Al Hakam - 3 September 2021

From the Markaz

From the Markaz

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih launches new 24-hour Ahmadiyya Turkish radio station

National amila Lajna Imaillah USA seek guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

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Free speech: Hypocrisy in the West and superiority of Islamic law

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In memory of a fortunate Taalay (… when Taalay actually means fortunate)

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021 | Issue CLXXXI Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

“Our atfal are also very resilient” Germany atfal in the company of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

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

Spending in the way of Allah َ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ ّٰ ّٰ َ �ِ ��‫ﻋ ْﻦ أ�ِ� ﻫ َﺮﻳْ َﺮة ـ َر ِﺿ َﻰ ا�� ُ� ﻋ ْﻨﻪ ـ أ ّن َر ُﺳ ْﻮل ا‬ َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ َّ ‫َﺻﻠﻰ ا�� ُ� َ�ﻠ ْﻴ ِﻪ َو َﺳﻠﻢ ﻗﺎل‬ َ َ ْ ْ ُ َ ‫َ َ ّٰ ُ َ ْ ْ َ ﺑْ َﻦ‬ ‫ﻗﺎل ا��� أﻧ ِﻔﻖ ﻳﺎ ا‬ ‫آد َم أﻧ ِﻔﻖ َ�ﻠ ْﻴﻚ‬ Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said: “Allah said, ‘O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you.’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Nafaqat, Hadith 5352)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Financial sacrifices are needed for the propagation of Islam

On 28 August 2021, members of Atfalul-Ahmadiyya Germany were given the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual meeting.

The meeting commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran and its Urdu and German translations. Following this, a poem [nazm] was also recited. After the tifl had recited the poem, Hazrat Amirul

Momineenaa addressed the young tifl and asked how old he was, to which the tifl replied that he was 12. Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah, however much you recited, you recited it very well.” Hearing these words of encouragement from Huzooraa, the young tifl smiled and became overwhelmed with joy.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, alluding to

the previous meeting that took place last week and where it had started to rain, said, “I see, today, you have seated them in a hall, after experiencing what had happened with the khuddam when it rained. By the way, masha-Allah, these [young boys] are also mujahids [very resilient].” Huzooraa added that nowadays, he was delivering sermons Continued on next page >>

I observe among the Hindus and Christians that even their women bequeath vast properties and wealth for this purpose. No such examples exist among the Muslims of this age.

The greatest difficulty that confronts us today is that we require financial support in order to propagate Islam. You ought to bear well in mind that ultimately, God Almighty has willed to establish this community with His own hand and He himself is the Supporter and Helper of this community.

However, since God desires to make His servants worthy of spiritual reward, the Prophets are compelled to make an appeal for financial Continued on next page >>

Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

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From the Markaz

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih launches new 24-hour Ahmadiyya Turkish radio station

Islamabad UK, Friday, 27 August 2021: Today, during the Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa announced the launch of a new Ahmadiyya Turkish Internet radio station created by the national tabligh department of Germany.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa announced that this radio station was ready to launch 24 hours a day. It will be available online and and can be easily accessed via web browsers on various mobile devices.

The radio station will reach more than 20 countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia and other countries in which Turkish is spoken, in addition to Turkey itself. The purpose will be to preach the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat and to train members of the Jamaat in religion.

The radio station will play one hour of recitation of the Holy Quran with its Turkish translation, ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa and extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiahas – all in the Turkish language. Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa sermons, translated into Turkish, will also be aired on this radio channel.

The national tabligh department of Germany prepared and created this radio station. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “May Allah the Almighty reward them too and bless this station in every respect.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa launched the station after the Jumuah prayer.

The radio station can be accessed at: www.islam-ahmediyetin-sesi.com/

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support. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called for assistance, and in the same manner – upon the precepts of prophethood – I too apprise my friends of the community’s needs. In any case, I would like to reiterate that even if we do collect an amount for the propagation of Islam, it is obvious that we cannot match the amount that is at the disposal of the Christian clergy.

And even if we do, it is still my faith that victory is only given to those with whom God is pleased.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 238-239) Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

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on the companions that fought in the Battle of Badr. Huzooraa said that there were even 13- and 14-year-old boys “who kept fighting and remained steadfast […] So, our atfal are also, masha-Allah, mujahids,” Huzooraa then smiled and added, “but it is good you have seated them indoors”.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then asked Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Germany how many atfal were seated in the hall, to which Sadr Sahib responded that 1,040 atfal were seated there. Seeing that the atfal were adhering to social distancing measures, Huzooraa said, “You have done a good job. Social distancing must be exercised. We should be careful.”

Next, the atfal had the opportunity to ask questions and seek guidance on various matters.

The first question asked was with regard to the coronavirus vaccine. A young tifl stated that children aged 12 years and over had been invited by the [German] health authorities to have their vaccination. He said some were of the opinion that they should get vaccinated whilst others were against it.

He asked Huzooraa what he thought about this.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that being vaccinated was a good thing as it protected against the virus. Huzooraa added that he had had some research conducted by various Ahmadi specialists in this field. All of those specialists agreed that there was no issue with being vaccinated.

Next, a tifl asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa if one would be required to observe Salat in heaven.

Huzooraa said: “Allah the Exalted will reward you with Paradise for the good deeds that you perform here [in this world] [...] You will continuously remember Allah in Paradise [through zikr]. However, Allah knows best what kind of zikr He will require you to do in Paradise. The five daily prayers in the current form are for this life. Allah knows best in what way and form He would like us to remember Him in the next life. […] Offer your five daily prayers fervently here [in this world]; it is then that you will be rewarded with Heaven […]”

A tifl asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how he selected names for newborn babies.

Huzooraa said: “When Allah entrusted me with the responsibility of Khilafat, I saw that Khalifatul Masih IVrh had made a file that contained names for children. Names would then be selected from it and given to newborn babies. Hence, I also continued this practice and added more names and updated the file with more names that came to mind […] Attempts are made to have the name [of the newborn] similar to the names of the parents, but sometimes other names are also given.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked the tifl, named Jazib, who had named him, to which he responded that his name was given

by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. Huzooraa said, “Become ‘jazib’ [one who absorbs]! […] Absorb the love of Allah, absorb the love of Allah’s Messengersa, and do good deeds. Only then will you understand the true meaning of your name.”

Following this, a tifl asked Huzooraa if one’s name had an effect on one’s character.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “Good names should be [given to newborns]. [A child] should not be named after an idol or evil people. It is best to be named after one of the attributes of Allah the Almighty, or after pious elders. There are certain names that should not be used, such as Yazid – nowadays the month of Muharram is passing – […] the Promised Messiahas [when referring to Yazid] would say ‘Yazid, paleed’ [the wicked and impure] who caused the martyrdom of our Hazrat Imam Hussainra […]”.

Huzooraa reiterated that names given to newborn babies should be good names and should be after pious, noble people, or after the attributes of Allah.

Upon being asked about the creation of mankind and our purpose of worshipping Allah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that humans were created with many qualities, and were known as a “social animals”. God gave humans wisdom, a brain, through which they were able to invent new and remarkable things such as planes, cars, computers, phones, apps, etc. So, Huzooraa said, when God had created humans with all these faculties, we should also express our gratitude towards Him. And thus, the method of expressing our gratitude is through worship.

A young tifl asked Huzooraa about his view on UFOs and aliens.

Huzooraa said that so far, only movies had been made on aliens and that no such aliens had come to this world as of yet. He further said, “At some point, when mankind comes in contact with another planet and with the creation that possibly inhabits it, then we’ll see. At the moment, [such aliens] are only seen in fiction, novels and movies [...]”

Next, a tifl asked how one benefited from giving charity [sadaqah].

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “If you give sadaqah, at least others benefit from it, right? Shouldn’t we think about the benefit of others?”

To this, the tifl responded in the affirmative.

Huzooraa added that when a person helped another, then Allah helped them and was happy with them. When one helps a person who is less fortunate, Huzooraa said, “Your heart will also find peace” for helping a person who is less fortunate.

Whilst mentioning Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra and the Promised Messiah’sas statement about Kabul, “O land of Kabul!

You are a witness to the heinous crime committed on your soil. O miserable land! You have, in the sight of Allah, been condemned as you are the scene of this most atrocious crime”, a tifl asked if this state would persist.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “Only Allah knows [of the future]. This is what we see nowadays. Moreover, the whole nation has been suffering since that incident. The incident [of martyrdom] took place in the land of Kabul, but the area of Kabul as well as the area where Sahibzada Abdul Latifra Shaheed was from, is in relentlessness and is experiencing a lack of peace. Furthermore, unrest and a lack of peace are prevalent throughout Afghanistan […] This will continue until the majority [of the country] changes its condition or at least expresses its hatred for the evils [prevalent in the country].”

A tifl asked how one could know when one was undergoing a difficult situation in life, if it was a trial or punishment from Allah. Answering, Hazrat Amirul

Momineenaa said: “If you have done something bad and are in trouble because of it, then it is clear that it is a punishment. If a person has not done anything wrong and some difficulties have arisen, then it means that it is a trial from Allah.” Huzooraa said the Prophets, who were Allah’s beloved, also faced difficulties.

“The Holy Prophetsa, who was the dearest to Allah, also faced hardships”.

Thus, Huzooraa said that when man, during hardships, submitted to the will of God, then he was rewarded in abundance.

A very young tifl asked Huzooraa how one sleeps. Huzooraa smiled and said, “You close your eyes and fall asleep when you feel sleepy.” Hearing this, all atfal in the hall began to laugh.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that God Almighty made night for man to rest and recover [Surah Yunus, Ch.10: V.68].

Humans use the night to rest their minds through sleep.

A young tifl, who aspires to be a police officer, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa if Allah would punish him if, in the line of duty, he had to shoot someone.

Answering, Huzooraa said: “If you become a policeman, and a criminal who has done something wrong, or who is on the run after killing or robbing people, confronts you and fires at you, and you fire back and he consequently dies, then there is no sin upon you. That was a confrontation during which he died.

However, you should try to catch him, instead of killing him”.

A tifl asked Huzooraa what his favourite dish was when he was younger. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa replied, “I never made a fuss like children usually do nowadays.

Whatever was cooked at home, we ate. If

daal was cooked, we would eat daal. If meat was cooked, we would eat meat”.

A tifl asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how he should respond to a friend or a person who talked to him in a bad manner.

Huzooraa said that first and foremost, one should befriend those who are good.

However, if one heard evil things being said, one should stand up and leave that place and only come back when such discussion was over [Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4, V.141]. “Tell them,” Huzooraa said, “I don’t hate you; I hate the bad things that are being discussed”.

Upon being asked how a tifl could become a waqif-e-nau, Huzooraa said: “Now that you have grown up, you cannot be a waqif-e-nau. A waqif-e-nau is a person who is dedicated to the scheme of Waqf-e-Nau before they are born […] If you desire to serve religion, then you should present yourself for waqf. If you want to become a missionary, then you may go to Jamia and dedicate your life. If you wish to become a doctor, then become a doctor and dedicate your life to serve in one of the Jamaat’s hospitals”.

The last question asked was about anger.

A young tifl asked what a person should do when one became angry.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “When one becomes angry, it is said in a hadith to drink cold water so that the anger may subside, and to sit down”. [Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Adab] In the end, Huzooraa addressed Sadr Sahib and said, “May Allah help you train the Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya and Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya”.

In the end, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

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Atfal of Germany elated following mulaqat with Huzoor Osama Ahmad Naib Sadr MKA Germany

The virtual mulaqat of Majlis Atfal-ulAhmadiyya Germany took place on 28 August 2021. The atfal were present at the Maimarkt in Mannheim. About 1,000 atfal had the opportunity to participate in this mulaqat.

Most of the Atfal arrived from around Germany in buses arranged by the local regions, while others travelled with their parents or qaideen or other office-bearers to Mannheim.

The preparations of the mulaqat began as soon as Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa granted the kind permission to hold a virtual mulaqat with the Atfal of Germany.

The atfal participants are very delighted and are very thankful to beloved Huzooraa for granting this beneficial opportunity.

Following are some impressions of the atfal after the mulaqat: Hamad Cheema said: “I was very happy that I got the opportunity to take part in the mulaqat.

My whole body felt positively inspired, and I was able to see the right path in front of me. I will always keep the guidance given

by Huzooraa in my mind. Everything was beautiful […]”

Munib Ahmad expressed: “It was a very special feeling, and I felt the spiritual power of the Khalifa of the time. It was good to have the opportunity to ask Huzooraa questions. What really impressed me was how Huzooraa explained

that if we are angry, we should take a seat and we should pray.”

Muneeb Malik expressed: “After a long time, I had the opportunity to have an audience with the Khalifa of the time and it was a very beautiful feeling. The guidance which impressed me especially was that if our friends talk about bad things, we should leave them and come back to them if they talk about good things.”

Khawaja Khakan Nasir said: “It was a very beautiful audience, and I felt the love of the Khalifa. Especially the questions were answered in a beautiful way.”

Mohammad Arslan Khan said: “I was so happy to have a mulaqat with Huzooraa after such a long time that I was on the verge of crying, and I was really trembling. I memorised every instruction that Huzooraa gave us, and I will try to act according to them all from this day on […]”

Sarbaz Choudry said: “It felt so good having a mulaqat with Huzooraa after such a long time. It was very enjoyable. The best instruction from Huzooraa for me was that we should take care of others and not just ourselves. I will try to act according to it from this day on.

The most beautiful moment was when Huzooraa made us all smile and laugh with his beautiful humour.”

Arish bin Tahir expressed: “Huzooraa told us that if people talk bad about you, you should just walk away, but you should never hate them; rather you should hate the evil deeds. This instruction was imprinted on my mind and I will try

to act according to it from this day on. The most beautiful moment was when Huzooraa was smiling.”

Usman Mahmood said: “I was very nervous and happy that I finally had a mulaqat with Huzooraa after such a long time. I liked everything, but especially the guidance about the vaccination.”

Haris Ahmad Shahid expressed: “I felt very secure being in the presence of Huzooraa after such a long time and I will try my level best to choose good friends and to walk away if they talk about impure things, as Huzooraa advised us.”

Khooba Qamar said: “This was my first mulaqat with Huzooraa and I felt very good, especially Huzoor’saa smile and his instructions touched my heart.”

Asif Iqbal expressed: “Although it was a very surreal experience, I enjoyed being in the presence of beloved Huzooraa. I understood from Huzoor’s answers that sadaqah is given to help others.”

Moaz Ahmad Dawood said: “It was a great blessing to have a mulaqat with Huzooraa because I have never had a mulaqat before. The most beautiful moment was when everybody stood up the moment we saw Huzooraa.”

Arez Qaiser Butt expressed: “I liked that Huzooraa answered all the questions and even brought us to laugh, and I will never forget that Huzooraa instructed us to obey our parents and to be respectful

to everybody, especially to the elderly.”

Ibraheem Ahmed said: “I felt very comfortable because I never had such a mulaqat with Huzooraa. So, I will try to implement the instructions given by Huzooraa regarding the vaccine, because it is very important due to the coronavirus.”

Ahmad Kazeem Qureshi said: “It was so beautiful having a mulaqat after such a long time, and I found it very exciting. I remember almost all of the instructions given by Huzooraa, and I will insha-Allah try to follow them.”

Shayan Tariq expressed: “I was very happy, and it was an honour to be a part of the mulaqat. I was very happy to see Huzooraa after a very long time. I will try to put the guidance given by Huzooraa into practice and build a strong bond with Allah.”

Kashif Anwar Bhatti said: “I was very excited and as the mulaqat began I was very happy. The most memorable guidance is that when we are angry, we should drink cold water […] It was beautiful that all atfal were meeting with Huzooraa again.”

Farooq Ahmad said: “I was very happy as I saw Huzooraa for the first time after five years. It was an incredible mulaqat and an informative one too. From today onwards, I will try to calm down by sitting down and drinking cold water when I am angry. The most beautiful moment for me was when Huzooraa made jokes and smiled.”

Farhad Imran expressed: “I felt very good because I had a mulaqat with Huzooraa. The most important guidance for me is that I should try not to be angry and to give sadaqah […]”

Salman Shah said: “It was a very good feeling because after a year and a half, many atfal came together.

I will try to fulfil Huzoor’s advice and if a friend says something bad, I will temporarily step away from him. I was very happy to see Huzooraa.”

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

From the Markaz

“With love and care, remind Lajna members”: National amila Lajna Imaillah USA seek guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

On 29 August 2021, members of the national amila of Lajna Imaillah USA were blessed with a virtual meeting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The meeting was initiated by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa by leading everyone in silent prayer.

One by one, the amila members began to introduce their roles and report on their work. Huzooraa asked questions on progress, achievements, targets and plans and gave valuable guidance on how to improve the departments.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked the incharge of waqifaat-e-nau USA, Mabroor Jatala Sahiba how many waqifaat-e-nau there were. To this, she reported there were 769 who had been officially recorded; however, many waqifaat had moved to the USA in the past years from other countries and their transfers were being processed.

Huzooraa asked if the USA waqifaate-nau syllabus was followed and how frequently classes were held. The secretary for waqifaat-e-nau reported that national virtual classes, for all waqifaat, were held twice a month while local classes took place twice a month as well. The number of participants in the national virtual classes was about 250 waqifaat-e-nau and almost 70% of local waqifaat attended their local classes.

Huzooraa asked what age group attended the classes the most. To this, the secretary said that the younger girls attended more than the older ones. To this Huzooraa said this meant that as the waqifaat-e-nau grew, their interest in these classes diminished.

Huzooraa advised: “You should make them realise that being waqifaat-e-nau, they should attend the classes and study their syllabus and whatever is prescribed for them [...] even those who have reached the age of 21+, they should also be given some books”.

Speaking with Dr Aziza Rahman Sahiba, Secretary Umur-e-Talibat (Student Affairs) who was also the Lajna liaison for rishta nata (department for marriages), Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked how many matches her department had made this year. Dr Aziza Sahiba reported that since January, they were able to complete 22 matches between Ahmadi women and men.

Hearing this Huzooraa said, “Through your department? Masha-Allah! So, the men didn’t do anything.”

Huzooraa then asked Dr Aziza Sahiba about the student affairs’ department.

During the discussion, Huzooraa asked how many girls were studying medicine, to which Dr Aziza Sahiba said 11 Lajna members were studying medicine.

Huzooraa asked what professions Lajna in the USA preferred the most. To this, Dr Aziza Sahiba said they preferred medical fields and teaching professions.

Sabahat Ali, General Secretary was next to report. Responding to Huzoor’s questions, she reported that there were 66 majalis out of whom 92% sent their reports every month – to this Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah”.

Sabahat Ali Sahiba reported the tajnid (census) of Lajna Imaillah USA was about 8,000. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “8,000?

Masha-Allah you are increasing.” Huzooraa also noted that quite a number of Ahmadi immigrants were arriving in the USA so the tajnid should continue to increase.

Huzooraa said that tajnid secretaries at all the grassroots level should be active and reporting.

Discussing the reports they received from majalis, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said all reports that the centre received should be returned with feedback and comments from the respective national amila secretaries.

Huzooraa said the general secretary should also reply and acknowledge each and every sadr whenever they sent reports.

This was important so that all the majalis stayed active and knew their reports were given importance. If they did not receive acknowledgements or feedback, they would begin to relax, Huzooraa said.

Zuna Ahmad Sahiba, secretary tarbiyat was next to report. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked her the plan for the year and what the department had achieved so far. Speaking on the importance of getting Lajna members active, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa advised: “Start with your office-bearers – if they are active, if they are regular, if they are following the instruction of the centre – including your own amila members here at the centre – then they will achieve good results […]

“When your amila members, from every level, from the grassroots level to the national level, are active, then at least 50% or more will be participating in your activities, in your programmes.”

Addressing Zuna Sahiba, Huzooraa asked how many Lajna members in the USA were reciting the Holy Quran every day. Huzooraa was told that 63% per cent were reciting the

Quran daily, to which Huzooraa said: “If only your amila members do tilawat [recitation of the Holy Quran] daily, then you can achieve the target of 60%, leave aside the other members. It means you are not doing much effort to include your amila members in your programme. So, you start from your home first – the home is your amila.”

Advising on how to make the questionnaire for Lajna members, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it should be made in such a way that would not irritate Lajna members or make them hesitant to answer.

Zuna Sahiba said that another project they carried out was to educate Lajna members about Huzoor’s weekly Friday sermons and to encourage them to listen to them. From a tarbiyat perspective, a project they started was to ask two tarbiyat related questions to Lajna members through an online form about Huzoor’s sermon and the tarbiyat lessons derived from it.

Huzooraa asked Zuna Sahiba about what they did if no tarbiyat aspect was narrated in his Friday sermon as recently they had been focused on the history of Islam. To this, she Continued on next page >>

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replied that if one looked closely, a tarbiyat aspect could always be found from Huzoor’s Friday sermons, no matter the subject.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa agreed and said: “[…] Then it’s good. It means you are working hard, masha-Allah.”

Zuna Sahiba reported that 100% of the majalis in the USA were relayed Huzoor’s Friday sermon summaries and questions and discussions were held on them.

Huzooraa advised: “I think you should also make some interactive programmes so that they raise questions on the sermons and then you answer them. Or, they themselves interact with each other. There should be a group of Lajna members who discuss these things in their own group.”

The tarbiyat secretary said they were aiming for this and prompted Lajna members to discuss the sermons.

Talking about the importance of dressing modestly and the Islamic purdah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “Even purdah and modest dress and the modesty of women is a commandment of Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran.”

Huzooraa also said to cater for different backgrounds of Lajna members and to hold tarbiyat sessions specific to their backgrounds and level of education.

Dr Amatul Rahman Sahiba, secretary talim (education) reported next. Huzooraa asked a series of questions regarding the syllabus and the books set for Lajna to read.

Speaking about the Promised Messiah’s Malfuzat, Huzooraa said that volumes one to three had been translated into English, so they could use them.

Sadiqa Kukoyi Sahiba, the national talim secretary reported to Huzooraa next. Talking about her background, Huzooraa asked if she was Nigerian, to which Sadiqa Sahiba said her father came from Nigeria and that she was born in America. Advising her on how to compile an accurate tajnid, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You should have your own information source and your respective secretary tajnid in each and every majlis should go to each and every household and then find out how many Lajna members are living there, and how many new [members] have come into that majlis.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then spoke with Cassandra Shafeek Sahiba, National Khidmat-e-Khalq (Service to Humanity) Secretary. She reported that a number of initiatives had started within Lajna USA for khidmat-e-khalq, including public soup kitchens for those in need, an “Are You Ok?” initiative to keep Lajna members connected with each other during the pandemic and also a “Make A Mask” project.

Talking about charitable projects in Africa, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “I think United States Lajna should fund at least one model village every year and that will cost you around $80,000 to $90,000. Are you ready to take this responsibility?”

Cassandra Sahiba replied by saying, “Yes!” To this, with a smile, Huzooraa said, “May Allah the Almighty help you.”

Secretary Sehat-e-Jismani (physical wellbeing) Khadija Sahiba reported to Huzooraa. The first question from Huzooraa

to her was whether she did any exercise or went for walks. Khadija Sahiba said she power walked. Huzooraa said she should also ask amila members to exercise regularly too or to go for walks.

Secretary Tabligh, Amatul Quddus Shams Sahiba reported to Huzooraa.

Huzooraa asked how many bai‘ats they had achieved. Quddus Sahiba reported that in the last 18 months, through Lajna Imaillah USA, seven people converted to Islam Ahmadiyyat and out of them, five had done bai‘at in the last eight months.

Giving guidance on targets, Huzooraa said: “Try to make some ambitious targets and then try to achieve those targets.”

National Nasirat Secretary, Noor Jamila Bahri Sahiba reported. Huzooraa asked her the total number of nasirat in the USA, to which she said there were 1,331. Hearing the number, Huzooraa asked if she was satisfied with this number to be accurate and advised, “You have to contact your respective nasirat secretaries in various majalis and ask them to update and recheck their nasirat tajnid.”

Discussing the religious and moral training of Ahmadi girls, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You should also make a programme so that they do tilawat of the Holy Quran daily and try to learn the meaning of it.”

Shazia Shakur Shohail Sahiba, Secretary Umur-e-Kharija (External Affairs) was next to report. Giving guidance, Huzooraa said: “You should also try to hold seminars on women’s rights in Islam through umure-kharija and invite non-Muslims in your seminars, then they will know what true Islamic teachings are and what Ahmadis are doing.”

Aziza Rana Sahiba, Secretary Ziafat reported to Huzooraa and introduced herself.

Huzooraa asked what she had prepared for the Lajna members, to which she replied that palak paneer, pilao and lasagne had been prepared. Huzooraa asked if Lajna was paying for this, to which Aziza Sahiba replied in the affirmative. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Why? Ask the Jamaat, they should take care of Lajna members.”

Aziza Sahiba replied that as only a handful of Lajna members were attending, this opportunity was given to them and they were happy to carry it out. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa smiled and said it was okay.

Laeeqa Mirza Sahiba, Secretary Tarbiyat Nau Mubai‘at (New Converts) was next to report. Huzooraa asked how many new converts she had under her supervision, to which Laeeqa Sahiba said there were 66 new members, all of whom were from different ethnicities and backgrounds.

Guiding on how to educate new Ahmadi converts, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You should see the background of different people and try to do training and tarbiyat according to their backgrounds. You cannot just make one plan and programme for each and every new convert. So those who have a Christian background, you tell them what the Quran is, what the ahadith are, the history of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and various other things.

“And those who are from Muslim backgrounds – although quite a number of them do not know how to read the Holy Quran – even then, they have some knowledge of the Holy Quran and they have

“

Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

You should also try to hold seminars on women’s rights in Islam through umur-e-kharija and invite non-Muslims in your seminars, then they will know what true Islamic teachings are and what Ahmadis are doing.

some basic information about Islam […]

“Then, from among Muslims, some of them have Arab backgrounds and some are Asian – Indo-Pakistani backgrounds. So, you will have to make your plan according to their individual conditions.”

Ruqaiya Asad Sahiba, Secretary Isha‘at reported. Huzooraa asked if they printed a Lajna magazine, to which Ruqaiya Sahiba said the Ayesha magazine was printed and sold twice a year. Regarding the frequency of its publication, with a smile, Huzooraa said: “There are four seasons; it should at least be quarterly.”

Huzooraa also asked her to try to increase the number of subscribers too.

Shaheena Bashir Sahiba, Muavina Sadr for Lajna media watch reported. She said her department encouraged Ahmadi Lajna members to write articles on Islam and respond to allegations and have them printed in the media, whether locally or nationally. 118 letters written by Lajna about Islam were published in the last year in the USA, both online and print media. Giving guidance, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “You should also try to make personal relationships with your female journalists – not only from the Ahmadi members, but outside the Jamaat as well.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then asked Sadr Lajna Imaillah USA, Dhiya Tahira Bakr Sahiba, if she wanted to ask anything.

Sadr Sahiba asked what to do about those Ahmadi girls who were moving away from religion and were not practicing it, despite keeping an affinity with being called an Ahmadi Muslim. To this, Huzooraa said: “Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran that your job is just to keep on reminding the people and advising them.

And pray for them as well. It should not be that after some time, you give up. No, we are not going to give up.

“Since they declare themselves to be an Ahmadi and they do not want themselves to be removed from the Jamaat, then it is our duty to use each and every measure to bring them to the fold of Ahmadiyyat in a way which has been prescribed in our literature and, most importantly, in the Holy Quran.

“So tell them that ‘these are the injunctions and commandments’. The Quran says you should wear modest dress – this is the Quranic injunction. The Quran says you wear the hijab and do purdah – that is a Quranic injunction. It is not that

the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam is only imposing it and practicing it. No, this is a Quranic commandment. And there are so many others – doing tilawat, offering five daily prayers, etc.

“These are the things which you have to make them realise – so keep on doing it gently, with love and care. They should also realise that you are their sympathisers; whatever you are doing is for their betterment. You are trying to save them from the wrongs of this society. Once they realise it, then they will, one day, follow you.

“And pray for them as well; of course, we have to pray.

“But after some time, after advising them once or twice or three times or four times, you leave it and give it up. Then this should not be the case. You have to be very persuasive. Try to be persuasive; that is your job and that is the commandment given in the Holy Quran:

ّ َ ۡ َ ۤ َّ ّ َ َ ‫فذکِ ۡر ِان َما ان َت ُمذکِ ٌر‬

“[‘Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher.’ (Surah al-Ghashiya, Ch.88: V.22)] “That is the injunction given to the Holy Prophetsa. Keep on advising them, keep on admonishing them, try to explain to them the good teachings of Islam. This is your job.”

Guiding the amila members further on how to serve and implement their responsibilities, Huzooraa said: “Start from your amila members; if your amila members at the national level, at the regional level (as I already said) and at the local levels, are active and following your programmes and plans, then this means you have achieved 50% or more of your target.

Whereas your figures show that only 33% of the Lajna members are participating – that means your amila members are not active in following the instructions on the programmes and plans.

“So, try to see whether your amila members are following your plans or not.

If they set their good examples, then the [Lajna] members will also follow them.

“We have to set our own example, then we can hope for better results.”

This concluded the meeting and Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa conveyed his salaam, bringing the mulaqat to an end.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

Lajna amila members thrilled and motivated by meeting Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Dhiya Tahira Bakr Sadr Lajna Imaillah USA

During my first mulaqat as Sadr Lajna Imaillah USA with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, I asked Huzooraa how often should I meet with him as a national sadr.

Huzooraa said as often as I liked. Later, I requested my second mulaqat. It was initially approved, but later I was advised not to travel due to the rise of Covid-19.

My first term in serving as the national sadr of Lajna Imaillah USA was faced with a few major challenges: Members being infected and affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, cancellation of in-person meetings and activities, civil unrest related to police brutality and killings of African Americans leading to the resurgence of protest for social justice in the secular communities and the United States controversial presidential elections.

I was trying as a leader to keep Lajna members focused on our Islamic practices for guidance and to help others. I continued to promote Lajna programmes through the pandemic but on a virtual platform, attempted to motivate members via communications and webinars on race relations, Lajna empowerment and mentorship.

Later, Huzooraa began having virtual mulaqats and clips were shown through MTA. I thought this might be a way to inspire the Lajna amila and our membership in general. Therefore, I wrote to Huzooraa requesting a virtual mulaqat.

On 15 July 2021, I received a letter of approval for a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to be held on 29 August 2021.

Immediately, I shared the information with the Lajna amila and assigned our Naib Sadr IV, sister Amatul Hai Ahmad Sahiba to start organising the logistics. I also consulted with National Umur-e-Ama Secretary, Dr Bilal Rana Sahib regarding the guidelines for meetings during a pandemic.

Naib Sadr Lajna Imaillah USA reached out to the head of MTA International USA Studios, Ghaalib Khan Sahib. Ghaalib Khan Sahib and his team organised the technical aspect at Baitur Rahman and provided guidelines.

I prepared a tentative agenda for the mulaqat in case Huzooraa asked for it. Then, I briefed the Lajna amila on what to expect and to prepare a one-page summary on their department activities and outcomes from the local majalis reporting.

This report was for the national secretaries to use as a basis to answer any possible questions from Huzooraa. I read each report and gave guidance if necessary prior to our mulaqat.

In the days leading up to the mulaqat, I then informed the regional and local sadrs to share the news of this event and requested prayers. The day prior to the event, the amila members and I met over dinner to address any questions or concerns. The day of the

event, we had a brief rehearsal with the Production Director of MTA International, Munir Odeh Sahib and a brief rehearsal among ourselves.

It was a blessing that Huzooraa granted Lajna Imaillah USA a mulaqat especially so close after holding the wonderful UK Jalsa Salana. The national amila and I were very grateful. As an auxiliary trying our best to live according to the teachings of Islam while struggling through our personal challenges and helping others, the mulaqat is a way to be near our Khalifa whereby his presence offers comfort, support and inspiration, alhamdulillah; the

on my memory, and it will help the amila members to perform their duties efficiently, insha-Allah.”

Saliha Malik, honourary amila member said: “Our virtual mulaqat was a most valuable occasion. Beloved Huzoor’s loving guidance was clear and most beneficial. I am so grateful to Allah that this kind of meeting is made possible by MTA.” Mabroor Jattala, In Charge Waqifaat-eNau USA and IT/Communications said: “Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the virtual mulaqat with Huzoor-e-Aqdasaa was faith-affirming and

very reason why I felt the need to make the request. I will continue to work hard to follow our teachings, serve Huzooraa and Lajna Imaillah USA. I pray for the help and guidance of Allah the Almighty.

The feedback of the participants is as follows: Cassandra Shafeek, National Secretary Khidmat-e-Khalq expressed: “I was surprised about how much Huzooraa drilled down on each department.

I was able to get an overview of our national amila from his perspective. The meeting was very informative. As a result, my focus and resolve will improve insha-Allah. I appreciate the hospitality and instructions from the host Jamaat volunteers, the MTA crew and our National Sadr Sahiba. They always go above and beyond.”

Sadeeka Kukoyi, National Secretary Tajnid said: “Alhamdulillah, I think the mulaqat with Huzooraa went well. Overall, thankful for all the hands that made this a successful event.”

Noor Bhatti, National Secretary Mauvina Office expressed: “I had an amazing experience of mulaqat with my beloved Huzooraa. I was very nervous before the mulaqat since it was my first time to be in Huzoor’s company. But when the time came, I felt very relaxed in his presence. Although it was a virtual mulaqat, I felt as if he was sitting in front of us. There was a constant smile on his enlightening face. His kind sense of humour made us smile multiple times during the mulaqat.

His words of wisdom left a very deep image

uplifted our resolve in the service of Islam Ahmadiyyat. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity in the presence of Huzooraa in this virtual mulaqat.”

Mubarika Shah, National Honourary member said: “It is Allah’s blessings and heart touching experience to be in the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. I felt how lucky Lajna Imaillah USA is who got direct guidance of Huzooraa for each department based on our performance and his questions. We feel a new energy and spiritually uplifted to do our best to serve Allah. What a happy occasion after going through the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Shazia Shakur Sohail, In Charge of Public Affairs, expressed: “Alhamdulillah, the virtual meeting felt just like an in-person meeting due to meticulous attention to detail on the part of MTA and the quality of sound and picture.

Beloved Huzooraa spent ample time with each amila member and we did not feel rushed. For the office of umur-e-kharija, I received exactly the kind of guidance I needed and desired, alhamdulillah. I am filled with gratitude to Allah Who has provided the means to meet beloved Huzooraa despite travel restrictions.”

Laeeqa Mirza, National Secretary Tarbiyat Nau-Mubai‘at said: “It was a great experience listening to all the valuable advice that was given by beloved Huzooraa in every department. I feel very blessed.”

Namoode Sahar Choudhary expressed:

“It was a blessing and a gift from Allah that we were able to see our beloved Huzooraa virtually after such a long time, alhamdulillah. When Huzooraa led us in dua in the beginning, I couldn’t help being emotional; tears started flowing and I had to contain myself. I especially admire our beloved Huzoor’s attention and cheerfulness whilst meeting us […] I am very thankful for this opportunity and will try to improve myself […] I learned one thing by Huzoor’s comment that no matter how small a task is, I need to take it seriously and do it responsibly – I needed to hear it.”

Dr Amtul Rehman Ahmad expressed: “Masha-Allah, excellent and satisfying meeting. I felt like I was sitting in Huzoor’s office personally and listening to his compassionate advice and watching his glowing smiling face. Masha-Allah, very productive mulaqat, alhamdulillah.”

Ruqaiya Asad, National Secretary Isha‘at expressed: “The muluqat with dear Huzooraa was inspirational and very helpful. The technical setup was very smooth and everything worked well. Huzooraa provided suggestions and feedback to each department, alhamdulillah. We enjoyed his humour and candour.”

Sabahat Ali, National General Secretary expressed: “Alhamdulillah, I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to sit in front of beloved Huzooraa. At times, during the last year and a half, the pandemic caused so much sadness, worry and stress, but it is amazing to realise that even in the difficult times Allah’s light is always there. Not only were we given the opportunity to meet with beloved Huzooraa, but this time by the grace of Allah we were able to meet with Huzooraa from the USA via a virtual meeting. This was only made possible by the blessings of Allah.

When I first walked into the filming room, I was amazed at how the MTA team had set up the lights and the chairs. Everything was so bright and looked very professional […]”

Aziza Rana, National Secretary Ziafat expressed: “Alhamdulillah, it was a great honour for me to attend the mulaqat. It was a very inspiring and fulfilling experience. It was a great learning experience. May Allah enable us all to adhere to the advice given to us by beloved Huzooraa and to benefit from this mulaqat.”

Shahina Bashir, In Charge of Media Watch, said: “It was a great honour for the opportunity to attend this historic virtual mulaqat with beloved Huzooraa. Although I was quite nervous before the meeting, seeing Huzooraa smiling, a calm descended on me. Huzooraa gave us valuable and pertinent advice. These points were noted and insha-Allah we will move to improve the status of the Lajna Imaillah USA. The MTA team also did a wonderful job of hosting the event.”

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 3 - 9 September 3 September 1938: The Arya Samaj of Karachi held a convention. An Ahmadi missionary, Maulana Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib, was also invited to speak at this event. He spoke about the virtues of Islamic teachings.

The conference was presided over by a famous Hindu lawyer from Lyallpur (now Faisalabad). After listening to Ghulam Ahmad Farrukh Sahib’s speech, he thanked him twice and said that the efforts of Ahmadi brothers would one day create a pleasant atmosphere in India. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 5, p.

546) 3 September 1968: Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib, who served as a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, passed away at the age of 61. He was buried in Bahishti Maqbarah, Rabwah.

His birth name was Yogendra Pal and was the son of a Dhani Ram. He was born in 1907 in a village in the Sialkot district. He was the youngest child of his parents. Two brothers and one sister were older. Until the age of eight, he was educated in the village school where he lived. He befriended Muslim children. In his school, there was an Ahmadi teacher who taught children about Ahmadiyyat as well as teaching the school curriculum.

Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib was later sent to a religious school in Kangra to pursue higher studies in Hinduism so that he could become a Pandit, according to his ancestral profession.

There, he studied for six years. At the age of 14, he went to Qadian with a teacher and a few boys. He stayed there for a week.

Huzoorra said, he would take care of the expenses for the students. With this suggestion, the teachings started coming to Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib’s mind that he had heard from the Ahmadi teacher in his old village.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II suggested to the teacher to take some Ahmadi boys with him to Kangra to teach them Sanskrit. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra said that if those boys wanted to become Hindus, after being influenced by the Vedas, he would not mind. This statement demonstrated Huzoor’sra trust he had in the young boys of Qadian.

Similarly, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra told him to leave as many Hindu boys in Qadian as he could, as he would teach them the Holy Quran. He further added that, with the influence of the Holy Quran, if they chose, they were free to accept Ahmadiyyat. In each case,

Thus, Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib, along with a friend of his, wrote to Huzoorra stating that if the offer was still valid, then two boys would like to come and study Arabic. When Huzoorra answered in the affirmative, the other boy refused to go; however, Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib went to Qadian. Huzoorra rented a room for him and hired a Hindu attendant for Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib. And thus, Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib started learning Arabic.

ra

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra being welcomed in Karachi

He had passed and attained the Sanskrit degree, in Visharad.

After six months had passed, he

declared himself an Ahmadi. When he went back to his village and broke the news, his brothers beat him with iron rods. Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib hid in a Muslim house in the village where his mother would deliver food to him. After bearing these hardships for three days, he somehow escaped his village and reached Qadian. In Qadian, Huzoorra entrusted him to Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Mughnira. After a short time, Mahashah Muhammad Omar Sahib prepared for and passed the maulvi fazil course and dedicated his life to the Jamaat. Huzoorra very kindly took care of all his expenses personally.

Suraya Ghazi, about her father, Hazrat Mahashah Muhammad Omar)

Muhammad Omar Sahib was married to Amir Begum Sahiba, daughter of Hazrat Munshi Karam Alira. Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra himself was both the wali for the girl and wakeel for the boy.

“The construction of a house of God in Dayton.”

(Al Fazl Rabwah, 1 and 2 August 2001, article written by Mukarrama

4 September 1965: An Ahmadiyya mosque in Dayton, Ohio, USA was officially inaugurated. This mosque is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s oldest purpose-built mosque in the USA. Jalsa Salana of the United States was also held in this same mosque in September.

The newspaper, Dayton Daily News, in its 27 April issue mentioned the mosque under construction and published the following news, by the newspaper’s staff writer, Mr Bob Johnson:

“Minarets on the west side of the city are emerging.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, p. 48) 4 September 1968: On this date,

AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

9 Muhammad Ishaqra, passed away.

She was among the 13 founding members of the Lajna Imaillah auxiliary. She was the daughter of Hazrat Pir Manzoor Muhammadra, son of Hazrat Sufi Ahmad Jan. She was born on 12 January 1897, in Qadian. Her mother’s name was Hazrat Muhammadi Begumra.

Hazrat Ali Goharra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He was born in 1890. He did bai‘at at the hand of Hazrat Ahmadas in 1904. He had four sons and five daughters. He was buried in Bahishti Maqbarah. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 24, p. 688) 5 September 1955: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra arrived in Karachi from his tour of Europe, where the Karachi Jamaat welcomed him. Huzoorra delivered a speech upon his arrival.

Addressing the representatives of the Jamaat, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, referring to the opinion and advice of doctors in Europe, said that as he was leaving, the doctor told him, “I want to tell you once again that Allah the Almighty has endowed man with a certain amount of power and he can act within those limits, but no more than that. You have worked 150 per cent more than your normal condition during your life.”

The doctor further advised Huzoorra to work less and relax more. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 16) 6 September 1915: Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Abdullah Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Bhattira departed Abdullah Bhattira for England with the aim of serving the mission there. When he left for England, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra provided him with

many capacities in various offices in the Jamaat.

Despite all her responsibilities, she used to make time for travel and exercise.

She travelled to many cities and places.

She used to go on picnics with her children near Qadian and teach them about religion. She would also cycle and loved to play badminton. Allah blessed her with three sons and four daughters.

The names of her sons are as follows: • Syed Mir Daud Ahmad Sahib • Syed Mir Masood Ahmad Sahib • Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib

8 September 1969: On this date, by the grace of Allah, the Japan mission was re-established by Major Abdul Hameed Sahib. Abdul Hameed Sahib Hazrat Saleha converted to Ahmadiyyat at the age of Begum’sra marriage 18, after studying Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. took place on the He first served in the army and then basis of a dream dedicated his life after retiring from the Promised the army in 1960. He also served as a Messiahas had missionary in England and the United seen. In her States. childhood, she was trained directly Arriving in Japan, he first stayed in

by Hazrat Ahmadas a hotel and then started learning Fazl-i-Umar Mosque, Dayton, Ohio, USA and then by Hazrat the Japanese language by enrolling Khalifatul Masih Ira. in a school. He rented a house and started working. He widely distributed some valuable advice.

To teach Hazrat Saleha Begumra the literature of the Jamaat. With the Holy Quran, her help of dictionaries and Japanese Huzoorra told him to remember that he father, Hazrat teachers, he published and distributed was going there to conquer Europe, not Pir Manzoor information about the second coming of to be conquered. Huzoorra said to not Muhammadra, the Messiah. He contacted the press and fall under the influence of Europe, but wrote Yassarnalpublished articles in various Japanese rather, he should try to bring the people Quran. She was newspapers such as The Japan Times. of Europe towards Islamic civilisation. fluent in Arabic, The articles would take the form of Huzoorra advised him to not hesitate she studied hadith questions and answers and became a to express his beliefs and not to be and was fluent means of communication with the wider extravagant in eating and drinking. He in Persian. She public. said to explain religion with sincerity took the maulvi and speak with love and told him to fazil exam and 9 September 1913: Hazrat Khalifatul continuously write detailed letters attained the Masih Ira composed some verses in Hazrat Mir Muhammad to him every week. If there was any first position in ra ra Ishaq Punjabi containing prayers. problem, Huzoor said he should pray Punjab. to God Almighty. Huzoorra further said On the night of 9 September, Hazrat Allah’s vastness and power was infinite.

Hazrat Saleha Begumra got married in Khalifatul Masih Ira was suffering from (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 177) 1911 and became the daughter-in-law pneumonia. Huzoorra was in great of Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra. She then distress and wrote some poetic verses in 6 September 1934: Hazrat Muslehwent to Qadian. On this occasion, ra Punjabi containing prayers, the gist of ra e-Maud instructed office-bearers of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud wrote a poem, a which is given below: the Jamaat’s central organisations to couplet of which is as follows: receive their visitors with courtesy and “I am drowning, O my God, hold my try their utmost to precede others in ‫ی‬ �� ‫��ں ا�ق � �دى �� ےہ آج اے‬ hand, for there is no Helper except saying salaam to others. ‫�ی‬ You. Friends are only around in times of � ‫� اك � ےس � آواز آ� ےہ �رك‬ happiness. Who shares anyone’s pain?

7 September 1974: The National May I abide by religion and become the Assembly of Pakistan, through a “Today, O people, Mian Ishaq got light of religion”. constitutional amendment, declared married; Congratulatory words are on Ahmadis as non-Muslims for the the lips of all.”

9 September 1968: Maulvi B “purposes of the constitution and law.”

Muhammad Abdullah Sahib passed away.

Her whole life was spent in the His father’s name was Hazrat Maulvi education and training of Ahmadi 8 September 1919: Hazrat Hafiz Sheikh Mohyuddinra. In 1927, Maulvi ra women. She taught the Holy Quran to Hamid Ali passed away. Hazrat hundreds of children. She was a scholar. Bi Muhammad Abdullah Sahib was Ahmadas described him as a pious, appointed as a missionary in Malabar Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra was the religious and faithful person. when there were only a limited number headmaster of the Ahmadiyya Madrasa of Ahmadis in a few places. With his 40 Visit this link for more details: https:// and the superintendent of Dar-ulyears of untiring work and preaching www.ahmadipedia.org/content/ Shayookh, a care centre established efforts, 21 sincere jamaats were personality/147 for orphans and needy people in established. the Jamaat. Thus, Hazrat Saleha ra Begum gave and provided motherly 8 September 1953: Hazrat Saleha He passed away at the age of 73. He love to many orphans. She served in Begumra, noble wife of Hazrat Mir was an expert in many languages.

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Preaching to the people of Paris, 1921 Al Fazl, 29 August 1921

Hazrat Malik Muhammad Hussainra was born around 1887 in Rohtas, District

outstanding services to the welfare of his Indian brethren.

Jhelum. Malik Sahib received his early education from Qadian and was a

Malik Sahibra used to proudly say that once, as a child, he was in the company

classmate of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. He acquired his entrance education in

of the Promised Messiahas and Huzooras said to him, “You will progress.” Malik

Jhelum. He was a very intelligent and astute student.

Sahibra said, “Seeing my parents’ financial difficulties and family poverty, I used

Hazrat Malik Sahibra went to Africa in around 1913 and worked in the office

to wonder how this would be possible. However, God gave me the opportunity to

of the principal medical officer and then moved to Nairobi Court. He got familiar

become a barrister under unexpected circumstances. I then became a member of

with the law there. Naturally, he had a sharp mind, so he left for England in

the Legislative Council and was called ‘Honourable’. For a poor man like me, this

1920 and returned to Africa as a barrister in 1922. He started practising in

progress is nothing short of a miracle.” (Al Fazl, 19 June 1935)

Nairobi, Africa, and soon became one of Nairobi’s leading Indian barristers. He

Malik Muhammad Hussain Sahibra passed away on 4 April 1935, when he

had special expertise in criminal cases. In 1923 he was elected as a member of

was around 48 years old. Many dignitaries, including the chief justice, high court

the Legislative Council. As a Municipal Commissioner of Nairobi, he rendered

judges and lawyers, attended his funeral.

Hazrat Malik Muhammad Hussainra

Dear Editor Sahib Al Fazl [newspaper], assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

By the grace of Allah and through the prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], I have achieved a special kind of success

which is difficult to be conceived by the human mind. This achievement is that Almighty God helped me complete my barrister studies in a period of six months.

I have passed the final and last exam of barrister. All praise belongs to Allah, Who made it all possible!

I reached France on 21 June 1921 with

a heartfelt desire to preach Islam. My heart yearned to spread the message of Islam to the people of France. Hence, I arranged a lecture in a society with great effort.

Yesterday, I delivered a lecture over there on the historical development of Islam.

Many Indians who do trade here and some students were also present and there were

also respected French gentlemen and ladies.

The lecture was in English. The educated French people are also well-acquainted with the English language.

After the lecture, objections were raised and by the grace of Allah, answers were given very successfully. The teachings of the Promised Messiah[as] were mentioned and his claims were presented, which made some people wonder, “Do God’s messengers still appear?” Some people have been given the French [translation] of the book, [The Philosophy of the] Teachings of Islam.

I will return to London next week, inshaAllah. I am learning French. I will carry out a tour of France, Belgium and Germany after gaining some proficiency [in French], inshaAllah. I will convey the glorious message of Islam to these people, insha-Allah.

Another important matter I think is vital to convey to the people through you [editor of Al Fazl] is that no one should come abroad without resources. This is a very dangerous and risky move. There are a number of reasons for this and sometimes Indian students ask as to how much money is required for living in a foreign country.

The cost of accommodation and food in London is at least 15 pounds a month.

This does not include tuition fees. Living in Oxford and Cambridge costs around 25 pounds. This includes tuition fees. The universities are full of students and it takes a long time for a student to get admission.

Therefore, any student who wants to come should first arrange for admission and then come. Otherwise, time and money are wasted in vain. I hope all friends will pray for me.

Wassalam, Malik Muhammad Hussain, Paris. 24 July 1921.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original in the 29 August 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

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In memory of a fortunate Taalay (… when Taalay actually means fortunate)

MTA News department with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Syed Taalay Ahmad first from right

Asif M Basit London

I do not know when and where Taalay was born. Neither do I know when and where he got his education from, nor am I aware of when he devoted his life to the Jamaat.

Hence, the lines to follow will not carry Taalay’s biographical details as such.

All I know for certain is that Taalay was martyred on 24 August 2021.

Everything else that I know about Taalay is through being his colleague at MTA International. And all I know is that he was an extremely sincere, honest, hardworking and selfless member of the MTA team. But still, I must admit that I know very little about him.

When I heard of Taalay’s demise, I felt the urge that whatever little I knew about Taalay should be written and shared with the global Ahmadiyya family. So, the lines below are only but a tribute and a salute to

a marvellous colleague who laid his life in the way of Allah.

At the time of the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, very many faces could be seen all day (and all night) long in and around the premises of the Fazl Mosque; most being new to me. One such face was that of a young boy with curly hair, a fair complexion and grief written across his face. I remember wondering that he might be one of the few boys of his age who actually realised the gravity of the grief that had struck the Jamaat.

After that, I never saw this boy again and, as such fleeting incidents do, this too vanished in the fog of a fast-moving world.

In 2009, I was working on a documentary on the Islamic economic system. For this, I had to interview Syed Hashim Ahmad Sahib in Hartlepool. On this occasion, I found out that Hashim Sahib, being a descendant of Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra and Hazrat Mir

Muhammad Ismail Sahibra, belonged to the family of the Promised Messiahas. What I also found out was that the grieving boy of April 2003 was his son. But even then, I didn’t get to know him; not even that he is called Taalay.

A better introduction with Taalay was probably saved for the time when he was to become my colleague at MTA, many years later. Although this duration of knowing him was to span over a short period of time, I am proud that I got to know more about Taalay during these years, albeit very little.

Those colleagues that worked more closely with Taalay can narrate in detail about his wondrous personality. All I have is a handful of memories that have suddenly turned into an asset that I wish to make public.

About seven or eight years ago, this boy – who had now turned into a fully grown man – could be seen in the corridors and

staircases of Jamaat offices. His eyes had a spark that is hard to describe – words slip away as I try to do so. He would always meet with great affection and fervour as if we had known each other for a long time. He would walk with great zeal and a spring in his step. Sometimes, however, he appeared lost in his thoughts as he walked past with a slight nod only.

What left a lasting impression about this young gentleman was the simplicity of his demeanour that he carried with great dignity. One could easily see that the only one thing he cared about in what he wore was cleanliness and nothing else.

Plimsolls were probably his favourite footwear; sometimes with the backstay pressed under his heels for convenience at the workplace. But all this would fall in the background and what always remained at the forefront was his dedication to work – Continued on next page >>

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

that is all he actually cared about.

When Taalay devoted his life, he was assigned duties at the MTA News Department. Even then, we did not get to know each other any better.

But one day, Taalay produced a documentary titled The White Birds of Hartlepool and this is where we got to know each other better. Before it was aired, he asked me to review it and suggest any changes. Captivatingly interesting as it was, I watched it in one sitting and told him that it was an incredibly good documentary and should be aired as soon as possible. I also suggested a couple of minor changes but also told him that it was good to go as it was. But Taalay accepted the suggestions and made changes accordingly.

Never did I know that there would come a time when I would take pride in narrating the fact that a great man like Taalay not only sought my advice but also accepted it. This was out of Taalay’s greatness – the greatness to which the whole world bears witness today.

As soon as the documentary was aired, it flew high and earned a great deal of popularity. This acceptance shown for his work fuelled Taalay with an energy that led him to make another documentary, and then another and then many more – all winning great levels of admiration.

Then came a time when Taalay would walk into the waiting room of Huzoor’saa mulaqat, balancing a big blue holdall style bag on his shoulder. With his entry, all of us who sat waiting for official mulaqats with Huzooraa would know that a dignitary would be meeting Huzooraa and Taalay was there to film it.

In his blue bag would be all the equipment required to capture the minutelong footage of the meeting – a camera, a tripod, a mic and all other paraphernalia.

With this, the Jamaat’s news on MTA rose to a new level – one that was to evolve into the opus magnum now known as This Week With Huzoor.

This blue bag of Taalay remains ingrained in my memory as an integral part of his personality. He was carrying it when I met him for the last time a few weeks ago. But we will come to this final rendezvous later.

As I write about him, I can vividly recall a beautiful day of summer 2018. Taalay had come round my office looking for me.

The weekly Al Hakam had included in its Khilafat Day special issue an article that carried Huzoor’s personal recollections of the time when Huzooraa was granted the status of Khalifatul Masih. All I had done was written down Huzoor’s words as he spoke them, put them together and given them to Al Hakam. Taalay kept thanking me and I kept insisting that I had done nothing but jot down the words of Huzooraa.

But the joy that I witnessed on not only Taalay’s face but in the whole of his existence is something I cannot describe in words. He was like a child who had received his most desired thing as a gift and didn’t know how to be thankful enough. Such was his love for Khilafat-eAhmadiyya.

From then on, every time Al Hakam published an article where I had put together Huzoor’s own words, Taalay would be the first to send me a text message that he had read it. He never sounded less overjoyed than before. He would also ask for the Urdu version to share with some relatives who, for all the obvious reasons, could not access it online in some parts of the world.

Now that I have gone through all his text messages, I have noticed that most of them were sent on Fridays and almost straight after Huzoor’s Friday Sermon – the time that Al Hakam releases its new weekly issue online.

Now coming back to Taalay’s documentaries, every programme that he made would speak volumes of his devotion for Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.

When he made the famous documentary, Four Days Without a Shepherd and sent it to me for a review, it was as if I could see before me the grieving young boy from 2003 standing at every turn of the storyline. The fear, and the peace that had followed in the four days of spring 2003, pulsed throughout the documentary just as they must have pulsed in the tender heart of the young boy many years ago.

As Taalay worked on his programmes, he would sometimes need references to support the historic facts mentioned therein. He knew that I was only a phone call away and I knew that I could not let the young waqif-e-zindagi down. I would search through our records at the Ahmadiyya Archive and provide him with whatever I could. Taalay’s expression of gratitude would embarrass me a great deal.

Thinking back, it embarrasses me even more now. Had I known that Taalay was on a fast-track route through life, I would have worked harder to provide more from wherever I possibly could.

On every such occasion, Taalay would go through the material and get back to me saying how much of the facts he was already aware of and how much of it had been new to him. This open and honest approach undoubtedly led Taalay to absorb a lot of knowledge, yet his pursuit knew no end. And it was this very pursuit that enabled him to acquire an insight into the history and traditions of the Jamaat in a very short span of time. He would head to any source that could provide him with even a thread to weave into his cloak of knowledge.

Speaking of Taalay’s endeavours to enhance his knowledge, I mention here an incident. But before that, I must remind the readers that Taalay was born and brought up in England and, hence, English was his first language.

One day, he texted me about a certain matter. By way of advice, I texted back saying that Huzooraa has on many occasions read this Urdu couplet to encourage me:

‫دنتٔی اب ِد اخمفل ےس ہن ربھگا اے اقعب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ی وت یتلچ ےہ ےھجت اواچن اڑاےن ےک ی‬

(Give in not to the mighty gusts of resistance; They only blow to make you fly higher.)

love for Khilafat. He wanted everything to be said and presented in a manner that befitted the high station of Khilafat. Allah always rewarded his innocent love with greater love, proof of which is the exceptional popularity of his programmes.

This Week With Huzoor needs no introduction.

It is undoubtedly the favourite programme of MTA viewers.

Working on this programme was the greatest joy of Taalay’s life. Quite like the name of the programme, Taalay’s week would revolve around filming, editing and producing it.

Everything else in his very productive schedule went on, but this programme remained a lifeline for him.

I believe that where he has now gone, this programme Syed Taalay Ahmad during his recent visit to Ghana must be the shiniest entry on his register of deeds.

Thousands of viewers watch Then, thinking that Taalay might this programme out of love for Khilafat struggle with understanding it, I texted and will continue to do so. I believe that him immediately: every viewing of this programme will “Shall I translate it for the Englishman?” work as a prayer for that humble lover of Taalay responded by translating the Khilafat who worked tirelessly to put it all whole couplet and then wrote: together. Taalay, may Allah reward you for “Just a guess from a humble this!

Englishman.”

Taalay was an exemplary waqif-eTo quote Taalay in his own words, I zindagi, observing whom I learnt a lot of opened Taalay’s texts just now. With the good things. I learnt when I saw him cycle exchange of the above lines, Taalay left so to work from his home many miles away; many laughter emojis. Taalay, I am sorry I learnt when I saw him going happily for I couldn’t align my feelings with these a regular game of football with his friends emojis this time – quite the contrary, and colleagues; I learnt from him when actually. May Allah keep you happy and I saw him carry his blue bag around to joyful always! capture anything Huzooraa had said; I Sometimes, Taalay would insist that learnt from the care he would show when I should have the references – those that lodging these pearls onto the thread of this I had found for him – recorded for the programme’s timeline. respective programme. I would try to But there is one particular incident decline his suggestion as much as I could that carries a great lesson. but Taalay was the epitome of perseverance Taalay was given a flat by the Jamaat to when it came to anything about Huzooraa. live in. He lived there for quite some years I would even try to scare him by saying before moving out to another flat. His that English is not my first language and previous flat was given to another waqifmy interview could compromise the e-zindagi. Walking to my office in Baitul quality of his programme. This became a Futuh, I bumped into Taalay who told me routine for every such occasion, but in the how good that flat had been for him and end, I would lose and Taalay would win; I his family. He told me that they had had a always lost to the one card that he played great time there as it was more than enough at the end: for the three of them; also that the flat was “What you will narrate is about quite spacious. Based on his description, I Huzooraa. How can it go wrong?” imagined a luxury apartment.

On this, I would drop myself in the A few days later, I happened to see a chair that Taalay would already have set similar flat in the same building. I ought up; he would open his blue bag and start not to say much but I must mention recording. here that putting Taalay’s description I must mention here that I loved the and the actual flat side by side, I realised way Taalay worked on his documentaries. how content Taalay had been with what He would always send the complete he had been provided with as a waqif-estoryboard with all necessary details: zindagi; how a waqif-e-zindagi can turn where my interview would be, who would very limited space into a palace through have spoken just before me, where he contentment; and also that space does wanted me to pick up from and where not matter, and what actually matters is he wanted me to finish so that the one love and devotion in turning houses into to follow could speak relevantly from homes. thereon.

I spent very little time with Taalay, but I always took this as Taalay’s I hope that those who spent more will professionalism, but now, in retrospect, be able to write a great deal more about I feel that this approach too mirrored his Taalay’s inspirational character.

AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021 It was in the Aftab Khan Library in Baitul Futuh that I met Taalay for the very last time. He had arranged a recording with me after earning another victory in our regular debate. This time, he had thrown in another card by offering to come down to Farnham and record the interview, making it convenient for me. I had lost but had declined the last offer by telling him that he did not need to trouble himself with that as I was at Baitul Futuh almost every day.

I arrived in my Baitul Futuh office and informed Taalay that I was ready. A few minutes later, Taalay walked in, squeezing himself and the blue bag (which was part of his body and soul) through the door.

Then he started looking at one corner of the office and then another, imagining how the shot might look like. I could see that Taalay was a bit confused but before I could ask, he said, “All studios are busy today. Had I known, I would have scheduled the recording for another day.”

I offered what I could by saying that we could still reschedule and that it was not an issue for me at all. But Taalay wanted to mark the job done. As soon as I suggested filming in the Aftab Khan Library, Taalay ran off to get permission from the Baitul Futuh administration.

He came back disappointed as he had been told that the library was closed under Covid restrictions and the administration was not happy to hand over the keys to anyone. Taalay could see his recording being compromised due to the unavailability of appropriate space. I suggested that we try one more time.

Having offered a “personal guarantee” that the library would be returned in the shape we found it in, and that safety and security was also on us, we were given the key and permission to record.

As we got the key, the colours of delight that waved on Taalay’s face and the twinkle in his eye is vividly before me as I write these lines. But it also highlights another beautiful aspect of Taalay’s personality: He was passionate about his work but where he saw a line drawn by the nizame-Jamaat (operational/administrative system of the Jamaat), he froze in his steps and withdrew.

When his desire to film in the library was achieved by fair means, we both kept the promise made with the Baitul Futuh administration. And in doing so, Taalay took extreme care in ensuring that what we had guaranteed was fulfilled down to the letter.

This recording was for a documentary on Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khan Sahibra that Taalay was working on. It had previously been assigned to another colleague who had painstakingly acquired very valuable material to go into it. But this “painstaking” exercise had also taken quite a number of years.

When Taalay was appointed to oversee the work, I jokingly said, “Taalay, I hope we’re able to see this documentary in our lifetimes.”

Taalay replied with his typical, robust laughter.

Today, I feel like asking, “Taalay! What did you laugh at that day? Back then, I

had thought that you were only returning a laughter for the joke. But it turns out that you were serious. You walked away without seeing the completion of this documentary in your lifetime. Why did you have to do this?”

Today, I send you my last message. Not on your mobile, but right here: “Taalay! You loved everything that had anything to do with Huzooraa. I always had a feeling that you could shed your life for any such thing. But you have actually done so!

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“You went to Ghana and thought about what you could offer to the land where Huzooraa had once lived, and that too in times of hardship.

“You found nothing better than your life to offer to that land. And you coloured its soil with your blood.

“What can I say? I do not want this message to sound elegiac. I write here a couplet and end my message:

� ‫�ی‬ �‫�� � �� ا�� �� � ی‬ � � ‫�ا ہن �د � ی‬ ‫�� �ں‬ ‫� ی��ا ی‬

“(I am sure the ‘humble Englishman’ will get it right.) “(PS: And sorry, no emoji this time.

I couldn’t find one to aptly reflect my feelings right now!)”

I (Asif Basit) sent this article to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The note I received is no less than a monumental summary of Taalay’s life (and his demise). Huzooraa said: “He was among those who attended my classes from the very start. He fulfilled the pledge he made with me and did justice to it.”

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

Growth of Humanity First UK under the shade of Khilafat Najm Khan Director External Affairs, Humanity First UK

The life of a non-profit organisation and charity can be a challenging one. When you are dependent on the goodwill and generosity of people, it can feel like you’re living hand-to-mouth and yet you are the organisation that is tasked to provide relief to people who are actually living in that manner.

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit all charities very hard and a sector which is needed more now than ever is struggling.

In 2018, Humanity First UK had the blessed opportunity of an audience with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. After some structural changes with Humanity First International, a newly formed Humanity First UK had been granted an audience with their guide and master to gain direction on how to move forward.

Although this new team was inheriting all the work and efforts over a 23-year period in the UK, in many ways, they were starting from scratch. So where better to start than at the office of the one who guides millions across the world.

Where best to obtain that ‘blueprint’ to work from? And blueprint it was!

During the mulaqat, when the head of admin asked Huzooraa about the nature of how our reports should look, Huzooraa took the conversation to another level and effectively laid out where he already knew we needed to make ground. In a few words, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa effectively expounded on how Humanity First needed to market itself and push its name and good works out to the wider public. He was acutely aware of the humanitarian services being rendered but also that the world needed to know.

It seems so obvious now in 2021, but it was a torch that Huzooraa lit to show us the direction we needed to travel in.

The charity industry is highly competitive. The most well-known charities around the world like Save the Children and International Red Cross have huge marketing budgets and teams of paid employees whose sole purpose

is to market their organisation and stay relevant. On the other side, there is Humanity First, born out of the divinely guided vision of Khilafat and sustained by its prayers with its base of volunteers tasked with the same mission.

During the mulaqat, the age-old question and concern about funding came up. Humanity First is a charity, it needs donations to stay afloat and keep serving humanity. It was at this point that beloved Huzooraa said those words which have been our formula ever since: “If people see you serving humanity, they will trust you and give to you.”

It may seem to be obvious now when reading this, but these words were nothing short of a revelation at the time and have been proved to be so. This blueprint opened the way for a new and improved Humanity First website, an increase in social media activity by adding other platforms and posting on a daily basis.

We’ve seen an unexpected increase in funds despite the pandemic through new events like the Virtual Dinner and Eid Mushaira. These events have focused on giving feedback to donors, showing them the work on the ground and where their money has been spent and as a result, exactly how our beloved Imam told us, they saw and they gave to us.

The flagship fundraiser of the year is the Telethon where, again, in the spirit of that guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, we will visit different countries and highlight to the viewers the impact of their donations through Humanity First. Be it Ghana, Palestine, Uganda or in Yorkshire and the Midlands in the UK, it’s an opportunity to see Humanity First serving humanity, obtain your trust and for you to give.

This year the Telethon will be held on Sunday, 5 September between 12 pm to 5 pm UK time live on YouTube.

The Telethon can be watched live on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ HumanityFirstTV Our activities can be followed on Twitter as well: @HumanityFirstUK

AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

Coming from every distant track

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Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib of Brahmanbaria visits Qadian A series looking at the high standard of morals of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa when receiving visitors in Qadian

Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam

Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib first visited Qadian during the Khilafat of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. He was a member of a prominent family of East Bengal. He was a well-known, unparalleled researcher and scholar of his region.

He stayed in Qadian for approximately 15 days, during which he had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira an array of questions and remove various doubts he had. After receiving satisfactory and sufficient answers to every question, he accepted Ahmadiyyat and returned to his homeland.

Through him, with the grace of Allah the Almighty, a large number of people from Bengal entered the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

The hospitality accorded to this distinguished guest was more in the form of alleviating his doubts and answering his questions, as opposed to worldly food and comforts.

Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib, after completing his Arabic studies in Dhaka, travelled to India to gain further knowledge in theology. While critically inspecting various schools in India, he chose to study under the famous Abdul Haye Farangi Mahal of Lucknow. He continued to study theology there for a long time.

After Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib completed his studies there, Maulvi Abdul Haye Sahib wanted him to apply for a top governmental post; however, due to an illness, Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib did not want to go to the hot area of Hyderabad.

We find in various historical accounts that by rejecting various offers, Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib was content with leading a simple a life in Brahmanbaria.

And, at the request of local Muslims, he continued to serve in a high school to adorn the new generation. He also worked as a local judge.

Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib heard about the message and claim of the Promised Messiahas through his friend, Munshi Daulat Ahmad Khan, a lawyer in Brahmanbaria.

From the moment he heard about Hazrat Ahmadas, he became busy investigating the claims made by the Promised Messiahas.

Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib spent

10 years, from 1902 to 1912, studying and researching Huzoor’sas claims. He also had correspondence with the Promised Messiahas through which he asked various questions.

In Maktubat-e-Ahmad (Vol. 5, pp. 268269), the text of the replies to these letters are available. Similarly, the Promised Messiahas has also mentioned Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib in the fifth volume of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, where Huzooras laid to rest some doubts expressed by him.

Though he accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat later in his life, Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib was not able to pledge allegiance at the hand of Hazrat Ahmadas. Prior to accepting Ahmadiyyat, he was absorbed in resolving some doubts he had, and as he continued to

pursue his research, time also continued to pass.

In 1912, in spite of his old age and poor health, he decided to go to Qadian. He left for Qadian in October 1912 along with his three close students, Maulvi Imdad Ali Sahib, Qari Dilawar Ali Sahib and Dhano Munshi Sahib.

On the way to Qadian, he met, discussed and debated about the truthfulness of Hazrat Ahmadas with famous Indian scholars such as Maulvi Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi, Allama Shibli Nomani, Maulvi Abdullah Sahib of Tonk, Maulvi Ain AlQada Sahib of Lucknow, Maulvi Abdul Bari Sahib of Lucknow, Maulvi Abdul Haq Sahib, author of Tafsir Haqqani; Maulvi Sanaullah of Amritsar, Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, etc.

Even after his personal research and indepth study, he thought that perhaps these Indian scholars would have some definite evidence of the invalidity of Ahmadiyyat.

He went out to meet these “great scholars” in person. The various conversations Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid had with these Muslim scholars further stimulated his interest in research into Ahmadiyyat. After arriving in Qadian, Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib observed and benefited from the spiritual condition of those who were in Qadian who lived with the Promised Messiahas.

His stay in Qadian has been recorded in the third volume of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat: “He [Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib] remained in Qadian for 15 days, during which he had various discussions with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I[ra]. When he received a satisfactory answer to all his doubts he had previously noted and was satisfied in every way, and after considering the [spiritual] condition of the people of Qadian, he accepted the truth, and without further ado, pledged allegiance at the blessed hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I[ra].”

In the 7 November 1912 issue of Al Hakam, it is stated: “Maulvi Abdul Wahid of Brahmanbaria, East Bengal, has entered the Jamaat following thorough research [of Islam Ahmadiyyat and the claims of Hazrat Ahmadas].”

After staying in Qadian, Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib sought permission from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira and returned to Brahmanbaria.

The interesting and detailed circumstances of Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib’s journey have been narrated and described in detail in his book, Jazbatul-Haq. Much of this book was prepared under Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib’s supervision.

On the last pages, after Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib’s demise, his son, Syed Saeed Ahmad Sahib, wrote a note and recorded the text of two letters of the Promised Messiahas to Maulvi Syed Abdul Wahid Sahib. These letters were written by the Promised Messiahas on 17 August 1905 and 24 January 1906.

The book, Jazba-tul-Haq, by Maulvi Abdul Wahid Sahib of Brahmanbaria, is available at www.alislam.org.

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

Responding to Allegations

The Bible and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah Part VI

An allegation raised by the Christian opponents of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, is that the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat could not be the true Messiah because dissensions took root in his community after his demise.

This objection is absolutely baseless.

Moreover, it is illogical to reason that a prophet cannot be considered true because his community divided into one or more sects after his demise. If this argument is considered true, then, God forbid, almost every prophet of God would come under its impact and would be proved false.

The prophets of God cannot be held accountable for the misunderstandings or dissensions that take place in their

followers after their demise. For example, it is irrational to hold Prophet Mosesas and Prophet Jesusas accountable for the divisions that occurred in their people and resulted into various sects. Likewise, no rational person can hold the Holy Prophetsa responsible for those very many sects that were formed by the followers of Islam after his demise.

The Bible also refers to these disagreements and disputes that take place after the passing of prophets. It says: “I [Paul the Apostle] appeal to you [followers of Jesus], brothers, in the name of our lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. My brothers, some

from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, ‘I follow Paul’, ‘I follow Apollos’, ‘I follow Cephas’, or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? […]” (1 Corinthians 1:10-12) The Bible further says: “In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?” (1 Corinthians 3:3) “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!” (1

Corinthians 6:6-8) “For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20) Hence, the occurrence of dissensions or discord in the followers of prophets is not a measure of their truthfulness or falsehood.

In case of the Promised Messiahas, one can easily differentiate between right and wrong groups by observing as to which jamaat of his followers is truly following his message and holding fast to the Imam of the age and his successor, Khalifatul Masih V, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, may Allah be his Helper.

The Christian opponents also raise another objection that why did the founder of Ahmadiyya Jamaat use feminine words like Mary, pregnancy, etc. for him when he was a man.

All the said words were used metaphorically and allegorically by the Promised Messiahas. This was and is common practice. The Bible and the ancient scriptures contain scores of similar metaphors. Moreover, Allah the Almighty has used numerous metaphors in the Holy Quran to help explain certain phenomena and various matters to mankind.

There are various references in the Bible in which feminine words are used for men in a way similar to the Promised Messiahas.

For example, addressing the followers of Jesus, Paul the Apostle says: “For I am jealous for you [Christians] with the jealousy of God Himself. I betrothed you as a pure bride to one husband – Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 11:2) In the above verse of the Bible, Paul has presented the followers of Jesus as his wives, which is wrong in view of the Christians when it comes to the Promised Messiahas.

At another place in the Bible, Jesus says: “Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother?

Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers’” (Matthew 12:48-49).

In this verse, the disciples of Jesus are being called “my mother” by Jesus himself.

Below are some more references of the Bible in which feminine words are used metaphorically to explain certain matters: “Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:15) “Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O Lord; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.” (Isaiah 26:17-18) “You [Israelites] conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble. Your breath is a fire that will consume you.” (Isaiah 33:11) “The Lord goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: ‘I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labour; I will at once gasp and pant.’” (Isaiah 42:13-14) “This is what the Lord says: ‘Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you

17

AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021 were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.’”

(Isaiah 50:1) “Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband’, says the Lord. […] For your Maker is your husband–the Lord Almighty is His name […].” (Isaiah 54:1-5) “Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.” (Isaiah 62:5) “Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her. The Lord hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him.

Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.” (Lamentations 1:17) “Again, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians – warriors.’”

(Ezekiel 23:1-5) “Now in the days of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, ‘Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.’” (Jeremiah 3:6-9) Paul the Apostle said: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:2223) “Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labour pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” (Galatians 4:19) The above verses of the Bible shed ample light on the metaphorical use of feminine words for masculine entities. Thus, these examples prove that the said objection of Christians against the Promised Messiahas is groundless and unreasonable.

In the end, we present the actual statement of the Promised Messiahas on which the said objection is based. The words “in metaphorical terms” can be clearly seen and read in it. The Promised Messiahas said: “God referred to me as Mary in the third part of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, and as is evident from the treatise itself, for two years I was nurtured in the likeness of Mary and continued to develop in the cloak of

First Online Islamic Seminar by Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Greece Zeeshan Nadeem Greece On 30 July 2021, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Greece held its first Online Islamic Seminar via Zoom in English.

The unique thing about this seminar was that non-Ahmadis and non-Muslims were also invited to participate. To make the seminar successful, several non-Ahmadi guests were personally invited.

An announcement was also advertised

on Facebook that reached ten thousand people. Members of the Jamaat were informed and reminded through various means of communication.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa has graciously approved names of various scholars who can be invited by Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Greece to the Online Tarbiyyat events in Greece. For this seminar, Ibrahim Noonan Sahib, Missionary-in-charge and Vice President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ireland was invited as a guest speaker. He spoke on

the topic “My Search for Inner Peace and the Reality of the Divine Led Me to Islam.”

The event was presided by Atta-UlNaseer Sahib, National President Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Greece.

The seminar began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Then, Atta-Ul-Naseer Sahib introduced Ibrahim Noonan Sahib to the attendees and requested him to deliver an address.

Ibrahim Noonan Sahib, with reference to his acceptance of Islam, spoke on how the search for God Almighty drew him towards Islam Ahmadiyyat.

After the speech, a question and answer session was held.

The recording of this event can be viewed on Greece Jamaat’s YouTube channel “AhmadiyyaGR”.

In total, over 30 people participated in this seminar out of which eight were nonMuslims and non-Ahmadis.

Guyanese Atfal Ahmadi converts take part in summer camp Fahd Peerzada Regional Missionary, Jamaat Guyana

Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya Guyana restarted the Atfal Summer Tarbiyyati Camp after a two-year layoff due to Covid-19. This year the camp was held for mayar-e-saghir Atfal (7-11).

The purpose of the camp was for the spiritual, educational, moral and physical training of our young atfal.

Most of our atfal are Guyanese who were not born Muslim, therefore it was necessary to establish a strong foundation in them in terms of the fundamentals. As a matter of fact, one tifl had just accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat along with his family two months prior to the camp.

We began the camp on 26 July 2021 with an opening session and lunch. Afterwards, we jumped into the regular schedule that was set up for them starting with classes.

The daily schedule for the atfal began early in the morning with Tahajud and Fajr prayers. Following this, there was time for rest and then breakfast.

The classes began at 9 am. The classes that were held for the atfal were based around the recitation of the Holy Quran, memorising Salat, basic history of Islam, etc.

After the classes, we had lunch and time for rest. Evenings consisted of sports such as football, basketball and cricket. We also included numerous skills for them to learn such as karate, slingshot target practice,

basic IT skills and astronomy.

After a week of learning, we held a final exam for our atfal and also an Atfal Ijtema on 31 July 2021. The academic competitions included nazm, azan and speeches which they learnt and practised throughout the camp. Following this, we had our sports and skills competitions which included races, football and slingshot shooting.

With this, we concluded our atfal Summer Tarbiyati Camp 2021.

Our atfal were quick learners, taking a grasp on fundamentals very swiftly. The course would usually take weeks to learn; however, by Allah’s grace, the atfal learnt it in a matter of days.

secrecy. Then after two years had passed, as it is recorded in the fourth part of Barahine-Ahmadiyya on page 496, like Mary, the soul of Jesus was breathed into me, and in metaphorical terms, I was impregnated.

Then, after a period of no more than ten months, through the revelation recorded

towards the end of the fourth part of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya on page 556, from Mary I was transformed into Jesus. And thus, I became the Son of Mary.” (Noah’s Ark, p. 81) Hence, the Promised Messiahas was named “Mary” metaphorically by God

Almighty because of the spiritual qualities of Hazrat Maryas, who is regarded in the Holy Quran as being chaste, submissive to God, honoured, truthful and the one who was blessed with the nearness of Allah.

(To be continued…)

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Progress of Ahmadiyyat in Nigeria and London, 1921 Al Fazl, 25 August 1921

Hazrat Maulvi Mubarak Ali BA BT was born in the village of Digdair in the Bogra district of Bengal.

He completed his education up to BA from the renowned Presidency College, Calcutta. Meanwhile, a copy of The Review of Religions reached him through a friend. After reading it, he began his search for the true Islam. Eventually, he came to Qadian and took bai‘at at the hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira in 1909. In 1911, he was appointed as the headmaster of Chittagong Muslim High School. He came to Qadian in December 1913.

In early 1915, he became a member of the Board of English Translation established by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. He became a member of the first Anjuman Ahmadiyya established in the province of Bengal (Bangladesh and West Bengal combined). In the last days of 1919, he received instructions from the second Khalifa to go to Nigeria.

Following the instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, he reached

London by ship from Bombay [now Mumbai] in January 1920. At that time, people had to go to Nigeria via England and had to wait for several days or weeks for a ship.

On 18 September 1921, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra instructed him to work with the missionary in-charge of England and in February 1921, Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Nayyarra left for Nigeria.

In 1922, Huzoorra instructed him to go to Berlin. Where he stayed until 1924. He was the first Ahmadi missionary in the land of Germany.

He returned to his homeland in 1924 with the permission and guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. Hence, he spent the period from 1920 to 1924 spreading the message of Ahmadiyyat in Europe. On his return, he had the opportunity to serve in the Department of Education again.

After the partition of the Indian subcontinent from 1947 to 1949, he served as the amir of East Pakistan. He passed away on 1 November 1969 in his hometown of Bogra. government was supporting him due to the misrepresentations of some short-sighted native government officials.

I started a series of sermons and at the same time quietly examined and analysed the entire situation and after beseeching prayers, I met some officials and also met with the city’s chiefs. By the grace of God, I succeeded in creating mutual goodwill between the government and the local populace. Today, three months later, everyone is saying that there is peace and complete tranquillity in the city, and a large part of the population has felt that this change has come about with the arrival of the “white alpha” [Maulvi Abdur Rahim Sahib Nayyar, missionary of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat].

Hazrat Maulvi Mubarak Ali The situation of Lagos has changed When I reached Nigeria from the Gold Coast on 8 April [1921], the authorities were

sceptical of my arrival and the situation of the city was very bad. Three-quarters of the population was angry with the government over the misunderstanding of some officials.

Due to the population being immersed

in politics, the people were neglectful of religion. The reason for all this dissatisfaction was the quarrel over the imamate of the city’s jaami‘ masjid. The present imam is not liked by most of the population but the

Ahmadiyyat is well-established The city of Lagos is the capital and the door to Nigeria. In the entire country, which is three-quarters of India, the rays of light will reach from Lagos, insha-Allah. This is the first town of this country in which the markaz [centre] of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has been established.

The poor new converts have faced all sorts of hardships here. Mr Augusto’s school was closed by the efforts of opponents, and attempts were made to evict [Ahmadis] from the mosque. The attempts to incite the government against Ahmadiyyat were made unsuccessful. A special prayer was offered at the Kalan Mosque that Ahmadis be destroyed. Instead, the chief of opponents died and there was such a rift among the opponents that it is now impossible to mend it.

Hence, if the suffering of the majority of Muslims ended, it was eventually due to the endeavours of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and after the arrival of the Ahmadi missionary.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

WHY I AM HAPPY My heart possesses three joys that are enough for me in this world and the Hereafter: The f ir st is th at I have found the tr ue God. He is c er tainl y G od , to w ards Who m, wh en prostrating, ev er y f ibr e [o f one’ s bo d y] pr os t rates l ike t he pro stratio n o f a pe rso n w ho truly re co gn ise s Go d .

The s eco nd [jo y] is that I have e xperi e nce d His ple asu re reg ar ding m ys el f an d have wi tnesse d Hi s lov e that i s satu rated with H is m erc y .

Thi rdly , I have wi tn ess ed and e xper i enc ed th at He is t he A ll- Kno w ing and is pe rfe ctly Mer ci ful – o ne me r cy i s gene ral w hile a no the r is sp ec ia l fo r t hos e who ar e lo st in Hi m. A nd He i s t he Al l- Pow erfu l – p ain inf lic ted in His ca use s hou ld be comfort, fo r He can change [ the s it uat ion ] in a n ins tan t. The se thre e attri bu te s ar e a me ans o f g rea t jo y f o r His wo rsh ip pers . as

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , Tash-heez-ul-Azhan, 1906)

The [Nigeria] Jamaat that was called a society of just a few young people, now it has a population of over 10,000, and according to the Christian newspaper, The Pioneer of Nigeria, is now firmly established in Lagos.

This Christian newspaper, The Pioneer of Nigeria, states: “The Ahmadiyya movement has, at last, by absorbing Shakitis or Koranic section of Mohammedan Community of Lagos family, established itself in the town.”

The effect of Ahmadiyyat Regular dars [religious sermon] is held four times a week for men and women in the central Ahmadiyya mosque, which is under discussion for expansion and Yoruba classes for men and women, in which [Arabic wording of] Salat and translation of [Arabic] prayers is taught, are being carried out in the previous Ahmadiyya mosque. The missionaries of the Jamaat are preaching about the appearance of the Messiah and Mahdi throughout the city and urging the Muslims to become true Muslims.

The effect of all this is that the bad innovations are disappearing from the Muslims of the city. The Christians and idolaters are coming closer [to Islam] and someone is converting to Islam every day.

The opponents are regretful, the friends are happy and the humble Nayyar prays for everyone on his master’s footsteps and is ready to do every kind of good to them.

The sincerity of Nigeria Jamaat All the new and old members of Ahmadiyya Jamaat are making progress in love and sincerity. The words of Qadian, Ahmad[as] and Mahmud[ra] are on their tongues.

The ladies are preaching in their sphere and the old people are preaching in their circles. Some youngsters deliver exceptional speeches. The seed of the love of Hazrat

Jari-ullah fi hulul-il-Anbiya [The champion of Allah in the mantle of prophets], the embodiment of [the prophecy]:

ۢ ّ َۡ َۤ ۡ ‫اﺳ ُم ٗﻪ ا ۡﺣ َم ُﺪ‬ ‫ُم َﺒ ِ� ًرا ِﺑﺮَ ُﺳﻮۡ ٍل ّﻳا ِﺗ ۡﻰ ِم �ﻦ �َ ۡﻌ ِﺪى‬

the light manifested in Qadian, the reflection of Muhammadsa of Arabia, the second Adam and the heavenly bridegroom, has been sown in the hearts of the Nigerian community so firmly that no enemy of Mahmud[ra] can uproot it, insha-Allah.

The sincerity with which the youngsters Mashwande, Masood, Ajome and Zakaria delivered their speeches and the love with which Imam Dabri takes the names of Qadian and Mahdias, is a state that only the people with loving hearts can feel. The translation of Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Sahib Rajeki’s mystic poetry gives special delight to men and women.

Tabligh to Christians From July [1921] onwards, an English lecture is given to Christians on Saturday evenings and another English lecture is given to young people of the Jamaat on Sunday evenings. Every Wednesday, an outdoor meeting with speeches in English and Yoruba is held. The Friday sermon is delivered in English and Yoruba at the central mosque. If Sunday morning sessions and the dars [religious sermon] of the Holy Quran are included, then the total number of weekly speeches adds up to eight. One of these Saturday lectures is specially for the Christian educated class. Moreover, printed announcements have been published as well.

The first lecture of this series took place on 3 July [1921]. The Nigeria Jamaat had made good arrangements with gas lights and chairs. The words, “Lecture Tonight” were written in gas-lit letters on the door of the hall. There is a lot of talk in the city about this lecture. Hopefully, more Christians will

come to other lectures, insha-Allah.

Thoughts of Christians I have been informed that some members of the educated Christian community are ready to convert to Islam. However, they are just waiting for the Ahmadiyya mission to be more firmly established. A respected leading barrister and an expert doctor have both assured me that they are Muslims.

The time is not far when they will join Ahmadiyyat.

Two old ladies A respected non-Ahmadi old lady performed bai‘at today and a 120-year-old idol worshiper woman has converted to Islam the day before yesterday. The latter is especially famous for her stubbornness and high status and the Muslim community of the city is very happy. She showed me her temple. It is adorned with a lot of idols.

All these idols have been brought here by the idolatrous women of the city. This old woman has been named Rabia and she hopes that all the ladies under her influence will convert to Islam. I will send a large parcel of these African idols to Hazrat Mahmud so that the conqueror of disbelief will break the idols with his own hands and be called the idol-breaker Mahmud.

Tabligh to Prince of Lagos I went to the palace of His Royal Highness, Prince Eleko, the current successor of the Docemo dynasty and descendant of the former rulers of Lagos and very close to this humble one, and preached to him and his chiefs. I will write the details of this account in a separate letter, insha-Allah. This king will seek blessings from the garments of God’s Promised Messiahas, insha-Allah.

Miscellaneous

� ‫ی‬ Aziz Ismail Sheita preaches in Guleed (���) and Yortonodo preaches in the French territory. Mr Adde in Port Marcotte (‫)�ر�ٹ‬, Mr Nooruddin in Bonnie (��), and Mr Hamid in Abeokuta, are engaged in their efforts [of tabligh]. In Lagos, an English lady who is under tabligh and is the wife of a senior officer, told me: “Mr Nayyar is on the tongue of everyone in Lagos”; alhamdulillah, thumma alhamdulillah!

Al Fazl, 1 September 1921 The preaching work is going on by the grace of Allah the Almighty and two educated English gentlemen are being preached for some time now. Both of them will soon join the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, insha-Allah.

The series of lectures are being regularly delivered at Hyde Park and the mosque.

Azizuddin Sahib and I gave numerous lectures. Mr Augusto also gave a lecture. He is also helping me in my preaching work.

Malik Muhammad Hussain Sahib gave a lecture in Paris and he also distributed Ahmadiyya literature there. He says people there are generally interested in learning about Islamic teachings. He is now trying to learn French so that he can preach in French.

Malik Sahib returned to London from Paris on 3 August [1921] and is helping me with my work. The friends are requested to pray for him too.

Mr Ali Mohammad Sahib, son of Mr Seith Abdullah Aladdin Sahib, is also with me in London now and is preparing for matriculation in London.

[From, Maulvi Mubarak Ali Sahibra, BA BT. 4 August 1921] (Translated by Al Hakam from the original in the 29 August and 1 September 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

20

Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Moplah uprising and the loyalty of the Ahmadiyya Community The Review of Religions (English), September 1921

Moplah or Mappila Muslims, mostly found in Kerala (former Malabar District) and Lakshadweep Islands, are part of the Indian population. During the British Rule, the Moplah revolt happened in Northern Kerala, which was under the Madras Presidency of British India, in 1921, and was eventually put to an end in 1922.

According to historical records, this uprising started against the Hindu landlords who were supported by the British in densely populated Moplah Muslim regions. This rebellion was chiefly led by Variamkunnath Kunhamed Haji and Ali Musaliar.

The Moplah uprising, along with the ongoing non-cooperation movement organised by Mr Gandhi, shook the British Indian government to its core.

Hazrat Malik Ghulam Farid MAra 1896-1977 More than once or twice during the brief space of the last three or four years the steadfast fidelity and unflinching loyalty of the Ahmadiyya Community to the British crown has been put to a severe test and every time the ordeal has been triumphantly met. Loyal we are and loyal we shall be to the government under whose aegis we live, but not because we are numerically insignificant, as our traducers pose to think, nor because we are sycophants and cajolers but because we are commanded by God and strictly enjoined by the Holy Prophet, peace be upon his soul, to be loyal and faithful to our rulers.

Night and day, early and late, in his speeches and in his writings, the Promised Messiah[as] exhorted his followers to remain loyal to the British government, to render it any possible help it stands in need of and even included loyalty to the government among the ten conditions of initiation into the Ahmadiyya movement. Therefore, no amount of force brought to bear upon us, no persuasion however alluring, and no persecution however deterrent, can persuade us to range ourselves against the government on the side of disorder and sedition.

This profession of loyalty on our part is not an empty vaunt and a mere lip profession, but our actions correspond to our words.

We always stood by the government when occasion called, even at great risk to our lives, honours and properties.

The first occasion for the practical manifestation of our hitherto only professed loyalty arose in the spring of the year 1919 when Passive Resistance movement was started by Mr Gandhi as a strong protest against the Rowlatt Bill and the whole of India observed a complete hartal on 6 April [1919].

Under the directions of their revered head, the Ahmadiyya public in general and the Ahmadi shopkeepers and students reading in the different colleges of Lahore in particular, made themselves conspicuous by dissociating themselves from the agitators.

Despite the threats (which in many cases took practical shape) of social boycott held out to our shopkeepers, they continued their shops open. Our students also came up to the expectations of their Imam. They were scoffed at and hooted and in many cases vituperatively denounced and reviled but they went on attending their classes to the entire satisfaction of their respective principals and other members of the staff and showed to the world that their leader was at Qadian and not Mr Gandhi.

A few days later came the so-called arrest of Mr Gandhi which flung the whole of the Punjab from one end to the other into the vortex of a mighty cataclysm. Strict orders from the headquarters were issued to all the Ahmadis to stand by the government and to render the officials any sort of help they required and all missionaries working in different parts of the country were ordered to suspend their usual work and assist the authorities in suppressing the wild agitation.

Besides this, the community published tracts by thousands at their own expenses in which false rumours maliciously spread by the implacable agitators were contradicted and actual facts were placed before the credulous but easily excited ignorant masses.

Sundry other measures were adopted to help the government in their time of sore need and all this at the hazard of our own lives, honours and properties. For the first time the prophecy of the Promised Messiah[as] made some 14 years ago, (a time will come on the British government when only my community as a community will stand by the government and be loyal to it), met with a remarkable fulfilment.

The Punjab government frankly and candidly recognised the redoubtable services that the most loyal subjects of the British crown rendered to the cause of peace and order. We give below for the perusal of our readers the tenor of the press communique published by the Punjab government: “The Punjab Government have received a report of the activities of the Ahmadiyya community of Qadian in repressing disturbances and in keeping apart from all participation in any of the unlawful agitations which have disfigured the Punjab.

In those uncertain times, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stood by the British government and supported it in every possible way. The then head of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra instructed Ahmadis to assist authorities to suppress the wild agitation. The Jamaat members in general and Ahmadi students in particular were advised not to take part in non-cooperation movements. This loyalty and support to the British government was shown solely in accordance with the teachings of Islam and the guidance laid down by the Holy Prophetsa and his servant, the Promised Messiahas.

Below are some details of the situation then and the services rendered by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat to the then government. (Editor, Al Hakam) The community have been exhorting all their followers to have nothing to do with this movement and their efforts are reported to have been entirely successful.”

The officer commanding the Lahore civil area under martial law acknowledged the efforts of the Ahmadiyya community to restore order in the following letter which was sent on his behalf to one of the secretaries to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: “I am directed by the Officer Commanding the Lahore Civil Area to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated the 20th instant and to inform you that the Officer Commanding has read with much interest and appreciation the account of the action your community is taking to combat the present agitation against the government.

He considers that the measures adopted are exactly what are required to prevent the agitation from having more serious consequences, and that the assistance you are thereby rendering to government is most valuable.

“Your community may rest confident that it will continue to receive full protection by government and it has nothing to fear, while under that protection, from your religious and political opponents.”

“The Officer Commanding will be glad to avail himself of the assistance of the Ahmadis who reside within the Lahore civil area, and will be pleased to receive the Secretary or Head of Anjuman Ahmadiyya in Lahore whenever it may be convenient for either of those gentlemen to call upon him.”

Once again, the truth of the Promised Messiah’s prophecy referred to above is manifested. The Moplahs have openly defied and even have challenged the government authority and nearly the whole of Malabar is convulsing in the throes of a mighty rebellion. The Moplahs, as the newspapers state, are forcibly converting the Hindus to Islam and are harassing and persecuting the loyal Moplahs and other loyal subjects of the crown. We have a very insignificant minority in Malabar. They have not, however, ignored their duty. They have proved true to the Ahmadiyya tradition of loyalty to the government. A telegram

to The Pioneer dated 18 September [1921] says, “As soon as the rising began, the small Ahmadiyya community of Muhammadans in Cannanore, Koodali and Calicut sent letters to the District and Division authorities reaffirming the inviolable loyalty of the Ahmadiyas and offering to render any service which might be demanded of them with a view to the restoration of order.”

Now I wish to address a few words to those who are apt to ascribe our sincere attitude to the British government to sycophancy and cajolery and consider that all this is done from a consideration of expediency in view of the weakness of our numerical strength, and the paucity of our resources. Nothing can be farther from truth than this assertion. We are not sycophants and flatterers much less time-servers but on the contrary sincere lovers of peace and order. The government did not bestow big titles on the members of our community, nor gave us large jagirs, nor are we entitled to an exceptional treatment on that score.

We do not want these things and pray that the hour when such wicked ideas should find place in our heads may never come.

We did all that we did in obedience to the commandment of God, the sacred injunctions of the Holy Prophet[sa] and the express behests of the Promised Messiah[as] and all this at a great loss to ourselves. Our political interests demand that we should side with the non-cooperators as the trend of political affairs speak of a change in their favour but as long as the government resents their methods, we cannot join hands with them as this is flying directly in the face of the teachings of Islam and that of the Messenger[sa] of God. The political cauldron of India is seething with discontent and agitation, and the time is not far off when again a call shall be made on our loyalty and again the world shall see that we stand by the government caring not for the dangers we shall expose ourselves to on that account, declaring at the same time that we fear not and hence flatter not any earthly government.

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Review of Religions, September 1921)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021

Free speech: Hypocrisy in the West and superiority of Islamic law

No enemy of Islam was prosecuted that day, and everybody was free to live in Mecca.

The Holy Quran advises Muslims to stay clear of those assemblies where the name of the Prophetsa and other aspects of Islam are mocked. (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.141) Going against all the clichés in mainstream media, the Quran teaches Muslims to stay away from these types of gatherings. Muslims are told to leave gatherings where mockery is taking place; to simply get up and leave. This is the actual essence of free speech in Islam.

The Islamic purpose of freedom is peace and absolute justice

Asif Arif Lawyer, USA

By looking at this title, some will jump from their seats considering that, first, “There is no such concept as free speech in any Islamic country” and “the mere fact of comparing Western free speech in direct competition with the ‘Islamic concept’ is an insult to all Western countries to which Muslims migrate, escaping Muslim majority countries”.

Truth be told, so-called “Islamic countries” do not represent the rules or principles of law contained in the Holy Quran. Therefore, in this article, I will present the fundamental and organic teachings of Islam and compare them to modern, Western ideals of free speech.

The French Revolution and the Victory of Mecca As the country that claims to be superior in such areas, let’s analyse the constitutional free speech laws of France.

The French Revolution shattered the royal family of France and instituted the Republican regime. In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was adopted and Article 10 of the declaration declared that all were free. It gave freedom of opinion – a freedom the Church was not ready to give prior to the revolution. This specific declaration was introduced into the current French constitution in 1975 through the decision of the Constitutional Court.

Although the principle was written and

professed in theory, historians often forget that the period that followed this revolution was the “The Reign of Terror” led by the infamous Robespierre. During this sensitive period, no such principle as free speech was actually awarded; the Terror’s Convention, considering the Republic being in danger, was using all malicious legal possibilities to get most of the individuals that were professing against the Terror’s regime convicted in a court that was mainly under the Terror’s hands.

During the specific period of the French Revolution, one philosopher, Voltaire, was famously defending the “universal principle of free speech” and advocated that all would have the freedom to ridicule politicians, leaders, religions and even God, stating that all blasphemy laws – from the period of Christian rule – would oppress the public.

Today, Voltaire is championed as the gentle defender of free speech, but does anyone care to read and talk about the prosecutions initiated by Voltaire himself when his work as a philosopher was being ridiculed? Voltaire initiated many prosecutions to his enemies such as Desfontaines or to other prolific writers that, in fact, severely criticised Voltaire (Les Ennemis de Voltaire, Charles Nisard) who would request the court to either burn publicly some of their books or stop their publications.

Voltaire, the grand defender of free speech was in fact the first to initiate prosecution when it came to critics of his books and theories.

A brief history of free speech in Islam Prophet Muhammadsa was, on a regular basis, ridiculed. His enemies in Mecca would physically and verbally abuse and would encourage their youth to do the same. At times, he was physically beaten and at times, dirt and even the waste from dead camels would be thrown on him while he prayed. His claim to prophethood and his teachings, that opposed the narrative in Mecca, were ridiculed, mocked and led to physical persecution of his followers.

At that time, Muslims were in few numbers, had no influence and went through severe persecution. Disregarding the persecution, Prophet Muhammadsa always taught his Companionsra to show patience. However, the appreciation of the actual application of freedom is at trial when you are victorious against your opponents.

When Prophet Muhammadsa returned victorious to Mecca, bringing an Islamic revolution, how did he act towards the enemies of Islam? To follow Voltaire’s path, one would have proclaimed free speech and then gone ahead to prosecute every single opponent of Islam. Prophet Muhammadsa not only forgave all the opponents of Islam, but also told them that the condition for receiving pardon was to submit themselves under the flag of Bilal (previously a black slave who had been severely persecuted by opponents of Islam in Mecca). Anyone who stood under the flag of Bilal showed their surrender, and this was accepted, no matter the atrocities they had committed previously.

Any individual who has studied the general theory of law and the history of constitutional law would agree that the general purpose of a freedom is to ensure peace and justice for all by letting citizens express their views, even if just a minority share that view in society. But this freedom always has some limitations. If article 10 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen in the French Constitution proclaims free speech, it also set forth limitations relating to “public order” or defamation. If the European Convention of Human Rights of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contains such provisions about free speech, it also contains limitations about it. If the First Amendment is proclaiming free speech, it also contained a list of nonprotected speech or less-protected speech.

The entire purpose of those limitations is to create a society where the freedom of someone is not hurting the freedom of somebody else and is not creating more harm than good. This risk-benefit test is fundamental to understand any concept of constitutional freedom. The question is whether the actual free speech is being applied in a consistent manner or is being applied in a discriminatory manner.

Sticking to France, recently, President Macron was depicted as Hitler because of the sanitary pass law that has been adopted recently by the National Assembly. Following this cartoon, the French President’s attorney team decided to file a complaint for defamation in court. When it came to Prophet Muhammadsa, many municipal councils in France decided to publicly post the extremely offensive cartoons on their office buildings. President Macron said that it was not “his place” to comment on the cartoons or to stop municipal authorities from publishing the cartoons of Prophet Muhammadsa – one is shocked at the hypocrisy and double standards of Macron This application does not show consistency. It, in fact, confirms the attitude of Voltaire who was fervently calling for the right to ridicule God but when it came to people ridiculing him or his theories, he filed lawsuits upon lawsuits. There is nothing “revolutionary” in this attitude.

The real revolution would have been in Macron’s condemning of showing cartoons of any prophet or holy figure because it hurt the feelings of genuine followers of various faiths.

Macron brought no revolution. He just confirmed that nobody can ever equal the grandeur of Prophet Muhammadsa and his standards of free speech.

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 6 August 2021 Hospitality and Our Responsibilities: Jalsa Salana UK 2021 After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: Jalsa Salana UK is commencing from today, insha-Allah. Firstly, I would like to say that during these days, you should pray profusely for the days of Jalsa to be blessed in every regard. May Allah the Almighty establish a purely spiritual atmosphere during these days and may He also increase the piety and righteousness in the hearts of the attendees.

Although the number of attendees is very limited due to the current pandemic, [members of the Jamaat] will be listening to the Jalsa at home and I have also been informed that arrangements to listen to the Jalsa have been made by various jamaats, wherever possible in our mosques or halls etc.

Nevertheless, whoever is participating in the Jalsa in this manner should do so and consider as if they are present here in the marquee. They should listen to the proceedings and remain engaged in prayers over the three days. Holding the Jalsa this year in this manner is a new experience for the organisers as well as for the attendees.

Various amenities that the organisers had at their disposal for the comfort of the guests are not available this year. They thought that they would be able to acquire them, but were unable to do so.

As such, the guests attending Jalsa should understand these circumstances and overlook any shortcomings on part of the organisation. They should also pray that Allah the Almighty may swiftly improve the circumstances so that the Jalsa may once again be held in its entirety as was held in the past.

Some people have complaints that they were not permitted to attend the Jalsa due to certain rules, or that in some places, the selection of the attendees was not correct.

In any case, the organisers have given their justifications in this regard, i.e. the organisers of some local jamaat’s have explained their reasons for this. Irrespective of whether this justification is correct or not, I will say to the members of the Jamaat that they should overlook this as well and understand that some errors might have been made as this was a new experience [for the organisers].

As such, they should pardon them and not hold any grudges in their hearts.

Following this, I will speak in relation to Jalsa Salana and hospitality. Usually, on the Friday of Jalsa, I remind the guests of

individual – attending the Jalsa is a guest of the Promised Messiahas and we should serve them to the best of our abilities. Hospitality is a distinctive quality of Prophets and their communities. Hence, as a religious community, it is our duty to adopt this quality, whereby it becomes our hallmark and even more evident.

During the time of the Holy Prophetsa, when guests started arriving in large numbers, he would divide them between his companions, who would happily welcome them into their homes. In the morning, the Holy Prophetsa would ask the guests about their stay overnight and the hospitality of the companions; i.e. ask how they were and about the hospitality they received. Each and everyone would reply that we have never seen such hospitable hosts, who have fulfilled their due rights. (Imam Ahmad bin Hanbalrh, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, Hadith 15644 [Beirut, Lebanon: Alam al-Kutub, 1998], p. 357)

their responsibilities, or speak about certain administrative matters. Similarly, in the Friday Sermon one week prior to Jalsa, I speak briefly in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the hosts and those on duty. However, as I did not mention anything this time with regard to the responsibilities of workers, today, I will say a few words in relation to both the hosts and those on duty.

Firstly, I would like to say to the hosts and those on duty that despite the circumstances, there should be no shortcomings in the matters of hospitality. On this occasion, six or seven thousand guests that usually come from abroad will not be attending. The guests will be coming from various cities within the UK and even they will attend in limited numbers. Therefore, you should not relax thinking this to be an easy task. When there are any shortcomings, [Ahmadi] guests who have closer ties [to the Jamaat] usually have more grievances. Therefore, you should show great diligence and care to ensure you are hospitable to each and every guest.

As I mentioned in my address to the workers during the inspection yesterday, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the workers of Jalsa Salana UK in each department – be they Nasirat, Lajna, Atfal, Khuddam as well as the Ansar [auxiliary organisations of the Jamaat] – have become experts in their

duties and responsibilities, and are capable of managing great tasks. They are also able to teach the boys and girls, who have newly joined, to carry out their duty to a high standard. As such, there is no concern with regard to being unaware of how to carry out their duties. There are workers in every department who are able to carry out their duties diligently and meticulously.

Nevertheless, it is a commandment of Allah the Almighty to continuously remind the believers and that this is beneficial for them.

Furthermore, as I mentioned, the arrangements of the Jalsa are on a smaller scale. At times, one may become overconfident that since the Jalsa is being held with such few numbers, they will be able to manage the Jalsa easily. Hence, as a result of negligence in certain matters, shortcomings arise and problems are created and those who are new to their duties may take the wrong message away from this. Thus, for the comfort of the guests and in order to teach the new workers – irrespective of the fact that the arrangements are not to such a large scale – it is important to remember that the tasks within each department are extremely vital. Moreover, with the difficult weather conditions, some departments should be even more mindful of their duties.

Every person on duty should remember that the guests – be they few or many, each

Hence, this is the example set for us by the companions, which is a result of the moral training of the Holy Prophetsa.

Now that we have accepted the Promised Messiahas in this era, he has also urged us to follow this example established by the companions.

On one occasion, the Promised Messiahas advised his companions and said: “According to my principles, one must tolerate guests even if they use abusive language,” (Malfuzat Vol. 5, p. 91) i.e. if the guest uses foul language, acts in a harsh manner and does not behave decently.

Here, the Promised Messiahas has advised in relation to non-Ahmadi guests. However, we should remember that whoever the guest may be, even if it is an Ahmadi, the duty of the host is to conduct themselves with excellent morals and not to respond to harshness in the same manner. We find extraordinary examples of the hospitality of the Promised Messiahas that he extended to both Ahmadis as well as non-Ahmadis. The Promised Messiahas showed an extraordinary example of hospitality towards Ahmadis as well and indeed this was way. It was, in fact, the Promised Messiahas, who was to establish those excellent moral qualities, through which the beautiful picture of Islam would be shown to us, so that we could, in turn, present to the world.

Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra

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AL HAKAM | Friday 3 September 2021 relates: “Once, I travelled from Lahore to Qadian. The Promised Messiahas seated me in Masjid Mubarak, which, at that time, was quite small.” It is still a small mosque, but at that time, it was even smaller; equivalent to a single room. “The Promised Messiahas told me to take a seat and that he would bring me some food, and then he went inside.”

Mufti Sahib continues: “I thought that he would send a worker to me with some food, but after a few minutes, when the window opened, I saw him carrying a tray of food for me with his own hands. He saw me and said, ‘Eat; I will bring you some water.’” Mufti Sahib says, “I began to weep profusely, that despite being our leader and guide, this is the manner in which the Promised Messiahas would look after us. Imagine, therefore, the manner in which we ought to care for one another.”

(Dhikr-e-Habib, p. 327, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra, Qadian)

Once, when there was a shortage of beds, the Promised Messiahas gave up his own bed for the guests. In fact, he gave up all the beds in his home and spent the entire night in discomfort without a bed and without letting anyone know that he was in discomfort. (Ashab-e-Ahmad, Vol. 4, p. 180, Riwayat 76, Rabwah)

This is the true essence of sacrifice in the way of hospitality. There are some who do make sacrifices at times, but later make it known that they had to endure hardship because of that sacrifice.

Once, the Promised Messiahas said, “This matter concerns me greatly that no guest should experience any sort of discomfort. In fact, I always emphasise that guests should be made to feel as comfortable as possible.”

He further said, “The heart of a guest is as fragile as glass, which can break at the slightest knock.”

The Promised Messiahas continued, “Previously, I made arrangements to eat with the guests myself. This would allow me to see the manner in which they were being cared for; whether there is an ample amount of food, what the quantity is, and whether or not everyone was fed.” He then says, “However, due to illness, ever since I have had to restrict my diet, I have not been able to carry on doing so. Another reason is that the number of guests has increased so much that there would not be enough room and it was difficult for everyone to sit in one place to eat.” Food must have been served at different locations or in turns which was why he was unable to eat with them. (Malfuzat Vol. 5, p. 406)

Once, when there was a large number of guests, the Promised Messiahas said to the in-charge of the langar khana [kitchen of the Promised Messiahas], “There is a large number of guests, some of whom you may recognise and others you will not. Hence, it is best to serve everyone in a respectful manner.” In this way, all guests should be treated equally by the hosts. No one should be given preferential treatment. One should not give better service to someone because they are an office-bearer or an acquaintance or give them special treatment. Everyone should be treated equally as guests. All guests should be treated with dignity and respect and this is the essence of hospitality.

The Promised Messiahas said to him, “I trust that you will make the guests feel comfortable and serve them in an excellent

manner.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, p. 226) This is the same expectation for all the workers, and by the grace of Allah Almighty, most of the workers honour this trust. As for those who do not meet this expectation, they should analyse themselves and determine how they can remove this deficiency and improve their standards of hospitality.

I am aware that the volunteers of some departments are given a hard time by some guests; however, it is our duty to never abandon good morals and to set a good example. No matter what the guests may say, all the volunteers must make it incumbent upon themselves to display the highest moral conduct.

This year, since the attendance is limited, the workers may not have to face certain difficulties, or perhaps they may be under the impression that they will not have to face them. However, when workers draw the attention of guests to certain restrictions, it is possible that some guests may take offence to this. For example, the workers will remind everyone to wear masks and to maintain social distancing, as not everyone adheres to these things. Also, certain restrictions must be kept in mind whilst eating.

Upon hearing all of this, if someone reacts harshly and does not adhere to these guidelines, then despite what they say, one should try to explain to them in a loving manner.

Generally, guests are aware that they must adhere to certain restrictions, but some people by nature are offended easily.

There are only a handful of people who cause these issues, but if a worker reacts in a harsh manner, then this increases the chances of leading to disputes and misunderstandings.

Hence, if something needs to be explained or a request needs to be made, or anything needs to be said, it should be done so with great patience and kindness.

The Holy Prophetsa has stated that one of the signs of a believer is that they honour their guests. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab Hath ala Ikram al-Jar wa al-Daif, Hadith 173)

Hence, this hallmark of a believer should be inculcated in each and every one of us.

Due to the rain, there will be limited parking in Hadeeqatul Mahdi. Despite there being space on the grounds, the rain has caused the grounds to become waterlogged and there is a potential for cars to slip or become stuck. For this reason, an alternate site has been acquired for parking, where there will be buses to bring guests to the site. Those on duty will have to explain this to those arriving by car in a calm and loving manner.

There are some who drive straight here [to Hadeeqatul Mahdi] and insist that since they are already here, they should be allowed to enter. The matter should be explained to them politely and the guests should follow the instructions of those on duty. It is only through mutual cooperation that the work can be carried out easily and smoothly.

Hence, there should be cooperation from both sides. The guests should not expect that these people are only here to serve them and to listen and do everything they say. Instead, the guests themselves should adhere to the guidelines which have been put in place. Only then can everything move along smoothly. Guests should also always be mindful that not only has Islam instructed hosts to honour and respect their guests, it also reminds guests of their responsibilities as well.

Islam clearly states that when a person visits someone as a guest, they should be mindful of their schedule and go when they are invited or after having given prior notice. On the one hand, the hosts have been instructed that if a guest comes to their home, they must treat them well no matter when they arrive. On the other hand, guests have been instructed to visit someone’s home after giving prior notice.

If one goes without prior notice and those at home do not permit them to come in, then that person should return without any complaint. Generally, this does not apply to the guests of Jalsa; however, this year, as I mentioned, an age restriction has been instated due to the prevailing circumstances.

A minimum and maximum age limit has been set along with other health-related conditions. Keeping these factors in mind, a guideline has been set, based on which jamaats have been informed to send only those people who meet these conditions.

As I mentioned earlier, there may have been some discrepancies in this designation resulting in some complaints. Similarly, there are some people who have recently come to the country but do not meet the conditions, yet they insist that they should be allowed to attend Jalsa. It is possible that some people from outside [the UK] try to attend along with their relatives or insist to their local organisers to be given an entry pass. These people should be mindful that problems arise when people try to bypass the system.

Allah Almighty has provided basic guidelines for a believer and has imparted guidance for adopting fundamental morals by stating that one should not enter a house without the permission of the residents. And if they are turned away, they should return without complaint. Allah the Almighty states:

ُ َٰۡ ُ َ ‫َو ِا ۡن ﻗِ ۡﻴ َﻞ ﻟَﻜ ُﻢ ۡار ِﺟ ُﻌﻮۡا ف ۡار ِﺟ ُﻌﻮۡا ُﻫﻮَ از�ﻰ ﻟَﻜ ۡﻢ‬

“And if it be said to you, ‘Go back’ then go back; that is purer for you.” (Surah alNur, Ch.24: V.29) One of the main purposes of attending Jalsa is self-reformation and purification.

Instead of trying to forcefully attend, it is more virtuous to abide by the system put in place. Thus, for all those who have insisted to me in writing or are pressuring the organisers, it is better to follow the appointed system. They should not take offence from this nor have any complaints.

Instead, they should pray to Allah Almighty – especially in these times when one can pray fervently – for Allah to soon return the circumstances to normal so that those who desire to attend the Jalsa can do so freely.

The Companionsra had an extraordinary way of following Quranic injunctions. One companion relates that for years, he visited peoples’ homes during odd hours only so that he would be refused entry and told that it was not possible to meet at that time.

He desired to be turned away for the sole purpose of fulfilling this very commandment of the Holy Quran and attaining blessings through it. It so happened that he was never turned away. (Tafsir Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 6, pp.

175-176, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, 2011)

As such, both the guest and the host would strive to fulfil their obligations in order to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.

I mentioned this as a general principle and in the context of adopting basic

morals and how one should act upon the teaching of the Holy Quran passionately.

However, some people are such that they mention these things in order to convince the organisers and say that the organisers should not deny them.

In normal circumstances, the organisers do not deny such requests and should not do so either. If they deny them, then they are not fulfilling the rights of the guests and are acting contrary to the teachings of Islam.

These are the teachings which the Promised Messiahas has emphasised that we should follow and has demonstrated through his own example; whereby even if a guest would come at odd hours during the night, he would ensure for their hospitality as well.

Nonetheless, as I have stated, the circumstances under which the Jalsa is being held are exceptional, due to which there is no choice but to refuse entry to [some] guests. These instructions should be followed without any complaints. I would also like to say to those people who have received an invitation and entry pass for Jalsa, aside from extremely exceptional circumstances, they should all make sure to attend the Jalsa. Otherwise their failure to attend would be an injustice to those who were not given an invitation. Do not make the harsh weather an excuse not to attend.

As far as the harsh weather conditions are concerned, Jalsa is held in Rabwah and Qadian in the open air during the winter months. Due to restrictions, for many years now, no Jalsa has been held in Rabwah.

However, when the Jalsa did take place in Rabwah, people would manage even in the case of rain and would somehow cover themselves and listen to the Jalsa proceedings. Even when Jalsa used to be held here in Islamabad, during times of rain, despite being seated in the marquee, conditions would become severe because everyone would be seated on the grass and no wooden flooring was in place as it is now.

I remember whilst attending a Jalsa, the rain caused parts of the Jalsa Gah to become soaked. There were puddles of water all across the outer edges of the marquee, and those who had to pray there would find their knees and foreheads in water or mud.

I, myself, remember that I experienced this.

After prostrating, I would have to first wipe my forehead clean to prevent the water or mud from getting into the eyes or to remove any grass etc. Regardless of all this, I saw that everyone would attend Jalsa with a passion.

By the grace of Allah, that same passion exists even today, and in fact, the majority of Ahmadis have this same passion. However, I am addressing those who are more sensitive to these conditions, or who, with the passage of time, have become sensitive, that if they have received an invitation, they should strive to attend and should not make excuses.

As I have mentioned before, there are some who have a habit of quarrelling.

Similarly, there are also those who have a habit of complaining. They try to criticise the organisers and say that it should have been organised in such and such way or they will make excuses as to why they did not attend. Nonetheless, these points should be kept in mind. All those who have received an invitation, and have been granted permission to attend today, tomorrow and the day after, should certainly attend.

I will mention some administrative

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Friday 3 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

matters as well. Everyone should follow the social distancing measures from the organisers in the dining marquee when receiving and eating food. All over the site there are signs and guidelines about maintaining social distancing. However, some members do not have a habit of reading these guidelines.

These days as well as other times, it has been observed that some people do not maintain social distancing. For this reason, everyone should mindful of social distancing while receiving and eating food.

Of course, one has to remove their mask in order to eat; however, masks should be worn while waiting in line to receive food.

Similarly, workers and volunteers should strictly ensure that they are wearing masks at all times. If they show leniency and negligence in this matter, then the guests will also not follow the rules. Thus, workers and guests should ensure that they are wearing a mask, whether they are in the car park, washrooms, walking around, in the Jalsa Gah, or the food marquee. Masks should be worn whilst seated in the Jalsa Gah. At times, the organisers will request you to remove your mask to reveal your face and everyone should cooperate. Also, if the organisers have arranged for slogans to be raised during speeches, they must ensure that no masks are removed when raising a slogan or when responding to it.

Some people are not careful in this regard. This Jalsa is an entirely new experience which is why we must be mindful of this and pay special attention. In order to keep ourselves and others safe as well, both the nose and mouth must be covered.

Then, whilst entering the gate, there will be two kinds of checking; the AIMS card will be checked and perhaps the vaccination card and entry pass will also be checked.

In this regard, you should cooperate with those who are checking and you should not express any sort of displeasure because of these checks. All of these measures are being taken for the safety of the attendees.

Another thing that I would like to mention is that despite the limited attendance and all of these measures that are in place, you should not become relaxed in terms of security. Both the workers and attendees should remain extremely vigilant, as has been instructed in the past.

With regard to food, I should mention that insha-Allah, lunch will be provided in the dining marquee, and the precautions, which I mentioned earlier regarding this, should be kept in mind. However, for dinner, the idea is for it to be packed and distributed so that it can be taken home. Efforts will be made to distribute it as swiftly as possible; however, if there is a slight delay, there is no need to worry.

Similarly, with regard to listening to the Jalsa proceedings, I will repeat the same instruction which is given every year; you should listen to the Jalsa proceedings instead of sitting elsewhere and talking with relatives and friends because you have not met one another for a long time. It is for the Jalsa that you have come and so you should listen to the Jalsa proceedings.

Due to the pandemic and due to a lack of Jamaat functions during this time, many people, including close relatives and friends as well as those who live in different cities,

A day in the life of the Holy Prophet

We all know that our holy master, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafasa led an extremely busy life. A great part of his time was taken up by expeditions carried out for the defence of Islam. Devising strategies for these defensive battles required a great deal of physical and mental strength, as well as time. Below is an account of what a normal day of the Holy Prophetsa would be like: www.alhakam.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-holy-prophet/ will be meeting each other after quite some time. However, meeting after a long time should not distract them from listening to the Jalsa proceedings, nor should it detract from offering prayers. Having attended the Jalsa, you derive full benefit from it.

Whilst drawing attention towards the remembrance of Allah during the days of Jalsa, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has stated the following: “It occurred to me that Allah the Almighty has said to remember Allah during the days of Jalsa, i.e. when members are sitting in the various sessions, they should remember Allah. God Almighty has stated the benefit of doing this is that if you remember Allah, He will also:

ُ ُ ْ ّٰ ُ ْ ُ ‫اذک ُروا ا�� َ� ﻳَذک ْر� ْﻢ‬

“‘Remember Allah and Allah the Almighty will then remember you.’

Who can be more fortunate than one who is remembered by his Master; who is remembered by Allah.” (Khutbat-eMahmud, Vol. 4, p. 258) Hence, during these days, the remembrance of Allah becomes an even greater means of drawing the blessings of Allah Almighty. That is why one should pay special attention to the remembrance of Allah during these days. Even the Ahmadis who are gathering around the world to listen to the Jalsa or those listening to the Jalsa at home with their families should also focus on the remembrance of Allah, so that we may draw as much of Allah the Almighty’s blessings as possible; so that we

may improve in our spirituality and we may be saved from the calamities of this world by drawing the grace of God. Therefore, try to derive maximum benefit from the Jalsa atmosphere, listen to the scholarly and educational speeches and focus on prayers.

This time, due to the limited attendance, arrangements have been made for attendees to sit on chairs, and so there should be no excuse of having to sit for a long time. In any case, the Jalsa sessions are not very long; they are generally two to two and a half hours long, or approximately three hours at the most. Hence, even if one had to sit on the floor it should not be difficult.

In the end, I will present a quote of the Promised Messiahas. He states: “Would all the gentlemen listen attentively. I wish and desire for my community, and even for my own person and soul, that we must not be pleased with empty words and expressions that are to be found in lectures. Our entire aim and focus must not culminate merely on the spell-binding nature of a certain individual’s speech and the power of their words. This does not please me. What pleases me – and not by any pretence or affectation, but rather as a natural and inherent demand of my soul – is that everything be done for the sake of Allah, and to serve God.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p.

113)

He further states: “This was a significant reason for the decadence and downfall of the Muslims.

Countless conferences are held, and a plethora of bodies and councils exist, where renowned and prolific speakers and lecturers read out their papers and deliver addresses and poets mourn the state of our religion in their poetry. But why does none of this have any effect? Instead of moving forward, with every passing day, our people only fall further and further into decline.

The fact of the matter is that those who participate in these gatherings do not come with sincerity.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 115) Nonetheless, you should listen to every speech; it should not be the case that you listen to some speeches and not others because you consider a speaker to be more eloquent. You should listen to every speech at the Jalsa with sincerity and by paying full attention to them. This sincerity can only be achieved when one longs to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty. When this longing is established, our conditions can be improved and can guide our future generations along the right path. We should continuously strive in this endeavour.

May Allah the Almighty enable everyone taking part in this Jalsa or listening to this Jalsa to establish true sincerity and loyalty within them. Also pray for the weather these days, that it does not hinder any of our programmes. Instead, may Allah turn it in our favour.

(Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 27 August 2021, pp. 5-8.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial: Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2021