Al Hakam - 8 May 2020

Science, statistics and society The story of a modern coup d’état

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Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif

Early life Truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas – Part II

An eminent figure of the Durand Line Agreement and demarcation Page 6

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Remembering the late Malik Muhammad Akram Sahib

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 8 May 2020 | Issue CXII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

When science becomes a paradox So much is being said in the news and everywhere else about the biological, social and economic harm that coronavirus has inflicted upon human society, but one aspect seems to be constantly ignored: The psychological effects.

Yes, there are discussions around the implications that lockdowns may have had (or already have had) on those suffering from mental health issues, but that is just one side of the whole story and limited to a certain section of the society.

What needs to be analysed is the implication of the whole situation on the collective psyche of the whole human population living in any part of the world.

Few things in history have affected the human population at such a global scale.

When lockdowns were being imposed, it was hard to persuade people to stay at home.

Six weeks down the line and the message has got so deep rooted in everyone’s mind that governments – guided by science as they say – are having to think of ways of persuading people to now safely go back to work. Strong “scientific” evidence suggests that it is now safe to go out cuatiously, but then, there is equally strong “scientific” evidence that it is not.

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

The virtue of fasting Hazrat Sahl ibn Saad, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “In Paradise, there is a gate which is called Rayyan, through which only the people who fast shall enter on the Day of Resurrection. No one else shall enter along with them. It will be proclaimed, ‘Where are the people who fast that they should be admitted into it?’ And when the last of them will enter, it shall be closed and no one will enter it.”

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

A transformation of morals is possible through struggle and prayer Until a person undertakes a struggle and seeks recourse to prayer, the overwhelming weight of ignorance that overtakes the heart cannot be removed. As such, Allah the Exalted has stated: ُ َْ ّ َ ُ َّ َ ّ َ ُ َ ّٰ َ ‫ِإ ّن الل َه لا �ﻐ ِ� ُ� َما ِ�قوْ ٍم َﺣتﻰ �ﻐ ِ� ُ� ْوا َما ِﺑﺄ�ف ِس ِہ ْم‬ Meaning, God Almighty does not dispel the diverse afflictions and calamities that befall a nation until its people themselves do not endeavour to remove them. If there is no determination and courage, how can a transformation be brought about? This is an unchangeable custom of Allah the Exalted, as He states: َ ّٰ َّ َ ‫َولَن ﺗ ِﺠ َﺪ ل ُِسن ِﺔ الل ِه ﺗ ْﺒﺪيْلًا‬ And thou wilt never find a change in the way of Allah.

Therefore, whether it is our community or anyone else, it is only through effort and prayer that a transformation of morals is possible.

There is no other way.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 134)

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

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This Week in History 8 - 14 May In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, this time, with some more details 8 May 1891: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Numanira mentioning that his book Izala-eAuham was being published and that he would stay in Ludhiana for the next couple of months.

8 May 1893: The Promised Messiahas wrote a thorough notification detailing the background of events which led to the decisive debate with the Christian camp under the title of Jang-e-Muqaddas. This announcement for the general public probably carried for the first time the name of the community as “Firqa-eAhamadiyya”.

8 May 1893: Riaz-e-Hind Press Amritsar published an Urdu book of the Promised Messiahas, Hujjatul-Islam (Proof of Islam). In it, the whole correspondence that passed between the Promised Messiahas and Dr Clark is published. In this book, the Promised Messiahas also narrated one of his visions about Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, that the Maulvi would withdraw from his writ of blasphemy issued against the Promised Messiahas. This prophecy came true when the Maulvi did come forward to join in mubahala (prayer duel) against the Promised Messiahas, to which all Muslim scholars were invited. The second time it came true was when, in the era of the first Khalifat, in a sworn statement in a Gujranwala Court, Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra said that Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi acknowledged that the followers of the Promised Messiahas belonged to a sect of Islam.

8 May 1898: The Promised Messiahas informed his zealous companion Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra, through a short letter that he had received 100 rupees.

9 May 1891: The Promised Messiahas sent a letter to Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala about a proposed debate. Hazrat Ahmadas highlighted the fact that his claim of being the Messiah was directly linked to the death of Jesus Christ. If Maulvi Sahib had proven the life of Jesus Christ through concrete arguments from the Holy Quran, then, he stipulated, Huzoor’s entitlement of Messiah would become idle at once.

9 May 1904: The Promised Messiahas was in Gurdaspur, where two Hindu chiefs from Dinanagar met him. Hazrat Ahmadas was sitting under the shadow of some trees when these noble guests approached him and showed their respect and reverence for Huzooras. They shared their increasing fears and high concerns about the ongoing scale of the plague with Huzooras, aside from asking various question.

10 May 1885: The Promised Messiahas wrote an answer to a question of Mr Ram Charan, who

happened to be a member of the Arya Samaj chapter of Akbarabad. This insightful and astute piece was published through an issue of Akhbar Aam on this date. Hazrat Ahmadas briefed this person about the philosophy of the creation of Satan and widespread sins in the world.

10 May 1888: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Mirza Ahmad Baig about a certain matter of his private life, but Mirza Nizamuddin got it published in a newspaper, Nur Afshaan, a staunch representative of Christians in those times.

10 May 1897: Mr Husain Kami, Vice-Consul of Turkey, came to Qadian on this date and met the Promised Messiahas. He had a private interview with Huzooras and requested him to make a particular supplication for the Sultan of Turkey and also desired to know what was destined for him in future in the heavenly decree. Hazrat Ahmadas told him in very clear words, “The government of the Sultan is not in a good position and through my vision, I do not find his advisors to be in a good position either.” Huzooras added that in his belief, the consequences would not be good.

11 May 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. Aside from mentioning the local weather of Qadian and other matters of common interest in the letter e.g. the propagation of Islam, Hazrat Ahmadas shared his knowledge about the local fruits of Kashmir, as Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra was residing in Kashmir in those months.

11 May 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote a touching letter to his devout companion, Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira sharing his adamant and humble efforts about the installation of a printing facility in Qadian to smoothly publish the treasure troves without unnecessary delays.

Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira, compiler of these letters, added a brief history of the printing press installed in Qadian.

11 May 1888: The Promised Messiahas went to Batala for medical treatment of his ailing son, Bashir Awal [the first]. It was 28 Shaban of the Islamic calendar, and so Hazrat Ahmadas indicated in his letter that he might have to spend the coming month of Ramadan in the residence of Nabi Bakhsh Zeldar situated near the entrance of Batala.

11 May 1889: The Promised Messiahas wrote a detailed letter to Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmadra, an ardent follower and admirer from Kapurthala.

In it, Hazrat Ahmadas guided him about the realm of spirituality and worshipping. Huzooras showed him diverse avenues to gain the personal love and bounties of Allah. This companion mentioned that he was shown Hazrat Umarra, the second

Khalifa of the Prophet Muhammadsa, in a dream.

Faith inspiringly, this dream’s interpretation was manifested twice. Firstly, when he accepted and joined the Promised Messiahas because God informed Huzooras in a revelation, “You have the essence of Faruq”, and secondly, when Hazrat Munshi Sahibra witnessed the blessed era of the second caliph of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, who was also called Fazl-eUmar in a revelation.

11 May 1897: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra updating him about the construction of a portion of his house in Qadian.

11 May 1897: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira. In it, Hazrat Ahmadas directed him to pray fervently for the ease in a situation he was facing and perform istikhara, asking divine help and guidance for the matters of importance.

12 May 1888: The Promised Messiahas sent another letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira from Batala, updating him about the health of his ailing son, Bashir. In this letter, Hazrat Ahmadas also graciously praised the poetic sense of Hazrat Munshi Sahib as he had sent some of his poetic compositions to his master.

12 May 1896: The Promised Messiahas wrote a caring letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira about the treatment of his ailing maternal cousin Mian Abdur Rahman Sahib. Hazrat Ahmadas showed great concern for this ailing gentleman and indicated to utilise the prescriptions of his late father, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza, who happened to be an accomplished and skilled physician of his time.

12 May 1898: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira. In it, Hazrat Ahmadas expressed his surprise that one of his own hand-written postcards could not reach its destination. Moreover, Huzooras encouraged him to increase his faith regarding the acceptance of prayers, indicating a recent event experienced by Munshi Sahib.

12 May 1905: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra. In it, Hazrat Ahmadas shared that he intended to remain in a temporary settlement arranged in a nearby garden for the coming few weeks, owing to the plague and the earthquake.

14 May 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karimra of Sialkot.

Hazrat Ahmadas addressed him in the letter with his previous name of Mian Karim Bakhsh, which was later changed by the Promised Messiahas as Abdul Karim.

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM the British – for them to stay apart. Now that they want the public to get back to work, the safe distance is now down to one metre and there is the moderate group of great minds claiming that normal personal space should suffice for safety.

With such conflicting statements, the global human population feels Many countries are soon to bring lockdown to an end, stranded in the middle leaving many questioning the move as cases continue of nowhere. They don’t to appear want to stay home, but they are too afraid of Continued from page 1 going out; they have bought various types of masks, but are still not confident as to which There is scientific research proving type works better (or if any of them even that the elderly, with no underlying health work at all). Home schooling is no longer conditions, can sensibly decide whether it is working, but sending children to school okay for them to be out and about, but then leaves them feeling potentially exposed to there is research (scientific again) that says the deadly coronavirus. that they remain vulnerable, regardless of No one can say for certain if this paranoia health conditions. was an objective of governments all along or Scientific data is there to convince if it just happens to emerge as a byproduct. parents that it is absolutely safe to send Whatever the case, it is very much children back to school, but there is an there and either way, it always has been a equal amount of data (scientific again) that major strategy of political leaders to control sending them to school could push the human population with instilling fear deep infamous R rate shoot exponentially. into their minds.

Masks, some scientists say, help prevent This tool has always worked. It worked the wearer from passing the virus on to for Hitler, it worked for Mossulini and we others, while others (of similar or the same have now seen it work for leaders of our credentials) are of the opinion that they help times. in catching it as well while there is a group Science was never so paradoxical. Or (of equal calibre in qualification) insisting maybe it was and we never saw it that way. that they are of no use at all.

The world has no one to turn to.

When the governments allowed two Fortunate are those who know where to individuals from different households to head, whom to seek help from and whom to meet outside, the safe distance was said to be ask deliverance from this misery. two metres – according to governments like

َّ َ ّ ْ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ ٰ‫الت ْقوى‬ ‫وتعاونوا ﻋلﻰ ال�ِ�ِ و‬ ْ َ ْ ْ َ َ ُْ َ َ َ َ​َ ْ ُ َ ‫ان‬ ِ ‫ولا تعاونوا ﻋلﻰ ال ِإﺛ ِم والعﺪو‬ And help one another in righteousness and piety; but help not one another in sin and transgression The Holy Quran - 5:3

Food pantry by Humanity First Willingboro Daoud Chattha Humanity First Disaster Relief Team

Humanity First Willingboro is known for their monthly food pantry, which has now been running steadily for 10 years. Despite difficult times, they are still striving to serve humanity as much as they can.

I had the opportunity to speak with Waqas Asghar Sahib, former Regional Qaid for East Region and a volunteer himself, and interviewed him on the pantry’s origins and their distribution on 18 April 2020.

Waqas Asghar Sahib said: “Alhamdolillah, we started this food pantry about 10 years ago. There were a few notable pioneers who should be credited with the starting of our work. Back then, I was serving as the Regional Qaid, under the banner of Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya. The idea came from Suleman Sheikh Sahib, who shared the idea with me. I asked Osman Kwabena, who went to the food bank of South Jersey to register our food pantry. After fulfilling their basic requirements, they came to our mosque to offer basic training and conduct inspections before registering us under their food bank.

We were then approved under state level.

“After running successfully for 6 to 7 months, the Willingboro food pantry got

promoted to the federal programme. With the federal programme, the cost of the goods was much cheaper, some being free, and the food would be immediately delivered to the mosque. We were approved for perishable food as well, such as uncanned fruits.

“Six to seven years ago, Humanity First took over the pantry and spent money for a fridge, freezer, racks, and more supplies.

Through their investment, the pantry got much more popularity and increased success.

“A few volunteers were key in the beginning for our success. These included Suleman Sheikh Sahib and his wife, Surriaya Suleman Sahiba, who came up with the initial idea. Also, Bilal Malik Sahib was Qaid Majlis at the time and Sharaz Sayed Sahib was another important volunteer. Most notably, Tahir Sayed Sahib and Jameela Sayed Sahiba are an old couple who have been with the pantry since the start. They are the backbone of the pantry and continue to support us up to this day. In-charge now is Munawar Saqib Sahib. I am a volunteer myself.

“Initially when we started, we distributed work with the three auxiliaries of the Jamaat.

Khuddam were responsible for picking up the food and setting up. Lajna distributed the food on the day of the pantry and did

the required paperwork. Ansar would be supporting financially.

“Now, we hold the pantry once a month, on every third Saturday. The procedure is as follows: “We place the order online two weeks before the pantry. The Wednesday before the pantry the delivery comes. This time, on 18 April 2020, we had 5,000 pounds of food.

Volunteers then come to gather everything, put it inside the mosque, and arrange the food in freezers, racks, etc. They manage the inventory as well. This time, because of the extra demand, we requested additional items, which was approved but we had to pick up the extra 2,700 pounds ourselves.

On the afternoon of Friday, 17 April, we started packaging. There were 25 volunteers who put three hours each to prepare 100 packs of canned fruits, vegetables, etc. We gave five bags to each family – one with eggs, one with fruits and vegetables, one with toilet paper and other supplies, one with rice and more food and the last included frozen butter, cheese and chicken. We prepared half of it Friday evening and the frozen food we started at 9am on Saturday, 18 April. 32 volunteers came on Saturday. We started distribution at 11am, but people started lining up at 9am and by 11am, there were about 60 cars. We continued distribution

until 3pm. We gave food to 90 families, amounting to almost 7,000 pounds of food.

To wrap up for the day, we broke all the boxes and loaded them onto a truck for recycling and cleaned the premises. Lunch was served to all the volunteers.

“One thing we had to deal with was the extra demand. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we had 90 families – usually we have around 40-45. We also gave them more food than we usually give them.

Additionally, all the volunteers were keeping distance, wearing masks and gloves. Usually the families pick up food themselves. This time however, to avoid any interaction, the families stayed in the car while we delivered directly to them, putting it in the trunk, etc.

That also made a lot of extra work for us.

“Additionally, on 21 April 2020, Humanity First Willingboro had another food pantry where they distributed 19,000 pounds of food. In total, from 21 March to 21 April, they had five food pantries and served over 50,000 pounds of food. May God bless them for their work. Amin.”

To learn more about these projects and how you can become part of it or contribute in humanitarian work, visit us at: http://usa.humanityfirst.org

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Science, statistics and society The story of a modern coup d’état

Asif M Basit

In the last few weeks – now slowly turning into months – everyone around the world has had a set of words and terms cross their ears. “The curve”; “the peak”; “flattening of the curve”; “bending the curve”; “quarantine”; “self-isolation”. Why viewers and readers of news have not yet got bored of the excessive use of these terms is because all of these are uttered at a time when everyone clings to their television screens in the hope of getting the good news of lockdowns being relaxed; the decision of which is said to rely on the facts related to these terms. But the one term we all get to hear in connection with the rest can be called their mother-term: “guided by the science”.

Every politician in the world at the forefront of coronavirus discussions has used the term “guided by the science” numerous times when informing the public of their action plan against the deadly virus. And “every politician” here does actually, truly, unexaggeratedly mean “every” politician and leader of the world; from the most rogue and nonsensible to the relatively less nonsensible, the well informed and educated ones to the least bothered and ignorant, from religious ones to non-religious ones – all leaders claim to be following “the science” in the process of decision making.

With every decision of these world politicians being referred to the science, it has started to appear as if we are no longer ruled by our democratically elected

politicians; rather big-headed, unrelenting and generally stubborn dictators have also given way for “the science” to rule their land. Scientists owe this coup and their subsequent newfound rule of the world not to armies, not to military warfare, not to rebellion, but to a virus so tiny that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Just like their benefactor, the rule of scientists has swept across the globe, through political borders and geographical boundaries so silently and so smoothly that no one even realised that a revolution has taken place. Such a coup would normally not be called a “bloody” revolution, but let’s stay away from the term for now as some shades of its meaning are too tempting in the given situation.

Not that leaders of all types are following the science, but what is ironical is that they all seem to be receiving some type of advice to suit their needs and agendas.

We were always told that for something to be scientific meant that it remains the same across the board, but it turns out that this is not the case. How is it that the World Health Organisation (WHO) – seen as representative of scientific advice in terms of health – holds the opinion that face masks are of no use, Germany is told that they are one of the most effective weapons in this war and the UK is advised – by the same science – that they are recommended for one group of people and not the other?

A whole jumble of jargon has also been heaped on the innocent audience – generally called the general public – the

meaning of only some of which we have now started to understand: The R rate, the pathogen, the antigen, herd immunity and many more.

But again, while science is expected to have a single definition for a certain notion, there seem to be varying meanings flying around. Where the R invariably stands for “reproduction” rate of the virus, what constitutes for it to be within the safe-water mark seems too variable. Some countries were told by the science that one was encouraging, Germany was told 0.7 was and UK leadership awaits a signal from scientists.

Social-distancing is understood by the UK scientists to mean two metres apart, WHO thinks one is enough while other scientific bodies see coughs and sneezes having a range of up to eight metres. But all these differing opinions come from the same source: The goddess of science.

With all world leaders blindly following this varying, conflicting and selfcontradictory advice, it is now confirmed that the coup d’état has happened, has seen its peak and is now stubbornly refusing to recede; quite contrary to the curve of the deadly (or deadlier) virus.

The army that has backed science in this coup d’état is that of statistics. Every day, when politicians present themselves to their nations in press briefings, they have a scientist and a statistician by their side, the statistician to fuel the bold but wavering strides of the scientist. The statistics are shown on charts and graphs for the public to comprehend how bad the outbreak has got (and how directly proportional the government’s response has been).

The problem with statistics is the same as that with science. By the time we can understand a certain graph, e.g. how good or bad a country is doing in terms of new infections, we are told that this ought not to be judged against “this” axis but actually against “that” axis.

If the public feels slightly happy about the number of deaths falling, and that too on a promising slope, they are told by statisticians that this graph only shows the number of deaths in hospitals and, hence, does not paint the true picture. So, we are told, the number of deaths in all other settings has now been added. As if with a magical touch, the country that seemed to be doing better than many turns out to be the second worst in the world, worst in Europe, and third worst or fourth worst in

some other regions, in some other regard on some other scale, on some other graph.

But we still sit and eagerly wait for these statisticians; we still tune in at the set time and still choose to believe what we are told; our thoughts and emotions going up and down with the colourful lines that depict bleak numbers. There isn’t much we can do anyway, but to believe.

At the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, when these briefings first started, viewers were told for many days that “such and such number of people have died in the last 24 hours”. Jaws would drop and hearts sink by just imagining 800 or so persons, in just one country, in just one day being wiped off the face of the earth by the deadly virus! This was when they wanted everyone to strictly follow the stayat-home instruction. They got it done.

Then came the next phase when scientists saw the vaccine coming out nowhere in near future but, at the same time, the economy falling to tatters.

Something had to be done. Herd immunity could be one option so they fed this advice to both the puppets – the politicians and the media – to change the statement from “… have died in the last 24 hours” to “… deaths reported in the last 24 hours”.

Without us knowing, the needle of our emotions was adjusted at a slightly better mark. The fear of “black death” lurking the streets, ready to stab anyone that came its way, turned into it hiding behind corners that one could cautiously walk past and avoid becoming its victim.

When science felt the need to inject fear directly the into veins of society, their statements would say, “Such and such number of those who died in the last 24 hours had no underlying conditions”. Later, when they wanted to reduce the potency of fear in our daily dose, the statement was altered to, “Such and such number of those that are reported to have died in the last 24 hours had no known underlying conditions”. The whole picture changed colours.

When the government suggested that it was immensely important to send children back to school, “the science” suddenly found a “new syndrome in children linked to coronavirus”. Statisticians, like any good courtier, were quick enough to come up with a scary number of children with the infection, diagnosed within a terrifyingly short timeframe. As soon as governments took heed and backed off from considering

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM opening schools, the numbers were made to appear small and the span of diagnosis was spread over a less-scary number of days.

So here we have a society ruled by “the science” and its operations run by the its truly-yours statistics.

The problem is that the public had got used to politicians that changed goalposts as and when it suited them.

They were no longer credible. The public had also become wary of religion for its “non-scientific” approach, for its “lack of scientific evidence” and for its “dogmatic rigidity”. They had learned to live in a world that strongly believed in science because they believed that science is the only provable, tangible and progressive reality. They were told that for science – and for statistics for that matter – two plus two would always equal four.

But then came the outbreak of coronavirus ensued by the coup of science.

And with it came, for the general public across the world, the shocking realisation that science is not only about formulae but it too has variable doctrines; that these varying doctrines can turn into rigid dogmas as and when “the science” wants things to go its way; that two and two is usually four, but science and statistics can suggest that it is five or six when it so suits them.

Even the most trusted media outlets shattered the trust that the public had in them. In the scientist’s agenda of drilling fear and paranoia into public psyche, news channels showed ICU staff – three or four on each side of the bed – struggling to flip a ventilated patient on his chest; pipes and cords hanging from every part of the body.

The scenes were repeatedly shown on television screens, ensuring that they got properly indoctrinated into the viewers’ minds. What they never mentioned was that this is usually what is done to any patient that ends up on an invasive ventilator.

It took weeks before they started to show patients walking back home on their own two feet. All this, to support the scientific advice that the virus is deadly and the minimum havoc it can wreak is to escort one to the ventilator; nothing less.

Over centuries, mankind lost faith in religion and started to believe in science; then it lost faith in politicians, then in bureaucracy and then in social structures.

Why? Because the goddess of science asked for this sacrifice. But now, this goddess has turned masochist and seems to be breaking its own bits and pieces apart; its shards piercing, once again, through human belief system.

Science has done a lot of good to humanity. It has played a very important role in making the modern world so productive and efficient. But while playing chess with human society, the pieces of science have tried to move into lines where they do not belong. Some moves have been against the rules.

Now is the time for science to stop and redefine its course. Now is the time for people to regain faith and place it where it belongs.

Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan serving the nation at this critical hour with love Nazarat-e-Umur-e-Ama Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, Pakistan

“Love for all, hatred for none”. This is the motto that compels us to serve our beloved homeland at this critical hour.

The Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan continues to help serve the country during the difficult time and lockdown. We are always there to serve the nation and believe

that compassion and love are the most important part of our approach.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in Pakistan, the community has: • Distributed 72,400,000 rupees worth of ration packs to 23,767 disadvantaged homes as well as 7,500,000 rupees worth of cash to those most in need • Provided 576,110 rupees worth of medicines to 31,476 homes • Distributed over 77,000 bottles of hand sanitiser, 6,686 face masks and 8,084 bars of soap • Donated 600 PPE suits to frontline medical workers • Disseminated 71,032 coronavirus awareness leaflets • Donated 3,000,000 rupees to the Prime Minister’s Coronavirus Relief Fund and have pledged to donate a further 5,000,000 rupees • Thousands of young Ahmadis have

also registered for the Prime Minister’s coronavirus relief force • Disinfected all of Rabwah’s residential areas and roads, public offices, worship places of other sects including Christian neighbourhoods and churches with chlorinated water As ever, the Ahmadiyya Community has always endeavoured to help and assist Pakistan in its moments of need and will always continue to do so, and no amount of hatred or hostility will ever stop us in this.

Love for our country is a part of our faith and because of that, we are ever ready to sacrifice anything for Pakistan.

We believe that sooner or later our beloved people in Pakistan will have to decide what type of a nation we will become; one that is compassionate and believe in love or one that believe in hate and discrimination. No matter what anyone tells you, love prevails over hate, every time!

Virtual Ramadan with non-Muslims in Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent

With the start of Ramadan, Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Canada has launched a national campaign by the name of “Virtual Ramadan”.

The intent of this campaign was to allow Canadians – primarily non-Muslims – an opportunity to learn about the blessings of Ramadan “virtually”. Furthermore, it allowed Canadians to participate with their fellow Muslim friends and neighbours, and experience how to start, keep and break a fast, right from the comfort of their homes.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting need for social distancing, this was a creative way for Canadians to experience Ramadan.

On 27 April, one such event was held in the city of Abbotsford, in the province of British Columbia, reports the President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Abbotsford, Rizwan Peerzada Sahib.

Abbotsford is a city located on the Trans Canada Highway, in the province of British Columbia. It is adjacent to the Canada-US border, Greater Vancouver, and the Fraser River. Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sto:lo Nation, and an estimated population of 141,397, it is the largest municipality in the province after Vancouver.

Abbotsford’s organising committee decided to host virtual Ramadan by uniting leaders and members from across the province of British Columbia and Territory of Yukon. Eleven cities were united in this event including, Whitehorse, Prince George, Vernon, Kelowna, Victoria, Squamish, Delta, North Vancouver, Surrey, Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

Social media was the principal mode to spread the word of this event. A Facebook

campaign worked with 8,900 accounts, while LinkedIn catered to 6,833 accounts.

The event was reported on and promoted by local CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio and TV station.

The programme started at 6pm as a Zoom-Webinar (with a live stream on YouTube), with recitation of the Holy Quran

by Mirza Naveed Sahib, Qaid Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Abbotsford. President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Abbotsford, Rizwan Peerzada Sahib gave the welcoming remarks.

Missionary of the British Columbia, Umair Khan Sahib then delivered a presentation on the topic of Ramadan.

Following this, 22 non-Ahmadi dignitaries participated live throughout the programme and shared their thoughts about Ramadan and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, including: 1. Deputy Mayor City of Abbotsford, Councillor Dave F Loewen 2. Federal Member of Parliament, Hon Sukh Dhaliwal 3. Minister of Labour BC Legislative Assembly, Hon Harry Bains 4. Member BC Legislative Assembly, Mrs Jinny Sims 5. Councillor City of Kelowna, Mohini Singh 6. Councillor City of Abbotsford, Kelly Chahal 7. City of Abbotsford, Councillor Sandy Blue 8. Chief of Police Abbotsford, Chief Constable Mike Serr 9. Minister of Whitehorse United Church, Reverend Beverly Brazier 10. Interfaith Assembly Yukon Chair, Mr Stuart Clark 11. Hindu Faith Representative Prince George, Dr Pranesh Kumar 12. Baha’i Faith Representative Prince

George, Ms Charlotte Wenninger 13. Member Victoria Sikh Temple, Mr Ajit Singh 14. Anglican Church of Victoria, The Venerable Dr Dawna Wall 15. Communications & Development Interfaith Victoria, Ms Beth Gibson 16. Chair Interfaith Kelowna, Mr Gordon Oliver 17. Poet and interfaith activist, Gian Singh Kotli 18. Presenting President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Abbotsford, Mr Carson Noftle 19. Former Vice President Multifaith Action Society, Ms Sukhvinder Vinning 20. Ambassador Reconciliation Canada, Chief Dr Robert Joseph, OBC., OC 21. Okanagan First Nation (Vernon), Chief Bryon Loius 22. Cheam First Nation Chilliwack, Chief Andrew Victor Naib Amir Canada, Chaudhary Abdul Bari Sahib and Amir British Columbia, Naeem Ahmad Lakhan Sahib also joined the conference and highlighted the blessings of Ramadan. The virtual Ramadan ended with silent prayer.

340 viewers watched it on YouTube, while another 140 joined the Zoom conference. The total estimated viewership is between 500 to 600, as many attended with their families. Participants were identified from multiple cities in three countries; US cities of Chicago, Los Angles; Canadian cities of Calgary, Greater Toronto, Surrey, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Terrace, Edson, Edmonton, Alberta, Winnipeg; and UK city of London were present.

May Allah accept our humble efforts, and bless us with his Mercy. Amin.

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif An eminent figure of the Durand Line Agreement Click here to view the complete research and documents pertaining to this research

Abu Hamdan Pakistan Khost, Afghanistan was the city in which Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheedra was born.

His birth-place was in a village called Syedgah. His family genealogy belonged to the sacred saint Hazrat Ali Hajverirh, commonly known as Data Ganj Bakhshrh, whose tomb is situated in Lahore, Pakistan.

Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif ’sra ancestors may have moved from Iran to Saharanpur (India) and thereafter moved to Syedgah. (The Martyr, Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra by Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA, p. 80) The family was very well established in Afghanistan, possessing around 30,000 acres of land. (BA Rafiq, The Afghan Martyrs, The tragic tale of the first martyrs of Ahmadiyyat in Kabul, Afghanistan) Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra was an eminent scholar and academic of his times undoubtedly. A learned scholar of the Quran, hadith, Islamic jurisprudence and a man who deeply understood the philosophies of religion. As a very well established and accepted scholar, he would be the judge of disputes amongst his locality and was considered a credible figure in Afghanistan.

His followers and students numbered up to 50,000 (Frank A Martin, Under the Absolute Amir). He would often travel to India for the pursuit of knowledge and he happened to visit Amritsar and stayed there for around three years, learning hadith. On another journey, he travelled to Lucknow, India and studied under many great scholars of his time. (Ibid)

After studying with the renowned scholars of India and returning to Syedgah, Hazrat Sahibzada Sahibra soon became quite famous due to his spiritual and logical approach towards Islamic teachings. The amir of Afghanistan always graded him with honour and respect. At one occasion, the amir expressed, “I wish there were one or two other scholars like you in Afghanistan.”(The Vernacular Newspapers of Punjab,1903) Other than the amir, there were numerous renowned persons among the Afghans who were from among his students. One of them was the Governor of Khost Province, Shirindil Khan.

Shirindil was a paternal uncle of the Amir, Abdur Rahman. He also had great love and respect for Hazrat Sahibzada Sahibra and on many expeditions, he kept him close-by for consultation and guidance.

Martyrdom The honoured Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheedra accepted Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, and was brutally martyred due to his firm faith in him.

The book, Peaceful Conqueror of Baluchistan ascribes his martyrdom to the beliefs of Hazrat Ahmadas, which Abdul Latifra accepted and supposedly would injure the political spectrum of Afghanistan: “… if his preaching was listened to, it would upset Muhammadenism and as he preached that Mussalmans must regard Christians as brothers and not as infidels,

this would render useless the Amir’s chief weapon, Jihad [religious war] in case of English or Russian aggression.” (Sir Robert Groves Sandeman, Peaceful Conqueror of Baluchistan, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) In turn, Hazrat Sahibzada Sahibra was imprisoned at Kabul. The amir himself could not find anything wrong with him, nor did his brother Nasrullah Khan ever.

Nevertheless, “a jury of twelve of the most learned moullahs was convened, and even their examination of the accused elicit nothing”. (Iftikhar Ahmad Yousafzai and Himayatullah Yaqubi, The Durand Line: Its Historical, Legal and Political Status) However, the amir again sent him to the “mullahs” (Muslim religious clerics) saying that they should sign an edict (fatwa) declaring him an infidel and worthy of death. Again “the majority of the moullahs made affirmation that he was innocent of anything against their religion but two of the moullahs” gave their verdict against him and so, he was stoned to death.

Many newspapers published this tragic news about the murder of this innocent soul. Some of them include the following.

Punjab Samachar, Lahore, 15 August 1903 “Some time back, Mulla Latif, who owned a jagir in the Bannu district and had considerable influence with the amir, prepared to start on a pilgrimage to Mecca and received 1,000 rupees from Habibullah Khan towards the expenses of the journey.

After leaving home, however, he went to Qadian, where his feelings were so worked

upon by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad that he gave up the idea of going to Mecca and decided to become a preacher of the Ahmadi faith.

When the amir heard of this, he sent for the mullah and gave him to understand that the Mirza’s followers had been driven out of the pale of Islam, with the ulema of Mecca and Medina having issued fatwas to that effect. The man was given some time to rectify the mistake committed by him; but he would not change his mind in the belief that ‘the Promised Messiah’ would avert any coming injury.”

The Sialkot Paper, 7 September 1903 “About the tragic end of Mulla Abdul Latif of Ghazni … that the following two questions naturally suggest themselves on hearing the sentence passed against the Mulla:—Is it right to kill an innocent person? Should change of religion be punished with death? The Editor then proceeds to remark that the subjects of the British Government enjoy perfect liberty in the matter of religion. It does not stone to death or blow from guns those who profess other than the State religion.

Not infrequently, vernacular papers indulge in scurrilous and unbecoming remarks against Jesus Christ, yet the Government never punishes the offenders in this respect with a sentence of death.

There is, however, nothing surprising in the despotic Government of the Amir punishing heresy in so terrible a manner.

The writer concludes by remarking that the above reasons lead him to pray for the stability of British rule.”

Siraj-ul-Akhbar, Jehlum , 24 August

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM 1903 “A respectable family of Sahibzadas, who own some land in the Bannu District, had settled at Khost in Afghanistan during the time of the late Amir Abdur Rahman.

One of the members of this family, Maulvi Abdul Latif, after receiving his religious education in India, represented the Afghan Government in the last Boundary Commission and was subsequently appointed Chief Maulvi at Kabul. Last winter, the Maulvi left his home, with the permission of Amir Habibullah Khan, to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Instead, however, of proceeding to the holy city, Maulvi Abdul Latif went to stay at Qadian with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and became his disciple. On his return home, after a lapse of two or three months, the Maulvi sent the Mirza’s writings, together with his own views on them, to Sardar Nasarullah Khan for perusal. The step brought a squad of 12 soldiers from Kabul to convey him [news] for trial before the Afghan Maulvis for heresy. The latter, failing to persuade Abdul Latif to recant his religious beliefs, sentenced him to be stoned to death. The deceased’s family also has been conducted to Kabul under arrest, their personal effects being confiscated to the State.”

Fulfilment of prophecies “Before being led away from the Amir’s presence to be killed, the moullah prophesied that a great calamity would overtake the country.” (Tales of Travel, Marquess Curzon) So, the day he was stoned to death, that very night at 9pm, a great storm appeared with violence and lasted up to half an hour.

It was quite unusual, “so the people said that this was the passing of the soul of moullah”.

This was then followed by the cholera outbreak and “this was also regarded as part of the fulfilment of the moullahs’ prophecy”. And the amir and the prince started fearing due to this. The cholera outbreak and the amir’s reaction was reported by eminent newspapers as well.

The Civil and Military Gazette reported: “The Amir has returned from his summer quarters at Paghman to Kabul.

He is said to be paying much attention to the sanitation of the city, where several cases resembling cholera have recently occurred” (Civil and Military Gazette, 16 July 1903) Later that month, the paper noted, “Cholera continues prevalent in Eastern Afghanistan. The Afghan Government has established quarantine stations to endeavor to keep it out of Kabul. The Amir is still in Kabul but has kept his family to his summer residence at Paghman” (Civil and Military Gazette, 28 July 1903) Durand Line Agreement Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Afghan officials were quite concerned about their external borders, starting from its border with Russia. After the successful settlement of Russo-Afghan borders, Amir Abdur Rahman turned his focus towards the Indian border.

For this he writes to the British officials, “Having settled my boundaries with all my other neighbours [Persia, China and

Russia], I thought it necessary to set out the boundaries between my country and India, so that the boundary line should be definitely marked out around my dominions, as a strong wall of protection.”

General Roberts As a result of this, in 1892, the then Viceroy of India appointed General Robert to go to Kabul for the settlement.

But the amir was not happy with the appointment of General Robert, as “He considered him a hardliner general because of his role in large

scale massacre during the second AngloAfghan war. The memories of the Afghans’ defeat at his hand were still fresh in their minds.”(Iftikhar Ahmad Yousafzai and Himayatullah Yaqubi, The Durand Line: Its Historical, Legal and Political Status) The amir had a very satirical conversation about General Robert with the next Viceroy of India, Curzon (18981905) upon his visit to Kabul in 1895. Her Majesty the Queen had invited the amir to pay a visit to Great Britain, and the dialogue between both the Amir and Curzon can be read in the images below. (Tales of Travel, Marquess Curzon) In 1893, Sir Mortimer Durand, a secretary of the British Indian government, was appointed for the aforementioned b o u n d a r y settlement with Afghanistan. The agreement took place between Durand and Abdur Rahman Khan, the Amir, or ruler, of Afghanistan. It was signed on 12 November 1893 in Kabul.

A 1,640-mile border was supposed to be demarcated.

SM Durand It was an effective agreement; “the misunderstandings and disputes which were arising about these Frontier matters were put to an end, and after the boundary had been marked out according to the above-mentioned agreements by the Commissioners of both governments, a general peace and harmony reigned which I pray God may continue forever’. (“The Pathans”, Journal of the Royal Society of Arts) After the agreement was signed, formal commissions were formed from either sides.

Boundary Commissions The British were represented by Sir Mortimer Durand and Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum of Topi, a political agent of the Khyber Agency on behalf of the British Viceroy and Governor General.

In addition to these two, there were some other names involved in this demarcation, which included: • JS Donald CIE, Officer on Special Duty Kurram • Commissioner and Superintendent, Peshawar Division • CL Tupper Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab • Said Shah, (Probably Syed Chan Badshah), to build a pillar at Lora Khula • Lieutenant Colonel JB Hutchinson Commissioner • Superintendent Derajat Division.

• HA Anderson • L White King • Captain Macmahon • Babu Hira Singh The Afghan side was represented by a former governor of Khost Shirindil Khan and Sahibzada Abdul Latif, who was a very close and trusted agent of the governor and

amir.

Some other names involved in the demarcation from the Afghan side were: • Dad Muhammad Khan Hakim of Chakmannis • Muhammad Amin Khan • Kiramat Khan • Mir Afzal Khan • Khwaja Mir Khan • Pir Muhammad Khan Daffadar • Malik Ghulam Muhammad • Najam ul Din • Ghulam Haider Khan (appointed by the amir to demarcate beyond Peiwar Kotal) Some official correspondence (telegrams) of the Durand Line demarcation show that there had been many disputes during the demarcation process, mainly because of the wrong marking of the demarcation areas. Sometimes, it was the wrong marking and most of the times, it appears to be the language barrier (while translating from English to Persian/Dari and vice versa).

A trusted agent While talking about an issue regarding the Kharlachi Dam, the British Officer, JS Donald wrote to Shirindil Khan, the Governor of Khost, dated 17 June 1894: “You said verbally on the 12th and 13th June 1894 and again to-day your agents Sahibzada Latif Jan and Dad Muhammad Khan, Hakim of the Chakmannis, have stated that you have no power to do the demarcation beyond the Peiwar Kotal” Shirindil replied on 18 June 1894: “My friend Sahibzada (Latif Jan) and Dad Muhammad Khan came and told me that under my instructions they had been to Mr Donald’s camp and told him that Ghulam Haider Khan Commander In Chief had been nominated by the Amir to do the demarcation beyond Peiwar Kotal” Dispute about the originality of maps On 28 July 1894, JS Donald wrote to Shirindil Khan: “On the morning of the 27th instant Sahibzada Latif Jan, and agent of the Sardar’s and his right-hand man in connection with demarcation operations, returned with my letter and said that the Sardar was puzzled at my having asked so many questions, that the disposition of his highness the Amir was “Barik” [delicate], and that his highness would be very much offended at the sight of so many questions and answers. The Sahibzada went on to say that the Sardar would be obliged if I could put my questions in a simple form, so that he may understand them. That though my questions may be clear enough in the English language, some of them had no meaning when rendered into Persian.

“After consultation with the Sahibzada, I drew up another set of three [questions that were submitted]. The Sahibzada seemed to be pleased with these as he thought the Sardar would understand them better. As the purport of most of the 20 questions is contained in these three questions, I did not see much difference

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

8 myself in the two sets of questions, but as the second set pleased the Sahibzada, I told him he might take away both sets and after comparing them carefully see if he could discover any great difference.”

On 24 September 1894; the British Officer JS wrote again to Shirindil Khan, the Governor of Khost: “I have the honor to submit copies (with translations) of letters dated 21st September 1894, addressed by me to Sardar Shirindil Khan on receipt of Government of India, Foreign Department, telegram No. 2140 F., dated 20th September 1894, of which I also send a copy.

“One of these letters was sent by me to the Sardar on the morning of the 21st instant, and it was brought back to me on the evening of the same date by Sahibzada Latif Jan, a trusted agent of the Sardar. Latif Jan came to me with Shirindil Khan’s copy of a map which professes to be a tracing of the map of Afghanistan on a scale of 1"=24 miles and asked me to point out to him wherein the Sardar’s map differed from my map which was supposed by me to be the Kabul Agreement map. I placed Shirindil Khan’s tracing on a copy of the said map of Afghanistan which I have, and discovered that the positions of Laram and Hazir Pir were shown in the wrong places in Shirindil Khan’s sheet, which in other respects tallied to a great extent with the true map of Afghanistan. It is only with regard to places near the border line that erroneous entries have been made in Shirindil Khan’s sheet, and this was pointed out to the Sahibzada. Already I had repeatedly pointed out to the Sardar the mistakes in his map, but I regret to say to no purpose.”

He further added: “As the Sardar declined to take back this tracing of the Kabul Agreement map, I kept it with me, and when Sahibzada Latif Jan came to me on the evening of the 21st September and stated that the Sardar could not understand what I had written in my letter about his map being wrong, I again handed him the tracing of the Kabul Agreement map and gave him a letter to the effect that if any map in his possession did not tally with the tracing which I was sending, such map in his possession was not the real Agreement map and none such would be accepted by me. The Sahibzada was inclined to think that if the Amir had sent Gul Muhammad Khan the Agreement map it was now possible that Sardar Shirindil Khan would also soon receive a copy and that demarcation operations would proceed smoothly. I have received no reply to my letter yet, and it remains to be seen whether demarcation operations will now proceed smoothly. It is difficult to imagine why both Sardars Gul Muhammad Khan and Shirindil Khan were not at the outset provided with copies of the real Agreement map and why the Amir has now sent the Agreement map to Gul Muhammad Khan. The knowledge that a force is going into Waziristan appears to have had a most wholesome effect on Shirindil Khan, as it is a substantial indication of the determination of the Indian Government to adhere to rights which have been acquired under the Kabul

100 Years Ago...

Islam in Norway and a Hindu friend Al Fazl, 10 May 1920

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra

Mr Ahmad Krishna BA I present below a sincere letter of a Hindu young man, which he wrote to be submitted in the court of Khilafat …

Hopefully it will be read with interest.

Mr Krishna BA, who came from Hindustan with Babu Azizuddin Sahib and Khan Abdur Rahim Khan Sahib on the same ship, regularly read the literature of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and held discussions with missionaries. He states: “For His Holiness, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad Sahib “From Krishna, “May my words bring delight to Huzoor[ra]. I am a believer of the Dishna Advaita religion and a follower of Sri Rangam [Ramanuja] of South India.

Since coming to London, I have studied Islamic, especially Ahmadiyya, literature and I have learned from reading the prophecies of Hazrat Ahmad[as] that Hazrat Ahmadas was a man of God and I inform Huzoor[ra] that I am inspired by the teachings of Ahmadiyyat and I now assist the Ahmadiyya Jamaat to the best of my ability. I present my humble self as an offering to God and request Huzoor[ra] to pray for my continued success.

“Humble servant of Huzoor[ra], Krishna” It is worth mentioning that we call respected Mr Krishna by the name of Ahmad Krishna and he feels happy about it. He not only spends a lot of his time writing my letters, but also presents one pound monthly chanda for the assistance of the Jamaat. May Allah reward him!

Convention of 1893 which Shirindil Khan has been endeavoring to repudiate with or without the knowledge of His highness at Kabul.”

Conclusion From the above correspondence, it is quite evident how Sahibzada Abdul Latif Sahibra was a trusted official of the amir and a faithful native, who had remained at the

Sister Amna Thomson’s letter from Norway To the east of the North Sea, which was once called the German Sea, is a country called Norway, parallel to the British Isles. In response to a letter, a prominent Muslim Norwegian lady, who has also lived in India and knows English, writes: “Dear brother, I have received your letter full of gratitude. I thank you for your kindness. I will leave here on 15 March [1920]. I have written an article about Islam in the newspapers of this country, a copy of which I will bring with me. I will translate it and read it out for you. I hope that with the help of God Almighty, we will be able to bring the people of Norway to light and we will make them fully aware of the truth that Islam presents. I am certain that Islam will spread in Norway and other countries of Europe. Once, I will return to India, I will write more [articles] for Norway and we will try to write from England as well. You would dictate and I will keep on writing in Norwegian language.

“Yes, dear brother, I very much hope that truth will take root in Norway. May the blessings of God be upon you for your good works. Assalamo alaikum to all Ahmadi brothers over there. May God accept our prayers.

“I am sincerely yours, Amna Thomson” Tabligh in Bosnia Although our esteemed friend Dr Fehmi Berkovich has not yet declared his Ahmadiyyat, he himself says, “Before meeting you, I was a Muslim by birth and name, but I was not a practicing Muslim.

Now, Ahmadiyyat seems to me to be the life and hope of Islam.”

This friend, narrating the accounts of

forefront in advocating for his country in front of British officers. It is also clear that the British officer as well as Sardar Shirindil Khan were clearly endorsing and glorifying his zeal and efficiency in this regard.

Unfortunately, his trustfulness and loyalty could not conquer the enmity and hatred which had been developed in the amir. The amir knew well it was a mistake.

the Ahmadiyya mission to a prominent Muslim tradesman from his country, brought him to the missionaries’ residence.

The businessman talked for an hour, through Dr Fehmi Berkovich’s, in the form of a series of questions and answers about Islam and Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

This helped to impress the message of the Promised Messiahas on the mind of a Bosnian man. We gave him some Arabic literature so that he may go to his country and inform the hodja [scholars], the maulvis on the one hand and liberal youth on the other, about “the hope of Islam.” I hope that Allah Almighty will soon bring Ahmadiyyat to this country.

The government there and its wellwishers are looking for a remedy like Islam Ahmadiyyat.

Lectures On 12 April 1920, my lecture on “Persian and Sanskrit are sister languages” was held at Société Internationale de Philologie, Sciences et Beaux-Arts. Dr Henry M Leon, MA, PhD, was the president of the gathering.

He expressed his desire to publish this lecture in the magazine of the society, [The] Philomath.

Last Sunday, Mr Krishna BA spoke on the subject of “Islam teaches compassion for the creation” at that Ahmadiyya Lecture Hall. Present in the audience were Doctor and Madam Leon MA. Dr Sahib entertained the participants with his scholarly speech for half an hour.

The Faith Brothers, Babu Azizuddin Sahib and this humble one are gradually narrowing down the circle of Christian speakers in Hyde Park and are continuously conveying the message of truth.

The consequences that occurred thereafter, the situation in which all the culprits of this murder were punished by the Almighty and how the words of the Promised Messiahas were fulfilled are accounts that should be published on a separate occasion.

Click here to view the complete research and documents pertaining to this research

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

Humanity First Germany donates 45 tablets to children of Prishtina

Besmir Yvejsi Secretary Ishaat, Jamaat Kosovo

Kosovo is one of the last countries in the Balkan Peninsula which was affected by Coronavirus and according to the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, the first case in Kosovo was recorded on 13 March 2020. However, on 11 March, the Government of Kosovo had already interrupted the educational process in public and private educational institutions at all levels in Kosovo, as a precautionary measure.

In the middle of March, Kosovo Education Ministry had started online teaching for all grades of primary and secondary schools and by the expertise of the Government, this online teaching will continue for more than six months. The problem is that the online teaching will be accessible to children via internet and the children which are not in a good financial situation and their parents are in social assistance, will have difficulties to take part.

The government is not in a position to help these families because they are helping them with food packages.

A request to Humanity First from the Municipality of Prishtina came to equip these children with laptops or tablets, so that the children can participate in virtual learning. So, on 24 April, Humanity First Germany donated 45 Lenovo Tablets to the Municipality of Prishtina.

The Mayor of Prishtina, Mr. Shpend

Ahmeti, thanked Humanity First Germany in all its official social networks (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for this successful assistance, and said: “To our call for donating electronic devices for the children of Municipality of Prishtina, many different citizens and companies have responded. Today we have received 45 tablets from Humanity First. We thank them all for supporting the initiative so that no child in Prishtina is left without attending distance learning”.

The Municipality of Prishtina was also thankful for this donation, and said: “We are amazed by the response of citizens, institutions and businesses for the equipments they are donating to the children of our city. We are very happy for our community and especially for our children. During these days, many individuals, businesses and organisations have joined us. So, on behalf of the children of the city and the Municipality of Prishtina, thank you all for your contribution”.

Some online newspapers have also published the news about this donation and the total number of those who have followed this donation is about 900,000 people.

All this help reminds us of the keynote Address of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah be his Helper, at the Humanity First International Conference 2018, where he said: “Wherever people are facing material suffering and deprivation of any kind, Humanity First should seek to be at the forefront of providing aid and assistance.

No matter where in the world, or which communities they hail from, Humanity First should seek to provide relief to those mired in poverty or hardship”.

We request all readers of Al Hakam to pray for the whole world in general and for the people of Kosovo in particular, that God Almighty protect them and that they get rid of this pandemic as soon as possible and return to normal life. Amin

“A good friend in difficult days” Albania Jamaat aids the vulnerable during Covid-19 Samad Ahmad Ghori Albania Correspondent

On 23 April 2020, from the grant of Humanity First Germany, we have organised a food and hygienic product distribution among 100 needy families of Shkodra, one of the main cities of North Albania.

In Albania, the lockdown continues.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, we were given permission from the Police to travel from Tirana to Shkodra for this humanitarian project.

The project was done with the collaboration of the Municipality of Shkodra. In Albania, the lockdown has been very strong since March 2020 and daily workers have been badly hit economically due to it. Many families are still in desperate need of food to survive. Hence, the municipality asked Humanity First to donate food packets. Along with food

packets, we also donated hygiene essentials like liquid anti-bacteria soap etc. Humanity First’s ten-point educational brochures, teaching how to maintain hygiene during coronavirus, were also distributed in order to educate people and help them stay safe.

The mayor, Mrs Voltana Ademi greeted us in her office. She wholeheartedly thanked Humanity First Germany and Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Albania for the great help during this critical situation. She also assured that this help will go to the most vulnerable families of their municipality.

After meeting with the mayor, we went to some families to distribute the boxes.

Some families were crying out of gratitude for the help as none of their family members are earning.

The mayor gave also thanked the Jamaat in a video message and posted the activity on the official page of the municipality with the title “A good friend in difficult days”.

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

10

Responding to Allegations

Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya: Why didn’t the Promised Messiah write 50 volumes?

The opponents of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas object that one reason the Promised Messiahas was not truthful in his early life (God forbid) was that he said his book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya contained 300 arguments for the truthfulness of Islam, but only a handful of arguments are recorded in it.

The Promised Messiahas had written 300 arguments in his book Barahin-eAhmadiyya to prove the truth of Islam.

However, only the first four parts from the huge draft of this book were published, in which only one argument was stated. After the publication of these four parts, the publication of the next parts was hindered by divine providence. Later, owing to certain reasons, the drafts of this early work were burnt and wasted.

The Promised Messiahas had composed the draft of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, containing 300 arguments, spanning over 4,800 pages and citing scores of verses from twelve parts of the Holy Quran. He had, therein, convincingly proved the truthfulness of Islam. This draft was kept in a trunk, but as has been mentioned, it could not be printed as per God’s will and the draft was lost. Only one argument of this authorship has been published in the first volume of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. It has a total of 592 pages and contains about 342

Quranic verses.

Now the readers can assess for themselves how much of this draft was left out of print. As for the 300 arguments, he completed them by writing around 85 books according to divine will, in which there are more than 300 arguments.

Below are some key points in this regard: 1. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, son of the Promised Messiahas, states: “By the time the Promised Messiahas published an announcement about Barahin in 1879, he had already finished the composition of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya and the size of the book had reached about 2,500 pages … It was his intention to perfect and improve the book as soon as the arrangements for its publication were made possible. He wanted to add a preface in the beginning and write some more introductory words and at the same time, add some extra footnotes. Hence, the existing four parts of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya that have been published, their preface and footnotes were all composed during the time of its printing and these [parts] cover very little of the original early composition … Of the 300 arguments he wrote, only one is stated in the present published Barahin-eAhmadiyya … After the publication of these

four parts, the printing of the next parts stopped due to divine intervention … Later, the drafts of this early work were burnt and destroyed due to certain conditions ...

“In the beginning, when the Barahine-Ahmadiyya was composed, the circumstances were different, but later, i.e. during the publication, when the footnotes etc. were being added and the book was being published in print, the situation changed, that is, when he was blessed with the cloak of messengership by the Almighty God and he was called from another world.

After this, he let go his earlier intentions and realised that from then on, the matter was in the hands of God and He would take the service of religion from him as He willed.

Thus, the subsequent publication of about 80 books and hundreds of announcements and speeches by him in the way of service to the religion [were the result of God’s superintendence] … In comparison to the truthfulness of Islam, which was to be proved by the 300 arguments he wrote in the Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, the personage of the Promised Messiahas turned out to be the strongest argument in favour of Islam, which later manifested in the form of Mahdism and Messianism.” (Sirat-ulMahdi, Vol.1) 2. In April/May 1879, the very first announcement or notification about

Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was issued by the Promised Messiahas in the newspaper, Manshur-e-Muhammadi and the magazine Ishaatus-Sunnah: “This humble one has composed a book containing the affirmation of the truth of the Quran and the truth of the religion of Islam in such a way that after reading it, the seeker of truth will have no choice but to accept Islam. Moreover, no one will dare to pick up a pen in response. The motivation behind the authorship of this book are Pandit Dianand and his followers. At first, I wrote one part of this book consisting of 15 sections. In order to address all the necessary matters, nine more parts were added, due to which the complete book comprises of one 150 sections. It will cost 94 rupees to print 1,000 copies of each part.

So the total parts of the book cannot be printed in less than 940 rupees.” (IshaatusSunnah, Vol. 2, pp. 3-4) 3. On 16 May 1879, addressing Bawa Narain Singh in the newspaper Manshur-eMuhammadi, he said: “At the request of Bawa Sahib, we have compiled a book titled, Barahin al-Ahmadiyyah ala Haqiqati Kitabillah al-Quran wan-Nabuwwati alMuhammadiyyah, which contains perfect and irrefutable arguments. In this matter, we are grateful to Bawa Sahib that although he had other ideas, his request helped produce a wonderful book, which will benefit many compatriots and Arya Samaj, and Bawa Sahib will also recognise that this is what we call evidence.” (Hayat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, pp. 15-16) 4. The Promised Messiahas issued another announcement on 3 December 1879 and stated: “The book will go through printing in January 1880 and in the same month or in February, it will be circulated and distributed in book form.” (Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 19) 5. The following announcement is recorded in the first part of Barahin-eAhmadiyya: “I would like to submit for the kind attention of all honourable and respected buyers of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, that this is a fairly sizeable book, comprising more than 100 juzw [sections] and by the time the complete book is printed, its volume is expected to increase further on account of the footnotes that will be added to it from time to time.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part I, p. 1 [English Translation]) 6. In this part, another announcement states: “The first half of this book should have been published by now, but it has been delayed by up to seven or eight months due to illness and some other unforeseen complications faced by the owner of Safire-Hind Press, Amritsar, Punjab, where the book is being printed. God willing, there will be no such delays in future.” (Barahine-Ahmadiyya Part I, p. 4) 7. At another place in the same book, the Promised Messiahas states: “This book consists of a challenge, a preface, [the main text in] four chapters, and an epilogue. May God make it a source of blessings for seekers after truth and guide its readers to His true religion. Amin.”

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part I, p. 46) 8. In the second part of Barahin-e-

11

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiahas states: “It is in view of the widespread corruption and chaos prevalent in this age that I have written Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, wherein I have made the truth of Islam more evident than the shining sun with the help of 300 incontrovertible rational arguments.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part II, p. 74) 9. The Promised Messiahas further states: “I would like to reiterate what I said in Part I that Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya has not been written without a true and urgent need. Had another book been able to fulfil the same objectives, I would have readily endorsed it and devoted myself to its propagation. In that case, it would have been pointless for me to sweat blood for so many years and to have wasted a cherished part of my life on something that had already been accomplished. But to my knowledge there is no book that comprises all the arguments and proofs that I have collected and whose publication is so crucial in this age for establishing the divine origin of Islam. I saw no choice but to publish it to meet this exigency. Let those who doubt produce a book like it.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part II, pp. 76-77) 10. Then, the Promised Messiahas expresses: “The fifth advantage in this book is that, those who read this book will become cognizant of the truths and subtleties of the Holy Quran. Furthermore, the wisdom and deep insight of the Holy Book [Quran] – whose illuminating radiance is the source of Islam’s light – shall become evident to all.

For, all the arguments and truths that are recorded herein have been derived from the sublime verses of the Holy Quran itself.

I have not given any rational arguments other than those presented by God Himself

in His own Word. It is in this manner that almost twelve parts of the Holy Quran have been quoted in this book.” (Barahin-eAhmadiyya Part II, p. 156) 11. That the printing of the book was hindered due to the illness of the owner of the printing press and other constraints should also be taken into consideration.

Hence, it is recorded in the third part of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiahas states: “An apology: This time, the delay of almost two years in the publication of Part III may have greatly disappointed many buyers and readers, but let it be clear that the entire delay was on account of certain constraints on the part of the manager of Safir-e-Hind, in whose press the book is being printed.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part III, p. 4) 12. In another announcement, the Promised Messiahas expressed about Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya: “At first, I wrote one part of this book carrying 15 sections. Then to explain all the necessary matters, nine more parts were added. Thus, the book comprises of 150 sections.” (Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, pp.

16-17) 13. Informing people of the price and contributions for Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiahas explained: “Besides a few Muslims of high resolve, through whose support the first two parts and a portion of the third have been published, the contributions which others made were so meagre that rather than ّٰ َّ describing them, it is better just to say: ‫إِنا ل ِل ِه‬ َ َ ‫‘[ َوإنّا إل َ ْي ِه َراج‬Surely, to Allah we belong and ‫عون‬ ِ ِ ِ to Him shall we return’] … Here, it should also be mentioned that this book initially comprised only 30 to 35 juzw [sections] that were subsequently extended to a

hundred juzw. Also, the price was fixed at ten rupees for Muslims in general and 25 for non-Muslims and affluent ones. But now, in order to make the research more comprehensive and the arguments more conclusive, it has been extended to300 juzw. In view of the additional expenses, it was considered necessary that the price in the future should be set at 100 rupees.”

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part III, pp. 2-3) 14. Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas states: “Since the book has now been expanded to 300 juzw, I would like to request those buyers who have not yet made any payment, or have not paid in full, that if nothing else, they be kind enough to remit their remaining payments without delay.”

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part III, p. 5) 15. In a letter, which probably dates to the year 1884 or 1885, the Promised Messiahas writes: “It is for this reason that the book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya has been composed.

37 sections of this book have been printed and published … because the publication of the complete book requires a long time.”

(Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, pp. 25-26) 16. An English announcement was also prepared with respect to the book Barahine-Ahmadiyya, which was published by Ripon Press, Lahore. At one place, it reads: “All this evidence will be found in the perusal of the book, which will consist of nearly 4,800 pages of which about 592 pages have been published.” (Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 30) Considering all the above facts, it is clear that: I. The draft of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was ready II. This book had 300 juzw [one juz

consists of 16 pages] III. Indication was given about the addition of footnotes etc., which would have resulted in further thickness of the book IV. The Promised Messiahas wanted to publish this book as soon as possible.

However, it was halted due to the illness of the owner of the printing press and some other predicaments and due to the lack of commitment of the buyers or supporters V. The Promised Messiahas continued expressing his desire to publish the remaining part of the book for a long time.

VI. The Promised Messiahas has mentioned the citation from twelve parts of the Holy Quran. However, in the four parts of the first volume, there are only 342 verses, which hardly cover three parts of the Holy Quran. This shows that it had many other sections and parts VII. So, the existing printed Barahine-Ahmadiyya, is actually not that complete Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya which was composed by the Promised Messiahas.

Hence, if the draft of Barahin-eAhmadiyya had not been lost and its publishing had not been hindered, the opponents had the right to object that Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was completely published and they read it in full and could not find 300 arguments.

On the other hand, the Promised Messiahas, under God’s guidance recorded more than 300 arguments in over 80 books, which he authored in favour of Islam and revived the name of the Holy Prophetsa.

A city in need: A volunteer heeding the call Rabea Chaudhry Humanity First Reporting Team

Covid-19 has exposed the inadequacy and inefficiency of the healthcare system with the lack of safety equipment available.

Healthcare workers across the nation have been forced to reuse their masks multiple days in a row. Grocery store employees, who are at high risk of contracting the virus, have had limited access to masks.

This shortage has compelled cities to ask for donations of this life-saving gear from local citizens, many cities across South Florida among them.

“It was while I was driving when I noticed a flyer outside Memorial Hospital West asking for donations of fabric masks,”

said Ismat Raja Sahiba, an avid Humanity First volunteer. Since then, Humanity First Miami Chapter has been well engaged in helping the community with making and donating not only face masks, but also hair caps.

However, the project – that has so far amounted to the donation of over 400 masks and more than 200 surgical hats to local hospitals, clinics, homeless shelters, grocery stores, and fire stations – faced challenges in the beginning.

Upon her decision to help in any way she could, Ismat Raja Sahiba went to fabric stores to see if she could find the appropriate material for homemade masks. No supplies were available, so she had to get creative.

In my interview with her on how she went about making homemade equipment, she told me: “I gathered any materials that could be useful from my home. I cut my cotton scarves into several different pieces to make masks of various sizes. I did not have elastic so some Lajna members volunteered and donated any supplies they had in their homes to me. My husband also helped with the cutting and ironing of the fabric.”

The reason why homemade masks are especially beneficial is that many people, those on the frontlines of this pandemic included, are allergic to the material of certain face masks. Ismat Raja Sahiba used semi-permeable, non-woven fabric that is both breathable and adjustable. The use of melt blown cloth (pure cotton) assures that all of the masks have a filter, no perfumes and are washable.

The response from the beneficiaries was tremendous. The director of nursing from Memorial Hospital West was one of many who sent their appreciation to Humanity First and Ismat Raja Sahiba: “Our nurses absolutely loved the masks and are wearing them proudly. As a matter of fact, they are all gone and more nurses and physicians are coming to ask for more.”

Employees at Publix, a local grocery store, were especially grateful for the donations of the cotton masks as many of them were suffering from allergic reactions to the other types of masks.

Because of the evident need for donations like these, Humanity First has now called for a national collaboration with Lajna Imaillah USA to launch the “Make-A-

Mask” Campaign.

To learn more about these projects and how you can become part of it or contribute in humanitarian work, visit us at http://usa. humanityfirst.org.

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Remembering the late Malik Muhammad Akram Sahib Muhammad Ahmad Khurshid Missionary, Manchester, UK

I often ask myself whether we take being Ahmadis for granted, more specifically those of us who were born into Ahmadiyyat.

This question has lingered in my mind for a long time. The reality is that the status of the Promised Messiahas is not fully comprehended by some; a reformer who was foretold by many reformers before him; a reformer whose advent was not only foretold in the Holy Quran, but was interpreted and thus foretold by the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself.

The world that we find ourselves in is so chaotic and as the saying goes, every second counts, some of us truly have not grasped the reality that a reformer came to rectify the world that we live in. This fact alone should be the greatest indicator that our lives really should be devoted to the work of Allah and every day should bear testimony that we have truly accepted the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

I have seen something very unique in my life as a missionary so far. Those who find Ahmadiyyat, view that find as a treasure and then with all their might, hold onto that treasure. Their thirst for knowledge is also unquestionable; it undoubtedly strengthens their faith.

I have seen many individuals who strived upon this road to Ahmadiyyat, an exceptional one being the late Malik Muhammad Akram Sahib. His journey is really that of one who found Ahmadiyyat as a treasure and it became his life motive.

Born as a non-Ahmadi Muslim without direction, he found Ahmadiyyat at the tender age of 14 or 15. His older brother, Master Azam Sahib had converted before him and inspired him to apply for Jamia Ahmadiyya in Rabwah.

In his interview to be admitted into Jamia, he was asked to recite from the Holy Quran, which he declined, stating that he could not recite the Quran. This bemused the staff interviewing him as the recitation of the Quran is seen as the most basic thing taught in Islam. Akram Sahib could not recite the Quran because prior to becoming an Ahmadi, the environment he was brought up in, the Quran was seen more as a symbolic book, which would have been kept high somewhere on a shelf rather than being read.

Akram Sahib’s older brother, upon finding out that his brother was not granted entry on this basis, requested to be presented before the staff. He told the Jamia staff that the Promised Messiahas came to rejuvenate the faith of Islam and by reintegrating the teachings of the Quran into our lives, he then requested the staff that having accepted Ahmadiyyat, Akram Sahib should be given an opportunity to study the Quran. This was where his quest to learn Islam Ahmadiyyat began and then led him to a journey that enabled him to serve his faith for nearly 50 years.

I was appointed as a missionary in Manchester in the North West region of the United Kingdom in 2014. The task was unnerving and as a recent graduate, I always questioned myself as to whether I was even capable of this task ahead. I was very fortunate that Akram Sahib was the missionary serving in Manchester and he guided me through my early years as a field missionary.

Even though he was a senior missionary of the Jamaat and almost 43 years senior to me, he was always very kind and affectionate towards me and where I took his advice on matters, he always spoke to me and took my view on the basis that we were both serving in the same region.

In 2015, I was transferred as a missionary from Manchester to Liverpool and after almost a year, I was reassigned to Manchester, whilst Akram Sahib received instructions to continue his services in Cardiff.

In Cardiff, his health began deteriorating rapidly as he was diagnosed with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. This meant that he had restricted capability to be able to breathe. He was given a nasal cannula. This is a device that includes two small tubes that fit in your nostrils with a longer air tube attached to an oxygen tank.

His health worsened over time, but he was still able to continue his responsibilities.

Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib told me that he went for an event near Cardiff and intended to meet Akram Sahib after the programme. He said that to his surprise, he saw Akram Sahib walk into the hall with the oxygen tank in his hand and with the tubes attached to the oxygen tank.

Soon after this, he received retirement

and requested permission to move to Manchester. An apartment was found very close to the mosque for him and his wife. I had very little idea that his health had now worsened considerably and the illness had become terminal.

He called me on Thursday, 4 April 2019 and said that he was coming with the regional amir and some other members who had come to drop him off and wanted to come to the mission house first as he was very tired.

When I came to receive him at the gate of the mosque, it was very upsetting to see him in that state as he was struggling to walk. We had to bring him into the flat, which is on the first floor, through the lift on his wheelchair. After settling down, he asked me whether he could stay the night here as the journey had exhausted him. The paperwork for the flat was to be finalised the next day. We arranged one of the rooms in the mission house for him and his wife.

Little did I know that the last three weeks of his life would be spent in this very flat.

The next day was the only time he left the flat. I carried his oxygen tank and put some spare ones in the car. We managed to reach the apartment to sign the documents for his accommodation. The flat was furnished and was ready to be moved into. When we returned to the mission house, I noticed that the exhaustion from a little movement had left him extremely weak and tired, requiring immediate bed rest.

My mind wandered to the thought that Akram Sahib was physically not capable

to look after himself and his wife, Amatul Kareem Malik Sahiba, who although physically well, but because of her age, would struggle to look after him, especially as the oxygen tanks were heavy. That night, I requested Akram Sahib to stay the night in the mission house.

Every day, he would mention to me that he was ready to go to his flat, but I could see that it was impossible and I felt dutybound to look after this senior missionary of the Jamaat. I spoke to Amir Sahib UK and sought his advice. He instructed me to look after him as the missionary and acting regional Amir of the North West region.

A hospital bed was set up in his room and all the requirements were met for him to live his last days in the mission house.

Nurses and doctors visited daily and gave their reports.

The day he passed away, I was leaving the mission house for some work and he asked me twice about when I would be back. I told him that I would return in the afternoon and asked him if everything was fine. He replied positively, but the question concerned me as it was the first time in three weeks that he asked any such question. When I arrived back at the mission house, it was nearly time for Zuhr prayer. Azan was being called and we could hear it in the speakers of the mission house.

His wife told me that he was struggling to breathe and that the oxygen tank was now insufficient as an assisting tool.

I rushed to the mosque and requested someone to lead Zuhr and went back to his

13

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM room. At this point, the lack of oxygen was really affecting him. I called the ambulance.

I held him in my arms and tried delivering the oxygen through another mask, which did not help much.

I called Iftekhar Sahib, a member of the mosque’s security staff, to help me. It was during this point that I was unable to feel a pulse. There was lady on the line guiding me; she stayed on the line until the ambulance crew arrived. She asked me to place him on the floor. We placed his body on the floor and I was asked by her to give him CPR, which I continued for around five to six minutes. Those minutes were the longest and most difficult of my life.

He did not respond and I knew that he had departed. The ambulance crew arrived and told me that he had indeed passed away.

This entire time, I asked my wife to take Akram Sahib’s wife outside as this was an extremely difficult time. She, to my astonishment, stood there as her husband departed from this world without a tear in her eye. It was only after the ambulance crew went downstairs and I went to the other room and said: َ ٰ َ َ َْ ّ َ ّ ّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ِلل ِه و ِانا ِالي ِه ر‬ “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return” that tears flowed down from her eyes.

Her devotion to Akram Sahib was inspiring. Caring for him at her age was extremely challenging, but she was eversmiling whilst caring for him. Allah gives a lot of strength to His beloved during these difficult moments.

Malik Muhammad Akram Sahib passed away on Thursday, 25 April 2019.

I informed the regional amir, who had returned a day earlier from abroad. He, along with some presidents, held a meeting after Asr prayer. We sent a request to Amir Sahib UK if it was possible for Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to lead the Janaza prayer after the Friday prayer. Huzooraa graciously approved and we now had to prepare for the Janaza.

The body was taken in the early hours of the night and we made the trip from Manchester in the morning.

The following were the words of Huzooraa regarding the late Akram Sahib: “… Respected Malik Muhammad Akram Sahib, who was a missionary of the community. He passed away yesterday, on 25 April, in Manchester; to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. His funeral is present here and after the prayers, InshaAllah, I will lead his funeral prayer outside [the mosque].

“He was born on 2 April 1947 in Malkwaal in the district of Gujrat. In 1961, he performed Bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] and entered the Jamaat. His elder brother, Master Azam Sahib had accepted Ahmadiyyat prior to this and Akram Sahib also performed the Bai‘at after him.

“I remember he wrote an article in which he wrote that he only came to Rabwah for his studies, but having been influenced by the atmosphere of Rabwah, he performed the Bai‘at. Nonetheless, in 1962, after he had performed Bai‘at, he dedicated his life for the Jamaat. After completing his BA, he received his Shahid degree and also Maulvi Fazil degree. He was assigned as a missionary in 1971.

“In 1970, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh led his nikah, which was settled with

Amatul Karim Sahiba, daughter of Maulvi Abul Basharat Abdul Ghafoor Sahib. Akram Sahib had the opportunity to serve as a missionary in different places in Pakistan, as well as countries outside of Pakistan. He served in various Jamaats across the UK for approximately 30 years, including Oxford, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. His total service spans approximately 48 years. In the UK, he served as Naib Afsar Jalsa Gah for many years.

“From 1971 to 1973, he served in various places throughout Pakistan. From 1973 to 1977 he served in The Gambia. From 1977 to 1979, he served in Karachi, Pakistan after which he served in Rabwah in Wakalat-eTabshir from 1979 to 1980. Between 1980 and 1983, he served as the principal of the Missionary College in Hilaro, Nigeria, after which he returned to Pakistan and stayed in Rabwah until 1989. From 1989 until 2018, he had the opportunity to serve in the UK. “Initially, in 2007, he reached the official age of retirement but was re-employed in February 2007 and had the opportunity to serve until 2018. “Although a Waqf-eZindagi always remains in his capacity as a life devotee, however recently, due to illness, he was unable to actively carry out his duties and therefore retired. Nonetheless, we can say that he only spent a few months without being in active service and in this way, he served until his last breath.

“Amir Sahib UK writes, ‘He was very hard working, obedient and had a pleasant nature. Whichever Jamaat work was assigned to him, he would complete it with great effort and diligence. It was his habit to immediately compile a full report and send it. He was appointed to serve in Manchester.

Malik Sahib worked tirelessly to collect funds for the Darul Aman mosque when it was being constructed.’

“Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib writes, ‘Akram Sahib was a man of principle and possessed many qualities. He was very pious, honest and an extremely loyal Ahmadi. He was a passionate missionary who would work diligently. He was a servant of the Community who displayed the highest levels of obedience for Khilafat.’

“Majeed Sialkoti Sahib writes, ‘He possessed many qualities, the foremost that he was an extremely loyal servant of Khilafat.

He had a passion for tabligh [propagating the message of Islam].’ Sialkoti Sahib further writes, ‘When we were students, during the holidays, he once visited our village and said that they ought to go out for tabligh and became involved in tabligh activities.

He had sacrificed his holidays to perform tabligh with Khuddam and Ansar. He always displayed obedience throughout his life.’

“Aslam Khalid Sahib, who is serving in the private secretary’s office in London, writes, ‘He became a close relation of mine’.

They were both related through marriage.

‘Wherever he was appointed, he would win the hearts of people through his affection.

He even served throughout his illness and he would especially speak lovingly about the people of Manchester. He had a loving relationship with the youth and children of the Jamaat.’

“Giving one example of this, Aslam Khalid Sahib says, ‘He once told me an incident regarding one of the children who grew up with him and then later married; from among them, one of the youths was expecting their first child. When the child

was born, he called him at 2:30am or 3am informing him that his first child had been born. Akram Sahib said that he thought to himself that this was not an appropriate hour to inform him via telephone and he could have easily called in the morning.

However, it was the love the youth had for his missionary and who had played a significant part in his upbringing. He said he was left speechless by his next comment.

The youth said, “Murabbi Sahib! I had vowed that whenever God Almighty would grant me a child, you would be the first person I would inform. Now that I have told you, I will inform my father.”’

“This was the love and affection people had for him and his love for the Jamaat members. May God Almighty continue to elevate his status, shower His forgiveness on him and grant his loved ones steadfastness and courage to bear this loss. His funeral is present, as mentioned earlier, and I will go outside to lead his funeral prayer.” (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Friday Sermon, 26 April 2019) He was buried the following day in the Merton Cemetery in London.

Once, during a discussion with a nonAhmadi, he was asked what difference he felt in his life since converting to Ahmadiyyat.

He answered that since that day, he had never missed his Tahajud prayer.

I always saw him as a strong defender of Ahmadiyyat and the institution of Khilafat.

He really treasured the fact that he had found Ahmadiyyat.

On one occasion, Aunty Kareem became emotional observing his frail physical state.

I vividly remember that Akram Sahib was unable to move at the time. All he was able to do was raise his finger and say: � � ‫وہ رب‬ that she should not worry as Allah would look after her.

During the three weeks that he was with us, I could notice expressions on his face that suggested that at times, he was in a lot of pain and discomfort, but he always remained patient. Dozens of people were coming on a daily basis to see him and despite being bedridden and unable to move, he spoke to people with great love and affection.

It was April last year that he arrived at the mission house. A whole year later did I finally gather the strength to write about him as the memories always flooded back. I felt that to truly honour and remember this great servant of the Jamaat, I had to write about him.

Belonging to the younger generation, it is our duty to honour and remember our elders. Through this article, one task has been achieved, and that is to remember a pious soul who is no longer among us. But another purpose of this article is to remind us all to remember the fallen soldiers of the Jamaat in our prayers. Malik Sahib was indeed such a soldier of the Jamaat, for whom I hope the reader will take the time to say a prayer.

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

14

100 Years Ago...

Opposition in Ceylon and more missionaries to England Al Hakam, 7 May 1920 Since time immemorial, it is a common practice that whenever someone is sent by God Almighty, the people always oppose him.

They try to persecute him in various ways. They think of various schemes against his life. A similar effort is made against those who believe in a messenger; the new movement that God Almighty established in the world through His messenger for the guidance of people is sought to be destroyed.

However, where the ancient tradition of the opposition of the righteous ones continues, [this is also an established fact that] these opponents are always unsuccessful. We observe that the same sunnah is being fulfilled even today.

Ever since the Promised Messiahas came into the world, there has been a fire of opposition from all quarters against his followers. No legitimate or illegitimate means has been spared to annihilate them from the face of the earth.

A great effort was made and is still being made to destroy the movement which he established in the world through the hand of God Almighty. The result of this futile endeavour has been and will be nothing but failure, because this is the sunnah of the Almighty Allah. However, those who oppose the truth are blind. Despite the fact that they always see failure, they continue to smash their heads against the mountain of truth. They see themselves shattered, but do not give up opposition. They do not recongise that where truth is the water of life which gives eternity and paradise to those who believe in it, there is also a fire which burns its enemies and turns them into dust.

Even today, our opponents are following the footsteps of their forefathers in every aspect. They see that they are disappearing from the world because of this opposition, but they are considering other matters to be the reasons of their destruction.

Consequently, they continue to oppose.

This type of opposition is present where there are members of our Jamaat. This is the case not only in India, but also in foreign countries.

Hence, news has been received from

Celyon that the innocent Ahmadiyya Jamaat is being victimised in every possible way and attempts are being made to eradicate Ahmadiyyat from there. A few Ahmadis have been charged with murder, including BW Lai, secretary of a local Jamaat, who was not even present during the clash in which a man was killed. Similarly, his brother, Abdul Amat Lai, who was not present at the scene, has been charged with murder as well.

However, we are certain that God Almighty, despite every possible effort of our opponents, shall cause them to fail. He will exonerate these innocent Ahmadis.

The full details of this case have not yet reached us. We have received only a couple of short letters and some cuttings from the Times of Ceylon, which show that all of it is a conspiracy of the opponents.

The accused Ahmadis were certainly not involved in the clash and a vicious lie has been crafted to hurt them. The Times of Ceylon reports about this matter in the following manner: A clash between Ahmadis and nonAhmadi Muslims in Ceylon Outcome of religious disagreement There has been a long-running religious disagreement between Ahmadis and nonAhmadi Muslims. As a result, a clash occurred on the night of 10 April in Ceilão Island between some people from both sects, in which one belonging to the latter sect, named Burhanuddin Buckman, was killed.

Inspector Kathir arrested three men: Abdul Amat Lai, his brother BW Lai and Sharif. Ahmadis own a newspaper which carries the name Message and they also have a library adjacent to the press. The latter of the mentioned three is the secretary of the local Jamaat here and the former works as a letter-writer in the press.

On the night of the 10th of this month, Burhanuddin and Saifuddin, who are clerks in the office of a trading company, both came to the Castle Hotel and drank.

Thereafter, they walked past the Ahmadiyya office of Message [magazine] and another person named Jalaluddin also joined them.

All three started singing filthy and abusive songs against Ahmadis. Two Ahmadi men came out of the office and after some time, the situation intensified, during which the deceased suffered a serious stomach injury, from which he died in hospital the next day.

The first of the accused pleaded not guilty and said that he was not present at the time of the fight. He was supposedly not even present in Ceilão Island from ten o’clock at night to four o’clock in the morning.

The second suspect also said that he was not present at the time of the fight, but had arrived at the time when the fight was over and the police were investigating the situation. The third accused also pleaded not guilty.

After taking testimonies of various witnesses, the investigation of the case was shifted to the next day. (A similar article has also been published by Ceylon Independent) A case of murder in Ceilão Island The court proceedings were sent to the Attorney General Last week, a case was filed in Colombo police court. Amat Lai, BW Lai and Sharif were accused by a Ceilão Islander of killing a man named Buckman. The investigating officer who examined the matter said that he had written the first account of the victim on the night of the 11th in the General Hospital.

The victim said that Amat Lai assaulted him and Sharif was his accomplice. This record has been sent to the Attorney General for seeking guidance. (Ceylon Daily News) Letter from Ceylon Request for a fervent prayer Trial! Trial!! In the face of trial!!! Financial loss! Loss of loved ones!

Resources are needed for existence.

Everyone has turned against us. We are being separated from our relatives and left helpless by the people who are capable of helping.

Having perfect faith in God Almighty, we work for His glory as one Jamaat. We are ready to sacrifice everything for Him. Our entire income is there to exalt His greatness, to express His praise and to establish His tawhid [oneness of Allah], only through His help. We are ready to sacrifice everything and all our livelihood. We convey the message of harmony in the face of all kinds of hardships.

Three “sheep” [BW Lai, Amat Lai and Sharif Sahib] are in custody. Pray for their release. A great fervent prayer will bring satisfaction. Pray in congregational Salat. Pray in solitude. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] is also requested to carry out an intercessory prayer. Request Hazrat

Khalifatul Masih to order Chaudhry Zafarulla Khan Sahib and Mr Sagar Chand Sahib to come here and help our secretary and his associates in their hard time. The only reason we are going through this ordeal is our participation in spreading the peaceful teachings of Islam. Unfortunately, these people have been accused of committing such a heinous crime. This [mission] is in God’s hands. Just pray!

Special efforts for promulgation Two more missionaries to England By the grace of God, such people are being born in our Jamaat who are making true sacrifices for Islam and are going to different countries bidding farewell to their wives, children and their beloved homeland.

Now Sheikh Ahmadullah Sahib and Mian Nizamuddin Sahib are also along the said path. Sheikh Sahib has obtained a passport and is corresponding with Thomas Cook & Sons. Mian Nizamuddin Sahib has also applied for a passport.

These two associates will go to England and bear the cost of their travel. They will also do some work to cover their expenses.

Moreover, they will spend much of their time for tabligh under the guidance of the amir missionary over there.

In this way, five men will reach England from Qadian. However, members of the Jamaat should not be static by seeing that enough men have reached there. Hazrat Sahib’s[ra] intention is to send at least 50 people.

So read these events and produce true passion within yourself and go abroad. Make a journey for God and see that the tabligh of Islam is such a great weapon that it works everywhere and will continue to work.

In order to fulfill the desire of Hazrat Sahib[ra], we need people who are courageous, feel privileged in spending money for the cause of religion and consider every work in the way God as an honour. If the big jamaats [chapters] produce one such man at the very least, then a reasonable number of missionaries can be raised very easily.

Among the students, Khan Abdur Rahim Khan Sahib has reached England and presently, Babu Muhammad Shafi Sahib, Mir Seith Ali Muhammad and Seith Muhammad Fazil of Secunderabad are also preparing for England. They are rapidly studying religious books, the Holy Quran, hadith and books of the Promised Messiahas.

This group of students also has a special passion in their hearts.

May Allah Almighty bless them all with success. Members of the Jamaat are requested to make special prayers.

Los Angeles holds online tabligh conference Anwer Khan USA Correspondent

Asim Ansari Sahib reports that in these trying times, people are getting used to video conferencing for meetings and conducting business. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Los Angeles held a virtual tabligh conference via Zoom on 27 April 2020.

A missionary, Irshad Malhi Sahib discussed the importance of tabligh and why it is essential for all to carry out. He discussed the need for spreading the message of

Ahmadiyyat in America and inviting people to Islam, as well as to fulfil the prophecy that Islam is going to rise from the West and that we are at the forefront of that responsibility.

A missionary, Tariq Malik Sahib delivered a presentation and narrated success stories and different methods of tabligh that have been used in LA. During the virtual conference, the tabligh team was introduced and Secretary Tabligh, Mirza Ghulam Rabbi Sahib discussed how to use social media for tabligh. He reminded members about posting Jamaat events

and campaigns while keeping track of the people who show interest and contact them specifically.

When asked about how to use social media for tabligh, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa recently said to go to other sites where most of the discussions about Islam and Ahmadiyyat take place and provide answers in abundance to all objections raised.

The other members of the tabligh team presented their segments including, Saad Karmat Sahib and Ibrahim Sahib.

Another way was to utilise the Majlis Ansar Sultan-ul-Qalam campaign every month nationally. Twitter was discussed by Ahsan Jattala and Umer Ahmad, Instagram and Facebook were discussed by Noor Idlibi, while radio programmes were discussed by Asim Ansari. These were the many items discussed as well as the ability to use them from home as tabligh outside is not possible.

There were 63 participants in total who attended the virtual conference and the meeting ended with a lively question and answer session.

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

Atheism on Trial

New Atheism: Blind faith and a shadow universe Part II Sabahat Ali Rajput Missionary, Mexico

The Big Bang – A point to ponder As has been described in part one of this paper with detail and the testimonies of numerous scientists, even the most advanced scientific knowledge falls short where the origin of the universe is concerned – no one seems to have much idea what gave the initial push that caused the Big Bang.

One might assume that whatever astronomical phenomena are pushing the universe outward must be a part of the same system which exploded the original singularity of the Big Bang.

Initially, it was thought that the expansion of the universe was only a natural consequence of the actual explosion. When a bomb detonates, for example, one does not attribute the outward scattering (diffusion) of the explosion to an independent force from the actual explosion itself. Amazingly though, scientists have begun to unravel some mysteries of the force(s) behind the expansion of the universe which have compelled them to re-think many aspects of their previous understanding.

An explosion occurs when a large amount of energy is released into a small volume of area in a noticeably short period of time. Burning very rapidly, explosive material releases concentrated gas that expands quickly to fill the surrounding air space and apply pressure to everything in it. (Can you really outrun an explosion?

HowStuffWorks, retrieved 5 May 2020) But the Big Bang, scientists say, was very different. Contrary to what many might think, the Big Bang was not an explosion per se, but an extremely dense “ball” (for lack of a better word) of astronomically seething heat paired with hyper-dense energy, and this came to be around 14 billions years ago.

Even more bamboozling is the fact that this tiny spec was no more than an atom to begin with, but about 14 billion years ago, it instantaneously swelled up into a golfball sized mass and thus began an outward stretch of this breath-taking anomaly at speeds, which perplex the mind when written and compel scientists to admit that the very fundamentals of matter, and perhaps even the laws of physics, must have been quite different than they are today.

At any rate, as Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, put it, “This is a moment in time, not a moment in space.” (From Big Bang to Present: Snapshots of Our Universe Through Time, LiveScience, retrieved 5 May 2020) A not-so-economic inflation of the universe The farthest-flung pieces of our observable

universe are also curiously similar to one another, not just in how they formed over time as the universe expanded at nearly untellable speeds and subsequently cooled down, but in their original composition moments after the Big Bang as well. This is supported by the theory of cosmic inflation, which basically states that the universe expanded outward with an almost antigravitational behavior, instead of everything clumping together, the initial incident of the Big Bang caused everything to move apart. Astrophysicist Alan Guth in the 80s pioneered this theory and astrophysicists overall like it. It fits well with other facets of the equation, including supersymmetry and Cosmic Microwave Background radiation.

Having said this, the outward expansion obviously did not continue at the colossal pace with which it began. Just as the universe in its infantile stages began to stretch its infinite arms outward at light-speed (or more), it took but another fraction of a second for it to suddenly come to a silent halt. It began to slow down as the tendrils of the galaxies formed and stars were given the opportunity to start decorating the vast ceiling of time and space. This far-more leisurely expansion, however, was found in the 1990s to be quickening its pace. The universe, scientists realised, was not only expanding, but was doing so at an everaccelerated pace.

Normally, even with a massive blast of

say, two neutron stars, which are restlessly dense mini-monsters, usually no more than about 10 kilometres in radius (scoop out a teaspoon of these evasively unassuming mini-giants and you’ll be holding about 1 billion tons of mass), the explosion goes outward at break-neck and eventually slows down. This is the norm for nearly any explosive phenomenon. The other alternative, as we know, are black holes, which can form (amongst other ways) by an implosion more powerful than the explosion, causing everything to retract into a super-dense mass.

When two of these neutron stars begin to circumambulate one another, caught not-so-romantically in each other’s deathly gravitational grip, they dance their last dance together, and what a dance it is!

Eventually, they spin around one another at nearly 500,000 rotations per second. The resulting neutron double-Pirouette ends in a collision for the ages - literally sending a ripple through space time. This is known as a kilonova. These are among the most powerful collisions recorded by science to date.

Quranic language revealed these mysteries long ago But even an explosion of such chaotic magnitude eventually slows down. So why is it that the universe, after slowing down, is now accelerating in its expansion? It really is

mind-numbing to think about.

This is also why the statement of the Holy Quran 1400 years ago is as stellar as it is interstellar. The Holy Quran also claims that the force which is causing the universe to expand is the same force, which pushed it into existence in the first place. Hence, the words of the Holyَ Quran, that َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫اها ﺑﺄَيْﺪ َوإنّا ل َ ُموﺳ ُع‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ِ ٍ ِ ‫والسماء ﺑنين‬ “… We have constructed the heaven with Might, and verily, We are the Ones Who go on expanding it,” (Surah al-Dhariyat, Ch.51: V.48) refer precisely to this phenomenon.

It must be borne in mind that this same conclusion took the bleeding edge of science until about 100 years ago to come to.

What’s more, the word musi‘oon is the plural for a person who increases the sa‘ah of something (Lane). The word, according to leading Arabic lexicons, refers to the “width, breath, extent and space” of a thing, as well as its “ampleness, plentifulness, richness, competence, capacity and power.” (Ibid) At another place in the Holy Quran, God Almighty explains that when He created the heavens, He also ascertained the particulars of all the values required to maintain equilibrium and balance in the universe. Scientists argue that the four fundamental forces may very well have been determined within a millionth of second after the Big Bang – values that, if they were off by even a hundredth of a decimal point would have forced the universe into an immediate regress or totally halted the formation of hydrogen and subsequently, the galaxies, stars, Earth, and life itself. Thus God Almighty states, َّ َ َ �َ ۡ �‫ﺂء َر َف َع َہا َو َو َﺿ َﻊ الۡم‬ َ ‫الس َم‬ ‫ان‬ ‫و‬ ِ “And the heaven He has raised high and set up a measure.” (Surah al-Rahman, Ch.55: V.8) Even more fascinating is that the ancient interactions between these fundamental forces are so peculiar and well organised that many leading cosmologists and astrophysicists have opined for decades that they are actually just four varied manifestations or expressions of one fundamental force.

The most successful attempt at such a unification is the electroweak theory, proposed during the late 1960s by Steven Weinberg, Abdus Salam and Sheldon Lee Glashow. This theory, which incorporates quantum electrodynamics (the quantum field theory of electromagnetism), treats the electromagnetic and weak forces as two aspects of a more-basic electroweak force that is transmitted by four carrier particles, the so-called gauge bosons. (Encyclopedia Britannica, under Fundamental Interaction).

Either way, God Almighty acknowledges that there is a system in place of various forces which contribute to the expanding

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

16 universe. As has been explained, the Holy Quran uses the word musi‘oon (the ones who go on expanding) in the plural. It is a linguistic excellence of the Holy Quran that where it seeks to point out a multitude of constituents involved in any action, it uses the plural when talking about God Almighty. Hence, whether the fundamental forces or interactions between these forces are expressed by physicists as one or four, the Holy Quran invites the attention of its readers toward an All-Powerful cause of all causes and Originator of the universe.

But that’s not all. The same force Who informed the Holy Prophetsa of Islam 1,400 years ago of the expansion of the universe, also brilliantly described the phenomenon of the Big Bang, specifically addressing those who refuse to believe in God. Regarding the Big Bang, the Holy Quran clearly illustrates: َّ َّ َ ُ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ُ ‫اوات َوالْأَ ْر َض كَان َ َتا َرتْ ًقا َف َف َت ْق َن‬ ۖ ‫اه َما‬ ‫أولم ير ال ِذين كفروا أن‬ ِ َ ‫الس َم‬ َ َ ُ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ‫َو َج َع ْل َنا م َن ال ْ َما ِء ك ّل ش ْي ٍء ح ّي ۖ أفلا يُؤمن‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ِ ٍ “Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a closedup mass [ratqan], then We clove them asunder [fataqna] And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.31) Commenting on this verse, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh writes: “It is significant that this verse is specifically addressed to non-believers, implying perhaps, that the unveiling of the secret mentioned in this verse would be made by the non-believers, a sign for them of the truth of the Quran.

“In this verse the words ratqan (closedup mass) and fataqna (We clove them asunder), carry the basic message of the whole verse. Authentic Arabic lexicons give two meanings of ratqan, that have great relevance to the topic under discussion.

One meaning is ‘the coming together of something and the consequent infusion into a single entity’ and the second meaning is ‘total darkness’. Both these meanings are significantly applicable. Taken together, they offer an apt description of the singularity of a black hole.” (Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, p. 304) It only gets more interesting. As has been described above, the current understanding of the initial expansion of the universe is becoming more and more clear to scientists today. The light that our amazing scientific minds are shedding on the first few instances of the universe also illuminates the genius of the language used by the Holy Quran 1,400 years ago.

The word used by God Almighty to describe the outward expansion of the initial super-dense singularity 1,400 years ago comes from fa-ta-qa. According to the leading dictionaries, fataqa literally means “he rent [it] asunder, opened it up, disunited something – the disunion of a previously merged thing.” To an unbiased reader, this striking language of the Holy Quran in its picturesque description of the first few breaths taken by the infantile cosmos is undeniably wondrous and thoughtprovoking.

Again, we must re-emphasise: here is an entity, force, or whatever name one gives it, which is not only expounding and unravelling interstellar mysteries of the universe with incredible precision and stepby-step detail to an unlettered man in 7th

100 Years Ago...

Precious words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] about Tasheezul Azhan Al Fazl, 6 May 1920 The magazine Tasheezul Azhan is published monthly on 48 pages. Consequently, for the last eleven years, none of its issues have ever been late. It possesses scholarly articles in refutation of internal and external opponents and in support of Islam and Ahmadiyyat, which are highly beneficial for the members of the Jamaat. Its annual cost is only two and a half rupees.

Given below is the transcript of what Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said about it on the occasion of the Jalsa Salana. The members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat should make a special effort in its expansion so that the magazine can be self-sufficient.

Moreover, gain rewards from Allah by sending contributions for the debt owed to century Arabia, but is Itself claiming that It is the same force which created the universe, and is its First Cause.

To draw a logical parallel, we must remind the reader that according to New Atheists, there is sufficient cause to believe in the existence of a force, if it even unconsciously interacts with what is known.

Indeed, this is how Dark Energy and Dark Matter are known, as has been established using various academic sources in part one of this article.

Yet, here is an obviously conscious force, articulating itself and claiming to be the Cause of all Causes, the force behind the Big Bang and even the force that shall bring an end to the known universe and New Atheists will not even give it a fair thought.

Beyond the physical senses If the five basic senses were the only faculties given to man, then perhaps belief in things metaphysical or concepts, which transcend the tangible and empirical could be objectionable. Imagine, then, if the Holy Quran had not invited its readers to hold firmly onto believing in those things which are beyond the scope of the physical senses.

Hence, at a time when science was simply too young to understand the micro and macro universe, the Holy Quran made it intellectually, spiritually, and – indeed – scientifically incumbent upon Muslims to expend and exhaust their super sensory faculties for things that they could not, with their naked eye, observe.

It is this bridge between science and faith to which Islam draws our attention by providing inexplicably profound insight into the truths of our universe. Islam lauds and celebrates science but invites man toward factoring into it a cause of all causes as well.

We close this short interlude about

it. Wassalam Yours humbly Rahim Bakhsh, Nazir Talif-o-Ishaat, Qadian.

“Then there is the magazine, Tasheez. I did not put it behind because it was behind with respect to its services, rather it is because I initiated it. I have mentioned it in the end so that my inner self does not feel by mentioning it at the outset that it was I who launched it. This magazine has done a good deal of scholarly work in recent days, especially very good articles of Munshi Khadim Hussain Sahib regarding Shiites that have been published. In my opinion, his writing ability is much more than his academic ability and possesses a unique style. People confront the opponents from

the doorstep, but he enters their house and sits ... next to them and asks them, ‘Tell me, when you will vacate the house and give it to us.’ This is a very remarkable and beneficial approach. He writes strong articles praising the Shiites with great excellence and sincerity. Its outcome is extremely good. By writing in this manner, they cannot resort to abuse or say anything.

Our youth should learn this style.

“In addition to his articles, other people’s articles are also published. At the time of dissensions, good articles have been published about the issue of prophethood of the Promised Messiahas. However, the magazine has less subscribers. Recently, I had an appeal launched for its loan. [Now] I appeal for its support as well.”

blind faith and the astonishing astrophysics pioneered by the Holy Quran 1,300 years before any science could, with the following quote of the fourth Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslims Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh.

To this effect, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, states: “Of the material forms of existence, there are many categories which defy direct examination. The knowledge of their existence and that of their physical properties can only be gained through logical deduction, or with the help of sophisticated electronic devices, which make them accessible to the senses, indirectly.

What are neutrinos and anti-neutrinos?

What is matter and antimatter? What are bosons and anti-bosons? The answer to these questions cannot be obtained through any direct means of examination, yet their unseen world has become a universally accepted reality. It should be remembered here that the mind is the ultimate entity of life, which receives and computes all messages transmitted to it by the senses through the computer of the human brain.

Mind is not just another name for the brain.

It transcends the brain and manipulates its operation.

“The mind is the ultimate seat of consciousness. Deductive logic is the most amazing faculty of mind. Even when there are no facts fed to it, it may continue to operate with hypothetical data. It can also operate by ruminating over the previously stored data. All decision making is done at the level of the mind, while the brain is merely a material hardware, a storehouse of memory. Moreover, the mind has the power to contemplate upon metaphysical and conceptual issues like infinity and eternity.

It endeavors to resolve the enigma of a seemingly endless chain of cause and effect.

Where did a certain thing begin and what lies beyond every beginning? Was there a first cause preceding all other causes? If so, was that first cause living and conscious, or was it dead and mindless? The only rational conclusion the mind can draw is that the first cause could not be unconscious and dead.”

Huzoorrh continues: “Again, the question as to whether death can create life, and unconsciousness give birth to consciousness, is a subject fit only to be explored by the mind and not by the mere brain mass itself. Thus, sometimes the mind learns to believe in the unseen entirely through hypothetical exercises, while at other times it examines and sifts material data and draws logical conclusions from them. It can visualise all forms of radiation which coexist with us, but man can learn of their presence neither through sight, hearing, taste or smell nor through the sense of touch. They can be seen and heard of course by means of radio and television, but only when they are transformed into visible and audible pulses. Even then it is only the faculty of mind which is responsible in the final analysis for decoding these electrical vibrations into sounds and pictures and lifelike phenomena. The images which the mind creates are not merely those seen by the eye on the flat surface of television.

There is more to them than meets the eye.

Many an unseen meaning is added to the visible scene by the mind, before it is finally developed into a meaningful concept.”

(Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, pp. 27374)

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 10 April 2020 The coronavirus pandemic: Our duties and responsibilities After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

The current situation due to the coronavirus pandemic continues to worry everyone alike, be it members of our community or others. People write to me and express their concerns. They are worried due to the illnesses of their loved ones and close relatives, regardless of the nature of the illness. Due to the situation, many people are immensely worried that even if one is suffering from a different illness, but owing to their weak conditions, they may be affected by the pandemic.

Some Ahmadis have also been affected by this illness. In any case, the entire world has been engulfed by this worry.

A missionary wrote to me expressing his perplexity at the situation and that one cannot understand what is happening. He is right and it is true that one is perplexed as to what is going on in the world.

However, Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran regarding the conditions of this present era: ُ ‫ال الْإن ْ َس‬ َ َ​َ ‫ان َما ل َ َہا‬ ِ ‫وق‬ i.e. “And man says, ‘What is the matter with her?’” (Surah al-Zilzal, Ch.99: V.4) A hundred years ago, in February 1920, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, whilst mentioning infectious diseases, droughts and storms, gave a brief discourse of this verse by saying that previously, there used to be a rare outbreak of an infectious disease or a calamity. However, in present times, there has been a significant rise in the frequency of such

calamities. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 6, p.

387, Friday Sermon, 6 February 1920) I too have been saying for the last many years that after the advent of the Promised Messiahas and since he especially warned the world about calamities and heavenly afflictions, the frequency of storms, earthquakes and pandemics has increased greatly in the world. Generally, these pandemics and calamities come to caution mankind that they should fulfil the rights of their Creator as well as His creation.

Thus, in these circumstances, it is also incumbent upon us to submit before Allah the Almighty greater than before and we must also draw the attention of the world

towards this as well.

Some illnesses, diseases and storms are of such a nature that when they occur in the world, they naturally impact every individual. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also states that it is correct to say that certain trials have nothing to do with us. However, since we live in this world, we are also affected, to a certain extent, by various things, such as diseases and droughts.

That is, we also are affected by them. It is not the case that divine communities are completely protected from them. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states that the reason for this is that this would go against the designs of the Almighty God. (Khutbat-

e-Mahmud, Vol. 6, pp. 387-388, Friday Sermon, 6 February 1920) However, a believer passes through such hardships whilst submitting before Allah the Almighty and being His grateful servant. Thus, as I have mentioned, we should particularly prostrate before Allah the Almighty these days and seek His mercy and grace. Every Ahmadi should try to prostrate before Allah the Almighty greater than before.

Some people make comments that this disease serves as a sign and that there is no need to take precautionary measures or treatment, or they make other such comments, which hurt the sentiments of others.

We do not know if this is a specific sign or not. However, certainly, we do say, as I have mentioned just now and a few sermons ago when I referred to the pandemic for the first time, that this is a general sign. Since the advent of the Promised Messiahas, there has been a huge rise in heavenly and earthly calamities.

Therefore, while it can be referred to as a general sign, however to link the current pandemic with the plague at the time of the Promised Messiahas and then to allege that Ahmadis who have been infected or who have died from the current pandemic are, God forbid, of weak faith, are judgements that no one has a right to pass.

The plague appeared at the time of the Promised Messiahas as a specific sign and although the Holy Prophetsa has stated

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

18

that one who passes away owing to such pandemics is deemed as a martyr (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Tib, Hadith no.

5733), however Allah the Almighty had revealed to the Promised Messiahas that this would appear as a specific sign and the Promised Messiahas announced this as a sign and also gave the Jamaat guidance regarding it.

The plague that manifested in the time of the Promised Messiahas had a unique significance. Further, the Promised Messiahas instructed the Jamaat then – in fact, he told Mufti Sahibra – to publish this announcement in newspapers that “he profusely prayed that members of the Jamaat would be saved from the plague. However, he also said that the Holy Quran establishes that when Divine calamities befall the world, they engulf the righteous as well as wicked and corrupt people. As such, people would be judged according to their deeds. It is not the case that the righteous will remain completely unaffected; rather they too will be impacted.”

As I have mentioned that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has explained that this is the law of nature. The Promised Messiahas further states:

“The flood at the time of Hazrat Noahas affected many, whereas there were men, women and children who were oblivious to the claims and beliefs of Noahas, but yet succumbed to the calamity.”

The Promised Messiahas says further: “The Holy Prophetsa and the Companionsra that engaged in Jihad and their victories and successes were all a means to establish the truthfulness of Islam. Later, during the era of the Khulafae-Rashideen [Rightly Guided Successors], Jihad similarly took place. There were a few defeats but by and large, there were successes.”

The Promised Messiahas says: “All of these proved the truthfulness of Islam. Nonetheless, alongside the disbelievers, the Muslims also lost their lives in these battles. Although this Jihad took place as a sign for Islam’s truthfulness, it was not only disbelievers who died, rather Muslims died as well. The Muslims who were killed or died were considered martyrs.”

The Promised Messiahas states: “Similarly, the outbreak of the plague serves as a sign for our truthfulness, and it is possible that certain members of our community may also be martyred by this.”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “Thus, first and foremost, fulfil the rights due to Allah the Almighty and cleanse your hearts of its inner passions.

Then, fulfil the rights due to God’s Creation and develop true and sincere belief in God. With utmost humility and meekness, supplicate to Allah the Almighty. No day should pass where you do not submit to God, weeping in prayers.”

Then, the Promised Messiahas says: “Alongside this, also utilise the practical means and resources that are available. In other words, fully and comprehensively adopt all precautionary measures.”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “Show utmost sympathy and compassion to those individuals and their families who, by Divine Fate, are inflicted with the plague. Help and give aid to such persons and leave no stone unturned in finding a cure or treatment for them.”

However, the Promised Messiahas states: “Let it be clear that to help such people does not mean that one should become infected themselves through close contact with the infected person by the contamination from their breathing or clothes.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 9, pp. 251-253) Indeed, one should show compassion, however one should take all precautionary measures and keep themselves protected from its contagious effects.

Hence, what one can learn from this is that those who are helping others must take the necessary precautionary measures, for example, nowadays it is said that one should wear a mask, among other precautions. Likewise, one should refrain from visiting the homes of others unnecessarily and the government has even banned this, so we ought to abstain from doing so.

Nowadays in the UK, despite the government’s ban, there are those who still meet up in parks etc. There is only permission to go for a walk and to go out to get some fresh air and it does not mean that one can sit in a park, have a picnic and meet with others. This is wrong and the government is drawing attention to this again and again. There are those who go in their cars [to these places], but if their claim is to go and get some fresh air and exercise in the park, then they should walk to those places from their homes or even cycle. It is not correct to all sit in the car to go to such places. Councils in certain areas have now announced the [temporary] closure of car parks and that there is no permission for cars to park.

In any case, Ahmadis particularly should refrain from such behaviour.

Those with the task of aiding others – a lot of volunteers from Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya have come forward and others are also helping out – should take all the precautionary measures, discharge their duties with prayers and avoid any kind of negligence. They should not put themselves at risk unnecessarily. That would only be ignorance, not bravery. It is sheer ignorance. Hence, we must ensure to take great care.

The Promised Messiahas then stated

that if, God forbid, one were to die of this disease, they would be considered a martyr and for such a person, there is no need to perform the ghusl [washing of the body], nor to wrap them in a burial cloth.

In those days, the people who were overtaken by the plague would be treated as a martyr. However, the government here has granted certain permissions where we can perform the ghusl and also wrap the deceased in a burial shroud. In those days, the Promised Messiahas stated that in such extremely difficult circumstances, there was no need to do so.

He then particularly advised that one should keep their homes clean.

The Promised Messiahas gave particular instructions in this regard and said that alongside keeping the homes clean, one ought to keep their clothes clean as well.

One’s garments and drains should be regularly cleaned.

Here, the entire sewage system is underground, but drains are open particularly in less-developed countries.

So it is very important to also keep the open drains clean.

The Promised Messiahas said very specifically that the most important of all is that one should keep their heart clean and to reconcile with God Almighty.

(Malfuzat, Vol. 9, p. 253) Thus, in these circumstances due to the pandemic, where everyone has been affected, and as I mentioned that people have also been writing to me as well, they ought to pay particular attention to this as well. We should always remember that the path to prayer is always open to us. We must prostrate before God Almighty with the conviction that He has kept the path to prayer open for us and that He listens to our supplications. If one bows before God, being ever-inclined to Him, He answers our prayers in whatever manner He deems best. In general, we should be praying for ourselves, our dear ones, our relatives, for the Jamaat and for mankind in general. There are many in the world – among whom there may also be Ahmadis as well – who do not have precautionary equipment or medical facilities available to them, nor do they have the adequate provisions for food and drink. May Allah the Almighty have mercy on them all and on us too.

We are striving as a community to provide food and drink etc. to each and every Ahmadi, but there may well be shortcomings. And there may well be shortcomings in our efforts, but despite this, not only do we try to make food and medication available to Ahmadi households, we even extend our aid, medication and food etc. to non-Ahmadis wherever there is a need and we offer this service selflessly and purely out of sympathy.

Even still, certain prejudiced media outlets or self-proclaimed ulema [scholars] criticise us saying that the service we Ahmadis render or the food and medical supplies we provide in order to help others is only to preach to them and to facilitate our means of tabligh [propagation of the faith] to them. In any case, we are not

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Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM affected by these allegations in any way whatsoever as Allah the Almighty knows our intentions and true passion.

I shall repeat again today that in this current time, pay particular attention to prayers, pay attention to prayers, pay attention to prayers! May Allah the Almighty protect the Jamaat in every aspect – on an individual basis and as a Community. May Allah enable me and you all to supplicate and partake of the blessings of the acceptance of our prayers.

I would like to say something to all Ahmadi businessmen and that is that they should not unnecessarily try to make extra profit during these days. Instead of trying to make extra profit, especially those people who trade in food items and other essentials, they ought to sell them at a rate to make the least amount of profit.

These are the days in which we can serve humanity and the Promised Messiahas also advised us to inculcate a sense of compassion within us. These are the days in which we can fulfil the rights owed to mankind and also draw closer to God Almighty. May Allah the Almighty enable every businessman to, instead of trying to maximise their profit, show a sense of compassion when running their business during these circumstances.

I will now speak about an extremely loyal worker and servant of the Jamaat, Respected Nasir Ahmad Saeed Sahib, who, owing to divine decree, passed away on 5 April [2020]. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Verily to Allah we belong, and to Him shall we return.”

Nasir Ahmad Saeed Sahib was born in 1951 in a village in Daska, district of Sialkot. His father’s name was Taj Din Sahib and was an Ahmadi by birth. He completed his studies until the eighth grade in middle school and did not pursue any further education. Under Nazarat Umur-e-Aama, he was enrolled in Amla Hifazat-e-Khas [Security Staff] in 1973.

After Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh migrated from Rabwah – I believe Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh migrated in April 1984 – he was transferred to London from Rabwah in 1985 and continued to serve.

According to the official administrative system of the Jamaat, although he reached the age of retirement in October 2010, however he continued to render his services. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, he had the opportunity to offer duties from the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh until now.

Nasir Saeed Sahib possessed many qualities. He would carry out his duty with honesty and dedication. He had a true bond of love for Khilafat-eAhmadiyya. He is survived by his wife Kulthoom Begum Sahiba, one son Khalid Saeed Sahib and also grandchildren i.e. the children of Khalid Saeed Sahib. Khalid Saeed Sahib is a volunteer and serves in Hifazat-e-Khas [security staff]. May Allah the Almighty enable him to show the same loyalty as shown by Nasir Saeed Sahib and enable him to follow in his footsteps. May Allah grant patience and steadfastness to Nasir Saeed Sahib’s wife.

A maternal cousin of Nasir Saeed Sahib, Mahmood Sahib of Rabwah, who was in the army and was the same age as Nasir Saeed Sahib, writes: “Nasir Saeed Sahib’s parents advised him to join the army as well or to pursue another job. However, Nasir Saeed Sahib replied that if he was to work, he would only work for the Jamaat, otherwise he had a small plot of land, which he would tend to.” As mentioned, Nasir Sahib then entered Jamaat employment. His relative further writes: “He showed the utmost love and sincerity to all his friends and relatives.

Furthermore, he would discreetly help many of his less affluent relatives.”

One of the Hifazat-e-Khas members in Rabwah, Shakoor Sahib writes: “I had the opportunity to do duties alongside Nasir Saeed Sahib in London from 1990 to 1998. I always found him to be extremely loyal and an obedient servant of Khilafat. He worked with utmost honesty in all his duties and would always arrive early to perform them. If he received any confidential information, he would never disclose it to anyone, not even his colleagues and would always advise his colleagues never to disclose confidential matters.”

Major Mahmood Sahib, Afsar [incharge] Hifazat-e-Khas, has written: “Nasir Saeed Sahib was an extremely sincere worker. He devoted his entire life to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. He had no interest in worldly comforts. His sole objective and intention was to serve his faith. It was his heartfelt desire to depart this world whilst in his service for the Khalifa and indeed this desire of his was fulfilled. He was exemplary in the hospitality of guests. He would show respect to everyone, young and old alike.

He always showed respect to his seniors and never said a word of complaint and always acted on instructions obediently.”

Major Sahib further writes that he was an exemplary life-devotee and indeed, this is the truth. He worked selflessly throughout his entire life.

Haroon Sahib, a student of Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany writes: “Many times, I witnessed that if there were grievances between two people, he would always seek to reconcile the differences between them.”

He further writes: “I once asked him if he ever went away on holidays? He replied that for a life devotee, to serve the Khalifa and perform duties is all the holidays that one requires and this should be one’s only goal.”

Similarly, many people have written about his qualities such as his hospitality, pleasant nature, love and affection he showed to others. Although he did not hold a prominent office within the Jamaat, however he served sincerely in his capacity as a worker and he was an admired personality; whoever met him would form a close bond with him.

Naseer Bajwa Sahib of Germany writes: “He was someone who possessed many excellent qualities. He would always

look at what was in the best interest of others and would always be ready to help anyone at any time. Helping other people pleased him greatly and it was a sense of contentment for him.”

Syed Owais Sahib, a Khadim from USA has also written about him saying: “Whenever he would come on official tour to the USA, he would greet everyone in a cheerful manner and never showed any signs of tiredness. He would meet all Khuddam in a loving manner and would advise them accordingly. One of his great qualities was that he would always encourage the youth.”

People from all different countries have written about him and it will not be possible to mention all of what they have written.

Feroz Alam Sahib has also written many of his qualities and has said that Nasir Saeed Sahib was very humble and would take great care of his guests, including Feroz Sahib when he was living alone here. Then, mentioning his worship, Feroz Sahib writes, “During the days when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh was unwell, I saw that he would be offering the Tahajjud [pre-dawn voluntary] prayers with great fervency.”

Hasanat Sahib, the former president of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya [youth organisation] Germany and a life-devotee, has written: “We always looked upon his sincerity in his duties and his loyalty to Khilafat with envy. On the one hand, he was an extremely simple man, yet at the same time, he had a profound wisdom about him.”

He further writes, “In my capacity as president of Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya, I had the opportunity to learn many things from him. He never showed any sign of his advanced years and would always remain vigilant and active like youths around him.” Hasanat Sahib then says, “I saw many times that he never accepted if anyone gave him preferential treatment owing to his age.

He would want to perform duties just like the Khuddam and other security staff.

He would show a lot of love and respect to those that were younger than him and we would feel embarrassed by his kind treatment. He would always encourage all Khuddam who would come to perform duties.”

He then mentions a very significant point: “Other people would teach the youth by talking to them or organising training camps, however the training he imparted to us was by demonstrating his selfless duties, his attentiveness, sincerity and prayers.” He further says, “Whenever he would meet me, he would request to pray that may Allah grant him a prosperous end.”

Khalid Ahmad Sahib, who serves in the Russian Desk, has mentioned many qualities of Nasir Saeed Sahib, which others have also written about. However, in addition to that, he writes that not only would Nasir Saeed Sahib discreetly help those in need, but he would also remind

and encourage the more affluent members of the Jamaat to also help their fellow less privileged and needy brothers and sisters.

Another notable quality of Nasir Saeed Sahib was his great hospitality towards guests, particularly during the days of Jalsa. He would always show heartfelt respect to guests who had travelled for Jalsa and would even invite many of them to his house, irrespective of whether they were from the Markaz [headquarters] or any other country. He would welcome them in his house daily, morning and evening, and casually sit with them and present them with excellent foods. He would also present each of the guests with a prayer mat that had been used in the mosque [i.e. the prayer mat used by Huzooraa] as a gift.

Mentioning the qualities of Nasir Saeed Sahib, Athar Zubair Sahib from Germany particularly mentioned his utmost loyalty with Khilafat, sincerity and that he always spoke in a very loving and soft tone. He states that he often saw that whilst on duty, if one of the team members came late to his shift to replace Nasir Saeed Sahib, he would never complain. In fact, he would express his gratitude to Allah the Almighty that he had been granted a few extra moments to serve in his duty for the Khalifa of the time. He would always be ever ready to serve in his duty and even in illness, he would not wish to be replaced from his duty early.

In fact, I have heard that even during his final illness, he enquired the time from his son [and upon being informed], he replied, “This means that I have missed today’s duty.” Even in a state of extreme illness, he was concerned about fulfilling his duty.

Hamza Rashid Sahib, who resides here [in the UK] states that Nasir Saeed Sahib was an extremely loving, supportive and pious individual. He was an example for the Khuddam. He would discharge his responsibilities with great endeavour, effort and diligence. He had the utmost love for Khilafat and would always remind the Khuddam that they should render this duty of theirs towards Khilafat with great love and should prioritise this duty above all other matters.

Syed Taha Noor Sahib, a missionary from Indonesia writes: “Whenever Nasir Saeed Sahib met me, he would always speak to me about his time in Indonesia when he travelled in 2000 with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh.” He further writes, “When Nasir Saeed Sahib came to our mosque, there were no arrangements for laundry. Therefore, we told him that he should give us his clothes and we would arrange for his clothes to be washed from outside. However, he and his colleague with him at the time stated that they would wash their clothes themselves as they were merely appointed to serve and it did not behove their status that others should wash their clothes for them.

Despite continually insisting, he did not give his clothes.”

Now, these may seem like very ordinary matters, but they reflect the true spirit of a life devotee and how a

Friday 8 May 2020 | AL HAKAM

20 life devotee ought to conduct themselves and serves as an example for the younger generation as well.

Adnan Zafir Sahib, who previously served as the Mohtamim for Muqami region in UK, writes: “Nasir Saeed Sahib would particularly remind us about offering duties.” In addition to the many other qualities he has mentioned about him, such as taking care of them while they were on duty or providing them with food and water, he particularly mentioned that “he taught me the etiquettes due to Khilafat and how to form a strong bond with Khilafat.” He further writes, “He was an extremely wise person and I would always derive benefit whenever I sought advice from him.”

Athar Ahmad Sahib, who serves in Hifazat-e-Khas, writes: “I did the Amoomi duty for 9 years; from 2011 to 2020 and after that, joined the Hifazat-e-Khas team. I once asked Nasir Saeed Sahib that he had the opportunity to serve for 48 years and served under three Khilafats, therefore if he could also impart me with some advice, whereby I could also have the opportunity to serve my duty like him. Nasir Saeed Sahib replied that in this duty, one has to keep their eyes and ears open and remain silently occupied in their work. And alongside this, one should remain engaged in prayers.”

This is a piece of advice which is essential for every life devotee. In fact, it is essential for each and every individual and office-bearer who serves the Jamaat to implement this advice. Indeed, these are words of great wisdom.

He further writes: “He was known as Lala Ji and having done duty with Lala Ji, I learnt that when one receives an instruction from their superior, it must be fulfilled in the exact manner. He would always fulfil the instruction exactly as he was told and would ensure that we also implemented it in the same manner and he would not try to offer his own interpretations of the instruction. He would carry out the instruction exactly as he received it and would also make sure that we also did the same. If we ever said to him that others who were also shift in charge would do it in such and such manner, he would reply, ‘I am not aware of what they do, however I am going to do exactly as I have been instructed.’ Moreover, he would always pray that may God Almighty always keep him fit and active and take him in this same state when his time to depart from this world arrived and not let him be dependant on others.”

Indeed, Allah the Almighty fulfilled this prayer of his. May Allah the Almighty grant the deceased His forgiveness and

elevate his station. May Allah the Almighty also bless his wife with a healthy life and grant her patience and steadfastness. As I mentioned earlier that may Allah the Almighty also enable his son, in fact his progeny, to remain attached with Khilafat and the Jamaat with loyalty.

I personally knew him from when he first came to Rabwah to serve the Jamaat.

Indeed, everything that the various people have mentioned is absolutely true.

He selflessly rendered his service with absolute obedience. His demise has taken place in such circumstances when not many people can gather for the funeral.

He previously had a heart problem and also underwent angioplasty treatment.

A few days ago, he fell ill and was taken to hospital and was admitted by the doctors who reported that he had suffered a serious heart attack. Later, they also reported that he had caught the coronavirus; Allah the Almighty knows best whether he caught the virus from someone before being admitted to hospital or perhaps caught it in hospital due to the current conditions. In any case, he remained in hospital for a few days and was undergoing treatment and passed away while in hospital. Owing to the current government restrictions, the funeral could not be brought here and only a few close relatives were permitted

to attend the funeral. Moreover, they have stipulated the condition that the funeral can only take place at the funeral home or at the burial site. Therefore, due to the current conditions, I will lead his funeral in absentia in the future some time, inshaAllah.

As I have mentioned earlier that countless people have written about his qualities and indeed whatever they have written was truly the case as he possessed all of these qualities. As I said that he has departed this world whilst having rendered his service with utmost loyalty. From observing his life, it seems that he had fulfilled every oath that he had pledged before God Almighty. Thus, he is counted amongst those individuals regarding whom the Promised Messiahas has declared as martyrs.

May Allah the Almighty grant him a station amongst those people. Moreover, may Allah the Almighty grant His mercy and forgiveness to all those Ahmadis who have passed away due to this virus.

Allah knows best the condition of each individual, however we pray that may each and every one of them become a recipient of His mercy and forgiveness.

(Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 1 May 2020, pp. 5-8.

Translated by The Review of Religions)

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