ l-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61) Ibn Ishaq reports that the leaders of the Najran delegation were convinced of the Prophet Muhammad’ssa prophethood and strongly advised against entering the prayer duel. (Sirat an-Nabi, Vol. 2, p. 422) When the delegation arrived at the scene, they witnessed that the Prophet Muhammadsa had indeed turned up without an army. Instead, he had brought with him Fatimahra, Alira, al-Hasanra and al-Husaynra.

Seeing this, they remembered their previous decision and exclaimed: “This man has perfect faith in his call and claim, because a wavering person does not bring his dearest ones into the arena of divine wrath.” (Tafsir Kashshaf, Dar-ulMa’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, p. 282) The Bishop of Najran said, “I see such faces that if they raise their hands in supplication and pray to Allah that the biggest mountain may be moved from its place, the same will happen immediately. We should, under no circumstances, engage in mubahalah with these sacred and virtuous personalities because it is not improbable that we may be annihilated and it is also possible that the divine wrath may expand

13

It is narrated in Tafsir Ibn Kathir that, upon witnessing the arrival of the Prophetsa with this family, the delegation of Najran reverted to conferring amongst themselves.

They returned and exclaimed, “We cannot enter into a prayer duel with you. We are on our faith and you are on your faith.

However, please select an ambassador from among your people whom you are pleased with, so that he may deal with us regarding our financial matters (i.e., paying the jizya).”

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3:

back and said: ‘We agree to pay the jizya and abstain from invoking Allah’s curse.” (Asbab an-Nuzul, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.6) It is also mentioned in Tafsir Ibn Kathir that al-‘Aqib ‘Abd al-Masih, the leader of the convoy, instructed the delegation to either accept Islam or pay the tax because he believed that entering into a prayer-duel would bring about their own destruction.

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Maktabah Quddusiyya, 2006, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61) It is recorded in Ta’rikh at-Tabari that ‘Alira was commissioned in 10/632-3 to go and collect the tax from the people of Najran: “He sent al-‘Ala’ ibn al-Hadrami to alBahrayn, and ‘Alira ibn Abi Talib to Najran to collect their alms and bring their poll tax

V.61) The representatives of Najran held mutual consultations and unanimously decided not to participate in mubahalah at any cost. They also agreed to pay a fixed sum per year as jizya. The Prophetsa agreed to this and it was agreed that, against the payment of that petty amount, they should be entitled to the privileges granted by the Islamic Government.

Then the Holy Prophetsa said: “Trouble had spread its inauspicious shadow on the heads of the representatives of Najran and if they had decided to participate in mubahalah and cursing, they would have lost their human shapes and would have been burnt in a fire that was being kindled in the desert and the torture would have spread up to the territory of Najran.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61; Tafsir al-Kashshaf, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, pp. 282 f.)

It is also written in al-Wahidi’s Asbab an-Nuzul that the Christians decided to pay jizya rather than partake in the mubahalah: “The Messengersa of Allah went and brought al-Hasanra, al-Husaynra, Fatimahra and all his family and children. When the two Christians left, one of them said to the other: ‘Consent to pay the jizya and do not agree to invoke Allah’s curse’. They went

to him.” (Ta’rikh at-Tabari, Vol. 9, translated and annotated by Ismail K. Poonawala, p.

108) It is also written in Tafsir al-Jalalayn: “The Prophetsa had called upon the Najran delegation to do this when they disputed with him about Jesus. They said, ‘Let us think about it and we will come back to you’. The judicious one among them said, ‘You know that he is a prophet and that every people that has ever challenged a prophet to a mutual imprecation has been destroyed’. They left him and departed.

When they went to see the Prophetsa, who had set out with al-Hasanra, al-Husaynra, Fatimahra, and Alira he said to them, the Najran delegation, ‘When I supplicate, you say ‘Amin’’; but they refrained from this mutual imprecation and made peace with the Prophet on the condition that they pay the jizya as reported by Abu Nu‘aym.

According to Ibn ‘Abbas, the Prophetsa said, ‘Had they set out and performed the mutual cursing, they would have gone home and found neither possessions nor family’. It is also reported that had they set out with this intention, they would have been consumed by fire.” (Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Surah Al ‘Imran, Ch.3: V.61) Az-Zamakhshari concludes this historical incident by stating:

and engulf the entire Christian world and not even one Christian may remain alive on the face of the earth!” (Tafsir al-Kashshaf, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, pp. 282 f.)

The outcome of the meeting

“The incident of mubahalah and the substance of this verse are the greatest evidence of the excellence of the People of the Mantle and is a vital proof of the rightfulness of Islam.” (Tafsir al-Kashshaf, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, p. 283) In fact, all of the sources agree on the fact that this prayer-duel never even took place. The Christian delegation of Najran completely backed out and decided to agree to the conditions of the original letter instead. Therefore, any insinuation that the mubahalah happened and that it somehow impacted future proceedings is completely false.

A final question resolved Some may argue that even though the prayerduel was not officially accepted by either party, it can still influence the individuals who proposed it. In fact, there are some who allege that one of the conditions of the mubahalah was that the party who lied would see an accursed outcome within one year of the duel. This is used in an attempt to infer that the demise of the Prophet Muhammadsa one year later was a result of this very prayer-duel.

Gordon Nickel alleges, in his book, We Will Make Peace With You: The Christians of Najran in Muqatil’s Tafsir, that the Tafsir of Muqatil cites that the chiefs of Najran said: “Cursing Muhammad would be disastrous and if Muhammad is a true prophet, Allah will destroy the liars by the end of the year.”

(Tafsir Muqatil, Vol. 6, p. 282). It is important to mention that this is not a citation found in any of the above historical records.

In any case, this would be partially true, had at least one side even participated in the actual cursing. However, it is clear from the sources stated above that neither party actually conducted any cursing. Had they done so, even without accepting the prayer-duel formally, that would have been a different matter. Factually, this was not the case.

As we know, the Bishop of Najran said: “We should under no circumstances engage in mubahalah with these sacred and virtuous personalities because it is not improbable that we may be annihilated and it is also possible that the Divine wrath may expand and engulf the entire Christian world and not even one Christian may remain alive on the face of the earth!” (Tafsir al-Kashshaf, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, p. 282) Equally, the Prophet Muhammadsa testified to the fact that no invocation of God’s curse took place, formally or informally: “If they had decided to participate in mubahalah and cursing, they would have lost their human shapes and would have been burnt in a fire that was being kindled in the desert and the torture would have spread up to the territory of Najran.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Ch.3: V.61. See also Tafsir alKashshaf, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah, 2009, Vol. 1, p.

283) To supplement this as the final and actual outcome of the “mubahalah”, which did not even happen, the written agreement is cited here as follows: “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

“This is a deed from Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah, in favour of the people Continued on page 15>>

14

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

ََْ َ ْ َ َ​َ ‫ﻭﻟﻘﺪ ﺑﻌﺜﻨﺎ ﻓِﻰ‬ ً ُ ‫ُ ﱢ ُ ﱠ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺔ ﺭﺳﻮﻻ‬ ٍ ‫ﻛﻞ ﺃﻣ‬

Prophets of

Allah

Prophet Ezekiel: A messenger among ‘the steadfast’ “And We did raise among every people a Messenger”

ۡ ۡ ُ Dhu’l-Kifl (‫)ذو ال ِکفل‬, believed to be Ezekiel (‫( )��قیل‬Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2110), was a prophet of God who preached against idol worship and the injustice among his people. He was among the Jewish exiles taken captive in Babylon.

(Ezekiel, 1) Ezekiel’sas name has been mentioned twice in the Holy Quran. (Surah al-Anbiya’, Ch21: V.86; Surah Sad, Ch.38: V.49) Hazrat Mulseh-e-Maudra states, in light of Prophet Ezekiel’sas character, that some have concocted and attributed various accounts about Ezekielas that cannot be attributed to a prophet of God. It is plausible that such narrations are in fact alluding to another person. (Tafsire-Kabir, Vol.5, p.555; The Encyclopedia of Islam, New Edition, Leiden E.J. Brill, 1986, Vol. 2, p. 242)

The identity of Dhu’l-Kifl Ezekielas has been mentioned along with other great prophets:

ّٰ ‫َو ِا ۡس ٰم ِع ۡی َل َو ِا ۡدرِیۡ َﺲ َو َذا ال ۡ ِک ۡفل ؕ ک ُ ٌّل ِّم َن‬ َ ۡ‫الص�ِرِی‬ ‫ن‬ ِ

“And remember Ishmael, and Idris, and Dha’l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.”

(Surah al-Anbiya’, Ch21: V.86) “The identity of Dhul-Kifl is wrapped in uncertainty. Muslim commentators of the Quran identify him with several persons, chiefly with Biblical Prophets.

But the Prophet known by this name appears to be Ezekielas who is called DhulKifl by the Arabs. There seems to exist a close resemblance between the words ‫ ذوالکفل‬and ‫( ��قیل‬Ezekiel), both in form and meaning, the former word meaning ‘possessed of an abundant portion’ and the latter ‘God gives strength.’ Thus the two words seem to possess an identical significance.” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p.2110) Ezekielas, said to have been born around 622 BC, came from a well-known religious family. He spent the early part of his life in Jerusalem and by the age of 30, he was appointed by God and started to preach to his people against idol worship.

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, pp. 555-556) Ezekiel, son of Buzi, received a direct message from God while in the land of the Chaldeans near the river Chebar, and he was divinely inspired. (Ezekiel 1:3) In the book of Ezekiel 2:3-5, we read that God tells him He is sending him to

the “rebellious nation” of Israel to warn them of their sins as they “hath rebelled against me” and the judgement that will come upon them. (Ezekiel 2:3-5)

Ezekiel’sas link with Isaacas

‫ﺣﺰﻗﻴﻞ‬

‫ﻋﻠﯿﮫ ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻡ‬

In his book, Muhammadsa in the Bible, after quoting two passages from the Bible – Genesis 21:17-18 & 21:20-21 – Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra explained that Prophet Abrahamas had two sons: Ishmaelas and Isaacas. Allah promised to bless and multiply their descendants. (See the article about Prophet Ishmaelas [Al Hakam, Issue 258] and Prophet Isaacas [Al Hakam, Issue 259]). Huzoorra then said, “From among them arose the Prophets, Mosesas, Davidas, Ezekielas, Danielas and Jesusas.” (Muhammadsa in The Bible, p.9)

About Ezekiel As per Biblical literature, Ezekielas is counted among the top four major Prophets. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, 555) In light of the book of Ezekiel, it seems that it is the first and last book that is partly written by a prophet of God himself.

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, p. 556) Ezekielas often addressed himself as the son of Adam: “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.”

(Ezekiel, 2:1) “But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not

go out among them.” (Ezekiel, 3:25) This is a unique similarity found in Ezekielas, Jesusas, and Idrisas. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, p.556) “Ezekielas is of particular importance in that after his time the Jews almost abandoned the outward [worship of] idolatry, which had so often recurred among them in earlier ages.” (Tafsir-eKabir, Vol. 5, 556) Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in 597 and the situation Prophet Ezekielas confronted During Ezekiel’sas time, Babylon had emerged as the primary force in Western Asia, replacing Assyria, and Judah had recognised Babylon’s supremacy.

However, “Jehoiakim, the King of Judah, under the influence of his evil councillors, revolted against the authority of Babylon, thus drawing upon himself the vengeance of Nebuchadnezzar, who successfully besieged Jerusalem in 597 and carried into exile many of her leading citizens, including Ezekielas and Jehoiachin, a king of three months’ standing – his father Jehoiakim having meanwhile died.

Jehoiachin was succeeded by his uncle, Zedekiah, who for a time remained faithful to Babylon, but foolishly depending upon the support of Egypt, he renounced his allegiance to Babylon, an act which Ezekielas bitterly resented and denounced as treachery to Yahweh Himself. The result was that Jerusalem was invested

by Nebuchadnezzar and, after a siege of eighteen months, was destroyed amid horrors untold. The Temple on which

such a passion of love had been lavished was reduced to ashes and the people were deported to Babylon (586 B.C.).” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2110)

A vision of Prophet Ezekielas The book of Ezekiel contains many prophecies. In fact, he foretold the annihilation and ultimate repair and rehabilitation of the Jews.

This has also been mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah: “Or like him who passed by a town which had fallen down upon its roofs, [and] exclaimed, ‘When will Allah restore it to life after its destruction?’ Then Allah caused him to die for a hundred years; then He raised him, and said: ‘How long hast thou remained [in this state]?’ He answered, ‘I have remained a day or part of a day.’ He said: ‘Nay, thou hast remained [in this state] for a hundred years. Now look at thy food and thy drink; they have not rotted. And look at thy ass. And We [have done this] that We may make thee a Sign unto men. And look at the bones, how We set them and then clothe them with flesh.’ And when this became clear to him, he said, ‘I know that Allah has the power to do all that He wills.’” (Ch.2: V.260) The ruined town alluded to in the verse is the one destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, i.e., Jerusalem. (Also see, Bickerman, E.J. “Nebuchadnezzar And Jerusalem”, In Continued on next page >> The ruins of the Palace of king Nebuchadnezzar II, Osama Shukir | Wiki Commons

Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023

<< Continued from previous page

Studies in Jewish and Christian History, (Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 2007)) Prophet Ezekielas was taken to Babylon with captives by Nebuchadnezzar. He, along with the captives, was made to pass by the fallen town, as per the tradition of that time, so that they might see the ruins of their city.

Pained to see this sight, Ezekielas asked God when it would be restored to life after its destruction; meaning when the children of Israel would come back to rebuild it. Upon this, God disclosed to him a vision that showed that the restoration of this city would take place after 100 years.

(Five Volume Commentary, Vol.1, p.407) Explaining the vision mentioned above, the Five Volume Commentary states: “Ezekielas saw in a vision that he had died, remained dead for a hundred years and then had come back to life. As he was the representative of his people, his death signified the death of the Israelites. Thus God informed him through this vision that the children of Israel would remain in their state of captivity and lifelessness for a hundred years, after which a new life would be given them and they would return to inhabit their sacred city.” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol.1, p.407) Prophet Ezekiel’sas dream or vision was confirmed to be true when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem twice, first in 597 BC and then in 587 BC, culminating in the city’s destruction by 586 BC. This is probably the time when Ezekielas had his vision. Even though the city was rebuilt approximately a century later, the vision ultimately came to pass.

(Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 1, p.407408) However, Prophet Ezekielas did not live long enough to see the fulfilment of

15

his vision, as he passed away in captivity in 570 BC at the age of 52. (Ibid., Vol.4, p.2111) The vision of the Prophet Ezekielas has been mentioned in chapter 37 of his book.

Ezekielas, an admirer of Nebuchadnezzar It is clear from a study of the Book of Ezekiel, that he held high regard and esteem for Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. Prophet Ezekielas believed that the King’s harsh actions against Egypt, Tyre, and the Israelites were warranted. Prophet Ezekielas attributed the downfall and plundering of Jerusalem to the wrongdoing and evil deeds of the Israelites. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, p. 556) “He [Prophet Ezekielas], along with the Prophet Jeremiah, was in favour of supporting the Babylonian government and for this support, both these Prophets were condemned as traitors by the Jewish priests of the time, just as Jesus was condemned as a traitor for supporting the Roman government in the time of Titus, and the Promised Messiah in our own time was condemned as a traitor and a sycophant for preferring British rule in India to that of the Sikhs.” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol.4, p. 2111) In Ezekiel’sas time, the Jews seem to have greatly prospered – and become a strong nation, but politically they were weakened. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol.5, 558)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on the prophecy of Prophet Ezekielas After discussing the Islamic system of economics in detail, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra, in The Economic System of Islam, then goes on to evaluate communism, pointing out the inherent contradictions that will lead to its downfall. He also

presents three prophecies about the decline of communism in Russia, including one from Ezekielas, one from the Promised Messiahas, and one of his own.

After quoting chapters 38 and 39 of the book of Ezekiel, Huzoorra said that the passage described a prophecy made

by Ezekielas over 2,500 years ago, which predicted that Moscow and Russia, represented by Meshech and Tubal, would become a powerful nation and attempt to subjugate other countries, including Persia. The prophecy warns that Russian imperialism will be even more dangerous than earlier forms of imperialism and that Russia will eventually dream of holding sway over Jerusalem, leading to God’s wrath and a rain of fire and sulphur that will destroy Russia’s power.

Huzoor said: “To people who do not believe in prophecies, I would like to say that if there was no God who gave His Apostles foreknowledge of mighty events, then who was it that told Ezekielas two thousand and five hundred years ago that Russia would embark upon a program of world conquest, aggression and aggrandisement, so that God’s wrath would be kindled against it and the punishment from heaven would leave its power in ruins. When we give due thought to this prophecy and the extraordinary manner in which it has come true in our own days, we are forced to conclude that God who conveys such tidings to His chosen servants really does exist. And if God does exist, and He gave to Ezekielas foreknowledge of these events, we must also bear in mind that God Almighty does not wish that the Communist system, which forms the basis of Russia’s political economy and social structure, should be permanently established in the world; and that its downfall is not very far away.”

(Economic System of Islam [English], p.

133)

“After having accepted the Promised Messiahas it is a great responsibility upon our shoulders as Ahmadis to try and do justice to the true spirit of fasting and to understand what taqwa [fear of Allah] is and how to attain it according to the commandments of God Almighty.”

(Friday Sermon, 18 May 2018; Al Hakam, 15 June 2018, Issue 13, p. 8)

<< Continued from page 13

of Najran and its outskirts. The order and decision of Muhammad about the entire property and wealth of the people of Najran is that they will supply to the Islamic Government every year two thousand garments, the price of each of which will not exceed forty dirhams. They will be at liberty to supply half of this quantity in the month of Safar and the remaining half in Rajab.

“And in case there is a danger of war from the side of Yemen, they (the people of Najran) shall, as a mark of co-operation with the Islamic Government, place thirty coats of mail, thirty horses and thirty camels at the disposal of the army of Islam by way of a guaranteed loan, and they shall also be responsible for entertaining the representatives of the Prophet in the territory of Najran for a period of one month.

“Furthermore, as and when a representative of it comes to them, they shall receive him. And the lives, property, lands, and places of worship of the people of Najran shall be under the protection of Allah and His Prophet, provided that they will immediately give up usury, failing which Muhammad will not be responsible for them and no commitment made by him will be operative.” (Futuh-ul-Buldan, alBaladhuri, p. 76)

Conclusion If any doubt remains in the mind of any individual, then we shall once again present below the simple criterion and definition of a mubahalah. If these criteria are not fulfilled, then no future outcomes can be attributed to such a mubahalah; otherwise, this could be excused and manipulated by anyone.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah, says: “The definition of mubahalah according to Arabic lexicon and Islamic legal terminology is that two opposing parties beseech for chastisement and the wrath of God upon one another.” (Arba‘in, Ruhani Khazain, V. 17, p. 77, footnote) It is clear that none of the involved parties prayed for the punishment of the other party.

The mubahalah that the opponents of Islam have used as a causation for the demise of the Prophetsa and his family never even happened. The Christians of Najran were able to maintain a relationship after this event and Islam spread far and wide beyond the borders of Arabia, rejecting the notion that any kind of curse had been placed on Islam.

Conclusive evidence has now been presented, highlighting the fact that the Prophet Muhammadsa did not die an accursed death, God forbid. However, it may be considered ironic that the trinitarian “Christians”, who have raised this allegation, hold the blasphemous and erroneous belief that their “god”, died an accursed death on the cross. (“Anyone who is hanged is a curse of God.” —Deuteronomy 21:23) Of course, as Muslims, we place Jesus, may peace be upon him, far above dying an accursed death on the cross. He was a pious prophet and a humble servant of Allah the Exalted. The Holy Quran states, “They slew him not, nor crucified him.” (Surah an-Nisa’, Ch.4, V.158)

16

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

100

Years Ago...

‘Who raised Sadiq from the East’ The Moslem Sunrise, April & July 1923

Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (18721957)

My Allah Allah! My Allah, my Provider, my Sustainer, my Creator, my Protector and my Keeper.

From Him I come, in Him I live, and to Him I return. Allah is One, Allah is Unique, and there is none like Allah. All praise is for Him. All forgiveness comes from Him. He is the only ideal; He is the only Savior. He is my love; He is the Source of all Love. [...]

All power, all strength, all knowledge comes from Him, He is the King of all kings, the Ruler of all rulers, the Master of all masters, the Chief of all chiefs. His rule extends over past, present and future. There was nothing before Him, and nothing comes after Him. He is above all; He is the greatest of all. My All-in-All. My sins He forgives, my weaknesses He covers, My God! My Allah.

The Moslem America America is going to accept Islam.

America is to accept Islam not because the Moslem missionaries are here to bring about this transformation, but rather because America is ready to accept Islam.

The apparent cause is really the effect. It stands in need of greater religious strength than has heretofore been offered it. It had been decreed in the heavens that the western world should no more prostrate before a man-god, but should turn to Allah, the true God, the One God, God of Abraham[as], Ishmael[as], Isaac[as], Moses[as], Jesus[as], Muhammad[sa], and Ahmad[as]. Prophet Ahmad[as] foresaw this more than twenty years ago, and the Prophet Muhammad[sa] foresaw and foretold this thirteen hundred years ago. For the same prophecy in the Bible, see Isaiah (41:2). ‫קֶדֶ֖צ ]…[ ח֔ ָר ְזִּמִמ ֙ריִעֵה יִ֤מ‬ Mî hê·‘îr mim·miz·rāh […] se·deq “Who raised Sadiq from the East? […]”

God Himself. “Sadiq” means, the Righteous, the Truthful. Ahmad[as] was that “Sadiq, the Righteous,” whose servant, the writer of this [article], named Sadiq, testified to by the Prophet as Sadiq in name and spirit, has come from the East to America to convert it to Islam. People put obstacles in his way, but God helped him, and gave him more than seven hundred followers, the majority converts, in the last three years, a success unknown to the Christian world of missions. Glorified be Allah, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Another version of the Bible There have been so many different versions of the Bible on record in the past and so many new ones are forthcoming every now and then, that the whole thing disastrously

falls down as unreliable. They differ from each other in wording, arrangement, volume, interpretation and whatnot. Can any wise nation take up such a book as their text for guidance and salvation?

An ancient Spanish manuscript known as the Codex Huntingtonianus Palimpsestus to a few scholars, who saw it before it was locked up in the vaults of the Hispanic Society of America, is the subject of a controversy that threatens to break out afresh among biblical scholars.

Some affirm that the manuscript is one of the earliest versions of the Bible and that it differs radically from the accepted versions of the scriptures. It was brought here (New York) in 1907, having been stolen from a monastery in Spain.

Access to the ancient parchment was afforded to Dr ES Buchanan, decipherer of many old Latin manuscripts. Dr Buchanan said he discovered the biblical text was written on parchment, from which more ancient writings have been erased. He advanced the claim that the volume was a genuine palimpsest.

“The manuscripts of the western text (of the Bible) that have come to light have all been corrected into an agreement with the Vulgate and Alexandrian texts,” said Dr Buchanan. “The Codex Huntingtonianus contains in its first copies a text altogether independent of the Vulgate. This constitutes its supreme value.”

According to Dr Buchanan, the obliterated text was inscribed probably in the sixth century. From certain peculiarities of the older text, he explained that he was able to trace the source of the text to a biblical version of the first or second century.

Such a version would antedate by two or three centuries the Vulgate, which was a translation made by St. Jerome in the fourth century from the Hebrew text. So, Dr Buchanan has concluded that the text furnishing the source of the old script was in close touch with the very source of the Bible.

The text, Dr Buchanan asserts, differs from the accepted versions of the Bible in that it furnishes no basis, among other things, for the belief in the day of judgment, the end of the world, baptism, and hell, and it does not assign to women such an inferior status.

The Holy Quran of the Moslems is the only sacred book which has come down to this age as pure and genuine as it was revealed to the Master-Prophet Muhammad[sa], therefore it is the only reliable existing word of Law from God for men.

Liberal pastors Dr Grant of the Episcopal Church of New York declared, among other things, in his sermon that Jesus was nothing but a man, and that belief in Biblical miracles is a relic of “superstition, witchcraft and taboo.” He

It is the only magazine of its kind published every month in India, dealing with important religious questions, offering a fair and impartial review of the prominent religions of the world, and removing misunderstandings about Islam.

Subscription, $2 per annum; for sample copy, write to: The Manager, The Review of Religions, Qadian, Punjab, India.

interesting person. He was born in the Kongo Free State, in the city of Ladysmith, Africa.

He came to America at the age of seventeen, and entered Tuskeegee Institute where he remained for five years, fitting himself for the Christian Ministry. Upon being ordained a minister, he took up missionary work with zeal and enthusiasm, believing, as he did then, that Christianity as it is now taught was the unique way of serving God. After hearing me deliver a lecture on Islam, he was completely disillusioned and now has become a zealous worker for Islam, and is convincing all with whom he comes in contact, of the truth of the mission of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wa sallam).

Dr J H Humphries (Brother Hakim) possesses great spiritual powers and is a magnetic healer of extraordinary ability.

He has been successful in converting many to Islam in Ahmadia Movement, and let us pray that he may long continue in the good work, and more fully develop the powers with which Allah has blessed him.

He says that he has now been elevated to that plane of spiritual knowledge to which Christianity was intended to lift him but failed.

There are many who say that they have benefited from him, both spiritually and physically.

Brother Ahmadallah (Mr MJ Moaning) of Sioux City, is approaching others in that city with the teachings of Islam.

A brief report of work in America

Thanks

was asked by Bishop Manning to retract or to resign his post, to which he issued a spirited but courteous reply, holding fast to what he had already declared, and claiming for himself the right of thinking and interpreting independently.

The controversy between the prelates brought in Dr Holmes of New York, who, in his spirited defense of Dr Grant, writes that, “Dr Grant merely said what every liberal pastor and scientific thinker has known for years. The virgin birth is [...] untrue […], Orthodox Christianity is dead in Europe and is dead in everything. […] The churches are dying. I am glad to see them die.”

We are given to understand that Bishop Manning did not take any further steps and let the matter drop. This shows that a silent death is creeping over the whole Christian Constitution and the world is finally drawing towards the Moslem belief about Jesus Christ, that he was a man-prophet like all others and no more.

The Review of Religions

Since the publication of the last report in the Moslem Sunrise for the month of January, 1923, the work has greatly increased. In addition to the Sunday morning meetings at the Mosque, a series of lectures on Oriental subjects have been delivered in the afternoon. I also made a tour to New York City, visiting Pittsburgh and Buffalo on my way. Many new converts to Islam and initiations into the Ahmadia Movement were the rewards of these visits.

In New York City, two banquets were offered to me, arranged by Mrs A Emerson and other members at a Women’s Club of that city. Lectures on Islam were appreciated by all present.

In Buffalo, a welcome, befitting Moslem Brethren, was given to me by those of ours drawn into the American marts of commerce. Tears flowed and hearts were lighter after evenings spent reading the Holy Quran, and responsive chanting in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad[sa].

Brother M Yusuf Khan delivered three lectures on Islam in Rockford, Michigan.

Sheikh Ahmad Din of St. Louis, Missouri, and Sheikh Abdus Salaam of Detroit, have been busy bringing others to the fold of Islam. Sheikh Ahmad Din writes of a new Moslem: “Brother Hakim is a very

Thanks are due to the Secretary of the Sunday Study Club; Mr Wilcox of the Mission of Love; Mrs J McClung; Secretary Educational Club; Chairman Mission of Love; Temple, Secretary Hindustan Club and other managers of different meetings for inviting me and Maulvi Muhammad Din to speak on Islam and kindred subjects on their platforms.

Missionary epistles were written on behalf of the Ahmadia order in America, and some literature was sent to many celebrities in and out of America.

Maulvi Muhammad Din BA The advent of our new missionary, Maulvi Muhammad Din BA from India, has put a new force into the work here. He has delivered several lectures on different subjects, and is doing correspondence with some inquirers and seekers after truth.

I gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered by M Muhammad Din BA, and Sadiqah Sadiq RN, in the preparation of this issue of the magazine [The Moslem Sunrise, April and July 1923].

(Transcribed and edited by Al Hakam from the original, published in The Moslem Sunrise, April and July 1923)

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023

17

Friday Sermon Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, UK 24 March 2023

The Promised Messiah and Mahdias After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verses 3 and 4 of Surah al-Jumuah: َّ َ ُ ْ َ ّ ُ ‫ُهوَ ال ِذ ْي بَ َعث فِي الْا ِّم ٖي َن َر ُسوْلًا ِّمن ُه ْم يَ ْتلوْا َعل ْي ِه ْم ٰا ٰي ِت ٖه َو‬ ْ ّ ّ ُ َ ْ َ ُ َ ْ ‫يُ َزك ِْي ِه ْم َو ي َع ِل ُم ُه ُم ال ِك ٰت َب َو ال ِحك َمة َو ِا ْن كانوْا ِم ْن ق ْب ُل ل َ ِف ْي‬ َ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ْ ‫ض ٰل ٍل ّم ِبي ٍن۔ ّو ٰاخ ِريْ َن ِمن ُه ْم ل َ ّما يَل َحقوْا ِب ِه ْم َو ُهوَ ال َع ِزيْ ُز‬ ْ ‫ال َح ِك ْي ُم‬ Huzooraa then continued as follows: The translation of these verses is as follows: “He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered [people] a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they were before, in manifest misguidance.

And [among] others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (Suraj al-Jumuah, Ch.62: V.3-4) Yesterday was 23 March [2023], which is known within the Ahmadiyya Community as “The Promised Messiah Day”. We are fortunate that Allah the Almighty, in accordance with His Promise and the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa, has blessed us with the opportunity to accept the Imam of this age, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdias.

On 23rd of March 1889, the Promised Messiahas took the first pledge of allegiance in Ludhiana, and with that, a community of sincere devotees was established. In the verses of the Holy Quran that I recited, which were from Surah al-Jumuah, glad tidings were given of a pious servant of the Holy Prophetsa and, through him, the establishment of a community.

Besides this, there are other verses in the Holy Quran as well about the advent of the Promised Messiah. Moreover, there are various prophecies about the coming of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi in the ahadith.

At present, I shall narrate, in the words of the Promised Messiahas, the explanation of these verses of Surah al-Jumuah, after which I will briefly present, the different signs and events foretold about this era, and the different prophecies, as well as what the claim of the Promised Messiahas was, based on his own writings.

In the commentary of the aforementioned verse, the Promised Messiahas states:

“The essence of this verse is that God Almighty is He, Who sent the Messengersa in an era when the people were completely bereft of knowledge and wisdom.

Furthermore, the prospect of any religious sciences, through which perfection of the soul could be accomplished and mankind’s knowledge and deeds could reach their pinnacle, had completely vanished. (All the various teachings to reform the soul had been completely lost.) Furthermore, people had gone astray, meaning that they had become distant from God and His right path. Then at such a time, God Almighty sent His Messengersa, the immaculate one, who purified their souls and filled them with the knowledge of the Book, and wisdom, by way of signs and miracles and led them to perfect certainty, and through the light of the recognition of God, illumined their hearts. Thereafter, He stated that there was another group of people, who would appear in the Latter Days. They would also, at first, be in darkness and misguidance, and bereft of knowledge, wisdom and certainty.

Then, God would also make them like the companions; meaning that whatever the companions witnessed, they would also be made to witness, to the extent that their sincerity and level of conviction would resemble the sincerity and conviction of the companions. Moreover, it has been narrated in an authentic tradition that, whilst explaining this verse, the Holy Prophetsa placed his hand on the shoulder of Salmanra the Persian and said:

َ َ َ ُّ ً َّ ُ َ ْ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫ان ُم َعلقا ِبالث َر ّیا لَنال َ ٗہ َر ُج ٌل ِّم ْن فارِ َس‬ ‫لوکان الاِیم‬

“It means, ‘Even if faith goes up to the Pleiades’, meaning up into the stars, ‘a man of Persian descent will bring it back.’ This indicates the fact that in the Latter Days, a man would be born of Persian descent, in a time regarding which it is written that the Quran would ascend to the skies. This very time is that of the Promised Messiah.”

By “faith” and the “Quran being lifted to the heavens” means that people will no longer act upon it; and this was the time for the advent of the Promised Messiahas.

“Moreover, the man of Persian

descent is none other than the Promised Messiah because the onslaught of false Christian doctrine, for which the Promised Messiah was meant to come and break, is an attack on faith. All these signs have been mentioned regarding the time of the onslaught of false Christian doctrine and it is written that this assault would have a very negative effect on people’s faith. In other words, these very attacks are called the onslaught of the Dajjal [Antichrist].

The traditions say that during the assault of the Dajjal, many naive people would leave God – the One Who has no partner – and the zeal of their faith would diminish.

Moreover, the most significant task of the Promised Messiah would be to rejuvenate faith because the attack is against faith and the following tradition:

َ َ ُ ‫ان الْایْ َم‬ ‫ان‬ ِ َ ‫لوْک‬

[‘Even if faith ascends to the Pleiades’] “This is regarding a man of Persian descent and proves that he would come to establish faith once again. Thus, just as the time of the Promised Messiah and that of the man of Persian descent were the same, so too were their duties, namely, to reestablish faith. This is why it has certainly been established that the Promised Messiah himself was the man of Persian descent and it was regarding his community that the following verse refers to:

َ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ ‫ّو ٰاخ ِریۡ َن ِمن ُہ ۡم ل َ ّما یَل َحقوۡا ِب ِہ ۡم‬

[‘And (among) others from among them who have not yet joined them’] “The meaning of this verse is that after a period of complete misguidance; there are only two groups that attain guidance and wisdom, and witness the miracles and blessings of the Holy Prophetsa. Firstly, the companions of the Holy Prophetsa, who, before his advent, were in total darkness, witnessed the age of prophethood with the grace of God, saw miracles with their own eyes and witnessed the fulfilment of prophecies. Furthermore, their level of conviction created such a change within them that they became as if they were a single soul.

“The second group are the followers of the Promised Messiah, who, according to the aforementioned verse, are like the companions, because this group, like the companions, would also witness miracles of the Holy Prophetsa, and would become recipients of guidance after darkness and misguidance. َ ۡ “In the verse ‫[ ٰاخ ِریۡ َن ِمن ُہ ۡم‬And ‘among’ others from among them], this group has been ۡ referred to in the words ‫[ ِمن ُہ ۡم‬from among them], which signifies that this latter group would be granted a measure of the blessings of being likened to the companions, and also witness the fulfilment of miracles.

However, [those of] the middle age will not fully partake of this blessing.

“This is exactly what has come to pass today. After thirteen hundred years, the door of the miracles of the Holy Prophetsa has been opened and people have witnessed with their own eyes that the solar and lunar eclipses of Ramadan have been manifested, according to the hadith of “AlDaraqutni” and “Fatawa Ibn-Hajr” that is, the moon and the sun were eclipsed in Ramadan. Moreover, as described by the contents of the hadith, the lunar eclipse took place on the first night from among the nights the eclipse could occur, and the sun was eclipsed on the middle day from among the days it could occur; and this was at a time when a claimant to being a Mahdi was also present. This condition has not come to pass since the creation of the earth and heaven because no one has been able to present an example of it from history. (No one can prove from history that such an occurrence ever took place as a sign.) This was a miracle of the Holy Prophetsa, which people saw with their own eyes. Moreover, thousands of people saw the appearance of the star, Dhu al-Sinin [The Great Comet of 1882], which was said to appear at the time of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

Similarly, millions of people witnessed the fire of Java. Likewise, everyone observed, with their own eyes, the spread of the plague, and the prohibition of Hajj. The railways being manufactured in the country as well as the abandonment of camels are all

18

prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa, similar to those witnessed by the companions. This is why; speaking of this final community, God, ۡ the Exalted used the word ‫[ ِمن ُہ ۡم‬from among them] to indicate that they are also similar to the companions with regards to witnessing miracles.

“Just consider whether, during the last 1,300 years, anyone had experienced a time that was so similar to the time of the Holy Prophetsa. Our Jamaat, which has been established in this age, resembles, in many respects, the companions of the Holy Prophetsa. Our people witness miracles and signs such as those the companions witnessed and gain light and certainty from fresh heavenly signs and support, as the companions did. They endure, in the cause of Allah, the mockery, derision and reproaches of people, and bear persecution and boycotts, just as the companions did. They lead pure lives, helped by clear heavenly signs, Divine support and wise teachings, as did the companions. (There are countless examples of this.)

“There are many among them who weep during their prayers as the companions wept – so profusely that their places of prostration were dampened. Many of them see true dreams and are honoured with Divine revelations, as was the case with the companions. Many of them spend their hard-earned money promoting the activities of the Jamaat, purely for the sake of winning the pleasure of God Almighty, as did the companions. Many among them keep death in mind and they are gentle of heart and tread the path of true righteousness, as was the practice of the companions.

“They are the party of God, who are supported by God Himself and whose hearts He is purifying daily and whose bosoms He is filling with the wisdom of faith and whom He is drawing towards Himself through heavenly signs, as He did with the companions. In short, this Jamaat exhibits all those signs which are implied in the َ ۡ words: ‫‘[ ٰاخ ِریۡ َن ِمن ُہ ۡم‬Among others from among them’].The Word of God Almighty was bound to be fulfilled.”

The Promised Messiahas further states: َ ۡ “The verse: ‫‘[ ٰاخ ِریۡ َن ِمن ُہ ۡم‬Among others from among them’] also indicates that just as this community of the Promised Messiah resembles the community of the companions, in the same manner, the Imam of this community also resembles the Holy Prophetsa as his Zill [Spiritual Reflection].

The Holy Prophetsa himself described the promised Mahdi as being similar to him and that he will carry within him two similarities; one, will be in relation to Jesus, the Messiahas, which is why he will [also] be called the Messiah. The second similarity will be in relation to the Holy Prophetsa, for which he will be called the Mahdi. Alluding to this very intricacy, it is written that a part of his body will be Israelite in appearance and colour. The other will be Arabian in appearance and colour. Jesusas came at a time when the nation of Mosesas was in a deplorable state due to the onslaughts of Greek philosophers. The teachings within the Torah; its prophecies and its miracles were fiercely attacked; moreover, God’s Being was understood as someone Who, according to Greek philosophy, is intermingled with the creation and is not a Wilful and Conscious Planner (in other words, He was considered to be just like a

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM normal creation, Who did not possess all powers to do what He willed.)

“Furthermore, the system of prophethood was also ridiculed. Therefore, by commissioning Jesusas, who came fourteen hundred years after Mosesas, God intended to establish a testimony for the authenticity of the Mosaic prophethood as well as the truthfulness of that dispensation, and to repair the Mosaic edifice once again.

Likewise, the Promised Messiah was also sent, for this [Muslim] Ummah, at the beginning of the fourteenth century. The objective behind his advent was to refute and falsify the various attacks made by European philosophy and deceit, as well as their rejection of the Holy Prophet’ssa prophethood, prophecies and miracles, their allegations against the teachings of the Quran, and their contempt towards the blessings and lustre of Islam. Moreover, to make the exalted status of the Holy Prophetsa’s prophethood -may thousands of blessings be upon him – shine before the seekers of truth with fresh testimony and support. This is the very intricate matter regarding which a revelation was revealed, which has been recorded in Barahin-eAhmadiyya. […] This divine revelation has been published before hundreds of thousands of people and is as follows: ‫رت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫تق ت‬ ‫زن�زد� ی‬ ‫و� وت � کی‬ ِ ‫رخبام ہک‬ ‫ردیسد و �اپاےئ دمحم ای�اں رب� َرانَماردنلب ر� مکحم ااتفد‬ as The Promised Messiah has explained its meaning and translated it as follows: “‘Now come forward and go forth, as your time is near. The time is now coming that the people of Muhammadsa will be lifted from the pit (i.e. the Muslims) and their steps will be planted firmly on a strong tower.’”

The Promised Messiahas then further states: “‘Muhammadsa, the Holy, the Chosen one, Chief of the Prophets. God will set all your affairs aright and will bestow upon you all that you desire. The Lord of hosts will turn His attention towards this. The purpose of this Sign is [to show] that the Holy Quran is the Book of God and is the words of My mouth.’ And deeply consider what objective was given for my signs. (Allah the Almighty is mentioning this in the form of a revelation.)

“I have just mentioned that it was for this very reason that Jesusas came; so that he may authenticate the Torah with new signs at a time of disbelief and rejection. And it is for this very reason that God has sent me, so that with new signs, the truthfulness of the Holy Quran may be demonstrated to those who are unaware. The following words in the revelation indicate towards this very fact: ‫رت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�اپاےئ دمحم ای�اں رب� َرانَماردنلب �ر مکحم ااتفد‬ “[‘The time is now coming that the people of Muhammadsa will be lifted from the pit and their steps will be planted firmly on a strong tower.’]

“This is also alluded to in another revelation recorded in Barahin-eAhmadiyya:

ُ ْ َّ ُْ َ َ ْ ُ َ ْ ‫ا ّلرَ ْح ٰم ُن َعل َم الق ْر ٰا َن۔ ل ُِتن ِذ َر قوْ ًما ّمٓا ان ِذ َر ٰابَٓا ٔو ُھ ْم۔ َول َِت ْس َت ِبی َن‬ ْ ْ ْ ْ َ​َ َ​َ ُ ُ ّ ُ ْ ‫َس ِب ْی ُل ال ُم ْجرِ ِمی َن۔ ق ْل ِانِ ْی ا ِم ْرت َوانا ا ّو ُل ال ُم ٔو ِم ِنی َن‬

“It means that it is God, the Gracious, Who has taught the Quran. That thou mayest warn a people whose fathers were not warned, that the way of the sinners may become manifest (the ways of sinners becoming manifest means that the words of God have been conveyed to them.) Say, ‘I have been commanded to be the first of

those who believe.’”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “If someone says: ‘Jesusas came to attest to the truth of the Torah as a prophet.

Therefore, what value does your testimony hold in comparison to his?’ (Jesusas was sent as a Prophet of Allah and came to testify to the truthfulness of the Torah, but in what capacity have you come in order to testify to the truthfulness of the Holy Quran? People would then say that) in this instance, a prophet was needed for a new testimony (i.e., this is a question that people could pose.) The answer to this is that in Islam, the door is closed for a prophethood that establishes its own authority (that is Prophethood that brings َ its ownٰ sharia.) َ ّ ّ َ َ ّ َ God Almighty states: ‫و لٰ ِك ْن ّر ُسوْ َل الل ِه َو خات َم الن ِب ٖي َن‬‎ [‘but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets’] and it is stated in a َ hadith that: ‫‘[ لَا ن ِب َّی بَ ْع ِد ْی‬there is no prophet after me’].

“And along with this, the death of Jesusas has been proven from clear verses of the Holy Quran; therefore, to hold out hope for his return to this world is futile. (This is all mentioned in the Quran and the Hadith and it also mentions that Jesusas has passed away, therefore it is wrong to believe that he will appear again.)

“If any prophet, new or old, were to come, then how would our Prophetsa remain as the Seal of Prophets? (In other words, he would appear from outside of his Seal.)

Indeed, the door of saintly revelation and divine converse is not closed; which means that the true religion is testified to and attested to with fresh signs. Therefore, the signs of God, whether they are exhibited through a prophet or a saint, are all equal, because the one who bestows [them] is the same. It is complete ignorance and foolishness to think that it is more powerful and magnificent when God Almighty grants divine support by means of a prophet, and that if it is given through a saint, then it is not as powerful and magnificent. On the contrary, some signs for the support of Islam were manifested at a time when there was neither a prophet nor a saint. For example, the sign that was manifested in the form of the destruction of the Ashab-ul-fil [People of the Elephant].”

This is a response to those who say that if there is no prophet [after the Holy Prophetsa then such signs cannot manifest; in fact, even if there is no prophet, such signs can still be made manifest through a saintly person. Thus, one ought to accept at least this fact and even if no saintly person is present, Allah the Almighty can still manifest such signs, just as we see in the example of the Ashab-ul-fil [People of the Elephant].

The Promised Messiahas further states: “It is an accepted fact that the excellence of a saint is in fact the miracle of the prophet he follows. Therefore, if the excellence [in itself] is a miracle of the prophet, then it does not behove the faithful to differentiate between miracles. Moreover, it is proven from authentic traditions that a muhaddath, like prophets and messengers, is amongst those who are sent by God. (This is another argument in that the Muhaddath is counted amongst the prophets and messengers.)

“Carefully read the tradition in Bukhari:

َ َ َْ َ ‎‫َو َما ٔا ْر َسلنا ِم ْن َر ُسوْ ٍل َولَا ن ِب ٍ ّی َولَا ُم َح ّد ٍث‬

“[‘We have not sent any prophet, neither any messenger nor a Muhaddath’].

“Also, in another tradition, it is written:

ْ َ​َ َ ُ ُ َ َ ُ ‎‫اء ٔا ّم ِت ْی کٔان ِب َیا ِء بَ ِن ْی ِا ْس َرائِ ْی َل‬ ‫علم‬

“[‘The scholars of my Ummah are like the Prophets of the Children of Israel’].

“Sufis have verified this tradition from the Holy Prophetsa himself through their visions. (In other words, they received attestation to this from the Holy Prophetsa.)

It should also be kept in mind that the word ‘Prophet’ has been used metaphorically for the Promised Messiah in [Sahih] Muslim.

(They claim that the Promised Messiahas cannot be a prophet, however, they should bear in mind that the Promised Messiahas has presented the argument of being a saint and then also the fact that the Promised Messiah has been referred to as a Prophet in the Hadith.)

“Hence, such words from God Almighty have been used in my favour, which have been written in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. It is mentioned in the revelation as follows:

ْ َ ٓ َّ ‎‫ُهوَ ال ِذ ْي ا ْر َس َل َر ُسوْل َ ٗه ِبال ُه ٰدى‬

“Here, the word ‘messenger’ is referring to this humble one (i.e. the Promised Messiahas.) Then look at the revelation in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya in which the following revelation is written:

َْ َ ّٰ ُ ‫َجرِ ّی الل ِہ فِ ْی ُحل ِل الْان ِب َیٓا ِء‬

“Which means, ‘The Champion of God in the mantle of prophets.’

(They claim that the Promised Messiahas is not a prophet but [the word prophet] is being mentioned in the ahadith, and Allah the Almighty is also informing him as well through revelation that he indeed is a prophet.)

“In this revelation, I have been named a Messenger [Rasul] and a Prophet [Nabi].

Therefore, to consider someone – who is named by God himself – to be amongst the general public is a high level of insolence.

The testimonies of the signs of God cannot be weak in any way, shape or form, be they [given] by means of a prophet or a Muhaddath. In actuality, the prophethood and spiritual grace of our Prophetsa produces a manifestation which provides his own testimony, whilst the saint simply attains this status. (The signs which are being manifested are in essence the truthfulness of the Holy Prophetsa and the saint, or whoever else it may be, through whom the signs are manifested, are simply mentioned as a result of it.) So in truth, a saint who is a witness to the truthfulness of a prophet attains his beauty from the Holy Prophetsa and it is not the other way around.” (Ayyam-us-Sulh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 14, pp. 304-310) Regarding his claim, the Promised Messiahas states: “When God saw the world sunk into an abject state and the earth full of wickedness, tyrannies and iniquity, He sent me with the mission of propagating truth and reforming the world. And the time was such that people had witnessed the end of the thirteenth century and had entered into the fourteenth century. Then, under Divine command, I raised my voice through printed announcements and public speeches, proclaiming to everyone that I am the one who was destined to be raised by God at the beginning of this century to rejuvenate religion, claiming that I have been sent with the mission to re-establish the faith that has disappeared from the face of the earth and

AL HAKAM | Friday 21 April 2023 to draw the whole of mankind back to piety and righteousness with the aid of God’s own hand and to reform them and to remove errors of belief and conduct.

“It was disclosed to me through Divine revelation a few years later that the Messiah that had been promised from the earliest time to this nation and that the last Mahdi (Reformer) who was destined to appear after the deterioration of Islam and who was to be granted direct guidance from God and who was to provide once again the spiritual nourishment, as had been preordained and about whom glad tidings had also been given by the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself 1,300 years ago, is none other than me. Divine revelations from God the Gracious, in this regard, came to me so clearly and persistently that no room for even the slightest doubt was left in this matter. Every revelation that came in this respect was firmly fixed in my mind like a steel nail and all these revelations contained profound predictions that were fulfilled later with the clarity of daylight.” (Tadhkiratush-Shahadatain, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, pp. 3-4) Then, the Promised Messiahas states: “In a time and era when the light of recognising God gradually diminishes to the point that it becomes hidden in the depths of thousands of darkened souls, and owing to it people begin to adopt atheism, and the earth is filled with sin, ignorance, and shamelessness; the honour, grandeur and glory of God Almighty dictates that He should manifest Himself to the people once again. Hence, as has been His practice since time immemorial, after witnessing these conditions and signs in our time, God Almighty has sent me at the head of the fourteenth century to revive the faith and cognisance of God. Along with His help and grace, heavenly signs are manifested at my hand, and in accordance with His desire and plan, my prayers are accepted and I am informed of matters pertaining to the unseen; the verities and knowledge of the Holy Quran have been revealed to me; complex and difficult matters pertaining to the sharia have been elucidated. I swear by that Benevolent and Noble God, Who is the enemy of falsehood and Who destroys the liars, that I have been sent by Him; I have been sent at the most appropriate time and have been appointed by His command.

He is with me at every step and He will not let me go to waste, nor will He cause my community to perish, until all that which He has intended comes to fruition.

He commissioned me at the turn of the fourteenth century for the completion of His light and He caused the lunar and solar eclipses to occur in the month of Ramadan and exhibited manifest signs in the earth which are sufficient for a seeker of truth and thus did He complete His proofs.” (Arbaeen No. 2, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, pp. 347-348) Then, the Promised Messiahas states, with regard to allegations raised by others, that it is their right to question why they should accept this claim of the Promised Messiah. What proofs are there on the basis of which they can accept that he is indeed the Promised Messiah? It can be accepted that the era calls for it and the conditions and signs are all present, but how can it be ascertained that he indeed is the Promised Messiah?

19

The Promised Messiahas states: “The answer is that all the indications mentioned in the Holy Quran and the ahadith with regard to the Promised Messiah have been combined in me in my era and in my country; as, for instance, the age, the country and the town in which the Promised Messiah was to appear and the circumstances that called especially for his advent, and the earthly and heavenly calamities that had been specified as indications of his advent, and the knowledge and learning that were to be his characteristics, have all been combined in me. (There are calamities and illnesses, earthquakes and heavenly signs that are being fulfilled in the midst of his claim. Allah the Almighty has also been manifesting signs at his hands. How then can one say that he is not [the Promised Messiah]? These are the very proofs) “Allah the Almighty has gathered all these things within me, in my era, and in my country and then for further assurance, He has manifested heavenly signs in my favour.”

(Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, pp. 254-25 [footnote]) The Promised Messiahas explained that the heavenly signs include the great comet, the solar and lunar eclipses, the spread of the plague, earthquakes and many other signs. Whilst mentioning the success of this Community being foretold, along with the signs and help that manifested, the Promised Messiahas mentioned various aspects. He wrote many books on this topic, as I mentioned earlier. I will present a few examples of this. The Promised Messiahas states: “A grand sign is that 23 years ago, a revelation was presented in Barahin-eAhmadiyya, stating that people would try to eliminate this movement (in fact, people are still trying to do so today, 132 years later.)

They will make every plot; however, (Allah the Almighty says that) ‘I will see to this movement’s progress and that it reaches its completion. The community will become that army that will prevail until the Day of Judgement, and I will make you known in the corners of the world. Large numbers of people will come from distant places and financial aid will come from every direction. Expand your homes, for the same preparations are being made in the heavens.’ Now observe the time in which this prophecy was made, which is now being fulfilled today. These are the signs of God, which can be seen by those who possess foresight, however, according to those who are [spiritually] blind, a sign is yet to appear.” (Nuzul-ul-Masih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, pp. 384-385) As I mentioned, this goes into great detail. I will present a few more signs. With regards to intellectual signs and divine succour, the Promised Messiahas states: “Once a Hindu gentleman whose name I do not recall came to see me in Qadian.

(The Promised Messiahas then stated that he later recalled his name; his name was Swami Shugan Chandar.) He said he wanted to convene a religious conference – the name advertised for this conference was ‘Dharam Mahotso Jalsa-e-Azam Mazahib’ [Conference of Great Religions] and he requested that I write an article about the beauties of my religion to be read out at the conference. At first, I demurred, but he insisted that I must write. I know that I cannot do anything of my own strength—

indeed, I do not have any strength at all. I cannot speak unless God makes me speak, nor can I see anything unless He makes me see. I, therefore, prayed to God that He may reveal to me a discourse that may triumph over all the speeches of that conference. After this supplication, I found that a strength had been breathed into me. I felt in me a stirring of this heavenly power. My friends who were present at the time know that I did not write any preliminary draft of this discourse.

Whatever I wrote, I wrote extempore. And I was writing with such speed and haste that the copyist found it hard to keep pace with me. When I finished writing the discourse, I received this revelation from God Almighty: ‫ومضمن �اباال راہ‬ [‘The paper has been declared supreme.’]

“Thus, when that dissertation was read out at that conference, the audience was in a state of ecstasy while it was being read out and applause was heard from every direction, so much so that the Hindu gentleman who presided over the conference could not help exclaiming ‘This paper has been declared supreme over all others!’

“An English newspaper, The Civil and Military Gazette, which is published from Lahore, also published its testimony that the paper transcended all others. About twenty Urdu newspapers also gave the same testimony. With the exception of a few prejudiced individuals, it was on every tongue in that conference that this paper had triumphed. To this day, there are hundreds of people who continue to give the same testimony. (In fact, even today people are accepting Ahmadiyyat after reading it, i.e., ‘The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam’) Thus, with the testimony of every sect, as well as of the English newspapers, my prophecy, ‘The paper transcended all others’, was fulfilled. This challenge was like the one that Prophet Mosesas had to take up against the sorcerers, for in this conference exponents of different schools of thought delivered speeches about their respective faiths. Some of them were Christians, some were Hindus of Sanatan Dharam or Arya Samaj, some were Brahmus, some were Sikhs, and some were Muslims who oppose us. All of them had turned their staffs into imaginary snakes, but when God unleashed the rod of Islam’s truth against them in the form of a pure and profound discourse, it turned into a python and devoured all of them. To this day, people are all praise for the discourse that had issued from my mouth:

ّٰ ْ َ َ َ ‎‫فال َح ْم ُد لِل ِہ َع ٰلی ذال ِک‬

“[So Allah be praised for all this].” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul Wahi], pp. 354-355) Furthermore, whilst mentioning another prophecy, the Promised Messiahas states: “The following is a Divine sign that has been recorded in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya:

ُ ّ َ َ ََُْ َ َ َ َ ‫الرَ ْح َمۃ َع ٰلی شف َت ْیک‬ ‫یااحمد فاض ِت‬

“‘O Ahmad, springs of eloquence and perspicuity have been made to flow from your lips.’

“This has been fulfilled continuously for many years now. Countless books have been written in eloquent and articulate Arabic and presented to Muslim and Christian scholars [as a challenge] with rewards worth thousands of rupees, but not a single person

stood up to the challenge. Is this not a sign from God or is it merely an absurd claim of man?” (Zamima Risala Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, pp. 290-291) People made all sorts of claims and do so even today, however, in his time, no one accepted the challenge.

The Promised Messiahas recounts an incident of the acceptance of a prayer as a sign in his favour. Though there are innumerable accounts, I will mention one.

The Promised Messiahas states: “The sign that was manifested in these days was one of the acceptance of prayer, which, in fact, was tantamount to raising the dead. The details of this episode are as follows: ‘Abdul Karim, son of Abdur Rahman, who is from Hyderabad, Deccan, is a student in our school. He was bitten by a rabid dog and we sent him to Kasauli [a town in Himachal Pradesh], where he underwent treatment for a few days and then returned to Qadian. But a few days later, he began to show signs of madness that are peculiar to being bitten by a rabid dog.

He became hydrophobic and his condition deteriorated rapidly. I was deeply moved out of sympathy for this poor boy, who was so far away from his home, and I felt a special urge to supplicate for him. Everyone thought that the poor boy would die within a matter of hours. Inevitably, he had to be moved out of the boarding house and placed in a room away from other people. He was given great care and a telegram was sent to the British doctors at Kasauli, inquiring if there was any remedy available for his condition. The reply came by telegram that there was no remedy for him. This added to my feeling of sympathy for him and I was deeply concerned about this poor boy away from his homeland. My friends also insisted that I should pray for him, for his pitiable condition aroused great compassion. I was also afraid that if he died under these dire circumstances, his death would provide the enemies with an occasion to rejoice. (The opponents would cause commotion and say that he claimed the Promised Messiah’sas prayers were accepted.) This further added to my feeling of sympathy for him and I was moved in an extraordinary manner.

Such a feeling cannot be generated by one’s own volition, it can only be caused by God Almighty Himself. Once such a condition comes about, it is so effective that – by God’s permission – it can well-nigh bring the dead back to life. (This is the efficacy of prayer.)

“In short, the condition of absolute reliance on Allah was vouchsafed to me, and when my concern for him reached its ultimate limit and anguish took hold of my heart, (these were the conditions in which the prayer was offered and he was overcome with anguish), the patient—who had been as good as dead—began to show signs of recovery. He, who had been so afraid of water and light, at once took a turn for the better and said that he was not afraid of water anymore. He was given water, which he drank without any fear. He then performed ablution with it, offered his Prayer, and slept through the night. His frightful and wild condition disappeared and he recovered completely within a few days.”

The Promised Messiahas continues: “I was suddenly made to feel that the madness had not come to him as a presage of death; rather, it was meant as a Sign from God. Knowledgeable people affirm that it

20

Friday 21 April 2023 | AL HAKAM

has never happened that a person bitten by a rabid dog, exhibiting the typical symptoms of rabies, has then survived. Can there be a stronger proof than [the fact] that the Physician Specialists officially appointed by the government at Kasauli, had, in reply to our telegram, categorically certified to the effect that nothing could be done now [for ‘Abdul-Karim?].” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul Wahi], pp. 597-598) Moreover, whilst mentioning the sign in relation to [Dr John Alexander] Dowie, the Promised Messiahas states: “Through my prayers, the same Dr Dowie, who was hailed as a king in America and Europe on account of his pomp and splendour, was brought to ruin by God through this prayer duel. Thus, God caused a world to bow before me. This incident has gained international acclaim in all of the world’s prominent newspapers, becoming a matter of discussion for the common folk and the elite alike.” (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, p. 553) The Promised Messiahas mentions another sign shown to him and states: “Maulawi Ghulam Dastagir Qasuri entered into a prayer duel with me on his own accord and wrote a prayer in his book that God should bring death upon whoever is a liar.” It was a one-sided prayer duel; after a few days of supplicating this prayer, the same Maulawi [Cleric] perished. Alas, what a grand sign this was for our opposing clerics, if only they had any understanding.”

(Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, p. 239) Whilst recounting another sign, the Promised Messiahas mentions how Allah the Almighty supported him. He states: “It would be enough for a fair-minded person to read what Maulawi Ghulam Dastagir Qasuri wrote in his book; how he entered into a prayer duel with me in his own way and announced it in his treatise Faid-e-Rahmani (this is the same aforementioned cleric); and how he met his end only a few days later. There is also the case of Charagh Din of Jammu who entered into a prayer duel with me in his own way and prayed that may God bring death upon whoever of us was a liar. He died of plague only a few days later along with both of his sons.” (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, p. 71, [footnote]) This was another Cleric from Jammu.

The Promised Messiahas further states: “I care not the least about the various objections my people raise against me, and it would be utter infidelity on my part if I should abandon the path of truth for fear of them. They should think for themselves that God has endowed a man with intellectual insight from Himself, has shown him the way, has blessed him with His converse and discourse and has manifested thousands of Signs to prove his truthfulness; how could he possibly turn his face away from that Sun of Truth, considering the dissenting opinion of an adversary to be something of any importance?”

One cannot fall under the influence of the words of another and abandon the truth.

The Promised Messiahas further states: “Moreover, I am not perturbed by the fact that my opponents, both internal and

external, are wholly dedicated to slandering me; for this, too, proves a miraculous Sign in my favour. (If people are slandering him, this too serves as a miraculous sign in his favour. What is the reason for this?)

The reason being that if I possess within me every kind of evil (the many evils they claim) and I am, as they allege, a defaulter, a liar, the Antichrist, an impostor, a deceiver and corrupt; if I have created a schism between the people; if I am a mischief monger, a transgressor and immoral; if I have imputed falsehood to God for almost thirty years, and used abusive language against good and righteous people; if in my soul there is nothing else but mischief, evil, malefaction, and selfishness; if I have set up a business for simply deceiving the world; if, according to them, God forbid, I do not even believe in God; if there is no evil that is not to be found in me and I possess all the sins of the world, and my soul is replete with every kind of wrongdoing; if I have usurped the wealth of many (as people claim) and abused many who were as pure as angels; and if I have surpassed all in every evil and fraud; then what is the mystery behind this that – albeit I was the one who was evil, wicked, perfidious, and a liar – whenever a so-called ‘saintly’ person arose to confront me, he himself was destroyed; whosoever initiated a prayer duel against me, he himself was ruined; whosoever cursed me, himself fell prey to his own curse; and whosoever filed a case against me in court, was himself defeated?”

All the evils are supposedly found within him, yet whoever stands against him is himself brought to death and he is granted victory. How strange are these allegations against him. The Promised Messiahas further states: “You will witness the proofs of these occurrences, by way of illustration, in this very book.”

The book he is referring to is “HaqiqatulWahi” [The Philosophy of Divine Revelation], which contains many examples of these signs presented by the Promised Messiahas.

If one reads this book, one will find countless signs. The Promised Messiahas further states: “It should have thus happened at the time of such confrontations that I myself should have perished or been struck by lightning. (The principle is that the Promised Messiahas should have been smitten if he was found to possess all such evils.) Moreover, there would have been no need for anyone to stand up against me, for God Himself is the enemy of a criminal. (If the Promised Messiahas was such a wrongdoer, then God would take him as an enemy. God does not desire to spread chaos in the world.) Hence – for God’s sake! – think why the contrary has occurred. Why did the (so-called) ‘pious’ perish when opposing me, and why did God save me in every single confrontation? Does this not prove to be a miracle in my favour?

(The allegations such people level against the Promised Messiahas produce miracles in his favour and thus prove his truthfulness.)

Therefore, I am grateful that even the evils which are [falsely] ascribed to me prove my own miraculous Sign.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul Wahi], pp.

2-3)

Nevertheless, I have briefly presented a few examples before you from the extracts of the Promised Messiahas. Alas, if only the opponents would read the books of the Promised Messiahas and witness God Almighty’s help and signs in his support.

As I have mentioned, these signs cannot be summarised in [a few] pages, but require many books. [The opponents] should realise the need of the time. In fact, given the circumstances of our current time, the scholars who raise allegations, admit themselves that this era necessitates a reformer and a guide. However, they not only reject the one who was sent by God Almighty, but continue to misguide the Muslim population.

The heavenly signs were fulfilled and the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa were fulfilled, yet despite all this, it is their misfortune that they fail to reflect upon this.

If the Muslims today realise this truth, that the Messiah and Imam Mahdi whose advent was to take place has indeed appeared and that He is the true lover and servant of the Holy Prophetsa and to enter his bai‘at is imperative owing to the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa and if the Muslims enter his bai‘at with utmost loyalty, then they will be able to establish their superiority in the world. If they accept the Promised Messiahas they will be able to become the recipients of Allah the Almighty’s blessings, otherwise, their condition will remain dire as it is. May Allah the Almighty grant them wisdom and understanding.

In the month of Ramadan, whilst praying for themselves, Ahmadis should also pray for the Jamaat to be safeguarded from every kind of disorder and also pray for the Muslim Ummah that may Allah the Almighty open their eyes and take them out of the darkness and may they realise that the one who truly understands the status of the Holy Prophetsa as being the “Seal of the Prophets” is in fact Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi as

well as his community. The Ahmadis residing in Pakistan need to particularly pray for the general circumstances of their country and also pray for the Ahmadis in Pakistan. May Allah the Almighty protect the country from its selfish leaders, who seek only to spread evil and mischief. Also, pray for the Ahmadis in Burkina Faso; may Allah the Almighty protect them from every kind of evil. Particularly remember the Ahmadis in Bangladesh; every Friday they are always faced with some kind of danger. Pray for the Ahmadis all around the world; may Allah the Almighty protect every Ahmadi from every kind of disorder and evil. May Allah the Almighty grant every Ahmadi steadfastness and increase their faith and conviction. Also, pray for the world to be saved from destruction.

The current circumstances of the world are such that they are standing at the pit of fire.

They are not only heading towards wars that would wreak havoc but also, due to their moral ills, which have reached their extreme and also due to abandoning Allah the Almighty, this could also incur the wrath of God Almighty, as a result of which He will send down His punishment upon them. May Allah the Almighty protect the Ahmadis from every kind of evil and disorder and may He enable the Ahmadis to fulfil their duties and responsibilities and may He grant them His refuge and protection by safeguarding them from all kinds of calamities.

I would also like to announce that as of yesterday, 23 March, the weekly, rather twice-weekly Al Fazl International has become a daily paper. Thus, those who know Urdu should read this as much as possible and subscribe to it. May Allah the Almighty enable all to benefit from it and enable those who contribute to Al Fazl to write outstanding articles.

(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International, 14 April 2023, pp.

2-7. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

“Along with keeping the fasts in the month of Ramadan, we must also partake in worship in its true sense and experience the acceptance of prayers.”

(Friday Sermon, 10 May 2019; Al Hakam, 7 June 2019, Issue 64, p. 15)

Editor-in-chief: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Executive editors: Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang | Research coordinator: Awwab Saad Hayat | Associate editors: Jalees Ahmad, Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Translations: M Adam Ahmad | Design: Tahmeed Ahmad | © Al Hakam 2023