Al Hakam - 20 November 2020

A spiritual revolution through moral transformation Hazrat Khalifatul Masih provides direction to missionaries in Germany Page 3

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The Holy Prophet’s love and kindness for his Companions

The untold story of black Muslims in America: Pioneering AfricanAmerican Ahmadi Muslim converts, St Louis Page 10

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Responding to Allegations Why did the Promised Messiahas send manuscripts of his Arabic books to his companions and scholars?

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 20 November 2020 | Issue CXL Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Safeguarding the future generations of Ahmadiyyat Lajna Imaillah Bangladesh mulaqat with Huzoor The national amila of Lajna Imaillah Bangladesh was fortunate and blessed to have a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand, on 14 November.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, on 15 December 1922, wrote the following,

addressing the ladies of Qadian: “Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu.

In order to fulfil the aim and objective of the purpose of our creation, the efforts of women are as necessary as that of men. In my opinion, the perception of what Islam expects of women has not dawned upon them and how their lives should be spent

whereby they can, attaining the pleasure of God, become the inheritors of the bounties of Allah the Almighty, not only in the Hereafter but in this world as well.”

The national amila members were gathered in the Dar-ul-Tabligh complex in Dhaka, the national headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Bangladesh.

Continued on page 2

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

Prayer for prosperity for family and followers َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ّٰ ُ ‫ قال َر ُس ْول الل ِہ صلی الل ُہ َعل ْی ِہ‬، ‫ع ْن أ� ِ ْ� ﻫ َریْ َرۃ قال‬ ً ُ َ ُ َ ْ ْ َ ْ َّ ُ ّ ٰ َ َّ َ َ ‫آل ��َ ّم ٍد ق ْوتا‬ ِ ‫ اللہم اجعل ِرزق‬:‫وسلم‬

Hazrat Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, prayed: “O Allah, bestow ‘qut’ [the sustenance that keeps one alive] upon the progeny of Muhammadsa.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zuhd wa al-Raqaiq)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The philosophy of sin and methods of safeguarding oneself At this instance, I also wish to exhort you in relation to the causes of sin.

The elaboration in this regard is that in simple terms, when the love of anything other than God covers the heart of a person, the pure glass of the heart is sullied. As a result, gradually, the heart becomes completely dark and an inclination towards that which is besides God begins to take its place, thus distancing the heart from God. This is the root of associating partners with Allah. But when the heart is possessed by the love of Allah the Almighty and Him alone, this love reduces to ash any inclination to that which is besides God and makes the heart wholly devoted to Him alone; then this love becomes unwavering and assumes its rightful place to rule over the heart. When a limb happens to break and is fixed, this causes pain. But a broken limb is far more excruciating than the temporary pain experienced in fixing it, after which a person feels relief. However, if a limb is left broken, a time comes Continued on page 5

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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The mulaqat commenced with a silent prayer, after which Huzooraa directly addressed all the members present in the hall and enquired about the tasks and duties of each department.

Whilst providing guidance to the secretary tarbiyat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated, “It is important that all Lajna members take great care in the manner they dress. They must dress modestly and observe purdah.” Huzooraa further said, “All Lajna individuals must regularly offer the five daily prayers and recite the Holy Quran on a daily basis.”

Following this, whilst addressing the secretary ishaat, Huzooraa asked if any books were being printed. Upon this, the secretary replied that last year, the books, Domestic Issues and Their Solutions and Social Media: Issues Related to Social Media and its Resolution Proposed were printed, and this year, another book relating to purdah is in process.

Upon this, Huzooraa said, “These books are a compilation of my various addresses which have been presented in a book form.

You must ensure that it reaches all Lajna members so that they may study it.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa further said, “This is the task of the secretary tarbiyat and secretary ishaat that they supply these books. It is the duty of secretary tarbiyat to ensure that all members read them.”

During the mulaqat, the Lajna members further had the opportunity to ask Huzooraa various questions.

One Lajna member, whilst posing a question, expressed that it is seen that on occasions and in certain situations, mothers, whilst offering Namaz, also have to take care of children. The Lajna member further stated that naturally, in such a scenario, the attention and focus diverts away from Salat.

When this happens, she asked whether mothers are deprived from the blessings of prayer.

Responding to this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “No, they are not deprived from its blessings.” Huzooraa added, “God is

aware of our situation and the state of our heart. If a woman is offering Prayer with good intentions, then God surely rewards accordingly … However, you should try to offer Prayer whilst your child is asleep or when you are able to freely.” Huzooraa further added, “If you have no other option, then you may hold your child; however, you must ensure that you remain focused during prayer … God knows our situations and rewards us accordingly.”

Following this, the next question was concerning the pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on the world. A Lajna member expressed that due to the pandemic, they were unable to do tabligh as they used to and asked how they could carry out their duties amidst the restrictions.

Responding to this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “As there are restrictions in some countries around the world, such as social distancing, it is currently not possible to go out and preach. However, one can utilise other methods such as doing tabligh online.” Huzooraa further said, “Tabligh can be conducted through social media. Lajna members can share certain passages on the teachings of Islam or quotes exemplifying and embodying the beauties of Islam as this can further open doors and opportunities for tabligh … Thus other methods can be explored to further carry out this work.”

Following this, a Lajna member stated that the conditions of Africa have changed a great deal since the time when Huzooraa was in Ghana. She requested Huzooraa to share his experiences and the challenges he faced.

Upon this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated, “Hardships and difficult times do arise; however, one must hold complete trust and faith in God Almighty. Difficult times should not interfere with our obligations and religious duties.” Huzooraa further stated, “In such circumstances, a wife should support her husband and a husband should support and look after his wife. One must continue to have firm faith and trust in God and constantly pray. Thus, if you remain steadfast and pray, Allah will continue to help. One must not fret or worry.”

Virtual academic competitions of Waqf-e-Nau France Mansoor Ahmed Mubashir France Correspondent

Chaudhry Maqsood-ur-Rehman Sahib, National Secretary Waqf-e-Nau France, reports that the national Waqf-e-Nau department of France prepared a plan to organise virtual academic competitions of all waqifeen and waqifaat.

Despite the lockdown and the antiIslamic atmosphere in France recently, we were able to hold the virtual event on 31 October and 1 November 2020.

Before the competitions, a meeting of all the local Waqf-e-Nau secretaries was convened on Skype to discuss the arrangements. During the meeting, it was decided that the competitions would be completely online. It was also decided that tilawat, nazm and memorisation of the Quran competitions should be

for waqifeen between the ages of 7 and 14. Only Urdu and French speech competitions would be held for the waqifeen above 15 years.

In view of the current situation in France, the topic, “Love for one’s country is part of faith” was added.

Missionaries of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya France, Bilal Akbar Sahib, Usama Ahmad Sahib, Mansoor Ahmed Sahib, Ata-ulAleem Sahib and missionary in-charge Naseer A Shahid Sahib were among the judges.

For competitions of waqifaat, a team of Lajna Imaillah performed their duties with great dedication.

The total attendance was 85 during this virtual event.

May Allah the Almighty make these children His best servants. Amin.

Following this, a Lajna member asked Huzooraa to describe a deed which is the best in the eyes of God. Responding to this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that every person’s situation is different. On one occasion, a person came to the Holy Prophetsa and asked him about a certain deed for him to act upon, which can please Allah. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa replied that one should help and take care of their parents. The Holy Prophetsa said that this is the best deed.

Then, another person approached the Holy Prophetsa with a similar enquiry, upon which he stated that spending in the way of God is the best deed.

Then, a third person came and asked the same question. The Holy Prophetsa said that one must strive in the way of Allah. “Thus”, Huzooraa explained, “the Holy Prophetsa was well aware of their conditions and situations, and knew which deed each person was lacking in …. Thus, every person’s approach is unique.” Huzooraa further explained that one must ceaselessly examine and analyse oneself and question oneself about the

weaknesses and deeds they are lacking in.

In the end, sadr Lajna Imaillah Bangladesh requested Huzooraa to give a message for the Lajna and Nasirat members residing in Bangladesh.

Huzooraa said, “Firstly, convey my greetings of ‘assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu’. My message for them is to remain firm in their faith.

Difficulties arise; however, never let them burden your faith and religion. Always and only bow before Allah when facing difficulties and at every turn of hardships.”

Huzooraa further said, “Make special efforts to progress in your spiritual and moral state. If you are able to achieve and instil within yourselves the greatest spiritual and moral standards and attain true piety and taqwa, then know that the future generations will be protected. This is the obligation and duty of Lajna Imaillah and this is my message to all Lajna members of Bangladesh and Nasirat who, insha-Allah, will one day become mothers [of the next generation].”

With this, the mulaqat came to a close.

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

From the Markaz

A spiritual revolution through moral transformation Hazrat Khalifatul Masih provides direction to missionaries in Germany

On 15 November, field missionaries who are currently serving in Germany were fortunate and blessed to have a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand.

A total of 51 missionaries gathered in the Baitus Sabuh Mosque in Frankfurt, the national headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Germany.

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra, once said, “It is incumbent upon us to caution the world about their mistakes and to take advantage of every opportunity for the tabligh of Islam as much as possible.

After this war [World War II], at least two countries must be convinced to consider our message with seriousness and sincerity, i.e. Germany and Japan. These two countries are such that they will be inclined to hear our message.” (Mash‘al-eRah, Vol. 1) The mulaqat commenced with a silent prayer, after which the missionaries had the opportunity to introduce themselves and the jamaats in which they are serving in.

Whilst explaining the importance of prayer and establishing a relationship and

connection with Allah, Huzooraa said, “It is vital that all missionaries offer the Tahajud prayer daily for at least one hour.

To become a true helper of the Khalifa, it is necessary to submerge oneself in prayer and worship, and after fulfilling the obligations, the best way to forge a connection with Allah is through offering voluntary prayers.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained the importance of reciting the Holy Quran and stated that one must read and ponder over its meaning. Huzooraa said, “Without the Holy Quran, there is no life … Seek to increase the level of spirituality within yourselves; by doing so, you will be able to bring about a spiritual revolution.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further explained that as missionaries, one must be an example and model for members of the Jamaat. “Only then”, Huzooraa said, “will you be able to bring about a change.

In this manner, if you cater for the tarbiyat related needs of members of your jamaats, you will have people by your side who will be able to help you in your task.”

During the mulaqat, the missionaries were granted the opportunity to ask Huzooraa various questions and seek guidance as well as direction on an array

of matters.

A question was asked on how one is able to establish a relationship with members who remain reserved. Upon this, Huzooraa said that missionaries must be considerate and should approach people in a loving manner. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “A missionary’s behaviour towards members of the Jamaat should be understanding and on compassionate grounds.”

Following this, alluding to the advice and guidance Huzooraa provided at the beginning with regard to Tahajud, a missionary asked Huzooraa how one may remain regular and consistent in offering Tahajud.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa responded by saying, “This depends on your relationship and love for God Almighty ….

If you have an ardent desire to accomplish this ... then more avenues begin to open.

During Jamia, when you had exams, did you not remain awake all night preparing?

This is dependent on one’s frame of mind.

If you mould yourself in such a manner and remain firm, then God will help you.”

With regard to the youth who have lived most of their lives in Germany and who have been moulded by the Western

society, a missionary asked how one may keep them attached to the Jamaat.

Answering this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “This is the duty of the young missionaries. You are the ones who have grown up and studied there and you are familiar with the environment. Thus, bearing this in mind, you should see what can be done.” Explaining this further, Huzooraa said, “This is no new task. There is no new formula that can be applied to automatically make someone pious, nor can all targets be accomplished in a single day. In fact, continuous effort is required to keep the youth connected to the Jamaat.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added, “This duty has been entrusted to the young missionaries as you have studied and are familiar with the Western society.

Thus, you are able to conduct this work in a better manner. If you yourselves have developed a true relationship with Allah, as I mentioned in the beginning, then you will see a spiritual revolution take place.

Indeed, if the young missionaries work with great determination, then this can be achieved.”

Thereafter, the mulaqat came to a close.

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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This Week in History 20-26 November In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiahas with some more details 20 November 1883: On this day, the Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Mir Abbas Ali Sahib. In the letter, the Promised Messiahas prayed for him. The Promised Messiahas further stated that he received the revelation: َ ّ َ ّ ّ ّ ‫قل لضیﻔک اِنِ ۡی ُم َت َو ِف ۡیک قل لاخیک اِن ِ ۡی ُم َت َو ِف ۡیک‬ Alluding to this, the Promised Messiahas said that he had received this revelation numerous times.

Huzooras said that the meaning of this revelation was two-fold. The first meaning was to “tell your beneficiary or your brother, ‘I shall complete My favour upon you.’ The second meaning is, ‘I shall cause [you] to die.’”

The Promised Messiahas expressed that he was unaware as to who this might relate to as there were several people who could be categorised as such.

Huzooras added that he often received such revelations or visions in which news was conveyed with regard to ease, hardship, accidents or age concerning himself or some friends. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 1, pp. 582-583) 20 November 1895: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement, titled Laaiq-eTawajuh Government, in which he wrote an introduction to his book, Sat Bachan, as some Sikh newspapers misunderstood the book and stated that it was written with evil intentions and to insult the Sikh community.

Huzooras stated that he desired to inform the government that this book was written with pure intentions and after conducting thorough research. The main objective was to remove and eradicate the false allegations of Pandit Diyanand which he raised in his book, Satiarath Parakash, against Guru Baba Nanak.

Huzooras further added that the belief of Guru Baba Nanak having accepted Islam was not unique to him alone as many distinguished Western researchers wrote the same point and expressed the same view. Huzooras said that such books were published in British India well before his book, Sat Bachan was published. (Majmuae-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, pp. 184-186)

book, Najm-ul-Huda, in a very short space of time and it was also published in a very short period.

The Promised Messiahas began writing on 19 November 1898 and completed writing this book by the next day, which was a Friday.

21 November 1898: The Promised Messiahas published 1,400 copies of an ishtihar (announcement) titled: � � �� �� ‫� �ا � ی� �ڑ� � ی� اور �رك وہ � �ا � ی� � �ت � � � د‬ “We leave the decision of this matter to God and blessed is he who honours God’s verdict.”

The backdrop of this is that Sheikh Muhammad Hussain of Batala left no stone unturned in attempting to humiliate the Promised Messiahas.

Huzooras stated that those who had read Muhammad Hussain Batalvi’s magazine, Ishaatus Sunnah, during the recent years were witness to the fact that he had used every way to malign and ridicule Huzooras.

Huzooras further stated that the magazine declared that person an infidel and Dajjal who recited the Kalima [Islamic creed], who believed that the Holy Prophetsa is Khatam-ul-Anbiya and believed in all pillars of Islam.

Huzooras added that some of his friends had suggested to Sheikh Sahib that as his edicts of infidelity had caused great unrest within the Muslims, it was better to agree upon a mubahala so that the matter could be resolved.

Sheikh Muhammad Hussain, instead of accepting the mubahala, published an announcement full of abuse and vile language and had it published in the names of Muhammad Bakhsh Jafar Zatalli and Abul-Hasan Tibbeti.

20 November 1897: On this date, the Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira in which he mentioned the poor health of his father. Huzooras, whilst replying to the letter, prayed for his father’s health. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 3, p. 231) 20 November 1898: The Promised Messiahas penned his

The Promised Messiahas said that having the announcement before him, he supplicated to God Almighty that He should decide between Sheikh Muhammad Hussain and himself.

The supplication was as follows:

Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira

“My Lord of glory, if I am in Your estimation so base and a liar and an impostor as Muhammad Hussain of Batala has repeatedly declared in his magazine, Ishaatus Sunnah – calling me a liar, Antichrist, impostor – and as he and Muhammad Bakhsh Jafar Zatalli and Abul-Hasan

Tibbeti have tried their utmost to humiliate me in their announcement of 10 November 1898, then, my Lord, if, in Your estimation, I am as they have represented me, disgrace and humiliate me within 13 months, that is to say, between 15 December 1898 and 15 January 1900 and proclaim the honour and high-standing of these people and thus put an end to this daily squabble.

“If, on the other hand, my Lord and my Master, my Bountiful One, the Bestower of all those bounties that are within Your knowledge and my knowledge, I have a position of honour in Your presence, then I humbly beseech You, that within the said 13 months, which will be counted from 15 December 1898 to 15 January 1900, humiliate in the eyes of the world the said Sheikh Muhammad Hussain, Muhammad Bakhsh Jafar Zatalli and Abul-Hasan Tibbeti who have published this announcement in order to humiliate me.

“In short, if these people are truthful and pious and righteous in Your estimation and I am a liar and impostor, then bring about my humiliation and ruin within these 13 months; but if in Your presence, I have standing and honour, then manifest this sign that all three might be abased, ۡ ُ humiliated and worthy of being named as ‫ض ِربَت‬ ُ َّ ّ ُ ۡ َ َ ‫الذلۃ‬ ِ ‫[ علیھِم‬those who have been humiliated].

Amin; again, Amin.”

Huzooras says that in answer to this supplication, he received the revelation: ‫ی‬ � �� �‫� �� � ذ��ی� اور ر�ا �وں � اور وہ ا� اہ‬ “I shall humiliate and disgrace the unjust one and he will bite his hands.”

Thus, as history testifies, alluding to this incident, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra stated that with just one threat from the magistrate, Muhammad Hussain pledged that he would never call the Promised Messiahas by the names infidel, Antichrist and liar, despite the fact that he had written in his magazine, Ishaatus Sunnah, that he would continue to do so till the end of his life. Likewise, the same happened to Abul-Hasan Tibbeti and Jafar Zatalli. Their pens were so broken that their name was not heard again.

(Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, Edition 1989, pp.

57-67) 21 November 1902: On this day, the Promised Messiahas had a discussion with his companion, Hazrat Sheikh Rahmatullah who had returned from London. He shared some of his experiences with the Promised Messiahas.

The Promised Messiahas came to know that a baby boy was born to him from his European wife. Huzooras named the child Abdullah. After enquiring more information, the Promised Messiahas declared this baby as “the first son of an Ahmadi Muslim in London.” (Malfuzat [Urdu], Vol. 2, p. 537)

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 1

when it must be amputated completely.

Similarly, in order to attain unwavering steadfastness, initially, in the elementary stages, an individual experiences a temporary pain and is confronted with difficulties as well, but when steadfastness is attained, there is everlasting relief and joy. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings ofۤ Allah be upon him, was َ ُ َ ۡ َ instructed ‫اس َتق ِۡم ک َما ا ِم ۡرت‬ ‫( ف‬So stand thou upright, as thou hast been commanded) it is narrated that he had no white hairs.

But then his hair began to turn white and the Holy Prophetsa said, “Surah Hud has made me old.”

Hence, until an individual becomes cognisant of death, they cannot turn towards virtues. I have told you that sin is bred when the love of anyone other than God takes root in the heart and slowly but surely envelops the heart. Therefore, one way in which an individual can safeguard and protect themselves from sin is by remembering death and to constantly reflect over the wonders of God’s omnipotence, for this causes an increase in the love of Allah and in faith. Ultimately, when the love of Allah takes root in the heart, this is sufficient to incinerate sin.

The second means to safeguard oneself from sin is to remain conscious of death. If an individual kept death in mind, they would naturally abstain from evil-doings and faults; they would develop a new faith in God Almighty, and they would be enabled to repent and feel remorse for their past sins. What is the worth of a weak human? Life hangs

by the thread of a breath. Why then does man not worry about the Hereafter and fear death and why does he waste away his entire life enslaved by carnal and beastly passions?

I have observed in recent times that even the Hindus have become cognisant of death as well. In Batala there was a man of about 70 or 72 years of age, named Kishan Chand, who belonged to the Bhandari caste. He is known to have left behind his family and possessions, and began living in Kashi, and it is here that he passed away. He did all of this on the hope that he would attain salvation. Although this view of his was false, the least we can derive from this is that he was conscious of death, and consciousness of death safeguards a person from becoming entirely engrossed in the pleasures of the world and becoming distanced from God. This man’s belief that dying in Kashi would become the means for salvation was due to the veil of creatureworship, which had cloaked his heart.

However, I am immensely disappointed when I see that Muslims are not conscious of death even to the extent of the Hindus.

Look at the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; just َ ُۤ َ ۡ َ the one injunction alone that ‫اس َتق ِۡم ک َما ا ِم ۡرت‬ ‫ف‬ (So stand thou upright, as thou hast been commanded) was enough to make him old. How cognisant was the Holy Prophetsa of death? Why was the Holy Prophetsa so perceptive in these matters? So that all of us could take a lesson. Otherwise, what greater argument can there be of the pure and holy life of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than the fact that Allah the Almighty

22 November 1898: On this day, the Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra. In the reply, Huzooras prayed for him and expressed his gratitude for sending musk. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 2, p. 378) 23 November 1888: The Promised Messiahas received a letter from Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira about a certain matter. On this day, the Promised Messiahas replied to the letter and stated that one must exhibit patience and remain steadfast in the Almighty God. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 2, p. 552) 24 November 1904: On this day, the Promised Messiahas saw a dream, about which he said the following: “I was wearing a white loin cloth but it was not quite white and was a little soiled. Then Maulvi Sahib [Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra] led the Prayer and recited Surah al-Hamd [i.e. Surah alFatihah] aloud and thereafter recited: ‫الﻔارق وماادراک ماالﻔارق‬ [A distinguishing Sign, and how would you know what the distinguishing Sign will be?]

“At that time, I felt that this was from the Holy Quran.” (Al-Badr, Vol. 3, No. 44-45, 24 November & 1 December 1904, p. 3) 25 November 1886: The Promised Messiahas arrived back in Qadian from Ambala after staying there for more than two months.

25 November 1895: The Promised Messiahas

appointed him as the Perfect Guide until the Day of Resurrection and a leader for all of mankind. All of the instances from the life of the Holy Prophetsa are a collection of practical teachings. Just as the Holy Quran is a book comprising the words of Allah the Almighty, the law of nature is the book of His actions, as it were. Similarly, the life of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is a book of actions, which is an exegesis and commentary of the Holy Quran.

I began to develop white hairs when I had only reached the age of 30 and at that time, the late Mirza Sahib, my father, was still alive. White hair is also a sign of death, in a way. When a person reaches old age, which is characterised by these very white hairs, they can understand that the days of death are fast approaching. But it is unfortunate that even when such a time comes, man feels no worry. A believer can even learn sublime morals from a bird, for example, and other animals because the book of God Almighty is open before them. All of the things that Allah the Almighty has created in the world, are a means of both physical and spiritual comfort for man. I have read in the account of Hazrat Junayd, may the mercy of Allah be upon him, that he would say, “I learned the art of meditation from the cat.” If a human being observes closely, they will find that even animals clearly display moral mannerisms. In my view, all of the beasts and birds individually display single moral characteristics and man encompasses them all collectively. The soul is a compendium of qualities and this is why it is also referred to as a microcosm,

published an announcement, in which he wrote about a few subjects from his book Sat Bachan, so that the Sikh brothers know of the reality and contents of the book. Huzooras also mentioned in great detail how Christian priests were opposing Guru Baba Nanak and were writing articles against him and the Sikh community. (Majmua-eIshtiharat, Vol. 2, pp. 186-191) 25 November 1904: The Promised Messiahas received a revelation on this day: �َّ َ ِ ‫�۔ر َّد ا�ُ ا‬ ‫�م �در آ�۔ � �ر اور �� � � ی‬ َ � “Ghulam Qadir came and the house became filled with light and blessing.

Allah sent him back to me.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh said that the martyrdom of Mirza Ghulam Qadir Sahib, son of Mirza Majeed Ahmad Sahib, in Rabwah on 14 April 1999 fulfilled these divine words.

for all the qualities present in all of God’s creatures are collectively encompassed within man. Then, all of the excellences present in mankind are collectively comprised within the person of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This is why the Holy Prophetsa was commissioned for the entire world and was described as “a mercy for all peoples.” Allah the Exalted states: ُ​ُ َ َّ ‫ِانک ل َ َع ٰلی خل ٍق َعظ ِۡي ٍم‬ “And thou dost surely possess high moral excellences.”

This verse alludes to this very compendium of human excellences. It is in light of this that one can reflect over the sublime nature of the morals of Prophet Muhammadsa and it was for this reason that all the excellences of prophethood in its completest form reached their pinnacle in him. It is an established fact that everything comes to an end when the primary purpose for which it exists reaches its climax. For example, when each and every point in a book has been expounded completely, the book comes to an end, as it were. Similarly, the primary purpose of messengership and prophethood was completely achieved in the person of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; this is the meaning of “the seal of prophethood.” For this is a system which advanced with time and reached its final limit through the perfect man.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 168-171)

whilst displaying disrespect. Huzooras advised that whenever someone wished to read his books, the person’s intentions should be noted and it should be clear whether they truly desire to read it or not. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 118) 26 November 1897: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra. Huzooras, in the letter, prayed and advised him to remain patient and steadfast. Huzooras quoted the verse of the Holy Quran: َّ ٰ ۡ َ ۡ َّ ّٰ َ ‫ِان ٗه لَا یَایۡـَٔ ُس ِم ۡن ّر ۡو ِح الل ِه ِالا القوۡ ُم الك ِ� ُ� ۡو َن‬ “No one despairs of Allah’s mercy save the unbelieving people.” (Surah Yusuf Ch.12: V.88) (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 356)

Mirza Ghulam Qadir

26 November 1891: The Sahib Promised Messiahas wrote a reply to a letter of Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Numanira and expressed that he hoped he was passionately preaching in the area where he was residing in those days. Huzooras mentioned that an inspector, to whom Numani Sahibra sent a book of the Promised Messiahas, returned the book

26 November 1898: The Promised Messiahas wrote to Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra and informed him that he had received 50 rupees from Arab Sahib Baghdadi. Huzooras advised Seith Sahibra to write a letter of appreciation and receipt of the amount on his behalf as Huzooras did not remember the address.

Huzooras then asked Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra for an update on whether there were any new cases of the plague in Madras (now Chennai). Further, Huzooras informed him that he had received 100 rupees from Lal Ji Dal Ji Sahib and advised Seith Sahibra to write a letter of thanks and receipt of the amount on his behalf.

(Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 381)

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Germany field missionaries reflect on virtual mulaqat with Huzoor Courtesy of MTA International

Sadaqat Ahmad Sahib, Missionary-incharge Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Germany, said: “I was immensly happy when I was informed by the private secretariat that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa had kindly approved a virtual meeting with the missionaries in Germany for 15 November 2020. At the same time, however, with the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic, there were fears and anxieties that the government might announce precautionary measures and the opportunity to meet Huzooraa and seek his guidance could be lost. But with the grace of Allah, no such obstacle arose.

“This was the first meeting of German field missionaries with Huzooraa since my appointment as missionary-in-charge Germany. Where I was anxious about my own performance since assuming this responsibility, there was also a concern that we should be fully prepared whilst answering any question asked by Huzooraa during the meeting. All missionaries were busy preparing for their respective jamaats and at the same time, prayers and istighfar were also going on that Allah the Almighty may cover our shortcomings.

All missionaries were encouraged to give sadaqah before the meeting.

“Seeing Huzooraa live in front of us like this caused our hearts to fill with joy and happiness.

“We saw Huzooraa and carefully took notes of the instructions he gave directly to the missionaries of Germany. A new energy and strength emerged in our bodies and souls, alhamdolillah.

“May Allah reward all the members of the MTA team who worked day and night to provide us with this extraordinary joy.

Amin.

“I was nervous at the beginning because Huzooraa was to address me first of all. I had only uttered half a sentence to express gratitude for granting us this blessed opportunity, when Huzooraa said with a smile, ‘You have conveyed your thanks, now let us move on.’

“All the instructions of Huzooraa are a way of life for us, but what I especially want to mention is his advice in which he said that missionaries should try to

have a living relationship with God, offer Tahajud for at least one hour, try to improve their spiritual conditions, recite the Holy Quran and reflect on its deeper meanings, because the spiritual change which we will bring in ourselves will lead to the transformation of the members of the Jamaat.

“Another piece of advice that Huzooraa gave us and which I consider necessary to mention – because without following it, there is no guarantee of our spiritual life – is that every command and every guidance issued by Khalifatul Masih must be obeyed at any cost. We must accept it and try to act upon it completely. There is no need to interpret it according to our thinking and this is what we have to try and instill in the hearts of other members of the Jamaat.

“May God help us to understand this and explain it to others. More than an hour in Huzoor’saa blessed company passed by very fast. We are happy and our hearts are full of gratitude and we feel a new zeal, enthusiasm and strength to carry out our assigned duties.

“I pray to Allah the Almighty that He may bless our dear Imamaa in his life and works. May his blessed shelter always remain over our heads and create beautiful opportunities of service for us. Amin.”

Laiq Ahmed Munir Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Hamburg, said: “Today was a lot like Eid day for us.

We are always conscious about whether we are able to live up to the expectations Huzooraa has from us; however, talking to Huzooraa and taking direct guidance from him is what keeps us motivated.

“From this mulaqat, I was encouraged by the way Huzooraa comforted us and reminded us of our responsibilities and the feelings of anxiousness turned to reassurance.”

Basil Tariq Sahib, missionary of GroßGerau said: “Before the meeting, there was a slight feeling of anxiousness as it was the first experience of meeting Huzooraa online.

While realising my weaknesses, I kept on seeking Allah’s forgiveness that He may cover up my shortcomings, and I offered

Sadaqah as well.

“What a great blessing Khilafat is! In today’s meeting, we learned that without progress in spirituality, we cannot become true servants of of Khilafat. Another thing which we learned is that we should obey each and every guidance of Khalifatul Masih and should never make our own interpretations. It was a very blessed meeting. It was a source of great pleasure.

May Allah the Almighty keep us under Huzoor’saa shade forever. Amin.”

Sajid Ahmad Naseem Sahib, Missionary of Kassel Jamaat, said: “We eagerly desired for this pandemic to end soon so that we may have the opportunity to meet the most beloved of God in this world again.

“When there is no Jalsa Salana and no other Jamaati activity, then this desire surges. However, Allah bestowed His grace upon us and our dear Imamaa compassionately took time out for us.

“During the mulaqat, we learned that we should strengthen our relationships with God and strive to become truly obedient servants of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya.

“The virtual meeting experience was very good. Until the meeting started, it seemed as though we were watching a live programme on television. But as soon as Huzooraa was seen, instantly, that feeling vanished. It felt like it was a face-to-face meeting.”

Mashood Ahmad Zafar Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Mahdi Abad, said: “Emotions before and after the meeting were very different. Until the arrival of Huzooraa, there was some fear and apprehension, but when he was suddenly seen sitting in front of us online, there was no end to the joy. Seeing his face, the situation changed completely. I had never imagined such a meeting.

“Huzooraa not only recognised some attendees, including myself, who wore masks, but also called them by name. This was a very happy moment for me. I also noted how much my dear Imamaa cares about the physical health of missionaries.

“The online meeting experience was a first, but in the current situation, it is a great blessing in fact. May Allah bless our

Imam with a long and healthy life. Amin.”

Shahid Ahmad Butt Sahib, a missionary, said: “Alhamdolillah, I was blessed with my first meeting with Huzooraa since 2014. Before the meeting, I had the same concerns as the other missionaries had, not knowing what Huzooraa would ask, so I kept praying that Allah the Almighty would conceal my flaws. My dear Imamaa addressed me with a smile and remarked, “You look very tense”. This removed all my previous anxieties and gave me the courage to get up and ask questions.

“I learned from this meeting that sometimes we get so engrossed in occasional and unnecessary details in order to find solutions to problems that we get away from the duties and the real purpose. Huzooraa, like a compassionate teacher, advised us to turn our attention towards the basic and principal things, following which man can achieve success. He also taught us how to grow in spirituality and progress in nearness to God. “I have never enjoyed an online meeting so much. It felt as if Huzooraa was amongst us and not hundreds of miles away.

“Huzooraa once again taught us that the guidance of the Khalifa should immediately be followed, instead of making our own interpretations. This should be the level of obedience.

“May Allah the Almighty grant us the ability to put into practice the advice of Huzooraa with the spirit of obedience and grant us the ability to become his ardent servants. Amin.”

Muhammad Zafarullah Salam Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Trier, said: “The hadith of the Holy Prophetsa was once again fulfilled with more grandeur that in the Latter Days, distances would be reduced. Our hearts were filled with praise and our attention was repeatedly drawn to the revelation of the Promised Messiahas: � � �� � �‫�� ی‬ ‫ی‬ �� �‫ا� ا � ا � ا�ى � ی��ع و‬ “‘You are that noble Messiah, whose time shall not be wasted.’ May Allah the Almighty grant health and safety to our dear Imamaa and make us his ardent servants and grant us the fruits

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM of these online meetings more than our expectations. Amin” Kamran Ashraf Sahib, Missionary of Rüsselsheim, said: “I was very tense before the meeting, but when the time for the meeting approached, I was very nervous because it was my first meeting with Huzooraa since becoming a missionary. When I saw Huzooraa, I felt a sense of relief and all my worries vanished. After the meeting, my heart felt very happy and my soul felt refreshed.

“I had the opportunity to learn many things. Huzooraa had said that we should offer Tahajud prayer for an hour daily and establish a strong relationship with God and that when we recite the Holy Quran, we should reflect on its meanings for one hour.

“It was my first experience of an online meeting and it was great, even in these circumstances when we cannot physically meet our Imamaa.

“I want to state that our success lies in our bond with Khilafat and we are very fortunate that our Imamaa took time out of his precious schedule to meet us. May Allah help me and all of us serve our Imamaa. Amin.”

Nafees Ahmad Ateeq Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Mörfelden, said: “Allah the Almighty promised to the Holy Prophetsa that he would be granted awe across a distance of seven nights. This miracle is still seen today in the servant of Muhammadsa, Khalifatul Masih. Despite the distance of several hundred miles, even though it is so far away, even though it was online, the spiritual reflection of Huzooraa appeared with all its beauty and glory. during the meeting.”

Javed Ahmad Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Wittlich, said: “I had no idea what it would feel like to see Huzooraa through a virtual meeting.

This was exactly the scene during the meeting and it was felt that the angels of God Almighty were conveying our voices to Huzooraa and were busy conveying his blessed words to us. When the meeting was over, it seemed as though that scene was over and we were back in the normal world.”

Shakeel Ahmad Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Hamburg, said: “Alhamdolillah, Huzooraa kindly granted us the honour of having an online meeting. We were all nervous and got prepared as well, in case Huzooraa enquired about specifics. Huzooraa was introduced to everyone and then gave us valuable advice. This meeting was very important for us and has created a new motivation and spirit in everyone.

“All the words of Huzooraa are noteworthy for us. On one question, Huzooraa instructed us to make good relationships with new converts and train them with love and affection. When they are taught about the importance of prayers and financial sacrifice, they will act accordingly. We should teach them Salat and its translation as well. Huzooraa reminded missionaries that according to a hadith, we are all answerable to Allah about those whom we are responsible for.

Huzooraa instructed to keep him informed through letters also.”

Saeed Arif Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Berlin, said: “Before the mulaqat, I felt excitement; however, after the mulaqat, I felt motivated to work harder on my spirituality. I learned that I need to be obedient without interpreting instructions. I had to get my head around understanding that I am not watching Huzooraa on MTA but that it is an online mulaqat where I can also be seen by him. I would love to have mulaqats like this in future also.”

Ferhad Ghaffar Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Wiesbaden, said: “The experience was amazing. It seemed as though I had found something I had lost. Due to the pandemic, personal mulaqats are not possible and the thirst of seeing my beloved Imamaa increased to such an extent that I felt empty inside.

Huzoor’saa voice during a mulaqat differs from a khutba, something which I truly missed. It was heart-warming to meet Huzooraa once again.

“Huzooraa gave some important advice regarding some issues we have to face in the field, but he also addressed issues which we face in our daily lives, spirituality for example. Huzooraa focused on the importance of Tahajud and the recitation of the Holy Quran. The experience was amazing. The thirst I have had is finally quenched. It is incumbent upon us to follow every single directive given in the mulaqat.”

Syed Abrar Shah Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Nidda, said: “When I came to know about the mulaqat, on the one hand, there was a state of joy and on the other, pondering upon my flaws, I was also in a state of fear. I was reminded that the only way to succeed is to establish a living bond with Allah the Exalted. It is always something special for a believer sitting in front of a person most beloved to Allah the Almighty.”

Syed Salman Shah Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Bremen, said: “Like all missionaries, before the meeting, it was definitely a time for selfreflection and to pray to Allah to cover any shortcomings we may have. There was

also a deep sense of happiness that I would be interacting with my beloved Imamaa again, face to face, for the first time in a long while, albeit through the blessings of technology that Allah has given us. One thing in particular that stood out to me was that although we should take every word that Huzooraa says as an instruction or an opportunity to learn, whether it is through Friday sermons, speeches or personal mulaqats; however, we constantly need reminders. Much like a parent morally trains their child, Huzooraa wants us to achieve the high level of expectations he has of us. Huzooraa explained the way to do that; by strengthening our bond with Allah. Huzooraa shows so much affection for missionaries, but we need to reciprocate by showing results and prove we are worthy of his love and care.

Huzooraa had reminded us that until we perform Tahajud with humility for at least an hour and read and understand the meanings of the Holy Quran, we can never be successful in this world.”

Athar Sohail Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Florsheim, said: “I thank God Almighty for giving us this opportunity. For a long time we have been longing to see Huzooraa face to face. Alhamdolillah, Huzooraa graciously took time out for us. Our Imamaa, while telling us the purpose of life, said that we should grow in our relationship with God, work in the field with the help of God Almighty and then our work will be blessed, insha-Allah. As far as Huzoor’saa presence is concerned, it is something very special. But in these circumstances, the opportunity of this online meeting is, of course, the culmination of bliss and happiness that cannot be put in words.

While this is a source of happiness, there is also a great responsibility that we must try our best to meet the expectations of Huzooraa.”

Haseeb Ahmad Ghumman Sahib, Missionary of Jamaat Kiel, said: “It was a pleasure to have such an opportunity, but since it was about responsibilities and duties and I knew that I could be asked about this, there was also a fear.

“As soon as the meeting started, a

strange situation arose. As soon as we heard Huzoor’saa voice, the fear turned into peace and a smile appeared on all our faces; this continued throughout the meeting. And so far, there is a state of peace and happiness which is difficult to explain.

“I was able to learn a lot and I felt an amazing impact in every word said by Huzooraa. Surprisingly, if the same thing is heard from someone else, it does not leave such a deep impression on the heart.

But every word uttered by Huzooraa has a profound impact and is a ​treasure trove.

“The bottom line is that I have learned to be consistent, not to tire and to forge a connection with Allah; this is the solution to every problem.

“This meeting greatly motivated me.

The guidance of Huzooraa has been very encouraging and a strong desire to fulfill our responsibilities in a better way and to become his true servants has touched my heart. It is a great blessing of Allah that He gave us such an opportunity. May Allah help us and enable us to follow all the instructions of Huzooraa. Amin.”

Mansoor Ghumman Sahib, Missionary of Reutlingen, said: “It was astonishing that Huzooraa remembered the names of the missionaries and it seemed that he knew everyone personally. His compassion for each missionary with a smile on his face showed his deep love for us. It is a great characteristic of Huzooraa that he presents easy points and solutions.”

Naveed-ul-Haq Shams Sahib, Muavin Daftar Missionary-in-Charge, said: “Prior to the meeting, it was clear that the responsibility as a missionary is huge.

However, the hope was that Huzooraa would pray for us and grant us golden advice. After the meeting, we realised that with each advice, our responsibilities increased.

“May Allah help us fulfill our responsibilities. I have noticed that even though Huzooraa has hopes from young missionaries, he completely relies on God Almighty. We should thank Allah that Huzooraa gave us so much time from his busy schedule.”

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Responding to Allegations

Why did the Promised Messiah send manuscripts of his Arabic books to his companions and scholars?

as

Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra states: “Maulvi Sher Ali Sahib narrated to me that the Promised Messiahas said that all of his Arabic writings were a form of revelation because all of them were written with the special support of God. He used to say, ‘Sometimes, I write various words and phrases without having any knowledge of their meanings and thereafter, I look them up in the dictionary and get to know [what they mean].’

Maluvi Sahib further related that the Promised Messiahas used to send copies and manuscripts of his Arabic books to Hazrat Khalifa Ira and Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan Sahib for proofreading and would say, ‘Make amendments if there is room for improvement.’ Hazrat Khalifa Ira used to read it and return it in the same way.

However, Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan Sahib used to work hard and change words in some places as an amendment.

“Maulvi Sher Ali Sahib narrates that the Promised Messiahas once said, ‘Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan Sahib tries to make changes, but I know that the word

I will have used will be more eloquent and coherent and Maulvi Sahib’s word will be weak. However, sometimes I keep his suggested word so that he is not discouraged that all of his presented words were removed.’

“In my [Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib’sra] view, it was the practice of the Promised Messiahas to send copies and manuscripts of Arabic books to the scholars of the Jamaat for proofreading and to make amendments if there was room for improvement. One of the reasons behind this practice of his was that they [religious scholars] would read the writings of the Promised Messiahas in that way and become acquainted with his teachings and the Jamaat. This is my own opinion and is not based on any narration.” (Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, pp. 8283) Referring to the above-mentioned narration, the opponents of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, assert that he was not granted divine knowledge of Arabic and proof of this is that he used to send

his Arabic books to his companions and scholars for correction.

In order to give an idea as to how the Promised Messiahas would carry out his day to day activities in the service of Islam and simultaneously work on his books, we present another narration of Sirat-ulMahdi before our readers.

When some people raised allegations against the nutrient-dense diet of the Promised Messiahas, Dr Mir Muhammad Ismail Sahibra said: “Some people have objected to him [the Promised Messiahas] about the intake of [high caloric] foods. However, these ill-informed people do not know that he is an aged person suffering from various diseases and in spite of all this, he is single-handedly engaged in facing the entire world. Moreover, he is establishing a Jamaat with careful attention on each of its individuals. He is immersed in the work of reforming the Ummah and fighting a different kind of war with every religion.

He is busy writing books day and night, not only in Urdu, but also in Persian and Arabic. Apart from writing them, he sees

their copies and proofreads them and also arranges for their publication on his own.”

(Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 424) If the Promised Messiahas used to perform almost all the necessary tasks related to the writing and publishing of his books, then the above narration gives rise to a question: Why would he send his books to others for their opinion?

The answer can be found in the opinion of Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra that by doing so, the Promised Messiahas wanted his companions and other scholars of his time to get acquainted with the teachings of the Latter-Day Messiah of Muhammadsa.

Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra was a companion of the Promised Messiahas. His opinion is supported by the narration of another companion, who has also explained the underlying purpose the Promised Messiahas had behind sending books to his companions. Hence, it is mentioned in narration number 605 of Sirat-ul-Mahdi: “Dr Mir Muhammad Ismail Sahib told me [Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra] that the Promised Messiahas used to see the copies and proofread his books himself. When he would write Arabic books, he used to read them himself and would also instruct to show them to certain scholars. Hence, the late Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib would comprehensively proofread all the Arabic and Persian books as a proofreader.

“He [the Promised Messiahas] once said about an Arabic book that it should also be shown to Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib for proofreading after Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib. Someone asked, ‘What is the need for this?’ The Promised Messiahas said, ‘Maulvi Sahib reads my books less frequently. In this way, he will be able to read them.” (Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 570) This narration confirms the opinion of Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra and clarifies that the Promised Messiahas did not need any help in writing Arabic books. On the other hand, he was always eager to spread the God given knowledge to not only his companions but other scholars as well.

Hazrat Maulana Nuruddin Sahib, Khalifatul Masih Ira – due to his old age

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM and busy schedule, as patients from far and wide used to come to him for treatment and students used to study the Holy Quran, hadith etc. from him – at the time, did not have energy and enough time to read much of the books of the Promised Messiahas. That is why the Promised Messiahas used to send his

books to him, so that he may benefit from the writings and also be acquainted with the teachings of the Imam of the age.

If the companions of the Promised Messiahas had the slightest of doubt that some people were writing Arabic books for him and that Allah the Almighty had nothing to do with it, then they would

never have developed a true, spiritual connection with him, which made them sacrifice their lives and wealth to spread his message to the corners of the Earth and face every kind of difficulty in achieving this goal.

The opponents keep changing their stance about the Arabic books of the Promised Messiahas. They are seemingly suffering from indecisiveness because to begin with, they said that the first Khalifa, Hazrat Nuruddin Sahibra wrote the Arabic books for the Promised Messiahas who would then publish them under his own name. Then, considering their previous opinion as irrational, they say that the Promised Messiahas used to write Arabic books on his own, but he got them corrected by his companions. However, if the opponents had unbiasedly read the narration mentioned at the outset, it would have become clear to them that when the Promised Messiahas sent copies of his books for proofreading, he would, at the same time, say, “Make amendments if there is room for improvement,” i.e. make corrections if the readers find any kind of error, because otherwise, there was no mistake in them. It is evident from the narration of Sirat-ul-Mahdi that the Promised Messiahas said: “I know that the word I will have

written will be more eloquent and coherent and Maulvi Sahib’s word will be weak. However, sometimes I keep his added word, so that he is not discouraged that all of his suggested words were removed.”

The manner of the words of the narration, “Make amendments if there is room for improvement,” is similar to the following words of the Holy Quran: ۡ َ​َ َ​َ​َ َ َ َ ۡ ۡ ُ ‫ان ل ِّلر ۡح ٰم ِن َول َ ٌد ۖ فانا ا ّو ُل ال ٰع ِب ِدیۡ َن‬ ‫قل ِان ک‬ “Say, ‘If there had been a son to the Gracious God, I would have been the first of worshippers’” (Surah al-Zukhruf, Ch.43: V.82), or like the first rightly guided Khalifa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said to the Muslims of his time: َ​َ ُ ْ ُ ْ َ ‫إن زغت فق ِّو ُم ْونِ ْی‬ ‫و‬ “If I deviate from the right path, show me the correct way.” (Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat, Juz‘ 6, p. 227) Hence, the Promised Messiahas never sent his books to his companions or other scholars of his age to perfect or improve his writings. On the contrary, he would share his works to increase the knowledge of his companions and spread the message of Allah the Almighty to the intellectuals and scholars.

Opinion

Free speech and walking into the rain Attiya Shaukat UK

Humour and jest play a role in every close relationship: teasing jokes aimed at a spouse, child, or a close friend which makes them laugh heartily, strengthening the existing ties of mutual affection.

Humour is a universal phenomenon present in every culture. But its expression varies: a joke funny in the Pakistani culture doesn’t always produce the same hysterical laughter to an English-, Chinese- or Deutsche-speaking audience.

In British culture, humour often expresses itself in the form of sarcasm, puns or by self-deprecating expressions. Whenever I meet one of my oldest English friends from my days at school, our conversations invariably end up with elements of the above humour.

My friendship with Emily (a pseudonym to hide her identity) is more akin to sisters and it’s easy to tease the idiosyncrasies of each other in a playful way, knowing that there is no malice intended.

However once, I was guilty of hurting Emily’s feelings out of jest. I insulted her about something she took pride in – I, out of immaturity and ignorance, blurted some nonsensical comment. I cannot recollect what was said, but it must have hurt, as she walked out from my home into the rain. I ran after her. We were both in tears when I caught up with her, as I sought her forgiveness. I too, however, have been at the receiving end of Emily’s slur in the heat of the moment – but the moral is, over time, you learn the etiquette of boundaries in social interaction.

I understand that our French neighbours express humour satirically as a way of expression. Even the Charlie Hebdo magazine describes itself as an “angry magazine” who mocks. Each to their own, no doubt. But there are limits to a joke, just as we experience in our daily life relationships. In most civilised parts of the world to mock race, gender and advocate antisemitic views is rightly against the law. So, why should it be any different when it comes to mocking a religious leader?

For most Muslims, the personage of

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is loved more than one’s own parents, children and siblings.

Any depiction of him by jest, is extremely painful for a Muslim. For those who cannot understand this religious or cultural expression of respect, can at least understand that deeply breaking the heart of 1.8 billion people cannot be “humour” in anyone’s eyes.

Most decent humans have a respect for their loved ones. This trait is found in people of faith or no faith. But Islam furthers this dimension of respect, to a level that is not to be found in any other religious teaching or political level.

Muslims are taught to respect the beliefs of others, not to abuse the gods of another people: “And revile not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they, out of spite, revile Allah in [their] ignorance. Thus unto every people have We caused their doing [to seem] fair. Then unto their Lord is their return; and He will inform them of what they used to do.” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V. 109) Perchance, if anyone does mock Islamic

teachings, then no physical punishment is prescribed for such a person. Simply put, there is no blasphemy law in Islam at all.

In fact, Muslims are told if such a situation arises, then a Muslim should simply get up and leave such a gathering: “And when thou seest those who engage in [vain discourse concerning] Our Signs, then turn thou away from them until they engage in a discourse other than that. And if Satan cause thee to forget, then sit not, after recollection, with the unjust people.”

(Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V. 69) Unfortunately, some so-called Muslims do not know their own religious teachings and instead act in accordance with their own political agendas, which makes life a living hell for 99.9% law abiding Muslims.

To top it off, it doesn’t help when world leaders incite hate speech instead of facing real issues such as rise in poverty and failing economy. Scapegoating peaceloving Muslims, by insulting what they love is crossing boundaries of human decency.

This is a time to walk into the rain and for two cultures to embrace in solidarity and friendship.

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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The untold story of black Muslims in America: Pioneering AfricanAmerican Ahmadi Muslim converts, St Louis

St Louis riverfront, circa 1942 | Wiki Commons

Dr Talha Sami UK

“We would have to sell dinners to raise money. There would be fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. Ibrahim Khalil would take the orders. Abdul Ali put the wood in the stove. Almas Ali would fry the chicken with Amina Khalid and Sister Zeinab. I remember they would stand cooking all day so much so their ankles would swell.” (Sister Aziza Ahmad) A previous article discussed the pioneering activities of Sheikh Ahmad Din who established Ahmadiyyat in St Louis.

This legacy continued for decades more. It has a rich vibrant history; it is the second longest fully fledged independent chapter which quickly became a powerhouse chapter in America that would host pioneering Ahmadis across each decade.

This was another pivotal chapter of

the early Ahmadiyya Community. Like Chicago, it had the close-knit feel. It was the centre of a thriving group of individuals where brotherhood and sisterhood were paramount. This was a cosy community with about 20 families between the 1940s and 1950s. One Chicago member described it as a small community that had a real family touch; one could see the generations there. Even to this day, there are now many generations of AfricanAmerican Ahmadis. One example is Abdul Aziz who joined around 1944. He had a son Habibullah Aziz. He had his own sons of Azim and Zahir. Azim’s son was Omar.

Ibn Yamin and Ibrahim Khalil spread the message of Islam diligently, which led to the second wave of conversions after Mufti Sadiq Sahibra. They were able to convert Usman Khalid who, in turn, converted Aminah Khalid. These were the pioneers

of the St Louis community. (And They Prayed Too: African-American Journey to Islam Exhibit, St Louis, Missouri) Taking it all the way back, Sister Aziza remembers the community and its humble beginnings. She fondly recalled her childhood within these times. The community looked different; there was no Lajna, Nasirat and no chanda amongst many of the other things which later have come to play a pivotal role in the community. At that time, it was nurtured through children’s classes, the regular Sunday meetings and frequent gettogethers. This cultivated the feeling of the family – Sister Aziza recollected that even if there were arguments, they would always be mended.

The local fraternity did not stop a global sentiment; during the partition of India into the Hindu majority India and Muslim majority Pakistan, they would get

together to raise money for those Muslims of the community who stayed behind in Qadian, India, known as the Darvesh.

They numbered 313, which was the same number of Muslim participants who fought the first battle at Badr at the time of the Prophetsa.

Aside from socialising, education was a key part of this chapter; Sister Aziza particularly recalls The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and Where Did Jesus Die? as key texts that were frequently read by the early members – the former had to be read before taking allegiance.

Her husband was fundamental in American Islam. Rashid Ahmad was the first African-American missionary to study in Rabwah, Pakistan, before returning to America. His long-time friend, Percy Smith, enquired about Islam on his own return, accepting the Movement soon after. He had been on his own journey and would host popular jazz musicians in California at his house to discuss spirituality and religion. He became a staunch proselytiser in his own right in St Louis, later re-locating and taking the name Saeed Ahmad. He would send letters, pass handbills and visit people’s homes to spread the message of Islam.

He even sent a cablegram to Pakistan in repudiation of a false statement published in Lahore. (“Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam”, Ahmadiyya Gazzette, 1971, p. 4.)

For the next few decades, Saeed personally tutored and taught the Holy Quran to the youth, established a youth day, organised chartered busses to Jalsa Salanas and established an ice-skating team competing at local and national events.

Together, Rashid Ahmad and Saeed Ahmad were instrumental in ensuring a good faith space was made. For years, the St Louis chapter would use rental halls and homes. Next, there was the purchase of the first formal mosque at 4401 Oakwood; the St Louis mosque and Sadiq Garden were also established (Perseverance, pp. 160161).

Early Lajna Imaillah of St Louis Earlier, the accounts of Jamila Munir and Aziza Ahmad were recounted who were pioneering sisters in the St Louis chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and heralding from an American Ahmadi dynasty.

They both related, at a time of segregation, that converting to Islam may

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

The St Louis chapter in the 1950s

well have led to one’s family disowning them.In a racially charged environment, those that further differentiated themselves could have suffered with volatile consequences.

This did not stop there being a strong sense of proselytisation within this chapter. (Interview with Abdul Jabbar Rafiq, 21 July 2019) The racial climate was problematic for many. Sister Bushra Saeeda was a white convert. For her, to associate with AfricanAmericans, join a black church and to convert to a new religion was unheard of.

There were few places in America where blacks and whites could intermingle. She would regularly go to the mission house; however, the only place in the city where she could sit with her sisters would be the Walgreen’s coffee shop or in the park.

(Women Pioneers of Ahmadiyya USA [unpublished], p. 47) This is one of the many examples of the multi-racial make-up of the community.

There was a strong connection between all the sisters here. They were welcoming to new converts; sister Abdur Razzaq converted in 1946 after being affiliated with the Moorish Science Temple of America and a non-Ahmadi Muslim group. She was an active participant; she was regular in attendance and financial contributions till her demise. She is the first recorded president for St Louis Lajna and was president for many years. (Ibid, p.

48) The St Louis sisterhood contained many future national presidents, one of whom was Sister Moneerah Ahmad who was born in Mississippi on 31 March 1930.

She married James Carr in 1948 and joined the Methodist Church. She migrated to St Louis, Missouri in 1951; two years later, they accepted the movement, adopting the names Moneerah and Munir Ahmad.

She became the fifth national president.

At her time, she had 10 functioning Lajna chapters. She died in 1996. (Ibid, p. 88).

The St Louis chapter has a tremendous history. It was hard to narrow down a male and female to focus on for a single article.

Abdullah Ali and Almas Ali were some of the earliest pioneers.

Abdullah Ali and Almas Ali “He never missed an event. He had a great love for the Ahmadiyya Community.”

(Hafiz Nasiruddin) Each chapter seems to have had their distinctions – the Haneefs of Boston/New York, the Afzals of Pittsburgh/New York, the Sadiqs of New Jersey, the Shaheeds of Pittsburgh and so on. St Louis was much the same.

Abdullah Ali was the son of a slave.

He was a Muslim before he joined the

Ahmadiyya community. It is possible that he was part of the Muslim Brotherhood in St Louis along with Ibrahim Khalil and Usman Khalid; it was in fact Ibrahim Khalil who brought in Usman Khalid. Together they would work diligently to spread the message of Islam; Aminah Khalid was so impressed by the new changes in her husband that she too accepted. Together Usman and Aminah would serve St Louis for decades. (And They Prayed Too: African-American Journey to Islam Exhibit, St Louis, Missouri) He could not read or write when he took allegiance and when he signed the form, he signed it with an X in 1936.

He became very dedicated to the community. He had a clear sincerity and belief in Khilafat, despite never having seen it. Decades later, Sister Tanvir still remembered his example and the pioneering elders, which included Saeeda Lateef, Amina Khalid, Hameeda Chambers, Nasira Razaa, Latifa Kareem, Hameeda Aziz and Aliyyah Shaheed.

(Women Pioneers of Ahmadiyya USA [unpublished], p. 58) (Reflection on Ahmadiyya history, interview with Hafiz A Nasiruddin) Sister Almas Ali converted in 1936; she was married to Abdullah Ali. She worked in Illinois but travelled to St Louis every weekend to attend meetings and give her financial contribution – her name is listed on all the early contributions of financial sacrifice or fundraisers as a regular participant. One entry of Lajna contributions is from 29 January 1968; Sister Almas gave $5 even when she was sick; kindhearted as she was, she passed it along to another sister.

Earlier, we discussed how the faith spaces came about in St Louis. It was, in fact, in the home of Abdullah and Almas Ali who established a base for Ahmadis to meet. When there was no other place to hold meetings and prayers, they were often held in her house. The St Louis missionary even lived with her and her husband for some time. They would also

host the Friday service at their house.

Every new year when others would shoot guns from their firearms Abdullah would go and recite the Azan. (And They Prayed Too: African-American Journey to Islam to Islam Exhibit, St Louis, Missouri) She later went on to serve as the Lajna president from 1968-1970 amongst various other offices and later died in 1995. (Women Pioneers of Ahmadiyya USA [unpublished], p. 51)

Abdullah Ali, Usman Khalid, Jawad Ali and Mubarek Ahmad

Sharing the message of Islam with members of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland and UK MPs Dr Nauman Iftikhar President Jamaat Northern Ireland

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Northern Ireland was able to share the peaceful message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the members of the Legislative Assembly and the members of the UK Parliament.

This provided an opportunity to share with them the peaceful teachings of Islam and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s charitable activities worldwide including in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We thank them for their ongoing support in working together

for the common good.

This message was shared with the following dignitaries: 1. Mr Thomas Buchanan, Member of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland from West Tyrone 2. Mr Daniel McCrossan, Member of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland from West Tyrone 3. Órfhlaith Begley, Member of Parliament from the West Tyrone 4. Catherine Legislative

Ireland from West Tyrone 5. Mr Declan McAleer, Member of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland from West Tyrone 6. Mrs Rosemary Barton, Member of Legislative Assembly Northern Ireland from Fermanagh & South Tyrone 7. Richard James Shannon, Member of Parliament from Stangford

May Allah the Almighty bless us with Kelly, Member of more opportunities to share the peaceful Assembly Northern message of Islam. Amin.

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

12

100 Years Ago...

“O Men! The one who was to come, has already come”: Ahmadiyya progress from across the globe The Review of Religions [English], November 1920 Our London Mission Our missionaries in London report progressive work. Brother Mubarak Ali, BA BT, our missionary intent for Nigeria has reached London, and has been arranging passage for Nigeria. Arrangements are being made for the construction of the new mosque and our missionaries expect to move to their new quarters shortly. The Hyde Park lectures are reported to have proved increasingly popular and successful.

A new brother We are glad to announce the conversion in England of our new Ceylonese brother Mr Sribardhan. He was called to the bar in June last, and is now going up for the LLB examination of the London University.

We pray for his success and spiritual advancement.

Conferences The Ahmadis of Behar recently held a conference at Bhagalpur.

The Ahmadis of Bengal held a conference at Brahmanbaria. Our Brother Maulvi Muhammad Ibrahim Baqapuri was sent from Qadian to attend the conference.

Details of the proceedings are not yet to hand.

Waiting for a new message Two Socialist leaders spoke at a recent Church Conference at Stockholm. The first, PH Sjoblour, spoke on the materialism of the present generation. The older people who had stood on the forefront of the battle had turned their ideals of social reform into a religion, but now that the reforms were practically accomplished, there was nothing which could set the hearts of the working men aflame with ideas beyond the satisfaction of their selfish wants. Therefore, they needed new spiritual values. But no one came.

A similar trend of thought was seen in the address of the other Socialist leader, F Mansson. He attributed the strength of the older people largely to the fact that they had fed their minds on the Book of books, whereas the younger people no longer read it. He found among them an emptiness as though they were living on spiritual stores that were being exhausted and not renewed.

They seemed to be waiting for someone to bring them new sustenance, but no one came.

We understand how timely was the announcement by the Promised Messiah[as].

“O Men! The one who was to come, has already come; the news has been borne to you even by the sun and the moon.”

The Eternal Creator What is known as a New Star has been discovered by Mr Dinning, the veteran astronomer of Bristol, in the constellation Cygnus. It is a bright star of 3.5 visual magnitude and can therefore be easily seen by the naked eye. It is not yet possible to determine whether the new star is actually a new comer or a faint star which has rapidly increased in brightness.

The last new star discovered in June 1918 was in the constellation Aquilla. For a very brief period, it was one of the brightest stars in the skies. It proved to be in origin a faint star which had been detected in photographs as long ago as 1888.

God says in the Holy Quran: “Were we then fatigued with the first creation? Rather they are in doubt regarding new creations.”

Sale of the bible in India During the first six months of the present year the Bible House at Allahabad sent out 280,000 books, while the Bible House at Bombay sent out 240,000. These figures show increase of 100,000 and 78,000 respectively above the totals for the corresponding period of 1919.

The Methodist Episcopal Church Mission aims at the sale of 50,000,000 copies of the Scriptures in India in next five years.

A proposal to gulp the non-Christian world The close of the war saw the conception of one of the biggest Christian enterprises for the conversion of the non-Christian world. This was the great Interchurch World Movement started in America which planned to collect nearly 4,000,000,000 of rupees to establish the kingdom of God on earth. It will bring great relief to the nonChristian world to learn that the movement has collapsed because the different Christian Churches did not find the movement sufficiently denominational. For the nine months the movement worked the monthly expenses amounted to more than 3,000,000 rupees a month, and in pledges, promises and cash, the movement had already received 520,000,000 rupees or thereabouts.

A crumbling house Reverend WS Godfrey is an ex-minister of the Church of England. He has found out the hollowness of Christianity and published his views in the book, Theism Found Wanting (Publisher: Watts and Co., London). When such is the condition of its members, there must be “something rotten in the State of Denmark.”

Yet another indictment of Christianity Mr Edmond Holmes in his recent book, The Comic Commonwealth, says: “The great war has revealed to us the hollowness of the material civilisation on which we had prided ourselves. The social order which our armies and police maintained is breaking up. The only hope for society is to get rid of the unworthy conception of God called in other words Christianity or Orthodoxy.

This fallacious cult of a transcendent God has produced our apotheosis of selfishness.”

Another justification of Islam Democracy is the cry of the hour. Europe and the West are enamoured of the majority rule, and the same motto is being repeated by their indiscriminate admirers in the East. But even in the West the wisdom of the principle has now begun to be questioned. Japan, the most successful pupil of Western civilisation, does not seem to have been convinced of the effectiveness of majority rule. The special correspondent of the Pioneer, Allahabad, writes about the country: “Japan is said to be under a Constitutional Government and this is true so far as being in possession of a national constitution is concerned; but in reality, the nation is governed by its elder statesmen known as the Gearo, who dictate all its important movements in politics. Japan has never believed in democracy in the sense of exposing the destinies of the State to the notions and whims of the ignorant populace.

Japan believes and has always believed and acted on the belief that the wisdom of the select few is superior and therefore safer than the confusion of ideas simmering in the public brain. Japan’s democracy is of another kind than ours. It consists of a patriarchal form of Government of which the Emperor is father and head and all the people children, ever loyal to the parenthead and to his arrangements for the big household. The Emperor governs for the good of the people. Such is the ideal.”

Islam too never believed in mass rule. Its institutions were directed at placing not the most popular men but the best men of the community at the helm of the State.

More calamities for the earth This time it is the Highlands of Scotland which has been visited by a serious calamity in the shape of the heaviest flood since the one which happened nearly a century ago.

It is impossible, says the report, to gauge the extent of the disaster. Many lives have been lost, houses and cattle have been swept away.

An inadvertence In our last number there was published among the News and Notes a quotation from the Truth Seeker on the subject of the Bible. We regret that the same got to the Press without any accompanying comment and has laid us open to a misunderstanding regarding our attitude towards the Bible. We do, of course, by no means endorse the views of the Truth Seeker, which are according to us indiscriminate, unauthorised and marked by brazen irreverence. We do admit, as Muslims, that the Bible contains much that is of intrinsic worth, that there is to be found in it many an echo of the Divine word, although mixed up with a good deal of human interpolations and disfigurements.

It is this element of human interference that we regret as having exposed the whole to the blatant sarcasm of the freethinkers. An atheist can by no means be nearer to us than a Christian. With the latter our difference consists in the matter of the recognition of one or more of Divine Messengers, while the former denies the very Fount of truth and goodness. As we have always openly advocated catholicity, tolerance and justice in matters of religion, we hope our present explanation will clear our position and effectively remove any misunderstanding likely to arise from the previous bare quotation.

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Declarations of Bai‘at, donations for Ahmadiyya magazine and tabligh in Mauritius Al Fazl, 18 November 1920 Announcements of Bai‘at 1. I have been engaged in seeking the truth for a long time and every now and then, I used to talk to Ahmadis about the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. For the past few weeks, there was an extensive exchange of views with esteemed Jan Muhammad Alam Khan and Muhammad Amin Sahib about the Jamaat. Finally, God Almighty, with His grace and mercy, has enabled me to openly express the truth.

Now, I declare that I have sincerely accepted Hazrat Mirza Sahibas as the prophet of this age and the Promised Messiah and by taking Bai‘at at the blessed hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] through a letter, have entered the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, alhamdolillah. Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray wholeheartedly that God Almighty may grant me perseverance in this path. (Ferozuddin Ahmadi, Head Clerk, Poona [now Pune]) 2. Dear Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra], assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

I have been listening to the message of Hazrat Mirza Sahib, the Promised Messiahas, through my sincere friend, Mirza Ahmad Baig Sahib, for quite some time.

My heart has firmly accepted his words.

Today, I request you to count me among the true believers of your beloved Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, and carry out a special prayer for this sinner from the depth of your heart.

Please pray for me with special attention for I am a great sinner. Although many

people consider me a noble person, but I know I have sinned a lot. I request you to pray for me that God Almighty may purify my heart from all sins and make me a true Ahmadi. May I become a true lover of the Messenger of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the Promised Messiahas.

May Allah the Almighty protect me from any kind of trial.

May God save me from every difficulty.

I will be subjected to great afflictions after entering into the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, but having full trust in God Almighty, I stand up to them from today. Pray for me that God makes me brave enough to face those hardships. The actual goal is that God fills my heart with true faith and makes me a firm believer in Islam. May my entire life and wealth be spent in the way of Islam.

Again I beg you to carry out special prayers for me. I desperately need God Almighty’s mercy. All friends are requested to please pray for me. I pray that this letter of mine reaches you at such a good time that I may get your special attention and achieve firmness in faith. Moreover, pray that may God Almighty by His mercy help all my relatives, near ones and friends to become firm believers by accepting the true Promised Messiahas. May God Almighty soon transform my dear friends into ardent believers. Amin! (Muhammad Hassan Khan Ahmadi, Cantonment Camp, Balbali) Donations for the launch of a magazine from America Dear Editor Sahib Al Fazl [newspaper],

assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

I am very happy to hear from my husband that Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib, may Allah be with him, has proposed to publish a magazine in America, and that there has been an appeal in the newspaper, Al Fazl, for its donation. I promise to donate half a dollar a month for one year.

Please write to me when you need it. I will continue to send the [promised] donation every month. All praise belongs to Allah that the Merciful God granted strength to this humble one to take part in this good deed, alhamdolillah! (Wife of Muhammad Saeed Ahmad, Clerk Post Office, Sargodha) 2. The Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Peshawar promises to donate two dollars monthly for the proposed [Ahmadiyya] American magazine. The funds will be transferred under the instructions of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, insha-Allah! َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫َو َما ت ۡو ِف ۡی ِق ۡ ۤی اِلا بِالل ِہ‬ “There is no power in us save through Allah.” (Secretary Abdul Majeed Ahmadi) 3. Dear Editor Sahib [Al Fazl newspaper], assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

A money order of 10 rupees has been sent as a donation for the English magazine which will be issued by the Mufti Sahib from America. Our Jamaat will continue to present annual donation, insha-Allah. Please publish this in the newspaper. (Badruddin Ahmadi, Secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya, Multan)

Al Fazl, 22 November 1920 4. As Hazrat Mufti Sahib has appealed with respect to the launch of a magazine from America, send a VP of one dollar in the name of the three of us, respectively, (one dollar annually per person): i. Khairuddin Ahmad, Proprietor Punjab Cycle Works, Aminabad Park, Lucknow ii. Syed Arshad Ali Malik, Ahmadiyya Cycle, Mart Latouche Road, Lucknow iii. Syed Irtza Ali, Managing Director

Students Commercial House, Aminabad Park, Lucknow Yours humbly, Irtza Ali Ahmadi, Lucknow 5. Agreeing with the proposal of Hazrat Mufti Sahib, I promise to donate two dollars annually. I will immediately send the funds after your postcard will reach me. (Syed Mohammad Aqeel Ahmad, Manager Coffee Shop, Connaught Road, Rawalpindi) 6. Mirza Mubarak Sahib, Chawa Settlement, promises to donate five rupees for [the launch of] magazine from America.

Ahmadiyya tabligh in Mauritius The verdict of the case of the mosque has not been issued yet. Meanwhile, Ahmadi members are focused on renting a house in Port Louis. For this, it is suggested that every Ahmadi man and woman should donate one rupee respectively and give chairs, tables, etc. for the house furniture.

Work has started and [our efforts] will soon bear fruit, insha-Allah. We reached Amaury on 18 September [1920].

A sincere Ahmadi named Hassan Ali lives there. The people over there follow a Pir Sahib. As they have left apparent practices of prayers, they offer prayers in their hearts.

They have gone beyond the Shariah [divine law] and are immersed in the sea of ma‘rifat [enlightenment].

Tabligh was carried out to a Hussaini Sardar [leader] in that place and some other people also came after some time. There were also some Hindus, who were conveyed the message of Islam as well. Some people were also preached on 19 September [1920].

A person was conveyed the message, who used to attend majalis [conferences] of Muharram. He asked, “Why do [none of] the maulvis not believe [you]?” I replied, “Think! There were 60 to 70 men with Imam Hussainra and there were a lot of people with Yazid, but Imam Hussainra was in the right.” Tabligh has been done on various occasions. May God produce good results.

(Sufi Hafiz Ghulam Muhammad Ahmadi BA, Mauritius)

Opinion

A uniting ring, “Is Allah not sufficient for his servant?”

Adila Yacoob Medical student, Trinidad & Tobago

In June 1876, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’sas father fell very ill. Naturally, the Promised Messiahas thought about the sad demise of his father and the hard days that would soon be approaching; days of poverty ahead and unstable financial support flashed before him.

Before the demise of his father, there were two revelations that were revealed to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas about his

father’s approaching departure from the world. The second revelation from Allah the Almighty declared:ٰ َ ّ َ​َ ‫اف َع ْب َد ُه‬ ٍ ‫أل ْي َس الل ُه ِبك‬ “Is Allah not Sufficient for His Servant?” (Surah al-Zumar, Ch.39, V. 37) Indeed, Allah is sufficient for his servant. When this revelation was revealed, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas felt a sense of relief and contentment that Allah the Almighty would take care of him and his needs. And Allah indeed did because throughout the rest of his

life, Allah blessed him in abundance and granted him all what he required.

After the revelation was revealed, later that very same evening, around sunset, the Promised Messiah’s father passed away.

Later, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas took it upon himself to engrave this revelation onto a ring.

Today, throughout the world, scores of Ahmadis have rings with this inscription which reminds them of trusting Allah.

This has also become a sort of identity and ethos for Ahmadis. Throughout the world,

this reminder on the ring can somewhat unite all Ahmadis together in following the footsteps of the Holy Prophetsa and Promised Messiahas.

The rings are made in various shapes, colours and sizes. People use this ring when tying the knot, while others receive it as presents and most importantly when received from Huzooraa, it becomes a source of blessing.

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The Holy Prophet’s love and kindness for his Companions

Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Missionary-in-Charge UK

Every aspect of the character of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is extremely beautiful and fascinating. From whichever point of view you look at it, our master, Hazrat Muhammadsa was unique and matchless as an excellent model.

In this article, I will be writing about his love and kindness for his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.

The character of the Holy Prophetsa has the distinction that the Creator of this universe has recorded the sublime nature of this holy personage in His holy scripture and secured it forever. In the Holy Quran, Allah says: ْ ‫ِانَّ َک ل َ َع ٰلی ُخ ُلق‬ ‫عظی ٍم‬ ٍ Thus, Allah, the Lord of the Throne, declares that His beloved Messenger, Muhammad Mustafasa, reached the peak of noble qualities. The grand character of Muhammadsa is the masterpiece compendium of all-comprising and unmatched qualities in every respect. Two verses that refer to his love and kindness for his Companionsra are particularly worth consideration: Allah testified on one occasion: ّٰ َ ّ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ‫الل ِہ ل ِۡن َت ل َ ُہ ۡم ۚ َو لَوۡ ُک ۡن َت َف ًّظا َغ ِل ۡی َظ الۡقَ ۡلب لَانۡ َف ُّضوۡا ِمن‬ ‫ف ِبما رحم ٍۃ ِمن‬ ِ َ ‫َحوۡل ِک‬ “And it is by the [great] mercy of Allah that thou art kind towards them, and if thou hadst been rough [and] hardhearted, they would surely have dispersed

from around thee.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V. 160) The great mercy of Allah made His beloved an embodiment of mercy.

Otherwise they (the Companionsra) would not have gathered around the Prophetsa with ardent love. ُ َ ُّ َ ٌ َ ْ ُ َُْ ْ ّ ٌ ْ ُ َ ُْ َ َ ْ َ َ ‫يز َعل ْي ِه َما َع ِنت ْم َح ِريْ ٌص َعل ْيك ْم‬ ‫لقد جاءكم رسول ِمن أنف ِسكم عز‬ َ ُ ِ ْ ْ ‫ِبال ُم ْؤ ِم ِني َن َرؤ ْو ٌف ّر ِح ْي ٌم‬ “Surely, a Messenger has come unto you from among yourselves; grievous to him is that you should fall into trouble; [he is] ardently desirous of your [welfare]; [and] to the believers [he is] compassionate, merciful.” (Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V. 128) We see such faith-inspiring scenes everywhere throughout the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa, in keeping with the Divine testimony. The blessed person, who was rahmatun lilalamin – a mercy for mankind – was the embodiment of mercy for all the worlds and creatures. His love and kindness for his followers and selfsacrificing Companionsra had different dimensions altogether. The clouds laden with his love and mercy showered all the time, everywhere and on everyone to such an extent that everyone was fully saturated and no one was left deprived of that beneficence.

The children benefitted from it and the elders too. The ladies partook in it and so did the men. The freemen as well as the slaves received it. The poor were enriched with this kindness and so were the rich. This expression of love and kindness continued day and night. Their beneficent master was

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

kind to them during poverty and during prosperity too. In short, love and kindness of the Holy Prophetsa continued to rain heavily on every section of Companionsra, all the time. How fortunate were the holy ones who received the affection of the “mercy for all people” and how lucky were the faithful who kept circling around this eternal light of love!

The Promised Messiahas, the illustrious spiritual son of the Holy Prophetsa, was the product and sweet fruit of the everlasting love of the Holy Prophetsa. This truly ardent lover has described the love and kindness of his master, Muhammad Mustafasa, in a fascinating manner. ‫آں رتمح اہہک قلخ از وے دب�ی د‬ ‫سک دن�ی دہ در اہجں از امدرے‬ Meaning that the love and kindness with which our master, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafasa treated people was so great and magnificent that not even a mother would have treated her children like it.

One may wonder if anyone can be more affectionate than a mother. A mother is cited as the model of love. Can there be anyone more affectionate than her? Yes, indeed! We see the most glaring example of that in the blessed person of our master, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafasa.

Hazrat Zaidra came to the Holy Prophetsa at a tender age. He had the honour of being the first of the slaves to accept Islam. He came as a slave and the Chief of the Creation freed him and adopted him as his son. Because of his love and extreme affection, Hazrat Zaidra forgot the love of his real parents.

When Zaid’s parents and relatives came to take him away, the Holy Prophetsa readily allowed him to go, but Zaidra refused to leave. Notwithstanding his parents’ insistence, he was not prepared to go with them. He had become so attached to the Holy Prophetsa on account of the love and kindness by the beloved of God that he preferred his companionship over the love of his own biological parents.

Once, a lady came to the Prophetsa with her sick child. The sickness of the child was so severe and had persisted so long, the heartbroken, she said that she could no longer bear the sight of his suffering and requested for prayer that he passes away and God brings an end to his suffering and her trials.

Mark the love and kindness of our beloved master! He replied, “Should I

not pray that your child recovers, grows up to adulthood, takes part in Jihad and achieves martyrdom?” That is exactly what transpired. The child recovered, grew up to be a devout Muslim and was martyred in the battlefield. Truly his love exceeded the love of every mother.

The mother, despite her deep love, was so distressed because of the child’s sickness that she begged for his death. However, our master, being more affectionate than a mother, said, “No, I pray that he survives and inherits eternal life through martyrdom.”

Talking of good treatment to children, Hazrat Anasra says, “I have never seen a man who was more compassionate to children than Allah’s Messengersa.” Whenever he passed by children, he would himself greet them with salam, put his hands on their heads with love and lift them up with love.

Whenever he received any fruit, he would give it to the youngest child first. It was the charm of such love that made the children drawn to the Holy Prophetsa like iron is attracted to magnet.

It is narrated that when this kind benefactor of children walked around the streets or was about to embark on a journey or was returning from one, the children playing in a dusty area would cling to his legs out of love, they would hold his finger and walk along with him in a relaxed informal way. The Holy Prophetsa would talk to each one of them affectionately and see them off with prayers. Hazrat Alira, who had the honour of being the first child to accept Islam, described the scenario of that love in the following words: “I used to follow Allah’s Messengersa like the baby camel follows its mother and does not part with her.”

This conduct of the children, their attraction and extreme love was the natural outcome of the affection that was expressed day and night.

When our perfect guide, Muhammadsa migrated and entered Medina, young girls of the Ansar, dressed in beautiful attire, came out of their homes and welcomed him with songs, he was overcome with love and asked them, “Do you love me?” All replied unanimously, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah’”. The Holy Prophetsa said, “I love you too”. How fortunate were those girls to have gained the love of the most beloved of God! Just as he joined the young ones in their joyous moments, he also shared their feelings of pain and sorrow. Once, in a street of Mecca, he saw a young orphaned child crying. Others might have passed by unconcerned, but not the Holy Prophetsa – he approached him and picked him up. The child was extremely poor. He did not have clothes to cover his body nor shoes to wear. His feet were bruised.

This pitiable condition made the eyes of the Holy Prophetsa well up with tears. He carried him to his house. The child had not eaten food for several days and so the Holy Prophetsa fed him, dressed him up with new clothes and kept him in his house like his own children and finally sent him to his relatives.

In the context of love and kindness of Holy Prophetsa for his Companionsra, his treatment of his servants is particularly

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

َ ۡ َ ۡ ۡ ُّ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ًّ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ۡ ّٰ َ ّ َ ۡ َ َ َ ‫ف ِبما رحم ٍۃ ِمن الل ِہ ل ِنت لہم ۚ و لو کنت فظا غ ِلیظ القل ِب لانفضوا ِمن حول ِک‬ “And it is by the [great] mercy of Allah that thou art kind towards them, and if thou hadst been rough [and] hard-hearted, they would surely have dispersed from around thee.”

(Surah al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V. 160)

A worth mentioning. Generally, servants are regarded as worthless slaves. Their selfrespect is crushed, and they are subjected to all sorts of maltreatment. However, the behaviour of the Benefactorsa of Mankind was totally different.

Hazrat Anasra had the good fortune of serving the Holy Prophetsa for 10 years.

Apparently, he was a servant, but the Holy Prophetsa treated him so decently that Anasra said, “I served the Prophetsa, for 10 years. By Allah, he never even said to me, ‘Uff!’ [a minor harsh word denoting impatience]. He never said to me, ‘Why did you do that?’ or ‘Why did you not do that?’

If I did anything improperly, he would never scold me, rather he would console me and instruct me affectionately and was never harsh to me. He would frequently join me in doing many tasks.” Hazrat Anasra states, “Several times, it so happened that the Holy Prophetsa sent me on an errand; however, being a child, on the way, I would join other children playing and forget all about the task and would not return for quite a while. The Holy Prophetsa would then come himself and instead of scolding me, he would sneak in from behind and hold my ear or head. I would say, ‘I will go now’. Affectionately, he would let me go.

Then I would proceed to do the task.”

What magnanimity! What affection!

What forgiveness! Can anyone show the likes of it anywhere today?

Hazrat Aishara summarises the essence of her observation in the following words: َ ّٰ َ ّٰ ُ ‫َوالل ِہ َماض َر َب َر ُس ْو ل اللہ خا ِد ًما‬ “By Allah, the Holy Prophetsa never hit any servant.”

Love and kindness of Allah’s Messengersa for his Companionsra manifested itself in wonderful ways. It is one thing to treat someone nicely and show love; however, giving preference to the needs and comfort of his Companionsra over his own is quite another. We observe such inspirational display in the character of Muhammadsa.

We see in his person the pinnacle of attributes mentioned in the Quran: َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ٰۤ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ َ ‫ان بہ ۡم َخ َص‬ ‫اصۃ‬ ِ ِ ‫یؤ ِثرون علی انف ِس ِہم و لو ک‬ Meaning, they prefer others to themselves even “though poverty be their own lot.” (Surah al-Hashr, Ch.59: V.10) Once, a woman gifted the Prophetsa with a beautiful shawl. He needed it and accepted it with thanks. When he came out of his house wearing that shawl, one

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of the Companionsra said, “O Messenger of Allahsa! How beautiful is that shawl!”

The Prophetsa had a very perceptive mind.

Considering the need of the companion, he gave him the shawl immediately.

A companion got married. He had nothing for the walima. Allah’s Messengersa told him to go to Aishara and ask for a bucket of flour. He went there happily and fetched it. Little did he know that there was nothing for dinner in the Prophet’s house that evening other than that flour!

I become tearful as I think of the loving kindness of Allah’s Messengersa for his Companionsra. He arranged for the walima of his dear companion. How he and his household spent that night, only God knows.

This is not an isolated incident; it happened many times.

Once, a companion stayed with him as a guest. There was only goat’s milk for dinner that night, which he gave to the guest and spent the whole night himself without food. It is narrated in the ahadith that he did not have anything the night before as well. Feeding the Companionsra and starving himself; there is only one such master, Muhammad Mustafasa. May my father and mother be sacrificed for him!

During the blessed life of Allah’s Messengersa, we come across anecdotes of love, kindness, sympathy and consolation of the Companionsra at every step, each one better than the other.

Hazrat Abu Hurairahra relates that once, he had starved for several days.

Out of desperation, he stood at the entrance of Masjid al-Nabawi and asked the Companionsra, who happened to pass by, the meaning of the Quranic verse that enjoins feeding the poor. That was a subtle way of asking for food, but nobody understood his intention. His condition deteriorated and he was about to fall with extreme weakness out of hunger, when suddenly he heard an affectionate melodious voice. When he looked around, it was prophet Muhammadsa. He told him,

“… we too did not have anything to eat at home today. A person has just brought a bowl of milk. Go to the mosque and see.

There may be other Muslims who are hungry like us. Call them all in.” Hazrat Abu Hurairahra gathered and brought them all in. The Holy Prophetsa started offering the milk bowl from the right hand side of the gathering.

Everyone drank the milk to their fill.

Then it was Abu Hurairah’s turn; he also had his fill. When all the self-sacrificing C omp a n i on s r a , who had suffered from hunger and thirst, had filled their stomachs with milk, at last, it was the turn of our master, Muhammad Mustafasa.

If you go down the lane of imagination, this famous and well-known episode will lead you to varied vistas.

In today’s world, one cannot even think of such love and affection. Firstly, no master or chief will ever experience such hunger.

However, if it does happen, on getting the food, they will consider it their right to be the first to take it. However, we live in a strange world. A starving master gets a bowl of milk and invites all his hungry and thirsty devotees. And without taking a sip himself, he offers it to each one of them.

They all become satiated and saturated one by one as he watches them affectionately.

Finally, when all the Companionsra are fully satiated and cheerfulness and smiles appear on their faces, the master gets the leftover, although his need was no less than that of the Companionsra in any way.

Another aspect of love and affection of the Holy Prophetsa for his Companionsra was that his heart was filled maximally with a passion of sympathy and love for them. He wished all the time that they did not suffer in any way. He prayed and made every possible effort for this.

It is narrated in a hadith that whenever there was a dust-storm or clouds appeared in the sky, signs of anxiety would appear on the face of the Holy Prophetsa and he would pace up and down restlessly. When the rain was over, he would be at ease and composure would replace the worry.

Hazrat Aishara once asked him the reason for this. The Holy Prophetsa replied, “I fear lest there should be a calamity in it for my people like there was for the people of ‘Ad.” Hazrat Anasra relates an incidence that took place during the Medinite period.

Those were the days when there was danger of Muslims being attacked by the enemies any time. One night, suddenly there was an uproar and some noises were heard from afar. The Companionsra started gathering with the intention of going out to investigate. Lo and behold! They saw the Holy Prophetsa entering Medina on horseback. He reassured the Companionsra that there was nothing to worry about as he had already investigated the area from where the noise came from.

While this incident bears testimony to the incomparable and astonishing courage of the Holy Prophetsa on the one hand, it is also a beautiful example of the love and affection that he had in his heart for his dear Companionsra. He sensed danger for his Companionsra being ambushed at night and ventured out, all alone, to assess the situation and did not bother any of the Companionsra to wake up. What a wonderful scenario! The Companionsra are gearing up to go out and assess the circumstances and their beneficent Master, who loved them more than their mothers, is reassuring them that there is nothing to worry about as he has already gone to check. This bravery and courage springing out of the fountainhead of true love and sympathy is surely matchless.

An extremely fascinating and endearing aspect of love and affection of the Prophetsa for his Companionsra was that though he was their master and leader, he joined them in every job and helped them on every occasion. The love and devotion of the Companionsra for him was such that they were always prepared to shed their blood instead of his sweat. Their delight was to make their beloved master relax while they displayed their devotion and affection. However, because of the love and affection that he had for the Companionsra, our beloved Master never liked to order them to do something and sit down quietly himself. In his blessed life, we see countless examples of such greatness of character, springing from the fountainhead of love and affection.

During a journey, it was time for cooking food. A companion offered to take

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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the responsibility of slaughtering a goat; the second one said he would remove its skin, the third one offered to do the cooking.

The Holy Prophetsa said, “Okay, I take the responsibility of fetching some firewood from the jungle”. The Companionsra said most respectfully, “O our Master, may our parents be sacrificed for you! Don’t bother please; we will do that too.” The Prophetsa replied, “I know that you can do it. But I do not like to exalt myself above you.”

The Heavens witnessed the spiritually regenerative scene that the king of the two worlds went into the jungle, picked the firewood and carried it on his shoulder; that was used to cook food for everyone.

After the migration, during the building of the Masjid al-Nabawi, the Holy Prophetsa joined the Companionsra, shoulder to shoulder, in the construction work. We find details of this in ahadith. It is related

by Hazrat Aishara that when construction started, the Holy Prophetsa also carried the bricks along with the Companionsra.

He sang loudly couplets in chorus with the Companionsra to encourage them.

His participation in the work was not just nominal; he was fully involved.

According to one narration, when he lifted heavy stones, his body used to bend down. Out of great devotion and love, the Companionsra would request him repeatedly to leave it for them to carry the heavy stones. How endearing and beautiful was his reaction on such occasions! He knew very well that a refusal will break the hearts of his dear Companionsra. He would accede to their request and hand over to them the stone that he had lifted. However, he would continue the task as before and pick up another stone as heavy. What a beautiful and lovely model our master was!

Another spiritually exhilarating incident of a similar nature took place during the battle of the Confederates. After consultation with Hazrat Salman Farsira, it was decided to dig up a ditch around Medina for its security. 10-man teams were allocated 40 cubits each to dig. After assigning the job to the Companionsra, the Holy Prophetsa did not sit idly by. He participated in the task fully. Hazrat Barara relates that he was engaged in digging into the earth and shifting it around along with his companions. He mentioned adoringly: I saw that the dust had covered his white belly. He was not wearing any shirt. One is

enraptured by affability and endearment of the perfect model Muhammad Mustafasa.

He joins his self-sacrificing Companionsra as a labourer because his heart is full of love and kindness for them.

He did not regard himself to be superior to them in any way. However, God knows, that that indeed was the secret of his everlasting greatness and exaltation. That indeed was the miracle which raised him to the most venerable status of “Khatamun-Nabiyyin”.

Undoubtedly, he is the chief of those of former days and latter days.

The world of love, affection and humanity of the Holy Prophetsa was a wonderful world. Everybody was drenched in the monsoon rain of his love.

For those who were his devotees, this love and affection assumed the form of dense clouds that rained on them heavily, day and night.

One day, the Medinites witnessed an extremely beautiful scene of love. The Holy Prophetsa went to the market and saw a Bedouin companion, Zahirra toiling as a labourer. He was not of a pleasant facial appearance and the dust and sweat made him look ugly. The Holy Prophetsa saw his dear friend and heartfelt love for him surged up. He snuck behind him and placed his hands over his eyes. Zahirra was wonder-struck, wondering who could express this love to a poor, destitute and ugly person like him. Then he figured out that it could be none other than Muhammadsa. When he touched his hands, he was convinced. Zahirra took it as a Godsend and started rubbing his back that was covered with dust, on to the Prophet’s body. The Prophetsa smiled! Later, another chapter of love and affection opened. The Prophetsa said, as a joke, to those around him, “I am selling a slave, who would like to buy him?” Zahirra said, “O Master! Who will buy this poor and wretched man?”.

The Prophetsa said, “No, no, don’t say that.

Allah, the Lord of Throne, Himself is your buyer.”

What beauty and love there is in that incident! This feature is the miracle of the holy personage who was more affectionate and beneficent than a mother. A mother is mercy personified for children. A mother’s affection is multifarious; it is persistent and ongoing. Our Beloved master, Muhammad Mustafasa was more affectionate and beneficent than all mothers. For his

Companionsra particularly, his love and affection were boundless and unfathomable. All his actions throughout his life reflected his unlimited affection.

This aspect of his character manifests itself in wide-ranging styles, in the mirror of different events. I present a selection of such anecdotes.

Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra, a devoted companion of the Holy Prophetsa, was subjected to severe torture by the enemies.

Once, he came to the Holy Prophetsa in an extremely wearied condition and in anguish said, “O Messenger of Allahsa, people are killing me. They put so much load on me that I am unable to carry.”

Seeing his wretched condition and hearing his account, tears welled up the eyes of the Holy Prophetsa. It is narrated

by Hazrat Umm-e-Salamara; “I saw the Messengersa of Allah setting Ammar’s hair with his own blessed hands and telling the people, ‘Ammar is so dear to me as if he is the skin between my eyes and nose.’”

A poor lady in Medina used to do the cleaning of Masjid al-Nabawi. The Holy Prophetsa did not see her for a few days and enquired about her. He was told that she had died and had been buried. He asked why he was not informed and added that he would have participated in her funeral prayer. He enquired about the location of her grave, went there and prayed for her.

Hazrat Fatimahra bint Asad, the mother of Hazrat Alira, had raised the Holy Prophetsa in her house. He loved her a great deal. When she died, the Prophet’s eyes became tearful with sorrow. To bury her, he himself went down the hollow where she was to be buried and addressing her in a mournful voice, said, “You were indeed the best mother. May Allah the Exalted reward you accordingly for being the best mother.”

When persecution against the Holy Prophetsa and his devoted Companionsra by the Meccans increased a great deal, the Holy Prophetsa could not bear the sight of their suffering. When he heard about their suffering, he would become tearful with upsurge of emotions of love for them, would give them glad tidings of Paradise and pray for them. When the situation deteriorated exceedingly, the kind and affectionate master permitted his Companionsra to emigrate to Ethiopia, where they would be in peace. He himself stayed back in Mecca. The king of Ethiopia treated the Muslim migrants very kindly and the Holy Prophetsa appreciated this kindness so much that after a few years, when a delegate came from Ethiopia, he took it upon himself to serve them. The Companionsra offered to serve them on his behalf repeatedly but he replied, “I want to serve them myself because when my dear companions, who had suffered persecution, went to that country, these people treated them very respectfully.”

When Hazrat Ruqiyyara, the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa passed away, her husband, Hazrat Uthmanra appeared grieved. The fact that he was no longer the son-in-law of the Holy Prophetsa bore heavily on his heart. The Holy Prophetsa realised that and got her second daughter Hazrat Umm-e-Kalthumra married to him.

As decreed by God, she also died soon

afterwards. With great love and affection, the Holy Prophetsa said, “O Uthman! If I had a third daughter, I would have got her married to you too.”

Hazrat Khababra bin Arat, one of his devoted companions, who had suffered a great deal in the way of Allah, was very dear to the Holy Prophetsa. Once, he sent him away for Jihad. There was no man in Khabab’s household and the women did not know how to milk cows. So the Holy Prophetsa used to go to his house to milk the cows.

On the epoch-making occasion of the conquest of Mecca, countless aspects of the multifaceted character of our Master, Muhammad Mustafasa manifested magnificently. That was a day of victory, a day of taking revenge from the enemies in a handsome way, a day of humility, a day of expressing gratitude to Allah. At the same time, it was a day for display of love and affection for the self-sacrificing Companionsra. How well did our beneficent master display all that and what a wonderful and endearing style did he adopt! He declared, “O enemies of Islam!

The negro slave whom you subjected to all sorts of torture and oppression for a long time and yet failed to silence his exclamations of ‘ahad, ahad’; Hear!

Whoever stands under the standard of that very Bilal will have peace.” I wonder what went through the mind of Bilalra on hearing that announcement and observing the love and affection of the Holy Prophetsa.

The Holy Prophetsa slaughtered a sacrificial lamb on Eid day. After having fulfilled that obligation, he specially slaughtered another one and prayed, “O Allah! Accept this on behalf of those members of my ummah who cannot afford it.” This show of love and affection for the poor members of the ummah is undoubtedly a characteristic of the Holy Prophetsa, who certainly was more loving and generous than parents.

The miracles of his love and affection were not restricted to his lifetime. Its beneficence is ongoing even after his demise. It is narrated in a hadith that on the Day of Judgement, on seeing the angels of hell dragging some people away, our Master will say: !‫اصیحابی! اصیحابی‬ “My companions! My Companions!”

The recreants will suffer the consequences of their deeds. However, the spontaneous expression by the Holy Prophetsa reflects his love and affection.

Moreover, when he will be permitted to intercede, his love and affection will assume the form of entreaty: ‫یَا َر ِ ّب امتی! یا َر ِ ّب امتی‬ “O my Lord! Have mercy on my ummah!”

A few anecdotes of love and affection of the Holy Prophetsa for his Companionsra have been presented to you. The fact is that this chapter is so vast that it is impossible to comprehend it and elaborate it entirely.

It is an endless ocean. It is a fountainhead of mercy and grace whose beneficence is constant, ongoing, and progressive.

May Allah grant us the ability to do good deeds that were dear to our master so that on the Day of Resurrection, he may cast his loving glances on us. Amin!

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

Ahmadis at forefront of Canadian “Thanksgiving Food Drive”

Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Mississauga is a thriving city, located about 30km south-west of the Baitul Islam Mosque. It is home to Baitul Hamd Mosque.

In 2016, when Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa visited Canada, the Mayor of Mississauga, Ms Bonnie Crombie had the opportunity of meeting with Huzooraa. After the meeting, Huzooraa instructed Mississauga Jamaat to help Mayor Crombie with food drives and cash donations.

Waseem Ahmed Sahib reports that by the grace of Allah, on 19 October 2020, Regional Amir of Mississauga, Abdul Majid Qureshi Sahib welcomed Mayor Crombie, and Executive Director of the Mississauga Food Bank, Ms Megan Nicholls at Baitul Hamd mosque.

Ms Crombie appreciated the contributions of Mississauga Jamaat in the financial and social areas. She acknowledged that Mississauga Jamaat is always at the forefront of collecting donations or offering volunteer services for people.

Similarly, Executive Director, Megan Nicholls spoke about the ongoing assistance by Mississauga Jamaat and how they have consistently helped the Mississauga Food Bank.

Regional amir of Mississauga presented close to 22,000 pounds of food items on behalf of Mississauga Jamaat.

On 4 November 2020, Mississauga Jamaat was invited to Mississauga City Hall where $15,000 and 22,000 pounds worth of food donations were officially presented to the mayor of Mississauga by regional amir of Mississauga.

Alhamdolillah, Mississauga Jamaat

was awarded the “Mayor Crombie’s citywide food drive recipient of the 2020 community challenge award” at this event.

Mayor Crombie extended the thanks and said: “…

Extending my warmest congratulations and thank you to the Ahmadiyya Community today on winning the community award. Each year,

we do the Mayor’s Annual Food Drive during Thanksgiving and we ask everyone to please donate generously, but this year, the Ahmadiyya Community has stepped up and exceeded their donations of last year. … We are so pleased that you are able to contribute $15,000 and 22,000 pounds of food so you are our top community award winner and I am so very grateful to you …

“You are always there when we call on you to give and you always give so generously. I know it is a part of your principles, your traditions with Zakat but you seem to always go above and beyond to help our city and to help those who are most vulnerable in Mississauga. So, my profound thank you. ‘Love for all, hatred for none.’ I know what you believe and I am so thankful to the Ahmadiyya community for your continued generosity. Thank you so much!”

Regional Amir of Mississauga Jamaat, Abdul Majid Qureshi Sahib described the events as follows: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to show that Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Mississauga is part of the fabric of Mississauga … the Jamaat has always been very generous in supporting the local community. This year, due to the

pandemic, the need was much greater.

By the grace of Allah, we were able to contribute much more than previous years and this year we have won the community award. … Please keep Mississauga Jamaat in your prayers.”

Missionary of Mississauga, Sadiq Ahmed Sahib, commented: “Today we were invited by the Mayor of Mississauga at the city hall in Mississauga city. She wanted to present us with an award in regard to our contributions towards the food bank. The food drive is an initiative by Mayor of Mississauga every year. By the grace of Allah, Jamaat Mississauga has been participating in this food drive for a number of years. What’s worth noting is that this year, due to the current situation and the pandemic, we thought it would be a difficult task to achieve given people are losing their jobs … but by the grace of Allah, because this is a noble cause and as Huzooraa has also drawn our attention towards it, members of Mississauga Jamaat came forward more than before and contributed towards this noble cause.”

May Allah enable us to follow the guidance of Huzooraa and continue to serve humanity, amin.

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Under the wings of the Caliph: A response to “Far From the Caliph’s Gaze” Part VI Zafar Bhatti UK

What is “Muslimness”?

The Second Khalifara sacrificed the homeland and birthplace of Ahmadiyyat in solidarity with his fellow Muslims so that they could establish the fledgling state of Pakistan together. The efforts of the Second Khalifara and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were instrumental in the formation of Pakistan; in fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that without the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s help, there would be no Pakistan. As such, it was unthinkable to entertain that the Second Khalifara would abandon Pakistan.

In just a few years after the partition, in 1953, the very Muslim clerics who had opposed the formation of Pakistan, in the form of the Majlis-e-Ahrar group, led a vehement wave of opposition against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which swept Pakistan; “Dozens of Ahmadi Muslims were killed, hundreds more injured, and countless Ahmadi shops, houses, and mosques were set ablaze” (The Wrong Kind of Muslim, p. 55). The ideology for the Majlie-e-Ahrar group was fuelled by Maulana Maududi.

Maulana Maududdi was a journalist turned Muslim cleric who came to great

prominence in pre-partition India and founded the pseudo religious-political group Jamaat-e-Islami, which he took with him to Pakistan. However, his in-depth grasp of religion was weak (Maktub-iHidayat) and being a journalist, he had the knack of presenting and sensationalising a point of view, thereby inflaming the masses.

In fact, the modern day violent Jihad – practiced by extremist groups, which aims to establish a global Islamic system through the use of force – is underpinned

by Maududian theology; “Islam wishes to destroy all states and governments anywhere on the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and programme of Islam regardless of the country or the Nation which rules it … the objective of the Islamic ‘Jihad’ is to eliminate the rule of an un-Islamic system and establish in its stead an Islamic system of state rule.”

(Jihad in Islam, pp. 6-7, p. 22) Maududi was one of the most vehement opponents of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the newly formed Pakistan. Eventually, Maududi’s Jamaate-Islami group would be instrumental in the radicalisation of Pakistan and its enslavement to an extremist religious clergy, resulting in the enactment of laws declaring Ahmadi Muslims outside the

pale of Islam.

Maududi’s justification for the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community centred on a number of false premises, three of which relate to the current discussion: 1. The redefinition of what a Muslim is and thereby the classification of Ahmadis as non-Muslim 2. That Ahmadis only “pose as members of the Muslim fraternity” (The Qadiani Problem, p. 44) 3. That Ahmadis have “political ambitions” (Ibid, p. 23) in Pakistan Those familiar with Evans’ work will now begin to see similarities with how Evans’ own line of argument seems to parallel Maududi’s; although Evans wisely stays away from the question of “Who is a Muslim, and what is Islam?” (Far From the Caliph’s Gaze, p. 241,), he mirrors some of Maududi’s other accusations.

Firstly, just as Maududi accuses Ahmadis as posing as Muslims, Evans transforms this to read that Ahmadis present a “counterfeit-proof ” of their “Muslimness.”

Secondly, whereas Maududi accuses the Jamaat of having “political aspirations” in Pakistan, Evans takes that one step further, transforming it to read that the Khalifa has global “political aspirations.”

Evans’ contention is ironic, as it was Maududi himself who laid the modernday foundation for the global political aspirations of Islam and it is only the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that has consistently and vociferously presented the counter-narrative to this framework.

In fact this is one of the reasons for which members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are considered traitors to Islam and persecuted as from its inception, the founder of the community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas has argued against a violent jihad, stating that “jihad with the sword has ended … but the jihad of purifying your souls must continue” (The British Government and Jihad, p.

17). In fact, one of the first martyrs of the community, Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra was said to have been stoned to death on the orders of the king because “he preached against Jihad”. (Friday Sermon of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, 6 August 1935) As such, it is no exaggeration to state that because of the opposition to Maududi’s global political aspirations, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have lost their very lives. Yet the irony is that Evans accuses the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of having the said global “political aspirations” that Ahmadis

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM themselves have single-handedly striven against.

We will now examine Evans’ next argument which parallel’s Maududis accusation of Ahmadis posing as Muslims: that Ahmadis are in a constant state of anguish to come up with new ways “to produce a counterfeit proof of Muslimness” (Far From the Caliph’s Gaze, p.43). However, it is important that we lay the groundwork defining what a Muslim is. For indeed, although Evans does not address this question directly, Evans’ accusations that the Ahmadis are constantly engaged in a pretence to demonstrate their “Muslimness” is based on this very question.

Redefinition of who a Muslim is In 1953, Pakistan was able to successfully fight off the attempted hijacking of the country by extremist clerics. Following the riots instigated by the Majlis-e-Ahrar, the Pakistani Government commissioned a judicial review of the riots, which is now famously known as the Munir Inquiry Report. One of the central themes that the Munir Inquiry Report discusses or tries to find an answer to is the definition of a Muslim – or what Evans deems to describe as Muslimness.

Muslimness is not a term I particularly endorse or like; either an individual is a Muslim or not – there is no such thing as Muslimness. In fact, it is terms like Muslimness which lead to divisions in society – as they seek to provide a yardstick whereby the extent to which someone is a Muslim can be measured. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that it is not the responsibility of men to judge the extent to which belief has truly penetrated the heart and that this is the domain of God. Indeed, when the Munir Inquiry Report asked the very question of who a Muslim is, scholar after scholar provided differing answers. The Munir Inquiry Report found that there was no definition that each Muslim sect shared unanimously.

But in addition to this, what the Munir Inquiry Report shows is that the simplest definition was that which was provided by

the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: “The definition by the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiya, Rabwah, in its written statement is that a Muslim is a person who belongs to the ummah of the Holy Prophet and professes belief in kalima-i-tayyaba.”

(Report of the Court of Inquiry Constituted Under Punjab Act II of 1954 to Enquire Into the Punjab Disturbances of 1953, p. 218) According to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, anyone who says they are Muslim and recites the Kalima, has the right to call themselves a Muslim. This teaching of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is also reflected in the life of the Holy Prophetsa, as there is not one single instance that can be found in his life, where he declared someone who claimed to be a Muslim as non-Muslim.

For example, if we look at Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, also known as the Chief of the Hypocrites, who declared the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa as the lowest of the low (God forbid) and continually opposed and plotted against him, even then the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa did not declare him as a non-Muslim. In fact the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa would even go on to lead his funeral prayer and provide his own shirt as his burial shroud.

Furthermore there is another incident at the time of the Holy Prophet, where in a certain battle, a Muslim solider had overcome his assailant and was about to dispatch him, at which point the assailant recited the Kalima and declared himself to be a Muslim. However, the Muslim, believing this to be a ruse of the assailant, still killed him. When this news reached the Holy Prophetsa, he became so distressed that he kept repeatedly questioning the Muslim soldier, named Usamara, asking, “Who will absolve you, Usama, from ignoring the confession of faith?” Then, the Prophetsa questioned whether Usamara had ripped open the heart of the assailant to confirm his belief. Usamara was so upset that he narrates that he wished he himself “had never been a Muslim before that day and that I had never killed the man”.

(Murder in the Name of Allah, p. 61).

Beyond this straightforward definition

of who a Muslim is, leaves the reality of what a Muslim should be, which I present below in the words of the Promised Messiahas: “… the essence of Islam is really magnificent, and no one can genuinely be given this noble title of being a Muslim until he hands over all his being: with all its faculties, desires, and intentions, to God, and unless he withdraws his hands from his egoism with all its antecedents, and takes exclusively to His path. So, therefore, one shall be called a Muslim in the real sense only when his life of careless abandon is transformed by a drastic revolution such that the entity of his ego that incites to evil (nafse-amara), along with all the emotions attendant upon it die readily, and after espousing this ‘death’, on account of being ‘righteous, purely for the sake of Allah’, a new life will kindle within him. It would be such a blessed life which would be shorn of everything except complete obedience to the Creator and selfless sympathy for His creatures.

“The obedience to God will take the form of one’s being ever-ready to endure insults and humiliation for the purpose of establishing His Glory and Majesty and His Uniqueness. And one’s readiness to court death a thousand times in one’s endeavours to ensure eternal life for the attribute of His Oneness. And one hand may gladly sever one’s other hand if obedience to Him so dictates. And one’s love for the magnificence of His Commandments and one’s thirst for seeking His approbation may create such disgust toward sin as if it were a consuming inferno, or a lethal poison, or a devastating thunderbolt from which one must flee with all the powers at one’s disposal. In other words, one must abandon all the desires of one’s ego in order to obey His Wishes, and endure life-threatening injuries if only to ensure becoming grafted to Him, and sever all bondage of flesh in order to demonstrate one’s bond with Him. The service to Allah’s creatures takes the form of providing benefit to all other creatures in their numerous needs through a variety of ways and means in which (Allah)

the Eternal Allocator has made various creatures dependent on various others by exercising all faculties of one’s being, in all such matters purely for the sake of Allah.

One must use one’s God-given faculties to help everyone who is in need of help, and must strive to improve not only the needy person’s position in the worldly life but also his life in the Hereafter. ...

So this tremendous obedience to God and practical service which is mingled with affection and love, and filled with sincerity and perfect genuineness, this indeed is what constitutes Islam, and its essence and its crux, which one attains after one attains ‘death’ over one’s egoism, (apprehension of) other creatures, greed and self-will.” (Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 58-62) This is the definition of Islam and being Muslim that Ahmadis strive for; it is linked directly to and can only be judged by God. There is no concept of any pretence, any complex of what people may or may not think of us or any anxiety to display our “Muslimness”. An Ahmadi Muslim’s Islam is linked directly and firmly with the love of the Creator and His creation, it is only His pleasure we seek and only His pleasure we are interested in.

Ahmadis pose as Muslims “If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.”

(Mother Teresa) Despite Evans’ understanding that Ahmadis believe a Muslim to be defined by their “own private relationship to God” (Far From the Caliph’s Gaze, p. 167) he argues that “most members of the Jama‘at are faced by a more pressing problem of how to make their Muslimness legible at the level of the surface and in the realm of the public.” (Ibid) As stated earlier, Evans falls into a similar line of argumentation as Maududi, whereas Maududi used the words “posing” as Muslims, Evans uses the words “counterfeit-proof ”. The result of Evans’ argumentation is the same as Maududi: Ahmadis are engaged in an outer display to prove their own “Muslimness”.

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dard: A foreshadowing of a blessed unification Hassan Minhas Student Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada

The world of Islam has been privileged with many great scholars, saints and sages. The more one investigates it, the more overwhelmed they become due to the astonishing nature and works of these remarkable personages. These past 1,400 years after the Holy Prophetsa have given birth to such great personalities who fully embody the teachings that he left for his followers.

Interestingly, Annemarrie Schimmel, a profound German academic and influential orientalist in the field of Islamic mysticism wrote an exceptional and unparalleled book called Mystical Dimensions of Islam.

The book and the author have been praised as such: “Schimmel is an undisputed authority in this field … [This] is the most comprehensive and satisfactory survey of the subject, filled with as much empathy and feeling as erudition … invaluable.”

(History of Religions) “Replete not only with the poetic insight of the author but with her unquestioned scholarly mastery over materials from the vast culture-sphere of Islam.” (International Journal for Philosophy of Religion) This work gives intricate insight to the accomplishments and lives of various influential saints, varying from Hazrat Junaid Al-Baghdadirh, Imam Ghazalirh, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilanirh, Imam Ibn Arabirh, Hazrat Muinuddin Chishtirh, Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dardrh and many more. It is unfortunate that the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas has not been mentioned, for whatever reason that may be. However, the book contains high praise of a saint whose lineage was to have the ultimate unification with Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

Hence, one very interesting aspect from the perspective of Islam Ahmadiyyat is the attention and remarkable praise given to Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dardrh. The blessed wife of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jehan Begumra is from his direct lineage. This blessed unification was divinely inspired. Thus, it is no surprise as to why a family of such noble and pious background was chosen for the Promised Messiahas.

Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dardrh (1720-1785) was a renowned Muslim saint and mystical poet who lived in Dehli. He came from a well-known Syed family, meaning he was a descendant of the Holy Prophetsa.

He penned many great mystical works

such as Ilm-ul-Kitab and Chahaar Risala.

Khawaja Mir Dardrh had an overwhelming following in India. His name still resonates in the mystical realms of Islam and he is accepted as a true sage.

In her book, Schimmel states that a lot of the mystics were looked down upon by certain factions of Islam. This was due to odd interpretations of faith that they professed or some misunderstandings of their teachings that were carried out by their followers. However, when it comes to Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dardrh, he is mentioned with unparalleled praise and no such criticism against him can be found. On the contrary, he is described as a “sincere Muhammadian”. This alludes to the fact that his entire life and teaching was fully under the precepts of the Holy Prophetsa. An entire chapter of the book has been dedicated to him and his works.

Moreover, Khawaja Mir Dard’s blessed father, Hazrat Mir Muhammad Nasir Andalibrh, who was also a saint, is mentioned with great esteem as well.

Both father and son spent their lives treading the spiritual path of the “tariqa-eMuhammadiyya”, which in their view was the path fully in line with the character, precepts and sunnah of the Holy Prophetsa and they strongly disliked any innovations that crept in the faith of Islam.

Hazrat Mir Dardrh followed his father

as a spiritual guide, who had taken his son closer to the Holy Prophetsa. Schimmel describes this as “the steady ascent of Dard until he reaches the closest possible relation to the Prophet through his father.”

(Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 378) Furthermore, Hazrat Mir Dardrh had many spiritual experiences, one of which Schimmel describes as “of an experience in which Dard was invested the true successor of The Prophet”. (Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 379) Elaborating on his spiritual state, Schimmel writes, “Dard’s life was sternly ascetic. Later biographies emphasize mainly the long periods of fasting he kept; even his family, whom he loved dearly, took part in the constant fasting.” (Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 380) One can clearly derive that this was no ordinary family. This was a family fully invested in the love of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa.

Schimmel writes, “Dard’s close relationship with his father is the strangest aspect of his life. His love for his family meant, at the same time, love for The Prophet, since both parents claimed sayyid lineage and thus special proximity to The Prophet. His father was, for Dard, the mystical guide par excellence.” (Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 375) In this context, a very crucial vision that

the father of Hazrat Mir Dardrh had is of immense significance. This vision occurred while he was going through intense prayers for 40 days. In the vision, the grandson of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Imam Hasanra came to him and said: “With the wish of the Holy Prophetsa, Allah the Almighty has sent me to you so that I bestow on you Allah the Almighty’s closeness and knowledge of His attributes in abundance and a special blessing which the prophet’s family has preserved for you.

It began with you and it will end with The Promised Mahdi.” (Maikhana-e-Dard, p.

46) How fortunate was he, that the Prophet’s grandson bestowed him such a monumental gift of affiliation with the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Reformer who was yet to come. From this, it is evident that both Hazarat Mir Muhammad Nasir Andalibrh and Hazrat Mir Dardrh treaded the tariqa-e-Muhammadiyah most beautifully, to become the recipients of such a monumental reward, even though they were already physical descendants of the Holy Prophetsa.

We are aware that this vision was literally fulfilled with the marriage of the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jehan Begumra. Regarding this unification, Allah reassured the Promised Messiahas, “Be grateful for My Bounty,

Ruins, South side of Old Delhi

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Slough

Atiq Ahmad Bhatti President Jamaat Slough

Members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Slough were honoured to lay wreaths at two Remembrance Day ceremonies on 8 November 2020.

The first wreath was laid at a scaled back special Remembrance Ceremony held in Cippenham village where the local Rev Jason Griffiths held a short service of remembrance before a few representatives made their way to the War Memorial to lay a wreath.

The wreath was laid by myself, and was accompanied by Mahmood Mobashir Sahib, general secretary Jamaat Slough and Zubayr Bhatti Sahib, qaid majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Slough.

The second wreath was laid in Burnham village shortly afterwards.

I laid the wreath at the village war memorial, accompanied

by Muhammad Akram Khalid Sahib Secretary

you have seen my Khadijah”. (Barahin-eAhmadiyya IV, p. 558, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 1, p. 666) Furthermore: “That God is a true God Who has made your son-in-law’s relationship with an honourable people who are Syeds, and has made your lineage noble, which is a mix of Persian and Syeds pedigrees.” (Tiryaq-ulQulub, p. 64, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 15, pp.

272-273) It is evident that both families of this unification were blessed with a great reward as a result of their complete love and devotion for the Holy Prophetsa.

Now, it is quite ironic that today, the opponents of the Promised Messiahas try to wrongfully malign his spiritual status.

However, if one was just to merely ponder over this blessed unification, they can derive that the Promised Messiahas was given the daughter of such a noble Syed family whose praises are still sung to this very day by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Would an imposter, God forbid, ever be vouchsafed with a pious women whose

family is of such high status in the eyes of Allah? Why would Hazrat Muhmmad Nasir Andalibrh be promised an imposter

by Hazrat Imam Hasanra whereas the vision stated that he would be bestowed with close proximity to Allah, the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Reformer? How can this thought even cross the minds of “true” Muslims? The world understands that this family are the descendants of the Holy Prophetsa and that they had committed their entire lives for the service of Islam.

Therefore, it is befitting that the Promised Messiahas, whose life was completely sacrificed for the Holy Prophetsa and for whom angels testified that “this man truly loves the Prophet of God”, received such an honour.

In addition, Schimmel further describes Hazrat Mir Dardrh as “the great mystic of Delhi in the eighteenth century, Mir Dard instantly repeated that he did not want to be called a Sufi, but rather ‘a true Muhammadan.’” (Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 21) This further proves his humility and urge to merely be known as a follower of

the Holy Prophetsa and nothing else.

The Promised Messiahas also shows unprecedented love for the Holy Prophetsa in his writings and actions. His writings bare witness that no one loved the Holy Prophetsa of Islam more than Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. One example is a Persian couplet which reads: “My life and my heart, everything is but a sacrifice for the beauty of my beloved Muhammadsa; I am as if, the dust of the alley of Muhammadsa.”

In retrospect, how amazing it is to see two families who had such unprecedented love for the Holy Prophetsa around the same time-period and same country eventually brought together to further propagate the Prophet’s noble cause and message.

Hazrat Mir Dardrh has been quoted to have said the following, contrary to other sufis of the time: “I love my wife and children dearly.”

(Mystical Dimensions of Islam, p. 36) It should then be no surprise that Allah the Almighty rewarded this love in the substance of unification with the Promised Messiahas. How wonderfully

Tabligh, Sharf-ur-Rahman Sahib Zaeem Majlis Ansarullah Slough and Zubayr Bhatti Sahib, Qaid Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Slough.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Slough have had the honour to lay wreaths on Remembrance Sunday for many years now and this usually succeeds their annual Poppy Appeal collections for the Royal British Legion branches of Burnham and Cippenham.

This time of the year is one of heartfelt remembrance for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our tomorrow. This year, it is all the more poignant due to the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that some of us have lost those close to us, and thus the message and act of remembrance is all the more pertinent. It is not only humbling, but a great honour for the community to lay wreaths every year on Remembrance Sunday. We are looking forward to 2021 where we may double our efforts for the annual poppy appeal that precedes Remembrance Sunday.

poetic are these words of affection of Hazrat Mir Dardrh for his family. It is this special attention, unlike other sufis which moulded a family of such high spiritual calibre.

Knowing all these facts, what substance do the opponents of Islam Ahmadiyyat have to raise allegations with when a majority of the “main-stream’ Muslims accept and revere Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dardrh and his works for the cause of Islam.

The blessing of this unification still lives on till this very day for the entire world to see; four Khulafa of Islam Ahmadiyyat descend from it directly. Their lives and works further illuminate the names of their renowned ancestors till this very day!

No wonder the Promised Messiahas was assured by Allah that: “Your progeny will not be cut off and will flourish until the last day. Allah will sustain your name with honour until the world reaches its end and will spread your message to the corners of the world.”

(Majmu‘a-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 102)

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Friday Sermon 23 October 2020 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

The companion whose accounts I shall narrate today is Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal.

His name was Muaz and the name of his father was Jabal bin Amr and his mother was Hind bint Sahl, who belonged to the Banu Raba‘ah branch of the Juhaynah tribe.

Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal’s title was Abdur-Rahman and he belonged to the Uday bin Saad bin Ali branch of the Khazraj tribe. The author of Siyar-usSahabah [life of the companions] writes that Saad bin Ali had two sons, Salama and Uday. Banu Salama is the progeny of Salama.

During the era of Islam, only two individuals from the progeny of Uday bin Saad survived; they were Hazrat Muazra and his son, ‘Abd-ur-Rahman. The houses of Banu ‘Uday were situated in the

neighbourhood of Banu Salama. Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal was of extremely fair complexion, had a beautiful countenance, bright teeth and beautiful eyes. Amongst his people, he was the considered most handsome, youthful and generous person.

Abu Nu‘aim relates that Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal was more compassionate, modest and generous than any other youth of the Ansar. Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal participated in the second pledge of initiation at Aqaba, along with 70 other Ansar and was 18 years old at the time of his acceptance of Islam. Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal participated alongside the Holy Prophetsa in all the battles, including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq.

When he participated in the Battle of Badr, he was 20 or 21 years of age. His step-brother (who was born to the same

mother but had a different father) was Hazrat Abdullahra bin Jadd and he also participated in the Battle of Badr.

According to Usd-ul-Ghabah, the name of his step-brother was Sahl bin Muhammad bin Jadd. Sahl belonged to Banu Salama, therefore they also counted him among their tribe. When the Muhajireen of Mecca migrated to Medina, the Holy Prophetsa formed a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud and Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal.

This is the only reference that can be found in this regard from the various books of history.

After accepting Islam, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal, along with the youth of Banu Salama, broke the idols of their tribe. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd-ul-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat alSahabah, Vol. 5, Muazra bin Jabal [Beirut,

Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003] 187) (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Muazra bin Jabal wa min Sa‘ir Bani Salamah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990] 437-438) (Ibn Hajar alAsqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 6 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1995] 107-108) (Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar alSahabah, Vol. 3, Muazra bin Jabal [Karachi, Pakistan: Dar al-Isha‘ah, 2004] 497) This incident of how he broke the idols of his family has previously been mentioned once whilst narrating the accounts of another companion and I will mention it here again.

Hazrat Amrra bin Jamooh placed an idol made out of wood in his home. He named it Manaat and would show great respect to it and revere it. On the occasion

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM of the second Bai‘at [pledge] at Aqaba, some youths from Banu Salama also pledged their allegiance. Among them was Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal and also Muazra, the son of Amr [bin Jamooh] who also pledged his allegiance.

This incident that I am quoting has previously been mentioned in relation to Muazra bin Amr. Hazrat Amrra bin Jamooh’s son devised a plan to call his father towards Islam. He would take the idol of Hazrat Amrra, which he had placed in his home, and throw it into a pit or a pile of rubbish. Some of the youths would assist him in this, including Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal. Nevertheless, he threw the idol into the pit of rubbish one day. Amrra found it, brought it back home and said, “If I come to know who is doing this to my idol, I will punish him severely.”

The following day, these young men did the same with the idol and it was once again lying face down in the pit. He once again picked it up and brought it back.

The third day, he cleaned the idol again and placed it in his home, but this time, he hung his sword around the idol and said, “By God! I am not aware of who is doing this to you, but I am leaving a sword with you so that you may protect yourself. You now have a sword.”

The following day, Hazrat Amrra noticed that the idol was once again not in its place and found it in that very pit nearby, tied to the neck of a dead dog. Seeing this, he was taken aback and became extremely concerned and was compelled to ponder over the fact that the idol he considered to be a god and had placed in his home did not even have the strength and power to protect itself even with a sword by its side; how then could it possibly protect him?

Furthermore, it was lying around the neck of a dead dog. Thus, he deeply reflected that how could this possibly be a god.

Nevertheless, this incident was the cause for his inclination towards Islam and later accepting Islam. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 4, Amr bin al-Jamuh [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003] 195) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal’s love and devotion to the Holy Prophetsa can also be gauged by the fact that when the Holy Prophetsa returned to Medina following the Battle of Uhud, sounds of wailing and lamenting could be heard in the streets. The Holy Prophetsa asked what it was? They replied that these were the wives of the Ansar, who were weeping for their martyrs. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, “Is there no one to weep for Hamzah?” The Holy Prophetsa then prayed for the forgiveness of Hazrat Hamzahra.

When Hazrat Saadra bin Muaz, Hazrat Saadra bin Ubadah, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal and Hazrat Abdullahra bin Rawahah heard this, they went to their respective neighbourhoods and gathered the women of Medina who were wailing and weeping.

They then said, “No one shall now mourn over the martyrs of the Ansar until they have mourned over the uncle of the Holy Prophetsa, because he said there is no one in Medina to mourn over Hazrat Hamzara.”

This was their love and devotion to the Holy Prophetsa upon seeing that he was

in pain due to [the martyrdom of] Hazrat Hamzara. (Ibn Hisham, Al-Raud al-Anf fi Tafsir al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 3, Ghazwat Uhud [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1986], 95-96) Although howling and shrieking over a departed one is forbidden, but the Holy Prophetsa permitted it in this instance, or perhaps having witnessed the emotions of the people, he expressed his wish for them to also express their emotions for Hazrat Hamzara. But in any case, howling and shrieking over the dead is forbidden in Islam and the Holy Prophetsa himself forbade it.

After the conquest of Mecca, the Holy Prophetsa went to Hunain. Hunain is a valley situated north-east of Mecca, near Ta‘if. The Holy Prophetsa kept Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal in Mecca, so that he could teach the people of Mecca about Islam and the Holy Quran. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Muazra bin Jabal, [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990] 265) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-i-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], 109) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal fully participated in the Battle of Tabuk. When the Holy Prophetsa enquired about Hazrat Kaabra bin Malik, who, at the time, had remained behind in Medina, a man from

the Banu Salama tribe spoke ill of Hazrat Kaabra bin Malik. In response, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal reproached that man and then submitted to the Holy Prophetsa, “O Messengersa of Allah, we only see good in him, we do not see anything bad.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Hadith Kaabra bin Malik…, Hadith 4418) This was their standard of morals that they would not speak ill of someone behind their back.

Qatadah relates that he heard Hazrat Anasra say, “In the time of the Holy Prophetsa, four people compiled the Holy Quran, who were all among the Ansar.

They were: Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal, Hazrat Ubayyra bin Kaab, Hazrat Zaidra bin Thabit and Hazrat Abu Zaidra.” Hazrat Abu Zaidra was the paternal uncle of Hazrat Anasra.

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Faza‘il al-Sahabah, Bab min Faza‘il Ubayy bin Kaab…, Hadith 2465) Hazrat Abdullah bin Umarra narrates that he heard the Holy Prophetsa say, “Learn the Quran from four people – Ibn Mas‘udra, Salimra the freed slave of Abu Huzayfara, Ubayyra bin Kaab and Muazra bin Jabal.”

This narration I have just cited is from Sahih al-Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar, Bab Manaqib Muazra bin Jabal, Hadith 3806) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has explained

this Hadith which I previously mentioned in relation to Hazrat Kaabra. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “The Holy Prophetsa appointed a group of teachers who taught the Holy Quran; they [learned and] memorised the entire Holy Quran from the Holy Prophetsa and taught it to others. These were four esteemed teachers who were responsible for learning the Holy Quran from the Holy Prophetsa and teaching it to others and there were many companions under them who would also teach the Holy Quran to others. The names of these four esteemed teachers are Abdullah bin Mas‘udra, Salimra, the freed salve of Abu Huzayfara, Muazra bin Jabal and Ubayyra bin Kaab.

The first two were Muhajireen and the latter two were Ansar. With regard to their work, Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud was a labourer, Salimra was a freed slave, while Muazra bin Jabal and Ubayyra bin Kaab were chieftains of Medina. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa appointed qaris [reciters] keeping in view every member of society.

“It is narrated in a hadith that the Holy Prophetsa used to say: ٰ ُْ ُ ُ َ ّٰ َ ‫خذوا القرا َن ِم ْن ا ْرب َ َع ٍۃ ( ِم ْن) ع ْب ِدالل َ ِہ بِ ْن َم ْس ُع ْو ٍد َو َسال ٍِم‬ ُ ْ ْ ‫َو ُم َعا ِذ بِن َج َب ٍل َواب َ ِ ّی بِن ک ْع ٍب‬ “‘Anyone who desires to read the Quran should learn from the following four individuals; Abdullah bin Mas‘ud, Salim, Muazra bin Jabal and Ubayy bin Kaab.’

“These were the four people who either learned the entire Quran from the Holy Prophetsa or would recite it before him to ensure they did not make any mistakes.

Aside from them, there were also many other companions who learned various portions of the Holy Quran directly from the Holy Prophetsa.

“It is related in another narration that on one occasion, when Hazrat Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud [was reciting the Quran, he] pronounced a word differently. Hazrat Umarra stopped him and said that it should be pronounced in such and such manner.

Hazrat Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud stated that the Holy Prophetsa taught him to pronounce it in that very manner. Hazrat Umarra took him to the Holy Prophetsa and complained that he did not recite the Quran correctly. The Holy Prophetsa asked Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud to recite.

When he recited it, the Holy Prophetsa said he was reciting correctly. Thereupon Hazrat Umarra submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah, you taught me to pronounce the word differently.’ The Holy Prophetsa told him that that was also correct.

“This shows that in addition to the four companions who learnt the Holy Quran from the Holy Prophetsa, there were others who used also to learn portions of the Holy Quran from him. Hazrat Umar’sra submission that he had been taught to pronounce a certain word in a particular way shows that he too used to learn the Quran from the Holy Prophetsa himself.”

(Dibachah Tafsir al-Quran, Anwar-ulUlum, Vol. 20, pp. 427-428) Hazrat Anas bin Malikra relates that the Holy Prophetsa said, “From among my Ummah, the most merciful to them is Abu Bakrra; the one who most strictly

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24 adheres to the religion of Allah is Umarra; the most modest is Uthmanra; the best decision-maker is Alira bin Abi Talib; the most knowledgeable of the Holy Quran is Ubayyra bin Kaab; the most knowledgeable of what is lawful and unlawful is Muazra bin Jabal and the person with the greatest awareness of his obligations is Zaidra bin Thabit. Hearken! Every nation has an ameen [custodian] and the ameen of my ummah is Abu Ubaidahra bin al-Jarrah.”

This narration has previously been mentioned as well in a similar manner.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Iftitah al-Kitab fi al-Iman wa Faza‘il al-Sahabah wa al-Ilm, Bab Faza‘il Khubbab, Hadith 154) Hazrat Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophetsa said, “What an excellent man is Abu Bakr; what an excellent man is Umar; what an excellent man is Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah; what an excellent man is Usaid bin Hudair; what an excellent man is Thabit bin Qais bin Shammas; what an excellent man is Muaz bin Jabal and what an excellent man is Muaz bin Amr bin al-Jamooh.” This is a narration of Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal.

(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 7, p.

502, Hadith 9421, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut,

1998) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal relates that the Messengersa of Allah took hold of his hand one day and said, “O Muaz! By Allah, I love you”. Hazrat Muazra replied, “May my parents be sacrificed for you; I too love you.” The Holy Prophetsa then said, “O Muazra, I advise you to never forget to recite after every prayer: َ ّٰ َ ْ ُ َ ْ ٰ َ َ َ ‫ادتِک‬ ‫الل ُہ َّم أ ِع ِّن ْی َعلى ذِک ِرک َوشک ِرک َو ُح ْس ِن ِعب‬ ‘O Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You and to worship You in an excellent manner.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 7, p. 380, Hadith 22470, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1998) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal relates that the Holy Prophetsa said, “Shall I not tell you about one of the doors to paradise?”

Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal submitted, “Of course.” The Holy Prophetsa said to recite: َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ ُ َ َ ‫لا َح ْول َولا ق ّوۃ ِإلا بِالل ِہ‬ ‘There is no might or power except with Allah.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 7, p. 374, Hadith 22450, Alam alKutub, Beirut, 1998) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal narrates that he enquired from the Holy Prophetsa as to

what the most excellent kind of faith was.

The Holy Prophetsa replied, “The most excellent form of faith is to instil love for Allah and to only express your hatred for His sake, and to remain occupied in the remembrance of Allah.” Hazrat Muazra then asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what else?” The Holy Prophetsa answered, “Love for others what you love for yourself.

You must like for others that which you like for yourself, and you must dislike for them that which you dislike for yourself.”

(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 7, p. 385, Hadith 22481, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1998) Hazrat Jabir bin Abdillahra narrates that Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal would pray with the Holy Prophetsa and then return to his tribe and lead them in prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab idha Salla thumma amma Qauman, Hadith 711) He would first come to Masjid alNabawi and offer prayers there, after which he would return to his home and lead his people in prayer. This is a narration from Sahih al-Bukhari.

Hazrat Jabirra narrates that Hazrat Muazra would offer prayers with the Holy Prophetsa and then would return to his people and lead them in prayers.

One evening, he offered the Isha prayer behind the Holy Prophetsa. When he returned to his people, he led them in prayers and began reciting Surah alBaqarah [chapter 2 of the Holy Quran].

Upon this, one person separated himself from the congregation, said ‘salam’ [to indicate the end of prayer] and began to pray on his own. When he saw that a lengthy chapter was being recited, he said ‘salam’ and began to offer the prayer on his own. Seeing him do this, the people called out his name and said, “Have you become a hypocrite?” They admonished him for leaving the congregational prayer and praying on his own and asked him whether he had become a hypocrite. Upon this he replied, “No, by God, I am not a hypocrite. I will certainly go to the Holy Prophetsa and inform him of what I have done. If I was a hypocrite, I would have secretly offered my prayers. I will certainly inform the Holy Prophetsa of all this.”

Subsequently, he came to see the Holy Prophetsa and said, “O Messengersa of Allah! We transport water from one place to another on our camels and ensure people have water in their homes. Thus, we work all day long. Hazrat Muazra offered the Isha prayers with you and then came to his own neighbourhood and began reciting Surah al-Baqarah.”

The Holy Prophetsa turned to Hazrat Muazra and said, “O Muaz! Do you wish to place the people in a trial? Why do you cause hardship for the people?” The Holy Prophetsa then advised what to recite and repeated it again.

According to the narration of Hazrat Jabirra, the Holy Prophetsa said: “You ought to recite Surah al-Shams, Surah al-Duha, Surah al-Lail and Surah al-A‘la.” The Holy Prophetsa mentioned these four chapters as an example. This is a narration of Sahih Muslim. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salah, Bab al-Qira‘ah fi al-Isha, Hadith 465)

There is a narration in Sahih alBukhari as follows: Hazrat Jabirra bin Abdillah Ansari relates that one evening, a man was taking his camels, which would transport water and coincidentally, he saw that Hazrat Muazra was leading prayers in the mosque. Upon seeing him, he tied down his camels and began offering prayers behind Hazrat Muazra. Hazrat Muazra began reciting Surah al-Baqarah or Surah al-Nisa. This individual stopped his prayers and left, but later found out that Hazrat Muazra was displeased by this act of his. Hence he came to the Holy Prophetsa and complained about Hazrat Muazra.

Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophetsa said to Hazrat Muazra three times, “O Muaz! You wish to put the people through a grave trial? Why do you put the people through difficulty by reciting long surahs [chapters of the Holy Quran]? Why did you not recite: Surah al-A‘la, Surah alShams, Surah al-Lail, because in the congregation behind you, there are elderly people, some of whom are weak and there are also those who have other needs.”

As mentioned earlier, this is a narration of Sahih al-Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Azan, Bab man shaka amamahu idha tawwala, Hadith 705) In light of the advice of the Holy Prophetsa to Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal about reciting shorter surahs in [congregational] prayers, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra writes: “It was the preference of the Holy Prophetsa to recite Surah al-A‘la, Surah alGhashiyah, Surah al-Fajr and other similar surahs [in terms of length] in obligatory prayers. Al-Nisai has related from Hazrat Jabirra that once, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal was leading the prayers. A person came and joined in the [congregational] prayers behind him. Hazrat Muazra prolonged the prayers; according to some narrations, he began to recite Surah Al-e-Imran or Surah al-Nisa.

“When the prayer became prolonged, he stopped his prayers and moving to one side, began to pray on his own. When he concluded his prayer, he left. After the prayer finished, someone informed Hazrat Muazra of what happened in that one person came and joined the prayer, but when the prayer became prolonged, he stopped the prayer and moving to one side, he began to pray on his own.

After he finished, his prayer he then left.

Hazrat Muazra said that perhaps he was a hypocrite and then related the entire incident to the Holy Prophetsa. (In this narration, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has stated that Hazrat Muazra went to the Holy Prophetsa himself.) He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I was leading the prayer when such and such person joined the prayer.

But when the prayer became prolonged, he left the prayer and began to pray on his own and left once he finished.’

“When the person against whom the complaint was raised found out that the incident had been mentioned to the Holy Prophetsa, he also came to see the Holy Prophetsa and submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! I came to offer the prayers and joined in when he [i.e. Hazrat Muazra] was leading the prayers. However, he

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM prolonged the prayers. We work all day long and my camel was also tied up without any food. Therefore, I stopped praying in congregation and prayed on my own to one side of the mosque. I then returned home and fed my camel.’

Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophetsa was displeased with Hazrat Muazra and said to him, ‘O Muaz! You will place the people in great difficulty. Why do you not recite Surah al-A‘la, Surah al-Shams, Surah alFajr or Surah al-Lail? Why did you not recite these chapters and why did you choose to recite the longer chapters?’

“From this incident we can conclude that the Holy Prophetsa has deemed these [aforementioned] chapters of average length. Indeed, under special conditions, one may recite the longer chapters, or when one is unwell, they may recite even shorter chapters. However, these chapters are of average length which ought to be recited during the prayers in which the Imam recites a portion of the Holy Quran out aloud.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 8, pp. 497, Tafsir Surah al-Fajr) It should also be remembered that this does not mean that only these chapters can be recited. The Holy Prophetsa has given a general instruction that one should not recite long chapters in congregational prayers. However, one can recite the chapters according to their own circumstances or according to what they have learnt. Some people have memorised shorter chapters and because there is nobody else to lead the congregation, they have to lead the prayers. Therefore, it is permissible for them to recite shorter chapters as well. However, the general instructions of the Holy Prophetsa is that longer chapters are not to be recited in the congregational prayers because there are various people in the congregation, some of whom are elderly, some are unwell or labourers.

Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal relates: “I was riding behind the Holy Prophetsa and there was nothing between him and me but the rear part of the saddle, when he said, ‘O Muaz bin Jabal!’ to which I replied, ‘I am present O Messenger of Allah and at your service!’ The Holy Prophetsa travelled for a short while, when again, he said, ‘O Muazra bin Jabal!’ to which I replied, ‘I am present, O Messengersa of Allah and I am at your service.’ He then again travelled for a short while and said, ‘O Muaz bin Jabal!’ to which I replied, ‘I am present, O Messengersa of Allah, and I am at your service!’ The Holy Prophetsa then said, ‘Do you know what right Allah has upon His servants?’ I submitted, ‘Allah and His Messengersa know best.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Verily the right of Allah over His servants is that they should worship Him and not associate anything with Him.’ The Holy Prophetsa then rode a short distance and then said, ‘O Muaz bin Jabal!’ to which I replied, ‘I am present O Messenger of Allah and I am at your service!’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Do you know what rights the servants have upon Allah?’” Firstly, people must fulfil the rights they owe to Allah the Almighty. When they fulfil these rights and act accordingly, then people have rights over God Almighty.) “I

replied, ‘Allah and His Messengersa know best.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘It is that Allah will not punish them.’”

When people obey Allah the Almighty’s commandments, then they are granted the right that Allah will not punish them. This is a narration of Sahih Muslim. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab al-Dalil ala man mata ala al-Tauhid, Hadith 30) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal narrates: “I was once travelling in the company of the Holy Prophetsa. Whilst we were on the journey, I moved closer and enquired, ‘O Messengersa of Allah, tell me of a deed that will take me to Paradise and will keep me away from the Hellfire.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘You have asked me about a great matter indeed! Yet it is attainable for whom Allah makes it easy for.’ He further said, ‘Worship Allah and do not associate any partners with Him; observe prayer; pay the Zakat; fast in the month of Ramadan and perform the pilgrimage to the House of Allah.’

“The Holy Prophetsa then said, ‘Shall I not inform you about the doors to attain goodness?’ The Holy Prophetsa then explained, ‘I shall inform you about the doors to attain goodness. Fasting is a shield and charity washes away sins just as water extinguishes a fire; and for one to offer prayers in the middle of the night (i.e. to offer Tahajud prayers).’

“The Holy Prophetsa then recited the following verse: َْٰ َ َ َ َ ً َ َ ُ ٰ َ َ ْ ‫اج ِع یَ ْد ُعوْ َن َر ّب ُہ ْم خوْفا ّو ط َم ًعا ّو ِم ۢ ّما َرزقن ُہ ْم‬ ‫ت َت َجافى ُجنوْبُ ُہ ْم َعن ال َمض‬ ُْ َ َ ً َ َ ُ ْ َ َّ ُ ْ ّ ْ ُ َ َ ْ ُ َِّ ٌ ْ َ ُ ِ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ ‫ین ِفقون۔ فلا تعلم نفس ما اخ ِفی لہم ِمن قر ِۃ اعی ٍن جزآء ِبما کانوا‬ ُ َ ‫ی ْع َملوْ َن‬ “‘Their sides keep away from their beds; and they call on their Lord in fear and hope and spend out of what We have bestowed on them. And no soul knows what joy of the eyes is kept hidden for them, as a reward for their good works.’

[Ch.32: V.17-18] “The Holy Prophetsa further said, ‘Shall I not inform you of the best deed, its pillar and its peak?’ The Holy Prophetsa then stated, ‘It is to perform Jihad.’ He then said, ‘Shall I not tell you the foundation of all this (i.e. it is a fundamental matter upon which everything rests)?’ I said, ‘Yes, O Messengersa of Allah.’ And so, the Holy Prophetsa took hold of his tongue and said, ‘To restrain this.’

“I submitted, ‘O Prophetsa of Allah, will we be held accountable for what we say with it?’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘May Allah bless you, O Muaz! There is nothing that throws people into the Hellfire upon their faces except what you reap from your tongues?’” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Fitan, Bab Kaff al-Lisan fi al-Fitnah, Hadith 3973) This means to pass harsh and hurtful remarks or injuring one’s sentiments through one’s speech is something that can lead to discord. Furthermore, it can lead to many other evils. Whether one’s words are the cause of evil or become a means of spreading evil and sin, then according to the Holy Prophetsa it will cause them to be thrown in the Hellfire on their faces.

Therefore, one ought to be mindful of what they say and use their tongue [and

words] to spread virtuous deeds.

Hazrat Kaabra bin Malik narrates that Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal would pass edicts [fatwas] during the lifetime of the Holy Prophetsa and also during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakrra in Medina. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Muazra bin Jabal [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 265) Muhammad bin Sahl bin Abi Khaithamah narrates on the authority of his father that during the Holy Prophet’ssa life, three men from the Ansar and three men from the Muhajireen would pass edicts. They were Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Ubayyra bin Kaab, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal and Hazrat Zaid bin Thabitra. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Bab Ahl al-Ilm wa alFatawa min Ashab Rasul Allah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], 267)

Abdur Rahman bin Qasim narrates from his father that whenever Hazrat Abu Bakrra would be faced with a matter in which he needed to consult with those who possessed good judgment and knowledge of jurisprudence, he would call individuals from among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and these included Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabl, Hazrat Ubayyra bin Kaab and Hazrat Zaidra bin Thabit. All of these individuals would issue the fatwas [edicts] during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Bab Ahl al-Ilm wa al-Fatawa min Ashab Rasul Allah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 267) In other words, they formed the jurisprudential committee and were permitted to issue edicts based on their knowledge they had attained from the

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Holy Prophetsa.

During the era of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Muazra bin Jabl migrated to Syria and settled there. Upon this, Hazrat Umarra stated that Hazrat Muazra bin Jabl’s departure had a left a void in Medina and amongst the people of Medina in the field of jurisprudence and in those matters regarding which he would issue edicts. Hazrat Umarra requested Hazrat Abu Bakrra that he should stop him from leaving as people greatly needed him.

However, Hazrat Abu Bakrra refused saying that he could not stop anyone who had made a decision and desired to embrace martyrdom. Hazrat Umarra stated, “By God, one can attain martyrdom even whilst laying on their bed.” (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Muazra bin Jabal [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub

al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 265) Thaur bin Yazid relates that when Hazrat Muazra bin Jabl would offer the Tahajud prayer in the night, he would recite the following prayer: “O Allah! My eyes are asleep whilst the stars are shining brightly. You are the Living, the Self-Subsisting and AllSustaining. O Allah! My desire to attain paradise is lacking and I am weak and lack the strength to escape from the hellfire. O Allah! Enable me to become among the guided, and save this for it to be granted to me on the Day of Judgment – surely You do not go against Your promise” (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat alSahabah, Vol. 5, Muazra bin Jabal [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003], 188). Such was the level of fear of God he had.

Hazrat Anasra bin Malik relates that the Holy Prophetsa stated to Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal whilst he was sat behind the Holy Prophetsa on the saddle, “O Muaz bin Jabl!”

“O Messengersa of Allah, I am here at your service”, responded Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal. The Holy Prophetsa stated, “O Muaz!” Again, he answered, “O Messengersa of Allah, I am here at your service.” The Holy Prophetsa again called his name and he submitted, “O Messengersa of Allah, I am here at your service.”

After calling his name out three times, the Holy Prophetsa said, “Whoever, with sincerity of heart, testifies that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammadsa is the Messenger of Allah, then Allah will surely safeguard him from the Hellfire.” Upon this, Hazrat Muazra submitted, “O Messengersa of Allah, shall I not convey this to the others as it will be a source of joy for them?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Then they will only rely on this one thing and abandon all other virtues, therefore do not tell this to others.” Hazrat Muazra only revealed this saying of the Holy Prophetsa at the time of his demise, and even then, only did so lest he committed a sin for not having conveyed the words of the Holy Prophetsa.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Ilm, Bab man Khassa bi al-‘Ilm Qauman, Hadith 128) Hazrat Muazra felt that he ought to convey this saying to the scholars of the time but did not do this while he was alive and in good health.

Hazrat Waliullah Shah Sahibra has written about this in the commentary of Bukhari. There were certain hadith in relation to a subject and whilst mentioning those, he also included this particular hadith and stated: “This particular intellectual statement is only addressed to certain people because others could suffer greatly on account of failing to understand its proper meaning.

It is not enough to simply proclaim that ‘there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammadsa is the Messenger of Allah’ and then assume that there this no need to carry out any other deed.”

In reality, this has become the condition of the Muslims, who are Muslim in name only. They recite the Kalimah [declaration of faith] and fail to carry out any other deed. Hazrat Shah Sahibra further writes: “This hadith has explained that there is a particular context to such statements.”

He was mentioning various ahadith and this particular hadith was also included in that. He then further writes: “Hazrat Ibn Mas‘udra has recorded a hadith with the correct sanad [chain of narrators] in Sahih Muslim, which is as follows: َ َْ َ َ ‫ت ب ُم َح ّدث قَ ْو ًما َحدیْ ًثا لَا ی َ ْبل ُ ُغ ٗہ ُع ُق ْولُھُ ْم اِلَّا ک‬ ‫ان‬ ٍ ِ ِ ‫َما ان‬ ٌ َ ْ ْ ِ َْ ‫ل ِبع ِضھِم ِفتنۃ‬ “The gist of the aforementioned saying of the Holy Prophetsa is that one should address people in accordance to their intellect and level of understanding because certain statements can lead to fitnah.”

In any case, he further writes:

“We see that how some people claim to be believers have made the mere verbal declaration of ‘there is none worthy of worship except Allah …’ as a way of freeing mankind from enduring the hardships of the Shariah by granting them a ‘certificate’ for their faith and whilst showing a complete disregard to all other religious obligations.”

Every maulvi [Muslim cleric] who delivers sermons from his pulpit claims that whoever offers their prayers behind him and recites the Kalimah he would be granted the certificate of faith and there is no need to do anything else.

He further writes: “It was in the presence of these very believers who had verbally testified their complete belief to whom the Holy Prophetsa stated that in the Latter Days, faith would neither be in the hearts, nor uttered from tongues of the people of that time; rather, it would ascend into the Pleiades. This was in reference to the Latter Days. Thus, it was in this context that the Holy Prophetsa mentioned this hadith regarding the Kalimah.

Then Hazrat Waliullah Shah Sahibra mentions the following narration: ً َ ُ ْ َ ّٰ َ ‫َم ْن ل ِق َی الل َہ لا یُش ِرک بِ ٖہ ش ْیئا‬ “One who abstains from every kind of shirk [idolatry] right till his death, will enter paradise.”

He further writes: “The wisdom behind the Holy Prophetsa repeatedly calling Hazrat Muaz’s name and then remaining silent upon his response was in order to arouse his interest and passion to listen to the words of the Holy Prophetsa. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa only told him this once he was fully attentive and eager to listen.”

Shah Sahibra further writes: “This was so that he would be able to truly understand what the Holy Prophetsa was going to say and so it would leave an impression on him. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa repeated his name three times in order to draw his attention on this matter.

On the other hand, Hazrat Muazra greatly honoured what the Holy Prophetsa stated and did not disclose this to anyone, except towards the end of his life and even then it was only in fear of being held accountable

by Allah the Almighty for not having conveyed something of knowledge to at least the scholars of the time.” (Translation of Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, pp. 211-212, Nazarat Ishaat Rabwah) Today, Muslims profess to be believers and although they recite the Kalimah and believe that they are free from shirk; however, their hearts are filled with all kinds of shirk. They place their trust in material things and if the true state were to be revealed of the prominent religious speakers, their condition is the same.

In regard to the aforementioned hadith – in which it states that Allah the Almighty would safeguard those from the Hellfire who recite the Kalimah – it also proves that the reward of this lies with Allah alone. It is not the duty of man to issue an edict regarding one who recites the Kalimah whether they are a Muslim or not. Such self-issued edicts are also

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Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM against the Quranic teachings as well.

Nowadays, during the [Islamic] month of Rabi al-Awal it is common for Muslims to be commemorating Milad-ulNabi; however, the actual thing is to adopt the teachings and the blessed example of the Holy Prophetsa. One should not simply consider themselves to be the only Muslims in their own view, rather they ought to leave matter of others who recite the Kalimah with Allah the Almighty to judge. Such acts will grant happiness to the soul of the Holy Prophetsa and such deeds of his ummah will become a source of joy for him.

Alongside invoking salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa, we should express our gratitude to Allah the Almighty that He has not abandoned the religion of the Holy Prophetsa; in fact, in accordance with His divine promise and as prophesied, He has sent the Promised Messiahas for the revival of faith, who has taught us the true essence of adhering to the Kalimah and the commandments of the Shariah, so that we truly become amongst those who will be safeguarded from the hellfire.

May Allah the Almighty also grant wisdom to those who reject the Promised Messiahas to understand. May Allah the Almighty also enable us to fully understand the true teachings of Islam and the real spirit of the Kalimah and act accordingly.

Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal narrates: “In the year when the Battle of Tabuk took place, we also left with the Holy Prophetsa and the Holy Prophetsa would join the Zuhr and Asr prayers and also the Maghrib and Isha prayers. One day, the Holy Prophetsa read the prayers slightly later. He came out and led the Zuhr and Asr prayers and then returned to his residence. He then came out again and led the Maghrib and Isha prayers. The Holy Prophetsa then stated, ‘Tomorrow, you will, insh-Allah, reach the springs of Tabuk.’”

To clarify, it does not mean that the Holy Prophetsa led all four prayers together; rather, he joined the Zuhr prayer with the Asr and read it at the very last moments of when Asr can be offered and similarly offered the Maghrib and Isha prayer at the earliest time when Maghrib can be offered. In any case the Holy Prophetsa stated: “Tomorrow when the sun has fully risen, you will reach the spring of Tabuk.

(The Holy Prophetsa estimated that they would roughly reach during the day.)

Whoever among you reaches it should not touch its water or drink from it until I arrive.”

The narrator states, “Upon arriving, two individuals had already reached before us and there was a very small stream of water coming from it, almost as thin as the lace of a shoe. The Holy Prophetsa asked both these individuals if they had touched the water and they both replied that they had taken water from it and also drank from it.”

The Holy Prophetsa admonished them both, asking why they had taken some water despite the fact that he had forbidden them from doing so; and he

continued to say to them that which Allah willed. The narrator says that little by little, people began taking water out of the spring until some water had accumulated in a bowl – there was only a small stream of water. The narrator says that the Holy Prophetsa washed both hands in the bowel and washed his face as well. Then he took the water and poured it back into the spring, meaning he washed his face whilst standing by the stream and the excess water fell back into the spring. Upon this, the spring began flowing rapidly; when the Holy Prophetsa washed his face and hands in the spring and the excess water fell back into the spring, what was once a light stream began to quickly flow and people were able to drink to their fill.

Then the Holy Prophetsa said, “O Muaz!

If you live long enough, you will see this place become filled with gardens.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Faza‘il, Bab fi Mu‘jazat al-Nabi, Hadith 706) According to the books of ahadith, we learn that this miracle occurred when the Holy Prophetsa had just arrived in Tabuk. According to Sirat Ibn Hisham this event took place on the way back from Tabuk, in a valley named Mushaqaq. (Ibn Hisham, Al-Raud al-Anf fi Tafsir al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ghazwat Tabuk fi Rajab Sanah Tis‘ [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001], 821-822) Imam Malikrh has also mentioned this incident in his book, Muwatta. Whilst explaining this hadith, Muhammad bin Abdul Baqi Zarqani writes that Abu Waleed Waji states that this was a prophecy which had already been fulfilled and the Holy Prophetsa specifically mentioned Hazrat Muazra because he had moved to Syria and that was where he passed away.

The Holy Prophetsa was informed through revelation that Hazrat Muazra would see this place and through the blessings of the Holy Prophetsa, that valley would become a place full of trees and gardens.

Allamah ibn Abdul Barr relates that Ibn Waddaha states that he visited the entire area surrounding that spring. He found the lushness and greenery of its trees to the extent that perhaps it would remain so until the end of time, which was exactly as the Holy Prophetsa had prophesied. (Sharh Zurqani ala al-Muwatta, Vol. 1, p. 436, Kitab Qasr al-Salah fi al-Safar, Bab al-Jam‘ baina al-Salatain, Dar Ihya al-Turath alArabi, Beirut, 1997) It is written in Atlas Seeratun Nabawi that “one of the government officials in Tabuk said, ‘Until two years ago, this spring was continuously flowing for 1,375 years. Then tube wells were dug in areas at a lower altitude, and thus the water from this spring moved towards the tube wells.

After being distributed among 25 tube wells, this spring has only just dried up.’

Afterwards, he took us to a tube well where we saw a four-inch pipe was installed and water was flowing from it with great force, without the use of any machine. We were told that the other tube wells were similar to this one. It is due only to the blessings from the miracle of the Holy Prophetsa that there is such an abundance of water in Tabuk, that apart from Medina and Khaibar, we have not seen as much water

anywhere else. In fact the reality is that the amount of water in Tabuk is even more than these two places. Due to this water, gardens are being planted everywhere in Tabuk, and according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, Tabuk is filled with gardens, which continue to increase by the day.” (Atlas Sirat Nabawi, p. 431, Dar al-Islam, 1424 AH) The remaining accounts from the life of Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal will be mentioned in the future sermon, insha-Allah.

I will lead some funeral prayers [inabsentia] after the Friday prayer and will also mention some details regarding them.

The first is of Maulvi Farzand Khan Sahib, who was the Missionary-inCharge of the Khurdah Dunya Garh District in Odisha. He was diabetic and on 10 September, he suddenly developed typhoid and severe pneumonia due to which he was admitted to hospital and it was there that he passed away according to Divine decree: ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال َ ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡ َن‬ [Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was a musi. He is survived by his wife, Sakina Begum, his daughter, Fariha, and his son, Rehan.

He was always at the forefront of his service to the Jamaat. He was very virtuous. He took care of the missionaries and muallimeen working under him.

He was kind-hearted, humble, had high moral standards and was extremely pious and sincere.

He enrolled in Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian in 1980 and graduated in 1988 and then entered the practical field of work.

He served for 32 years with great effort, sincerity and exhibiting the true spirit of devotion. During this time, he was able to help many people convert to Ahmadiyyat in various places and also established many chapters of the community.

His wife, Sakina Begum Sahiba, says that Maulvi Sahib used to relate that his first posting was in Haryana, where there was no official building of the Jamaat, nor were there any Ahmadis there. He would go to various places, propagating the message [of Islam Ahmadiyyat] and establishing centres.

Whilst doing this, once he ended up in a village of the Haryana province and propagated the message of Ahmadiyyat to them. A local man there said that one of their cows was unable to produce milk.

If his community was truthful, then he should blow on something and give it to him, so that his cow could drink it and produce milk. The local man said that if he was truthful and this miracle occurred, then his entire family would accept Ahmadiyyat.

Maulvi Sahib said that he recited Surah al-Fatihah, Durood Sharif and said some prayers after which he blew on some water and gave it to the man, who took the water and left. Maulvi Sahib says that he spent the entire night in that village sitting under a tree, praying for Allah Almighty to manifest this miracle as a sign for the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas.

Maulvi Sahib says that at the break of

dawn, he saw someone coming towards him, carrying a bucket. When he looked inside the bucket he saw that it was milk and the person said, “Maulvi Sahib, our cow has produced milk, and in our happiness, my entire family and I have realised that the Ahmadiyya Community is true and we now join this Community.”

His son Rehan says, “He was extremely humble, very kind-hearted and met everyone with great love and affection. He lived his life for the sake of the pleasure of Allah the Almighty and for the service to the Community. He fully adhered to every instruction and guidance of the Khalifah and advised us to do the same. He always treated us with kindness and love. Along with his service to the Community, he would help my mother in carrying out work around the house. He safeguarded his prayers throughout his life and ensured that we did so as well. He always advised us to tread upon the right path.”

All the missionaries and muallimeen who worked with him have all written that he was an exemplary missionary; he was extremely kind and they never saw him express any anger.

The second funeral is of Abdullah Mulsiku Sahib who was a local missionary in Malaysia. On 7 October, he fell unconscious and was taken to the hospital, but he could not be revived and passed away that same night. ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال َ ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡ َن‬ [Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was 68 years of age. He was a musi. He is survived by his wife and eight children. He was the father-in-law of two missionaries in Malaysia, Salahuddin Sahib and Masroor Ahmad Sahib.

Abdullah Mulsiku Sahib was born in the Philippines and after graduating from university, he joined the Muslim organization called Moro National Liberal Front. This organisation fought against the government and its purpose was to establish an Islamic rule in the Philippines.

In 1973 his parents migrated from the Philippines to Malaysia and settled in Sandakan Sabah. In any case, Allah the Almighty had granted him a pure heart; the Promised Messiahas appeared in his dreams many times as well and the Second Khalifara and the Third Khalifarh.

It was according to Divine will that he was able to attend the Annual Convention of Takinabalu in 1973. Seeing the Convention and experiencing it proved to be faith-inspiring and thus, he accepted Ahmadiyyat. The area in Sandakan where he lived did not have a missionary. His soul had a thirst for knowledge, hence, he satiated this thirst by extensively studying the Community’s literature. He had a passion for propagating the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. He practically implemented this passion by propagating the message of Ahmadiyyat to his friends, family and throughout his area.

As a result of his efforts, many people joined the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat. It was due to this very passion for propagation that he dedicated his life and was then posted as a missionary. He also had the

Friday 20 November 2020 | AL HAKAM

28 opportunity of serving in the Philippines alongside Khairuddin Baros Sahib for some time.

As a result of his virtuous disposition, zeal for knowledge, humility, and fear of Allah Almighty, he was able to render great service there as well. He would also debate with Christians. He brought many people into the fold of Islam.

He could not speak Urdu but had a great desire to learn. He had memorised many quotes and poems [in Urdu]. He was extremely hospitable; he would particularly tend to the hospitality of those who came for the Friday prayer.

He was a man of discipline and desired for everyone to be disciplined as well and thus, he undertook the tarbiyat [moral and spiritual training] of others accordingly.

He had difficulty in walking for the past few years, but he never allowed this to pose any hindrance to his work.

The third funeral is of Abdul Wahid Sahib, who was a muallim in Qadian. He passed away on 12 September at the age of 56. ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ ‫ِانا لِل ِه َو ِانا ِال َ ۡي ِه ٰر ِج ُعوۡ َن‬ [Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was originally from a Christian household. His older brother, a retired teacher, was the first from his family to have the honour of accepting Ahmadiyyat. His entire family later accepted Ahmadiyyat.

After accepting Ahmadiyyat, Abdul Wahid Sahib did a three-year course in Jamiatul Mubashireen. Upon graduating,

he went to various regions to propagate the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. He was also entrusted with the duty of talim and tarbiyat in various areas of Qadian. He was very obedient and worked with great zeal.

He was very skilled in the work of tabligh and it was as a result of his propagation that three Christian families and three other non-Ahmadi families in Qadian entered into the fold of Ahmadiyyat.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, two people from among these families are also musi, meaning not only did they accept Ahmadiyyat, but they have also excelled in virtue. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. His son graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya this year as a missionary.

May Allah the Almighty elevate the

station of all these deceased and grant them all His forgiveness and mercy.

May their progenies continue in their good deeds and may Allah the Almighty fulfil the desires which they had for the upbringing of their children. Among those are some who are life devotees; may Allah enable them to become the true helpers of Khilafat. May Allah the Almighty grant them His forgiveness and mercy.

As I said, after leading the Friday prayer, I will lead the funeral prayer [in absentia] insha-Allah.

(Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 13 November 2020, pp. 5-10. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Recently there has been an international conspiracy against Islam and its Holy Founder the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

To use vulgar language, obscene descriptions, distortion of the teachings of Islam and the noble character of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, negative propaganda and blasphemous criticism of the most Noble of the Prophets and Islam is all done in the name of free speech and Western values.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his Friday Sermon on 21 September 2012 at Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, Surrey UK in response to the film, “Innocence of Muslims” and the publication of cartoons in France depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. In this Sermon, Huzooraa sets out what our response as Ahmadi Muslims must be. In this booklet, the English translation of this Sermon is presented for the guidance of every one.

www.alislam.org/library/books/True-Lovefor-the-HolyProphet.pdf

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