Al Hakam - 22 October 2021

From the Markaz

Ahmadiyyat in Japan

Waqf-e-Nau Atfal of Canada granted the opportunity to ask Huzoor questions

Ahmadi missionary represents world religions and conveys Islamic teachings on peace to ambassadors

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19th Jalsa Salana Ireland

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100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: Bai‘at at the hand of Huzoor and various talks Page 12

THE WEEKLY

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

Strive against materialism

Waqifeen-e-nau from MKA Canada meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

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

Belief in divine decree and submission to it َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ّ ٰ َّ ّٰ ُ �ُ ��‫ قال قال َر ُسول ا�� ِ� َﺻلی ا‬،‫ع ْن أ� ِ ْي ھ َرﻳْ َرة‬ َ ّٰ َ ُ َ ْ َ ُ َ ْ ْ ْ َّ �ِ ��‫َ�ل ْي ِﻪ َو َسل َم ال ُﻤﺆ ِم ُن الﻘ ِو ّي ﺧ� ٌ� َوأ َح ّب ِإلی ا‬ َّ َ ْ ْ �ٌ ْ�‫الﻀ ِع ْيﻒ َوف ْي � ُ ّﻞ َﺧ‬ ‫ِم َن ال ُﻤ ْﺆ ِم ِن‬ ‫اح ِر ْص َ�لی‬ ِ ِ ٍ َ َ َ ّٰ َ َ َُ َْ َ ْ ‫ک َو‬ ‫اس َﺘ ِع ْن ﺑِا�� ِ� َو�ا ﺗ ْع ِﺠ ْﺰ َو ِإ ْن أ َﺻاﺑَک‬ ‫ما ﻳﻨﻔع‬ ٰ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ َ ّ َ َْ ْ ُ َ َ َ ٌ ْ َ ْ‫�ن‬ ِ �‫ و‬. ‫ﺷیء فلا ﺗﻘﻞ لو أ�ِي فعلت �ان ﻛﺬا و�ﺬا‬ َ َ َ ُ َ ْ َ ْ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ّ ٰ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ‫قﻞ قﺪر ا�� ِ� وما ﺷاء فعﻞ ف ِﺈن لو ﺗﻔﺘ� عﻤﻞ‬ َ َّ ‫ان‬ ِ ‫الش ْيط‬

Hazrat Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophetsa said: “A strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than a weak one. Out of all good things desire that which is most beneficial for you. Keep imploring Allah for help and do not give up. Should you be afflicted in any way, do not say: ‘Had I only done this and that things would have turned out so and so’; but say only: ‘Allah so determined and did as He willed’. The phrase ‘Had I only’ opens the gates of evil conduct.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Qadr, Hadith 2664)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Three arguments in support of the Hereafter Waqf-e-Nau Khuddam from Canada had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa through a virtual meeting on Saturday, 16 October 2021.

As the meeting started, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked whether the waqifeen-e-nau present were from all areas of Canada. Sadr Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Canada, Zubair Afzal Sahib reported that most of the waqifeene-nau had come from Central Canada; however, some belonged to West Canada and were also in attendance.

Huzooraa then began the formal proceedings by calling Fateen Riaz Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran.

Khubaib Chaudhry Sahib presented the English translation of the verses recited.

An Urdu poem, written by the Promised Messiahas, was then read by Farrukh Tahir Sahib, while Noor Chaudhry Sahib presented the English translation of the couplets. A hadith of the Holy Prophetsa was read out by Hassan Abdeen Sahib and the English translation was presented

by Farhan Qureishi Sahib. An Urdu

extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas was read by Atta ul Fakhir Sahib and its English translation was given by Dr Fawad Khan Sahib.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then asked Sadr Sahib MKA Canada, Zubair Afzal Sahib how many waqifeen-e-nau were present and enquired what hall they were seated in. Sadr Sahib reported there were over 500 waqifeen-e-nau and they were seated in the International Centre where Jalsa Salana Canada was held every year.

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Allah the Exalted has employed three methods so that we may understand the nature of the time just mentioned above. Firstly, God has granted man with an intellect and if he makes use of this faculty even slightly and reflects, the mind is able to grasp very clearly that the brief life of man sits between two kinds of non-existence and can never be everlasting. Analogical reasoning can enable one to learn Continued on page 2

Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

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Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

Continued from page 1

about things which are not present. If an individual reflects, for example, as to the whereabouts of their forefathers, they are left with no choice but to accept that everyone must follow the same course.

Foolish is the one who has thousands of examples before them but they do not take a lesson therefrom and fail to understand. It is generally observed and this is an accepted fact that in any village or city, the number of graves outnumbers the living population – some graves are hidden while others are visible. It has often been observed that when a water well is dug in a particular city, bones are excavated as well. Generally, there are graves everywhere on earth beneath us.

It is another matter if these graves are not physically visible. Nevertheless, from this we learn that a vast number of people are no longer with us.

There is another logical argument in support of the existence of the Hereafter.

The manner in which vegetation grows in a field is a beautiful sight. A time comes when it turns yellow and dries. Then it is reduced to broken straw, and when this loss begins to occur, the farmer who has sown the crop begins to cut the crop himself, so that the crop is not wasted away in the wind.

The world is the tilth of God Almighty. On account of certain points of wisdom and in view of the best final outcome, just as a farmer harvests his crop before it ripens on certain occasions, and waits for it to mature to an extent on other occasions, so too, we are nurtured, whereafter we are cut at precisely the appropriate time by divine will and desire. One ought to take a lesson from the practice of a farmer, that the life of man follows exactly the same course. Just as certain seeds do not even sprout and rot away in the ground, in the same manner certain children are lost in their mother’s womb and other infants die a few days after they are born. In short, precisely in accordance with this law and phenomenon a human being

goes through the stages of infancy and adulthood, and finally reaches old age.

The scythe of God’s will cuts them at different stages from time to time in view of various points of wisdom. Sometimes children die young and people refer to this as a case of athra [recurrent miscarriage]. Then, adults who possess a healthy body, strong and well, also die.

The elderly also pass away after reaching a state of feebleness and old age. In short, this process of being cut and severed operates throughout the world to teach man the lesson at every moment that the world is not an everlasting abode. Hence, this is also an argument which establishes the existence of the Hereafter.

In addition to this, there is another argument which God Almighty has presented to establish the reality of the time which is to come; in other words, those miracles of the Prophets, peace be upon them, which manifest divine wrath and due to which the earth was overturned at once and almost all signs of creation were erased. Man is at the mercy of God’s wrath, He can destroy him whenever He pleases. Allah the Exalted presents this as an argument that certain illnesses spread in such a terrifying and forceful manner that those people who have witnessed such epidemics would say that they resemble the Day of Judgement.

From among such severe illnesses, there is the plague, which runs rampant in our land at present. It has ravaged Karachi and Bombay. We have also received terrifying news of the spread of the plague in the hill station of Palampur and even in Kolkata. And so a grave danger confronts us at this hour. The reason that I address you is because man is met with enormous trials, as God Almighty states Himself: َ

َ ُّ ُ َ ‫َو لَن ۡﺒﻠوَنﻜ ۡم ِﺑﺸ ۡﻰ ٍء‬

Allah says: “We shall continue to try you, at times with fear, at times by a loss of wealth, and at other times still by a loss of fruits.”

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 248-250)

Sadr Sahib then sought Huzoor’s permission for the waqifeen-e-nau to ask him questions. Huzooraa gave permission and also remarked that all waqifeen-e-nau would not be able to ask questions. Sadr Sahib said they had already received well over 100 questions to which Huzooraa said time would permit for about 15 or 20 questions.

The first question was by Usama Saeed Sahib, who asked, “Amidst a strong culture of materialism and the thirst for worldly desires that is created in this society, what is the best way for waqif-e-nau to develop the mindset of a true waqif-e-zindagi and fulfil their waqf.”

Huzooraa responded by saying the excerpt of the Promised Messiahas read out earlier was enough to answer the question. Huzooraa continued: “Your parents offered you as a waqife-nau child and after the age of 15, you renewed your bond and after the age of 21 – after completing your education, university education – you again reconfirmed it. Now it is your duty that since you have filled this bond, you – yourself – have offered that ‘I accept the offer of my parents and I am ready to sacrifice my life in the cause of Allah’. So, when you have that determination, then you should know what are your duties.

“In this world, where materialistic attractions are seen everywhere, here you have to fight against it. Waqf-e-Nau is to spread the message of Islam, to spread the message of Allah the Almighty, to spread the teaching of Islam and the Holy Quran […]

“So, you are in a better field. Now you have to decide on your own whether you are going to fight against your enemy, or you are going to join your enemy. For this, the first thing is, offer your five daily prayers, seek Allah’s guidance, seek Allah’s help that Allah help you to fulfil your bond of Waqf-e-Nau or waqf-e-zindagi [life dedication].

“Secondly, you must read the Holy Quran – see the guidance given to us in the Holy Quran, the commandments given to us in the Holy Quran [...] As I have been saying all the time, there are quite a number of dos and don’ts in the Holy Quran – so you have to find out which are the things we have to do to be a good Muslim; to be a good and pious believer. And that is the quality of a waqife-zindagi, waqif-e-nau as well […]

“You also should try to read the books of the Promised Messiahas and take his guidance – what does he say about your life, how to live your life? And you also listen to the sermons, and speeches, and discourses and addresses of Khalifatul Masih. That will also help you to make you determined and stronger in your faith and in your bond […]

“You see, the weapons are there which you have to fight [with]. So you should know how to use those weapons. And as I have told you, if you are praying to Allah the Almighty, you are reading the Holy Quran – finding out the commandments and injunctions given in the Holy Quran – reading the books of the

Promised Messiahas […] then use them to strengthen your faith and to fight against the materialism of this present day world.”

Huzooraa said, “It all depends on your determination: How firm you are in your faith and how firm you are in your bond.”

Sajid Ahmad Muslun Sahib said, “We have certainly had the pleasure as Ahmadi youth to experience God to a certain degree – that is, for example, through acceptance of prayers. But many of us have not necessarily experienced this direct conversation with Allah the Almighty that the Promised Messiahas repeatedly spoke about in his books.” He then asked Huzooraa, “Should we be worried that at this age we are not experiencing this direct communion with God, or is it something that naturally comes with increasing age, provided we do the right things.”

After listening to Sajid Sahib’s question, Huzooraa very lovingly remarked: “You have been asking questions in your letters as well. You are writing to me very frequently and in each and every of your letter you have a question there, and I have been answering those questions, right? Are you the same person?”

Sajid Sahib, with a smile, confirmed it was him and said, “Yes.” Huzooraa continued: “I am happy that you are very much interested in spiritual things, and your belief and the religious knowledge.

“The first thing is, yes, of course, we should try to develop our communication with Allah the Almighty, but it is not necessary that you always receive some revelation, or dreams or such type of things. Even after having offered your prayers, seeking Allah’s help, if you are satisfied – your heart is satisfied – that means you are in good communion with Allah the Almighty.

“And try to develop it as much as you can […] it is a process. You cannot achieve the thing within a short period of time.

When you are a primary school student, you cannot compete with a person who has qualified with his post-graduation degree, right? But you have to struggle and strive hard to achieve that goal, so keep on doing it and one day, insha-Allah, you will have better result.”

Talking further about developing closeness with Allah the Almighty, Huzooraa emphasised: “But always remember that there is no other way but to pray to Allah the Almighty, and bow before Him and ask His forgiveness and help, in every matter.

That should be the main thing of a true believer.

“Gradually, you will improve yourself and develop a good relation with Allah the Almighty. ‘Good relation’ means better communication, communion with Allah the Almighty.”

Next, Dr Nauman Hassan Sahib asked, “In today’s day and age, modern medicine has overshadowed homoeopathy. As a waqif-e-nau, what should we do to tell the world the truth about homoeopathy and its positive effects on the human body.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “Homoeopathy is a type of medicine, a type of treatment, which is being used for

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

the treatment of patients. It is not a matter of Shariah, right? So you should not worry that ‘allopathy has overshadowed homoeopathy and we should be very much concerned’ – it doesn’t matter.”

Huzooraa said the main area of focus should be how patients could be cured of illnesses. Huzooraa said prior to when allopathic medicine emerged, Ayurveda medicine and other native treatments were used by locals which proved to be successful too. Homoeopathy was just another method of treatment, “and if you believe in that, then well and good”, Huzooraa said.

Those who did not believe in homoeopathy and its efficacy would not see its results either as homoeopathy required the patient to believe in the effectiveness of the medicine, Huzooraa said. Firm belief was essential for the success of treatment, Huzooraa said.

On the power of belief, Huzooraa narrated an incident of Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra – the youngest son of the Promised Messiahas and paternal grandfather of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. An Ahmadi who had a very strong belief in the Promised Messiahas and also believed the Promised Messiah’s children possessed that spirituality and relation with Allah the Almighty, fell ill with a very severe stomach ache. No medicine proved to be effective in treating the pain and it continued. Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra – who also knew the Ahmadi – went to see him and asked about his health.

The Ahmadi was in agony, “crying and suffering” in pain and no medicine was working. Seeing this, Hazrat Mirza Sharif

Ahmadra put his hand in his pocket for a while and then took out a tablet and gave it to the man to swallow with water. After 10 minutes, he was cured.

Someone asked Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra how he had treated him. Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra said he knew the Ahmadi could be treated psychologically, so all he did was crunch up a small piece of paper in his pocket into a tablet shape and prayed over it and then gave it to the person.

Huzooraa further said: “There are some homoeopathic medicines which work miraculously but it is not necessary that in every patient, in every treatment, in every disease, the homoeopathy will work.

“It is wrong to say that research is not being done on homoeopathy. In France and Germany, there is quite a number of homoeopathic doctors who do research on homoeopathy and they have developed some new medicines and that is very good in curing quite a number of diseases.

“So we should not worry that homoeopathy should be spread. It is not a matter of Shariah. If you believe that homoeopathy is good, okay; it’s good for those who believe in it. But those who do not believe in homoeopathy, do not impose your thinking on them that ‘you must use homoeopathy’.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked Dr Nauman Sahib if he was a homoeopath, to which he said he was actually a general surgery resident. Advising on homoeopathic medicines’ efficacy in healing post-surgery wounds and cuts, Huzooraa recommended Dr Nauman

Sahib to use arnica and staphisagria in 200 potency. Huzooraa said that from his experience in treating patients with wounds and cuts – especially after surgery – these homoeopathic medicines worked “miraculously”. In fact, Huzooraa said they were effective for “any cut” on the body.

Huzooraa said: “You will see the normal healing will take one week and with this medicine, it will take sometimes three days to heal that cut.”

Huzooraa said Nauman Sahib could try it and that he was not saying it would most definitely work. Nauman Sahib said he would take Huzoor’s recommendation and practise it.

Dr Nauman Sahib also asked Huzooraa if there was a specific prayer to recite while treating patients. Hazrat Khalifatul Mash Vaa said: َّ ُ ‫“ھ َو الشا ِف ْی‬ “‘Allah is the Healer’.

“So always pray, and also say Surah al-Fatihah before going to the operation theatre that Allah the َّ ُ Almighty guides you and then say ‫ھ َو الشا ِف ْی‬.”

Sajeel Ahmed Sahib asked, “Is it okay if a waqif-e-nau goes into business as a career?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “You have devoted your life for the cause of the Jamaat. If the Jamaat says that you are not required with your present education in the Jamaat’s regular service, then you can. Otherwise, your first option should be to work as a regular employee of the Jamaat – that should be the first desire of a waqif-e-nau; the first choice and option of a waqif-e-nau.”

If the Jamaat did not require a waqife-nau for the time being, then they could pursue a business, Huzooraa said. However, “even in that business, you should always keep in mind that you are a waqif-e-nau and your foremost duty is to spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. And wherever you are working – whichever business you are in – you should try to spread the message of Islam and the teaching of Islam should be portrayed in your every deal and action.”

Ibrahim Malik Sahib asked, “Even though I read my five daily prayers and recite the Holy Quran, I still have trouble putting 100% of my trust in Allah. Can you give me some advice so that I am able to completely put my trust in Allah?”

Huzooraa first asked Ibrahim Sahib how long he took in offering his Fajr prayers, to which Ibrahim Sahib said 5-10 minutes.

Huzooraa responded by highlighting that offering four rak‘aat of Fajr prayers in such a short amount of time would not do justice to the prayer. Huzooraa advised that when one offered prayers on their own – not in congregation in the mosque – while reading Surah al-Fatihah, they should ۡ ّ ‫‘“ا ۡہد نَا‬Guide constantly repeat, ‫الص َر َاط ال ُم ۡس َت ِق ۡی َم‬ ِ ِ ِ us in the right path’ [...] So repeatedly do it in your prayers”, Huzooraa said.

Giving further advice, Huzooraa said: “And in your prostrations, fervently pray to Allah the Almighty, that Allah the Almighty gives you the strength to be a good believer and firm in your faith.

“When you are reading the Holy Quran, just reading the Holy Quran in Arabic text is nothing until and unless you Continued on next page >>

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know the meaning of it. When you are reading the Holy Quran you should know what is written in the Holy Quran and for that, you should know the translation.”

Huzooraa advised to read the translation of the part recited and find out “what are the commandments given there in the Holy Quran”, and whether he was following those commandments.

Huzooraa said it was only when one followed the above that they could expect to develop firm faith and belief in Allah the Almighty and the Holy Quran. “It will take time” Huzooraa said.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa drew on an analogy to explain the issue further. If one did not study in depth and failed to cover all bases of their studies, they could not expect to succeed or qualify. In the same vein, “How can you qualify your level of piety and righteousness without struggling hard and striving hard? You’re giving six to seven hours to your studies after school before the exams, but here you give only five minutes, or 10 minutes at the most, and whatever you are reading in the Holy Quran, you don’t know what you are reading.

“So if you don’t know about your subject, how can you write the answer?

When you see the question paper and you have read the book without knowing what was the meaning, you cannot understand the question, right? To understand the question, you should know what is the answer and where was it in the book […] and what the teacher taught me about this subject – then you will try to answer it.” Similarly, it was only when one understood the Holy Quran they could expect to have a high level of faith.

Hassaan Chaudhry Sahib asked, “How can we develop the passion in doing tabligh?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa advised: “You are a waqif-e-nau and you have offered your life to work for the Jamaat, for the cause of Allah the Almighty. So if you have a good relation with Allah the Almighty, you have firm faith in Allah the Almighty, if you believe that the teaching of Islam or the Quran is the right teaching and the right path which can guide you towards Allah the Almighty, you should have the desire in your heart not only to confine that thing within yourself, but to spread it. And to save the people of the world also.

“If you have sympathy for the people, then you should spread the message of Allah the Almighty, to save you from the wrath of Allah the Almighty. In this way, you will develop some passion that you have to save the world and spread the message of Islam and try to bring mankind closer to Allah the Almighty.

“Then also try to increase your knowledge. If you read the Holy Quran, the books of the Promised Messiahas and ahadith you will find the ways and means [of] how to develop your passion and how to show your sympathy towards your fellow beings. And that will help you to do tabligh.”

“

Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

In this world, where materialistic attractions are seen everywhere, here you have to fight against it. Waqf-e-Nau is to spread the message of Islam, to spread the message of Allah the Almighty, to

spread the teaching of Islam and the Holy Quran …

Mubariz Maqsood Sahib asked, “What is the best way of approaching an Ahmadi friend who is becoming involved in various sins and moving away from the Jamaat and into situations that are harmful to him?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa gave guidance by saying: “You see, you will have to find out the cause of it first. If he is your close friend, then you should know what his preferences are now. Who are those people with whom he’s sitting – his company? Is he trying to avoid you and sitting with other friends who are not good, who are involved in committing so many sins?

“Then, if that is the case, you will have to ask him that ‘the way you are going towards is not the right way, it will spoil your life and ultimately you are going to ruin yourself – or rather, you are going to doom yourself.

“Try to be sympathetic to him. Once he realises that you are his real friend and his sympathiser, then he will try to listen to you.”

Huzooraa said such behaviour had other causes too. For example, “Sometimes when some boys, youngsters have some problems in their houses – their father and mother don’t have good relations – that is also causing [it]. On one side, their father and mother say that ‘religion is the thing which teaches us to do good things’, whereas when he sees the action

of his father and mother, they are not even practising those things and their character is disturbing him.

“Sometimes, some office-bearers become the cause of trouble – so there are so many things. We have to find out what is the cause and you should treat them according to that.

“But the main thing is that they must realise, they must understand that you are their sympathiser and best friend.”

Anas Farooq Sahib asked, “What is your favourite incident from the life of the Promised Messiahas?

With a smile, Huzooraa replied: “I was not present during the life of the Promised Messiahas.”

Huzooraa continued: “You can see the seerat [biography] of the Promised Messiahas – the life history of the Promised Messiahas. There are quite a number of incidents which inspire one; how can I single out one or two? It is difficult.”

Huzooraa then recommended Anas Sahib to read any English translation of the life history of the Promised Messiahas.

Huzooraa also said that “every deed and action” of the prophets served as a role model for our lives.

Rao Nabeel Ahmed Sahib asked, “I am the son of a martyr. What is your advice for the families of martyrs who came from Pakistan?”

Huzooraa advised:

“[…] your father […] was martyred in Pakistan, they sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Jamaat. And you are here in this country because of the Jamaat. And here, in this country, instead of involving and indulging yourself in the bad things of this society, try to find out the good things of this society and portray yourself as a role model for these people. And if you are a student, excel in your studies. If you are a worker, work hard.

“And always try to keep in mind that Allah the Almighty is always seeing you, Allah the Almighty is watching over you, whatever you do. If people are not seeing, Allah the Almighty is seeing it.

So since you have come here because of the Jamaat because your father or your relative sacrificed their life for the cause of Allah, you should try to work hard to listen to the commandments of Allah, to practise the commandments of Allah and show your example as a good believer, and mo‘min, and Ahmadi.”

At this, the time for the meeting came to an end. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa told Sadr Sahib Canada that those who did not get a chance to ask their questions could write to Huzooraa and that he would answer them.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

From the Markaz

Waqf-e-Nau Atfal of Canada granted the opportunity to ask Huzoor questions

On 17 October 2021, 550 waqifeen-e-nau members of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada were given the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual meeting.

The mulaqat commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Saagar Sahib. Next, Darman Sahib presented the English translation thereof. Then, Qaiser Sahib recited a poem composed by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, in which Huzoorra addressed members of the Jamaat and stated that he would never expect for his loved ones that they remain satisfied with a lower status and set small goals for themselves.

Haris Sahib then read out the translation of the poem.

Jazib Sahib had the opportunity to present a hadith of the Holy Prophet, Muhammadsa followed by its English translation by Intisar Sahib. Nuruddin Sahib then read out an extract of the Promised Messiahas in which Hazrat Ahmadas stated that the valuable and worthy in the sight of

God was the one who was a servant of faith and beneficial to mankind. Rayan Sahib then presented the English translation of the extract.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then turned to Sadr Majlis Khuudam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada, Zubair Afzal Sahib, and asked him what the programme was. Sadr Sahib replied that there were some atfal who had questions they wished to ask Huzooraa and seek guidance on.

The first question was asked by Zayan Sahib. He asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa how one could develop kindness in one’s heart like the Holy Prophetsa.

Addressing the young tifl, Huzooraa smiled and asked, “You don’t have any kindness in your heart?” Huzooraa then asked him if he was the eldest among his siblings; to which he responded in the affirmative.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then said: “Do you feel any love or sympathy for them in your heart?” Zayan Sahib replied in

the affirmative. Huzooraa said, “In the same way, you should have the same feeling for others. Whatever action the Holy Prophetsa used to take, or anything he did, was for the sake of Allah. He had the love of Allah.

So, you should develop the love of Allah in your heart. And when you develop the love of Allah in your heart, then you will develop the love of Allah’s creation in your heart. And also [you should] develop love for the Holy Prophetsa who taught us how to develop the love of Allah, and for this, you must read the life history of the Holy Prophetsa. In this way, you will create and develop love for the Holy Prophetsa in your heart, and consequently you will develop the love for human beings and your fellow beings.”

Sheheryar Sahib stated that as a new high school student, he noticed some evils and vices that occurred in school. He asked Huzooraa for advice on how one could refrain from such vices commonly found in school.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “So, now you are almost 15? And this is a very dangerous age – teenage years normally are – and when one reaches the age of 15, 16, 17, one thinks that he is now mature and thinks there should be no restriction on him; but keep in mind that you are an Ahmadi, and you believe in one God, and believe that Islam is the true religion. We believe that the Holy Quran is the last book of the Shariah which was revealed to the Holy Prophetsa. So, there are quite a number of commandments [and] injunctions, in that book [the Holy Quran]. Allah Almighty has explained to us that these are the bad things, and these are the good things. So, if we know what is bad and what is good, then obviously, if you are a sane person; if you have some wisdom, then you will try to avoid those things which are bad which can ultimately destroy your life here in this

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

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world and in the Hereafter […] So, if you fear Allah the Almighty, you will avoid all these things….”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that one should always remember that Allah was watching our every action. And, thus, to achieve the love of Allah, we should obey his commandments. In this way, one would be able to avoid the bad things prevalent in society.

Huzooraa added, “[…] your fellow students, if they are doing something wrong, then you should try to express your dislike on that thing; or rather, you should hate that thing if they are doing something bad […] choose your friends from among those students who are good in nature, good in studies, and morally good.”

Touheed Sahib asked how many hours one could fast if one was under 10 years of age.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered: “During the summer, the days are very long and sometimes [the fast] can be 18-19 hours. So, you [as a child] cannot fast for such a long time […] if you are quite young, and if you wish to fast, then do it during winter days, or during those days which are not very long”.

Huzooraa explained that children shouldn’t try to overburden themselves. A young child who was 10 years of age was developing and still growing. Huzooraa added that the “fast is not obligatory on young children.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that if a child wished to eat sehri in the morning, he may do so. He could also wake up early and offer the Tahajud prayer and Fajr prayer too.

Next, Zuhaib Sahib asked what the best way was for one to establish a connection with Huzooraa, so much so that Huzooraa knew who he was.

Huzooraa said: “You should write to me frequently. And sometimes you can write to me some good joke, some good narration so then I will remember that he is the boy who wrote such and such thing. If you like, you can paste your picture as well on your letter.”

Attar Sahib asked how he could offer Salat in school as he wished to offer the prayers on time.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered that one could ask one’s teacher to provide and permit some time to offer prayer.

Huzooraa further said, “As far as Jumuah

is concerned, if possible, you should take leave on Friday for one or two hours if your mosque is near the school; or if your house is near your school, you can come home and offer your Jumuah prayer”.

Tauseef Sahib asked Huzooraa if there could be an MTA channel for children with kids programmes and stories about the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas.

Answering this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that nowadays, there was a slot given for such shows for children. “Even now,” Huzooraa said, “they have started a new programme of my khutbahs, for children, in which they try to explain my khutbah in an easy language and in different ways which is understandable for children. At present, we have slots [allocated for such programmes] for children, but a time will come when we shall have an MTA [channel for] children; a dedicated channel for you. Later on, but not now. It is possible; we shall see to it”.

Next, Huzooraa was asked, by Kashif Sahib how to remain focused in Salat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered: “When you are offering Namaz, when you recite Surah al-Fatihah, you should recite:

ۡ ّ ‫ا ۡہد نَا‬ ‫الص َر َاط ال ُم ۡس َت ِق ۡی َم‬ ِ ِ ِ

And you should know the meaning of it”. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that it was important to know the meaning of Surah al-Fatihah and Salat.

Huzooraa said that he would have to keep trying to focus on Salat and repeatedly ۡ ّ ‫ ا ۡہد نَا‬and one day he would recite ‫الص َر َاط ال ُم ۡس َتق ِۡی َم‬ ِ ِ ِ achieve focus in Salat.

Danial Sahib asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how much time a waqif-e-nau should spend watching TV and playing games.

Huzooraa said: “As a waqif-e-nau or as an Ahmadi child, you should spend no more than one hour watching TV – that [one hour] is enough for you. And then, at least one hour to one-anda-half hour, you should play outside; not games on your television […] go outside in the field, play soccer or some other game, and also read some books”.

Huzooraa explained that there were quite a number of books prepared by the Jamaat about Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa.

Children should read such books to increase their knowledge.

Huzooraa explained, “It is better to go outside and play, instead of watching TV. That is good for your health and your brain

development.”

Next, Hizqeel Sahib said to Huzooraa that, sometimes, bad thoughts assailed his mind. He asked Huzooraa how he could ignore these evil thoughts.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that one, in such circumstances where bad thoughts arose, should repeatedly engage in istighfar. “Pray to Allah Almighty in your prayer that He may save you from satanic attacks”.

Huzooraa said that whenever such thoughts occurred, one should read good books and one should address and encourage oneself to stay away from bad things and thought.

Suleman Sahib asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what the difference was between Satan and Iblis.

“Satan and Iblis,” Huzooraa explained, “are two names of one being”. When a thought came into one’s mind to disobey the commandments of Allah Almighty, it meant that Iblis was trying to incite him.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further added that Satan and Iblis were “two different characters of one being […] When you refuse to obey the commandments of Allah Almighty, it means Iblis is asking you to do it. And [when] something wrong comes into your mind, and you commit that wrong deed, then that is Satan who has incited you to it.”

Rana Nauman Sahib asked Huzooraa how he could explain and prove to his friends the existence of God. Huzooraa asked him if he believed in God and if God had ever accepted his prayers; to which the young tifl replied in the affirmative. Huzooraa then said: “Then you can tell [your friends], ‘God does exist, and I have first-hand experience.

I was in need of something, I prayed to Allah Almighty, and He accepted my prayer. And that was not by chance, and this proves that He does exist’ […] You can also tell them Who created this world. For every creation, there should be some creator”.

Labeeq Sahib asked if it was permissible to eat at a friend’s house who was a nonMuslim. Answering, Huzooraa said: “You can eat at your friend’s house; there is no problem in that. But make sure that whatever you are eating is free of alcohol and pork.”

Next, Azfar Sahib asked what one should do to become the best waqif-e-nau. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that five years ago,

he delivered a sermon on this topic in which he explained the attributes of a good waqife-nau. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “I mentioned 30 or some qualities [of a true waqif-e-nau] in my khutbah. You should read that khutbah again and try to act upon those things”.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that a good waqif-e-nau should be regular in offering the five daily prayers, regular in reciting the Holy Quran daily and try to understand the text of the Holy Quran and know its translation. A waqif-e-nau should be well-behaved.

Rawaha Sahib asked Huzooraa that if Allah knew our future, why we had to pray for things.

Huzooraa answered: “Allah knows your future, you don’t know. Do you know?

“Allah knows what you will ask for in the future. If you ask for that thing and it is good for you, Allah Almighty will give it to you. If you don’t ask the thing and don’t pray to Allah Almighty for that, then Allah Almighty will not give you. Allah knows [your future] but it is not necessary that because Allah knows it, He will definitely give it to you. Allah knows that ‘if this boy asks Me something and prays to Me, then I will give it to him.’ Allah did not say that if you pray to Him or not, He will definitely give”.

Next, Labeeb Sahib asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa if the Jamaat had any plan, in the future or being worked on in the present, to help children who required special care and attention due to medical conditions.

Huzooraa replied: “Here in Canada, we don’t have that many resources, but a time will come; that is the plan. But in Rabwah, for instance, we have an institute for children with special needs, and that school is working very nicely.

Here, in Canada also, a time will come when we shall have the resources, we shall open some school for special needs children”.

As the mulaqat came to a close, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that those who did not get the opportunity to ask a question could write their questions to him.

Huzooraa then conveyed his salaam and the meeting drew to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

Opinion

De-gendering the concept of the hijab

Mahrukh Arif-Tayyeb Masters Social Science, France

As a Muslim woman, I have read thousands of articles and watched a plethora of debates on the hijab. Being from France, these debates have affected me twice – first, when I realised how scrutinised the choices I make related to my faith are, and then, when I realised that choosing to wear the hijab in such a country meant the end of many respectable social opportunities due to the laws restricting the Islamic veil.

When politicians, researchers and socalled philosophers talk about Muslim women in general they always perceive the hijab as an ancestral practice, good for all books that have no place in our modern societies. Most of all, they see the hijab as a visible symbol of the inferiority of women before men as if they only perceive the Islamic veil through a balance of power between men and women.

And, to be absolutely fair, they are not completely to blame for this binary vision. Many Muslim countries who claim to practice a better version of their understanding of Islam have gendered this issue by putting all the responsibility on women.

To be precise, many Muslim societies have wrongly adopted a mindset that tends to place women as the sole preserver of modesty in society. As a result, when a woman is an actual victim of any sort of sexual assault, society immediately questions her character, her clothes or the circumstances in which the incident happened, thus diminishing the gravity of the act perpetuated by the man/men

involved. Interestingly enough, this same logic is also observed in the West, where Islam isn’t the dominant religion.

Islam, however, does not genderise the issue of the hijab. Quite conversely, it lays emphasis on both genders to preserve a modest society; it isn’t just the duty of women to observe modesty and wear a hijab, men must play their crucial role of lowering their gaze and curbing their

sexual impulses.

Islam has thus a more egalitarian approach to the issue of modesty and the preservation of a pure society. It acknowledges the fact that a pure and modest society does not depend merely on the hijab of women but also on the gaze of men and the intention behind both. It sees genders working harmoniously from their own spheres for the establishment of

Students of MKA Sri Lanka gather virtually for moral and spiritual development A Abdul Aziz Sri Lanka Correspondent

In yet another initiative to transform our regular programmes to the virtual platform, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka held its virtual Student Camp on 25 and 26 September 2021.

The event which would otherwise be a physical camp for the students turned out to

be a new experience for the participants.

The two-day event focused on various aspects pertinent to uplifting the moral and spiritual standards of the Khuddam students aged 15-21.

The umur-e-tulaba (Student Affairs) department made tireless efforts to engage with all of the eligible participants who totalled 52, ensuring that they gained maximum benefit from the various guest

speeches and presentations.

In his address, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka, TA Shifan Cader Sahib, emphasised the need to keep a constant relationship with Khilafat, and explained the dangers that one could face by distancing themselves from the activities of the majlis and the Jamaat as a whole.

He went on to bring the attention of each student in continuing their higher studies

peace. This is why, in many parts of the Middle East and South Asia, sexual abuse still happens even though women are veiled from head to toe. This is because many times we tend to forget the deep philosophy behind those injunctions of the Holy Quran and put more emphasis on the hijab of women rather than the purification of the gaze of men.

A pure and modest society can only emerge, as the Quran puts it, with both genders fulfilling their share of the responsibility. If women are to follow the principle of hijab fully – that is observing the Islamic veil and adopting modesty in every sphere of their lives – men must make it a habit to do the same alongside lowering their gaze and preserving themselves from impure thoughts.

It is also important to mention that maintaining pure thoughts does not only occur in the middle of social interaction.

As many recent studies point out, one reason behind the rise of disturbing sexual behaviour and abuse is the easy access to porn and other online content.

Therefore, when the Holy Quran instructs men and women to preserve their sexual impulses and their gaze from looking and hearing inappropriate content it does not only call them to lead dignified lives but also promotes a healthy psychological and mental state towards sexuality and prevents from stereotyping both genders.

It is essential to deconstruct this notion that women are the sole bearers of a modest society by de-gendering the hijab and adopting the equal approach that the Holy Quran calls towards.

as deliberated by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at the National Ijtema 2021 of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK. Among the other panellists, Dr Fayas Ahmad Sahib, Naib Sadr MKA Sri Lanka, conducted an awareness programme for students on “Addiction to social media & mobile gaming”.

The missionary, Javed Raheem Sahib guided students on the proper use of social media.

Several other missionaries and officebearers also contributed to this event with their esteemed speeches and presentations of educational and spiritual value.

The concluding remarks were delivered

by Mohtamim Umur-e-Tulaba, Muhammed Asif Sahib who thanked the panellists and the participants on behalf of MKA Sri Lanka.

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by Sadr Sahib Sri Lanka.

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 22-28 October

22 October 1943: Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Qadian held its fifth annual Ijtema. On the final day, during a match of kabaddi (a contact game played in the Indian subcontinent), some khuddam and atfal started to clap to encourage their favourite side. Upon seeing this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra strongly condemned this way of celebration for men.

After meeting Huzoorra, the committee said in its remarks:

Huzoorra ended the match and said that since an action against the Islamic teachings occurred, the event was called off. Saying this, he returned immediately.

24 October 1924: Whilst in London, during his tour of Europe, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered the first Friday Sermon at Southfields where Fazl Mosque, London is situated today. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 461)

At 4:30 pm, after the khuddam had apologised, Huzoorra sent a message that if the khuddam wished to meet him, they could come to Qasr-eKhilafat, his residence. And so, at 5 pm, khuddam went to Qasr-e-Khilafat where they met with Huzoorra and had the chance to do musafha.

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p. 446) 23 October 1940: A delegation from Calcutta arrived in Qadian to visit the town’s educational institutes.

Members of the Kamal-Yar-Jung Education Committee also had an audience with Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra.

“We met with the Ahmadiyya Imam for about an hour today and the views we heard were very useful for the purpose of our committee. We have gained a lot from him, and our hearts are truly full of praise and appreciation for him.” (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p. 104)

24 October 1980: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh returned to Karachi after a tour of 12 countries. This historic and momentous tour consisted of three continents of the world. Huzoorrh arrived in Rabwah on 26 October.

(Silsala-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 3, p. 640) 25 October 1924: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra commenced his journey back to Qadian after his successful tour of England. He departed from London’s Waterloo Station on this date along with his entourage.

Many Indian, African and European men and women gathered to say farewell. Huzoorra arrived in Southampton from London. From there, he crossed the English Channel by ship at midnight and reached Paris on 26 October at 8:30 am. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 461) 25 October 1948: Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Qutubuddinra passed away.

He accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1892.

Hazrat Hakim Sahibra was fortunate enough to assist the Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Qutubuddinra Promised as Messiah in some research work by providing references from original sources. He was also part of the team that was formulated to travel to the Middle East, with the aim of finding new evidence supporting the migration of Jesusas from Palestine to Kashmir.

He also had the honour, upon Hazrat Ahmad’sas instruction, to prepare

medicine for members of the family of the Promised Messiahas, as and when required. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 12, p. 116) 26 October 1979: The 22nd annual gathering of Majlis Ansarullah began. As the government did not permit the use of loudspeakers, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III’srh address was conveyed through the use of messengers (who would stand at a reasonable distance so as to relay Huzoor’s words to the audience). In his concluding address, some of the points Huzoorrh mentioned were as follows: • Every child should know the rules of reciting the Holy Quran.

• Those who can recite the Holy Quran fluently should learn its translation and commentary.

• Every boy should at least study up to matriculation and every girl should pass middle school at least.

• Every Ahmadi should adhere to the beautiful teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

The gathering was attended by about 3,000 ansar from 672 majalis. (Tarikh

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

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Two Moroccan Sunnis converse with Ahmadis over Iftar Usama Awan Radiologist, USA

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laying the foundation stone of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah

Ansarullah, Vol. 2, pp. 99-120)

Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 276)

27 October 1935: Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra passed away. He had the honour of serving the Promised Messiahas in a personal capacity since the early days.

28 October 1954: Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussainra passed away. He performed bai‘at in 1892 and became widely known as he Hazrat Hakim Muhammad reproduced Hussainra the ointment of Jesusas using the original prescriptions.

There is a narration about Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra that when the Promised Messiahas used to go to the city from Qadian for court cases, Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra would take Hazrat Ahmadas on his horse. On one occasion, for one half of the journey, Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra would ride and the other half, the Promised Messiahas would ride. The same was done upon their return to Qadian.

Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra would feel embarrassed to ride the horse while Huzooras would walk. Upon this, Hazrat Ahmadas would say, “I am not ashamed to walk, why are you ashamed to ride?” (Tarikh-e-

28 October 1966: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laid the foundation stone of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah. (Al Fazl, 20 October 1966, p. 1)

Last Ramadan two Sunni Muslims of Moroccan origin who were travelling through Houston, Texas on a road trip stopped by our masjid for Maghrib prayer followed by the iftar dinner. After completing our Maghrib prayer, we took some dinner and sat down and I introduced myself to them and got to know them. They had no idea that they had just stopped at an Ahmadi mosque or what Islam Ahmadiyyat was and what our beliefs were.

Only about a minute or so into the conversation, one of them pointed towards the picture of the Promised Messiahas and enquired about him. I responded, “He is the Imam Mahdias that the entire Muslim ummah awaits.”

There was a look of confusion on the gentleman’s face. I could tell he was taken aback and was occupied in thought. He then asked, “How could he be the Imam Mahdi when Isaas has not come back yet?”

I smiled because I knew the conversation that would follow would make them deeply reevaluate what they had been told all their lives.

I told him Isaas (Jesus), the one sent solely for the Children of Israel 2,000 years ago, had lived and died on the earth and would not come back just as the Holy Quran recorded. He naturally enquired where in the Quran the death of Jesusas was mentioned. A lot of arguments – taught by the Promised Messiahas – were whirling in my head and I did not know which one to put first. Nonetheless, I started with one that I thought would be most easily understood by them.

I asked him where he thought Jesusas was and what happened to him. He gave me the generic answer of how Allah put someone else on the cross and instead physically took Jesusas to the Heavens and has been keeping him there ever since.

Then I asked him, “How long did you fast for today?”

He said, “Approximately 15 hours.”

I responded, “Are you hungry?”

He said, “Yes, of course.”

I told him, “It’s quite natural to feel hungry after fasting a whole day right?

Especially in the summers when the days are longer?

He replied, “Of course.”

I enquired, “But what if I told you that instead of breaking my fast with you here

right now, I’m going to continue fasting for 40 days straight – no food and no water. Do you think that would be possible?”

He said, “No way, you would die.”

I said to him, “Then how has Isaas been fasting for not just 40 days, but for the last 2,000 years?”

He was a little confused at the point I was trying to make and so I continued: “The Quran says that Jesusas and his mother were pious people and they both used to eat food [Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.76]”. I emphasised the “used to eat food” part by quoting the relevant Arabic words that they َُ ْ َ َ very ِ ‫كانا يَأكل‬ َ​َ ّ clearly understood as Arabs: ‫ان‬ ‫الطعام‬ “Maryamas stopped eating food because she passed away and Isaas also stopped eating food because he has also died.”

He rebutted, “How do you know he needs food to survive? He could just live without food?”

I replied, “Only Allah is the one that does not require sustenance. Do you place Isaas as His equal? And moreover, the Quran clearly states that there has never been a prophet that was given a body that didn’t require food [Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.9] and you just told me Isa’s body was taken to the skies, so he most definitely requires food to survive. But the Quran has already stated that he and his mother both stopped eating food because they both died.”

The Moroccan Muslim gentleman and his friend were perplexed at this point and acknowledged that this was a fair argument.

I then went through a few other arguments of the death of Jesusas, namely Surah Al-eImran (Ch.3: V.145) and Surah al-Maidah (Ch.5: V.118) and explained to them the meanings and contexts of those verses.

Towards the end of the conversation, he and his friend were quite astounded and had no response except to smile and nod in agreement. They both vowed to do further research.

Finally, the time for Isha prayer arrived and we offered our prayers and I told them to research about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and read further on islamahmadiyya. net – our Jamaat’s Arabic website.

Perhaps next Ramadan, you may find yourself breaking your fast with a non-Ahmadi Muslim friend and can use the aforementioned arguments that the Promised Messiahas taught us. It’s quite a powerful experience, especially after a long day of fasting.

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah

Top left: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh addressing members of the community at the foundation stone ceremony of Masjid Aqsa Rabwah, Pakistan Top right: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh at the same occasion Bottom right: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh leading the silent prayer after laying the foundation stone of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah Bottom left: Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, along with other Ahmadis, voluntarily helping towards the construction of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah

Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam 55 years ago, the foundation stone of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah was laid. This article aims to provide a brief overview of how this magnificent house of Allah was built.

The need for a larger mosque Allah had blessed the Jamaat so much in response to prayers of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra and the Jamaat that the population of Rabwah was increasing day by day and 27 mosques were already built by 1964.

However, it had been felt that Masjid Mubarak, Rabwah (which was being used as the central mosque) was not enough as the Jamaat continued to grow and prosper. In view of this need, a suggestion

was made in this regard during the shura (consultation committee) meeting of 1964.

Recommendation and appeal A recommendation was presented before Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra that said, “Permission to build a mosque in Rabwah should be granted.”

Huzoorra granted permission and on 7 July 1964, for the first time ever, a chanda appeal was published in Al Fazl under the title: “Jami‘ Masjid Rabwah”. After just a couple of days, on 21 July, sufficient funds had been raised and the need for an appeal was no longer necessary.

The total cost amounted to 1.5 million rupees, which was entirely donated by a sincere Ahmadi, Sheikh Muhammad Siddiq Sahib of Kolkata, who did not

want his name to be revealed during his lifetime.

Construction of the mosque postponed In September 1965, war broke out between India and Pakistan. For a period of time after the end of the war, the country was in a state of emergency. If the conditions were favourable, construction work would have started; however, only a few weeks later in November 1965, the Jamaat would witness the sad demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, Musleh-e-Maudra.

Due to these reasons and circumstances, the construction of the mosque was postponed.

Foundation stone laid On the morning of 28 October 1966, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laid the

foundation stone of this mosque with his blessed hands. Around 5,000 people were gathered on this blessed and historic occasion.

After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh stated: “On this occasion, we have gathered here to fulfil the desire of our beloved [Hazrat] Musleh-e-Maud and lay the foundation of Masjid Aqsa in Rabwah, prostrating to our Lord and supplicating, ‘O our Lord! The house You ordered to be expanded, is being built today. If we have committed any outward or inward sin, or if there is anything in our hearts and thoughts that You do not like, then cleanse our hearts and thoughts from it so Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

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<< Continued from previous page

that the house that is being built in Your name may exalt only Thy name.’

“The Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, received a revelation from Allah the Almighty: َ َ َ ‫َو ّ ِس ْع َمکانک‬ “[‘Enlarge your abode.’] Just now, as I was praying, I began to think which abode, that was to be enlarged, was commanded in this revelation? My attention was drawn to the house the Promised Messiahas chose for himself before being commissioned as a prophet and in which he spent most of his time, which was the house of Allah.

This is why people called him ‘masitar’ [a Punjabi term used for the one whose time is primarily spent in the mosque].

“So, one of the commandments in this revelation is, ‘You should increase the number of mosques; I [Allah] will go on creating worshipers’”. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 23, p. 592) After this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih rh III laid the foundation stone of this blessed mosque. When all appointed people had laid foundation bricks, Huzoorrh led everyone in silent prayer in which thousands of friends who came to this event participated. Thus, the groundbreaking ceremony of this great historical mosque took place, in the midst of these prayers, and in the presence of Allah the Almighty.

Inauguration of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah and the first Friday Sermon On 31 March 1972, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh inaugurated Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah by leading the Friday prayer. This mosque was built on land that spanned 70,000 square feet.

In his Friday Sermon, Huzoorrh said that though the heart of a believer was

always full of praise to his Lord, on that day, the hearts of everyone were full of praise and thanks to Allah as He, out of His benign grace, bestowed upon members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat to construct such a magnificent mosque. Huzoorrh said that many people sacrificed their time and attention for this mosque and the whole Jamaat prayed that this may be a reality.

Masjid Aqsa, like all mosques of the Jamaat, became a centre of knowledge.

With the sermons of the Khalifa being delivered and various duroos, many scholars have delivered lectures here and have inspired Ahmadi Muslims to further pursue knowledge and practice Islam in its purest form.

“It’s great to have the Muslim community for the first time in the markets”: Australian Ahmadis preach in Port Broughton, South Australia Atif Ahmed Zahid Regional Missionary, South Australia

On 3 October 2021, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Adelaide West was blessed with an opportunity to visit the regional town of Port Broughton to preach Islam Ahmadiyyat.

11 members of the Jamaat gathered at Mahmood Mosque for the Fajr prayer. After Fajr, I gave some advice to the members on various matters related to tabligh. After silent prayer, we began our journey for Port Broughton.

Port Broughton is a coastal town and is situated about 200 kilometres northwest of Adelaide, Australia. The total population of the town is 1,034, but during the holiday season, it attracts a lot of tourists from around the state and the population goes up to 4,000.

Port Broughton seaside community market is held twice a year on the long weekends and is very famous. On average, it attracts more than 2,000 people. This was

the first time that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Australia organised a stall in this market.

The exhibition and bookstall was set up at a very prominent place in the market and was visible from all directions.

In the exhibition, translations of the Holy Quran in eight different languages were displayed along with the variety of literature, such as Life of Muhammadsa, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues and The Economic System of Islam. In leaflets, we had “Muslim for peace”, “Muslim for loyalty”, “Muhammadsa in the Bible” and “Messiah has come”.

The marquee with the Jamaat’s logo and a message of peace was a source of attraction for many people. More than 2,000 people from different parts of the town looked at the Quran exhibition and the books.

Detailed discussions were held with more than 60 people on various topics related to the teachings of Islam and the life of the

Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

The most common topics of discussion were jihad in Islam, freedom of religion, women rights in Islam, the Bible and the Holy Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet, Muhammadsa.

The organiser of the market, Mr Ben Irvin was very happy with the Jamaat’s message of peace and was very grateful for bringing diversity to the community. He said: “It’s great to have the Muslim community for the first time in the markets, and it’s great to have the message of peace around in this community, so thank you.”

By the grace of Allah, the Holy Quran exhibition and bookstall was very successful.

Some of the comments of the visitors are given below.

A school teacher and local resident said: “I know there’s a lot of misconceptions about Muslims, and I’m pleased you’ve come here to explain the difference between extremists and fundamentalists, and just

ordinary people. I’ve been talking about this for years, all religions have their fanatics, and fanatics often end up doing the wrong things and you shouldn’t lump everyone together [...] Well what you’re doing is spreading the word that the Islamic people generally are peaceful and are good Australians.”

Luke, a local resident, said: “I think this stall is good, and I like to comment about always keeping the Holy Quran in Arabic, so you can have these other versions but you’ve always got Arabic there, so that it doesn’t change, it doesn’t delete, or do away with, or water down the word that you’ve got there […] The message of peace. How beautiful. If we could all live in peace that would be so wonderful.”

During the same trip, Jamaat members visited the regional town of Bute which is close to Port Broughton and distributed leaflets to the local population by house visits. A total of 600 pamphlets and four books were distributed during this trip.

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Years II: Bai‘at at the hand of Huzoor and Ago...

various talks

Al Fazl, 17 October 1921 have taken it. The part that was read is: ‫ا��ﺬ الﻨاس رؤوسا جﻬا�ا فسﺌ��ا فﺄفﺘوا ﺑﻐ�� �لم فﻀ��ا‬ ‫وأﺿ��ا‬ “People will take as their leaders and guides the hypocrites from among the ignorant persons. They will ask them about matters of religion. Those [ignorant people] will issue fatwas without knowledge. Consequently, they will go astray and mislead others as well.”

4 October 1921 Accounts of the blessed martyr Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] said: “Syed Ahmad Noor Sahib has written about the accounts of the late Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Latif Sahib, which are a source of increasing faith in Ahmadiyyat.

The said book is such that it should be read by everyone and people should progress in their faith through it. There is an incident in it that on his return from here [Qadian], the late Abdul Latif Sahib wrote five letters to the amirs [chiefs] and ministers of Kabul. He asked one of his pupils to take [and post] the letters. The pupil said, ‘Let me bring clothes from home.’ He was displeased and took back the letters from him. The late Mian Abdul Ghaffar Khan Sahib, who is now buried in Bahishti Maqbarah [Heavenly Graveyard], stood up and said, ‘I will take them.’ Thus, he gave him the letters and he took them [to post].

Behold, the first person did not refuse [to obey Abdul Latif Sahib] and only asked permission to bring clothes from his house thinking of cold weather. He did not even demand clothes. However, he [Abdul Latif Sahib] did not like that either. Unless this kind of passion is not produced, the Jamaat cannot progress.”

Arrest of disbelievers Qazi Sahib said that we could not understand the meaning of this revelation of the Promised Messiahas that, “Those who called [me] a disbeliever have been seized” as to how it would come to pass.

We are weak, so we could not seize them, then who will lock them up? However, now it has become clear. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that the father of Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib had also said that he did not understand the meaning of this revelation, but now it had become evident that it was being manifested. […]

The work of a missionary Huzoor[ra] said: “A missionary is one who walks long distances and stays in the houses of strangers and then preaches to them.”

5 October 1921 A widow during ‘iddah Maulana Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shah Sahib was asked whether the fuqaha [jurists] had written that a widow could leave her house during the days of ‘iddah [a short time period in which a woman is not allowed to marry after a divorce or if her husband dies]. At the same time, Huzoor[ra] said that the Promised Messiah[as] used to allow women [during ‘iddah] to go out if they had any important work.

Alienation from religion Regarding the current situation of the fatwas [religious edicts] being issued by the scholars against military service, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said: “In a region, a Muslim was made lieutenant in the army. An Ahmadi said to him that the ulema were giving fatwas of non-cooperation with the government and [despite this] he had accepted the

Khilafat Centenary Special Edition—Part 3: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II

[army] post. [The newly appointed Muslim lieutenant] used abusive words for the scholars and said that if they were of that view, then he would convert to Christianity.”

In the same context, about the brother of a Muslim leader, who lives in a cantonment and does contract work, etc., Huzoor[ra] said that when the authorities became suspicious about him, he said that

TARIQ | 187

he was a Christian.

Nowadays, despite being ignorant of Shariah knowledge, non-Ahmadis do not hesitate to give fatwas in the matters of religion. In this regard, Maulana Qazi Syed Amir Hussain Sahib read the following hadith: This hadith has been narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar and the shaikhain [Imam Bukharirh and Imam Muslimrh]

Be kind in treating others When a person submitted that the authorities did not forfeit the guarantee for violating the terms of the contract of such and such a shopkeeper, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said: “Would you like God to treat you in such a way that when you disobey any of His commands, you are caught and punished there and then? If you do not want this for yourself, then why do you say this about the shopkeeper that why he had not been given the harshest punishment on his very first time of erring. Man has a pledge with God Almighty which they violate many times a day, but it does not happen that when someone disobeys a command of God Almighty, the angels immediately pick him up and take him to Hell; rather, a respite is given to an extent and a warning is given by giving small punishments at first. However, when one does not refrain and keeps on disobeying, then God holds them accountable.

“You should treat those who have dealings with you and those who are at fault with you as dhimmis [people of the covenant].”

Bai‘at It was informed at Zuhr prayer that some people were present for taking bai‘at.

Huzoor[ra] said that bai‘at would be taken at the time of Asr prayer. Thus, after the Asr Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

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<< Continued from previous page

prayer, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that the friends who had to take bai‘at should come forward.

The names of those who took bai‘at are as follows: 1. Hamdullah Jan Sahib, Khost, Kabul 2. New convert Muhammad Din Sahib of Kulup, District Sialkot 3. Abdul Rahman Sahib of Aroop, Gujranwala 4. Muhammad Hussain Sahib of Kakka Cheema, District Gujranwala 5. Ghulam Muhammad Sahib of Basti Mandrali, District Dera Ghazi Khan 8 October 1921 Meeting with Maulvi Abdul Bari Sahib Maulvi Muhammad Ibrahim Sahib Baqapuri mentioned that they met Maulvi Abdul Bari Sahib in Lucknow. He was asked what he thought of Hazrat Mirza Sahibas.

He said that he considered Mirza Sahib to be a perfect sufi and a great scholar who practised what he preached, but as regards his claim [of Messiahship], he had been mistaken. He was asked to explain how [the Promised Messiahas was mistaken]. He said that it would lead to a debate, which he did not like. Maulvi Abdul Bari Sahib presented paan [betel leaves with fennel, lime and rose petals]. Shah Sahib said that he did not eat paan. Upon this, Maulvi Sahib presented perfume. Shah Sahib read out this hadith: ‫حبب إلي من دنياكم ثلاث الطيب والنساء وجعلت قرة‬ ‫عيني في الصلاة‬ [“I have been made to like three things from this world, i.e. perfume, women, but the delight of my eyes is in Salat.”]

Maulana Ghulam Rasul Sahib Rajeki enquired from Maulvi Sahib why Salat was included with worldly things. Maulvi Sahib replied, “You should tell me.” Maulana Sahib said, “My level is of istifadah [to gain knowledge from someone] and yours is of ifadah [imparting knowledge], because I have come to you.” On this, Maulvi Sahib said that since Salat was related to nafs [inner self], it had been included with worldly matters. Thereafter, Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Sahib also expressed a meaning [of the said hadith] and Maulvi Abdul Bari Sahib said, “Jazakallah [May Allah grant you the best of rewards]”.

Meaning of a hadith Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said: “I like the meaning that Hazrat Maulvi Sahib [the First Khalifa] explained. That is, ‘In worldly things, [I (the Holy Prophetsa)] like perfume, wives and the delight of my eyes is my daughter Fatima, (fi as-Salat) who is offering Salat right now.”

Huzoor[ra] said that Hazrat Fatima was praying at that time.

Maulvi Ibrahim Sahib enquired whether there was research that Hazrat Fatimara was praying at that time. Huzoor[ra] said, “I have not personally carried out any research on it. However, this is what Hazrat Maulvi Sahib used to say.”

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original in the 17 October 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

“

Tahrik-e-Jadid is not a new movement. In fact, it is the same early movement that was initiated by the Holy Prophetsa, 1,350 years ago from today. According to the

Gospel’s phrase, it is an old wine, which is being offered in new pots. But it is not the wine that corrupts and beguiles the human intellect; rather, it is the wine about which the َ‫لَا فِ ۡی َہا َغوۡ ٌل َّو لَا ُہ ۡم َع ۡن َہا یُنۡ َز ُفوۡن‬

Holy Quran says:

[Wherein there will be no intoxication, nor will they be exhausted thereby. (Surah al-Saffat, Ch.37: V.48)] That is, drinking this wine will not cause headaches or cause one to utter nonsense, because its source is the divine light that Muhammad Rasulullahsa brought into the world.

(Speech delivered on 31 July 1938, Al Fazl, 16 June 1959, p. 2)

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

Faith groups show solidarity after vandalism of Ahmadiyya Mosque in Detroit, USA Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA Unfortunately, a sad incident took place on the night of 8 October 2021, around 9:30 pm, when an individual walked up to the main entrance of the Mahmood Mosque in Rochester Hills, Michigan USA and vandalised the front door.

The main door of the mosque was smashed that left the front door with broken glass splattered across a wide area in and outside the mosque. Members of the Jamaat learned about the incident the next morning at Fajr prayers.

After the initial review and assessment, the incident was reported to the local police. Video footage along with pictures were shared with the police department where the incident has been under investigation by the Rochester Hills police department.

A team was formed under the local president, Maqbool Tahir Sahib. The team worked hard over several days to not only review the security cameras video footage but also engage the local law enforcement, interfaith leaders, media and neighbours.

The details of the incident were also shared with the interfaith communities and public leaders for observing precaution and vigilance at their places of worship. A letter was sent on behalf of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to leaders of various religious groups across Michigan.

The Jamaat said they would forgive the vandal for his actions and reached out to him to learn about the Jamaat and remove any misconceptions.

The news generated overwhelming support from the community and interfaith leaders. Some of the comments about the incident are given below.

Lynne Muth, Chair, Faith in Justice, St John’s Episcopal, Royal Oak, said: “I read with sadness over the vandalism at your mosque. I remember the graciousness of your community in DRIVE and Coffee, Cake with a Muslim. You and your leadership and members work hard to build bridges in Southeast Michigan. At this time, I want to share my sadness and prayers of hope that love and goodness will conquer hate. May you feel the love and hope from others at this time.”

A neighbour and friend of the Jamaat, Brenda Balas, said:

“How beautiful that even at this time, when something hateful happens that impacts your faith community, you think of the safety of others and reach out. Thank you for sharing this information with us. We, the interfaith community, are linked together by our love of diversity and inclusion, peace and justice. We are all impacted by this ugly act. We stand with you. We condemn these acts. We will be vigilant. We reaffirm our commitment to taking action to bring understanding, respect, and peace. We are praying for the members of your faith community and for peace in our community and world.”

Bob Cornwall, Troy Interfaith, commented: “Thank you for sharing this unfortunate incident. It is sad that houses of worship are attacked in this way. Let me know how I can be of assistance.”

Patty Rehfus, Board President Congregation Shir Tikvah, commented: “This is very sad news indeed. I am grateful that no one was injured.

Please know that you are in my prayers and that we stand in solidarity with you.

Thank you for sharing the information as well.”

Rabbi Alicia Harris said: “I wanted to send my prayers and echo those who have written already. Congregation Shir Tikvah and the whole Jewish community stands with you. We vehemently condemn this act of hate, and send you love and peace. Please know we are holding you in our hearts. I look forward

to meeting you someday soon. We are in solidarity.”

Fred, a community teacher said: “Salam, I was so very sad to hear about the vandalism incident at your masjid Friday evening. To me, the Ahmadiyya are the most gentle sect in all of Islam – most nonviolent in both word and deed – as well as one of the most persecuted. May Allah bless you all [...]. Hope you are doing well”.

John E McCauslin from Central Woodward Christian Church commented: “You are beloved. Please accept our sincerest wishes that this incident is soon behind us. When some of God’s faithful are attacked all of us are under attack. Kindness is the way forward.”

Rev Weatherly Burkhead Verhelst, First United Methodist Church of Troy, said: “We will hold your congregation in our prayers tomorrow morning. My heart hurts that your mosque has been threatened this way. Thank you for letting the larger group know of this concern. Peace to you.”

Phillip Kwik, Assistant Director, Troy Public Library, said: “I am sorry this shameful act happened. I hope you are able to find those who perpetuate such hate.”

Rial and Margery Hamann said: “You and your faith community are in our prayers. We do not understand the minds of people who do such horrible things. Their acts are against the beliefs of every religion I have studied. Please know that we stand with you. Peace.”

The Islamic Association of Greater Detroit (IAGD) commented: “Salaam […] I am very sorry to hear what happened to the Ahmadiyya mosque. You are our neighbour to the West from IAGD, and I am appalled by this incident. Nobody and no community should have to go through this kind of vandalism and threat, particularly when it is a place of worship attended by women and kids. I hope and pray that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and all the faith communities will come together to support your community.”

Nishat Haq from the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit (IAGD) said: “Assalaamu-alaikum. We at IAGD are

sorry to hear about the incident that took place last week. We hope and pray that this will not happen again, and our communities remain safe by the grace of Almighty. Please let us know if we can help in any way.”

Dr Anil Kumar, a local Indian-origin politician who has run in the past Federal and State elections, said: “I heard about the attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Mosque. It’s very despicable and our Indian Hindu Community and Christian community is really very supportive of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Please give us a call if you need any help.”

Ravi Yalmanchi reached out via a phone call and then sent a follow-up text message showing support and help. Ravi has been part of the city council of the city of Rochester Hills and has been a friend of the Jamaat for many years.

Nasy Sankagiri, Chair of Outreach, Bharatiya Temple, said: “It is with deep feelings of sadness and empathy that I write to you, to show solidarity of your Hindu brothers and sisters from the Bharatiya Temple, in the aftermath of this hateful incident. In recent times, there have been hate-filled verbal attacks by vested interests against the Hindu community in the Troy area and on social media. We must be ever vigilant to protect our physical spaces of worship as well as our social spaces. Once again, we stand with you. Please feel free to call on me for any humble help I can render.”

The message regarding the peaceful teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat was amplified by wide coverage through the media, both print and electronic.

Some of the news stories can be viewed on the following links: • www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VOiVqCgto • https://youtu.be/zuSq1FVKzp8 • www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/10/10/he-just-didnt-care-vandals-target-mosque-in-oakland-county/ • www.wxyz.com/news/muslim-leaderssay-they-are-rattled-after-someone-tryto-break-into-rochester-mosque • https://news.yahoo.com/mosque-vandalized-rochester-hills-035035077.html • www.fox2detroit.com/news/ mosque-vandalized-in-rochester-hills • www.fox2detroit.com/video/988244 • www.fox2detroit.com/video/988276 • www.fox2detroit.com/video/988183 • www.fox2detroit.com/news/vandalizedmosque-imam-invites-suspect-to-talkto-them • www.freep.com/story/news/local/ michigan/oakland/2021/10/09/ rochester-hills-mosque-vandalizedfriday-night/6075226001/ • www.theoaklandpress.com/2021/10/12/ interfaith-community-leaders-reach-out-to-mosque-after-vandalism/ • www.theoaklandpress.com/2021/10/10/ vandalism-reported-at-rochester-hills-mosque/

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

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Ahmadiyyat in Japan: Ahmadi missionary represents world religions and conveys peaceful Islamic teachings to ambassadors

Usama Tanveer Japan

The United Nations declared 21 September as World Peace Day – a day dedicated primarily to ending wars and violence and maintaining world peace. Despite this, various countries and regions of the world are still plagued by instability and are embroiled in international conflicts, including civil war.

One of the other purposes of this day is also to raise social awareness in order to promote traditions such as tolerance, harmony and respect for humanity.

On this day, various events are organised by government agencies and civil society organisations all over the world and efforts are made to create awareness among the young generation about the importance of this day.

Various events are held in this regard all over Japan and aspects of world peace are discussed This year, there was a similar event at

Yasukuni Shrine, which is one of Japan’s most famous and historic sites. This famous national monument of Japan is considered one of the most controversial sites in Asia.

The shrine has a slightly different status from the ordinary Shinto shrines. According to Shinto beliefs, this shrine is the burial place of the souls of soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their country during World War II. During World War II, the Japanese invaded and occupied most of the region of China, Korea and the Far East, so the Yasukuni Shrine is considered one of the most controversial shrines in the Far East.

The visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida to this shrine made headlines all over the world. Similarly, countries like China and Korea raised objections that Japan’s Prime Minister’s visiting the temple added salt to their wounds.

Historically only three Japanese prime ministers visited the Yasukuni Shrine in the past decade. During these visits, the prime ministers paid tribute to Japan’s war heroes,

expressed sympathy and condolences to the nations that suffered atrocities during the wars and expressed the determination of the Japanese people that Japan will never wage war again.

This year, on the occasion of International Day of Peace, a ceremony was held at the Yasukuni Shrine, attended by ambassadors from various countries, Japanese politicians and elected representatives from schools and colleges.

Anees Nadeem Sahib, President and Missionary-in-charge Jamaat Japan was also invited to the ceremony to speak on behalf of world religions.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, this was the first time that an Ahmadi Muslim was not only invited to participate in this very important and famous national monument of Japan, but also to speak on behalf of world religions in light of the peaceful teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Anees Nadeem Sahib presented various quotes from the addresses of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in regard to the establishment of world peace.

After the speech, the ambassador of San Marino further summed up Anees Sahib’s speech by stating that after the Ahmadiyya Imam’s teachings on world peace, there was no need to say anything on the subject.

In connection with the International Day of Peace celebrations, the hosts invited ambassadors from all over the world to attend. Therefore, Allah the Almighty created an opportunity to meet the ambassadors of different countries and introduce to them the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Anees Sahib was able to present World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace as a gift to the ambassadors.

In addition to meeting Dean and Head of the World’s Ambassadors to Japan, Mr Kadelo Mario, he had an opportunity to meet the ambassadors or diplomatic staff of 19 countries, including Lebanon, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Egypt, Bosnia, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Ukraine and presented them with World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis Opposition and new Ahmadi mosque in Grand- in North Macedonia gather Lahou region of Ivory Coast for Huzoor‘s address to Jalsa Salana Germany 2021 Wasim Ahmad Missionary, Macedonia

Saima Ahmad Saroa Sahiba reports that on 9 October 2021, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya North Macedonia gathered in Baitul Ahad in order to listen to the concluding address of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, on the occasion of Jalsa Salana Germany 2021.

A few days before the event, the missionary of North Macedonia visited several Ahmadi and non-Ahmadi families

to invite them for this blessed occasion.

Despite bad weather conditions, a total of 49 Ahmadis as well as non-Ahmadis from five different cities accepted the invitation and travelled many miles to attend the event.

After listening to Huzoor‘s address with translation, the guests prayed Maghrib and Isha prayers in congregation.

The guests enjoyed the evening very much and were enriched with valuable teachings through Huzoor‘s powerful speech.

Recent tours of Ahmadi missionaries in Palestine Imaduddin Al-Masri Kababir

Abdul Quyyum Pasha Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ivory Coast Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ivory Coast is honoured by building a new mosque in the village named PK63, in the Grand-Lahou region.

The preaching of Islam Ahmadiyyat had started there in 2007 through the regional missionary, Kone Karim Sahib. After that, the local Imam and the chief of the village, not only joined Isla, Ahmadiyyat, but also handed over the only mosque of the village to the Jamaat where Idrees Sahib was appointed as the local muallim.

However, after the death of the Imam, the locals of the village persuaded the village chief to expel the Ahmadi muallim from the village, but the chief did not agree with this opinion rather he gave a separate place to Ahmadis to offer the prayers.

After the death of the chief, the locals called the non-Ahmadi Imam of the Grand Mosque located in Grand-Lahou city and social pressure was created to expel the Ahmadi muallim from the village, which the local Ahmadi president and members denied. Therefore, due to this, Ahmadi Muslims started praying separately.

In 2018, the foundation stone of an Ahmadiyya mosque named Bait-us-Salam was formally laid here. On 26 September 2021, Amir and Missionary-in-charge Ivory Coast, Abdul Quyyum Pasha Sahib formally inaugurated the mosque and led the silent prayer. The same day, the inauguration ceremony took place which was presided

by Amir Sahib. 244 people attended the ceremony, including national presidents of all the three auxiliary organisations, members of the national amila, the deputy governor, 13 non-Ahmadi local Imams and several local office-bearers.

Our local missionary, Sadiq Djialou Sahib delivered a speech on the topic of beliefs of Ahmadiyyat after which the presidents of all three auxiliary organisations gave a brief introduction of their respective organisations.

Later on, local non-Ahmadi Imams and the deputy governor gave speeches while at the end of the ceremony, Amir Sahib Jamaat Ivory Coast delivered a speech in which he explained the importance of building mosques.

The ceremony concluded with a silent prayer.

Shams-ud-Deen Malabari Sahib, Missionary-in-Charge Kababir, and I embarked on a three-day tarbiyati tour to visit members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Palestine.

The tour’s objectives were to visit the members of the Jamaat who had lost contact and to convey the message of Ahmadiyyat.

We visited brothers and sisters in the three main cities of Palestine and their surrounding villages.

In addition, we conveyed the message of Ahmadiyyat to around 11 people, including the managers of two of the historical soap factories in Nablus. The total number of Ahmadis visited and communicated with during this tour was 19 families and 52 individuals.

After a few weeks, we went on another tour to visit brothers in Palestine. This tour lasted two days.

On the way to the house of an Ahmadi, we saw a mosque called Masjid-ul-Nabi Yunusas i.e. the mosque of the Prophet Yunusas. We asked the brother with us to park the car, and went down to see the mosque from the inside.

This mosque is believed to contain the tomb of Hazrat Yunusas and so we prayed at the grave, and then proceeded to the house of our Ahmadi brother.

On the way, we saw some children breaking stones on the street; I had no idea what they were doing. After passing by, we saw a group of Israeli soldiers standing by their big vehicles and blocking the road.

I was shocked as I was seeing the people being so normal with the military presence and understood their struggle to live in such an area.

Nevertheless, we visited the house of Sadr Jamaat Palestine South, where a number of Ahmadi brothers had gathered.

The next day was a Friday. We organised a small gathering before the Jumuah prayer. I addressed the brothers on the 10 conditions of bai‘at outlined by the Promised Mesisahas and shed light on the fact that the main purpose of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was to increase the standard of taqwa and our relationship with Allah, rather than merely inclining towards philosophical and logical arguments in matters of faith.

After this short speech, Shams-ud-deen Sahib led us in Jumuah prayer.

Alhamdulillah, we were able to visit two houses, meet with 11 Ahmadi brothers and had discussions with four non-Ahmadi Muslim brothers about – who belong to the same family – about Ahmadiyyat.

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

17

19 Jalsa Salana Ireland th

Yusuf Christopher Pender Press Secretary, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ireland

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ireland held its 19th Jalsa Salana on 3 October 2021 at the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth Co Kildare.

This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the number of attendees was limited; however, the Jalsa was also streamed live

by MTA Ireland so others could take part virtually. It was the first national event held by the Jamaat after 18 months of restrictions and lockdowns. As children under 12 were unable to attend, they were asked to send in recorded video messages, which were played during the breaks.

The event organisers ensured Covid-19 regulations were followed with vaccination certification checks, masks, social distancing, rapid antigen testing as well as having medical professionals on hand.

The one-day Jalsa began with the flag hoisting ceremony at 10 am in which Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat and the Irish national flag, the Tricolor were raised by the National President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiya Ireland, Dr Anwar Malik Sahib and Ibrahim Michael Noonan, Missionary-incharge Ireland.

After the recitation of the Holy Quran and a poem, several inspirational and engaging speeches were delivered through the day’s sessions.

Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and National Secretary Tabligh, Dr Hamid Khan Sahib delivered an English speech on the topic of the importance of financial sacrifice.

Atta-ur-Rahman Khalid Sahib, a missionary delivered a speech on the divine guidance and blessings which are bestowed on those who follow the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

Another speech was delivered by the Missionary-in-Charge Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Ireland, Ibrahim Noonan Sahib on the subject of mindful prayer.

During the Jalsa, the annual academic awards were announced for members of the community who excelled in their educational and professional achievements as well as outstanding achievements in the field of scientific research. 23 students and professionals met the criteria for the academic awards.

These included two PhD degrees, three Master’s degrees, four Bachelor’s degrees, two post-secondary certificates, five leaving certificates signifying the end of secondary school and one for significant scientific achievements.

An exhibition was held in which copies of the Holy Quran in various languages

were displayed. Other Jamaat books were also displayed, and many were available for purchase.

The highlight of this year’s Jalsa was the loving and spiritually uplifting message of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper. This message, which was full of prayers, was read out during the concluding session.

In his message to Jalsa Salana Ireland Huzooraa impressed on the importance of ensuring a good upbringing of our youth and advised that one of the best ways to achieve this was to strengthen their bond with Khilafat. Huzooraa advised members of the Jamaat that the best way to achieve this bond was to ensure our children watched MTA regularly. Huzooraa also encouraged the Jamaat to excel in spreading the true teachings of Islam.

One of the features of the annual convention has always been inviting dignitaries to address the attendees.

However, this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, dignitaries addressed the convention via recorded video and written messages.

Various dignitaries addressed the gathering in which they expressed their true appreciation for the Jamaat’s excellent example of integration, outreach to society and charitable activities.

Some notable comments are as follows: The Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Peter Kavanagh said: “I want to thank the Ahmadiyya Muslim community for their tireless dedication they have to their own charity work and outreach throughout what has been a very difficult time for people all over the world. The light which you shine, the beacon of hope which you offer is an inspiration to other communities throughout the country.”

The Minister for State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan T D said: “As a community you are founded on a mission of spreading peace and love. And this unique convention reinforces that commitment to be of benefit to society and to be of service to humanity.”

Jack Chambers TD Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht & Defence commented about the Jamaat’s charitable and fund-raising efforts even during the pandemic, and said: “[…] despite this your community has done some wonderful charitable work […] [which] has not only been admired by myself but also many of my colleagues and people across the country.”

Deputy Emer Higgins TD said: Continued on next page >>

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Address to MM Sadiq Sahib in London on the eve of his departure The Moslem Sunrise, October 1921

<< Continued from previous page

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association are invaluable members of our local community. I really enjoyed being able to further my relationship and build that link with members of the community since being elected as a TD last year.”

Paula Hillman, assistant Garda Commissioner outlined the Gardai’s commitment to engaging with communities right across Ireland and encouraging members from diverse communities to come and work with An Garda Siochana. She thanked the Jamaat for its openness and willingness to engage.

She said: “I do thank you for your engagement with us […] and I know it will go from strength to strength as we continue moving out of Covid. I wish you all the very best and I look forward to seeing you soon.”

Eamon O Cuiv TD, a long-time friend of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ireland said: “Since I have gotten to know the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community here in Ireland I have been struck that you absolutely live by your motto “Love for all, hatred for none” and that you have been very open in your engagement with people of different faiths and different beliefs and that you have engaged sincerely with them while holding very fast to your own beliefs and your own commitment to your own religion.”

While extolling the work and impact of the Jamaat in Ireland he also said: “What is more important to me are the friendships and the bonds that you have created with me and so many others.”

The concluding address was delivered by the National President of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Ireland, Dr Anwar Malik Sahib in which he spoke about the emotional and economic stress which the pandemic placed on society over the last 18 months. He therefore stressed on the greater need for care and attention towards fulfilling the rights of one another in our family relationships.

The Jalsa Salana Ireland 2021 concluded with silent prayer.

The illumined address presented to Dr MM Sadiq in London on the eve of his departure for America Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem Nahmado-hu-wa-nusalli ala Rasuli hilKareem Rev. Mufti Mohammad Sadiq B Phil, FPC (London), FC Chrom, ASP, MRAS, Ahmadi Missioner.

Our Respected and Dear Brother and Teacher: Peace be with you and Mercy and Blessings of Allah the Almighty and Gracious. It is with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow that we Ahmadees of England have gathered today to bid you farewell. We are sorry to part from you because we all love you and you love us.

We are glad because you now carry the Message of Islam to the farthest West, thus fulfilling prophecies of the MasterProphet Muhammad and the Promised Messiah and Mehdi, the Prophet Ahmad, peace be upon both.

Those who live for God and His creatures, never die, so we hope that your benevolence and cheerful ways shall never be forgotten in this country.

The great number of converts to Islam secured by you in this land shall make a prominent page in the history of Great Britain.

The tender plant of Islam that has been strengthened so much through your incessant efforts of three years shall grow stronger and stronger every day until it

will cover not only England for the whole continent of Europe.

Dear Brother, our parting request to you is not to forget us in your prayers.

May Allah bless you and bless all your undertakings and be with you wherever you be, and may create friends and helpers to you and make your days of sojourn in America a blessing to the Americans as well as the Ahmadia Brotherhood.

Ameen.

With renewed prayers and wishing

you a safe voyage and happy fortune, we remain.

Yours Fraternally, (Sd.) President and Secretary Farewell Committee. London, 21 January 1920.

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Moslem Sunrise, October 1921)

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021

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Friday Sermon 24 September 2021 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Umarra ibn al-Khattab After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

Accounts from the time of Hazrat Umarra were being mentioned. Today the conquest of Jerusalem will be mentioned, which took place in 15 AH. After the forces under the leadership of Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas had besieged Jerusalem, Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra joined them with his army. Becoming weary from the siege, the Christians proposed a peace treaty, but on the condition that Hazrat Umarra should come himself and agree to the terms. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra informed Hazrat Umarra of this matter. When Hazrat Umarra consulted the companions,

Hazrat Alira suggested that Hazrat Umarra should go. Hazrat Umarra approved of this suggestion and appointed Hazrat Alira as the amir of Medina. In another narration, it is said that Hazrat Uthmanra was made the amir of Medina.

Following this, Hazrat Umarra departed for Jerusalem. This journey was not an ordinary journey. The purpose of it was to impress the awe of Islam onto the enemy’s hearts and establish its grandeur. However, when Hazrat Umarra departed, unlike worldly kings, there was no extravagant

procession accompanying him, nor was there any beating of drums. It was such that not even a simple tent was brought along.

Instead, Hazrat Umarra was riding a horse, accompanied by a few Muhajirin and Ansar companions. In one narration, it is said that Hazrat Umarra was travelling by camel and accompanied only by a single servant who was carrying parched grains and a wooden bowl. Despite these conditions, the earth would tremble at the news that Hazrat Umarra was travelling from Medina to Jerusalem. (Tarikh Ibn Khuldun, Vol. 3, Part 1,

[Karachi: Dar al- Isha‘ah, 2009], p. 207)

This is a short account of the journey and there are not many details about it.

Nonetheless, Iliya was the [old] name of where Jerusalem is situated. The details of who besieged Jerusalem are mentioned in Al-Tabari, including who requested Hazrat Umarra to come there. It is mentioned in AlTabari that Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas wrote to Hazrat Umarra requesting reinforcements.

Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas sent a letter to Hazrat Umarra. He explained that he was fighting intense and fierce battles and

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM Injazat al-Siyasiyyah, p. 279, Maktabah Shamilah)

As it were, in relation to Hazrat Umarra seeking counsel after receiving these letters, he [Haikal] has written that Hazrat Umarra gathered all the revered companions and took consultation. Hazrat Uthmanra gave his suggestion that the Christians were terrified and hopeless, so he should refuse their request. In this way, they would be further humiliated and lay down their arms unconditionally, knowing that the Muslims see them as insignificant. However, Hazrat Alira advised against this and instead suggested Hazrat Umarra go to Jerusalem [Ilya] and said that the Muslims had endured extraordinary hardships from fighting in the cold and the prolonged stay. If he went, there would be security, prosperity and betterment for him and for the Muslims.

But if he were to reject this peace proposal, it would not be in his best interest. The enemy would remain seated in their fortresses and reinforcements would arrive from their land and from the Byzantine emperor, especially considering that Jerusalem was of great importance and a site of pilgrimage. Hazrat Umarra was pleased with the suggestion of Hazrat Alira and accepted it. (Al-Faruq, Shibli

there were many cities that still remained to be engaged with, so he awaited further instructions. Upon receiving this letter from Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas, Hazrat Umarra understood that this letter must have been written after careful consideration.

Following this, Hazrat Umarra announced his departure amongst the public and set forth on his journey. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, Part 2 [Karachi: Dar al-Isha‘at, 2004], p. 804)

Al-Tabari also mentions that the actual reason for Hazrat Umar’sra journey to Syria was when Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra arrived in Jerusalem, the people asked for a peace treaty on the same conditions as was established with the cities in Syria. They also desired that Hazrat Umarra should represent the Muslims as their leader in taking this covenant of peace. When Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra wrote to Hazrat Umarra about this in a letter, Hazrat Umarra set out from Medina. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1987], p. 449) (Yaqut Ibn Abd Allah alHamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Vol. 14 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah], p. 348)

However, some historians are not in agreement with this narration of Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra. In this regard, Muhammad Hussain Haikal writes: “It is imperative that we consider this narration documented by Al-Tabari, Ibn Athir and Ibn Kathir, which mentions that Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid and Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra bin al-Jarah, either individually or collectively, laid siege on Jerusalem to be far from the truth. Al-Tabari narrates that the reason Hazrat Umarra came to Syria was that when Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra besieged Jerusalem, the people asked for a peace treaty on the same conditions as was established with other regions of Syria. However, they added the condition that Hazrat Umarra should be present for the finalisation of the peace agreement. Accordingly, Hazrat Abu Ubiadahra sent word of this to the Khalifa and Hazrat Umarra departed from Medina.”

He [Haikal] writes: “I believe these accounts to be untrue, that

Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra and Hazrat Khalidra were present at the siege of Jerusalem. They were occupied with conquests in Homs [Emessa], Halab [Aleppo], Antakiyah [Antioch/Antakya] and other surrounding areas, while Heraclius was collecting his forces in Ruha (Edessa) in the hope of driving the Muslims away by force. All these events took place in 15 AH, or 636 CE, along with the siege of Jerusalem.”

He further writes: “In my opinion, the truth is that the siege of Jerusalem lasted for many months during the same year that these two commanders went deeper into Syria, to the extent that it forced Heraclius to take refuge in his capital.

In these circumstances, in which these two were occupied, it does not make sense to say that one of them or both of them besieged Jerusalem. That is why this narration must be rendered unacceptable. The only other narration that remains, which has also been quoted in al-Tabari, is that Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas besieged Jerusalem, which lasted for a long time.”

The people of Jerusalem very fiercely and intensely opposed the Muslims. This is the correct narration according to Haikal because it is consistent with the resistance that was shown by the people of Jerusalem which they similarly demonstrated throughout history. (Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, pp. 365-366, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore)

Muhammad Hussain Haikal further writes: “It is astonishing that Hazrat Umarra would set out with an army only to finalise the peace treaty and for the promulgation of the agreement. Similarly, it is astonishing that the people of Jerusalem requested the presence of Hazrat Umarra for the finalisation of the peace treaty knowing well that if a caravan was to travel to them from Medina continuously, it would take a full three weeks. For this reason, (Haikal writes) in light of the lengthy siege and letters from Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas which detailed the enemy’s strength and requested reinforcements, Hazrat Umar’sra patience

began to wear thin. Thus, Hazrat Umarra accompanied the reinforcements who set up camp in Jabiya, located between the Syrian desert and Jordan.

“During this time, Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra and Hazrat Khalidra had also concluded their conquest of Syria. Hazrat Umarra sent an order for both of them to convene in Jabiya so that he could deliberate with them and the other army commanders about the best plan of action for the success of the conquest of Jerusalem.”

Atraboon and Sophroneyus received news of the arrival of Hazrat Umarra. Here, there is also a conflict in names. In Arabic literature, the name recorded is Artaboon, but according to Haikal that is incorrect, and the name is Atraboon according to his research. The name Sophroneyus in Arabic literature is Sophronius. In any case, he says that Hazrat Umarra sought to find a way and come up with a strategy, and so he gathered the commanders for this.

Hazrat Umarra was informed of what was happening in Syria by Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra and Hazrat Khalidra. Subsequently, the two chieftains of the enemy [Atraboon and Sophroneyus] understood that the resistance of Jerusalem would not last much longer, i.e. that it was becoming more and more difficult for the fighting to endure.

Therefore, Atraboon took some of the army with him and entered Egypt covertly. Being convinced of his own security, an elderly priest began discussing a peace treaty as he understood that the Leader of the Faithful [Hazrat Umarra] had reached Jabiya and was staying there. For this reason, he placed a condition that he should attend himself in person to write up the peace treaty. The distance between Jabiya and Jerusalem was not extensive that any excuse be presented in response to this request of Sophroneyus.

He [Haikal] says, “This is what I deem to be correct and to be in accordance with the historical context around the incidents regarding the attacks on Syria and Palestine.”

(Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, p. 358, 368, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore) (Tarikh al-Khulafa al-Rashidin, al-Futuhat wa al-

Nu‘mani, p. 124, Idarah Islamiyyat, 2004) (Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, p.

369, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore)

Among the Muhajirin and Ansar who accompanied Hazrat Umarra on this journey was Hazrat Abbasra bin Abdil Muttalib.

There is a narration of Abu Saeed Maqburi in relation to this journey, that after performing the morning prayer, Hazrat Umarra went to his companions, turned to them and said: “All praise belongs to Allah Who has honoured us with Islam and faith; Who has granted us honour through accepting Muhammadsa, through whom we were granted guidance whilst previously being in a state of misguidance; Who united us as one rather than dispersing us into groups; Who has instilled love in our hearts; Who has granted us support through him against the enemy; Who has settled us in different cities, and Who, through the Holy Prophetsa, has made us tender to one another and like brothers. Thus, praise Allah the Almighty for these bounties; seek further help of Him; seek the ability to thank Allah for these blessings, pray that Allah the Almighty completes these favours for you which you have been given, for Allah the Almighty desires that one turns to Him and that He completes His favours upon those who are grateful.”

Hazrat Umarra continued stating this every morning of this journey; from the beginning right until he had returned, and he did not forsake it, i.e. he continued to give the same message every day. (Al-Iktifa bima Tadmanuhu min Maghazi Rasul Allah wa alThalathah al-Khulafa, Vol. 2, Chapter 1, pp. 292-293, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1997)

The commanders of the Muslim army were informed that they should come and meet in Jabiya. In accordance with this announcement, Yazid bin Abi Sufyanra and Khalidra bin Walid etc. met with them.

Having stayed in Syria, these chiefs had lost their simplicity. Hence, when they came before Hazrat Umarra, he was furious to see them in a state where they were wearing beautiful silk and brocades and were wearing ceremonious dresses and luxury garments, and it seemed from their

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021 outward appearance that they were nonArabs. Hazrat Umarra dismounted his horse, picked up some pebbles and threw them towards them, asking why they had adopted the non-Arab customs so quickly. They said that beneath the dresses were their weapons, i.e. they never gave up their art of fighting.

Hazrat Umarra then said, “If this is true, then it is fine that you wore this to display to them, but inside you are still Arabs.” (AlFaruq, Shibli Nu‘mani, p. 124, Idarah Islamiyyat, 2004)

It is mentioned in one narration that Yazid bin Abi Sufyanra said: “O Leader of the Faithful! We have many garments and riding animals, life is very good, goods are very cheap, and the state of the Muslims is such that would please you. If you wear these white clothes, ride these fine animals, and give the Muslims to eat out of the plentiful grain and wheat, it would be a means of increasing your reputation, a means of adorning your discharging of state responsibilities, and a way to increase your grandeur in the eyes of the non-Arabs.”

Upon this, Hazrat Umarra replied: “O Yazid! No! By Allah, I shall never forsake this appearance in which I left my two companions, i.e. I shall remain in the same state that I left the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra, and I shall not adopt this adornment and embellishments for the sake of people, for I fear that in doing so it may leave me sinful in the eyes of my Lord, and I do not wish for my state to be of grandeur before the people but lowly before Allah Almighty.”

Hence, Hazrat Umarra remained in this state in which the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra lived their lives, until he passed from this world. (Al-Iktifa bima Tadmanuhu min Maghazi Rasul Allah wa al-Thalathah al-Khulafa, Vol. 2, Chapter 1, pp. 295, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1997)

In relation to the way in which the peace treaty was formed between the Muslims and the Christians and where the agreement took place according to the people of Jerusalem [Ilya], many historians have written that the pact between the Muslims and the Christians was formed in Jabiya. It is written that during the stay in Jabiya, Hazrat Umarra sat in the army ranks, when all of a sudden, some horse riders were seen coming in a hurry, whilst their weapons were shining.

The Muslims immediately took up their weapons. Hazrat Umarra asked what the matter was. The people pointed towards the horse riders. To this he said, “Worry not, for these people have come to seek peace.” They were the people of Jerusalem with whom a peace treaty had been agreed. (Tarikh al-

Tabari translated, Vol. 2, Chapter 2, pp. 369-270, Nafis Academy, Karachi, 2004) (Al-Faruq, Shibli Nu‘mani, p.

125, Idarah Islamiyyat, 2004)

Then, in another narration, Allama Buladhari and Muhammad Hussain Haikal have written that the peace treaty was formed in Jerusalem [Ilya], not Jabiya. In fact, in his book, Muhammad Hussain Haikal has also written in another instance that the treaty was agreed in Jabiya. (Hazrat

Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, p.

368, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore) (Futuh al-Buldan, p.

88, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

With regard to the wording of the pact between the Muslims and the people of Jerusalem [Ilya], the following has been recorded in Tarikh al-Tabari: “In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. This is the assurance of safety which the servant of God, Umar, the Leader

of the Faithful, has given to the people of Ilya [Jerusalem]. An assurance of safety is granted for themselves, for their wealth, their churches, their crosses, the sick and healthy of the city and their entire nation. No one shall reside in their churches or homes, nor will they be destroyed. The boundaries of their homes and churches will not be reduced and nor will their crosses or wealth be destroyed. There will be no compulsion upon them in matters of faith, nor will they be given any trouble. No one from among the Jews will live with them in Ilya and it is incumbent upon the people of Ilya to pay the jizya [tax] just as the inhabitants of the other cities do. They should expel the Byzantines and those who are instigating disorder from Ilya. And the life and wealth of those who are taken out from there will be protected until they reach their place of safety. And whoever amongst them wishes to remain in Ilya, will be granted protection and they will have to pay the jizya just like the other inhabitants of Ilya do.

“Among the people of Ilya, whoever wishes to go to the Byzantines and leave behind their places of worship and crosses, then their lives, places of worship and crosses will remain protected. (Even if they leave them behind, no harm will be done to them until they reach their place of safety.)

Prior to the battle in Ilya, those who were among the farmers, and who now wish to remain settled upon their land, also need to pay the jizya like the people of Ilya do; however, those who wish to go with the Byzantines can do so, and whoever wants to return to their homes, they can do so and no jizya will be taken from them until the harvest of their crops. The conditions laid out in this letter are under the covenant of God and are the responsibility of His Prophetsa, of the Caliphs and of the faithful for as long as they pay the jizya.”

Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid, Hazrat Amrra bin al-Aas, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf and Hazrat Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyanra testified to this treaty. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 449)

In Tarikh Ibn Khaldun it is written: “In light of this treaty, the following is evident: “1. The Muslims did not spread their religion through the use of the sword.

“2. During the era of their governance, people greatly enjoyed the freedom to practice their religion.

“3. The non-Muslims were not forced to pay the jizya; rather, it was their choice to stay in the land and pay the jizya and in both instances they were afforded protection.”

(Tarikh Ibn Khuldun, Vol. 3, Chapter 1 [Karachi: Dar al-Isha‘at 2009], p. 208)

When news of this treaty reached the people of Ramla, they were also eager to settle a similar treaty with Hazrat Umarra.

The same was the case with the rest of the people who dwelled in Palestine. The people of Lud received a letter from Hazrat Umarra and those cities were also addressed in that which later accepted the rule of the Muslims.

In this letter, the people of Lud were granted protection by Hazrat Umarra for themselves, their wealth, their churches, their crosses, including their sick and healthy and also the people of all other faiths, but on the condition that if they pay the jizya, just like the citizens of Syria did, there would be no compulsion in matters of their faith, nor

would they be given any trouble on account of their religious differences. After seeing to these tasks, Hazrat Umarra then appointed two governors over Palestine and divided the land in two. Alqamah bin Hakeem was appointed to govern Ramla and Alqamah bin Mujazziz was to govern Ilya [Jerusalem].

(Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam translated, Muhammad Husain Haikal, p. 373, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore)

Hazrat Umarra then arrived at Baitul Maqdis. In regard to this, it is written that after granting protection to the people of Ilya, Hazrat Umarra stationed the army there and then travelled from Jabiya to Baitul Maqdis. It is written that when Hazrat Umarra mounted upon his horse, he realised that the horse was limping owing to an injury to one of its hoofs. A horse of Turkish breed was brought before Hazrat Umarra.

When Hazrat Umarra mounted it, it began to prance and so he dismounted.

A few days later, Hazrat Umarra called for his original horse, which he was not using as it was being treated. Hazrat Umarra mounted upon the horse and travelled on it to Baitul Maqdis. (Tarikh al-Tabari translated, Vol. 2, Chapter 2, p. 809, Nafis Academy, Karachi, 2003)

When they reached near Baitul Maqdis, Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra and a few other army chiefs came out to receive him. Hazrat Umarra was wearing an extremely simple and modest attire and thinking what the Christians might say upon seeing him in this manner, they presented him with an expensive garment. However, Hazrat Umarra stated, “The honour Allah the Almighty has conferred upon me is that of Islam and that is sufficient for me.” The Christian priests themselves handed over the keys to the city gates to Hazrat Umarra.

Hazrat Umarra first went to Masjid Aqsa and then went to the church of the Christians and began to observe it and toured the church. When it was time for prayer, the Christians permitted Hazrat Umarra to offer his prayers in the church.

However, Hazrat Umarra came outside and offered his prayer lest people who come later took this as a justification to annex the Christian churches.

During Hazrat Umar’sra stay in Jerusalem, the officers of the Muslim army would invite him for meals. They would prepare the meals and would then request Hazrat Umarra to come to their tent. Hazrat Umarra would honour them by graciously accepting their request. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra, however, did not invite Hazrat Umarra for a meal and Hazrat Umarra stated to him, “Among the officers of the army, everyone except you has invited me for a meal.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra submitted, “O Leader of the Faithful! I fear that if I were to invite you, you will not be able to possess control over your eyes.” In other words, he would be overcome with emotion.

Hazrat Umarra afterwards went to his tent and saw that it was completely empty except for the saddle of his horse, which he used as a sleeping mat and he would use the soft layer that sits above the saddle as his pillow. The soft layer of the saddle would be used as a pillow and the saddle itself would be used as a sleeping mat. There was a piece of dried bread in one corner of the tent.

Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra took the bread and placed it on the ground in front of Hazrat Umarra. He then bought a clay pot which contained some water. Upon observing this, Hazrat Umarra began to cry and then

tightly embraced Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra and stated, “You are my brother. Among my companions there is no one who has not partaken anything of this world, nor has the world partaken anything from him, except you.” To this, Abu Ubaidahra submitted, “Did I not tell you before that you would not be able to control your eyes?”

Thereafter, Hazrat Umarra came out and stood amongst the people and after offering praise to Allah the Almighty which He is worthy of and invoking salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa, he stated: “O followers of Islam! Verily, Allah has fulfilled His promise He made with you and He granted you support against the enemy. He has granted you these lands and has firmly established you in them. Thus, you ought to express gratitude to your Lord for these bounties. You should abstain from all those deeds which go against the commandments of God for this is ingratitude to God. There are many a people who were bestowed the bounties of God and in turn they became ungrateful, and failing to repent, their honour was taken away from them.”

In other words, if one fails to repent after having become ungrateful, then their honour is taken away from them. Their rewards are taken away from them and the enemy overcomes them. Since many of the army chiefs and officers had assembled in Ilya, therefore Hazrat Umarra remained there for a few days and issued important instructions.

One day, Hazrat Bilalra complained, “O Leader of the Faithful! Our Officers-inCharge eat the fowl’s meat and white bread, whereas the general Muslim population eats ordinary food.”

Hazrat Umarra enquired from the officers and they submitted, “Everything is very cheap here. For the price we pay for brown bread and dates in Hejaz, we can acquire fowl’s meat and white bread.”

Hazrat Umarra did not compel the officers to refrain from this food, but he did issue an instruction that in addition to their share from the spoils of war and salaries, the meals for every soldier must also be provided.

Another detail of this is mentioned in another source as follows: Hazrat Yazidra bin Abi Sufyan stated, “The market price here is quite cheap and for the same cost we can buy provisions to last us a month. The food items mentioned

by Bilal can be easily acquired here.” Hazrat Umar Al-Farooqra stated, “If that is the case then eat to your fill. However, I will not leave from here until you present me with a list of commodities and their prices. I will prepare a budget for the Muslims facing straitened circumstances who dwell in the cities and villages. Subsequently, according to this budget, whatever needs the Muslims have, can be acquired from it and each household will be provided with wheat, barley, honey, olive, etc.”

Hazrat Umarra then addressed the Muslims, who were faced with straitened circumstances and were not well-off, saying: “Your leaders will continue to provide for you from this list which I have prepared for you. And this will be in addition to whatever I send you from the bait-ul-mal [treasury]. However, if any of your leaders fail to provide you with these provisions, then you should inform me and I will

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remove that person from their post.”

Whilst staying in Ilya, it was the time for prayer and people insisted Hazrat Umarra to instruct Hazrat Bilalra to call the azan.

Hazrat Bilalra stated that he had vowed to never call the azan again after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, but nevertheless he would fulfil the instruction of Hazrat Umarra. Subsequently, upon the instruction of Hazrat Umarra, when Hazrat Bilalra called the azan, all of the companions who were present were reminded of the era of the Holy Prophetsa. They became so emotional that they began to profusely weep. Hazrat Umarra also became so emotional that he started to hiccup and the impact of this incident on him remained for a long time.

Upon returning from Baitul Maqdis, Hazrat Umarra toured the entire land and assessed the conditions at the borders and made the security arrangements to ensure the protection of the land. (Al-Faruq, Shibli Nu‘mani, pp. 125-126, Idarah Islamiyyat, 2004) (Futuhah al-Sham translated, Vol. 2, p. 224, Maktabah A‘la Hazrat Darbar Market, Lahore, September 2008) (Khulafa Rashidin, pp. 126-127, Maktabah Rahmaniyyah, Lahore) (Al-Iktifa bima Tadmanuhu min Maghazi Rasul Allah wa al-Thalathah al-Khulafa, Vol. 2, Chapter 1, pp. 295-296, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1997)

The purpose of Hazrat Umarra travelling to Baitul Maqdis had been fulfilled and he returned to Medina on the same route as he had come from. Upon reaching Jabiyah, Hazrat Umarra stayed there for a few days and then departed from there on his horse.

Hazrat Alira and the other Muslims had already been informed of the work that had been carried out by Hazrat Umarra in Palestine. And so, they gave him a huge welcome just outside of Medina. (Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, p. 382, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore)

Hazrat Umarra entered Masjid Nabawi and offered two rak‘aat of prayer near the pulpit. He then stood at the pulpit and people gathered around him. Hazrat Umarra stood up and after praising Allah the Almighty and invoking salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa, he stated: “O people! Indeed, Allah the Almighty has bestowed His blessings upon this ummah, so that people may offer praise to

Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

Him and express their gratitude to Him. Allah has honoured the message of this ummah and united the people together. He has established victory for them and granted them help against the enemy. He conferred honour upon them, established them in the land and granted them the land, property and wealth of the idolaters. Thus, continue to express gratitude to Allah the Almighty and He will grant you manifold in return.

Praise Allah the Almighty for the bounties He has blessed you with and He will continue granting these to you. May Allah enable us all to be from among those who are grateful to Him.” After this, Hazrat Umarra descended from the pulpit. (Al-Iktifa bima Tadmanuhu min Maghazi Rasul Allah wa al-Thalathah al-Khulafa, Vol. 2, Chapter 1, pp. 305-306, Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1997)

Hazrat Khalifatul Maish Ira states: “During the siege of Jerusalem, the priests stated that they would only grant entry to the Muslims if their Khalifa came.

Hazrat Umarra departed in a simple and modest manner whereby he would take turns with his servant to sit on the camel.

Abu Ubaidahra submitted, ‘You should change your clothes and mount upon this horse.’ Hazrat Umarra accepted this request of his, but after a short while later, he asked for the same clothes and camel he had arrived in. When he entered, Tabreek [high priest] and others were overawed by his presence and handed over the keys. They stated that they could not challenge such a commander.” (Haqa‘iq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 2, p. 174) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira has narrated this same incident in his own words.

Regarding this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “In Jerusalem, there is a mosque, which is as sacred for the Jews as the Holy Ka‘bah is for us. In the time of the [early] Muslims when Jerusalem was conquered, the Christians wished for Hazrat Umarra to pray inside the sacred site. Hazrat Umarra said, ‘I fear that if I offer prayers inside, then Muslims will take over it as their own place of worship,’ and thus Hazrat Umarra offered prayers outside.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 11, p.

437, Friday Sermon 27 July 1928, Dalhousie)

In another instance, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra writes:

“Palestine was conquered during the era of Hazrat Umarra. When Hazrat Umarra went to Jerusalem, the priests came outside to hand over the keys of the city and said, ‘You are now our sovereign, offer prayers in our place of worship, which is sacred to both you and us, so that you can be content that you have offered prayers in our holy site.’ Hazrat Umarra replied, ‘I cannot offer prayers inside your place of worship as I am their Caliph. Tomorrow the Muslims will snatch this away, claiming it to be their sacred site. Therefore, I will offer prayers outside, so that your mosque is not taken away from you.’” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, p. 573) Nonetheless, in 17 AH, the Byzantines made a last attempt and owing to this attempt, the Muslims were able to conquer all of Syria. Since the Islamic conquests continued and the borders of the Islamic government continued to gain more territory, the neighbouring empires were alarmed, fearing that one day it would be their turn. Therefore, the people of Jazirah – which was an area between Iraq and Syria – lost hope in Yazdegerd after he fled to Rayy.

For this reason, they wrote to Heraclius stating that if he sent an army along the sea in order to remove the Muslims from their occupied lands, they would assist him. Heraclius pondered over the matter and concluded that there was no harm in sending an army. The people of Jazirah wrote to Heraclius for a second time, from which he understood that there was no doubting their intentions. He saw that most of the people were Christian Arabs, who were firmly rooted in their faith to the extent that they deemed it better to die for this cause.

It had been over a year that Heraclius had left the wars in the land of Syria and so he no longer had the fear he had previously in his heart. He also saw that the frontier areas were strong enough to withstand an attack by the Muslims. Furthermore, his naval fleet was still intact. He also knew that the Muslims were fearful of the sea and anything associated with it. This gave strength to his resolve and he agreed to the request of the people of Jazirah.

In his letter he incited the tribes and wrote that the fleet had been prepared and they would arrive at Antioch from Alexandria

carrying the army and war supplies. Upon receiving the letter of Heraclius, the tribes took their army of 30,000 and marched towards Homs. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra received information about all of this.

He called Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid from Qinnasrin in order to seek his advice.

Both commanders decided that in order to confront the enemy, all the Muslim armies should gather in northern Syria. Thus, all the armies in Antioch, Hama, Aleppo and all nearby garrisons were ordered to gather in Homs. At the same time, news had spread throughout the country that Heraclius had sent an army via the sea and also that the tribes of Jazirah had set off to attack Homs.

People crowded around and looking over each other’s heads they began asking each other just how this attack by Heraclius and his allies could be stopped?

When the fleet carrying the army of Heraclius reached Antioch, the gates of the city opened for them. The people had turned against the Muslims and a revolt began in most areas of northern Syria. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra realised that he was besieged in Homs as the rebels had surrounded it and he saw the enemy advancing both from the sea and the desert. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra gathered his people and said, “I have sent a letter to the Leader of the Faithful, explaining the delicate situation and also requested for assistance.” He then asked them whether they should go out to fight the enemy or remain inside the forts in wait for the reinforcements from Medina.

Only Khalidra bin Walid was of the opinion that they should go outside and face the enemy in the open plain. All other army commanders were of the opinion that they should remain inside the fort and request reinforcements immediately. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra accepted the opinions of those who said to stay in the fort and disagreed with the advice of Hazrat Khalidra to fight outside the fort.

Thus, the walls were reinforced and the opinion of his commanders was sent to the Khalifa. Hazrat Umarra would never allow himself to forget the difficult situation faced by the Islamic armies in Iraq and Syria which had initially hindered the Islamic victories in the early days of his Khilafat, i.e. the conditions of the early days could be faced now as well. For this reason, Hazrat Umarra ordered for the towns of Kufa and Basrah to be inhabited and it was for this reason that both of these towns contained garrisons for the Muslim army, a place where no non-Muslims resided. Aside from this, from among the other seven towns, each town had a cavalry unit of 4,000, which was fully equipped and always ready for any emergency situations.

Thus, when the letter of Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra reached Hazrat Umarra and he realised that the great commander-inchief was in grave danger, he commanded Hazrat Saadra bin Abi Waqas, “The day you receive this letter, send Qa‘qa‘ bin Amr with reinforcements to Homs on the same day.

Abu Ubaidah is under siege. Ensure the reinforcements reach there as quickly as possible.”

Hazrat Saadra acted on the guidance of the Leader of the Faithful, and on the very day he sent an experienced cavalry unit of 4,000 riders, under the command of Qa‘qa‘ from Kufa to Homs. The situation was so perilous that Qa‘qa‘ taking a 4,000 strong

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 October 2021 cavalry unit was not enough, because the army coming from Jazirah to Homs alone was 30,000; and the army sent by Heraclius to Antioch on boats was in addition to this. Hazrat Umarra knew that his soldiers were contesting in almost every city of Syria. If they left these places and went to Homs, the entire administration of Syria would collapse. For this reason, after giving the order for Qa‘qa‘ to travel from Kufa, Hazrat Umarra also issued several other commands, which exhibited Hazrat Umar’sra foresightedness and wisdom.

The tribes coming from Jazirah to Homs took the brazen step because they thought that their settlements were outside the reach of the Islamic army. If these settlements were attacked, they would retreat and the pressure on Abu Ubaidahra and his army would be relieved. For this reason, in his letter to Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqasra, Hazrat Umarra wrote: “Send an army to Raqqah, (a town in Jazirah), under the command of Suhail bin Adi. The people of Jazirah were the ones who encouraged the Byzantines to attack Homs, and before this, the people of Qarqisiyyah had done the same thing. The second army should go to attack Nasibain under the command of Abdullah bin Itban.

The people residing here incited the people of Qarqisiyyah. After this, go to Haran, the capital of Jazirah and also to Rauha and remove the enemy from there. The third army is to be sent to the Christian Arab tribes of Rabi‘ah and Tanukh residing in Jazirah under the command of Walid bin Uqbah. Also send Iyaz bin Ghanam to this battle in Jazirah. If there is a war, then the other commanders are to serve under the command of Iyaz bin Ghanam.”

Thus, when all of these commanders set off, the tribes of Jazirah lifted the siege of Homs and left. This was Hazrat Umar’sra strategy that instead of gathering one army, different contingents were sent to the places where the enemy army had come from.

Subsequently, when the enemies realised that the Muslims were advancing towards their own towns and settlements, lifted the siege and returned to their areas. Hazrat Umarra did not suffice at this; Hazrat Umarra understood that despite suffering many defeats, Heraclius sent an army via the sea because he had full conviction in his power and he believed that he could fight against the Muslims alone. The biggest proof of this was that the commander-in-chief of the naval fleet from Alexandria was his son, Constantine.

According to Hazrat Umar’sra plan, Qa‘qa‘ bin Amr left with 4,000 horsemen towards Homs. Suhail bin Adi, Abdullah bin Itban, Walid bin Uqbah and Iyaz bin Ghanam left for the northern towns of Jazirah. Hazrat Umarra left for Homs from Medina and stayed in Jabiyah. The people of Jazirah supported the Byzantines in the siege of Homs.

They learned of the Muslim armies’ arrival from Iraq; however, they were not aware of whether the army would attack their city of Jazirah or would attack Homs.

Hence, they returned to their city in order to defend their brothers and abandoned the Byzantines. One day, upon waking up, Abu Ubaidahra learned that the tribes from Jazirah had returned to their country and now only the army of Heraclius remained.

He called the commanders of his army

and said that he wished to go out into the battlefield against the Byzantines. Upon hearing this, Khalidra bin Walid became very happy and said that before the Byzantines could gather themselves amidst the changed circumstances, they should attack them immediately. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra spoke passionately to the soldiers of the army and said, “Muslims! Whoever remains steadfast today and stays alive, will receive property and wealth, and if you are killed, then you will receive the riches of martyrdom. I testify that the Holy Prophetsa has said that whoever dies and is not a disbeliever, they will surely enter Paradise.”

The army was already restless and ready to attack; Abu Ubaidah’sra speech brought about an even greater passion within them and everyone immediately prepared their arms. Hazrat Abu Ubaidahra was leading the army positioned in the centre. Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid was commanding the right flank and Hazrat Abbasra was commanding the left. The two sides battled and within a short amount of time, they

defeated the Byzantines.

When Qa‘qa‘ bin Amr reached Homs with the army from Kufa, it had already been three days since the battle had finished.

On the other hand, Hazrat Umarra had just reached Jabiyah on his way to Syria, when Hazrat Abu Ubaidah’sra messenger met him and informed him that Allah the Almighty had granted the Muslims victory over the Byzantines three days before Qa‘qa‘ even reached Homs. He also asked about whether Qa‘qa‘ and his army should be given a share of the spoils or not. Hazrat Umarra was relieved and after receiving this news, he did not see any need to continue his journey. He wrote a letter from there to the custodian of the nation, Abu Ubaidahra saying that the people of Kufa should be included in the distribution of spoils because the very news of their arrival worried the enemy due to which they suffered defeat. [He said] “May Allah grant a good reward to the people of Kufa for they protect their city and help people from other cities.” Then, he set out towards Medina.

After this defeat, the Byzantine ruler became so disheartened that he never returned to Syria. When the rebels learned that the Byzantine armies had boarded their ships and fled, their rebellion dissipated at the same time. This occurred in 17 AH; three years later in 20 Hijri, the year 641 CE, Heraclius passed away. (Hazrat Umar Farooq A‘zam, Muhammad Husain Haikal, pp. 384-390, 590, Islami Kutub Khana, Lahore) (Sirat Amir-il-Momineen Umarra bin al-Khattab, Al-Salabi, pp. 750-752, AlFurqan Trust, Khangarh Muzaffargarh, Pakistan) (AlFaruq, Shibli Nu‘mani, pp. 134-136, Dar al-Isha‘ah, Karachi, 1991)

These incidents are ongoing, and inshaAllah, will continue in future sermons.

At this time, I wish to mention about some deceased members. The first mention is of Chaudhary Saeed Ahmad Lakhan Sahib, retired station master, who had been living in Canada these days. He passed away at the age of 86. َ ۡ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫و ِإنٓا ِإلي ِه ر‬ ‫ل ِل ِہ‬ ‫ِإنا‬ [“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”]

He was the grandson of Chaudhary Sikandar Ali Sahibra and Hazrat Gujar Bibi Sahibara, companions of the Promised Messiahas. Hazrat Chaudhary Sikandar Ali Sahibra pledged allegiance at the hand of the Promised Messiahas on 30 March 1902.

From 1904 to 1928, he had the opportunity of teaching in Talim-ul-Islam High School.

He was among the pioneer teachers who were appointed during the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas – and Chaudhary Saeed Sahib was his grandson. Chaudhary Saeed Sahib also served the faith whenever he had the opportunity, by the grace of Allah. He was a musi [part of the scheme of Wasiyyat] by the grace of Allah. He is survived by his wife, six sons and three daughters. Due to providing a good upbringing, all of his children are serving the Jamaat in one way or another.

One of his sons, Faheem Ahmad Lakhan, is serving as a missionary in Kenya, and due to being in the field of service, he was unable to attend his father’s funeral. May Allah the Almighty grant him patience and forbearance, and may He treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy.

The deceased had a great deal of honour for his faith. When he was a student, in 1953, he was present at the convention held by the Majlis Ahrar along with other nonAhmadi students. When Ataullah Shah Bukhari raised heinous allegations against the Promised Messiahas and used derogatory language, Saeed Sahib immediately stood up and challenged the cleric and in the middle of his speech, he said to him that he was lying and silenced him. Upon this, the cleric said, “Grab this Mirzai and beat him.”

He was beaten severely; nonetheless, there was a commotion in the gathering owing to which it was suspended. He always advised his children never to be silenced or afraid when it came to Ahmadiyyat.

The second mention is of Muhammad Shahabuddin Sahib, who was the naib amir of Bangladesh. He passed away on 12 July [2021]. َ ۡ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫وإِنٓا إِلي ِه ر‬ ‫ل ِل ِہ‬ ‫إِنا‬ [“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”]

He accepted Ahmadiyyat after seeing a dream in 1964 when he was 18 years old.

He was a musi. He was an enduring

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Friday 22 October 2021 | AL HAKAM

servant of the Jamaat and possessed many great qualities. He was an ardent devotee of Khilafat; he was trustworthy, had a quiet disposition and understood what was best for the benefit of the Jamaat.

Before his demise, he fulfilled all of his dues for Wasiyyat. His eldest son, Shamsuddin Ahmad Masoom Sahib, is a missionary. He is survived by four sons and three daughters. He was influenced by the preaching of his uncle and accepted Ahmadiyyat and had to face a great deal of opposition in his own home, which he endured with patience and steadfastness. In 1963, he endured this opposition for a few months after which he left his home and first went to Brahmanbaria and then Dhaka where he settled. He was later married into an old Ahmadi family. One of his qualities was that he was always content; he knew how to be content even with a small amount while remaining patient and thankful.

Due to his trustworthiness, non-Ahmadi businessmen had a great deal of respect for him and everyone thought of him to be pious and a good businessman in this regard.

May Allah the Almighty grant the deceased His forgiveness and mercy.

The next mention is of Respected Raul Abdullah Sahib from Argentina, who passed away on 6 September [2021]: َ ۡ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫إِنا ل ِل ِہ وإِنٓا إِلی ِه ر‬ [“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”]

The missionary in Argentina writes that he was among the pioneer Ahmadis of the Jamaat in Argentina. The Argentinian Jamaat is quite new and was established only a few years ago. He was first introduced to the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in 2018 at a book fair. When he got in contact with the Jamaat, his non-Ahmadi friends who were Muslims tried to distance him from the Community.

Despite this, however, he continued participating in programmes regularly.

Due to the influence of his friends, he did have some doubts and concerns in his mind. In order to remove them, he attended Jalsa Salana UK. He came here at his own expense and then he also met with me. After this meeting, his doubts and concerns were removed and he became completely certain, and thus did bai‘at. Even before doing bai‘at, he was already an Ahmadi and would preach Ahmadiyyat to others. However, he had not officially done bai‘at, until he came here. He was the only Muslim in his family. Until the very end, his friends tried distancing him from the Jamaat; however, he resolutely remained steadfast upon Ahmadiyyat. He had a great deal of honour for the Jamaat and would always proudly introduce himself as an Ahmadi to those he knew and even those he did not. He would take part in the Jamaat’s programmes with great sincerity and enthusiasm.

May Allah the Almighty grant him His forgiveness and mercy and enable his friends and family to accept Ahmadiyyat.

After the [Friday] prayer, I will offer their funeral prayers in absentia.

(Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 19 October 2021, pp. 5-10.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Historical significance of Al Hakam In 1934, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud

“

Ahmad, Musleh-e-Maudra said: Al Hakam is the

first-ever

newspaper

of the Jamaat and the service it has rendered, as well as Badr in the last years of the Promised Messiahas, can

never again be done by any newspaper even in exchange for millions of rupees.

“I declare that whether Al Hakam survives in its present form or not, its name will forever endure.

No significant work on the Jamaat can be complete without its mention as it carries the history of the Jamaat.”

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