Al Hakam - 13 December 2019

Launch of new Waqf-e-Nau website

The “Holy” Bible or the “Whole” Bible?

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa officially launches new Waqf-e-Nau department website

A brief study in the Apocrypha controversy

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Hadith in Commentary

100 Years Ago...

The purpose of sacrificing one’s life and wealth

Ahmadiyya mission for America

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 13 December 2019 | Issue XCI Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Leading by example: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V guides worldwide secretaries of Waqf-e-Nau

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fter the Isha prayer, upon his arrival at Aiwan-e-Masroor, Islamabad, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced the International Waqf-e-Nau Refresher Course for national secretaries

across the world.

The event started on Friday, 6 December and ran into Sunday, 8 December.

After his arrival, Huzooraa invited

Nuruddin Sahib for the recitation of the Holy Quran, who recited verses from Surah Al-e-Imran (Ch.3: V.36-37) followed by its translation. The verses Continued on page 2

Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa The majesty of the Lord of honour Hazrat Abu Musa, Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “Once, while we were on a journey with the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, people started exclaiming rather loudly, ‘Allahu Akbar!’ (God is the Greatest). The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘O people! Adopt a course of moderation. You are not addressing one who is deaf or absent. You are addressing The One Who is All Hearing, Ever Present and is already with you.’”

(Sahih Muslim)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Ill-thinking The ailment of ill-thinking is so wretched an affliction that it blinds a man and hurls him into the dark pit of ruin. It is ill-thinking which resulted in the worship of a dead man. Indeed, it is ill-thinking which moves people to strip God Almighty of His attributes of creation, mercy and granting provision, etc., reducing Him, God forbid, to an idle and useless being. Therefore, it is due to this very ill-thinking that a vast part of hell shall be occupied, rather it would not be an exaggeration to state that the entirety of it would be filled by such people. Those who think ill of the ones appointed by God Almighty look contemptuously towards the bounty and grace of Almighty God. Hence, when a person rejects this community, which God Almighty has established

by His own hand, I am grieved that alas, another soul knocks at the gate of destruction. This movement is so clearly recognisable that if a person listens to my teachings for even two hours with a willing heart, they would find the truth.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 96)

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This Week in History 13 - 19 December A selection of brief incidents from the first and second era of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya

13 December 1935: Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Rahmanra, a companion of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, passed away.

13 December 1947: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, delivered a third consecutive lecture in Lahore about the future of Pakistan. This time, Huzoorra spoke about the potential and hidden treasures of the country, such as human resources.

13 December 1947: In Qadian, construction of a temporary wall around Bahishti Maqbara commenced. This was owing to the alarming rise in the number of attacks upon the sacred places in Qadian. The wall took a long time to complete due to a shortage of manpower.

13 December 1951: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone convened its third Jalsa Salana. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra graciously sent a special message to be read out before the gathering.

13 December 1952: A delegation representing the Jamaat called on the chief secretary and home secretary of Punjab.

13 December 1959: Hazrat Babu Faqir Alira, companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He served as the first ever station master of Qadian railway station.

14 December 1912: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I, may Allah be pleased with him, drew the attention of Jamaat scholars to prepare a new book for the interpretation of dreams in light of new topics that emerged as a result of technological advancements. Moreover, Huzoorra said that wealth gained after triumph over enemies could be used for spreading the message of religion.

14 December 1936: In order to connect Qadian with other large cities, telephone lines were set up. On this date, the installation work was completed.

14 December 1944: Masjid Fazl, in Tabora, Tanzania, was inaugurated.

14 December 1945: Hazrat Mian Khuda Bakhshra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away.

14 December 1959: A meeting was held at the Fazl Mosque in London, which was also attended by British intellectuals and academics.

14 December 1963: Two German tourists visited Qadian.

15 December 1926: Lajna Imaillah started publishing their magazine, Misbah. Its first editor was Qazi Zuhuruddin Akmal Sahib.

15 December 1929: A Dutch missionary and doctor, Mr Kremer visited Qadian. He also had an audience with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. Upon his return, he shared his pleasant experience of visiting Qadian and especially spending time in the company of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

15 December 1952: Hazrat Munshi Karam Dinra passed away. He entered the Jamaat in 1897 and had the honour of writing copies of the books of the Promised Messiahas.

15 December 1953: Hazrat Sheikh Ghulam Hussainra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away.

15 December 1963: Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Rajekira, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He

did Bai‘at in 1897 and spent his life serving the Jamaat as a successful missionary within the Indian subcontinent. He was renowned in the Jamaat for his piety and acceptance of prayers. Moreover, he was a poet, sufi and a skilled debater.

16 December 1916: English orientalist, David Samuel Margoliouth travelled from England and visited Qadian. He had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. The meeting with Huzoorra left a strong and lasting impression on him.

16 December 1952: Hazrat Syed Mahmudullah Shahra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He served the Jamaat for a long time as the headmaster of Talim-ul-Islam High School. He strived very hard to grow and maintain high standards of education at the school.

16 December 1956: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Indonesia held a tabligh conference in Jakarta, which was attended by almost 600 non-Ahmadi guests.

16 December 1961: Proceedings of the three-day Jalsa Salana in Qadian commenced with an attendance of 1,700.

It is reported that Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was also present at this Jalsa.

17 December 1943: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra travelled to Lahore his wife, Hazrat Umm-e-Tahir’s treatment. She had been ill for some time. The stay lasted until 22 December.

17 December 1945: Hazrat Seith Sheikh Hasanra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He did Bai‘at in 1899. He passed away during the course of his Hajj journey when he was visiting Medina. He was buried near the burial place of the third Khalifa, Hazrat Usman Ghanira.

17 December 1954: Jamaat Sierra Leone held a three-day Jalsa Salana. It was the 6th annual conference which was attended by 200 representatives from 43 local chapters.

During this Jalsa, 45 Jamaat members pledged to carry out Waqf-e-Arzi (sacrificing time for a certain period to serve the Jamaat) for a month and a half.

17 December 1956: Hazrat Mehr Ghulam Hassanra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, passed away. He did Bai‘at in 1901.

18 December 1913: Owing to an article published in the newspaper Badr about Christianity, the newspaper was censored and ceased circulation.

18 December 1928: Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was born in the house of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and Syeda Maryamun-Nisa Begumra, commonly known as Hazrat Umm-e-Tahir.

18 December 1938: Mirza Farhatullah Baig (1883-1937) visited Qadian. He was a renowned Urdu writer.

18 December 1945: For the first time in Qadian, a delegation of nine missionaries departed for Europe to spread the message of Islam. Two more missionaries joined this unique group as they commenced their journey.

19 December 1928: After the completion of the railway track that connected Qadian to Batala, the first ever train started operating towards Qadian. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had already travelled to Amritsar with a large number of Jamaat members to witness this historic event. Huzoorra travelled back to Qadian on the new line.

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spoke of how Hazrat Maryam’sas mother pledged to give her child to serve Allah, prior to Hazrat Maryam’sas birth.

Thereafter, Tahir Khalid Sahib was invited to the stage to recite a poem.

Luqman Kishwar Sahib, who is currently in-charge of the Waqf-e-Nau department, was then invited to deliver the report of the refresher course.

Aside from representatives of Pakistan, where the number of Waqifeen is large, 35 other countries were also represented, five of whom were not able to attend due to visa problems.

Accommodation arrangements were made at Hadeeqatul Mahdi for the participants so that everyone was easily able to offer prayers behind Huzooraa in Islamabad.

After Maghrib, Luqman Sahib inaugurated the event by reading aloud the guidelines by Huzooraa for the department.

Thereafter questions were asked and answered considering Huzoor’saa guidelines. Lectures and presentations followed which were related to career planning and guidance for Waqifeen. Presentations were given by editors of Ismael and Maryam magazines, the central organs of the Waqf-e-Nau department.

Luqman Sahib thanked Huzooraa for blessing the congregation with his presence and requested prayers for the department.

Huzooraa then took to the stage and addressed the gathering.

After reciting Tashahud and Ta‘awuz, Huzooraa said that it was a result of Allah’s grace that the event was taking place. Huzooraa expressed that he was confident that the participants would have benefited from the event, wherein guidance was given in accordance with Huzoor’saa instructions.

Huzooraa said that he wished to take the opportunity to highlight the manner in which participants should serve the Jamaat in their respective countries and of the importance of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme.

The scheme was founded by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, may Allah have mercy on his soul, for the sake of safeguarding the future prosperity of the Jamaat. The purpose, Huzooraa said, was to prepare as many Waqifeen as possible to serve around the world. It is Allah’s grace that many are now serving the Jamaat.

As national secretaries of Waqf-eNau in their respective countries, a heavy burden falls on the secretaries to care for the spiritual and educational well-being of Waqifeen, Huzooraa said.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa instructed participants that those responsible for the well-being of the Waqifeen must always give them guidance.

Since its launch, Jamias have been opened in several countries and so, in this way, many missionaries are being prepared to serve the Jamaat in its spiritual and moral training.

Huzooraa said that despite the

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many Jamias and Waqifeen serving as missionaries, there is a dire need for doctors and teachers. Huzooraa instructed that all workers and secretaries of Waqfe-Nau, before anything else, should introspect and ensure that they are fulfilling their own personal duties towards Allah. They must ensure that they are regular in offering their prayers and are offering nawafil (voluntary prayers).

Without prayer, Huzooraa said, nothing is possible. It is important to combine prayer and hard work.

Huzooraa said that if the secretaries desire for Waqifeen to excel, then it is necessary for them to develop a close and intimate relationship with God and show the highest conduct.

All secretaries of Waqf-e-Nau should remember that they have been given a great trust, that is to train and guide those people whose parents have pledged to offer their children for the service of Islam.

Only if secretaries are practicing true Islamic values can they truly offer their responsibilities. They should never take this responsibility lightly. To guide the Waqf-e-Nau, in terms of religious upbringing and secular education, is the responsibility of secretaries of Waqf-eNau around the world. Waqifeen must be trained about what their waqf requires and that Waqf-e-Nau is not a title, rather it is a duty and responsibility; a pledge; a lifelong commitment wherein no worldly obligation, in comparison, holds any value.

Only if these values are instilled from childhood can secretaries of Waqf-e-Nau be successful. Waqifeen will then realise that in reality, they are Waqf-e-Zindagi (lifelong devotees of Islam).

Huzooraa reiterated that it is of utmost importance for secretaries to set a personal example and practice what they preach.

Alongside professional and personal lives, secretaries must take time out for their religious obligations and never allow worldly pursuits to distract them.

Tahajud prayer, beseeching Allah’s nearness and seeking His forgiveness is of utmost importance. They should pray for Waqifeen regularly. Only when this is done can the secretaries say that they have fulfilled their duties.

The Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, said that even when in worldly pursuits, true believers’ faith should always remain their priority.

Multitudes of Waqifeen will march forward with huge determination to serve the grand mission of the Promised Messiahas if this is achieved. They will themselves offer their lives for the service of Islam. To ensure this, secretaries must instill in Waqifeen the reality of their Waqf – their dedication to the Jamaat.

It is of utmost importance that Waqifeen are exposed to the highest levels of piety and devotion, both at home and in their Jamaat circle.

Parents, therefore, must also be guided and they should be reminded to stay

Launch of new Waqf-e-Nau website

n 6 December 2019, after the Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa officially launched the new Waqf-e-Nau department website.

During the sermon, concerning the website, Huzooraa stated that now, through this website, members of the Jamaat can directly contact the department for information in regard to Waqf-e-Nau. In relation to the features of the

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website, Huzooraa further stated that the website will also have clips of questions and answers asked by and relating to to Waqf-e-Nau. The website will also contain guidance and instructions from the Khulafa regarding Waqf-e-Nau. PDF files of the Ismael and Maryam magazines will also be available, as well as the history of Waqfe-Nau, career planning and guidance for

Waqf-e-Nau, information in regard to the Jamaat and how Waqf-e-Nau can extend their services in their respected fields, among many other things.

Huzooraa stated that all Waqf-e-Nau and parents of Waqifeen should visit the website and benefit from this facility.

Readers can visit the new website on the following link: www.waqfenauintl.org

sincere to Allah the Almighty.

If secretaries are successful in this, then we will see an army, not to fight wars, but to advance for the cause of peace, harmony and goodwill. Huzooraa reminded secretaries to listen to the Friday Sermon he delivered in Canada in October 2016, titled “Lessons for a Waqf-e-Nau”. This should be studied carefully as therein lie the characteristics that set apart Waqifeen from others and make them special.

A legion of missionaries is, by the grace of Allah, being established through Jamias. However, it is not just missionaries that we require. There are many fields that Waqifeen must enter for the service of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

There is a hospital project in Indonesia and Waqifeen are required there. It would be preferable for the doctors to be from Indonesia. Doctors from USA, Canada and Latin America can assist in our hospitals, as well as those living in Europe

and Asia.

It is necessary for the secretaries to ensure that Waqifeen are active in larger Jamaats. Secretaries must ensure that all Waqifeen comprehend the true significance of their pledge and that they fulfil it with complete fear of Allah.

There are some Waqifeen who are interested in fields not necessarily related to the service of the Jamaat. Those who are not called to the immediate service should realise that their faith should remain their priority. They should not focus on their careers and neglect their religious obligations.

With the grace of Allah, Professor Abdus Salam Sahib reached the pinnacle of his professional career without compromising his religious obligations.

He was regular in offering prayers and well versed in the writings of the Promised Messiahas.

Huzooraa reminded the participants

of an instruction that he gave recently that Waqifeen who have completed their education should also join the civil service.

Allah has blessed us so much that in some countries, alongside fulfilling the needs of the Jamaat, there are those who can serve their country also. Through this, a great positive change can be brought within the world; a great spiritual and moral revolution – such a revolution that brings the world to realise, through propagation, the true teachings of Islam; a revolution that can ensure the peace and security of the world and a revolution that can bring together people of all races and beliefs.

Huzooraa fervently prayed that Allah may enable all secretaries to offer their duties in the best fashion so that Waqifeen can serve the Jamaat in the manner that is expected of them.

The event concluded with silent prayer, after which participants were offered dinner.

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The “Holy” Bible or the “whole” Bible?

A brief study in the Apocrypha controversy Asif M Basit

he Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, peace be T upon him, states in his book Chashma-e-

Masihi: “It should also be remembered that the clergy’s collection of scriptures is completely worthless and even embarrassing. They whimsically declare some books to be divine and others to be forged.

They judge these Fountain of Christianity by four Gospels to be Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , The Promised Messiah and authentic and the Mahdi | Ahmadiyya ARC rest – about 56 of them – forged. But this belief is based on mere conjecture and speculation, rather than on any concrete evidence. They have had to make these decisions by themselves, for there is a marked discrepancy between these and the other Gospels.

Researchers, however, believe that it is not possible to determine which of them is actually forged and which is not. This is why, on the occasion of King Edward’s Coronation, the Church fathers of London presented him with the books that they presume to be forged along with the four Gospels, all bound in one volume. I possess a copy of this Bible.

“Now, if these books had really been as

Lists of books, including the Apocrypha in the Coronation Bible of Edward VII, Lambeth Palace Library, E185 1897 [**]

forged and were unholy, would it not be sinful to bind the holy and the unholy in a single volume? The fact is that these people are unable to say with any degree of conviction whether any of these books are authentic or forged, and everyone goes by their own opinion. Out of mere prejudice, they declare those Gospels to be fabricated which are in accord with the Holy Quran. Hence they have declared the Gospel of Barnabas to have been forged because it contains a clear prophecy about the Prophet of the Latter Days [the Holy Prophetsa].” 1 The Promised Messiahas is here referring to the books that have been left out from inclusion in the Bible due to being branded as non-canonical, commonly known as the Apocrypha.

The books that contain prophecies about the advent of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam have also been classed in the Apocrypha.

Why these books have remained doubtful and kept away from being included in the Bible is an interesting story.

The “story of the making of the Bible would be very incomplete”, says J Paterson Smith, “without some account of the Apocrypha, i.e. the books which stood nearest in esteem to the recognised Scriptures, but were denied a place in the Canon”. 2 Acknowledging that lines were drawn to distinguish between canonical and noncanonical books of the Bible at some stage in history, Smith suggests that “wherever the line had been drawn there must always be some borderland books just outside the boundary. Practically these are what is meant by Apocryphal Books”.

The word Apocrypha means “hidden” or “kept from public use”. Why? The answers given by historians of the Bible range between the content of these books being too high for the crowd, to being mysterious in their meanings, to being defiant in leading the general public in a direction desired by the clergy.

For Roman Catholics, the Apocryphal books are placed with the inspired works of Hebrew Scriptures, where the Greek Church holds them between the Roman position and that of their own orthodoxy, giving them a sub-canonical value; the Church of England takes them as noncanonical, but useful as an appendix that is helpful in understanding the canonical texts. Most Protestant churches reject them altogether.

With next-to-no understanding of

The Coronation Bible presented to King Edward VII. Lambeth Palace Library, E185 1897 [**]

Biblical scriptures and their authenticity, I do not intend to go into details of how the Bible has taken shape over centuries.

Brilliant work on this particular area has been carried out by Ahmadi scholars like Mir Mahmud Ahmad Nasir Sahib, most of it published in Mawazna-e-Mazahib.

We take the above as a specimen to prove the statement of the Promised Messiahas about the church being unsure and uncertain and grossly split on deciding which books comprise the Bible and which ones do not.

The above extract, where the Promised Messiahas mentions the Coronation Bible of King Edward VII, was presented by a Jamia UK student to Hazrat Khalifatul

Masih Vaa during a mulaqat. The student, Ibtesam Mirza Sahib, had asked Huzooraa how and where the Bible could possibly be found. Huzooraa graciously directed him to convey his instruction to me that I should try and find it.

So started a journey of many months, which, with Huzoor’saa prayers and Allah’s grace, saw fruition in November 2019.

The search was a difficult one and seemed not to be getting anywhere. However, I was convinced that since the Promised Messiahas has specially mentioned this point, there must be more attached to the story. That the Promised Messiah’sas caliph had instructed a research to be conducted fuelled more conviction and motivation

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to the pursuit.

What a pleasure it was, when I eventually found it, to see that there actually was much more attached to the story. I was left with my faith strengthened in the fact that no word uttered or written by the Promised Messiahas should be deemed unimportant.

The Bible presented to King Edward VII on his Coronation was found in the Lambeth Palace Library – the headquarters of the Church of England – that archives the records of the Archbishops of Canterbury. Since the Bible in question was presented to the King in the Coronation ceremony by Frederick Temple – the then Archbishop of Canterbury – it was, after an extensive search, found in the archival collection titled F Temple.

What was found with it was a plethora of correspondence that took place between the Archbishop of Canterbury and other notable officials around the issue of the Coronation Bible. This correspondence brings to surface the problem faced by the Church of England, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Palace and the press in reaching the conclusion as to what books to be included in the book that can be called the “correct” Bible.

A selection from this correspondence that shows how the story unfolded is presented below in chronological order.

Preparations of the Coronation The Coronation was scheduled to take place on 26 June 1902, but had to be

postponed at the last minute as the King fell ill and had to undergo surgery; it took place instead on 9 August in the Westminster Abbey.

The preparations, however, had been underway from the start of the year. The first letter in this regard is written by the editor of Debrett’s Dictionary – a who-iswho style dictionary of the UK – to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The letter, dated 27 February 1902, reads: “The Editor of ‘Debrett’ presents his compliments, and would feel greatly obliged if His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury could favour him with any particulars regarding the Bible which will be used in the coming Coronation ceremony, as he would like to add it to a small ‘Debrett’ volume now in course of preparation.”

The Archbishop wrote a reply-note on the corner of this letter saying, “Say I have no information on the subject.”

The Debrett’s Dictionary of the Coronation, when published, carried an entry that read: “The Coronation Bible: There is no official Bible on which the Coronation Oath is taken, a new one being provided at each coronation. The one used by Queen Victoria was given after the coronation to the Bishop of Winchester, and was afterwards in the possession of his son, the Rev. J. H. Sumner, of Buriton, Hants.

“Strange to say, though there is not an official Bible on which the Coronation Oath is sworn, there is yet, preserved in the MSS. Of the Cottonian Library at the

The controversy around the Apocrypha being included in the Coronation Bible of Edward VII in 1902 started off with a letter from the Farnham Castle - only a couple of miles away from Islamabad, Tilford where the current Markaz of the Jamaat is now based

British Museum a Latin translation of the Four Gospels, in MS. Of course, on which tradition says that the early English Kings took their Coronation Oaths. It is a quarto volume of 217 leaves, and was written seemingly about the end of the ninth century.” 3 The next letter on this issue was written from the Farnham Castle by the Bishop of Winchester to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Farnham has held a very prestigious status in the Church of England, owing to it being the seat of the Bishop of Winchester. This letter from Farnham – where the headquarters of the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat was to be established 117 years later – stirred up the controversy that the Promised Messiahas has referred to in Chashma-e-Masihi.

The Bishop of Winchester was, and is to this day, ordained directly by the Crown. In 1902, this post was held by Rev Randall Davidson who was a very close confidant of the Crown.

Davidson wrote to Frederick Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the following letter: “Farnham Castle Surrey 1st March, 1902 My dear Lord Archbishop, I understand that it has been arranged that the Bible Society is to prepare and present the Bible to be used at the Coronation. I presume this means the Bible actually given to the Sovereign by the Archbishop with the accustomed words. It is further stated that this must mean the Bible in its entirety as officially used in the Church of England at Lecterns and elsewhere i.e. that it must include

the Apocrypha. I cannot think the Bible Society can have been in any doubt about this, but, to avoid possibility of mistake, I ought to tell you that the King spoke to me about it yesterday, and desired me to communicate with you, and to say that it is essential that the Bible in question should be as heretofore the full volume, including the Apocrypha.

“If the question has come before you in any way, perhaps you will be able to secure that the Bible Society understand this. They will know how to arrange matters best.

I am respectfully and dutifully yours [signed] Randall Winton” (Winton being the Latin name of Winchester; Actual name, Randall Davidson.)

So, we see here that the Bishop of Winchester insists on having the Apocrypha added to the copy of the Coronation Bible to be presented to Edward VII. The demand to having the Apocrypha included seems obviously very pressing.

In another letter, strangely dated the same as the above letter, the Bishop of Winchester attributes this demand to the King himself. The letter reads: “Farnham Castle Surrey 1st March, 1902 PRIVATE My dear Lord Archbishop, I told the King yesterday about the Bible Society difficulty, and he directed that we should say distinctly that the Bible to be used must be the ordinary

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Bishop of Winchester to Archbishop of Canterbury. Lambeth Palace Library, MS 1469, f 134

Bible required officially in the Church of England for use on Lecterns or elsewhere – i.e. that it must include the Apocrypha.

If the Bible Society cannot comply with this, it is for them surely to say so. I have never had any communication with them or anybody else about this difficulty, so I do not know to whom to write. Perhaps the enclosed letter to yourself might be sent on by you to somebody who has approached you about it, or to the Bible Society themselves. But you will know how best to arrange this. Or I will, if you prefer it, write to the Bible Society, if you will tell me how the difficulty has found expression.

Yours affectionately and dutifully Randall Winton” A reply note by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the top of this letter reads: “Letter to Marquis of Northampton”.

William Compton, 5th Marquess of Northampton, was president of the British and Foreign Bible Society (referred to as BFBS henceforth) in 1902.

This command of the Bishop of Winchester was communicated to the BFBS. How they responded, we shall come to that later. What is more appropriate here is a brief introduction to the Apocryphal controversy of the 19th century, and also of the BFBS. The Apocryphal controversy of the 19th century During the decades of 1830 and 1840 – the

time of the birth of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian – the millennial debate had gained momentum and two distinct groups had been formed.

One group was commonly seen as “historicist”, while its advocates liked to call it the “Protestant view”. This group had established that the likely date of the second advent of Christ would be around 1866-1868. By 1855, it was thought that most Evangelical clergy favoured this estimate. 4 While this group was busy in identifying signs of the second advent that had become manifest, the other group, known as the “Catholic Apostolic Church” relied on a moderate type of futurism: waiting for the preambular prophecies to come true before the second advent of Christ; “futurists” they were hence known as. 5 John Nelson Darby, a stalwart advocate of this viewpoint, elaborated that the predictions of the second advent would be fulfilled only after the believers, both alive and the resurrected dead, had been caught up to meet Christ in the air; the so-called rapture. 6 Darby’s view was termed as “dispensationalism” – for its sharp distinction between periods of divine dealings with mankind. This view gained more popularity in the 20th century. 7 These debates on understanding the revelation regarding Jesus Christ’s second

coming paved way for questioning the authenticity of the books that comprise the Bible.

Although this era witnessed a sharp rise, the debate on authenticity had existed almost throughout the history of Christianity. The famous evangelist, Henry Martyn (1781-1812; not to be confused with Dr Henry Martyn Clarke who famously had a debate with the Promised Messiahas) was in Carach (Persia) in May 1812 – the last year of his life. He was questioned by two Muslims – “gentlemanly gentle” as Henry Martyn recalled them in his memoirs – about the authenticity of the Bible and about it being divinely revealed. “The sense from God,” replied Henry, “but the expression from the different writers of it.” 8 Henry Martyn must have inherited this approach of not believing in verbal inspiration from his mentor, Charles Simeon – an English evangelical clergyman who inspired Henry to forsake his career as an academic and become a clergyman. Following in the footsteps of Simeon, Henry too would confess the Bible’s “inexactness in reference to philosophical and scientific matters”. 9 Around the same time, there were evangelical clergy, like Daniel Wilson, who held that the Bible was preserved from error in matters only “relating to religion”. 10 TH Horne in his four-volume work of 1818, quite freely admits there being discrepancies in the text of the scripture. 11 Philip Doddridge (d. 1751) had laid foundations for such a school of thought where distinctions were made “between different modes of inspiration, so that some passages were held to afford greater insight than others into the divine mind”.

This view predominated the debate around “divine inspiration” of the scriptures in the 1800s, especially in the circles of the London Evangelical leaders. 12 In 1816 appeared a view that conflicted the Doddridgean view of different degrees of inspiration. This view was zealously advocated by the Scottish evangelical Robert Haldane, who suggested that parts of the Bible could not be accepted or rejected according to the judgment of human reason and that the whole of the Bible ought to be accepted in totality despite therein being “things evidently mysterious”. 13 He claimed, in his work “The Evidence and Authority of Divine Revelation” (published 1816), that the scriptures make “a claim of infallibility and of perfection” for their own inspiration.14 Haldane’s views played a great role in brewing the Apocrypha controversy that broke out in the British and Foreign Bible Society in the 1820s. 15 The BFBS was founded in 1804 and had taken upon itself the task to publish affordable Bibles for the general public across Europe. All their versions of the Bible included the Apocrypha, as was customary among the Catholics and the Protestants alike.

Haldane saw this policy as adulteration of the pure word of God, where uninspired material, i.e. the Apocrypha,

was mingled with the inspired scripture.

He bitterly criticised the BFBS’s conduct, which he saw as a Simeonian view, of distributing the Apocrypha with the canonical works as a means to promoting theological heterodoxies.16 Simeon and the secretaries of the BFBS saw the inclusion of the Apocrypha as a means of increasing acceptability of Bible and were, thus, reluctant to abandon the practice.

However, the pressure mounted so much that the BFBS succumbed to not only abstain from inclusion of the Apocrypha in their future editions of the Bible, but also agreed to withdraw existing Bibles containing the Apocrypha from stock.

Haldane’s view was victorious and it became part of the BFBS byelaws that any Bible published under their auspices would be one without the Apocrypha.

Haldane ensured that not only the BFBS but any Bible Society should ever include the Apocrypha in their Bibles. Despite his victory, his fury did not seem to calm down as he accuses the BFBS of having accepted his proposal not by way of admitting that their previous practice was “unlawful”, but “in deference to public opinion”. 17 However, the BFBS made it their policy never to include the Apocrypha in the Bibles that they published thenceforth.

The BFBS refuses to print the Coronation Bible Upon receiving the instruction of the Bishop of Winchester, the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to William Compton, the Marquess of Northampton and then president of the BFBS. The Archbishop’s letter read as follows: “Lambeth Palace S.E. 4 March 1902 My dear Lord Marquis It is my duty to prepare the office to be used at the Coronation on June 26th in Westminster Abbey and in discharge of that duty, I have to see that what is required for that office is in accordance with rule. I am informed that the B & F Bible Society have obtained permission to prepare and supply the Bible which is to be presented in the course of the Ceremony. And I write to you as their President knowing the rules of that Society (to which I am myself a subscriber). I think it just possible that in making their request the officers of the Society may not have realised that according to precedent the Bible must be an entire Bible such as is officially used in the Church of England, and must therefore include the Apocrypha.

“The matter has been submitted to the King and I have received His Majesty’s command to inform the Society that it is essential that the Bible in question should be as heretofore the full volume including the Apocrypha.

“May I ask you to communicate His Majesty’s decision to the Society accordingly.

I am, my dear Lord Marquis, Yours faithfully [signed] F Cantuar” (Frederick Temple signed his letters as F Cantuar, Cantuar being Canterbury in Latin)

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Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM William Compton, president of the BFBS, wrote back to the Archbishop of Canterbury stating: “March 7 1902 Lennox Gardens, SW My dear Lord, I have to thank you for your letter in which you inform me of His Majesty’s command regarding the Bible to be used at the Coronation Service. I will at once communicate its contents to the British & Foreign Bible Society & will write again when the offices & Committee of that Society have had time to meet & consider the matter. In the meantime, I can assure you that no one knew of the precedent to which your letter refers.

Humbly, faithfully and Sincerely [signed] Northampton” (Being the Marquess of Northampton, William Compton signed his letters as “Northampton”) A note on Northampton’s letter by the Archbishop of Canterbury reads, “To await another letter”; most probably one

to do with the outcome.

In the meantime, other publishers were getting in touch with the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding other material to do with the Coronation. Oxford and Cambridge University Presses had a long history of publishing the Bible and other material to do with Christianity. Henry Frowde, the then manager of the Oxford University Press wrote: “Oxford University Press Warehouse Amen Corner, London E.C. May 21st 1902 My Lord Archbishop, I have the pleasure to send for your Grace’s acceptance a copy of the Coronation Prayer Book which is dedicated by permission to the King.

I am, Your Grace’s obedient servant [signed] Henry Frowde” The Archbishop of Canterbury must have been glad to have other printers as an alternative to the BFBS. The awaited letter from Northampton to the Archbishop of Canterbury arrived

F Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury to President of the Bible Society. Lambeth Palace Library, MS 1469, ff 136,137

at the end of March. It was a clear refusal, albeit wrapped in polite wording, to publish a Bible that included the Apocrypha.

“Castle Ashby, Northampton March 21st 1902 My dear Lord Archbishop Your letter of the 4th has been laid before the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and I am charged to express our deep regret that the Bible which is alone circulated and sold by our Society and which does not contain the Apocrypha, cannot be used at His Majesty’s Coronation Service. Our Society, as your Grace rightly assumes, was unaware of the precedent mentioned in your letter. The spirit of the rules of the Society is too definite to enable them to act in accordance with that precedent, and they are therefore, compelled to relinquish very unwillingly the provision of the Coronation Bible.

“The Society begs me thank your Grace for your Kind and courteous intimation of His Majesty’s commands.

Yours very faithfully and sincerely Northampton” A note on the corner of this letter

by Archbishop reads, “Can the Bishop of Winchester tell me how the Bible is usually provided? F Cantuar”. Another note says “Written”.

This is where the confusion comes to surface, where no one seems to know, even in the top ranks of the Church of England, as to which books make the Bible and which ones do not. There comes a mention of a “precedent” but what it is based on seems to be not known.

The editors of the Debrett’s Dictionary had enquired directly from the Archbishop of Canterbury about the kind of Bible that is presented at the Coronation. To this, as quoted above, the Archbishop of Canterbury had written back saying that he had “no information on the subject.”

The Debrett’s Dictionary was, hence, quite right in stating that there was, by then, “no official Bible on which the Coronation Oath is taken”.

However, the Bishop of Winchester replied to the Archbishop’s query about the Coronation Bible saying: “Farnham Castle, Surrey 24 March 1902 My Dear Archbishop I do not at all know from when the Bible used at the former Coronation was procured but I fancy I heard that the University Press claimed the right to supply it. Would it not be best that we should now write to the Duke of Norfolk asking whether it is desired that you should obtain, or rather ‘order’, the necessary Bible? It is important now that no mistake should be made and that the Bible used should be complete – Apocrypha and all!

“I saw the Duke of Norfolk today and found to my chagrin that the meeting of your Privy Council Committee, to sanction the publication of the ‘Service’ cannot be held until the third week in April at the earliest and that until then, the ‘publication’ must be held over! I hoped it

had!”

By now, the press had sniffed the muddle and stories about the top brass of the Church being unable to decide on defining a standard Bible had started to surface. The Times, on 28 April 1902, reported on the Coronation preparations and touched upon the topic in the following words: “Some time ago the King signified his willingness that the Bible to be presented to him at the Coronation service in Westminster Abbey should be a gift from the British and Foreign Bible Society. The Archbishop of Canterbury has written to the society, stating that, according to precedent, it is essential that ‘this must be an entire Bible, such as is officially used in the Church of England, an must, therefore, include the Apocrypha.’ After consultation with the committee of the society, Lord Northampton has written to the Archbishop expressing deep regret that the Bible which is alone circulated by the society, and which does not contain the Apocrypha, cannot be used at the Coronation service”. 18 There are three letters from the Marquess of Northampton (dated 13, 26 and 29 April, 1902) asking the Archbishop’s permission to publish his letter that demanded the inclusion of the Apocrypha and Northampton’s reply, as the press was now picking up the issue and the general public was left to form a negative opinion.

One such letter that reflects the general public’s opinion came directly to the Archbishop of Canterbury from Robert Baird, a newspaper proprietor from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Quoting others, Baird very plainly communicated the abusive outburst of certain circles of the public. The letter read: “Queen’s Island Belfast May 15th 1902 My Dear Archbishop As a very humble laboring man, I beg to inform your Grace what the workingmen who are members of the Church of Ireland have said and are saying of your Grace’s recent action assuming it to be true as reported in a recent issue of Modern Society, ‘His Grace the Archbishop of Cant. has sternly snubbed the Society for British and Foreign Circulation of the Gospel by refusing at the eleventh hour the Bible prepared by the Earl of Northampton and his society for the Coronation on the grounds that it is only part of the Bible as the one officially in use contains the Apocrypha, also that his Grace’s action in not Apocryphal’. They say that there is not anything in history more ‘highly immoral’ than is your Grace’s action in telling the world after centuries that there is one Bible ‘canonical for the Bishops and clergy’ and another for the ‘laity’ being the Bible without the ‘apocrypha’, which is now for the first time, pronounced to be ‘essential’.

“Your Grace may make the workingmen ‘infidels’ but not papists.

‘The aging thief went by the Grace of Christ to be with Him’ ‘But there is no

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

8

F Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury to President of the Bible Society. Lambeth Palace Library, MS 1469, ff 136,137

reliable account where the learned priests and scribes went who rejected Him’ ‘They knew the grammar’. ‘The democracy maple and unmaple governments it is by their Grace that your Grace sits in the chair of Canterbury. Christ called His house a house of prayer, but you have made it a “den of smokers”.’

Ever your Grace’s humble servant Robert Baird” The Archbishop left a note on the letter, quite understandably, saying “nil”.

As The Times covered the controversy in their issue of 28 April, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave consent for the said letters to be published through a note given on Northampton’s last letter; one that pointed out The Times’ report. The fire was there but adding fuel by remaining silent could, they must have thought, be avoided.

The Archbishop of Canterbury had, in the meantime, decided that offers of the Cambridge and Oxford University Presses be availed and had the Coronation Bible printed as a joint publication of both the esteemed organisations. Henry Frowde from Oxford University Press wrote to Rev William Conybeare, the Domestic Chaplain of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the following letter: “Oxford University Press Warehouse Amen Corner, London, E.C. June 19, 1902 Dear Mr Conybeare, Mr Clay [manager of Cambridge University Press] and I will bring the Coronation Bible to Lambeth Palace at one o’clock tomorrow.

“We are greatly obliged to His Grace for so kindly asking us to remain to luncheon.

Yours very truly Henry Frowde” So, the Holy Bible, or the “whole” Bible shall we say, was presented to King Edward VII on his Coronation on 9 August 1902. This Bible, that included the

Preaching the life of the Holy Prophet in Bulgaria Abdullah Mihaylov Missionary Bulgaria

alsa Sirat-ul-Nabi was held by JamaatJattended e-Ahmadiyya Bulgaria. The event was by 49 people, including five

Christians. The Jalsa was split into two programmes: speeches on the life of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and then a discussion forum with those in attendance.

The Jalsa on the life of the Prophetsa was initiated with recitation of the Holy Quran

by Rumen Metodiev. Jawad-udin Afan Sahib, a missionary based in Bulgaria, also attended the Jalsa. A speech was delivered in Bulgarian, which encapsulated the great morals of the Holy Prophetsa. Hafiz Fareed Sahib, National Secretary Tabligh, Germany also attended the event and led the discussion with the guests.

The guests in attendance were from Petrich, Blagoevgrad and Sandanski. They enjoyed the event and enquired about similar future events.

Apocrypha, was printed as a joint venture of the Oxford University Press and the Cambridge University Press.

It was this controversy that the Promised Messiahas presented as a proof, that even the topmost clergymen of the Church are unsure about the authenticity of the Bible.

The defining lines between the canonical and non-canonical have been drawn at the will and desire and understanding of humans.

This situation puts the divine origins of the Bible, as we know it today, into question; a question that we invite our Christian readers to answers, if they may. ________________________________ 1 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, The Fountain of Christianity (English rendering of Chashma-e-Masihi [Urdu]), Islam International Publications, UK, 2007 2 J Paterson Smyth, The Bible in the Making: In the Light of Modern Research, Harper & Brothers Publishers, London, 1914 3 Debrett’s Dictionary of the Coronation, Dean & Son Ltd, London, 1902 4 DW Bebbington, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s, Unwin Hyman, London, 1988 5 Ibid 6 WG Turner, John Nelson Darby: A Biography, CA Hammond, London, 1926 7 Bebbington, 1988 8 J Sargent, A Memoir of the Rev Henry Martyn BD, p. 443, ed 10, Seeley & Burnside, London, 1830 9 AW Brown, Recollections of the Conversation Parties of the Rev Charles Simeon, p. 435, London, 1818 10 D Wilson, Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity, Vol. 1, p. 455, London 1828 11 TH Horn, Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, Vol. 1, London, 1818 12 Rosman, Evangelicals and Culture, p. 40; TR Preston, Biblical Criticism, Literature and the Eighteenth-century Reader, in Books and their Readers in Eighteenth-century England, ed I Rivers, Leicester, 1982 13 R Haldane, The Evidence and Authority of Divine Revelation, Edinburgh, 1816 14 Ibid 15 R Haldane, Review of the Conduct of the Directors of the British and Foreign Bible Society relative to the Apocrypha and to their Administration on the Continent, William Whyte & Co, Edinburgh, 1828 16 John C Bennett, Charles Simeon and the Evangelical Anglican Missionary Movement: A Study of Voluntaryism and ChurchMission Tensions, PhD Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1992 17 Bebbington, 1988 18 The Times, London, 28 April 1902

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Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

Hadith in Commentary

The purpose of sacrificing one’s life and wealth Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra

I wish to elaborate upon the Hadith in which Hazrat Saadra sought permission from the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to donate a third of his inheritance in alms and the Holy Prophetsa granting him permission.

The purpose of sacrificing one’s life and wealth is to ensure the spiritual reformation and progress of mankind. It is for this reason that two laws operate; the Shariah and the law of nature. At times, Allah the Almighty reforms mankind through the law of nature, for example, giving the commandment to fast so that through hunger, man is able to purify himself. In the same manner, Allah gave the commandment to pay Zakat, which ensures the poor and destitute are helped through wealth.

Now, some people make things easier for themselves, for example while fasting, if they are thirsty, they go and take a shower.

There is no harm in this because [the Holy Prophetsa has said] “Religion is ease”.

However, some people do not take benefit

The Weekly Al Hakam

from the law of the Shariah (which offers a lot of ease as well). They avoid acting upon the Shariah, for example, some people do not offer Zakat or try to escape keeping fasts and offering Salat. Such people are punished by the law of nature. If a person tries to avoid paying ¼ of his wealth i.e. Zakat, it is possible that through some misfortune, he loses all of his wealth or half of it. Or if a person tries to avoid serving religion, seeking rest and comfort, it is quite possible that he contracts a disease that troubles him night and day.

Thus, a person should not try to avoid the law of Shariah, rather they should partake in it with great enthusiasm and passion. And beyond one’s own pleasure, they should sacrifice as much as possible in order to avoid the devastating grip of the law of nature.

(Originally published in Al Fazl on 13 January 1940 [page 3] in the form of notes taken by Mahmood Ahmad Khalil Sahib from the lectures on hadith by Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra, brother-in-law of the Promised Messiahas)

Reaching half a million through one leaflet: Preaching in Greece Ata ul Naseer Missionary Greece

Thursday, 7 March 2013 when I first Ito tsetbewas“heaven foot in this beautiful country known on earth” due to its beautiful

Articles on various topics now available for you to listen on the go

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landscapes, awe-inspiring mountains, golden shorelines and hundreds of islands.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Greece had been established in 1983 during the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, may Allah have mercy on him; however, a missionary had never been sent to this country. So, in the 30th year since its establishment, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand, appointed me as the first missionary to this historic country.

I did not know a single word of Greek and I had never visited the country previously, but when I was informed about Huzoor’saa decision, all I felt was an honour that was being bestowed upon me. In the month of March 2013, Huzooraa spoke about this appointment in one of the Waqf-e-Nau classes, that he had appointed a pioneer missionary to Greece.

As a missionary, one of my tasks is to convey the message of Islam as expounded by the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, to the people of this land. In Greece, generally there is animosity towards Islam due to the historic past of Greece with Turkey. While distributing leaflets in different cities, I have been told to “go back to Turkey”, and at times, community

banners have been picked up and thrown onto the ground. Threats and abuse during these leaflet distributions and on social media posts are common.

In Greece, we started distributing peace leaflets on 12 January 2015 in the Parliament Square of Athens. The leaflet was an A5 double-sided sheet, which contained the peaceful teachings of various religions, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. We had only printed 75,000 of these leaflets in 2015, but the task was huge and the message was to be conveyed to millions of people living in Greece, in a time when Islamophobia was at its peak.

Every week, several Khuddam and Ansar would go to Parliament Square for leaflet distributions. Some went door-todoor, giving leaflets and conveying New Year’s wishes to the shopkeepers through the streets of Athens. Although it was a great effort by the Khuddam and Ansar, but after all, how many people could they approach with these 75,000 leaflets?

The population of Greece is over 11 million. We also continued to write letters to Huzooraa for prayers. I truly believe that it was due to Huzoor’saa prayers that one day, our leaflet was received by a journalist who was against Islam. He wrote an article about the leaflets being distributed in Athens and published it on his website along with pictures of the leaflets, which contained

the peaceful teachings of Islam and other religions that we wanted to convey to the people. This article was reposted by various blogs and websites whose daily visits were over 500,000. So, one leaflet out of those 75,000 published that year conveyed the message to over 500,000 people. All praise belongs to Allah!

Now, by the grace of Allah, every year, over 100,000 leaflets are distributed in the country on various topics, and similar events take place which increase the outreach of these leaflets. During the last six years, these leaflets have been distributed in cities such as Athens, Crete, Thebes, Larissa, Lamia, Katerini, Thessaloniki, Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Didymoteicho, Kavala, Oerstaida and Serres.

In the north, nearly all the villages have been visited, which are highly populated with Turkish-Greek Muslims. As far as other activities of the community are concerned, we have been able to hold five national peace symposia and Holy Quran exhibitions in Athens. A “World Religions Conference & Holy Quran Exhibition” was also organised in Thessaloniki. Through the use of social media, we have reached millions in nearly all parts of the country and since 2013, around 20 new members have joined the Jamaat, who are from various nationalities.

This year, we are expecting over 10 new members who are interested in the Jamaat and will, Insha-Allah, formally take Bai‘at and accept the message of the Promised Messiahas.

We ask the Al Hakam readers to keep this small Jamaat in your prayers so that we can convey the message of the Promised Messiahas to the corners of this country in the best possible manner. The rest is in Allah’s hand, as it is His promise that “it is upon Me to guide.”

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

10

100 Years Ago...

Ahmadiyya missions’ activities across the globe The Review of Religions (Urdu), December 1919

London Mission Members of the Jamaat know that Qazi [Abdullah] Sahib has returned to Dar-ulAman [Qadian] on Friday.

Although he sent a telegram carrying the news of his arrival to be presented before Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah be his helper, from Bombay [now Mumbai], he reached before the telegram could arrive. So, Huzoor[ra] received the telegram the next day after his arrival.

Qazi Sahib will probably rest for a month.

Master Sagar Chand Sahib (barristerat-law) reached Qadian on 5 December.

Under the guidance of Huzoor[ra], several companions travelled a few miles outside of the town to welcome him. The moment he saw his associates, Master Sagar Chand Sahib came out of the horse carriage and cordially shook hands with them all. There was an exchange of “Assalamo alaikum” and “Wa alaikumussalam”, and then they reached Qadian on foot.

As there was a lot of dust on the way, Qazi Sahib enquired if he was in distress from it. He replied that the dust of Qadian was much dearer to him than the clean atmosphere of other countries.

Standing in a row, the entire faculty and students received and welcomed him outside of Madrasa Ahmadiyya.

Thereafter, he went straight to Masjid Mubarak. After some time, Huzooras came out and delivered a long address in which he advised him that the time of test and trial had just begun. If he will remain steadfast during that period, then, God willing, he will receive great rewards from Allah the Almighty. The complete address

will, Insha-Allah, be published in Al Fazl.

After the meeting, Master Sagar Chand Sahib had a meal and returned to Lahore the very same day. He promised on his way back that he would pay a visit to Qadian at least once every week and that he would come on the occasion of Jalsa as well.

Instead of Gurdaspur, he preferred to start his practice at Lahore. On his way to Qadian, he had also delivered a lecture in Bombay.

An urgent telegram has been sent to Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib to immediately depart for America.

Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray for his safe entrance in a very far off country.

Mauritius Some Ahmadis are about to arrive in Qadian from this Island. We have heard that the mother of Sufi Sahib is also accompanying them. They may well have reached Bombay. They will be here in a day or two.

Sufi Sahib has stated that detailed papers of the case have been sent along with them. The case is still underway.

Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray for the successful outcome of Ahmadiyyat over there. Amin.

Malabar News has been received from Malabar that recently, five people have embraced Ahmadiyyat. Their Bai‘at forms have reached us, Alhamdolillah! Below is the list of their names: 1. Mian Abdul Razzaq Sahib

2. Mian Abdul Qadir Sahib 3. Muhammad Kunji Sahib 4. Maryam Sahiba 5. Maulvi Idrus Sahib Egypt Brother Abdul Karim Sahib, Secretary Anjuman Ahmadiyya writes that Dr Aghlam Ali Khan Sahib has left to visit [Qadian] India and that he is engaged in tabligh by all means.

He states that letters are being written to the editors of different newspapers and various personnel but as they are extremely engrossed in worldly affairs and so much away from religion, they take very little interest in religious matters. However, they are trying and virtuous souls are being drawn towards Ahmadiyyat.

Hence, along with the letter under discussion, a Bai‘at form of respected Abdul Hameed Ibn Ali Yunus Sahib has been received. May God grant them steadfastness. Amin.

Iran Brother Muhammad Ishaq Sahib writes that he is continuously engaged in conveying the message of truth to the people. May God cause their efforts to flourish. The natives of that land are Ahle-Tashi [Shiites] and they believe that the Imam of the latter days will be born when a spring will begin to flow at a certain place over there. They are astonished after hearing that the Imam of the latter days has already come.

Baghdad Mirza Muhammad Hussain Sahib writes

from Baghdad that in the recent past, he was blessed with the opportunity to carry out tabligh over there.

The books of the Promised Messiahas, Al-Istifta [An Inquiry], Mawahib-urRahman [Bounties of God], Najmul Huda [The Star of Guidance] etc., were presented to several persons. Among them, certain people have already read or promised to read them.

It is hoped that they will cause a beneficial impact. He further states that the moral condition of Muslims living there is very bad. Women have a European dressing style, while their hands, faces and feet are covered with certain pictures and various marks. Alcohol consumption is rampant. There is a usual practice of having gold teeth implants and both men and women are into it, so much so that the successor of the seat of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir’srh shrine has these implants.

Interest in education is very low, but now, the British government is establishing schools and trying to bring such people towards education and civility.

Ceylon Promising letters are being received from Ceylon. Recently, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Ceylon has reprinted and published an English lecture, The Crying Need of the Age Fulfilled, which was delivered by respected Qazi Muhammad Abdullah Sahib. Although the [financial] condition of this Jamaat is not very good, they are always engaged in publishing Ahmadiyya literature with great passion. May Allah the Almighty be their Helper. Amin.

Ahmadiyya mission for America The Review of Religions (English), December 1919 Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra

To the Editor, Review of Religions, Qadian.

Dear Sir, Will you be so kind as to publish the following announcement in your esteemed paper: On the occasion of the last special Muslim Conference at Lucknow held to express the views of the Muhammadan Community regarding the future of Turkey, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Community at Qadian addressed an open letter to the Secretary of the said conference. In the said letter it was shown that the only chance of success in obtaining considerate and fair treatment for Turkey lay in removing the prejudices against Islam universally prevalent in the Western countries, specially in France and America. The Khalifa-tul-Masih – as

the Head of the Ahmadiyya Community is styled – therefore suggested the immediate dispatch of two Islamia Missions to America and France. The letter was widely distributed among the gentlemen assembled in the conference.

The conference authorities did not choose to take any formal notice of the letter. But from letters received from private gentlemen it appears that there is a considerable body of Mussalmans outside the Ahmadiyya Movement, who appreciate the usefulness of the suggestions, and heartily wish to see the same carried out. The Khalifa-tul-Masih has therefore decided without waiting for the co-operation of any other association, to despatch at once an Islamic Mission to

America. It may not be generally known that three of his representatives are already employed upon a similar work in England under the lead of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, M.R.A.S., Phil. B, A. S. P, F. P. C. (London), and have already, through God’s grace, met with a very satisfactory degree of success both among the resident Englishmen and foreign visitors. An urgent telegram has been sent to Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib to proceed at once to the United States of America. In making the present announcement our object is to make it known to the Mussalman public that the suggestions embodied in the Khalifa-tulMasih’s letter referred to above are now being practically carried out and thus to satisfy the curiosity and interest naturally

awakened by the said letter in many a sincere and pious heart.

The present mission, it may be understood, is being despatched agreeably to the long standing plan of His Hazrat the Khalifa-tul-Masih, and shall be, like the Ahmadiyya Mission in England and elsewhere, purely religious in its aim. We will however be prepared to co-operate with any other association on the principles outlined in the letter to the Secretary, Lucknow Conference.

Yours faithfully, Rahim Baksh M.A. Secretary for Mission Work to His Hazrat the Khalifa-tul-Masih, Qadian.

Qadian, 25 November 1919.

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Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

Wives of the Holy Prophetsa

Hazrat Juwairiyah bint Al-Haris “We did not see any woman greater than Juwairiyah, who brought blessings to her people.”

(Hazrat Aishara) Awais Rabbani Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

Birth Name: Barrah Born: c. 608 Father’s name: Haris bin Abi Darrar Tribe: Banu Mustaliq Year of Expiration: 670 Hazrat Juwairiyah was the daughter of the famous chieftain of Banu Mustaliq, Haris bin Abi Darrar. She was first married within her tribe to Musafi bin Safwan.

Hazrat Aishara described her as someone who possessed charm and beauty and she fascinated everyone who saw her. (Sunan Abi Daud, Hadith 3931) Haris harboured animosity against Muslims and began colluding with other tribes to wage war against Medina. When the Holy Prophetsa received intelligence of his preparations, he set out with the army to confront Banu Mustaliq and reached Muraisi, a place close to the dwellings of his adversaries. The enemies had planned a surprised attack on Medina; with the unexpected arrival of the Muslim army, the tribes allied to Banu Mustaliq panicked ra

Humanity First help earthquake victims in Albania Zubair Khalil Khan Humanity First Germany

O

n 26 November, at 3:54am an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude shook the second largest city of Albania, Durres.

The city is populated with over 113,000 people and the death toll has risen to over 50 people while hundreds are injured. Nearby villages within a radius of 25km of Durres were also badly affected. Humanity First went to Ishem village to provide relief, the village’s population was approximately 2000 people.

Humanity First volunteers from Albania and Kosovo went to the village and were supervised by Mr Bujar Ramaj, in charge of Humanity First Albania. A team from Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosova also travelled to Albania and started helping victims of the earthquake.

The doors of the Jamaat’s centre in Albania were opened to earthquake victims.

There are approximately 40 children, men

and fled. However, the seditious designs of Quraish had intoxicated Banu Mustaliq so deeply that they refused to lay down arms and prepared to fight the Muslim army alone. The battle ended with the defeat of Banu Mustaliq. Among the prisoners of war was Hazrat Juwairiyahra, who was handed to Hazrat Sabitra bin Qais.

Account of her marriage Hazrat Juwairiyahra entered into mukatabat with Hazrat Sabitra bin Qais, a practice in Islam which allowed the freedom of the prisoner by paying a ransom to the caretaker.

Since she did not have in her possession the money to pay him and had heard of the generous and kind disposition of the Holy Prophetsa, so she approached him for his assistance. This whole account is narrated

by Hazrat Aishara in the following hadith: [Hazrat Juwairiyahra] said: “O Messenger of Allah, I am the daughter of the chief Haris bin Abi Darrar. You are well aware of the misfortune that has befallen me. I have settled into an agreement with my master.

My request is that you please help me with the payment of this amount.”

The Holy Prophetsa was moved by her plea and realised that marriage to her would

and women who are accommodated in the centre and are provided accommodation, regular meals and other facilities.

A large number of tents were also set up by Humanity First to provide shelter to those whose houses were severely damaged.

Continuous food supplies are also provided for the villagers.

A visit of Ishem village is undertaken on a daily basis. The latest survey revealed that villagers, due to their culture and traditions, do not want to leave their damaged houses.

They wish to have suitable tents in their courtyard where they can spend the night.

Currently no suitable long-term tents are available in Albania and Humanity First is trying to acquire suitable tents from Germany or elsewhere. Additionally, villagers have also requested assistance in restoration of their damaged or destroyed houses.

Winter relief in Bosnia Humanity First Germany in cooperation with Humanity First and Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Bosnia delivered winter clothing

mean the elimination of hostility that her tribe harboured against Muslims. So he replied, “Are you inclined to that which is better?” She asked, “What is that, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “I shall pay the price of your freedom on your behalf and I shall marry you.” She responded, “I shall do this.”

The marriage took place in the year 627.

Upon hearing that Hazrat Juwairiyahra had come into the matrimonial bond with the Prophetsa of Allah, Muslims released all their prisoners. It was owed to the fact that Banu Mustaliq had now become the relatives of their Prophetsa and the companions thought it unwise to keep the kin of their spiritual mother prisoners.

Hazrat Aishara narrated that we did not see any woman greater than Juwairiyahra who brought blessings to her people. One hundred families of Banu Mustaliq were set free on account of her. (Sunan Abi Daud, Hadith 3931) In another narration, Haris (her father) approached the Prophetsa and asked him to return her on account of being the daughter of a chieftain. The Holy Prophetsa replied that she was free to go, however if she wished to remain, then she was most welcome to stay. She was so influenced by the pure disposition of the Holy Prophetsa that she chose to stay. She was then freed and married to the Prophetsa of Islam. (AlIsabah fi Tamizis-Sahabah, By Ahmad bin Ali bin Hajar Al-Asqalani, Vol. 8, p. 74) Dream Later, Hazrat Juwairiyahra recalled that before the war, she saw a dream that a moon travelling from Medina had fallen into her lap. She relates: “I did not wish to tell anyone about this dream. When I was captured, I hoped for the fulfilment of this dream. Then, the Holy Prophetsa granted me freedom and married me. I was 20 years old at that time.” (Azwaje-Mutahharat wa Sahabiyat Encyclopedia,

to more than 347 people in need on 28 November.

Relief packages included winter jackets, gloves, warm leggings and woollen full sleeve tops.

The refugee camp located at the Boric area of Bihac was chosen to distribute the winter relief.

Members of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who run the camp, were extremely nice and possessed great passion to serve. The love shown by the camp managers, Natascha Sahib, Aaideen Sahib and Rubina Sahiba for each individual refugee was worth praising.

Wasim Sahib from Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bosnia, along with Nadim Sahib and Fareed Sahib all worked very hard to ensure the success of the project.

Ms Rubina, who managed the distribution on the men side, expressed her delight as Humanity First ensured

pp. 206-207) Prior to Islam, her name was Barrah.

“Barrah” means piety and the Holy Prophetsa did not like that if someone was to enquire if Barrah was at home and he would have to answer that Barrah was not home. Hence, he changed her name to Juwairiyah. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2140) Attributes She would often fast and was a staunch believer in the tenets of Islam. She would spend most of her time offering prayers. It is related on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbasra: “The Messengersa of Allah went out from Hazrat Juwairiyahra, while she was in the state of offering prayers. Her former name was Barrah but he had renamed her [to Juwairiyah]. When he returned, she was in the same place, worshipping. He asked, ‘Have you been continuously offering?’ She replied in affirmative. He then said, ‘Since leaving you, I have said four phrases three times, which, if weighed against all that you have said (during this period), would prove to be heavier: [The words are] “Glory be to Allah”, and I begin with praise of Him to the number of His creatures, in accordance with His good pleasure, to the weight of His throne and to the ink (extent) of His words.’”(Sunan Abi Daud, Hadith 1503) Her obedience was exemplary. It is reported that once, on Friday, the Prophetsa visited her and she was fasting. He asked her, “Did you fast yesterday?” She replied, “No.” He said, “Do you intend to fast tomorrow?”

She replied, “No.” He said, “Then break your fast.” She immediately complied and broke her fast. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1986) Demise She passed away at the age of 65 and was buried in Janatul Baqi alongside the rest of the wives. The governor of the city, Hazrat Marwanra led her funeral prayer.

provision of winter clothing items for every male member of the Boric camp. According to her, women and children always get priority and men are often neglected.

However, Humanity First treated everyone equally and ensured all were given relief, something which she admired A day earlier, the regional head of IOM, Mr Vladmir Mitkovski invited the Humanity First delegation to his office and appreciated the kind and valuable gesture of Humanity First Germany.

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

12

Thirty years of Baitul Huda Mosque, Australia

Twitter | @AhmadiyyaAUS

Malik Imran Ahmad General Secretary Australia

I

t was the blessed day of 30 September 1983 when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, may Allah have mercy on his soul, laid the foundation stone of the first Ahmadiyya mosque on Australian soil – Baitul Huda, in Sydney. Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Hussainra, a companion of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, also accompanied Huzoorrh on this historic occasion.

It took almost 6 years to build this mosque and during the centenary year, on 14 July 1989, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh officially inaugurated Baitul Huda Mosque - the first Ahmadiyya mosque in Australia. It was also Eid-ul-Adha that day.

To celebrate its 30th Anniversary, a programme was held on Saturday, 23 November at Baitul Huda Mosque which was attended by over 350 guests from different walks of life. The event

highlighted how mosques play an important role in building peace with various communities and establishing strong and sustainable relations with the broader community. An exhibition highlighting the history of the mosque was also displayed.

In his opening remarks, Amir and Missionary-in-Charge Australia said: “Our mosques are built with the purpose of bringing people together and serving our neighbours and the local community. Our mosques are beacons of

light radiating peace, love and humanity.

We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, teach our children our motto, ‘Love for all, hatred for none’.”

National General Secretary, Malik Imran Ahmad provided a presentation on the history of the community and the Mosque in Australia. He said: “In Australia, the community was formally formed in 1979, but the history goes back to early 1900 with arrival of Afghan cameleers.”

He further said:

“Today, we are not merely celebrating the 30 years of the building itself, rather those core values on which it stands.

Those are the values that the Holy Quran teaches us and has two aspects. One to worship God and bring people to their Creator and the other is to serve mankind. We are celebrating 30 years of promoting peace, love, brotherhood, community engagements, harmony, unity, inclusiveness and mutual respect. And these celebrations mark our commitment, that we will uphold these values in the future too.”

Many federal and state members and the local mayors were among the speakers who addressed the audience and congratulated the Ahmadiyya Community in Australia on celebrating the 30th anniversary of its first mosque.

They also appreciated the wide range of activities held by the community to serve the broader Australian community.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale said: “The Muslim community has made many contributions in the development of the Blacktown city. Together we have planted thousands of trees, participated in clean up Australia day and worked on many community projects.”

The Mayor of Hornsby Shire, Philip Ruddock said: “…The organisation like yours has gone well and beyond its responsibility to raise money for so many charities ...

I am deeply proud of the Ahmadiyya Community. Your community is the best example of multiculturalism and integration in Australia.”

The Shadow Minister for Communications and Federal Member for Greenway, Ms Michel Rowland said: “The words, ‘I shall carry thy message

to reach the corners of the world’; indeed that is what this mosque has symbolised.

Over the past three decades, we have seen the Ahmadis continue to maintain their sense of purpose through their hospitality, inclusiveness, innovation, leading interfaith dialogues, patriotism and living by their words – they have adapted to our country through clean up Australia, blood drives and supporting charities but also by being part of the democratic process and getting involved in the democratic process of our country.”

She further said: “When we say God bless Australia, we also say God bless the Ahmadiyya Community.”

The Shadow Minister for Human Services and Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy, Mr Ed Husic said: “When I was first elected, we had a very terrible disaster in the face of Cyclone Yasi in QLD. The Ahmadiyya Community in Sydney approached me and offered $25,000 for the people affected by floods in QLD. They don’t do this once, they do this time and time again. They do this as a gratitude to this great country which has provided them a better life.”

Member of the Legislative Assembly from Riverstone, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Conolly said: “You have given so much to this community over the last 30 years. Thanks for sharing the good will, openness and being welcoming. I want to thank you tonight for all the wonderful work you do and will continue to do.”

The community especially thanked the NSW Fire Services for attending the event and having an exhibition to educate members and encouraging the youth to become regular volunteers of NSW Fire Services.

The National External Affairs Secretary, Mirza Ramzan Sharif stated: “At the time of severe persecution faced by our community, our third Caliph instructed the community that we must respond hate with love, his message was ‘love for all, hatred for none’. This is the gift we would also like to give you all tonight.

Please take it and pass it on to others” Imam Kauser concluded the event by thanking the congregation for attending and then led everyone in silent prayer. He stated: “Every worshipper has a profound responsibility to fulfil the rights of all other members of society. Consequently, a true mosque is both a symbol and manifestation of compassion, benevolence and unity. The history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community testifies to the fact that wherever in the world we open mosques, our members who worship there increase their standards of love, sympathy and loyalty towards their fellow citizens.”

He further stated: “Let us all pray that we all become the perfect citizens of this country! We truly love this country which has given us so much! Wherever we are, we respect and love one another!”

13

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon Men of Excellence 15 November 2019 After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

he last sermon I delivered in this T series of sermons relating to the Badri Companions was delivered in Germany, ra

during which I narrated the account of Hazrat Abdullahra bin Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool. When I concluded that sermon, I spoke about Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool, the father of Hazrat Abdullahra, in relation to the Battle of Uhud.

After accepting the request of the youth, when the Holy Prophetsa decided to go out of Medina to confront the enemy, initially, Abdullah bin Ubayy and his companions also went along. However, after reaching the valley of Mount Uhud, he revolted and returned to Medina with 300 of his followers, saying, “Muhammad[sa], the messenger of Allah, did not pay heed to my advice of remaining in Medina to fight against the enemy.” He also stated, “What sort of fight is this? This is tantamount to suicide.” He then said, “I do not want to wish to place myself in danger.” Nonetheless, hypocrisy was embedded in his heart from the beginning and a hypocrite always displays cowardice, which became evident on this occasion. Hence, when he left with his followers, the total number of the Muslim army was reduced to 700. (Sirat KhatamunNabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p.

487) In spite of this, when the battle commenced, the Muslims had the upper hand and they were closing in on victory.

However, owing to not acting upon the instructions of the Holy Prophetsa and due to abandoning the mountain pass, the Muslims suffered a heavy loss.

I will now present some details of the demeanour of Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool after this battle and how he began to utter hurtful and contemptuous remarks about the Holy Prophetsa and other Muslims.

These accounts also show the love Hazrat Abdullahra had for Islam and the Holy Prophetsa. They prove that he was prepared to take any action necessary against his own father, if he made an attack against the honour of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa.

With regard to how he began to mock others, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra writes in Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin [The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets]: “After the Battle of Uhud, the Jews and hypocrites of Medina, who had become somewhat awe-stricken as a result of the

Battle of Badr now became relatively bold.

As a matter of fact, Abdullah bin Ubayy and his supporters openly hurled mockery and taunt on this occasion.” (Sirat KhatamunNabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p.

506) However, the Holy Prophetsa would always overlook their actions. Upon witnessing the kind treatment of the Holy Prophetsa, instead of feeling ashamed for their actions, they increased in their brazenness and impudence. The audacity of Abdullah bin Ubayy – the Chief of the Hypocrites – and the love the Holy Prophetsa had for his son, Hazrat Abdullahra bin Abdullah, as well as the level of Hazrat Abdullah’sra loyalty and sincerity can be gauged from the following incident: “In the fifth year of Hijrah, whilst returning from the Battle of Bani Mustaliq, the Holy Prophetsa remained in Muraisi for a few days. This was the name of a well of the Banu Mustaliq. However, during this stay, an untoward incident took place, which almost led to the outbreak of civil war between the weaker Muslims. However, the wisdom and magnetic influence of the Holy Prophetsa saved the Muslims. It so happened that a servant of Hazrat Umarra named Jahjah went to the main spring in Muraisi to fetch some water. Coincidentally, another person named Sinan who was from among the confederates of the Ansar, arrived at the

spring as well. Both of these individuals were ignorant commoners. An altercation ensued between the two of them at the spring, and Jahjah struck Sinan. That did it, and Sinan began to scream and shout, ‘O People of the Ansar! Come to my aid, I have been beaten and attacked.’ When Jahjah saw that Sinan was calling his people to aid him, he also began to call for his own, ‘O Muhajirin, come hither, run!’ When the Ansar and Muhajirin heard this voice, a multitude of them rushed towards the spring with their swords in hand, and before they knew it, quite a large horde of people had gathered.

Certain ignorant youngsters were about to attack each other, but a few wise and faithful Muhajirin and Ansar arrived at the scene in time, who immediately separated the people and reconciled between them.

“When the Holy Prophetsa received news of this, he stated that this was a manifestation of ignorant conduct and expressed his displeasure. In this way, the matter was settled. However, when news of this occurrence reached Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool, who was also present in this Ghazwah (of Bani Mustaliq) this evil man desired to revive the disorder. He greatly incited his followers against the Holy Prophetsa and said, ‘This is all your own fault, it is you who have granted refuge to these strangers and allowed them to rule upon you. You still have an opportunity to

relinquish your support for them and they shall leave themselves.’ Eventually, this wretched man went so far as to say: ْ َ ْ َ َ َ​َ ْ َُ​َ ‫ل َ ِئ ْن ّر َج ْعنا ِإلَى ال َم ِدین ِۃ ل َ ُیخ ِر َج َّن الْأع ّز ِمن َہا الْأذ ّل‬ This is mentioned in Surah AlMunafiqun of the Holy Quran, “meaning, ‘Just wait and see, now when we arrive to Medina, the most honoured man or people shall exile the most disgraceful person or people from the city.’

“At the time, a sincere young child from among the Muslims named Zaid bin Arqamra was present. Upon hearing these words regarding the Holy Prophetsa from the mouth of Abdullah, he became restless and conveyed news of this incident to the Holy Prophetsa through his paternal-uncle.”

Observe the level of loyalty and sincerity shown by even the children; they would remain vigilant and they understood what was right and what was wrong. Nonetheless, he conveyed the message through his paternal-uncle.

“At the time, Hazrat Umarra was sitting in the company of the Holy Prophetsa and upon hearing these words, he became inflamed in anger and indignation. He submitted to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘O Messengersa of Allah!

Grant me permission, I shall behead this hypocritical and seditious man.’ The Holy Prophetsa responded, ‘Let it be Umarra!

Would you like people to spread the news that Muhammadsa kills his own followers?’

Then, the Holy Prophetsa summoned Abdullah bin Ubayy and his followers, and enquired of them as regards to this matter.

They all swore that they had not said such things. Some from among the Ansar also interceded and submitted, ‘Perhaps Zaid bin Arqamra may have been mistaken.’ On this occasion, the Holy Prophetsa accepted the statement of Abdullah bin Ubayy and his followers, and rejected the submission of Zaidra. Upon this, Zaidra was deeply grieved, but Quranic revelation was later sent down in confirmation of Zaidra, and the hypocrites were declared to be liars” (i.e. the verse I recited previously).

“The Holy Prophetsa summoned Abdullah bin Ubayy and his followers to enquire regarding this matter, and at the same instructed Hazrat Umarra to order an immediate departure. It was noon, and generally the Holy Prophetsa would not depart at such an hour, because due to

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM

14 the climate in Arabia, this was a time of intense heat and it was extremely difficult to travel at this time. However, in light of the prevalent circumstances, the Holy Prophetsa considered it best to depart at once. Therefore, according to his command, the Muslim army prepared to depart immediately. It was perhaps on this very occasion that Usaid bin Hudair Ansari, who was a very renowned chieftain of the Aus tribe, presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa and submitted: ‘O Messengersa of Allah! You do not normally march at this time of day. What has happened today? Why have we set off in the afternoon?’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Usaid!

Have you not heard the words of Abdullah bin Ubayy? He says, ‘Once we arrive in Medina, the most honoured individual shall cast out the meanest.’ Usaidra spontaneously said, ‘Indeed, O Messengersa of Allah, you may certainly throw out Abdullah from Medina. By God! It is you who are the most honourable and it is he who is the most disgraceful.’ Then, Usaidra went on to submit, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! You are aware that prior to your arrival Abdullah bin Ubayy was very revered amongst his people, and they were about to accept him as a king, but this was mixed to dust when you arrived. Due to this reason, his heart harbours jealousy towards you. Therefore, do not care for his nonsense, and forgive him.’

“After some time, the son of Abdullah bin Ubayy – whose name was Habbab, but the Holy Prophetsa changed it to Abdullah”, i.e. the companion whose account is being mentioned “and he was a very faithful Companion – presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa in a state of concern and said: ‘O Messengersa of Allah, I have heard that you intend to execute my father on account of transgression and mischief. If this is your verdict, then permit me. I shall sever my father’s head and place it before you, but I urge you not to command anyone else. I fear that a tinge of ignorance may flare up in my body, and at some time, I may cause harm to the executioner of my father, and fall into hell despite longing for the pleasure of Allah’”, meaning that although he desired nothing but the pleasure of Allah, yet he did not wish to enter hell owing to the killing of a Muslim. “The Holy Prophetsa calmed him and said, ‘We have no such intention, rather, in any case, we shall demonstrate compassion and benevolence towards your father.’

However, Abdullahra bin Abdullah bin Ubayy was so incensed against his father that when the Muslim army set back for Medina, Abdullahra stood before his father and blocked his passage, saying, ‘By God! I shall not permit you to return, until you confess with your own tongue that the Holy Prophetsa is most honoured and you are the most disgraced.’ Abdullahra pressed his father to such an extent that finally he was compelled to say these words, upon which Abdullahra left him free to proceed.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 557, 559-561) Ibn Saad has mentioned this incident in the following manner: “When the Holy Prophetsa instructed the companions to set out, the son of Abdullah bin Ubayy, Hazrat Abdullahra, blocked the path of his father. He dismounted from his camel and said to his father, ‘Until you

declare that you are the most wretched and that Muhammadsa is the most honourable, I will not leave you alone.’ When the Holy Prophetsa passed by and witnessed this, he said, ‘Let him be! I swear by my life, we will most certainly treat him kindly for as long as he is among us.’” (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 2, p. 50, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) This is written in Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra.

Apart from this, it is also mentioned that Hazrat Abdullah’sra father, Abdullah bin Ubayy said: ْ َ​َ ْ َُ​َ ‫ل َ ُیخ ِر َج َّن الْأع ّز ِمن َہا الْأذ ّل‬ That is, “The most honourable individual or party will expel the most wretched individual or party from his city.” Upon this, Hazrat Abdullahra said to the Holy Prophetsa, “O Prophet of Allahsa! He is the wretched one and you are the honourable one!” The son said this about his own father.

(Al-Istiaab Fi Marifati Al-Sahaab, Vol. 3, p.

941, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut) Then, the Great Calumny, which was raised by the hypocrites was in relation to the incident of Ifk [the lie], the main instigator of which was Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool.

The incident relating to Ifk occurred on the return from the Battle of Banu Mustaliq, in which a licentious allegation was raised against Hazrat Aishara. The instigator of this accusation was Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool. I have already presented the details regarding the incident of Ifk in a sermon towards the end of last year. However, I will present some details in relation to this here as well. The narration of Hazrat Aishara is the same and I will present some parts of it.

She narrates: “It was a custom of the Holy Prophetsa that when he intended to embark on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, then he would take along with him the one on whom the lot fell. On one occasion, before a ghazwah [expedition], he drew lots in the same manner, and the lot fell on me. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa took me along. This was the time when injunctions on Pardah had already been revealed. Hence, during this journey, I would sit in a litter, and it would be placed on the back of a camel. (This was a seat which was covered on all sides with drapes.) Wherever a halt was made, it would be placed on the ground. When the Holy Prophetsa set back after having finished from his ghazwah, and we approached near the city of Medina, one night, the Holy Prophetsa ordered a departure. When I heard this announcement, I left to one side, away from the army, in order to attend to the call of nature, and returned after I had finished.

“When I returned to my camel, I found that my necklace (which was made from black gemstones) had been lost. I went back in search of it and was delayed a short while. In the meantime, those who had been appointed to lift my litter and place it on the back of the camel arrived, and assuming that I was in the litter, lifted it and placed it on the camel, and marched on with the army. In any case, when I returned after finding my necklace (that had been lost), I returned to the same place where the army was stationed but found it empty. I became extremely worried, but I thought to myself that I should remain at my place, because when people realise that I had been left behind, they would surely return. Therefore, I sat on my spot and was soon overcome by sleep. Now, it so happened that Safwanra

bin Mu‘attal Zakwani was a companion, whose duty was to stay behind the army (so that fallen items etc could be retrieved).

When he arrived from behind the army and reached my resting place just before dawn, he found me sleeping there alone.

Since he had already seen me prior to the revelation of injunctions relevant to Pardah, he recognised me immediately and said: ّٰ َّ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ‬ (To Allah we belong…)

I was awakened by his voice …

(Nonetheless,) After this, he brought forward his camel and made it kneel close to me. I sat on the camel and he walked ahead holding the bridle of the camel. We finally reached the place where the Muslim army had setup camp. We reached in the height of noon and this was a time when everyone had retired to their camps for brief rest.”

She then says: “This is the account, due to which those who were to be ruined, ruined themselves. (i.e. those that were to raise this allegation).

The key proponent who was responsible for spreading this slander was Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool, chief of the hypocrites.”

She then says, “After this, we reached Medina, and it so happened that as soon as we arrived, I fell ill, and this illness lasted for one month. During this time, the forged statements of the slanderers were noised widely and rumours were spread. However, until then, I had absolutely no notion of this calumny. One thing I did notice, however, was that during my period of illness, the Holy Prophetsa did not extend to me the usual affection and kindness that I was accustomed to. He would enter and only extend the greetings of peace and enquire about me.”

She says, “I had no idea of the rumours that were being spread. One day I went to attend the call of nature along with Ummi Mistah (in order to attend the call of nature they would have to go outside) it was then that she related to me about what was being propagated. After this, when the Holy Prophetsa came to visit me as usual and asked, ‘How are you feeling now?’ I submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! If you permit, may I go to the home of my parents for a few days?’ The Holy Prophetsa granted permission and I went to them.

“As such, I went there and enquired of my mother about what people were saying.

My mother said, ‘O Daughter! Worry not on account of what they say. People often say such things.’

“I spontaneously said, ‘Holy is Allah!

Are people actually saying these things about me?’”

She then says, “I began to weep, and my tears would not stop. I did not sleep all night. At dawn, I was still weeping.” She says this was when I discovered the allegation the people had raised against me. Thus, the slander continued and the Holy Prophetsa sought advice from some of his companions.

Hazrat Aishara says: “One day, the Holy Prophetsa called Barirah (who was the personal maid of Hazrat Aishara) and enquired, ‘Barirah, have you ever seen anything in Aishara as may be considered suspicious?’ Barirah responded, ‘I have seen no such thing. I swear by that God Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything evil about her, except that on account of her young age, she is a bit careless. It often happens that she leaves

the dough exposed and falls asleep, while the goats come and consume it. (It is only carelessness and nothing more, or that she would often feel sleepy.) Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophetsa addressed his companions on the same day and informed them about the conduct of Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool. The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Is there anyone from among you who can put an end to this? I have been given great grief with respect to my wife on account of him. By God, I know nothing of my wife except piety and goodness. Moreover, I also consider the man who has been mentioned in this connection to be pious (i.e. the other companion who was accused). He has never come to my home in my absence and he always came when I was present.’”

Hazrat Aishara further narrates: “One day, the Holy Prophetsa addressed me directly regarding the matter, upon which I replied, ‘By God, I am aware that certain things which people have rumoured about me have reached you, (i.e. the rumours that people are levelling against me). Hence, if I advocate my innocence, and God Almighty knows that I am indeed innocent, you shall doubt me, but if I accept myself as being guilty, despite my being innocent, you shall believe me. Since the rumours had become so widespread, most people had become convinced, and even some of the companions were saying words to this effect.

“By God, I find myself in the situation of the father of Josephas, who said: ُ َ ّٰ َ ٌ ْ َ ٌ ْ َ َ ُ ‫الل ُہ ال ْ ُم ْس َت َع‬ ‫فصبر ج ِمیل و‬ ‫ان َع ٰلی َما ت ِصفوْ َن‬ That is to say, patience is better for me, and it is Allah alone Whose help I seek against what these people assert.’” This verse is mentioned in Surah Yusuf.

She says, “After this I moved to one side and lay in my bed and was hopeful that God Almighty would provide proof of my innocence, (i.e. that God Almighty would certainly inform the Holy Prophetsa of my innocence in this matter.)”

Hazrat Aishara then says, “However,

by God, (shortly after the aforementioned incident took place) the Holy Prophetsa had not yet left this sitting, nor had any other person of the household left, (Hazrat Abu Bakrra and the mother of Hazrat Aishara was also present) when he was overtaken by the state which he would experience upon the receipt of divine revelation which was extremely exhausting and his body would be overcome with sweat.”

Hazrat Aishara then says, “After some time, this state left him. The Holy Prophetsa smiled and looked towards me saying, ‘O Aishara! God has affirmed your innocence.’

At this, my mother spontaneously said, ‘O Aishara! Get up! And go to the Holy Prophetsa.’ However, I said, ‘I will not thank the Holy Prophetsa, in fact I am thankful to my Lord Alone.’ God Almighty had revealed the following revelation: ُْ ٌ ْ ُ ‫إ َّن الَّ ِذیْ َن َج‬ ‫اء ْوا ِبال ْ ِإف ِک ُع ْص َبۃ ِّمنک ْم‬ ِ ‘Verily, those who brought forth the lie are a party from among you.’”

Nevertheless, despite all of these matters, her innocence was proven. The Holy Prophetsa made an announcement as a verse was revealed in the Holy Quran

by Allah the Almighty. As a matter of fact, Hazrat Aishara used to say, “I thought that Allah the Almighty would inform the Holy Prophetsa of this matter through a dream

15

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM or through some other means. However, I did not expect a verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed in relation to this. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab-ul-Shahadaat, Baab Ta‘deelul-Nisa Bazahunna Bazan, Hadith no. 2661) Hence, this matter came to an end and such allegations and ill-deeds continued.

However, despite all of this, how did the Holy Prophetsa, the mercy for the whole of mankind, treat this chief of the hypocrites?

When the father of Hazrat Abdullahra, i.e.

Abdullah bin Ubayy passed away, Hazrat Abdullahra requested the Holy Prophetsa to lead his funeral prayer. He also requested the Holy Prophetsa for his shirt so that it could be used as a burial garment for his father so that it may serve as a means of alleviating his punishment. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa gave him his shirt.

In another narration, it states that when the father of Hazrat Abdullahra passed away, i.e. Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool, Hazrat Abdullahra presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa and said, “Please grant me your shirt so that I may wrap it around my father as a burial garment. Please offer his funeral prayer and seek forgiveness for him.” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa gave him his shirt and said to call him when they had made arrangements for the burial.

When the Holy Prophetsa was about to lead his funeral prayer, Hazrat Umarra submitted to the Holy Prophetsa, “God Almighty has forbidden you from leading the funeral prayer of the hypocrites” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “I have been given the option to seek forgiveness for them.”

Thus, the Holy Prophetsa led his funeral prayer, but thereafter, once the complete prohibition to lead the funeral prayer of such people had been revealed, the Holy Prophetsa never led funeral prayer of the hypocrites. (Al-Istiaab Fi Ma‘rifat Al-Sahab, Vol. 3, p. 941, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut) According to another narration, when the Holy Prophetsa arrived, his body had already been lowered into the grave. The Holy Prophetsa ordered for it to be taken out and placed Abdullah bin Ubayy’s head upon his lap and then placed his blessed saliva into his mouth and prayed for him.

The Holy Prophetsa then took of his upper garment and placed it upon him. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab-ul-Janaiz, Hadith no. 1350) In another narration related by Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullahra states that after the Battle of Badr, when the prisoners from among the disbelievers were brought, Abbasra was also taken as prisoner but did not have any clothes to cover himself with. The Holy Prophetsa ordered for an upper garment to be found for him and everyone decided that Abdullah bin Ubayy’s garment would be most suitable for him. The Holy Prophetsa thus gave Abbasra that garment. It was owing to this that the Holy Prophetsa granted Abdullah bin Ubayy his own garment for him to wear upon his demise. Ibn Uyaynah states that since he had afforded this act of kindness to the Holy Prophetsa, therefore the Holy Prophetsa also desired to return this gesture of kindness. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Jihad, Hadith no. 3008) Even though this narration is found in Bukhari as well, however it does not seem to be an authentic narration, as the Holy Prophetsa was the Mercy for the entire World.

Firstly, according to the opinion of some, he had not even accepted Islam

at the time of Badr. Moreover, the Holy Prophetsa was a mercy for the entire world and had conferred upon him countless acts of kindness and so even if he [Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool] did take off his shirt, it was not the case that the Holy Prophetsa simply did this in return for that particular act of his. In my opinion, this expression of kindness was owing to his son, Hazrat Abdullahra, who had shown great honour for Islam and the Holy Prophetsa on every occasion. He safeguarded his faith and even firmly treated his own father as well. Thus, in order to comfort and console the son, or perhaps to fulfil his wish, the Holy Prophetsa took off his garment and gave it to him.

Hazrat Umarra bin Khattab relates, “When Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool died, the Holy Prophetsa was requested to offer his funeral prayer. (Hazrat Umarra has narrated this entire incident as well.) When the Holy Prophetsa was about to stand for the prayer, I quickly went before him and said, ‘O Prophetsa Allah! Are you about to lead the funeral prayer of ibn Ubayy? He had committed such and such act on such day.’ I then began to recount some of his ill deeds, however the Holy Prophetsa smiled and said, ‘Umarra move out of the way.’ When I insisted upon this, the Holy Prophetsa stated, ‘I have been given the option in this matter and thus I have decided [to lead his funeral prayer]. If I knew that he were to be forgiven only after I had prayed 70 times for his forgiveness, I would have certainly prayed even more than that.’” Hazrat Umarra relates, “And so, the Holy Prophetsa led his funeral prayer and then returned. It was soon after that the following two verses of Surah alBaraa, i.e. Surah al-Taubah, were revealed: َ َ َ ْ َ ُ َُ ّٰ َ َ َّ َ ‫َولَا ت َص ِ ّل َع ٰلی أ َح ٍد ِّمن ُہ ْم ّمات أبَ ًدا َولَا تق ْم َع ٰلى قبْرِ ٖہ ِإن ُہ ْم کف ُر ْوا ِبالل ِہ‬ َ‫َو َر ُسوْل ِٖہ َو َماتُوْا َو ُہ ْم َفاسقُوْن‬ ِ

‘And never pray thou for any of them that dies, nor stand by his grave for they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were disobedient. [Surah alTaubah, Ch.9: V.84]’” Hazrat Umarra states, “Thereafter, I was shocked as to how I had the courage that day to stand before the Holy Prophetsa and speak to him in such a manner because Allah and His Messengersa know best.” (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab-ul-Janaiz, Hadith no. 1366) This particular incident in relation to the account of Hazrat Abdullahra ends here and I will continue with the accounts of the rest of the companions in the coming sermons.

I shall now mention some details regarding some deceased members and after the Friday Prayer will also offer their funeral prayer in absentia. The first mention is of Respected Amatul Hafeez Sahiba, wife of Respected Maulana Muhammad Umar Sahib of Kerala, India. She passed away on 20 October at the age of 72: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.

Amatul Hafeez Sahiba was born in 1947 in Kerala. Ahmadiyyat entered the family of the deceased through her maternal great grandfather who was among the pioneer Ahmadis of Kerala. The deceased had the opportunity to serve as secretary Maal in Chennai and as Sadr Lajna [president of the women’s auxiliary organisation] in Kerala for a long time. She was very regular in the recitation of the Holy Quran and in offering the Tahajud prayer and would also

teach the Holy Quran to other Lajna and Nasirat members. She would observe all her voluntary and obligatory fasts.

Right until her last breath, she greatly served Maulana Muhammad Umar Sahib; she was extremely hospitable and filled with the passion to serve mankind. She was an extremely pious lady and had a bond of great love with Khilafat. Whichever mission house they were appointed to, she would serve the guests with great sincerity. Prior to her demise, she suffered three heart attacks.

When she suffered the third heart attack, she told Maulvi Umar Sahib that the time of her demise was near and asked him to convey her Salaam to everyone. Thereafter, she recited aloud Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest] three times and then passed away and ultimately presented herself before her Lord. The deceased was a Musiya [part of the Nizam-e-Wasiyyat] and is survived by four daughters. She was also the motherin-law of Munavar Ahmad Nasir Sahib, who is serving as a volunteer in the private secretary’s office helping with letters in the Tamil language.

Respected Maulvi Muhammad Umar Sahib writes: “After passing my Maulvi Fazal exam in 1961, I was first appointed to serve as a teacher in Madrasatul Ahmadiyya and then appointed to Hyderabad, where a particular incident also took place. In 1967 owing to extremely heavy rain in Hyderabad, a large section of the Jubilee Hall building had been destroyed. The first floor of the building was for the prayer hall, the second floor was for the Lajna Imaillah and the mission house was on the third floor. Most of the building collapsed owing to the rain.”

He says, “At the time I was not present there and when I arrived at the mission house in the afternoon, I was left shocked to see the entire building had fallen except for a small corner of the building and my wife who was holding our three-monthold daughter were stood on the third floor without any support. At the time it seemed that it was virtually impossible for my wife and child to survive.”

He further says, “There was a large drop where she was standing and it was not possible for her to jump down and there seemed to be no means for her to escape. The fire brigade brought a ladder with them but no one was brave enough to climb up the ladder and save my wife and child. However, one of the firemen, who was quite aged, said that even if he had to risk his life to try and save the mother and her child, he would do so. The elderly fireman then climbed the ladder and first rescued the child and brought her down and then rescued the mother. Thus, in this way, they were both miraculously saved.”

Respected Maulvi Muhammad Umar Sahib further writes that she supported him throughout with great patience. When he was appointed to Kerala, she served as the Sadr Lajna Imaillah of the province for 15 years and rendered this service in an excellent manner. From 2007 to 2014 she stayed in Qadian while her husband was serving as Nazir Islah-o-Irshad. During this time, she would visit Bait-ul-Dua every day and pray for a long duration. She also had the honour of performing the Umrah in 2015.

Umar Sahib writes: “She would recite the Holy Quran daily

after offering the Fajr prayers and would then also read the Ahadith. This was a daily practise of hers. Even the day she passed away, she had the opportunity to observe this practise of hers. She also had a passion to study the books of the Promised Messiahas and also had an interest in improving her general knowledge. Indeed, this should be the hallmark of a wife of a missionary and by the grace of Allah, this was present in her character. She understood the status of office bearers and missionaries and always showed them respect. She would ensure there would be no shortcoming in her hospitality for guests. May God Almighty shower His forgiveness and mercy on her; may He elevate her status and enable her progeny to become the recipients of her prayers.

The second funeral is of Respected Chaudhry Muhammad Ibrahim Sahib, who was the former manager and publisher of the monthly magazine Ansarullah, Pakistan. He passed away on 16 October at the age of 83 years old: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.

In 1957, he was appointed as Secretary Ansarullah of Pakistan in Rabwah. In 1960, when the monthly Ansarullah magazine was initiated, the deceased was appointed as the manager and publisher and he continued to serve in this role with great dedication until 2004. As part of Ansarullah Pakistan, he had the opportunity to serve as: Office Superintendent, Naib Qaid Amoomi and Secretary for the Sadr Majlis. In 2003, he was wanted by police in connection with a [false] case, however, with my permission he came to the UK and settled here. He also had the opportunity to serve in Majlis Ansarullah here for approximately eight or nine years and was a member of the national majlis-e-amila.

The deceased was a Musi [part of the institution of Al-Wasiyyat]. Owing to his illness, he travelled to Rabwah and he passed away whilst in Rabwah. He is survived by one daughter, five sons and several grandchildren. May God Almighty shower His forgiveness and mercy on him; may God Almighty enable his children and future offspring to continue his virtuous endeavours and also enable them to remain attached to the Jamaat and Khilafat. When he was serving as the manager of Ansarullah magazine in Pakistan, cases would be filed against him at every step. In total, 26 cases were brought against him and he served as Asir Rah-e-Maulah [a prisoner in the way of God] for one month.

The third funeral is of Respected Raja Masood Ahmad Sahib, who was the son of the late Respected Raja Muhammad Nawaz Sahib of Pind Dadan Khan. He passed away on 19 October after a lengthy illness at the age of 69: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.

Ahmadiyyat was introduced in his family through his father, who had close ties with Raja Muhammad Ali Sahib, Nazir Baitul-Maal between 1943-44. He brought them to Qadian to attend the Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention] and his father performed the Bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] at the Jalsa. The reason for him performing Bai‘at was not due to any proof or argument presented to

16 him, rather it was due to an incident that took place.

He says, “When Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra was delivering his speech, I saw a handsome youth holding an unkempt child.

The child had a runny nose, so the youth took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the child’s nose. He stood behind [the stage] all the while Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra was delivering his speech. After a short while, when the child began to cry, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra turned around to see and then made an announcement that there is a child who is lost, his parents ought to come and collect him.” He further says, “I enquired as to who was the youth that was stood in immaculate attire with an unkempt child in his hand. He informed me that this was Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahibrh, the eldest son of Hazrat Khaliftul Masih IIra” and at the time he was perhaps Sadr Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya as well. He then says that this incident inspired him to such an extent that he thought that all other matters to be of a secondary issue, and he decided to perform the Bai‘at owing to what he had witnessed that day. Thus, the people attending Jalsa Salana have always been inspired by such incidents and perform the Bai‘at as a result of witnessing incidents like these.

Nonetheless, Raja Sahib came to the UK in 1991, and was appointed as the first Sadr [president] of Catford Jamaat. He presented his house to be used as a Jamaat centre. Here [in the UK] he had the opportunity to serve as qaid amoomi for Ansarullah, additional secretary Wasaya and also as national secretary Wasaya. When I instructed for improvements to be made with regard to the Wasiyyat scheme, Raja Sahib worked tirelessly for this and by the grace of Allah, he worked to improve the system for the Musiyaan.

He had a deep bond with Khilafat and would always show respect to office

Friday 13 December 2019 | AL HAKAM bearers of the Jamaat. He was regular in offering his Tahajud [pre-dawn voluntary prayers] prayers and would pay his Chanda openheartedly. He would offer Sadaqa [charity], look after the poor and needy and was very friendly. By the grace of Allah, he was a Musi. Aside from his wife, he is survived by one daughter and two sons. May God Almighty shower His forgiveness and mercy on him and elevate his status.

We studied in the same college, but we were in different classes as our subjects were different. Nonetheless, we were in college at the same time and I knew him from there. In this respect, it can be said that we studied together in the same college and hence we were class fellows as there used to be a combined lesson for Urdu and we sat together in that class. Even at that time, I observed that he had many great qualities.

He was always disciplined and would never be involved in mischievousness, as can be observed by some boys in their youth, nor would he disturb anyone. May God Almighty elevate his status.

Allah Baksh Sadiq Sahib, Wakil-ulTalim in Rabwah writes about the deceased saying: “He was a courageous and noble Ahmadi.

There is an old mosque in the city of Jhelum which had a very low ceiling and the floor was elevated from certain areas and was low from other areas. Since 1984, the conditions had become adverse as the Jamaat were not permitted to construct mosques and nor were we able to repair them. However, Raja Sahib took on the responsibility for works on the mosque with great courage and after seeking guidance from Amir Sahib, he very intelligently ensured the works were carried out and completed. Without disrupting the walls that were adjacent to the road, he ensured that the pillars of the hall were built according to the designs, and very wisely constructed the roof of the mosque. For

this, he sacrificed his time as well offering financial sacrifice and encouraged others to contribute as well. In this manner, the mosque was renovated completely and by placing the lintel, the walls of the rooms were later removed. Now by the grace of Allah, there is a hall upstairs and downstairs.”

The fourth funeral is of Respected Saliha Anwar Abro Sahiba, who was the wife of the late Anwar Ali Abro Sahib of Sindh. She passed away on 1 October: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.

She was a brave and courageous person who fulfilled the rights due to God Almighty and the rights of His creation. From an early age, she was regular in offering her prayers and Chanda and would fast regularly. She had a true bond with Khilafat. When her father retired and moved to Nawabshah from Iran, she would give Chanda from the small pocket money she was given. Once, an office-bearer from the centre went to Nawabshah and said in front of the entire Lajna members that the most Chanda received from Nawabshah Lajna was given by this young girl [i.e. the deceased]. This incident was prior to her marriage.

Her daughter, Tahira Momin Sahiba says: “After marriage, as much as God Almighty had blessed her, He also granted her a kind heart. She would always look after the poor and was very humble and meek.

She would give in the way of all financial schemes that were launched and would always pledge to give the most. She served as sadr [president] of the Larkana district for a long period of time. Whenever she would go on an official visit, she would urge the members to offer financial sacrifices and she would be met with a positive response as her own example was pious. She was very

courageous and had great honour [for the Jamaat].

“She was married into a conventional Sindhi household, which, in respect to distance, was far from her hometown. At the time, there was an uncivilised environment in Sindh as innovations and [erroneous] customs were rife. Despite this, she was an active member of society and would meet with everyone and also forged sincere relationships with the people. She looked after her relatives and her in-laws in an excellent manner.”

Her daughter writes, “No matter where the Lajna members are, they always remember her. They [i.e. the lajna members] would say that whenever they felt worried, she would say to them to offer salat and would stress on supplications. Then she would pray for them profusely. She kept a good relationship with everyone and was very sociable. Wherever she would go, she would forge friendships and include everyone among her circle of friends.”

May Allah the Almighty instil the same loyalty and sincerity among her children and may He shower His forgiveness and mercy on her. May her children also remain attached the Jamaat and Khilafat and also sacrifice in the manner she did. May Allah the Almighty accept the prayers she offered for her children. She is survived by two sons and two daughters.

As mentioned earlier, after the Friday prayers, I will lead the funeral prayers in absentia of the deceased.

(Originally published in Al Fazl International on 6 December 2019, pp. 5-9. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

A Conclusive Argument in favour of Islam In this book, the Promised Messiahas gives compelling arguments in favour of Islam and argues that today, the only true and living religion is Islam, and true salvation can only be attained through believing in Allah, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. He further states that the criteria of a true religion is that it continues to produce such virtuous and righteous people whom God speaks with.

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