Al Hakam - 12 June 2020

How Islam abolished slavery, leaving no loopholes

100 Years Ago...

Addressing hunger among humanity: How Islam addresses challenges of sustainable food security

Two decades old Ahmadis in America and news from Ceylon, Malabar, India and UK

Islamic lessons for ending domestic violence

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 12 June 2020 | Issue CXVII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Establishing true morality will bring the dawn we crave 2020 will go down in history with distinction – so far, for all the wrong reasons.

The latest spark came from America following unjust police brutality towards black Americans.

The Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction and people are voicing their concerns against the racism society breeds. Uproar against continuous racial discrimination of ethnic minorities is now echoed across the world.

Unfortunately, some protests quickly evolved into violence and strengthened the narrative of “us and them”. #AllLivesMatter – criticised for being an anti-movement to Black Lives Matter – was also given a second wind and has created a whole lot of confusion and debate to the voices against racism.

World leadership hasn’t been a means of solace either. Divisive politics continue despite people demanding for change and absolute justice.

In Europe, anti-racism demonstrations have re-earthed the horrific history of

institutional slavery harboured by Western colonialism. The toppling of Edward Colston’s statue – a slave owner and trader – sparked debate about why such figures

of history were lauded in British society in the first place and why they deserve a Continued on page 3

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

The most complete of the believers Hazrat Abu Hurairah, Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The most complete of the believers in faith is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.”

(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Rizaa)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

High moral excellences are a magnificent miracle I stated yesterday or perhaps the day before yesterday that high moral excellences are a magnificent miracle, which can even leave behind other extraordinary happenings.

For example, if today, the miracle of the splitting of the moon took place, experts of astronomy and physics, and those who are enthralled by science, would immediately assert that this is an occurrence which may be categorised as a form of solar or lunar eclipse; and by doing so would seek to bring down the grandeur of the occurrence. If the previous instance of this miracle is presented, they simply disregard it as being a fabricated tale of the past. For example, take the solar and lunar eclipses which took Continued on page 3

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This Week in History 12 - 18 June In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, this time, with some more details

12 June 1883: The Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, wrote a detailed letter to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana educating him about trials and tribulations. After citing his latest revelations, Hazrat Ahmadas clearly instructed him to remain engaged in seeking God’s help to safeguard from temptations because for believers, steadfastness and real protection is amongst the bounties of God.

fellow of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, along with Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, when they were all pupils of Gul Ali Shah Sahib. On this date, Huzooras replied to the letter of Lala Bhim Sin clearing his misconceptions. Despite Huzooras being occupied in other undertakings, he spared some time for this old acquaintance to help him understand things in a better way.

13 June 1889: The Promised Messiahas reminded Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira to provide more details about a printing facility in Amritsar as stated in his previous letter so that it could be pursued. Huzooras indicated that it seemed good if Hazrat Munshi Sahib’sra posting was shifted to a nearby post.

14 June 1904: The Promised Messiahas wrote a detailed announcement about matters that arose with Maulvi Karam Din. In it, Huzooras gave details and mentioned the developments that occurred in and outside the court room. This person not only attacked the immensely elevated personality of the Promised Messiahas, but misguided the masses with his scheming craftiness. At the end of this announcement, Huzooras added, “Ra‘eese-Azam Qadian” (Chief Sovereign of Qadian) with his name.

13 June 1897: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Siddiqa Begum Sahibara, wife of Hazrat Qureshi Muhammad Usmanra, SDO who was a devout companion of the Promised Messiahas. She had the noble opportunity of writing to Huzooras and receiving replies. In a letter on this date, Huzooras advised her to remain punctual in her daily prayers and to keep him informed.

Huzooras prayed that Allah would keep her in the company of her loved ones and grant her a son with a long life. Huzooras also recommended her to stay in Qadian for a brief period.

14 June 1899: Hazrat Mirza Mubarak Ahmad was born in the house of the Promised Messiahas. It was a Wednesday and the birth happened at 3pm. The Promised Messiahas wrote, “The time of delivery was near for my wife and on 14 June, with the first labour pains, my wife’s condition became serious. Her body temperature dropped and she suffered from extreme weakness. It seemed as though she would faint. I imagined at that time that perhaps she was about to depart this world. The children were all deeply overcome and the women and the mother were almost out of their senses for the trying time had arisen suddenly. Believing that she was at her last breaths and being certain of God’s power to perform wonders, I supplicated for her health and her condition changed immediately. Thereafter, I received the revelation, ‘Tahweel-ul-maut’, indicating that God had postponed death and moved it for another time. Her body temperature rose again and she regained her full senses and the boy was born, who has been named Mubarak Ahmad.”

14 June 1903: Lala Bhim Sin was a pleader by profession, who happened to be a class

14 June 1907: The Promised Messiah informed one of his passionate companions, Hazrat Abdul Majeed Khanra that his letters were reaching him almost every day and Huzooras was praying for him. Huzooras prayed for his success and convenience regarding issues with the government. The compiler of these letters, Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira added a note that the initial part of this letter was written by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, who used to serve the Promised Messiahas as a personal assistant in correspondence during those days. as

15 June 1883: The Promised Messiahas replied to letters of Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana, sharing details of his encounter with Pandit Diyanand, founder of the Arya Samaj sect within Hinduism. Hazrat Ahmadas wrote that he had openly reviewed the doctrines of this sect and fortified the supremacy of Quranic teachings upon all other religions, so instead of Huzooras, all other faith leaders were dutybound to either answer the call of Islam or present replies to the arguments in Huzoor’sas literature. This letter also brings with it another example of Huzoor’sas humility and utmost gratitude towards God Almighty.

15 June 1886: The Promised Messiahas updated his sincere companion, Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira about the printing process of his two books, Surma Chasham-e-Arya and Siraj-e-Munir. Huzooras specified that copies of Surma Chasham-e-Arya were being sent to press on a daily basis for printing after checking. This letter did not carry any date

on it. Taking a hint from the stamps on it of Qadian and Jalandhar, it is being mentioned under this date.

16 June 1894: The Promised Messiahas informed Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that he was extremely occupied owing to the urgency and abundance of undertakings during those days, however, hopefully, things would become easier soon, as the printing of the books was completed and now their binding process was underway, which would be done in a week or so.

16 June 1897: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra directing him about the approaching Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, which was to celebrate her 60-year reign. Huzoor’sas wise words and straightforward approach for such matters can be observed in the letter.

17 June 1879: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Pandit Shiv Narayan Agnihotri on this date. Hazrat Ahmadas wrote that at that moment, he was about to leave for Amritsar to attend court hearings, thus he could not spare much time for him. But in this prompt reply, Huzooras suggested a suitable way to decide the validity of arguments of both sides in their debate. Huzooras suggested the idea of publishing arguments in newspapers with reviews of two independent umpires.

Huzooras was so confident in the cogency and forcefulness of his points that he accepted the appointment of a Brahmo Samajist and an Englishman to review his logic and eventually had the arguments published for the general public.

17 June 1902: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of a person who happened to be the son of a renowned scholar and proprietor of a religious school in Punjab.

Huzooras guided this person on the true philosophy of dua (prayer) and love for God. Huzooras stated that he must engage in thorough research and get himself prepared to endure all kinds of hardships and in return, God would reward him abundantly.

18 June 1884: The Promised Messiahas informed his solemn friend Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that printing of the fifth part of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya would commence after the required funds were made available.

Huzooras stated, “I pray for your good end and that Allah may enhance your abilities regarding religion.”

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place in the month of Ramadan, and which served as a heavenly sign from among the signs of the Mahdi. I have heard that some people allege that in light of astronomy, it was already established that this natural occurrence was bound to occur in the month of Ramadan. By saying so, they seek to diminish the value of this Hadith, which has been related by Imam Muhammad Baqir, on whom be peace. But these foolish people do not even realise that no ordinary individual can fulfil the requirements of prophethood. Prophethood means “to make prophecy”, and it is not within the power of any ordinary person to go about making prophecies. The Prophet of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, foretold that in the era of the one who claims to be the Mahdi and Messiah, the solar and lunar eclipse would occur in the month of Ramadan, and this has never occurred since the creation of the heavens and earth. Hence, if there is any difficulty from a logical standpoint, those who object to this prophecy, may go ahead and see if they can lessen the grandeur of this prophecy in light of history. In other words, they ought to inform us of an era in time when the solar and lunar eclipse

occurred in the month of Ramadan, where before the occurrence of this sign, a claimant had already announced his claim. Moreover, they should tell us of any era in which a Prophet prophesied that the solar and lunar eclipses would occur in the month of Ramadan to support the claim of a person who was to appear. However, it is impossible for anyone to show us any other such example.

My intent in relating this incident is merely to point out that people always find some excuse or other in relation to extraordinary happenings and seek to discredit them. However, an exemplary moral state is a miracle in which no one can find fault. This is the very reason that the greatest and most powerful miracle granted to our Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was that of lofty morals. To this effect, the Holy Quran states: َ ُ ُ ٰ َ َ َ َّ ‫ِیم‬ ٍ ‫إِنك لعلﻰ خل ٍﻖ عﻈ‬ [Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences.]

Notwithstanding this, even the extraordinary occurrences that took place at the hand of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, are established with far greater evidence than the miracles of the other Prophets, peace

be upon them. However, his miracle of morals stands at the very top, and it has no parallel in the history of the world, and will never be matched until the end of time.

It is my belief that any individual who forsakes their evil morals and ignoble habits, and adopts good qualities, shows a miracle. For example if a stern and rough-natured person, or someone who succumbs to anger, abandons these ill habits and adopts the qualities of forbearance and forgiveness, or if a person rids themselves of miserliness and becomes generous, or if a person develops sympathy in the place of malice, this is undoubtedly a miracle. Similarly, if a person forsakes self-conceit and selfadmiration, and replaces it with lowliness and humility, then this very humility is a miracle. Who from among you does not desire that miracles be shown at their hands? I know that everyone holds this desire. Therefore, an everlasting and living miracle is if an individual reforms his moral state. For this is a miracle the effects of which never fade away; rather, its benefits carry on far and wide. A believer ought to become one who shows miracles before one’s Creator and God’s creation.

Many immoral and decadent people have been seen to remain unmoved by

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monument of praise. This has led to other statues of slave traders being removed across London and the UK. In Belgium, the same outrage led to authorities taking down the statue of King Leopold II, “whose forces seized Congo in the late 19th Century and ran an exploitative regime that led to the death of millions.” (nytimes.com, 9 June 2020) “History is not being erased by those seeking to topple the statues of slavers and murderous white supremacists; it is being remembered”, a piece in The Guardian argued.

Democratically voicing opinions and pressuring for change without resorting to violence and economic damage is the only effective way to see (some) real justice – an opinion also voiced by prominent black figures.

Political pressure, evaluating values and democratic processes can certainly bring change – after all, statues of slavers have been taken down through democracy.

But to witness true change – a change in the beliefs of society – the statues of the world’s nihilistic and materialistic culture need to be toppled.

If moral and spiritual values are ignored, how is the intrinsic motivation of every individual going to change toward good?

This is why Islam was so effective in stamping out racism and slavery, which was part and parcel of Arab society during

Prophet Muhammad’ssa time. He preached to a society that glorified slavery and saw itself as the “superior” race and culture, with all non-Arabs labelled as ajmi, literally meaning the “one who cannot speak clearly”.

Over 1,400 hundred years ago, the internal statues of racism and discrimination were toppled by the force of Islam’s moral revolution. Prophet Muhammadsa, through Quranic teachings,

cemented the understanding that no race is superior – or inferior – to another.

The arrogance of Arab superiority was shattered and within 23 years, Muslims had abandoned their ancient prejudices.

Ex-slaves who had been abused and degraded prior to Islam were now leaders, commanders, imams and models for the generations of Muslims who were to come. The care, love and attention Prophet Muhammadsa genuinely expressed

signs of extraordinary happening, but they ultimately bowed their heads upon witnessing high morals; they were left with no other choice but to proclaim their acceptance and belief. You will find this underlying factor in the biographies of many people, who accepted the Islam, Religion of Truth, moved by the miracle of lofty morals.

(Note: The Promised Messiahas was delivering his address in an immensely passionate and heart-touching manner when a few Sikhs, dressed like beggars, came in a state of intoxication and began to speak so inappropriately that the atmosphere of this spiritual gathering may well-nigh have been ruined. However, our true leader, the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, demonstrated by his practical example the miracle of morality, which he had been alluding to in his address. The audience was so moved by this example that many of them burst into tears and began to weep emotionally. These evil people were ultimately handed over to the police, reprimanded and their drugs were confiscated. – Editor) (Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 137-139)

towards ethnic minorities and freed slaves embedded a culture that loved and appreciated diversity amongst human beings – that we are one nation created by the One God. When some ignorant Muslims, due to their ancient views, complained as to why freed slaves such as Hazrat Zaidra bin Haritha and later, his son, Hazrat Usamara were appointed as commanders over the army, Prophet Muhammadsa strongly dismissed such complaints and reminded them that Hazrat Zaidra and Hazrat Usamara were appointed based on the merits of their leadership qualities. In this way, Prophet Muhammadsa made it clear that ethnicity or social background should not play a part in holding office.

The change in the psychology of Muslim Arabs created a harmonious and diverse society; Islam was quickly accepted across the world due to its teachings of racial equality and acceptance.

Prophet Muhammad’ssa last sermon resonated in the generations to come, in which he emphatically reminded Muslims that “an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; A white person has no superiority over black person, nor does a black have any superiority over white, except by piety and good actions.”

For the voices of anti-racism protests and calls for absolute justice to be effective, the statues of immorality must be toppled.

We need to evaluate, deeply, the morals we live by.

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How Islam abolished slavery, leaving no loopholes

Abdullah Dibba Missionary, USA

Many people will tell you that in order for black people to bring about a change in their conditions of living, they need to prioritise marriage and education and live in stable households – so that their daughters do not get pregnant in their teens and their sons do not go to jail due to drug trafficking and violence. Some will even present arguments, proving through data, that black people are killed at the hands of fellow black people more than any other race or group in America.

The black experience in the USA is a complicated one. It is almost like original sin in the teachings of Christianity. Being born black means you inherit all the

challenges you will live with for the rest of your life.

White supremacy led to free men being transported from Africa as slaves. A simple declaration was made to emancipate slavery, but other cunning plans were laid down to ensure that black people never found a place in society.

With no social status, no family setup or self-confidence, they would have no other choice but to go right back into the plantations, “willingly”. They had no skills because all they knew was farming.

Yet they could not farm after being freed because they were not entitled to any lands.

The system then saw black people moved to concentrated areas in the era of segregation between the races.

Their neighborhoods became infested with drugs, with barely any access to education or other resources to take care of themselves and their families. Drug abuse was criminalised in the era of “war on drugs”.

Drug abusers would be described as monsters and wild beasts that needed to be tamed for the safety of society. Politicians, big corporations, the government and powerful people all joined this campaign.

In their neighborhoods, black people were not left to live freely. They were policed, closely monitored and every action was scrutinised. A young black man could have the most incredible talent, but with no opportunities to explore their choices, they would automatically enter the drug game in order to survive.

Up to this day, coming out of jail means less or no job opportunities due to being an ex-convict, so this vicious cycle goes on and on. This was breeding the idea of mass incarceration. They could not just migrate or move to safer areas because those were exclusively for white people.

I moved to the United States of America in February 2017 to serve as a missionary.

Originally from The Gambia, West Africa, I completed Jamia in the UK, where I spent eight consecutive years during my studies and training. My first destination in the US was Baltimore, which has a 63% black population. I then moved to Philadelphia where I am currently serving, with a 42% black population.

The problem, as I grew to understand through my three years of studying this issue, is not that black people are lazy and do not want something better for

themselves. They have been controlled by a very thoughtful system, which continues to ensure that their options are very limited.

Every step of the way, black people have not sat back and done nothing about their plight. Albeit debatable whether appropriate or proportionate, the protests and violence we see today are one of the many steps taken to fight this fight. Many movements and influential black leaders have come and gone, investing their blood, sweat and tears in freedom fighting, taking diplomatic steps, patriotism, academic work, peaceful marches and sheer force.

Only two days after George Floyd was unjustly murdered by police officers in Minnesota on 25 May 2020, over 200 cities across the United States reacted to the videos that emerged. This gradually became a global outcry for justice. It caused anger and outrage. People felt that they had had enough of the deliberate and targeted killings of innocent black people by officers who swore to protect every citizen.

The peaceful protests didn’t seem to bear any fruit so they deemed it fit – wrongly – to take to the streets to loot, break and burn for the message to somehow resonate. They now want to be heard and seen because they have been ignored for far too long.

“Why do we look so different in the first place?”, a curious mind may ask. “We could have all looked the same and there would be no racism or bigotry.” “We would have all been citizens of the world with no questions asked.” The answer given by Islam is precise, yet very profound. ُ ُ ٰۡ ُ َ​َ ‫َو َج َعلنک ۡم ش ُعوۡ ًبا ّو ق َبآئِ َل ل َِت َع َارفوۡا‬ “… and we have made you tribes and sub-tribes that you may know one another.”

(Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.14) The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said in his farewell sermon: “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; A white person has no superiority over black person, nor does a black have any superiority over white, except by piety and good actions.”

Based on this fundamental teaching, Islam approaches this problem and nips it in the bud. Deeply thoughtful and wise steps were taken almost 1,500 years ago when slavery was not only accepted but was glorified and lauded. Slavery was deeply engrained into Arabian society and casually accepted, not as a vice, but a badge of honour, pride and status.

Within 23 years of his prophethood, Prophet Muhammadsa personally turned the tide of this heinous crime against humanity and ended slavery in the most effective manner. He began calling a black freed slave “master” and married the divorced wife of his freed slave. Any slave that came into his possession, he freed immediately while upholding their rights. He urged all Muslims to do the same. It is severe intellectual dishonesty to say Prophet Muhammadsa traded or promoted slavery – he was the one man who effectively abolished slavery.

Effective steps were taken towards existing slaves to ensure that they were as respected in society as any free men. In order to abolish slavery, Muslims married

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slaves, who otherwise would be left on their own without support systems. Again, understanding the culture and dynamics of society at that time is crucial to comprehend how great a teaching this was.

These freed slaves were offered households and marital rights; their inferiority was practically put to an end through their new freedom.

Then, women had been instructed not to wear the veil in the presence of their existing slaves so that they may not feel like strangers in the household (Surah Al-Nur, Ch.24: V.32).

The freeing of slaves was regarded as the high-mountain road that led to heights of divine nearness (Surah Al-Balad, Ch.90: V.13-14).

Islam also ensured that even after the emancipation of slaves, they were not left without support and helpers.

The Holy Prophetsa established a bond

of brotherhood between the freed slaves and their former masters. They were to be called each other’s maula – helper or friend. This was to ensure that they would stand by each other in times of need. They were given the right to inherit from each other if one was to die and not leave an heir behind. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Itq) (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Abwab-ul-Faraiz) The Companionsra adopted these teachings with so much pride that not only did they free their own slaves but also purchased slaves with non-Muslim masters, only to free them out of goodwill.

These freed slaves were not just left to struggle to find their place in society.

We learn about Hazrat Zaidra, a freed slave of the Prophetsa and his son, Hazrat Usamara. The Holy Prophetsa appointed them duties overseeing very important military expeditions, while many of his most eminent and high-placed Companionsra served under them. Those who had issues with this were admonished by the prophet thus: “By God, just as Zaid was fit for leadership and was one of those whom I most loved and trusted, similarly, his son Usama is fit for leadership and is one of the most beloved and trusted men to me.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Fazail) What we see in the beautiful teachings of Islam as practised by the Holy Prophetsa was that the problem was

identified and acknowledged first. Those can be very sensitive. During the civil involved in the act of discrimination and rights movement days, protests were not slavery were made to understand that seen as the solution to the problems being they had no rights whatsoever over the faced. They were a way of gathering and lives of other people. Both the oppressors unifying the people and bringing attention and oppressed were given practical steps to the issue. They sought for justice in the on how to get rid of this cancerous act, short term and demanded reform in the without any party feeling that they were long term and strategies were put in place being treated unfairly. The balance in the to implement the plans.

The sad truth is that nowadays, it is approach given by Islam is what lacked in the approach of Abraham Lincoln in his extremely difficult to control the crowds in protests and people join in for creating abolition of slavery.

Islam, in its early days, was a family mischief and disturbance rather than in which both the noble and slaves faced purely fighting for justice.

His Holiness, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih persecution. As the Holy Prophetsa himself went through persecution along with his V, may Allah be his Helper, has, on Companionsra and all Muslims for 13 years numerous occasions, laid down guidelines in Mecca, he taught those slaves that help to enlighten African Americans, as well only comes to those who are steadfast as other communities facing injustices, to and prayerful to the only One True God. demand legislation, in patriotic ways that They felt no need to revolt because their ensure equal treatment of black people and voices were being heard by the Almighty justice for all.

Huzooraa admonished leaders in his and He came to their rescue in the most unprecedented ways.

Friday Sermon of 5 June 2020 delivered As Islam acknowledged the problems at the Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, and presented solutions, it also taught all Tilford, UK: Muslims, including the slaves, not to riot “The governments should come to against the authorities and cause damage realise that all this chaos will not be to society. The Holy Prophetsa taught: solved through force, nor is it the answer “O ye who believe! Obey Allah and to all problems, rather the sustenance of His Messenger and those in authority a government is in its just dealing of all among you. And if you defer in anything its citizens. Only then can law and order among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His be established in the land. If the people Messenger if you are believers in Allah and become restless, then no government can stand against them.” the Last Day.” (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.60) His Holinessaa also shared some words In fact, the Holy Prophetsa went on to say: of wisdom and caution to the victims : “Whoever disapproves of an unjust “If, however, African Americans burn measure taken by his ruler should be down their own houses, they will only be patient, for whoever disobeyed the ruler harming themselves and some African even a little will die as those who died in leaders have also urged them not to do the pre-Islamic period of ignorance [i.e. so. They should, of course, try to obtain as rebellious sinners].” (Sahih al-Bukhari, their rights, but in a lawful manner, not Book of Afflictions, Hadith 7053) by burning down their own properties.

“You will see injustice, you will witness Hence, those protesting should be mindful your rights suppressed and see others given of this.” preference over you.” When his followers In the end, His Holinessaa prayed that were asked how they should respond to Allah may remove the disorder all around such injustice, the Prophetsa replied, “Give the world and that the governments may your leaders their rights, and then ask uphold the rights of their citizens and the God for yours.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of people may obtain their rights through lawful measures. Amin.

Afflictions, Hadith 7052) Discussing protests and demonstrations

The Confederate flag is taken to represent white supremacy and hate

Humanity First Kenya provides aid during flood and pandemic Tahir Ahmad Machengo Kenya Correspondent

Heavy rains had intensified in Kenya in the beginning of May 2020, causing deaths and displacement of hundreds of families, along with landslides. At least 40,000 people were rendered homeless after the Nzoia River burst its banks.

Since the beginning of the country’s “long rains” season in early March 2020, more than 233,000 people have been affected, including over 116,000 displaced, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Flooding was reported in more than three quarters of Kenya’s counties (36 out of 47), with landslides, according to the government’s National Disaster Operations Centre.

With this in place, Humanity First Kenya

provided food relief to at least 100 families in the Nyakach area of Kisumu County.

The county commissioner and its people appreciated the support.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc, not just in Kenya, but all over the globe. At the point of writing this, over 3,000 cases have been confirmed in Kenya in total, out of which over 1,000 have recovered from the disease. However, over 90 deaths have been reported. Over one million people have been rendered jobless as Covid-19 takes a heavy toll on businesses.

The impact of social distancing, dusk-todawn curfews and closure of businesses has impacted on consumer spending, leading to job cuts and unpaid leave for workers as firms race to cut costs. The massive job haemorrhage from the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown Kenya into one of the worst

employment crises it has ever faced.

Alhamdolillah, by the grace of Allah, Humanity First Kenya has donated relief food, face masks and water tank installations to various parts in order to aid in combating the disease. Face masks were distributed to doctors and nurses in three different hospitals including St. Mary’s, Wema and Mercilin Hospitals. Also, Humanity First Kenya visited the worst hit slum areas of Mathare and Kibra – one of the largest slums in Africa – and donated food to families. Two children’s homes were also visited, including Dada Rescue Centre and Grapesyard, where food relief and face masks were distributed.

May Allah the Almighty save people from this pandemic and may He bring His benign mercy to the entire world. Amin.

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Humanitarian and religious activities of Jamaat Philippines during Covid-19 pandemic Talha Ali Missionary, Philippines

Philippines has also been affected by the pandemic and as of the 12 June, there have been around 24,000 cases and a little over 1,000 deaths so far.

The government of the Philippines realised early on that even though the cases were limited, but due to the high-density population (top 3 most populated cities in the world are all in the Philippines, with Philippines holding 13 places in top 50, mostly in Metro-Manila area) and weak healthcare infrastructure, a preventive approach was the best approach. Hence, the country was put in a very strict lockdown in mid-March, enforced through army and law enforcement agencies.

Due to the strict lockdown, the majority of Filipinos were left without paychecks.

Even though the government tried to help, but due to limited resources, the help provided by the government was late and even then, not sufficient at all. At such a time, when everyone felt alone (quite literally due to social-distancing measures), members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Philippines felt that there was someone to look after them and worry about their wellbeing – Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.

First of all, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked all Jamaats to send daily report about

the Covid-19 situation in their country.

This concern from Huzooraa reminded us as well of our own responsibilities.

National secretary umur-e-ama for the Philippines was tasked to make a list of all vulnerable families and with guidance from Huzooraa, all such families were helped with financial aid to buy groceries. Similarly, all muallimeen and local presidents were requested to keep in touch with members of the Jamaat and their needs.

The role of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is not only to help its own members, but also all of humanity. It is a tall order, but every great task must start somewhere. In this regard, Humanity First Canada reached out to us and a preliminary plan was developed to help the community at large with groceries and through feeding programmes.

Under these projects, Humanity First Philippines (in partnership with Humanity First Canada) has already distributed more than 350 food hampers, consisting of grocery items, and these have been provided to the community in four different locations.

The distribution was done in partnership with the local government, who highlighted the most vulnerable sectors of society and helped in organising distribution to maintain social-distancing protocols.

The Jamaat also provided cakes, care baskets and greeting cards to the frontline workers to appreciate their brave service in

these trying times. Similarly, some members of the Jamaat also provided cooked meals to more than 300 people during the month of Ramadan.

The next step of the humanitarian efforts is to have a series of feeding programmes through Humanity First Philippines, which will start from the second week of June, insha-Allah.

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Philippines had been conducting monthly feeding programmes even before the Covid-19 crisis, which was stopped due to the lockdown and restrictions. The Majlis plans to resume those also as the restrictions open up.

Due to a very strictly implemented lockdown, it was not possible for members of the Jamaat to gather at mosques. But with modern-day technology to the rescue, we were able to stay in touch with members and also cater to their spiritual needs to some extent. During Ramadan, two live lectures were given everyday – one in English and another in Sinama/Tausug.

By the time of Eid, the restrictions were eased a bit and up to 10 individuals were allowed to gather in certain places. Hence, following these directives, certain branches were able to have limited Eid celebrations.

Despite the fact that not all members were allowed to gather for Eid, arrangements were made by the Jamaat to send cooked

food and small gifts for children to all Ahmadi households on Eid. We were also able to hold a virtual Khilafat Day Jalsa in the Philippines. Most of the Jamaats in the Philippines do not have good Internet connection to be able to join through online webinar services such as Zoom. Hence, the Jalsa was transmitted live through Facebook and even then, one of our Jamaats was not able to watch it live due to poor internet connection. Despite the obstacles, alhamdolillah, the Jalsa was very successful. Around 150 members joined the Jalsa live from five different islands of the Philippines.

There were various places set up in mosques, libraries and people’s homes to watch in small groups (10 to 15) to have a feeling of a Jalsa while following socialdistancing protocols.

Snacks were served at such places to celebrate the Jalsa.

The programme of the Jalsa consisted of recitation of the Holy Quran, two Urdu poems and four speeches on the topics of “Khalifa is bestowed by God Almighty”, “Love and obedience to Khilafat”, “Responsibilities of an Ahmadi in light of messages received from Huzooraa in various Jalsa Salanas of Philippines” and “The love of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat for members of the Jamaat”.

Care for physically disabled in Niger Muhammad Jamal Niger Correspondent

In the prevailing circumstances, amid Covid-19, along with health emergency, people’s financial situation is very critical.

People are in dire need of assistance to cope with normal life and battle this calamity.

Physically disabled people are already facing burdensome challenges in normal routine and this devastating time makes them more prone to effects caused by this coronavirus outbreak.

Humanity First Niger, along with Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger, supported

by Humanity First Norway, is engaged in activities to provide relief to disabled and deserving people.

The event took place in Dogon Doutchi, a small town of Niger, about 300 kilometres east of the capital Niamey and 40 kilometres from the Nigerian border.

In total, 70 food hampers were distributed.

The items included face masks, rice, soap, tea, cooking oil and sugar.

Along with Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Niger, Asad Majeeb Sahib, the prefect of Doutchi, mayor of Doutchi and Missionary of Doutchi Muhammad Jamal Sahib also attended the event and distributed the kits. Appreciation was beaming on the faces of people, which cannot be described in words.

May Allah reward those who contributed in this noble cause. Amin.

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Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

Opinion: I caught Covid-19 and here’s my experience Dr Noureen Ahmad General Practitioner, Belgium As a general practitioner, it was only a matter of time before getting infected with the coronavirus. Despite working with full PPE, it remains a huge challenge to avoid a Covid-19 infection as we’re exposed daily to it through patients. After catching it, I kept a daily journal about my symptoms and parameters.

On the Thursday when I came home, I was extremely tired which was not unusual due to a lot of workload in recent months. Suddenly I felt very dizzy. During the night, my fever started with chills and night sweats and I was deprived of sleep.

I started with isolation in my home to prevent spreading this to my family. My father wrote a letter immediately to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

The next day, my fever increased as I felt more ill. Muscle pains and cramps started all over my body, especially in the back, neck and legs. It was impossible to leave my bed. I also had a runny nose and a sore throat. During the day, I started to develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea (no vomiting), abdominal cramps and diarrhea. I lost my appetite and noticed the total loss of my taste and my smell.

On day three, my fever remained, however the muscle pains got tolerable, but I still could not leave my bed. The upper respiratory symptoms (throat pain and runny nose) were now accompanied with a non-dry cough. This cough was paired with a lot of mucus which led sometimes to moments of shortness of breath. A chest pain started, which felt like a heavy pressure in my chest, leading to breathing difficulties. In these episodes of shortness of breath and chest pains, an anxious feeling would overcome me. This was something I had never felt before.

My gastrointestinal symptoms vanished, however my appetite was still lost.

On day four, my fever finally dropped and I could get out of bed. My body still felt cold, but I was very happy that my muscle pains disappeared totally. However, my non-dry cough increased in frequency and intensity, especially at night. The chest pain became continuous and these both led to shortness of breath. The positive element of this day was that my appetite was slowly coming back. I could eat fruits and vegetables.

Over the next few days I was feeling much better than the past days. The cough turned into a dry cough, however I experienced no more breathing problems.

Occasionally I felt out of breath, for example, going up the stairs or walking in the garden. I also performed a nose swab test on myself to check for Covid-19. It is an unpleasant test, but not painful. It was positive for SARS-Cov-2, or Covid-19 infection.

By the grace of Allah, symptoms reduced as the month went by and my sense of smell and taste returned. I still felt extreme fatigue, but I was recovering.

On day 21, I did a blood test to check for antibodies against Covid-19. It is important as a doctor to know if I have antibodies as my job exists of being in daily contact with Covid-19 patients. The blood test showed that my body had developed antibodies against it.

From what I have experienced, a Covid-19 infection is different than a regular flu or a common cold. The unusual and disturbing symptoms were mostly shortness of breath and chest pain, which lead to uncertainty. Also, the loss of smell and taste are very common symptoms.

However symptoms vary from person to person but, for the most part, have a common trend.

It is also important to quarantine at home immediately, as soon as the first symptoms occur and preferably in one’s own room (with a separate bathroom) to avoid other family members getting ill. In the period of my illness, sadly everyone at home got sick at the same time.

Before and during my illness, I was continuously taking homeopathic medicines advised by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Before the infection, I was taking AAG (aconite, arsenic alb, gelsemium 200) two times a week and chelidonium majus (1x) three times a week. After experiencing the first symptoms on day 1, I added BIDO (bacillinum, influenzium, diphtherinum, oscillococcinum 200) and chelidonium majus (1x), both twice a day, for two weeks. I kept taking them until my symptoms disappeared and then returned to the previous prescription.

It is also important to stay cautious as this is a new illness. It is advised to have a thermometer and a saturation (or an oxygen meter) at home to follow the disease properly, it will also lead to appropriate communication with your doctor which are mostly telephone based right now.

Fevers usually start above 38°C (100°F) however some studies suggest that the body can feel feverish from 37°C (98°F) in a Covid-19 infection. An oxygen or a pulse meter measures the blood oxygen in the blood through a sensor placed on the fingertip. Normal oxygen in the blood is

between 96-99% and it is a good parameter to evaluate the clinical condition when feeling shortness of breath. Guidelines recommend that when the blood oxygen is 92% or below, one should contact their doctor.

Covid-19 infection gives an array of symptoms. Fever usually comes with chills and night sweats, which leads to excessive loss of water. Thus, is it very important to drink a lot of water. Also, if clothes get soaked from sweating, changing them immediately can avoid quick temperature changes. For the fever and muscle pains, your best option is taking only paracetamol (acetaminophen) occasionally. I would take this only before sleeping to have a good night rest (8-10 hours of sleep).

The loss of appetite happened due to several reasons, but mainly because of the nausea feeling. For this, my father, a homeopathic doctor, would give me ipecacuanha 30, which gave me quick

exist of taking deep breaths (6-7x) every two hours by inhaling through the nose and holding the breath for a moment and then exhaling through the mouth. I did these breathing exercises daily and they most definitely helped toward my shortness of breath.

There are several studies discussing supplements for Covid-19 infection and prevention. I would take extra vitamin D, as some studies show that patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms also had severe vitamin D deficiencies. I would take this in the form of cod liver oil capsules, also known for other health benefits such as reducing inflammation in the body.

For extreme tiredness, I would get vitamin B12 injections. This was a remedy against severe weakness often used by my grandfather, Dr Manzoor Ahmad. I would not take extra supplements for vitamin C as I was eating a lot of fruits.

The last important point to mention

relief from nausea. Besides patience not much can be done for the loss of the taste and smell.

During this illness, I was more focused on eating fruits as they contain a lot of vitamins and water. I would eat at least three apples, two pears and one kiwi, which boosted up my energy. When my appetite was slowly returning, I would eat cooked or steamed vegetables and would avoid oil-rich heavy meals.

Shortness of breath would occur while lying down on my back. A useful tip is to add extra pillows at night for the head to be elevated. I did not use nose sprays or cough syrups for the cough but used a teaspoon of honey (three times a day) instead and found it very useful. Recently, Dr Noori Sahib from Pakistan advised some breathing exercises online. They

is not to panic if you catch Covid-19.

This is because fear and anxiety can be so overwhelming causing strong emotions which can lead to worsening of symptoms.

From my personal experience, there were moments of anxiety, but it is important to try to ignore these feelings and focus on prayers instead and write immediately to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa for prayers.

As Ahmadis, we are lucky to have the dua (prayers) and the dawa (medicine) of our Huzooraa. So, if one does get ill, one must remember that Allah is: “The Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Mighty, the Wise” (Surah alTaghabun, Ch.64: V.19).

Allah has full control over everything, and He is the true Healer. We must implore before Him.

Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

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100 Years Ago...

Alexander Russell Webb’s love for Ahmadiyyat and news from Ceylon, Malabar, India and UK Al Hakam, 14 June 1920 The first Ahmadi belonging to America is Mr Alexander Russell Webb. Mr Russell has travelled to India and even came to Lahore. However, he was unable to visit Qadian owing to certain people, which he later regretted. He conveyed the message of Ahmadiyyat in America and some people paid attention to his words.

After his return from Hindustan, Mr Russell Webb wrote a letter to Mufti Sahib on 9 March 1902 from Orford, America.

This letter was in response to a letter from the Mufti Sahib, which he wrote to Mr Webb from India on 22 February 1902.

Mr Russell opened his letter in the following way: “My dear brother, Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

“I just received your letter dated 22 February 1902 and I was very happy to read it. I am relieved to hear that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is sincerely interested in my efforts to spread the wonderful truths of Islam here. Since my work is difficult and sometimes frustrating, I am happy to hear that Hazrat Mirza Sahib and you are praying for me. When I went to India, I was sure that our Muslim brothers would help me to their full extent. I did not imagine for a moment that anyone who is called a Muslim would oppose me and halt my efforts. I had already told them clearly that many Christians would oppose me and level allegations to frustrate my success and carry out all kinds of opposition. I had advised them not to listen to these … Christians and try to discern their motives. However, as soon as the news of the opposition of the Christians here reached India, the unfaithful Muslims over there turned against me and tried to hurt me in every way possible. They forgot all the promises they had made to me and sought only a statement to break their confessions. Now I understand why they did that. The fact is that their religious knowledge is only superficial. Truthfulness and light is not found in them. Moreover, faithfulness towards the Holy Prophetsa is not present in their hearts.”

Then he writes, “It is good that they no longer have a relationship with me.”

Then Mr Russell mentions the Muslims [of America] and says that we should write to them because the Muslims over there feel very happy to write to the Muslims of India.

Finally, he states:

“I miss my dear brother Hassan Ali very much. I remember the time I spent in his wonderful company. He tried to do good according to his understanding but like me, he also made a mistake. I am pleased to hear that he had the audience of Hazrat Mirza Sahib before he passed away. He helped me when I was in India and I regret why he and I did not go to Qadian at that time.”

He was the first person who became an Ahmadi in America and after his return from India, he was very sad that he did not go to Qadian. Mr Webb preached Ahmadiyyat to the people there and sent some addresses to Qadian. Hazrat Mufti Sahib corresponded with one of them. That person replied from New York on 8 March 1903. His name is Anderson. The way he expressed his thoughts in his letter are as follows: “I received your letter dated 28 January 1903 and now I write the answer. I often get magazines of The Review of Religions through Mr Webb which are published from Qadian. I am sincerely interested in some of its articles because they are written on genuine issues. I think that a person whose nature is keen on seeking the truth, these [articles] would be very valuable to them. I myself want to buy it and hope to send its subscription price in this month.

“I got many benefits in Ahmadiyyat and I agree with you that it is destined for Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to unite the different sects of Islam. Moreover, through the study of The Review of Religions and from other sources, I have come to the conclusion that this holy man is in fact the Mahdi, or at least the forerunner of the Mahdi.”

In the end, he writes: “I see an emerging unity in all sects of Islam and the glory of our extraordinary religion will shine once again as it did in the early years, i.e. from the seventh to the eleventh century. I now conclude this letter and hope that I will receive a lot of news from you about this Jamaat. I am your true friend, Anderson.”

The way in which the American observers identified the Messiah is clear from these letters. They realised through their foresightedness that he was the only person through whom Islam would now progress.

So, O people of India! Behold, the people of other nations and countries …

have seen and recognised this little seedling that was planted in the earth. Through him, Islam will now rise. Come and clear your minds now so that we can move towards our real goal together.

We cannot imagine how much passion these people possessed and how much they would have prayed for America. In 1920, Hazrat Mufti Sahib reached America to revive the dead hearts.

From this, one can easily find out the pace of advancement of this nation, which is still despised by the nations of the world. In 1903, while it did not have the power to send its missionaries to America, at that time, the work was going on through correspondence. Plans to convert Americans to Islam through letters were under consideration. Not much time has passed since the same missionary who worked through correspondence undertook the world’s biggest journey and got there.

Praise be to Allah who made it all possible.

Tabligh of Ahmadiyyat in a Ceylon prison Ceylon’s alleged murder case has not yet been decided. The Ceylon’s recent letter reveals that Mr Lai, secretary of the Anjuman Ahmadiyya Ceylon, is strongly carrying out tabligh in prison. He is conveying the message of Ahmadas of Qadian and the words of tawhid [Unity God] to all the prisoners around him. They all listen to this message with keen interest. The message of the Messiah has been conveyed to the prison staff as well. This clearly shows the inner state of this Ahmadi that the fire of tabligh is burning in his heart. All the people should pray for this Yusuf-e-Sani [referring to Prophet Yusufas who was also imprisoned in the way of God] that he may soon be released from this prison. Amin!

Subsequent news reports indicate that thus far, the trial is going in our favour.

Every member of the Jamaat should continue to pray.

Members of Ceylon Jamaat are engaged in work with great perseverance. No cessation occurred in their works. Their passion did not deteriorate. In fact, they are very active in the field of tabligh.

Mail from Malabar Recently, Malabar mail has brought us a lot of news. Our readers are well acquainted

with the name of Din Hamid Sahib. He works as a special correspondent for Al Hakam in Malabar. He likes Al Hakam very much and keeps working hard for its publishing progress. May Allah reward him. (Sheikh Mahmood Ahmad) [Din Hamid Sahib states] “Respected and reverend Sheikh Sahib, Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

Kodaly and opposition “Nowadays, Kodaly Jamaat has to suffer a lot at the hands of its opponents. I have written about this before. Recently, it happened that Mr Fakhruddin had gone to Irrikur to sell Bitumen. Through the conspiracy of a sailor there, non-Ahmadis gathered around Fakhruddin Sahib for mischief-making. Then, the voice of ‘Qadia,’ ‘Qadia Kafir’ [disbeliever from Qadian] started to come from every corner.

Suddenly, people attacked this lone, naïve Ahmadi. Fakhruddin Sahib ran for his life.

Thereafter, the people started throwing stones at this oppressed one ... The poor soul had to jump into a river out of fear.

From there, thanks to God, he took refuge at his own place.

“In the same way, the opposition in Kodaly and its surroundings is increasing by the day. Since the time when Fakhruddin Sahib’s uncle, Abdur Rahman Sahib has done Bai‘at through Maulana Maulvi Abdur Rahim Sahib, opposition has not stopped.

They are suffering greatly. Opposition groups say that they hurt Abdur Rahman for bringing him back towards them. It has become very difficult for Ahmadis to pass through the markets of Kanjrur. As soon as people see Ahmadis, they start mocking. That is why Ahmadis come here secretly at night. Unable to cope with the situation, an application was prepared and sent to the Joint Magistrate, Tellicherry [now Thalassery] and DSP North Malabar to draw the attention of the authorities.

The police have been ordered to investigate the matter. Due to some interruptions, the police have not gone to Kanjrur so far.

Insha-Allah, this matter will be resolved within two to three days …

Inauguration ceremony of Ahmadiyya Mosque Pangari “Through the blessings of God, the construction of Ahmadiyya Mosque,

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Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM Pangari, has been completed in a month.

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Sahib went to Pangari on 6 May. Coincidentally, Mr Ahmed Kai Sahib came there from Calicut.

It was decided to celebrate the opening ceremony of the mosque on Friday, 12 April 1920. According to the resolution, the Jamaats from Kannur and other cities were also invited …”

Al Fazl, 14 June 1920 Postal address of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Respected Mufti Sahib has started tabligh work by renting a part of a house in the central and reputable area of New York City for lectures and office. His address is as follows: “Mufti Mohammad Sadiq Ahmadi Missioner 245 W 72 Street, New York City (USA)” The stamp on the letter from India to America costs two and a half annas [a unit of currency formerly used in the subcontinent, equal to 1/16 of a rupee] and the postcard stamp costs one anna.

Request for prayer Currently residing in Qadian, Mr Sagar Chand (Barrister-at-Law) writes: “I have a friend in the UK, Mr Smith Cliff. He has been blessed with a son

by God through the prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. He is close to becoming an Ahmadi Muslim. All Ahmadi brothers are requested to pray with all their hearts that he may become a complete Ahmadi as he will greatly serve our Jamaat in the UK. Presently, he provides us assistance in the tabligh of Islam in every way possible.”

[Mr Sagar Chand Sahib] writes about himself: “My aim is to go to the UK in the near future and initiate publishing of a monthly Ahmadi magazine from London. Pray immensely for its success and also that I get a passport and a seat on the ship to soon depart for the UK. At present, I intend to stay in Qadian for three to four weeks, insha-Allah.”

Announcement by Mir Sahib One of our dear friends sent a letter from Delhi and placed a one rupee note in it. He wrote: “These days are blessed, so pray for me.”

This act inspired me to call the Jamaat’s attention that if the prosperous members of the Jamaat send at least one rupee or more in Ramadan like the aforesaid brother for the motivation of prayers, they shall not experience a slight decrease in their wealth and there will be an increase in funds for the needy. A hint to the wise is quite sufficient.

[Mir] Nasir Nawab, Qadian (Translated by Al Hakam) Note: Although a great admirer of Ahmadiyyat and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, evidential proof is yet to be found of Alexander Russell Webb formally being part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

Humanity First activities in Kano, Nigeria Fowad Ahmed Ahmadiyya College, Kano, Nigeria

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc across the world. People have lost jobs, assets and, most tragically, lives. Lockdowns have been enforced by governments worldwide to limit the spread of the virus. However, the impact it has had on the economy has been nothing short of catastrophic.

From what was supposed to be a temporary closure of businesses, for some business owners, it became permanent as it was economically unfeasible to continue to run their businesses.

This unfortunate reality has been most vigorously experienced in the developing world, where governments are unable to afford to provide loans and grants to hand out to businesses so that they may stay afloat. Those who are not fortunate enough to work for a post in the government with a guarantee of receiving a salary are struggling to pay rent, bills and most importantly, three square meals for their families.

A problem that was already so prevalent in these countries has been exacerbated by this pandemic. The lockdown that was supposed to save lives by preventing the spread of the virus has brought out another epidemic, which is rife already – hunger.

I myself have witnessed it here in Nigeria where the majority of people are daily wage workers, whether they are street traders selling bread, mechanics or tailors. The restrictions on movement has put their lives in a desperate state because of the lack of customers.

This is where Humanity First have come in for assistance. They have not only assisted in the developing world, but also in the developed nations where people are struggling to keep food on the table.

Humanity First Nigeria started their Covid-19 relief efforts in Lagos last month

where they distributed food palliatives to those in desperate need. These relief packages made a very positive impact in easing the difficulties of many people, regardless of faith or background.

More than 500 families were assisted with this distribution.

In what is known as the northern hub of the country in the city of Kano, where I am based, 13 volunteers for Humanity First Nigeria and I had the opportunity to serve the people in need.

110 relief parcels were prepared which contained rice, beans, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, cooking oil and soap. These food parcels were distributed in different areas of the city, both rural and urban, serving hundreds of people in need.

During this distribution, I was given an eye-opening experience when I came to realise the effects this pandemic was having on people. I came across widows who were in distress, unable to feed the children they were left to look after. The relief and happiness on the faces of the people is something which is priceless and is what brings peace to the heart.

This was only possible with the generous donations made to Humanity First and also the volunteers on the ground who assisted in the distribution.

One such volunteer who passionately helped this cause is a non-Ahmadi parttime rickshaw driver and full-time school teacher, Mr Ilyas Musa. He usually spends his days during the pandemic solely on using his rickshaw, especially in the three days during the week in which the state government has allowed movement in

daylight hours. Instead of using the day of the distribution to make as much money as possible to keep himself in a better financial state, he decided to sacrifice some of these days solely for the sake of helping people in need. He spent his time in assisting with locating and delivering the bulk food palliatives, which he also helped to pack.

When I asked him why he refused the opportunity to make some extra money, he simply said: “I don’t have the financial means of assisting people in need. I am therefore unable to gain the blessings of this type of good deed. However, with this opportunity, which has arisen with Humanity First, I am able to take part in the blessings associated with helping the people in desperate need, which I would never have been able to before.”

This shows the great enthusiasm and passion our volunteers have when it comes to assisting people at the time of need.

May Allah bless all those who contributed to this noble cause financially and those who volunteered to make this distribution a success. Amin.

Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Addressing hunger among humanity: How Islam addresses challenges of sustainable food security

Hafiz Yunus Omotayo Missionary, Nigeria

A story that has continued to linger in my mind occurred over a decade ago during my time in the villages and towns situated in the east of Kogi State, Nigeria, where I was preaching the message of peace as a Muslim missionary. It was a case of a young lady who became pregnant from a premarital relationship she had with a poor man. She had no option other than to courageously bear the pregnancy through nine months of hunger and malnutrition.

The worst, however, was to happen on the day of her delivery. Although she had been lucky to have a safe and successful child delivery experience, the joy was not to last long. Just moments after the delivery, while still lying on the bed in the delivery room, her cry from the pangs of child-birth was quickly followed with the agony of hunger as she cried out in her Igala language: “Ebi a pu’mi!” (I’m hungry!); “Me du ujeun mi agba!” (Give me food, please!).

Unfortunately, as loud as her cry of anguish vibrated, it could not draw food from the poor father of her baby, nor from their families, nor from even the people around her at the clinic. Sadly, the poor girl died.

The disturbing fact is that from the continent of Africa, to Asia, South America and the rest of the continents that lie beyond, millions of similar cases are occurring daily in a world populated by millions of starving people. Specifically, around 9 million people die every year of hunger and hunger-related diseases. This is more than the yearly death toll of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

A child dies from hunger every 10 seconds. Poor nutrition and hunger are responsible for the death of 3.1 million children a year. That’s nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of five.

Children die because their bodies lack basic nutrients. (“How Many People Die From Hunger Each Year?”, www.theworldcounts. com/challenges/people-and-poverty/hungerand-obesity/how-many-people-die-fromhunger-each-year; Accessed 6 June 2020) What is hunger and who falls under the category of hungry? Why are people hungry? How fatal are the effects of hunger in the world? What are the challenges of food security in the world? What approaches and measures does Islam offer mankind in a bid to address challenges of food insecurity for the hungry world? This piece sets about to examine all this.

Hunger – Meaning, causes and global fatalities According to United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life.

Undernourishment or hunger exists when caloric intake is below the minimum dietary energy requirement (MDER). The MDER is the amount of energy needed to perform light activity and to maintain a minimum acceptable weight for attained height (FAO Statistical Yearbook 2012: Part 2, Hunger Dimensions, [PDF] FAO 2012. Accessed 8 June 2020) In politics, humanitarian aid and social science, hunger is a condition in which a person, for a sustained period, is unable to

eat sufficient food to meet basic nutritional needs.

Well into the 21st century, the hunger pandemic has continued as the gravest health crisis worldwide. And there is a tendency for it to become worse, most particularly now, when the world begins to face the effects of Covid-19. In fact, as restrictions on movement have already begun to affect the incomes of the vulnerable, disallowing food from getting to those who need it is causing millions of people globally to miss meals and snacks. Hindering the delivery of seeds and farming tools to farmers in many countries brings up the possibility that this global hunger pandemic could grow and threaten the lives of more vulnerable sections of our global human family.

Altogether, an estimated 265 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of 2020. (Global Hunger Facts, What You Need to Know, www.mercycorps. org/blog/quick-facts-global-hunger) Earlier, about two billion people have been freed from hunger since 1990, when the United Nations set the development goal to halve the number of people suffering from hunger by 2015. However, in 2019, the United Nations reported that after nearly ten years of progress, the past three years have seen an increase in the number of people suffering from hunger. (Ibid) It is regrettable that, while global hunger statistics had earlier showed progress, in recent years, the positive development has stopped. Particularly, since 2015, we have seen an increase in hungry people globally every year: 2015 saw 784 million hungry people; 2016 saw 804 million; 2017 saw 821 million and 2018 saw 822 million.

Globally, over 800 million people suffer from undernourishment. The statistics of undernourished people in the world has also seen an increase: 2015 saw 10.6% of the global population; 2016 saw 10.7%; 2017 saw 10.8% and 2018 saw 10.8%. It is also important to note that of the 822 million undernourished people in the world, 113 million face acute hunger, meaning they are in urgent need of food and nutrients. (“How Many People Die From Hunger Each Year?”, www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/peopleand-poverty/hunger-and-obesity/how-manypeople-die-from-hunger-each-year) Furthermore, in Nigeria, 27% of families experience foodless days. In India, it is 24%; in Peru, 14% (www.theglobalist.com/globalfood-security-10-challenges). One in every nine people goes to bed hungry each night, including 20 million people currently at risk of famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Nigeria. 98% of the world’s hungry population live in developing regions. The

highest number of malnourished people, 520 million, lives in Asia and the Pacific, in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 243 million people face hunger in arid countries like Ethiopia, Niger and Mali, while millions of people in Latin America and the Caribbean are struggling to find enough to eat, in places like Guatemala and Haiti. (Global Hunger Facts, What You Need to Know, www. mercycorps.org/blog/quick-facts-globalhunger) “Even in England and the United States of America”, observes Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, “There are hundreds of thousands of people without shelter and those who have to dip into dustbins to find some scrap of food to satiate their hunger.” (Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, Islam International Publications Ltd., UK [1997], p.211) Hunger is a perilous cycle that passes from one generation to the next. Families who struggle with chronic hunger and malnutrition consistently go without the nutrients their minds and bodies need, which then prevents them from being able to perform their best at work, school or to improve their lives. People suffering from chronic hunger are plagued with recurring illnesses, developmental disabilities and low productivity. They are often forced to use all their limited physical and financial resources just to put food on the table. (Ibid) Challenges of food security Why are millions of people finding it difficult to secure food to eat and beat both the “apparent” and “hidden” types of hunger – starvation and malnutrition?

The straightforward answers are, as many food experts would maintain, in the hungriest countries, families struggle to get the food they need because of several issues; lack of infrastructure, frequent war and displacement, natural disasters, climate change, chronic poverty and lack of purchasing power. More so, there is the challenge of food wastage. In fact, up to one-third of the food produced around the world is never consumed. Some of the factors responsible for food losses include inefficient farming techniques, lack of postharvest storage, management resources and broken or inefficient supply chains. (Ibid) Furthermore, bad governance and inaccessibility of food also constitute some of the challenges. Furthermore, people living in poverty – earning less than 1.25 USD per day – struggle to afford safe, nutritious food to feed themselves and their families.

As they grow hungrier, they become weak, prone to illness and less productive, making it difficult to work. If they are farmers, they can’t afford the tools, seeds and fertilisers they need to increase their production, let alone have the strength to perform laborious work. The limited income also means they often cannot afford to send their children to school or they pull them out to work to help support the family. Even if children are lucky enough to go to classes, their malnourishment prevents them from learning to their fullest. (Ibid) How Islam addresses the challenges of food security As a global religion of life, Islam recognises the necessity of sustainable food security for all mankind to enable them to eat and

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Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM live healthily, actively and productively.

In this context, Islam offers the following approaches and measures towards ensuring that humanity secures food, particularly, for the most vulnerable – the needy and poor.

Assurance of the earth’s capability of maximum food for humanity The world’s population is projected to rise to around 10 billion by 2050 – up from more than 7.5 billion today. That means there will be over 2 billion more people who need food by 2050. Making sure that there is enough for everyone to eat will be an increasing concern as the population multiplies. (Ibid) However, regarding the above concern, the Quranic declaration of the earth’s capability to afford maximum food for humanity is preeminently reassuring. Allah says: “He placed therein firm mountains rising above its surface, and blessed it with abundance, and provided therein its food in proper measure in four days – alike for all seekers.” (Surah Ha Mim al-Sajdah, Ch.41: V.11) Commenting on the above verse in the Quranic exegesis, the Five-Volume Commentary expounds: “The words, ‘Provided its food in proper measure’ signify that the earth is fully capable of providing food for all the creatures that live on it. The expression, ‘Alike for all seekers’ may signify that the foods that God has provided in the earth are equally accessible to all seekers who try to get them according to the laws of nature. It may also mean that all the physical needs and requirements of man have been adequately met in the foods that grow out of the earth. So the fear that the earth may not someday be able to grow sufficient food for the fast increasing population of the world is groundless.” (Five-Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran, Vol. 4, pp. 2322-2323) The extract concludes with a quote from Professor Colin Clark, Director of the Agriculture Economics Research Institute of Oxford University, who forecasted, “The world can provide food, fibre and all other agricultural requirements for 28 billion people.”

Our earth can feed 28 billion people!

This reassurance is further accentuated when read in light of the following expert projection documented in a journal article titled, “How many people can the earth feed”: “A combination of improved agronomic practices (above all, higher efficiencies of fertiliser and water use), lowered postharvest waste and healthier eating (mainly reduction of fat intake) could provide adequate nutrition for an additional three billion people without any increase in existing inputs. Furthermore, realistic mobilisation of new productive inputs could secure enough food for yet another two billion people. Consequently, there appear to be no insurmountable obstacles to feeding the global population of about ten billion people expected by the end of the middle of the twenty-first century.” (How many people can the earth feed? on JSTOR, www.jstor. org/stable/2137520?seq=1, Accessed 8 June 2020) Various governments must continue to devise mechanisms to reduce food loss and waste. In a food research article published

by World Resources Institute, the writers

maintained that approximately one-quarter of food produced for human consumption goes uneaten. Loss and waste occurs all along the food chain, from field to fork. Reducing food loss and waste by 25% by 2050 would close the food gap by 12%, the land gap by 27% and the GHG mitigation gap by 15%.

Actions to take include measuring food waste, setting reduction targets, improving food storage in developing countries and streamlining expiration labels. (How to sustainably feed 10 billion people by 2050, in 21 Charts, World Resources Institute, www. wri.org/blog/2018/12/how-sustainably-feed10-billion-people-2050-21-charts) Declaration of the four basic amenities The Holy Quran declares: “It is provided for thee that thou wilt not hunger therein, nor wilt thou be naked. And that thou wilt not thirst therein, nor wilt thou be exposed to the sun.” (Surah Ta Ha, Ch.20: V.119-120) In Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh noted: “Islam establishes minimum rights in the form of four-point charter by defining the basic needs which a state should procure: Food, clothing, water and shelter … Governments have both national and international responsibilities. These responsibilities on the national level are to fulfil the basic needs of each member of society by ensuring that all are fed adequately, clothed and provided with water and shelter. The international duty … is to fully participate in pooling resources to meet the challenges of widescale natural disasters or man-made calamities and to help such countries as are by themselves incapable of appropriately handling the crisis. As such, it is the duty of the state to set the matters aright by transferring back to the beggars and poor people what truly belongs to them. So the four fundamental requirements of food, clothing, water, and shelter, will have preference over all other considerations.” (Hazrat Mirza Tahir

Ahmadrh, Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, pp. 212-213) It should be noted that many hungry people live in countries with food surpluses, not food shortages. The issue, largely, is that the people who need food the most simply don’t have steady access to it (Global Hunger Facts, What You Need to Know, www.mercycorps.org/blog/quickfacts-global-hunger). In this context, it is therefore the responsibility of governments to put in place social security, infrastructure and system that would facilitate food accessibility, particularly, for the povertystricken citizens.

Prescription of feeding of the poor as a means of expiation Perhaps, among world religions, Islam has the distinction of adopting the prescription of feeding of the poor as a means of expiation

of omissions and commissions by Muslims.

For example, the penalty for breaking of an oath is feeding of ten poor persons with such average food as they feed their families (Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.90). Similarly, a Muslim who is guilty of intentionally killing game in a state of pilgrimage faces the penalty of feeding a number of poor persons as expiation (Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.96).

More so, while observing the fasts of Ramadan is compulsory, it is prescribed upon those who have no capacity to fast to feed the poor for the 30 days of fasts (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.185). Furthermore, a Muslim found guilty of zihar (the pagan custom of calling one’s wife “mother” with a view to cease conjugal relations with her) will have to expiate by feeding 60 poor persons (Surah al-Mujadalah, Ch.58: V.5). All this is calculated to alleviate the challenge of hunger of the downtrodden in the society.

Institutionalisation of capital levy (Zakat) To help work towards achieving a sustainable social security for the vulnerable sections of the society, which will, in turn, increase their purchasing power and consequently, facilitate their food security, Islam mandates payment of poor alms by the haves to cater for the haves-not (Surah al-Nur, Ch.24: V.57). The beneficiaries of this provision are also clearly stated: “The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and for those employed in connection therewith, and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for the freeing of slaves, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer – an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is All-knowing, Wise.” (Surah Al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.60) General exhortations on feeding of the poor The Holy Quran emphatically declares that anyone, particularly a Muslim, who neglects or does not urge the feeding of the poor has rejected or denied the essence of religion: “Hast thou seen him who rejects religion?

That is the one who drives away the orphan, and urges not the feeding of the poor” (Surah al-Ma‘un, Ch.107: V.2-4).

The Holy Quran exhorts uplifting of the poor as a necessity for national progress and censures every well-to-do that refuses to channel his wealth towards this path of material and spiritual progress: “And We have pointed out to him the two highways of good and evil. But he attempted not the ascent courageously. And what should make thee know what the ascent is?

It is the freeing of a slave. Or feeding in a day of hunger. An orphan near of kin. Or a poor man lying in the dust.” (Surah al-Balad, Ch.90: V.11-17) In his book, The Economic System of Islam, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra noted on these verses: “Feeding of an orphan, near of kin does not mean that one should only feed the orphan who is a relative … There are orphans who do not have relatives. These orphans are so helpless and friendless that at times, even the most stonehearted of men would feel sympathy and feed them … The last part of the verse asks why ‘a poor man lying in the dust’ was not fed … However, God expects us to have such sympathy and love that we must seek out the helpless poor who do not even have the capacity to protest and beg at someone’s door … he remains hidden away in sickness and grief; he is friendless with no hope or energy left.” (The Economic System of Islam, Islam International Publications Ltd. UK [2013], pp. 25-26) The Quran assures those who feed the poor of the bliss of paradise. It says: “And they feed, for love of Him, the poor, the orphan and the prisoner, saying, ‘We feed you for Allah’s pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you.

‘Verily, we fear from our Lord a frowning and distressful day.’ So Allah will save them from the evil of that day and will grant them cheerfulness and happiness.” (Surah alDahr, Ch.76: V.9-12) On the other hand, about those who do not feed the poor, it presents a dramatic scenario that will unfold between them and the people of the right hand – dwellers of paradise – on the Day of Judgement: “Except those on the right hand. They will be in Gardens asking one another concerning the guilty ones. ‘What has brought you into the Fire of Hell? They will say, ‘We were not of those who offered Prayers, nor did we feed the poor.” (Surah al-Muddaththir, Ch.74: V.40-45) In the canonical traditions (ahadith), it is reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa emphatically declared: “Such a person is not a believer who passed the night with a filled stomach while his close neighbour remained hungry.”

(Mustadrak Al Hakim) In the perspective of the Prophetsa of Islam, the best of Islam is “that you give food and express the greetings of peace upon the one known or unknown to you!” (Sahih alBukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Responding to Allegations

All prophets are rejected and questioned on their sanity Part II

In part one, we discussed how all prophets of Allah are mocked and labelled as “insane”. However, their arguments and subsequent triumph speak for themselves and dumbfound opponents, quickly dismantling these mockeries. In the same vein, the intellectual prowess and spiritual awe of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas proved that he was sent from Allah.

The Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas wrote more than two dozen books in Arabic and invited Arabs and non-Arabs alike to compose impressive and eloquent books in response to his arguments. However, no one was able to respond to even one book of his.

Pir Meher Ali Shah, a well-known pir (spiritual Muslim leader) in India, claimed to have a great command on the commentary of the Holy Quran and used to say that he had been blessed with the understanding of the Holy Quran.

The Promised Messiahas held a jalsa in Lahore on 20 July 1900 to distinguish between fact and fiction. He invited all the scholars in general and Pir Meher Ali Shah Sahib of Golra in particular to draw a surah of the Holy Quran by lot and write an insightful commentary of 40 verses in eloquent Arabic within seven hours after dua [prayer]. Not a single person accepted the challenge, nor did Pir Sahib. In order to deceive his followers and not finding the strength to enter into a scholarly contest, Pir Meher Ali Shah Sahib published the following announcement on 25 July 1900: “I whole-heartedly accept the invitation to attend the meeting in Lahore with the conditions laid down by Mirza [Ghulam Ahmad], but first we will have a verbal debate on his claim to be the Messiah. Then, if Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and both of his companions express the opinion that in this debate Mirza [Ghulam Ahmad] is not right in his claim, he will have to take Bai‘at [pledge of initiation] at my hand. The contest of writing commentary shall only be allowed to begin after that.” (Waqi‘ate-Sahihah by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, pp. 25-26 [A Critical Review of the Pamphlet – Fateh-e-Qadian, p. 12-13]) Pir Sahib expertly sought to escape from the challenge through the above announcement. Explaining this matter, the Promised Messiahas said: “... It is obvious that if I am victorious [in the verbal debate], I would have no

further need for a contest of manifesting divine support. On the other hand, if I am overpowered, I would be expected to take Bai‘at. Now the readers should decide whether there is any room for the contest of manifesting divine support which I had invited him to…

“Pir [Meher Ali] wants me to revert to the same position ... regarding which I have made a written declaration in my book Anjam-e-Atham ... that in future I will not enter into verbal debates ... He has put forward the excuse of a verbal debate with the intention that if I [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad] do not come for the debate, he will beat the drum of victory in public. And if I will debate, he will say that I have broken a solemn promise which I had made with God.” (Tohfah-e-Golarhviyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, pp. 88-90 [A Critical Review of the Pamphlet – Fateh-e-Qadian, p. 13]) Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas issued an announcement on 15 December 1900: “If Pir [Meher Ali] has a genuine command of composing eloquent commentary in Arabic, and has not used any deception, he will still possess this ability. Therefore, I ask him, in the name of Allah, that he should fulfil my request in the following way. He should write a learned commentary in Arabic, no less than four juzw [a juzw comprises 16 pages] of a book, on Surah al-Fatihah to refute my claims. I, in turn, will write a learned commentary in eloquent Arabic on the same chapter of the Holy Quran, with the grace and power granted by God, in support of my claims. He is permitted to get help from the scholars of the world, inviting the learned and eloquent men from Arabia, and seeking the help of the professors of Arabic in Lahore and other cities. Starting from 15 December 1900, we shall both be permitted 70 days to complete this task. This time will not be extended by a single day. Having completed this commentary in contest with me, if three well known writers from Arabia were to declare that the Pir’s commentary indeed contains all the essential elements of eloquence and learning, and is full of spiritual wisdom, I will give him a prize of 500 rupees in cash.

I will also set fire to all my books and will take the Bai‘at [pledge of initiation] at his hands. However, if the result is contrary, or if Pir [Meher Ali] fails to write anything in

the allocated time, then I have no need to take Bai‘at from such people, nor do I need their money. I only want to demonstrate that despite being known as a pir, he has uttered such a despicable lie.” (Arba‘in, No. 4, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, pp. 449-450 [A Critical Review of the Pamphlet – Fateh-eQadian, pp. 28-29]) Moreover, the Promised Messiahas stated: “I allow him, by all means, to call Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghaznavi, Muhammad Hasan Bheen or other similar people. He even has the discretion to get the services of some writers from Arabia. The commentary of both parties should not be less than four juzw. If in the allocated period of 70 days, i.e. 15 December 1900 to 25 February 1901, one of the two parties does not publish the commentary and the time has passed, then he will be considered a liar and no other proof will be needed to prove him to be in the wrong.” (Arba‘in, No. 4, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, p. 484 [Ibid, p. 29]) Regarding this contest, God the Almighty revealed the following to the Promised Messiahas: ‫منعہ مانع من السماء‬ The Promised Messiahas explained: “This means that in this competition of writing a commentary, no one will be able to compete with you. God has deprived the opponents of the capacity and the knowledge.

“Although the revelation refers only to a single masculine person, namely, Meher Shah [Pir Meher Ali Shah], but God made me understand that all opponents are included in it so that a truly highest and greatest sign might be shown; that is, if all opponents were to join together like one person to write a commentary in competition with me, they would certainly not be able to do it.” (Al Hakam, 24 January 1901, [Tadhkirah, p. 517]) Through the blessings and succour of God Almighty, in accordance with the above announcement, the Promised Messiahas published an insightful and profound commentary of Surah al-Fatihah entitled, Ijaz-ul-Masih, on 23 February 1901 within the given time period.

The Promised Messiahas made it clear that the reason for writing the commentary was to prove the falseness and deceptiveness of Pir Mehr Ali Shah’s claim that he had the

knowledge of the Holy Quran.

According to the great prophecy, neither Pir Meher Ali Shah Sahib of Golra, nor any other great writer of Arab or non-Arab dared to write even a similar commentary.

Therefore, the Promised Messiahas wrote on the title page of the book in clear words: ّ ‫فانہ کتاب لیس لہ جواب۔ ومن قام للجواب و‬ ‫تنمر۔ فسوف یری انہ‬ ّ ّ ‫تندم و‬ ‫تذمر‬ “Surely it is a book that cannot be refuted. He who, being incensed, sets out to write a reply, will soon realise he is in a remorseful state and has come to a sorry end.”

Similarly, the Promised Messiahas invited Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi to write an eloquent commentary of the Holy Quran in Arabic but he did not accept the challenge. Discussing the criterion of this contest, the Promised Messiahas states: “[Heading] A spiritual sign that will prove whether this humble [Messiah] is truthful and assisted by God Almighty or not and whether Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Batalvi is right in calling this humble a liar and antichrist or he himself is a liar and antichrist “The wise people can understand that among various kinds of signs, exist the signs related to insight, knowledge and wisdom. They are specially granted to those who are spiritually pure and recipient of great blessings. As the verse: َ ُ‫لَا يَ َم ُّس ُه إلَّا ال ْ ُم َط َّهر‬ ‫ون‬ ِ [“Which none shall touch except those who are purified.” (Surah al-Waqiah, Ch.56: V.80)] and the verse: ً ‫َو َمن يُ ْؤ َت الْح ْك َم َة َفقَ ْد أُوتيَ َخي ْ ًرا َكث‬ ‫ِيرا‬ ِ ِ [“Whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would be reminded except those endowed with understanding.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V.270)], clearly testify to this fact. Hence, this sign will be a clear criterion to test my truth and falsehood against Mian Muhammad Hussain. And the best arrangement for this decision can be a short Jalsa in which the recommended judges select and present a few surahs of the Holy Quran which are no less than 80 verses for interpretation. And then by a lot, a surah should be drawn in them and its interpretation should be considered as a standard test.

“And for this particular commentary, it should be made mandatory that it should

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Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM be written in eloquent Arabic language and carry a rhyme scheme and should not be less than ten juzw. As far as points of knowledge and wisdom are composed in it, they should not be copied, rather it should possess new meanings and diverse pearls of wisdom, which are not found in any other book. However, they should not be against the original teachings of the Quran, but should manifest their power and glory. And at the end of the book, a poem of a hundred couplets should be written in sublime and eloquent Arabic as naat and praise of the Holy Prophetsa as an ode. And the rhythm in which it should be composed should also be suggested in the same Jalsa by drawing lot.

“Both the parties should be given a period of 40 days for this work and after 40 days in a public jalsa, the parties should narrate their own commentary and their own poems, which will be in Arabic. Then, if this humble [Messiah] relative to Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, is unable to present insightful points and eloquent composition in Arabic, and not able to write grand couplets of praise and fall inferior to him, or even if Sheikh Muhammad Hussain remains equal to this humble one, then instantly, I will admit my mistake and burn my books.” (Aina Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 602-603) The Promised Messiahas then writes: “A few months ago I read an article in which Mian Muhammad Hussain had written that I was a liar, the antichrist, faithless, completely ignorant, stupid and altogether unaware of knowledge of faith. I then supplicated the Divine for help. After the supplication I was favoured with the revelation: َ ُ ‫ْاد ُعونِي أ ْس َت ِج ْب لَك ْم‬ That is ‘Call on Me, I shall respond to you.’ But I was naturally loath to pray for the punishment of anyone.” (Aina Kamalate-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 604 [Tadhkirah, p. 281]) The Promised Messiahas further states: “Today, 29 Sha‘ban 1310 AH, at the time of writing this essay, God Almighty made my heart incline towards supplication and I immediately supplicated in a very moving manner for success in this competition. My heart was reassured and I realised that my prayer had been accepted. I am sure that the revelation which I had received concerning Mian [Muhammad Hussain] Batalvi in the words: َ َ َ َ ْ ّ ‫ِان ِ ْي ُم ِهي ٌن ّم ْن ا َر َاد ِا َهان َتك‬ [I shall humiliate him who seeks to humiliate you], had reference to this occasion. I have appointed a period of 40 days for this competition in my supplication, and the same time-period was caused to be uttered by my tongue.” (Aina Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 604 [Tadhkirah, p. 298]) Hence, through the fulfilment of grand prophecies and divine help enjoyed by the Promised Messiahas, God the Almighty proved that it was not Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas who was delusional or insane, but in fact, the likes of Pir Meher Ali Shah of Golra and Sheikh Muhammad Hussain of Batala etc. were indecisive and confused because they lacked the courage and strength to produce any piece of writing even equal in grandeur and wisdom to the Promised Messiahas.

Opinion: 2020 – Clouds of darkness Zaki Ahmad UK

2020 did not start off very peacefully with the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, when it seemed the USA and Iran moved closer to an all-out war. Then the world was introduced to coronavirus. Like a pinball game, the virus found its way around our planet’s every country and nation. The “invisible enemy” did not see race, social status or religious ideology and infected anyone and everyone.

The centre of the pandemic moved around different continents, first Asia, then Europe, followed by North America, and currently South America where in Brazil the infection has one of the fastest rate of spread. It seemed that nothing else has been happening geopolitically, socially or economically besides the pandemic for the better part of the year.

Then, on 25 May, George Floyd, a 46year old African American in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a Northern US state, was murdered in cold-blood by a white police officer.

Soon, things went south with protests spreading across nearly every US state and then spreading to European countries and elsewhere. The National Guard were called in dozens of states and Mr Trump threatened military deployment against his own citizens – an order often reserved for foreign lands. At one point, Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, had to be escorted to an underground bunker whilst people gathered outside the White House to make their voices heard.

In his opinion piece for the New York Times, Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize winning economist summarises the emergent pandemic of racism in the following words: “… the core story of US politics over the past four decades is that wealthy elites weaponised white racism to gain political power, which they used to pursue policies that enriched the already wealthy at workers’ expense”. (www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/ opinion/trump-george-floyd-police-brutality. html) We see a similar issue with Pakistan’s politics where the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been turned into a political weapon by the government or the opposition to shift public focus from their own shortcomings or controversies and never-ending scandals.

I remember one specific sentence from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa first Friday Sermon of 2020, where Huzooraa said: “… as we enter the New Year, we congratulate one another, however clouds of darkness continue to gather ahead”. (Friday Sermon, 3 January 2020) Since then, these “clouds of darkness” have been manifested by both man-made events as well as natural events (although

it can be argued that natural calamities are ultimately due to our own action i.e. climate change).

The world is living through a pandemic, a once-in-a-century event, record level of locust invasions in East Africa and South Asia, civil unrest in America and Lebanon among other countries and not to mention the increased occurrence of extreme weather disasters.

Protests against police brutality are not an unfamiliar occurrence in recent American history, but this time, it seems different with no end in sight. On social media, white academics from prestigious white-dominated institutions openly support black people and their decades long struggle to seek justice which the US constitution entitles them to. Many white Americans are also joining the protests from small towns to metropolises. Coupling the fact that 41 million Americans are without jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ever-growing gap between the rich and the poor, George Floyd’s death likely acted as a trigger for social reform.

According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) 2020 report, there continues to be racial injustice in the US where imprisonment rate for black men is six times more than for white men. What is noteworthy is that the black community has long-experienced economic and political disparity which ultimately results in commitment of crimes. Thus, this is not simply an issue of black people committing crimes, but as HRW explains, “rather than address problems of poverty – including homelessness, mental health, and gang involvement – with services, support, and economic development, many US jurisdictions simply add more police and effectively ‘criminalise’ poor communities, a vicious circle that fuels high rates of incarceration”.

In my view, a fundamental problem would remain, even if all the points highlighted by HRW were to be addressed

by state and federal governments, and even if, as the protestors hope, Trump is voted out in November: the disease of police violence.

In a simplistic view, it is one human being inhumane to another human. It is no different to when a terrorist mercilessly kills civilians in God’s name or a police officer kills an unarmed individual in the name of protecting the law of the land. Murder of an innocent person represents the highest form of wickedness and injustice. How rightfully has the Holy Quran described the person who has killed an innocent person “as if he had killed all mankind”. (Surah Al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.33) I hope we, as individuals and as a society, find a clear path forward and that our conscience becomes as clear as the blue sky. Let it be plain and clear that neither I, nor anyone else is doing any favour on black people by writing, speaking or praying for them.

Here, I am reminded of a few lines from the movie Simple Justice (1993) which is based on Thurgood Marshall who successfully serves as the chief attorney for the plaintiffs in the Brown vs Board of Education, the name given to five separate cases that were heard by the US Supreme Court about segregation of black people in public schools.

After wining the case, Marshall receives a phone call from John W Davis, who argued the case for the State, to congratulate him and says, “You must be very grateful”.

Marshall replies “I am very happy, but I am not thanking anybody. Nobody gave us anything today. What we got is ours by right. Simple justice”.

(The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Al Hakam or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat)

Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Opinion: The age of conspiracy

Ahmad Kamal Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements in modern era.

Vaccines have helped battle against diseases – including polio, smallpox and measles – at astonishing levels.

But some groups reject the science, citing a distrust in modern medicine and government. Others say mandatory vaccine requirements violate their religious freedom; some say that a secret society of billionaires is plotting global domination through vaccines.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the latter and the Internet has aided the spread of such conspiracies.

It seems humanity has always clung onto myths and conspiracies that have no reality to them. A lack of education and knowledge of the world could be blamed for this.

However, what’s worrying is that in our age of education, science and knowledge, such conspiracies are still rife and are causing harm to society. The important step is to validate, examine and critically pick apart such exaggerated claims.

Conspiracy theories during Covid-19 have shattered the public trust. On 4 May

2020, a half-hour video positing that a secret group of elite world leaders unleashed the coronavirus on the global population as part of a plot to either enact population control or force people to get vaccinated was posted on social media.

This video – popularly known as “Plandemic” – quickly took social media by storm. Uploads of “Plandemic” had more than eight million views across social platforms, with one version on YouTube hitting 7.1 million views before it was taken down.

This video is undoubtedly harmful as it falsely aims to spread that wearing masks will “activate” the virus, among other things.

The video is rife with misinformation and conspiracy theories and is reappearing, though attempts to take it down are continuously made. (www.nytimes. com/2020/05/20/technology/plandemicmovie-youtube-facebook-coronavirus.html) LifeSite News, a Catholic anti-abortion website has gathered more than 550,000 signatures at the time of writing this on a petition protesting against mandatory coronavirus vaccination orders. (https:// lifepetitions.com/petition/no-mandatoryvaccine-for-covid-19) In the 2000s, some Taliban members

in Pakistan and Afghanistan issued fatwas (religious edicts) opposing vaccination as an “American plot” to sterilise Muslims.

After the spread of this false propaganda, vaccination officials were kidnapped, beaten and even assassinated.

Thus, polio remains an endemic in Pakistan because of such misinformation campaigns.

Observing the current situation in America, the racial inequality can be trailed back to when distorted theories concerning Africans were hammered into the minds of the public, just to legitimise slavery.

In the early nineteenth century, imperial Britain barred slavery and halted the Atlantic slave trade and in the decades that followed, slavery was gradually outlawed throughout the Americas. But even though the slaves were “freed”, the racist fallacies that justified slavery persisted and loopholes to legitimise slavery were set deep into the American constitution.

To justify their racism, people argued that blacks were less intelligent than whites and their moral sense, less developed.

Doctors alleged that blacks lived in filth and spread diseases – in other words, they were a source of pollution. They were branded as less intelligent, more violent, lazier and less concerned about personal cleanliness than whites. They were thus tainted as the agents of violence and disease etc.

These prejudices were increasingly entrenched as time went by. The vile myths struck a chord in American culture and Western culture generally. They continued to exert their influence long after the conditions that created slavery had disappeared, the effects of which we are seeing today in America.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is no stranger to conspiracies against them.

Endless lists of baseless conspiracies are drawn against Ahmadis, from being British agents to dividing the Muslims to creating a “heaven and hell” – conspiracy theories against Ahmadiyyat continue to expand and grow, both in number and novelty. Added

to these are the hollow claims against the personage of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him.

All these lies were spread to deceive the general public and sway them far away from the truth. Muslim clerics fabricated tales and fed them to their followings, including young children. The sad reality is that these children grew up hating Islam Ahmadiyyat and failed to carry out any sort of substantial research to investigate the authenticity of their beliefs.

This has resulted in Ahmadis being severely prosecuted in Pakistan or at least seen with contempt. Life-long neighbours turn into bitter enemies overnight after listening to the mullahs spew (false and baseless) hatred about Ahmadis.

Hence, many of the troubles humanity faces stem out of consistently trying to camouflage the truth. Lying is indeed one of the greatest vices facing humanity. This is why the Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, strongly condemn falsehood and dishonesty. The Quran even asks why people say that which they have no knowledge of. This was further echoed by the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, who continuously taught his community to stay well clear of lying and deceit. He said: “Whosoever does not give up lying and deceit is not of my community. Whosoever is consumed by material greed and does not lift his eyes to look at the Hereafter is not of my community. Whosoever does not truly give precedence to religion over the world is not of my community.” (Noah’s Ark, p. 31) The responsibility to take everything with a pinch of salt and to validate all that we hear, share and promote is everyone’s responsibility. The threat of baseless conspiracy theories is very real and can have detrimental consequences.

(The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Al Hakam or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat)

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Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

Jamaat Detroit celebrates Khilafat Day Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA

Muhammad Ahmad Sahib of Detroit reports that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Detroit held its Khilafat Day on 31 May 2020.

This year’s Khilafat Day was held online due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions on gatherings. Members from Detroit, Dayton and Columbus jointly celebrated Khilafat Day for Mid-West region.

Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Sahibzada Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib presided the programme.

The formal programme started with the recitation and translation of the Holy Quran

by Qummer Mahmood Sahib of Detroit Jamaat. Following the recitation, Masood Khan Sahib of Detroit Jamaat recited a poem and presented its translation.

Regional Missionary, Shamshad Nasir Sahib welcomed and thanked Amir Jamaat USA for taking the time to attend and preside over the programme. He also welcomed members from the three Jamaats – Dayton, Detroit and Columbus – in his welcome remarks and thanked them all for being present to attend the programme.

Shamshad Nasir Sahib provided the background of the Khilafat Day and its beginning in the Jamaat.

“Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya started on 27

May 1908, when Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra was elected as the First Khalifa of the Promised Messiahas. This is why we commemorate Khilafat Day every year on 27 May. For members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, this is a special day that comes in the month of May”, said Shamshad Nasir Sahib.

He briefly outlined its history by mentioning that the very first time that Khilafat Day was celebrated by the worldwide Ahmadiyya Jamaat, was on 27 May 1957. This was in accordance with the instruction of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Khalifatul Masih IIra that he had given on the Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in Rabwah in October 1956.

The venue of this august convention in Rabwah was Masjid Mubarak and was presided over by Hazrat Maulana Abul Ata Sahib, then principal of Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah. The proceedings, that started at 7am and lasted till 11am, consisted of addresses delivered by scholars of the Jamaat on a variety of aspects of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya. Speeches covered the Quranic aspect of the institution of Khilafat, how it is to be understood from the ahadith, how the Promised Messiahas gave a clear indication about it in Al-Wasiyyat (The Will) and how Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira not only had firm belief in Khilafat but also made his belief known on many occasions when he

IAAAE distributes food in Sierra Leone Abdul Hadi Qurashi Sierra Leone Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone is not only occupied in the propagation of the true teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat, but it also endeavours to serve humanity in general whenever any such need arises.

Along with the most developed countries of the world, the pandemic of Covid-19 has also affected the poor, underdeveloped countries of Africa. As of now, the virus has been contracted by over 1,000 people in Sierra Leone and around 50 people have died from it.

The government of Sierra Leone has placed some restrictive measures to control the spread of the virus. These measures include a night curfew in the whole country from 9pm to 6am, a ban on inter district travel, a ban on congregations in places of worship, closure of schools and other educational institutes. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone is abiding by all these instructions of the government.

On 28 May 2020, under the supervision of Regional Missionary in North, Tahir

Ahmad Farrukh Sahib, the International Association of Ahmadiyya Architects and Engineers (IAAAE) distributed dry rations worth 12 million leones to 130 deserving families of eight villages in Makeni Region.

These villages also included a model village developed by IAAAE in Makeni.

The items that were distributed includes 1,300 kilograms of rice, four bags of onions, ten bags of salt, face masks, ten cartons of tomato paste.

The administration of the area and residents appreciated the timely help by IAAAE. May Allah the Almighty enable us to help humanity. Amin.

saw a group of people drifting away from it.

Shamshad Nasir Sahib narrated quotations of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, where Huzooraa advised that the task and mission of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya is to protect and defend Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and they can do it only when they listen to the Khalifa and spread his message to others.

Following Shamshad Sahib’s remarks, Amir Jamaat USA invited Dr Ahmad Munir Sahib of Detroit Jamaat to deliver his presentation on “Allah’s help and assistance with Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya”.

Ahmad Munir Sahib spoke at length regarding specific incidents from the Jamaat’s history when enemies of the Jamaat thought that the Jamaat’s days were numbered. However, by the sheer help, mercy and support of Allah, Jamaate-Ahmadiyya continued to progress, strengthen and increase in not only size but also in faith, despite increased opposition from enemies.

Following this, Kamil Salam Sahib of the Columbus Jamaat spoke on the blessings of Khilafat with reference to USA Jamaat’s 100 years.

He provided multiple examples of USA Jamaat’s progress during the last 100 years.

He quoted examples including the number of mosques built under the guidance of

Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat, even though Jamaat members numbered only a few with extremely limited resources. By the grace of Allah, all these projects were completed successfully under the guidance of the Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Frasat Ahmad Sahib of Detroit Jamaat later recited a poem and provided translation.

Following the poem, President Detroit Jamaat, Maqbool Tahir Sahib thanked Amir USA for his time to join the Detroit Jamaat members for Khilafat Day and preside over the Khilafat Day programme, despite his busy schedule.

He then invited Dr Abdul Qudus Shahid Sahib and Rafi Malik Sahib, Presidents of Dayton and Columbus Jamaats respectively, to make announcements related to their respective Jamaats.

At the conclusion, Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya USA addressed members. Amir Sahib drew everyone’s attention towards examining and reviewing their conditions and reminding everyone that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’saa instructions must be listened to and heeded. He also spoke about offering Salat five times a day and offering all kind of sacrifices. Amir Sahib led members in silent prayer and thanked all for attending the programme.

May Allah reward all the organisers who worked hard to put together the programme and the presenters for preparing and delivering presentations to make it a success.

Amin.

Dates for 2,200 refugees in Athens Atta-ul-Naseer National President, Jamaat Greece

Over the years, refugees who have arrived in Greece are mainly from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and several African Countries. A vast majority of them are Muslims. For those who are going through extreme hardships, it is difficult for them to have food on the table let alone buy dates to open their fasts during the month of Ramadan.

In Greece, a co-operative foundation called Khora has been assisting refugees for a few years now. They offer ongoing compassionate support for refugees in Athens. They also run a kitchen, which provides cooked and uncooked food for nearly 2,200 Refugees.

Khora approached Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to assist in providing dates for iftar for these refugees. Their request was forwarded to Humanity First Germany, who very kindly approved it.

This became the beginning of another humanitarian project in Greece. Due to difficulties in supplies amid coronavirus, there was shortage of dates. After facing

some challenges, we were able to buy 1,100 kilograms of dates.

Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Greece, Aqeel Ahmed Sahib and Khuddam volunteers were requested to assist in preparing 500g packets for every individual.

10 volunteers participated in this project, spending 139 volunteering hours. There was a 100% increase in the volunteers in comparison to the last project.

The team from Khora was able to arrange for a van to pick up the dates and they were also able to distribute them to the refugees along with their meals, alhamdolillah.

Friday 12 June 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Islamic lessons for ending domestic violence Jazib Mehmood Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

Distressingly, following lockdown, reports show that domestic violence has shot up. “At least 15 million more cases of domestic violence are predicted around the world this year as a result of pandemic restrictions, according to new data that paints a bleak picture of life for women over the next decade”, reported The Guardian. (www.theguardian.com/globaldevelopment/2020/apr/28/calamitousdomestic-violence-set-to-soar-by-20during-global-lockdown-coronavirus) According to the UN, one in every three women face some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. Although some reports suggest that calls by domestic abuse victims have decreased in these months, domestic violence advocates worry that survivors are struggling to seek help because they are stuck with their abusers due to stay-at-home orders.

Antonio Guterres, the UN SecretaryGeneral voiced his concern as well. He tweeted “Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), disasters – whether hurricanes, earthquakes, or pandemics like the coronavirus – disrupt social and physical environments for large groups of people. These changes increase vulnerabilities to domestic violence within families. Even children are in danger of abuse.

“Hundreds of thousands of children are currently living in homes where they experience domestic abuse”, the NSPCC has warned. (www.telegraph.co.uk/ news/2020/03/31/schoolboy-walked-localbbc-radio-station-pyjamas-hearing-report/) Relations between husbands and wives form the nucleus of the family system. If there is no love, mutual respect, appreciation and covering of faults within both partners for each other, then the peace of a family will be destroyed, ultimately leading to abuse and negatively impacting children. Feelings of love, kindness, and support that ought to exist between husband and wife are crucial. The Holy Quran has given very clear instructions regarding love and kindness between couples. The Holy Quran states: “They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V. 188)

Explaining this verse, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra said: “Just like a garment covers the body and protects it from heat and cold, they [husbands and wives] should be a protection for each other. Look at the example of Hazat Khadijara; right after marriage, how she presented all her wealth to the Holy Prophetsa so that he may not experience any discomfort due to lack of money and he may continue to take part in serving humanity comfortably. What a glorious example she presented to keep their home life happy!” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, p. 411) Keeping this commentary of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in mind, we can observe that the domestic life of the Holy Prophetsa was indeed the best of all. It is the Holy Prophet’s saying: “The best among you is one who is best to his wife, and I am best among you in my dealings with my wives.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab-ul-Manaqib) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, commented on the above Quranic verse, saying: “Similarly, when a man or a woman makes a pledge to the contract of marriage, then they must make their utmost effort

to tolerate each other. They should cover up the faults and shortcomings of each other and avoid bickering over petty little matters.” (Garments for Each Other, p. 97) Hazrat Aishara , who spent a long time in the Prophet’ssa company, gave the following beautiful testimony of his domestic life: “[His] family life was the kindest, most generous and most informal of all men in his home life. He was always smiling and never frowned. The Holy Prophetsa never raised his hand on any of his wives and never beat a servant.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi) This testimony leaves absolutely no room for doubt. Hazrat Aishara also relates that the Holy Prophetsa would eat from the same place that she had eaten from. (Sunan Abi Daud, Kitabut Taharah) The Promised Messiahas also encouraged men to deal justly with their wives and set his own example. He exhorted: “Except for indecency, all instances of women’s rudeness and harshness should be tolerated. I consider it to be exceptionally shameful that a man should fight against a woman. God has made us men and this is actually a supreme blessing upon us. Our gratitude for this blessing lies in dealing pleasantly and gently with women.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. I, p. 307) The Promised Messiahas presented his example in this regard as well: “My condition is such that once, I happened to call out to my wife loudly, but I felt that the loud call filled my heart with grief, even though no hurtful or harsh word was uttered from my tongue at that time.

After that, I kept reciting istighfar [prayer for seeking forgiveness from Allah] for a long time, offered nafl [voluntary prayers] with great humility and concentration and also offered sadaqat [alms] as this harsh attitude towards my wife was the result of my hidden shortcomings regarding the commands of Allah.” (Malfuzat, Vol. I) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned this example and said: “So, these are examples of kind treatment of wives, which are demonstrated in the actions of the Promised Messiahas as a result of following the Prophet Muhammadsa. We can create peace in our home by following their examples.”

(Garments for Each Other, p. 49)

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