9th edition 2016

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Friday, 5 August 2016 (CE); 2 Dhul-Qadah 1437 (HQ); 29 Zahur 1395 (HSh); Vol. LXV, No. 9 NGN 100

Gov. Aregbesola Extols Ahmadiyya's Virtues - Attends Jama'at's Grand Ramadan Lecture in Osogbo with Deputy

Nurudeen Akinreti

T

he Executive Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Abdur Rauf Aregbesola has lauded the virtues of members of the Ahmadiyya

Muslim Jamaat in the face of global religious crises and terrorism around the world.

Ogbeni Aregbesola stated this during the grand Ramadan lecture organised

by the Osogbo branch of Ahmadiyya community held at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun state. He noted that the Ahmadiyya community worldwide has

indeed surpassed other religious organisations in terms of exemplifying the true teachings of Islam and working against religious extremism, fanaticism,

radicalism and terrorism.

He observed that the peace message being preached by the Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Community Hazrat Mirza Masroor

Ahmad was a pointer to the fact that the organisation stands for global peace. He therefore called on all other religious sects to follow suit.

2

L-R: State of Osun Governor, AbdulRaufu Aregbesola; The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria, Dr Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Missionary-in-Charge, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar at the Grand Ramadhan Lecture held in Osogbo .

Essence of Worship of Allah PAGE 3 All of us should prefer to worry about becoming the ones who fulfill the purpose of their lives. During and after this Ramadan, we should focus on worshipping God and for that purpose, we should think about the commandment regarding populating the mosques. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that a human being should have a passion about attaining the closeness to God, which will make him valuable for God. So if a person becomes valuable for God, he will find the real guidance.

Khalifa of Islam Opens New Mosque in Sweden T

he World Head of the Ahmadiyya M u s l i m C o m m u n i t y, t h e F i f t h Khalifa, His Holiness, HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad has inaugurated the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, Sweden. It is the second Mosque built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim

Community in the country.

After unveiling a commemorative plaque, His Holiness proceeded to deliver his weekly Friday Sermon, which was broadcast live around the world on MTA International.

Over 80 dignitaries and guests, including the Malmo's City Council

Chairman attended a lunchtime reception organised to commemorate the opening of the new mosque.

During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke in detail about the true purposes of a Mosque; he condemned all forms of terrorism and extremism and

spoke about the humanitarian work being conducted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in various parts of the world.

Speaking about Mosques misused to spread extremism or to radicalise, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “Any Mosque from where evil is spread does not have any

100 Years of Ahmadiyya in Nigeria (1916-2016)

place in Islam. The Quran is very clear that Mosques built with ill-intent should be knocked down.”

Huzur said: “Some of the extremist Muslim groups have now also penetrated Europe and their members are living in these countries and posing a grave threat to the peace and well-being of 2

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News Khalifa of Islam Opens New Mosque in Sweden Continued from Page 1

this Continent. What they are doing has nothing to do with the true teachings of Islam and so all of us who desire peace must stand up and unite against these dark forces that seek to divide mankind.”

In contrast, His Holiness said that Mosques built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were true 'Houses of Peace' in which people gathered together to worship God Almighty.

Referring to the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, the Khalifa said: “It is quite natural to fear the unknown and so the neighbours may well be concerned that the peace and security of their hometown may be disturbed now that this Mosque has been opened. However, based on the Islam that I know and follow, let me reassure you that this Mosque will prove itself to be a fountain of peace, from which only everlasting springs of love and compassion will gush forth.”

“A basic purpose of a Mosque is to serve as a place for Muslims to offer their prayers and in Arabic the word for prayer is 'As-Salat' which in essence means 'compassion, love and mercy'. Consequently, a

Muslim who offers his prayers with sincerity is a person who is kind, caring and merciful and he or she is a person who strives to stay away from immorality, illegal activity and all forms of evil.”

His Holiness said that Ahmadi Muslims were committed to building Mosques throughout the world and that wherever they were built they were soon welcomed by the wider society.

He continued: “We have built thousands of Mosques globally and we have always seen that the fears of the local people soon eradicate when they get to know us and they come to value, appreciate and welcome us as an integral part of the society.

Any initial fears quickly dissipate and instead our neighbours come to cherish our presence and the message of peace that reverberates in all directions from our Mosques.”

The Khalifa also mentioned how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was providing a range of humanitarian services, including healthcare and education to people living in the most deprived parts of the world.

His Holiness said that all such services were provided irrespective of a person's

faith or background and also informed that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was engaged in projects aimed at providing running water to people living in destitution and poverty.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “Living here in the West, where our water taps and showers are constantly flowing, it is incredibly difficult to comprehend the true value of water. It is only when you visit the most isolated parts of Africa and you see with your own eyes young children walking many kilometres each day in order

to fill water basins, which they then balance on their heads and bring home, that you realise just what a precious commodity water really is.”

Regarding the teachings of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “We Ahmadi Muslims believe our Founder to be the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi.

Brandishing only a spiritual torch, he shined an eternal light upon Islam's glorious and everlasting teachings.”

Concluding, the Khalifa said: “We must make every effort to engender peace, so

that we do not bequeath upon our children the gift of a broken and tormented world.

Rather, we must ensure that we leave behind a legacy of a peaceful and prosperous world for our future generations to live in.”

E a r l i e r, a r a n g e o f dignitaries also addressed the audience, including a welcome address by the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Sweden, Mr Mamoon-ur-Rashid.

Chairman City Council Malmo, Kent Andersson said: “Today is a historic day with the opening of the Mahmood Mosque here in

Malmo.”

Professor Catarina Kinnvall, Lund University said: “Your message is of 'Love for All, Hatred for None' which is the message of Ahmadiyyat is a message that you stand for in the defence of education, equality, tolerance, secular laws and religious freedom.”

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad and later His Holiness personally met with the non-Ahmadi guests.

GOV. AREGBESOLA EXTOLS AHMADIYYA'S VIRTUES - Attends Jama'at's Grand Ramadan Lecture in Osogbo with Deputy Continued from Page 1

His words: 'Ahmadiyya Community members are exceptionally different from other Muslims in relation to the ethics, teachings and preaching of Islam. They emulate and display all the attributes of Prophet Muhammed (saw) with exemplary conducts... They convey messages of peace to the world on regular basis.

Other religious organisations should take a clue from this'.

The governor, who was the special guest of honour at the event also use the medium to call on the good people of the state of Osun to exercise patience as the government strives to find lasting solutions to the effects of the economic recession. He then requested for prayers for the

growth and development of the state and Nigeria at large.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori also commended the spirit of good neighbourliness usually displayed by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. She said members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat are law abiding citizens and they enhance the peaceful co-existence among the residents of Osun. She later prayed for the progress of the jama'at and Osun State.

The Amir (Head) Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Dr. Mashhood Aderenle Fashola while delivering his paper titled 'Guidelines for successful Governance' advised the

governor to strive to established a system that would protect the freedom and livelihood of all citizens.

This, he said would lead to sustainable development and success in governance. He added that such a system should be approached with all the zeal and resources at one's disposal as if launching an attack against a dreadful universal enemy.

Dr. Fashola reiterated the need for a robust programme of job creation and youth empowerment outside government, to enhance security of lives and property. He said, “it is generally agreed in development economics that addressing the basic principles of life sustenance,

self esteem and freedom from servitude is fundamental to the process o f s u s t a i n a b l e development”. The achievement of this, he added, requires that certain pre-conditions be met, and the right infrastructures be put in place. He emphasised that a government that desires to be successful in governance, with a view to meeting with the pleasure of Allah and the people must ensure that those basic needs are provided for all. He however, added that such striving also requires enormous courage and determination.

The Amir also called on governments at all levels to enforce all their laws and to

ensure that no one is above the law. He called for the entrenchment of merit and justice. With these, he said, the government will promote c r e a t i v i t y, i n d u s t r y, reformation and positive transformation.

He said his suggestions are achievable if the leaders are exemplary in piety and moral conducts because Almighty God will back them with His majesty and make them prevail over all their opponents. As a result such a government will exhibit grandeur and majesty that will command the respect and praises of all.

Dr, Fashola was thankful to Almighty God for appointing for us at the Federal and State levels

leaders who are sincere believers and devotees of God for such leaders are rare in the world. He therefore prayed for the success of those in authority at all levels of administration in the country.

Other personalities that graced the event include the Missionary In charge Maulvi Abdul Khalique Nayyar, erstwhile national labour leader Alh.Hassan Summonu and the National Ta b l i g h ( P r e a c h i n g ) S e c r e t a r y D r. S a ' e e d Olurotimi Timehin who was the guest lecturer.

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The Friday Sermon A summary of the Sermons of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V

Essence of Worship of Allah A

llah says that having perfect faith in Him, considering Him sovereign over everything, acting upon all His commandments and asking only from Him, is necessary for the acceptance of supplications. What are the commandments of God? God has given us a great book in the form of the Holy Quran that contains all the do's and don'ts of Allah's commandments.

God asked His men to a c c e p t a l l H i s commandment in the Holy Quran, so that their prayers will be accepted, they will get the right guidance, see His nearness due to that guidance, tread on the right path, do the good deeds, refrain from the evils, serve the purpose of their creation and fulfill their covenants among them by following the high moral standards.

Are all these things needed only during Ramadan? Shall we be considered guided if we act upon God's commandments only in Ramadan? Ramadan comes to remind us about these things so that by training ourselves, putting our efforts together and watching one another, we shall seek the path for the nearness to Allah.

Some of us are better in good deeds, better in praying and better in morals. During these days, we get together and get a chance to observe each other and consequently we pay attention to our condition. Both individually and collectively, we should become good in this world and the hereafter by following His commandments and attain His nearness while trying to reach the 'standard of acceptance of supplications'.

There are innumerable commandments in the Holy Quran that Allah has ordained us to do or not to do which we should peruse every now and then. At this time, I have selected a few of them. The first and the foremost that we should always keep in view and it is also the purpose of our creation is ' to worship God'.

As Allah says and as the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has stated Allah says in The Holy Quran “I have not created jinn and men but that they may worship Me” (51:57).

I have repeated it several times, drawing attention to this matter, but many of us remember it for a few days and then forget it. So much so and it is in my knowledge that some of those who have dedicated their lives, know the faith, and understand its importance, don't pay attention to it.

And the office holders, who try to show the power of their knowledge in the meetings and explain in the light of Quran and Hadith if someone's case is presented… some of

them don't keep these basic commandments in view as they should. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says at a juncture that we should understand it very well that Allah's purpose to create us is that we worship Him and become 'His' in such a way that the world in itself should not be our goal. It doesn't mean that we should not engage in the worldly matters. Do it but the responsibility of worship, the purpose of our creation should be given the first preference.

These days, in Ramadan, it is being acted upon generally.

In the western countries, it is about 11 p.m. by the time Isha' is done. Some offer Taraweeh and when they reach home after that, it is about midnight. Then they may be getting up for Sehri around 2 o' clock, and some offer Nawafal and come back for prayers to the mosque. This proves that if there is a will and a practical effort and not merely the awareness of the importance of the knowledge…then they will not show lethargy towards prayers, which is the pinnacle of worship. So in this Ramadan, those who have dedicated their lives, those who have pledged to be the front-runners among those who prefer faith over the worldly affairs, will incline with all their resources.

The office bearers who the people look forward to and have picked them for being the best among them should be

an example for them. It is not only during the Ramadan that they need to pray according to Allah's ways and keep counting the days as they pass and say that now only about twelve days are left and then we will return to the routine or to their old ways. They should try to incorporate the training of the Ramadan, their struggle and their attention toward the prayers in their lives permanently.

I will present more excerpts from the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) regarding this matter. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says at a place that it doesn't behove a believer that he should make something else as his goal while God's intention to create human is only His worship. The rights of 'self' are legitimate but its undue advances are not. Its rights are allowed to enable us to keep praying. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said that your 'self' has right over you. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that this right should be exercised with moderation. We should exercise them for our own good because there are certain things when not fully employed, certain senses will go out of action. It is necessary to use the God given characteristics and powers alongwith the purpose of prayers; not using them will be a denial of His blessings.

There was a female companion of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), who remained in a bad shape. She would never adorn herself or comb her hair. Someone reported to the Holy Prophet mentioning her ways. When the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) asked from her about the matter, she replied that why should she adorn herself as her husband is engaged in praying day and night.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) called for her husband and told him that his wife had rights over him. All kinds of rights must be observed. Health will be maintained and prayers will be offered properly if rights of 'self' are fulfilled.

The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that undue use will eventurn the “Halal” into “Haram”. As man has been created to worship Allah. It is obvious that to fulfill this purpose if something is taken more than it is needed, the Halal is rendered Haram due to this excess. How the person who engages all the time in human pleasures can do justice to worship? It is necessary that a believer should face bitterness in life, for he cannot do it if he engages in pleasures of life all the time. It is regretful that most people, when they attain adulthood, instead of understanding their responsibility and keeping their purpose of creation in mind, abandon God and incline towards the material world. They are so drowned in this world that they forget that there is a God. They come to know about Him at the time of death and majority of these world mongers are such that they are engaged in managing material wealth even at the time of their death.

All of us should prefer to worry about becoming the ones who fulfill the purpose of their lives. During and after this Ramadan, we should focus on worshipping God and for that purpose, we should think about the commandment regarding populating the mosques. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that a human being should have a passion about attaining the closeness to God, which will make him valuable for God. So if a person becomes valuable for God, he will find the real guidance.

Allah says in Surah Al-noor (24:38): Such great men that no business or trade renders them forgetful of the remembrance of God, establishing prayers, or paying Zakat. They are afraid of the day when hearts and eyes will be full of fear. In this verse there is the example of those people who become valuable for God as has been mentioned by the Promised Messiah (peace be on him).

And this distinction was achieved by the Holy Prophet's Companions more than anyone else. They became dear to God and for them the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)

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News Khalifa Condemns Terrorism, Says True Muslims Are Peace-Loving

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he World Head of the Ahmadiyya M u s l i m Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has condemned terrorist activities, especially those committed in the name of Islam. The Khalifa said this in interviews by members of the Swedish media at the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, Sweden.

Asked about rumours that the terrorist group Daesh was radicalising and recruiting Muslim youths in M a l m o , H a z r a t M ir z a Masroor Ahmad said: “It is the duty of the Government and authorities to remain vigilant to the threat of terrorism at all times and to monitor the situation. I also think the police and authorities should be given adequate resources to stop terrorists and

extremists.”

Continuing, the Huzur said: “As far as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is concerned none of our members are radicalised – rather we are peace loving people.”

Asked about the ongoing refugee crisis, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said it was impossible for any single country to accommodate the millions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

As a potential solution, His Holiness cited the example of Afghan refugees given refuge in Pakistan during the 1980s who were returned to Afghanistan once peace was restored in their homeland.

At that time, the major powers and international institutions supported Pakistan by providing funding and infrastructure to house the refugees.

His Holiness said that a similar model could be

adopted for the Syrian and Iraqi refugees wherein neighbouring countries were provided support to take in the majority of refugees until peace was restored in their respective countries. Upon being asked about his office, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “I am a humble person of Allah the Almighty who has been elected as the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to continue the mission of our Founder to spread the true and peaceful teachings of Islam.”

Asked about the security situation of Ahmadi Muslims, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “It is not only Ahmadi Muslims who are at risk, rather everyone is a target for terrorists as we have seen recently with the Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks.

Those attacks can only be

described as acts of horrific brutality and completely against the teachings of Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:“Just a few years ago almost 100 Ahmadi Muslims were killed when two of our Mosques were attacked in

Lahore. However, we never react with violence but we bear all persecution with patience and respond only with prayers.”

Regarding the opening of the Mahmood Mosque in M a lmo , H a z r a t M ir z a Masroor Ahmad said:“A Mosque is a place to bow

down and submit before God Almighty and so when I inaugurate this Mosque I will remind the Ahmadi Muslims about the true and peaceful objectives of Mosques.”

Atfal, Nasirat Visit Ogun State House of Assembly

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hmadi children between the ages of 7 and 15 have made a historic visit to Ogun State House of Assembly complex with a view to acquainting themselves with the business of law making and the roles of legislature in the Nigerian polity.

The excursion was part of activities marking the Annual Atfal and Nasrat Day event held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The children, numbering 264, dressed gorgeously in their respective uniforms and were well- coordinated as they marched to the Parliament Building where government workers led by the Deputy Chief Clerk of the House welcomed the children and introduced other staff to the children and other Atfal/Nasrat

coordinators.

Mrs. Nike Olanrewaju, one of the prominent staff in the parliament, explained to the children the arms of government and how each of the arms work together but

separately to promote the welfare of the citizen. She also pointed out how parliament is constituted from all the local government areas, sitting arrangement of members

and process involved in creation of laws.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, M r s .

Olanrewaju explained the important role of the gavel and the maze in the house to the children after which the

session became interesting with series of questions being asked by the children.

Children also toured the Assembly complex.

As part of programme marking the Atfal/Nasrat day, the delegates to the parliament joined other colleagues at the Amusement Park inside M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, for a get-together picnic programme to have a fun-filled day of celebration.

Alhaja F. Adeyemo, while delivering a lecture on the topic “Promoting Peace and Consciousness: the Role of Children in the next Century”, explained to the children why they need to be role models and ambassadors of Islam in their respective schools to truly show good characters which Islam propagates. She

Iromini Wins Unilorin SUG Election.

S

ister Tohirat Iromini has been elected VicePresident University of Ilorin students Union –

Students Union Government /SUG. Iromini, a 300 level Computer Science student,

polled 1126 votes to defeat her rival who got 594 votes in the July 2016 election.

Tohirat Iromini is a National

Executive member of the female wing of AMSA – Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association of

Nigeria. she is the daughter of Alh. Abbas Iromini, the G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

further stressed the importance of children attaining the pinnacle of success in their studies.

As Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Nigeria is celebrating 100 years of its existence, Alhaja Adeyemo used the opportunity to highlight what was expected of the children in the new century in respect of moral, educational and spiritual values to adopt and to continue flying the flag of Islam-ul-Ahmadiyya.

Other activities of the day included Qur'an recitation, chanting of qaseedah, songs, poems and avenue to play with different toy gadgets installed at the park.

QUESTIONS???

For all your questions on Islam, pease call the toll free number 0800AHMADIYYA (i.e.

0800246234992)

FRIDAY,5TH AUGUST 2016

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WorldNews Faith Groups in Ethical Financial Services Move

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he Church of Scotland and the Islamic Finance Council UK (IFC) have joined forces in a drive to create new ethical financial services. They will examine the "practical commercial viability" of models which can tackle inequality and poverty.

The faith groups said the joint venture arose from a shared belief that financial institutions had in recent years "lost their social conscience". They plan to come up with solutions over the next year.

In a joint statement, the faith groups said their work aimed to benefit all of society, regardless of faith or

belief. The project will research, shortlist and test ideas before a consultation and business plan phase is launched.

A workshop will be held in May in Edinburgh, with theological and financial experts coming to Scotland from as far afield as Nigeria, Malaysia and Bahrain.

The Church of Scotland and IFC said ongoing scandals of mis-selling payment protection and interest rate fixing had "raised the question" if reforms had worked in the aftermath of the banking crisis of 2008.

The Right Reverend Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of

the Church of Scotland, said: "Our current system has gone badly wrong, creating massive inequality and the destruction of our shared natural resources by moneymaking machines overtaking

commerce that serves the common good.The Christian and Islamic faith traditions share a commitment to economic justice and a call to an equal distribution of the gifts of God. By

collaborating and 'putting our money where our morals are' we have an opportunity to live out our common values and make a tangible change for those most affected by poverty."

IFC advisory board member Omar Shaikh said: "In recent years we have developed a strong relationship with the Church of Scotland and this project is a result of that positive engagement and the mutual d e s i r e t o w o r k collaboratively on a project which brings together the best of our respective faiths.

Scotland has a proud heritage in ethical finance with the savings bank movement able to trace its origins back to the Rev Henry Duncan of the Church of Scotland. This model was also used as the blueprint for the early Islamic banking attempts in the 1960s, which makes it particularly

Scotland Plans Hijab for Muslim Police Officers

P

olice in Scotland is preparing to introduce a hijab as an optional part of its uniform to encourage Muslim women to join the force.

It is studying a specific design of headscarf which would cover the head and neck but not the face.

Currently, officers who wish to wear a religious head covering must seek the approval of a senior officer.

Police Scotland is committed to encouraging more black and Asian

recruits to apply to join the force.

The Metropolitan Police in London approved a uniform hijab more than 10 years ago.

Police Scotland figures showed that there were 127 applications from black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates in 2015-16. That was just 2.6% of the total number applying to work for the force.

In order to reflect the 4% figure across Scottish society, the force said it would need to recruit an additional 650 ethnic

minority candidates.

It is understood the new headscarf will be presented to a police working group for consideration as part of the uniform.

It will be one of a range of measures aimed at breaking down "unnecessary barriers" for applications from Asian and black candidates.

However, the force warned there was no "quick fix" to the problem.

Scotland. police officers.

ChInsp Ann Bell of Police "Police Scotland are really "Really this is just another Scotland said: "This year, it's keen to encourage more tool in our tool kit to now 101 years since the first women to come and be encourage women from woman joined policing in

communities that perhaps haven't seen policing as a career option previously to now start to think about

Frenchwoman ‘faced job discrimination over headscarf ’

A

Frenchwoman sacked for refusing to remove her headscarf at work was discriminated against, the European Court of Justice has been advised.

After her dismissal, Asma Bougnaoui took her case to the French courts and it was eventually referred to the ECJ. She was "professionally competent" as a design engineer and sacked solely for refusing to remove her headscarf, its advocate general has advised.

A final ruling will be made by judges, who usually follow

legal advice.

Muslims in France have frequently challenged moves by the state and other bodies to regulate religious clothing.

This case reached one of France's highest courts, the court of cassation, which requested an opinion from the European Court of Justice whose verdict is binding on member states.

Before Ms Bougnaoui was employed by IT consultancy company Micropole in 2008, she was told in interviews she might not be able to wear the hijab, which covers the head but not the face, at all times.

clients on their own premises.

But after one such visit, a client complained that her headscarf had "embarrassed" its employees. Micropole asked Ms Bougnaoui to remove her headscarf on her next visit, but she refused and was dismissed on 22 June 2009.

In her view, ECJ advocate general Eleanor Sharpston said there was "nothing to suggest that Ms Bougnaoui was unable to perform her duties as a design engineer because she wore an Islamic headscarf". In fact, the company itself had made

professional competence.

Ms Sharpston rejected the idea that banning workers from wearing religious attire when they came into contact with clients could be necessary "for the protection of individual rights and freedoms necessary for the functioning of a democratic society".

In conclusion she said Ms Bougnaoui's dismissal constituted "direct discrimination" and that company policies imposing an The ruling is not binding on entirely neutral dress code the court but advisory. Judges could only be justified "if it pursues a legitimate aim and is will deliver the final, binding verdict at a later date.

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News FG, National Assembly to Collaborate on 2016 Budget

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he Ministry of Budget and N a t i o n a l Planning, has assured that it would work closely with the National Assembly to guarantee the successful monitoring and implementation of 2016 budget.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said this in Abuja on Monday during a familiarization visit of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs to his Ministry.

According to the Minister, no matter how good ideas are, the National Assembly must always be there to improve on it because it is made up of experienced people drawn from all over the country. He went

further to state that though oil proceeds represent the bulk of the funding for government activities in the country, the downturn in the price of crude should be an opportunity for the country to walk away from its dependence on oil.

In his words, funding of government projects ought to be such that the recurrent expenditure is funded by the non-oil sector, while oil proceeds should fund the capital expenditure.

Earlier in her remark, the Hon. Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed took time to brief the committee on the structure, mandate and responsibilities of the Ministry. She stated that over the years, there was

no synergy between the M a n a g e m e n t (ZBB) system adopted in annual budgets and the D e v e l o p m e n t t h e 2 0 1 6 b u d g e t , medium term plans such Amendment. explaining that it is the best option to manage the limited resources for national development and also to stop wastages occasioned by the previous envelop budgeting system The Senator also lauded the TSA system, the school feeding policy and the N5000 cash transfer to the poorest Nigerians captured in the 2016 budget, which according to him were some of the policy initiatives he that budget outcome did In his response, the adopted when he was not meet planned targets. C h a i r m a n , S e n a t e governor in Kano state.

She revealed that her Committee on National He however advised the M i n i s t r y h a s t w o Planning and Economic government, through the outstanding bills before Affairs, Senator Rabiu Ministry of Budget and the National Assembly, M u s a K w a n k w a s o Planning to work out n a m e l y ; B i l l o n commended the Ministry strategy that will ensure Development Planning of Budget and National the sustainability of the and Project Continuity Planning on the idea of laudable school feeding and National Council on Zero Based Budgeting initiative because of the

failure of the previous attempt by the Obasanjo administration.

Senator Kwankwaso also said that the committee was in the Ministry to see things for themselves and may proceed to the parastatals under the ministry. He also noted that the committee was aware of the two outstanding bills – Bill on Development Planning and Project Continuity and Passage of the National Council on Management D e v e l o p m e n t Amendment Act, which are before the National Assembly and said that the National Assembly will work to ensure that the bills are passed.

100 YEARS

Ahmadiyya Donates Blood in Ibadan

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s part of activities lined u p t o commemorate the centenary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in Nigeria, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in Ibadan have donated one hundred and forty-nine (149) pints of blood to the University College Hospital Ibadan

and the South West regional office of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).

The event which was coordinated by the Majlis K h u d d a m - u l Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter had participation from Khuddam from CocaCola, Apata and

PRAYER REQUEST

Monatan, Ibadan, OmiAdio, Oluyole Ona-Ara and Akinyele Districts.

Members of the Jama'at also commemorated the World Blood Donor Day 2016 with a rally and symposium to raise awareness on the benefits of blood donation to health. Speaking on behalf of the Khuddam at a symposium held at the N B T S S o u t h - We s t Office, Total Garden Ibadan, Bro. Abd Rofiq Abd-Salam highlighted the important roles that Ahmadiyya plays in s e r v i n g h u m a n i t y.

I, AJIJOLA R.T of Monatan Muqami Ibadan request all members of Ahmadiyya Muslim JamA'at to pray for my late Sister, Adunni Ojo, Gbogbo Biodun (Nee Abiola) who died on the 4th July, 2015. May Allah forgive her and accept her into His Grace. Amin.

THE TRUTH

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

PAGE 7

HolyVerses The Holy Qur’an And follow not that of which thou hast no knowledge.

Verily the car and the eye and the heart - all these shall be called to account.

And walk not in the earth haughtily, for thou canst not rend the earth, nor canst thou reach the mountains in height The evil of all these is hateful in the sight of thy Lord.

(17 vs 37-39)

T

Commentary

his verse cuts at the root of all sources of suspicion. These sources in their natural order are "the ear" "the eye" and "the heart". "The ear" is the first avenue through which most suspicious enter man's mind. As a rule suspicions are caused by ill-founded reports which one hears about another person. Next to hearing comes the source of sight. A person sees another doing a certain set and interprets it wrongly and is led to suspect the latter's motives and intentions.

The last and most degraded kind of suspicion is that which a person entertains about another not as the result of a bad report which he might have heard about him nor in consequence of a bad act or deed which he might have seen him doing but which is purely the figment of his own diseased mind. Muslims are enjoined to steer clear of all these forms of suspicion. They are the enemy of all cordial social relations.

The verse draws attention to the fact that it is not only human life and property (to which a reference has already been made in the preceding verse) which are sacred and inviolable; human honour also is sacrosanct and an attack upon it also will have to be accounted for.

A person will be called to account for having listened to anything about another person which he had no right to do. Similarly, he will be brought to book for having seen something which he should not have seen. And so will he be punished for harbouring in his mind evil thoughts about other people. We are told that our impressions and opinions should not be based on mere hearsay and surmise but on sure knowledge. Mere evidence of the ear, the eye or the heart is not sufficient to condemn a person or form an diverse opinion about him but sure knowledge based on thorough enquiry. Mark the high moral tone of these teachings.

The teaching given in the previous verses pertained to our relations with other individuals or with God. The moral precepts which this verse proceeds to lay down concern our own selves.

First of all we are bidden not to be proud of and exult over our achievements, for such an attitude makes us content with what we have already achieved and is thus calculated to impede and arrest our moral progress. The words, thou canst not rend the earth nor canst thou reach the mountains in height, remind us that after all our successes and achievements are limited, and there is no sense

in our losing our heads over what is so limited. In spite of all our achievements, real or imaginary, we have to live on this earth and among its people.

We should not therefore behave in such a manner as to make ourselves intolerable to others. A proud man's life is generally very bitter. In everyday life he cannot do without the help and assistance of those among whom he lives and yet he disdains their co-operation. This contrariness and irreconcilability of attitude and feelings renders his life bitter and makes him unacceptable to others. Taking the word (mountains) in the sense of "leaders" or "learned men", which is also one of its so many meanings, the verse seems to administer a subtle rebuke to the haughty and the arrogant that they cannot attain that height of greatness and honour among their people which these two classes of men reach by their knowledge and service, and yet these pillars of learning are the models of humility and humaneness.

In this verse, which speaks of the dark or evil side of things, a vast store of knowledge has been compressed in a very brief sentence. it purports to say that nothing in this world may be described as absolutely good or bad. Every action has its good or evil aspect. It is the circumstances under which it is done that make it good or bad. Belief in the Unity of God, for instance, is a virtue, but if one makes it a cause of mischief and begins to abuse other people's gods, it will become an evil.

Similarly, it is a virtue to be obedient to one's parents, but if one begins to commit acts of injustice or worship deities other than Allah at their bidding, obedience to them becomes an evil act. Again, it is an act of virtue to abstain from killing but if one should, on that ground, abstain from fighting in defence of one's country or oppose the killing of a person who has been sentenced to death by a properly constituted court of law, his conduct will be considered reprehensible; and so on and so forth. A Muslim is, therefore, expected to understand and realize the reality and true significance of God's commandments and to use his God-given gifts, powers and faculties on proper occasions in accordance with the exigencies of time and circumstances and the dictates of reason.

Every natural faculty has a good or bad use and it is only the improper use of those faculties that is called evil and is forbidden by God. How true and comprehensive is this definition of good and bad actions but how few people really understand it!

Hadith Sayings of the Holy Prophet (saw)

Abu Bakarah Nufai' ibnHarith relates that the Holy Prophet said: Shall I tell you what Jundub ibn Abdullah ibn Sufyan relates that the Holy Prophet said: he who acts so as to major sins are? (He repeated this three times). We said: Certainly, Messenger of Allah. He boast among people will have his defaults noised about, and he whose motive is to show said: Association of others with Allah; disobedience of parents (he had been leaning on a off will be recompensed accordingly (Bokhari and Muslim). pillow, suddenly he sat up) and telling a lie or giving false evidence. He repeated this last so many times that we wished he should stop (Bokhari and Muslim).

Malfoozah

Sayings of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (as)

U

High Morals

nless a man continuously studies himself, he cannot improve himself. The immoralities of the tongue create enmities and you should, therefore, keep your tongue under control. Nobody can. be inimical towards his wellwisher. How unwise is the person who does not take pity on his self and puts himself in danger of losing his life by not making good use of his capabilities and by not trying to improve his morals.

We should behave gently and kindly towards the people; of course, he who

is an open enemy of Islam and uses foul language, has to be dealt with differently. Look at the Companions of the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wasallam; they cut themselves off from their relatives who abused them and humiliated them because of Islam; they preferred Islam to their relatives.

(Malfoozat Vol. III, p.345-346)

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PAGE 8

From The Archives My Hearty Thanks By: Late Maulana Naseem Saifi

Maulana Noor Muhammad Naseem Saifi was the third Amir and Missionary-in-Charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria. He was posted to Nigeria in 1945 where he served for twenty years.

Maulana Saifi was a professional journalist and a prolific writer. He was one of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and was the NUJ's first Vice-President. He founded The Truth Newspaper - the first Muslim weekly newspaper in Nigeria - the first edition of which was published on 31st December 1951.

As part of its contributions to the centenary anniversary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria, The Truth brings you this two-part series, in which Sheikh Naseem Saifi reminisced on his missionary activities and his contributions to the development of Islam in Nigeria. He also expressed his appreciation to individuals and corporate organisations within and outside the Ahmadiyya community whose support contributed to his achievements.

Please note that we have decided to produce the article as it first appeared. References to people who are now no more living have been preserved while we have also left the grammatical structure as it was written.

(To all the citizens of Nigeria, on the eve of my departure for Pakistan, after almost 20 years of service in the field of preaching Islam)

W

hen in 1945 people asked me “how do you like our country?” I could only answer with a big and a seemingly hearty smile, for I did not know what to tell them. I had just arrived in the country and had known neither places nor faces. Before coming to Nigeria I had known practically next to nothing about the country except that we had a mission here. How could I then give my opinion about the people and the country inhabited by them? At times I used to tell them “well, I am a Missionary and I am bound to like the place where my mission wishes me to stay.”

But as everybody can understand, that was no real expression of appreciation.

Now it is almost 20 years that I have stayed here and I am preparing to go back to my country and perhaps, this is the most appropriate time for me to answer the question “how do you like our country?”

Well, let me tell you that I like Nigeria almost as much as I like Pakistan, the country of which I was citizen. I have used the word “almost” because to be very frank, East or West, home is the best. But I can assure you that when I say that I like Nigeria almost as much as I like Pakistan, I am saying everything that anybody can say about a country for which he has the greatest appreciation in the world.

I have spent the best part of my life in Nigeria. And not only that much. I have spent three years in the best possible way that a foreigner can do anywhere in the world; had utmost freedom of movement and speech and I am glad to say that I made the fullest use of this freedom.

I can count among my friends some of the topmost leader of the country and their memory will always remain fresh in my mind.

His Excellency Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe, the president, has always given me broad smiles and kind words.”Maulvi is our old friend,” he has said many times. When H.M. Emperor Haile Sellassie was visiting Nigeria, I was one of those who attended his reception at the State House. There were hundreds of people there. Dr. Zik(this sound sweeter than his full name)hailed on me: “Maulvi come and meet the Emperor.” There was the glow of friendship and depth of kindness in his words.

Once the two of us were travelling by sea; we had a fairly

Late MaulanaNaseemSaifi

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria was born in my hands. Their first circulars and announcements were produced in my office. The Foundation members of this society, though now scattered all over Nigeria, still cherish the memory of those early days. I have watched this society grow from strength to strength. long talk and I was surprised to hear him talk about The Truth; he knew almost everything about it, even the press where it is printed. I have indeed many sweet memories of meetings with Zik. The Rt. Hon the Prime Minister Alhaji Sir Abu Bakr T. Balewa has always been a symbol of Muslim brotherhood to me. At times I have taken my problems to him and he has given me the fullest support that a man in his position can give. Once he told me that his ambition was that when he retires he should make a grand collection of books and get himself busy with them. The very next day I sent to him quite a number of books in the hope that they will one day form a part of his library. I hope they will.

I was a member of a committee responsible to form the Religious and Arabic syllabus for West African School Certificate and I had gone to attend the meeting of the said Committee at Kaduna. I was staying at the Rest House and it came to my mind that I should seize this opportunity of paying a courtesy call to the Hon. Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. I rang him and fixed up the meeting. In the afternoon I went to his residence and there he was, as if waiting for me. I was accompanied by Mallam Isa Wali who is now the High Commissioner for Nigeria in Ghana.

I had a fairly long discussion with the Sardauna and the subject was “Islam, Muslims and the Arabic teachers.” He

made me so much at home there, that I can never forget the moments spent in his company.

Another of my best friends has been the Premier of the Mid-West Region-Hon Dennis Osadebay. So great but so humble – Dennis Osadebay's friendship always gives a sort of cool and calm feeling that only true and sincere friendship can bestow.

Some people are very lucky in the choice of their friends.

I think I am one of them. The people whom I befriended some twenty years ago have all proved good and have risen high. Ayo Ogunseye is now the Director of Extra Mural Studies at the University of Ibadan. M. A. Tokunbo is now the Permanent Secretary of a Federal Ministry. W. O. Briggs is a front Bench Member of the House of Representatives. So forth and so on.

I first meet S. L. Akintola in the small editorial office of Daily Service. He was told that I had come here for an Anglo-Arabic College. The first question he asked me was ''we hope you will admit Christian students also.'' I smiled and said, ''Yes, we will.'' The other day when his car passed by me (I was going to the Mosque for Prayer), he looked at me, smiled and greeted me. I am sure the old memories were refreshed.

I collected some of my articles published in the Press and also some editorials of the National Newspapers in connection with the controversy about Pakistan and titled them “In Defence of Pakistan''. It was Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro, then the Minister of Internal Affairs (Western Region) (or was the name of his Ministry something else) who wrote a Preface for the book.

All these, and many more, have been very good friends of mine. I have enjoyed their courtesy and kindness. In fact it is this type of people who symbolise the hospitality of Nigeria towards the citizens of other lands who spend some time with them. And of course, I have spent almost twenty years with them. My hearty thanks go to all of them. And I dare say that a country to which these people belong, one cannot but like it.

Another great personality to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude is His Highness Sir Adeniji Adele, the Oba of Lagos. He is a Class by himself. Kind, courteous, generous, reconciliatory and a hundred and one other good things. He has never turned down any of my requests and he has never ignored me on any important functions that are so often held in his Palace. Whenever he had to consult the Muslim leaders, his message came to me spontaneously and he always spoke of my Mission and myself very highly. His love for Ahmadiyyat always compels him to make mention of the early days of Ahmadiyyat in this country when he and others used to go about with Alhaji Maulana A. R. Nayyar like his shadow.

He always takes pride in the fact that he was one of those who used to rub the feet of Maulana Nayyar. Only a great man can take pride in the honour that he has given to others to whom the honour is due.

His kind thoughts about me to which he has given expression several times without the least hesitation, will always keep his memory green in my heart and I pray to God that He may reward him from His unending sources of bounty and bliss.

But let nobody gain the impression that it is only people on top (especially in the political field) who have been my friends. I am a man of varied interests and I have moved among all sorts of people and befriended like I had my friends in Pakistan.

I have a large number of friends among journalists. The best of them have been the closest friends and I must say that these members of the Fourth Estate have always pushed their pens more swiftly for me than I ever 13

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

THE TRUTH

Op-Ed The

Truth

Responsibility in the Age of Social Media

O

ne of the technological advances of this generation is the ubiquity of the social media. Almost every smartphone or device can access these media, from Facebook to Whatsapp. And every Tom, Dick and Harry is now a proud owner of at least one of these smart devices.Even young adults and children who are yet to form their convictions and could be easily amenable to different shades of opinion, from the outlandish to the bizarre, own and use smart devices and social media. While it confirms the prophecy of the Quran – when the books are spread abroad – it comes with a great responsibility.

At the time of Islam's emergence, poets and people of knowledge are highly regarded for their influence. However for poets, there comes a caveat that most are lie-peddlers, saying what they do not know. The poets of those days could be likened to the many bloggers today who rely on the social media to peddle lies. Today, gossip flies around about individuals and tribes, pitting one group of people against another.

A person who follows social media today knows that it is a jungle where lots of character assassination, rumourmongering, lies and demonization occur. Many operators of the social media now do not hold truth sacred. Their motive is to drive traffic to their websites. In order to do this, they post halftruths on social media. As long as they get traffic, they could smile to the bank while their audience may continue to fight over these posts, insult one another's heritage and ethnic group.

Another ill of the social media in these days is the preponderance of bad company. Many young people have been lured and murdered by 'supposed' online friends. The Quran injunction that believers should keep company with the righteous is apt for Muslim users of the social media. As much as we endeavour to keep good companies in our circle of friendship, so does it become necessary to keep good company online. This is among other things to avoid corrupt influence.

Parents should ensure that they guide and monitor their children's use of social media when it becomes necessary for them to use these media.

The Quranic injunction that: Follow not that of which you have no knowledge, should serve as a warning for Muslims who are users of the social media. Muslims should understand that they would be called to witness over all their organs: the eyes, ears, hands – everything they consciously or unconsciously do.

That is a day of which Allah (swt) says there would be no helper.

This is an admonition for the discerning. May Allah enable us to do the right thing. Amin.

The

Truth PUBLISHER

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria

CHAIRMAN, EDITORIAL BOARD AbdulWahhab Matepo

SECRETARY TO THE BOARD AbdulHafiz Omoyele MANAGING EDITOR Qasim Akinreti EDITOR AbdulGaniyy Adiamoh ASSISTANT EDITOR Roqeebah Dikko MEMBERS Saheed Timehin, PhD AbdulAzeem Ahmad Taofeeqah Fagbolade Taoheed Shoboyede AbdulWasiu Udi Qasim Adam, PhD Aisha Maishanu Jamil Abubakar AbdulGaniyy Babalola

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THE TRUTH / FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

PAGE 11

Hazrat Mirza Masroor

L-R: State of Osun Governor, AbdulRaufu Aregbesola; The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria, Dr Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Akinrun of Ikirunland, Oba Abdul Raufu Adedeji 11 and Elende of Ekoande, Oba Raufu Olaniyan, during the Grand Lecture of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria Osogbo, Osun State.

Ahmad Khalifat-ul-Masih V. Addressing the members of the Swedish media at the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, Sweden.

L-R: Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Grace Titilayo-Laoye Tanmori; The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria, Dr Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; former National President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Engr. Hassan Sunmonu and Missionary-in-Charge, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar, during the Grand Lecture of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria Osogbo, Osun State.

President ,Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Dutse,Abuja addressing Atfal and Nasrat Ahmadiyya during the Islamic Vacation Course(IVC)organized by Dutse Jama'at,Abuja.

Lajna Imaillah Ahmadiyya District 7,Abuja organize Take a Walk a Day for Health living in Abuja to mark 100years of Ahmadiyya in Nigeria.

Newly wedded couple, Hafiz Mudathir and Basheerat Giwa with their parents (L-R) Muallim and Mrs Enikanonaiye, Alh. M.M. Giwa and the Groom’s Aunt, after the Nikkah conducted on 21st May 2016 at AlAzhar International College Lokoja Kogi State.

L-R: The Amir Dr. Mashhud Fashola, Naib Amir North, Dr. Yeqeen Habeeb & Naib Amir South - West Alh. AbdulAzeez Alatoye at the end of Ramadhan Dinner in Lagos.

L-R: Former National President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu; Naib Amir, Special Duties, Alhaji Ahmed Al-hassan and former Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Nigeria, Alhaji Hussein Sunmonu, during the end of Ramadan Dinner at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Headquarters in Lagos. (Photos Isa Bayoor Ewuoso)

FRIDAY 5TH AUGUST 2016

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Features Spending in the Way of Allah By: Hajiya Aisha Maishanu

I

n the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful Peace and blessings be upon the best of creature, Muhammad (saw) and upon his family and companions.

I have chosen to write on this topic advisedly for its comprehensive personal, social and spiritual reach. The copious citations from different places in the Holy Qur'an are evident portrayal of its many-sided effects. The spirit of liberal spending during periods of need, thus encoded in the individual, ensured in the beginning the rise and spread of Islam against all odds. It will repeat itself in the destined supremacy of Islam over all other religions. In this latter day scenario, the agency for change will be you and me, the Ahmadis. How adequately are we prepared?

Now, what is spending in the way of Allah? We find the answer in the commentary of the Holy Qur'an. It says-: Spending in the way of Allah also includes spending for the welfare of individuals andthe community. The poor and all those who have claims over the belongings of aMuslim. The injunction to spend in the way of Allah applies to a mother-giving suck to her child, to a father who spends upon the education and upbringing of his children, to ahusband who provides for his wife and to the children who serve their parents. Thus itmeans spending on fellow human beings who being the creatures of Allah are membersof a large family to which he himself belongs. So in order to meet their needs andrequirements one spends willingly and freely out of the wealth, knowledge, or anythingelse which Allah has given him. In short, all that one may receive from Allah must bedevoted, at least partly, to the well being of others.

Allah has placed great emphasis on spending in His cause in many verses in the Holy Qur'an, so much so that He says: Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love (Suratulimram, verse 93) What are those things which man loves? Allah who created man and knows the totality of his being says: Say, if your father and your sons and your brethren, and your wives, and your kinsfolk, and thewealth you have acquired, and the trade whose dullness you fear, and the dwellings which youlove are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His cause, then wait untilAllah comes with His judgment, and Allah guides not the disobedient people.

“And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah,give tothem the tidings of a painful punishment (SuratulTauba, verses 24 and 34).

And yet another verse says: Beautified for men is the love of desired things, women and children, and stored up heapsof gold and silver, and pastured horses and cattle and crop… (SuratulImram, verse 15).

So if you love those things enumerated in the verses above more than striving in the way of Allah, then you are not a true Muslim at all. The verse which says “Never shall you attain to righteousness, unless you spend out of that which you love”, shows clearly that all other acts of worship are not sufficient to raise the status of man to a higher degree unless they are accompanied by sacrifices.

Another verse that shows that you are not a true Muslim unless you spend out of that which you love is:True believers are only those who----observe prayers and spend out of that which wehave provided them. These it is who are true believers (SuratuAnfal, verse 3&4).

Another verse also says:The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His messenger, and thendoubt not, but strive with their possessions and persons in the cause of Allah, it is they who are the truthful (SuratulHujurat, verse 16) Another virtue that could not be attained unless you spend out of that which youlove is truthfulness as indicated in the verse above. Spending in the way of Allah leads to righteousness so, it is part of the qualities of those who are near to Allah.

This is a perfect Book, there is no doubt in it, and it is guidance for the righteous; Who believe in the unseen and observe prayer and spend out of what we have provided for them (SuratulBaqara, verse 3&4) Those who spend in the way of Allah are the ones that Allah purified. Allah says: But the righteous shall be kept away from it (the fire). Who gives his wealth tobecome purified? (SuratulLail, verse 18&19) Forgiveness and bounty from Allah is for those who spend in the way of Allah. Allah says: Satan threatens you with poverty and enjoins upon you what is foul, whereas Allahpromises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is Bountiful, All knowing (SuratulBaqara, verse 269).

Often would some wish to make some contribution for one cause or the other, but will continue to hesitate and postpone until he gives up altogether, or if he is lucky gives far less than what was intended earlier. It is to such people that Allah says: And they come not to prayer except azily, and they make no contribution save reluctantly (SuratulTauba, verse 54).

It is people who spend in the way of Allah that shall triumph as Allah says: Those who believe and emigrate and strive in the cause of Allah with their property andtheir

persons have the highest rank in the sight of Allah. And it is they who shall triumph (SuratulTauba, verse 20).

People who spend in the way of Allah are the ones that are pure and righteous as Allah says: But the righteous one shall be kept away from it (the fire) who gives his wealth to become purified (SuratulLail verse 18&19).

Spending in the way of Allah strengthens the soul, and attract Allah's pleasure.“And the case of those who spend their wealth to seek the pleasure of Allah and to strengthen their soul is like the case of a garden on elevated ground. Heavy rain falls on it so that it brings forth fruit two fold. And if heavy rain does not fall on it, then light suffices. And Allah sees what you do (SuratulBaqara, Verse 266).

Commenting on this verse, it is written in Tafseer-e-Kabeer: Spending in the cause of Allah leads to the strengthening of the soul. The man who strives in the cause of Allah by spending his wealth imposes a burden on himself, which makes him still more firm and steadfast in his faith. Besides, as he helps others with his money, Allah helps and protects him from harm. The hearts of the believers who spend freely in the cause of Allah are like elevated ground on which heavy rain falls which sometimes proves harmful for low lying ground, can do no harm. On the other hand, it is benefited by rain, whether heavy or light.

Rain here represents charity. Those who spend large amounts are the heavy rain, while those who can afford to spend only small amounts in the cause of Allah are referred to as light rain.

At another place, Allah says it is those who spend in His way that are the rightly guided ones, and at another place says they are the obedient.

In short, those who spend in the way of Allah are: (a)the only true believers, (b)the truthful, (c)the righteous, (d)the purified, (e)the rightly guided ones, (f)the obedient, (g) those who are recipient of Allah's forgiveness and bounty, (h) those who will triumph. (To be continued)

MAHMUD AHMADIYYA COLLEGE ABULE EKO, IJEDE Offers

ADMISSION JSS 1 - JSS 2, SSS 1 - SSS 2 into

Date of Examination: 12TH AUGUST, 2016 Time: 10am prompt A SCHOOL FOR THE CHILD THAT YOU LOVE

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

THE TRUTH

PAGE 13

FromTheArchives My Hearty Thanks continues from page 8

expected. Their newspapers have given me the greatest support. News from me and news about me has always been received by them with open arms. I have written and published hundreds of thousands of words in their columns and I have written on almost every aspect of man's life. Some of them have offered their columns for my regular weekly articles. The Daily Service (Islam and You); The Daily Telegraph (The Muslim Forum); The Morning Post (Teachings of Islam); The Daily Mail (Talking to Muslims); The Middle Belt Herald (The Quran Teaches).

Alhaji B. Jose, Messrs. Lateef K. Jakande, B. Onabanjo, Adeseoye, M. Awoyinfa, AladeOdunewu, Smart Ebbi, Increase Coker, Abiodun Oloba, Abiodun Shogunle, Fagbemi, Razak Aremu and an army of others have been my best friends. It is people like these through whose support I was the Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for many many years. And I was the foundation Vice President. I was also the Treasurer of the Nigerian Press Club and an Executive Member of the Guild of Newspaper Editors. Tell me which other country has ever honoured a foreigner like this?

My hearty thanks to each and every journalist of Nigeria.

God bless your pens and may He enable you to serve your country to the best of your abilities.

Coming to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. I must say that I owe them a great deal for the popularity that I have enjoyed in this country. I started going on the air in 1947 and since then I have been one of the most regular broadcasters. The N. B. C. has always given due prominence to the news of my work and my movements.

Together with other Muslim dignitaries we planned the Muslim programmes that we sowed in a humble way at our meetings at one of the Muslim institutions, has now grown into a mighty tree. It has been watered by people like Alhaji M. K. Ekemode and Mr. (soon going to be Alhaji) L. A. Egberongbe. ''The Islamic Point of View'' which is considered to be the most important Muslim programme was given to me from the very start and I have done it single-handed for many many years.

Among the N. B. C. friends I can count Mr Victor Badejo now the Director General; Messrs. Emmanuel Omatshola, Saka Fagbo, Marshall, Bisi Lawrence, Sanusi Olagunju and many others. These are the people who have always helped me with everything connected with broadcasting.

I have tried to contribute my humble quota to the progress of education in the country and I have made many friends through this medium. Whenever the Federal Minister of Education Hon. Aja Nwachukwu met me he would address me as “Your Excellency.” Then one day I said to him – andthe two of us enjoyed this joke very much – “Hon. Minister, if you address me as “Your Excellency,” I shall have to address you as “Your Majesty”. He laughed.

From the officials of Education Department I have never had anything but sincere cooperation. When the Council of Muslim School Proprietors was struggling to open the Muslim Teacher Training College, Surulere, and I was acting as the Proprietor of the College in my capacity as the Chairman of the Committee charged with opening of the College, Mr. Ajumogobia was the official we were dealing with. I met him in his office a number of times and every time I met him, his kindness and cooperation seemed to have achieved greater dimensions.

Messrs E. J. Moses and S. B. Dabiri have also helped me a great deal in my pursuits of the furtherance of the cause of education.

Every member of the Council of the Muslim School Proprietors – more especially Mr. S. T. Rufai, the President of the Council – always honoured me with his affection and generosity of a sincere heart. They elected me first

Maulvi Naseem Saifi, Chief Ahmadiyya Missionary, West Africa presenting a copy of the Holy Qur’an to boxing legend Muhammad Ali when Ali visited Nigeria in 1964

their Treasurer and then their Vice President. My hearty thanks go to all of them. I shall always remember them and I shall always cherish a desire that they should come to Pakistan and give me opportunity of repaying their hospitality in however humble way I can.

I am very glad to have been given the opportunity of serving the Council as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Muslim Teacher Training College, Surulere and they have really done me a great honour in naming one of the Houses of the College after my name.

I am also grateful to everybody who has ever been connected with the Muslim Congress of Nigeria. I was one of those who brought the Congress into existence at Oyo. The members of the Congress were most kind to me to have elected me their first President. This election took place at Ibadan. An overwhelming majority voted for me, but for one reason or the other I had to decline and a second election was held immediately to put somebody else in my place and Alhaji Prince M. B. Ade Lawal was elected the first President of the Congress. Alhaji A. R. A. Smith and Alhaji Y. S. Ola Ishola were always the best companions to work with for the general welfare of the Muslims. It is we three who met the Premier of the Western Region Chief Obafemi Awolowo several times in connection with the reinstatement of the Alafin of Oyo – Alhaji Adeyemi. (I also cherish a sweet memory of meeting Chief Awolowo at his residence at Ikenne where I had an opportunity of having an insight into his grasp of the complicated world affairs.

He is a man of wide knowledge and his keen observation seldom misses the implications of what goes on around him.) Although our efforts proved abortive, we always had the consolation that we were doing our best in serving the cause of the Muslims of this country.

At another stage, the Muslim Congress offered me the Chairmanship of the Political Committee which also I had to decline with grateful thanks.

From among the Muslim Societies, the Ansarudeen and the Jamaatul Islamiyya have been great friends of mine,

Alhaji Baruwa Etti of the Ansarudeen and Alhaji L. B. Agusto of the Jamaatul Islamiyya have been honoured friends. The respect they have always given me has been a matter of a pleasant surprise for me. It shows the greatness of their hearts and also their love for Islam and the Muslims, for reverence for me was always rooted in my being a Missionary of Islam.

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria was born in my hands. Their first circulars and announcements were produced in my office. The Foundation members of this society, though now scattered all over Nigeria, still cherish the memory of those early days. I have watched this society grow from strength to strength and I must say how grateful I am to the Federal Secretary for his very flattering remarks about me which he made on the occasion of the last anniversary held at Ebute Metta.

My hearty thanks go to the members of the Muslim Students Society and I wish to assure them that I shall always continue to take interest in their activities wherever I may be.

For many years I represented the Muslims of Nigeria on the Scout Council. The meetings under the chairmanship of Sir James Robertson and then His Excellency Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe can never be forgotten. Mr. Arthur Brown of the Scout Movement always took kindly to me.

And though I knew Rev. Father Adeniyi through the Catholic Herald which he was editing and through which some people used to have friendly religious 'clashes' with me, I knew him better through the Scout Movement. I can easily count Rev. Father Adeniyi as one of my best friends, despite the fact that he wrote against me in his editorial columns quite often.

I have mentioned only a few organisations and a few people but the fact remains that I wish to thank each and every citizen of this great country. Many organisations and many of my good friends have been left out, and I am sorry for it. But while thanking the people through the columns of a weekly newspaper, one cannot but be selective.

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

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PAGE 14

Features Health Benefits of Salat and the Importance of Daily Exercises

by Barakat Giwa-Akinsiku

W

ith the increasingly sedentary lifestyle brought about by advanced technology, the era of smartphones and doing everything at the touch of a button, it is now a more common sight to find increasing numbers of obese people. Fast food outlets and shopping malls spring up almost on a daily basis in cities across Nigeria and it is gradually becoming the norm to buy processed foods from shopping malls as against buying fresh produce from open markets as well as eating out from the numerous fast food outlets. Even in the open markets, processed foods and sugarsweetened soft drinks are readily available.

The danger in this trend is an increased consumption of processed foods laden with chemicals, additives, preservatives, colourants, refined carbohydrates and high fructose corn syrups, all of which are toxic to the human body whilst giving low to zero nutrients. It is no wonder then the increase in cancer cases, diabetes, coronary heart diseases and other inflammatory conditions.Particularly worrying is the increased number of calories consumed from our staple starch diet with little or zero exercising,leading to a thickening of the waistline (pot-belly) common not only in middle aged men and women but also in much younger people these days.

Visceral fat (belly fat) is purported to be one of the most dangerous fats in the body as it surrounds major organs like the liver, pancreas and kidney within the stomach. Visceral fat is considered toxic to the body because it is capable of provoking inflammatory pathways and signaling molecules that can interfere with the body's normal hormonal function. Carrying around excess belly fat is linked to an increased risk for cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and coronary heart disease. It is therefore recommended that the waist measurement should be no more than half of an individual's height measurement or no more than 32inches for women and 37inches for men on the average to reduce the risk of visceral fat and its attendant health consequences. It is thus imperative that a healthy lifestyle consisting of portion controls, eating less processed foods and exercising be incorporated into our daily routine.

Exercise can be defined simply as physical activity. It is the physical exertion of the body, making the body do physical activity which results in a healthier level of physical fitness and both physical and mental health.

Exercise raises the heart rate, works and tones body muscles and help keeps fat, particularly visceral fat at bay.

The importance of exercise is thus noted and here Islam comes in as a complete way of life. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an chapter 5 Verse 4 This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed my favour upon youand have chosen for youIslam as your religion It is thus no surprise that Islam as a religion caters for both the spiritual, mental and physical health of man.

Salat is the second pillar of Islam and a very important aspect of the religion. In the simplest definition, Salat means prayer. It is a way by which Muslims get close to their Creator and is enjoined on all Muslims as we deduce from the following verses Recite that which has been given to you of the book and observe prayer. Surely, the prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest virtue (Qur'an chap 29 verse 46) And Verily Prayer is an obligation on the believers to be

observed at its appointed times (Qur'an chapter 4 verse 104) There are five daily prayers in Islam each with their own specific timing; Fajr at sunrise, Zuhr at mid-day, Asr in the evening, Maghrib at sunset and Isha before nightfall.

Supplementary (voluntary) prayers called nawafil are also encouraged particularly the voluntary prayer Tahjud

and parcel of Islam all along?Also the other motions of Wudhu like mouth gargling, feet washing and the like similarly help maintain good hygiene while keeping diseases at bay.

During salat, most of the body muscles are exercised.

The Qiyam (standing position) has been found to aid good posture and in the Rukuh (bowing posture), besides the limbs, the back and perineum muscles are exercised repeatedly together with the neck muscles.Rukuh exerts abdominal pressure thereby easing constipation and peristaltic movements while muscles of the lower back, thighs and calves stretch, encouraging blood flow and circulation.

In Sajdah (prostration), the head is in a position lower position than the heart and therefore receives increased blood supply. This surge in blood supply has a positive effect on memory, concentration, psyche and other cognitive abilities.

Salat has also been found to share similarities with Yoga. For instance, the Qiyam is likened to the mountain pose in Yoga while the Rukuh is equated with the forward bend position in Yoga.

Also, the resting position between the prostrations or for completion of the salat (the Qa'adah) is akin to the thunderbolt pose in Yoga.

The health benefits of Yoga are well documented ranging from increased mental alertness and tranquility to improved cardiac and metabolic health as well as muscle strength and tone. All of these benefits therefore accrue to one who performs his salat regularly. For instance one who takes his dinner before Isha prayer would find the fullness and lethargy associated with the heavy meal disappear after praying as the motions involved during salat help speed up metabolic activities of the gastrointestinal tract.

As a rule, dieticians and fitness experts encourage dinner shouldbe taken before 7pm to give the body time to digest all meals before going to bed. Nothing encourages belly fat and flab more than late night snacks or going to bed on a full stomach.

As Muslims we are lucky to have an activity (Isha) prayer that helps us speed up metabolism just before retiring to bed thus we should all endeavour to have dinner before Maghrib prayers or immediately after (during the Holy month of Ramadan) to aid digestion and prevent belly fat accumulation.

The importance of incorporating simple cardio exercises like jogging, skipping or floor exercises like plank and squats at least five times a week for half an hour are also not ruled out. In conclusion, we should all endeavor to observe our daily and voluntary prayers as they not only bring us closer to our Creator, but also come with other moral, spiritual and physical benefits. May Allah(SWT) make it easy for us and accept all our acts of ibadah, Amin.

observed at the latter part of the night as we read below; Observe prayer from the declining and paling of the sun till the darkness of the night. And recite the Qur'an at dawn. Verily, the recitation of the Qur'an at dawn especially acceptable to Allah (Qur'an chap 17 verse 79) And during a part of the night, wake up for its recitation - a superogatory service for thee.

It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to an exalted station (Qur'an chap 17 verse 80) Also, Watch over the prayers, particularly the middle prayer. And stand before Allah submissively (Qur'an chap 2 verse 239) Each prayer has a certain number of repetitive units called rakaah with a total of seventeen(17) rakaahs prayed during the day comprising two rakaahsduring Fajr, four during Zuhr, four during Asr, three during Maghrib and four during Isha prayers. In addition, varying numbers of supplementaryrakaahs called Nawafil are voluntarily offered at the end of some of the compulsory prayers. The Holy Prophet(SAW) has said that such voluntary supplications help to make up for mistakes in the obligatory prayers. A particular voluntary prayer much References favored by the Holy Prophet (SAW) is the Tahajud prayers Al Ghazal S.K(2006) Medical Miracles of the Qur'an. comprising eight rakaahs and offered in the latter part of L e i c e s t e r s h i r e : T h e I s l a m i c F o u n d a t i o n , the night.

Pp94-96 The health benefits of salat are immense starting with the Ayad A (2008) In: Healing body and soul Hakam J, particular acts of cleanliness observed in preparation for Editor; Riyadh International Islamic Publisher House salat. The Wudhu (ablution) incorporates handwashing, a The Holy Qur'an now familiar jingle on our airwaves following the outbreak of Ebola, Lassa fever and other deadly diseases.

A popular disinfectant brand, Dettol also has one of its adverts hinged solely around the theme of handwashing. Is it not marvelous that this same health fact has been part

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PAGE 15

Yours Sincerely Latent Secret about Ramadan P

erhaps I should bother you with the following cluster of questions to begin this discourse: How many Muslims are aware that Ramadan blessings can be elusive and that many a Muslim observes Ramadan but denies himself the reward? How many Muslims do know that certain reprehensible misdemeanours can constitute the trammels in the way of acceptance of prayers for a period of consecutive forty days? How many Muslims are aware of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) in Hadith Qudsi that there are certain misdeeds of a Muslim which can put acceptance of his prayers on hold for forty days after he has committed the misdeed such as the practice of palmistry or necromancy to foresee the future and the act of patronising such people;committing fornication or adultery and consumption of alcohol?

The holy month of Ramadan spans 29 or 30 days. A Muslim who, a week before Ramadan, visited a palmist or necromancer to peep into his future had had his acceptance of prayer suspended for forty days out of which Ramadan takes 29 or 30 days. What need is there for his fasting and praying during the holy month? Look at a lecherous individual to whom fornication or adultery has become so ineluctable that he hardly ever can sleep without a female bed-sharer whether she is legitimate or not. Barely a week before Ramadan, he decided to bid his illicit bed fellows a temporary farewell in preparation for Ramadan. Here is a man whose prayers cannot reach heaven until after forty days within which Ramadan would have come and gone.

His fasting during Ramadan becomes a fruitless exercise, having no reward whatsoever. Or an inebriate individual whose best friend is a bottle of beer; he is Mr Drunk who luxuriates in intoxication. A few days, probably less than a week, to Ramadan, he stopped visiting the “abete� (the joint) in preparation for Ramadan. Little did he know that he had already been sentenced to a forty-day nonacceptance of prayer encompassing the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan. This is the precariousness of Ramadan blessings. This latent secret about Ramadan was divulged

by Mubaligh Qamaruddeen Ololade Yusuf in his recent Friday sermon in Ado-Ekiti so that those who do not know will know and those who know but have forgotten will remember.

Allah is none to be outsmarted. A multitude of depraved

Muslims look forward to Ramadan to seek forgiveness of their sins which they have held onto tenaciously like a leech and are not prepared to let go. Muslims of this category are none the better even after fasting for 30 days.

They would always wish for the quick exit of Ramadan so that they can go back to wear their once-discarded garment of moral turpitude. Ramadan, to them, constitutes an uneasy straight-jacket that curbs their moral looseness.

The great teacher (Ramadan) is here again, fully armed with its usual teaching aids: the Holy Quran, the Tarawih, the alms and the fasting itself. Those who have kept the Holy Quran at arm's length for the past eleven months now have the reasons to settle their quarrels with the Holy Book. If they cannot read the scripture, they will, at least, listen to the Tafsir.

Some Muslims have been keeping malice with Tahajjud and constantly demurred it. They are now forced to observe Tarawih which is an identical twin brother of Tahajjud. Tahajjud is strange to some Muslims. Tarawih especially when led by a Hafiz during Ramadan will expose the look-alike picture of Tahajjud and then demystify its strangeness.

The alms for the poor and needy is a necessary companion of Ramadan and that is why no Muslim observes Ramadan in isolation of alms giving. Those Muslims who usually close their eyes at the sufferings of their neighbours while they show absolute concern on their own personal affairs will remember that they have a duty to their brethren who are less-privileged in society.

How about the fasting proper? The affluent Muslims, who do not suffer regular hunger may have become almost totally oblivious of the pang of hunger which, hitherto, had made them to be insensitive or indifferent to the plight of the poverty-stricken individuals. Now, as they fast and taste what it is to be hungry, they will quickly remember their obligations to the have-nots in society.

For certain Muslims, the five daily prayers constitute a burden and they have often demonstrated their illdisposition to the regular observance of these prayers. To such Muslims, Ramadan is an effective intercessor which brings them and the prayers together and settle their differences. Thus, no Muslim fasts during Ramadan without being watchful of the time of Salat and its regular

GHAZAL JIDE LAWAL

observance.

The crux of the matter is that, man, being a forgetful creature, is being constantly reminded, on yearly basis, that the essence of Islam is exactly what Ramadan has come to teach us and that our failure to take to these teachings amount to dereliction of duty. Our worship is incomplete and grossly defective if all the Ramadan edifications are absent. Hence, apart from fasting which goes back with Ramadan after its expiration, other activities brought by Ramadan should remain permanently with us.

Ramadan should not be seen as a court issuing an interdict in respect of what a Muslim should do or should not do. Not at all. Allah, Himself, gave the law of Islam which all Muslims should obey without reservation. No good Muslim should flout Allah's injunction. So only what Ramadan does is to remind Muslims their duties to Allah and humanity. That Muslim, therefore, is a victim of misplaced priority if he should wait until Ramadan comes around before he begins to obey Allah's injunctions.

If a Muslim can shun the beer parlour for 29 or 30 days of Ramadan without losing anything good, it can only mean that alcohol does him nothing good. He can, as well, forgo its consumption. If a fornicator can turn his back against the women of easy virtue for 29 or 30 days and his reputation does not wane, then, he cannot lose his integrity if he turns his back permanently against them and his sound health stands guaranteed as he escapes the fear of contracting any pandemic disease. So, let him stop being lascivious. If meekness, virtuousness and fasting bring a Muslim closer to his Creator and he can feel and enjoy it for 29 or 30 days of Ramadan, then, it stands to reason thathe chooses to either maintain the status quo or aspires to the apotheosis of such an honour and continue enjoying the presence of God in his life rather than reverting to sinful life which draws him close to the wrath of Allah after Ramadan.

For the Muslim who fasts therefore, Ramadan should be a tool of renewal of contract between him and his Creator, a demonstration of are birth into a new reformed life totally devoid of godlessness and immorality.

Life As a Marketplace!

By AbdulWaheed Towolawi

L

ife is defined to be period between birth and death, or the period during which any particular state exists. Thus, man finds himself in a place which have specific time (existence and end).

A market is a place where people meet to buy and sell in a particular place, at a given period of time. Some key word which will help us to talk about the Market place.

1.

People 2.

Meet 3.

Buy 4.

Sell 5.

Period of Time PEOPLE: This means people are involved; black, white,superior, powerless, rich and poor or whoever.

Meet: Meet in this context means there is place you are coming from and definitely going back to either you transact or not.

Buy : buying is a choice to get something by

exchanging for money Sell: Selling is a choice to part or give something in exchange for money.

Place: Place is a particular spot or area where you choose what to buy or sell. Dubai jewelry market in United Arab Emirate, Oshodi market in Lagos, Nigeria e.t.c.

Period of Time: it has a specific frame, not forever. The buyers and the sellers do not come at the same time and do not leave at same time.

What is now the essence of the life which is said to be a market place where people comes at differently time and departures at different time. The profit you make is different, choices are different and even the stay does not determine the profit.

Let us take at a look at a typical market. Some persons will go to the market at 4:30 in the morning and they will come back at 09:30 in the night. At the same market some will be there to sell at 10:00 am, return home at 06pm and some will be there 12noon and come back home by 4:00 pm.

All of them would return home one way or the other.

The first to be at the market does not necessarily make profit and being the last to be there does not mean becoming the looser.

The above illustrates the years we will all spend on earth. Take a look at the last person that comes at 12 noon and leaves earlier than the one that comes to the market first. Some will live above 90 years and some will live shorter than that.A 2 years old child would leave before his parent. The implication is that it is not how we come that we will go back. The last may leave before the first.

So how do we account for what we come for? Are we sure that we are making good profit in all our transactions? It is possible that the last that comes possesses good profit (deed) as illustrated. What is the essence of going in the morning and coming in the night and with nothing to show off?

It is not too late if you are still alive and in the market place.

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Women&Society

PAGE 16

With Taofeeqah Aderoju Fagbolade

Strengthening Mother-Daughter Bond in Today's World Mrs. Kafayah Babarinde

T

alking about mother-daughter bond will not be complete if one neglects the fact that children are a source of great joy and delight; they make life sweet and bring more blessing into the family; and as well give hope for their parents. They are a divine bounty from God and so, must be cherished and admired.

In Surah Al-Shura, 42 v 50, Allah says: “To Allah belongs the kingdoms of the heaven and the earth. He creates what He pleases. He bestows daughters upon whom He pleases, and He bestows sons upon whom He pleases.”

Islam recognizes the family as a basic social unit; alongside the husband-wife relationship, the parent-child relationship is the most important one. To maintain any social relationship both parties must have some clear-cut rights as well as obligation. Duties of one side are the rights of the other side which implies that, Allah has appointed some duties and obligations to the parent and if well discharged, they becomes the right of the children.

Islam with its complete methodology and distinguished manners has a unique style in educating children and in rearing them up physically and socially, as this will equip them with good manners and a message to achieve. Thus, the children will undertake responsibilities with the supreme goal of getting the blessings of Allah the Most High.

If the parents exert their utmost effort, and do their best to implement the injunctions of Allah and practices of Rasullullah (saw), then the child would be brought up in faith and fear of Allah, he would adopt virtue and morality, then he would be the best among his community, being a well-matured person of balanced behavior, good dealing, high reputation and companionship.

Children are also great bounties from Allah that it's worth thanking the Giver. “and (We) aided you with wealth and children...”(Bani-Israil, 17 vs 7) and if well trained they become pious. Quran says: “And who say: our Lord, bestow upon us from our spouses and offspring comfort of our eyes...”

Having known this, the Prophet (saw) said: “He who brings up his daughters well and makes no destruction between them and his sons will be close to me in Paradise.”

Before Islam, people had some strange ideas about the treatment of female children. The pagan society of preIslamic Arabia had an irrational prejudice against their female children whom they used to bury alive in the desert sand. They regarded the birth of female children as a source of shame. But the Quran severely condemned this practice and abolished it.

In Sura Al-Nahl 16 vs 59-60, the Quran captured their mood. “And when to one of them is conveyed the tidings of the birth of a female, his face darkens…” Still on the topic, it is written in Sura Al-Takwir 81 vs 9-10: “And when the girl-child buried alive is questioned about; 'for what crime was she killed?”

And of course, Rasulullah (saw) also in his practice opposed to the practice of burying daughters alive. He had four daughters with his wife Khadijah (ra) whom they raise until they were grown women. The Holy Prophet (saw) and his wife loved their daughters dearly and always treated them with respect and tenderness.

Women of today, who are blessed with female children should also regard them as an undisputable gift from God and discharge their duties towards them because being a mother is the noblest of jobs in this world. Our relationship with our daughters has far-reaching effects on the development and socialization of our daughters from birth to adulthood.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrated that a woman entered her house with two daughters. She asked for charity but Aisha could not find anything but a date, which she gave to her.

The woman divides it between her two daughters and did not eat any herself. Then she got up and left. When the Prophet (saw) came to the house, Aisha told him about what had happened and he declared that when the woman will be brought to account (on the day of judgment) about her two daughters, they will act as a screen for her from the fires of hell.

Therefore, a daughter looks up to her mother as a model and mentor and as a perfect image of what she strives to be when she is older.

Women of today, who are blessed with female children should also regard them as an undisputable gift from God and discharge their duties towards them because being a mother is the noblest of jobs in this world. Our relationship with our daughters has farreaching effects on the development and socialization of our daughters from birth to adulthood.

The Prophet (saw) said: “The best of you is he who behaves best towards the members of his family.”

The following are tips for mother and daughters to build everlasting close relationship, in practice of the admonition of the Prophet (saw) to be good towards their families. ?

Be sure your behavior as a mother provides a good example for her to follow. Be genuine in all perspectives most especially your attitude towards your obligations as a Muslim woman. ?

Demonstrate and model your own family's value from which she would build her own personal value. This goes a long way with dignity and respect. ?

The adolescent age is a phase when relationships with peers slowly replace the relationship with parents. As daughters grow and move beyond their latency age, they believe that their mothers cannot possibly understand them or how they feel. This is part of the development process, a short-term phenomenon. During these times, a mom should persevere through these few years with prayers and courage; there is usually a regaining of closeness between you and your daughter. ?

Don't stop loving your daughter even if she's doing the wrong thing, bite your tongues and walk away sometimes but later call her and resolve issues with wisdom. Hence, see things from her point of view. ?

Mothers and daughters should express appreciation for each other through actions; by spending time together, you will understand yourself better. ?

Mothers should teach their daughters to be unassuming and not boast about being right; and if they are wrong at times make them apologize.

?

Know your daughter's whereabouts and let her feel free to talk to you about whatever may be troubling her.

She must not feel condemned by your utterances. ?

Look for a way to make a compromise instead of insisting she is completely wrong; look for alternative solutions with reference from the Quran and practice of the Prophet (saw) so that she will not learn in a hard way. ?

Remember to cherish her. She will be married one day and move away before you know it. Do you really want to spend these few years you have together in your home arguing and embroiled in tension? No you would not, don't compare her to anyone else; she's Allah's unique creation. ?

Don't rub salt in a wound; she has agreed she was wrong, recognize her accomplishment and give credit to Allah who created her and made her who and what she is by saying Masha Allah and Alhamdulillah. ?

When rumors are been spread concerning your daughters, learn to ascertain the truth before threatening physical harm on them, it causes fear. Allah says in Q 49:7 “O ye who believe! If an unrighteous person brings you any news, ascertain the correctness of the report fully, lest you harm a people in ignorance…” ?

If something is upsetting your daughter, offer comfort but do never try to make it seem insignificant. Her feelings are valid and her emotional pain is real for her, you only need to help her discover the lessons and solution for her problem. ?

Above all, mothers are always of great help to their daughters; they act in a beneficent manner towards them throughout their lives. At the crucial time of finding a life partner for daughters, mothers' help and guidance is directly needed but sometimes in this crucial world, children are not aware of how critical the participation and role of mother in arranging a suitable partner for them is.

They think they are matured enough to know what is best for themselves but they fail to realize that a mother has great personal experience of married life accompanied with her experiences and acquaintances. Therefore, the need for a mother seeking for assistance to choose a life partner is more appreciated in the society.

Dear daughters, your relationship with mothers are birthed simultaneously with your entry into the world. We take our first breath of life, and display the initial dependent, human longing for protection and love in her presence. We are as one in the womb and on the birthing table. This woman, our mother all that she is and is not has given us life. Our connection with her in this instant and from this point forward carries with it tremendous psychological weight for our lifelong well-being.

Remember all she did for you all your life. Recapture that moment when you first looked into her eyes. Remember that “Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers”. Therefore, recognize the wisdom of age and experience, even when you disagree with her at times; be respectful and humble to her. Be prepared to take up responsibilities at their old age and say the prayers “O Allah, bless my parent as they nourish me while I was young.”

In conclusion, raising children, especially daughters, is a big responsibility. It should scare every discerning mind much; yet, it should also make those minds appreciate the role of parents even more. May Allah reward our parents for their efforts and help us all with parenting.

“O Allah make me wise, forgive my sins. Bless my parents and give them health, and please Allah, put my parents in Paradise. Please Allah, keep me on the safe path.” Amin

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PAGE 17

Children’s Corner Distinction of Ahmadis Muslim

Spiritual Transformation hmadis Muslims are distinguished from the non-Ahmadis because they submitted themselves to the holy influence of Hadrat Ahmad, Promised Messiah (as) and witnessed the heavenly signs whcih God showed to re-establish faith As a result of this, they are spiritually transformed and their faith in God, the Holy Prophet (saw) and the Holy Quran is strengthened.

A

Devotion to the Cause of Islam They are distinguished because they have responded to the call of Hadrat Ahmad (as) to serve Islam and are devoting all their energies to its propagation, in the same manner in which the companions of the Holy Prophet of Islam had devoted themselves to the service of Islam.

Reformation of Wrong Belief They are distinguished because they accepted what Hadrat Ahmad (as) judged, in his capacity of the divine arbitrator and judge, of the errors that had found their way into the beliefs and practices of people with the passage of time. But the non-Ahmadis refused to abandon their wrong beliefs. This has created a divergence between beliefs and practices of Ahmadis and non-Ahmadi.

Overview of Differences Continuity of Divine Attributes An overview of the most important differences in the beliefs of Ahmadis and non-Ahmadi Muslims is given below: The non-Ahmadis believe that the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw) was the last prophet with whom God Almighty spoke and that since then this attribute of God has been in abeyance. The Ahmadis regard such a belief to be irreverent towards God and hold no attribute of God can be suspended.

They believe that just as God used to have communication with His holy servants in the past, so does He do even now and will continue to do so up to the end of time.

Interpretation of Khaataman-nabiyyeen (Seal of the Prophets) Both the Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis believe that the Holy Prophet of Islam is Khaataman-nabiyyeen, i.e. Seal of the Prophets, but they differ as to the interpretation of this Quranic term. The verse is: "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets" (33:41) According to the non-Ahmadis, all doors to prophethood are forever closed and nobody can attain prophethood after the Holy Prophet (saw), who,in their view was the last prophet in order of time.

The Ahmadis, however, regard this view as derogatory to the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw), for it represents him as the one who put an end to the greatest gift of God, viz., Prophethood. According to the Ahmadi belief, all doors to the prophethood are now closed, except the door of the Holy Prophet (saw). It is through this door alone that prophethood (i.e. without a new law) is now attainable.

The Holy Quran (4:70) describes the divine gift of prophethood as still attainable by the followers of the Holy Prophet (saw). He is thus the Seal of Prophets, .., he is not only a great but also a prophet-maker.

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PAGE 18

The Friday Sermon A summary of the Sermons of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V

Essence of Worship of Allah Continued from page 3

said that they are the guides for us. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) cites the example of such a person who was engaged in business, dealing with thousands of rupees but was not forgetful of God, not even for a moment. The high achievement of a human being is to keep busy in worldly affairs and also never forget God. A packhorse is of no use if it trots well when not loaded but sits down when loaded!

Then the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that a fakir who abandons the world due to the chores involved in it, shows a weakness. There is no reclusiveness in Islam.

We never say that leave the women and children and stop businesses of the world. The employee should fulfill his duties and the trader should do his business but they should prefer faith over this world. Both should go hand in hand.

Allah asks us to safeguard our prayers especially the central ones. If due to late sleeping time, it becomes difficult to join Fajr, then that becomes the central prayer and if due the business, Zuhr and Asr become difficult to offer then they become the central prayers. Safeguarding means to protect things from going to waste. A believer is obedient only if he says the prayers on time and does justice to them and not by coming and leaving quickly by prostrating like hitting the ground with head.

Then there is a commandment about fulfilling and abiding by the covenants. These include bindings to Allah and the contracts with the human beings. Then there are the obligations of the conditions of Bai'at and the promise of preferring faith over the world. All these remind us of our obligations to God. They also draw our attention to the obligations to His men. Allah says in the Holy Quran (16:92): and you fulfill your promise with Allah when you make it. And don't break your promises after affirming them when you have made God your Guarantor. Verily Allah knows what you do.

This doesn't mean that where you do not utter the name of God clearly, you can break your covenant. First every contract that you make must be based on justice and truthfulness. Allah says that the believer has to be judicious and truthful. Every contract that is based upon justice and truth will come under the guarantee of Allah. If the importance and reality of this matter is understood, the society can be purged of all kinds of disputes, frauds and allegations.

The problems in families will also never arise because these are the covenants that are broken there as well. I have observed that because of the worldly greed, the incidents of breaking the contracts, deceiving and not fulfilling the verbal promises are increasing even among ourselves.

These incidents not only bring bad name to our community but sometimes such people lose their faith as well.

When a man breaks a contract, he depends on lies. Allah has forbidden lying with stern warnings. Allah says (22:31): Shun therefore the abomination of idols, and shun all words of untruth.

Regarding this the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that he doesn't need to tell that we should not shed blood or commit murder because except for the extremely mischievous person, nobody raises his hand to shed blood unjustly. But I say that don't kill the truth by insisting on injustice. Accept the truth even if a child speaks it and don't be stubborn. Even if you find the truth on the side of the opponent, forsake the dry logic and accept the truth. Stay with and witness the truth even if it goes against your fathers, brothers or friends. Falsehood is no less than associating partners with Allah. Everything that takes you away from truth is an idol.

Then at a juncture, the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that God likens a lie to idolatry. As a fool leaves God and prostrates before a stone, so does the person who leaves the truth and the right path and makes a lie his idol,

After this Ramadan, we should focus on worshipping God and for that purpose, we should think about the commandment regarding populating the mosques. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that a human being should have a passion about attaining the closeness to God, which will make him valuable for God. So if a person becomes valuable for God, he will find the real guidance. thinking that he will achieve his purpose in that way. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) continues to say that an affliction has plagued us that when we ask a person to leave this filth, he says that he can work without it. But he (the Promised Messiah (peace be on him)) wants to assure us that it is the truth that prevails at the end. Remember that there is nothing despicable like lies. Usually the world mongers say that those who speak the truth are arrested.

But how can I believe that while seven lawsuits were filed against me and by grace of Allah, I never needed even one word of lie and I was never defeated in those cases. If the truthfuls start getting punishment, nobody will ever speak the truth. Those who get punished even while speaking the truth, it is due to their hidden bad deeds. So prostrating humbly before Him, we should always keep asking for forgiveness so that we are not caught for any hidden bad

deed.

One of the commandments of God is that a sign of the righteous is that they suppress their anger and forgive people. Forgiving means to completely forget a crime committed against oneself and forgive. Enumerating the rewards of forgiving, the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) explains that we should remember that there is a dangerous enmity between intellect and anger. When passion and anger overwhelm, the intellect can't prevail.

But one who is patient and shows forbearance, is given a light which freshly illuminates the power of his intellect and thinking. Then a brightness is created over the light. As the heart and brain are dark under anger and passion, a night falls over darkness.

Then Hazoor says at another place that remember that the person who is harsh and flies into a rage, can never talk using wisdom and insight. Foul mouthed and unbridled, the lips are deprived of and kept away from the spring of the subtleties. The wisdom and rage cannot stay together.

Rage is half of insanity. When it flares up, it becomes complete insanity. A man should use his powers appropriately and at justifiable occasions. For example there is a power of passion. When it is out of proportion, it foreruns insanity. There is only a little difference between anger and insanity and madness. Even if one is your opponent, don't talk to him in a rage; talk wisely. So, where Allah's commandments take us closer to God, they also revive our wisdom and with that a man is saved from many enmities and losses.

The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that there are two forces i.e. suspicion and rage that make a person crazy if they run out of proportion. Allah says in the Holy Quran (49:13): O ye who believe! avoid most of suspicions; for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And spy not, nor back-bite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his brother who is dead? Certainly you would loathe it. And fear Allah, surely, Allah is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.

The first thing that is commanded to be avoided in this verse is suspicion. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) says that suspicion is such a disease and calamity that makes a man blind and throws him in a dark well of death.

Remember that all the defects and vices generate from suspicion. For that reason Allah has forbidden it vehemently. If a suspicion arises against a person, one should abundantly ask for forgiveness and pray to God so that he escapes that sinfulness and its consequences.

The second matter that Allah has forbidden in this verse is spying. Digging out one's weaknesses or spying on others and trying to find out something about one that he doesn't want to tell, create vices.

The third commandment is that don't backbite.

Backbiting is like eating the flesh of one's dead brother and we will loathe it. When asked, the Holy prophet said that backbiting is to relate a true matter about someone in such a manner that if he is present he will not like it. And if that matter is non-existent in him then it is called calumny. A believer doesn't do things that create problems or disruptions in the society. Neither backbite nor slander.

In Ramadan, when we want to be righteous, to get closer to God, and to see our supplications accepted by God, we should try hard to refrain from these vices and try vigorously to act upon the commandments of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability that acting upon His commandments, we should become closer to Him and continue to do good deeds even after the Ramadan. We should become His men and become the ones who follow Him perfectly.

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

THE TRUTH

PAGE 19

Remembrance 50 YEARS REMEMBRANCE

Late Shaikh Muhammed Alao Abdul-Qadir (18 September 1903 - 28 July 1966

L

ate Sheikh Muhammad Alao Abdul-Qadir was born of a Muslim parentage of Jimoh AbdulQadir and HasanotuTaiwo from Akoka compound, Ibadan on 18September 1903. He was the only surviving male of a family of five. He was survived by many children.

Sheikh Muhammed Alao Abdul-Qadir received his primary education at the Government Muslim School, Lagos from 1917 to 1925. He passed the Standard Six examinations in 1925, before the completion of his primary education. He attended Qur'anic and Arabic classes under an Ilorin Alfa where he learnt the holy Quran and Arabic in his early age. He was so good in the Qur'anic and Arabic that as soon as he completed his Standard Six examinations, he was employed as an Arabic teacher. He embraced Ahmadiyya in 1919 at the age of 15 years as a student and signed the Baiat from Maulvi A.R Nayyar in 1921. He thus became one of the pioneers of Ahmadiyya Jama'at Nigeria.

Alfa Muhammad Alao Abdul-Qadir had a close relationship with late Maulvi F.R Hakeem, the missionary-in-charge of West Africa who arrived in Lagos in 1922. They had such a close relationship that both visited each other regularly.

Maulvi F.R Hakeem was then staying at Ajao's house at Ereko area of Lagos before the building of Mission House at Idumagbo Avenue, Lagos.

In 1926/1927, he went with Maulvi F.R Hakeem on a preaching mission to the then Benin Province now Edo state. He stayed in the area as a missionary for 1 year before returning to Lagos in 1927 where he met late Oyarebu and other Auchi members.

He started teaching as an Arabic teacher in 1927 at Taleem-ul-Islam Ahmadiyya School, Elegbeta, Lagos.

He was later transferred to Alagbado station in Abeokuta Province in 1932. He was transferred back to Lagos in 1934.

He started his own training school named Ahmadiyya Training Institute in Ebute-meta, Lagos in 1935. He started the school at the then Ahmadiyya Movement Mosque Division IV, Ebute-meta then at 117, Stratchan Street, now Herbert Macaulay Street, in 1935.

A lot of Muslim children enrolled at the school among the foundation member of the Arabic and Qur'anic school was late Alhaji Y.M Taiwo, late SaiduSadiku Gayi, Bro Shobambi, TiamiyuGayi, Gafari Mustapha to mention a few. The first set of graduates to pass out from the school did their graduation Waleemat in 1938.

Among them was late Alhai Y.M Taiwo. Over the years so manyMuslim students later performed the Waleemat ceremony from the Arabic school. Late Maulvi F.R Hakeem presided over the Waleemat ceremony of some graduates of Ahmadiyya Training Institute in 1943.

Notable members of the Ahmadiyya Movement Mosque, Division IV, Ebute-meta were Messrs. Adele, Gbajabiamila, Dawodu Ipaye, Asunramu, Madasi, Alhaji Yusuf Oladeinde, Salim and Abdul-Qadir. During the crises that erupted within the Ahmadiyya Movement, there was a split resulting in two factions; Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam and Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya.

Only Alfa Muhammed Abdulqadir and his students remained with the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya while others went with the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam This led to his moving the Ahmadiyya Training Institute from the Ahmadiyya Mosque Division IV to a new site at No 16, Glover Street Ebute-meta, which later became the mosque and centre for Sadr Anjumani Ahmadiyya mission in Ebute-meta and environs from 1939.

It is important to state at this juncture that despite the

crises in the Ahmadiyya Community and the resulting split, Sheikh Abdul-Qadir never discriminated against students from other religious organisations studying in his school. He also never forced any of his students to follow the Ahmadiyya Jama'at; rather he gave them freedom to follow their convictions. Seeing this, most of his students decided to stay with the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya.

Alfa Abdul-Qadir participated well during the construction of the first Ahmadiyya mosque and Mission Housein Lagos in 1943.

Alfa Muhammed Abdul-Qadir was well known in Ebute-meta and its environs as a staunch member of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, and he converted a lot of people into the fold of Ahmadiyya. His residence was the centre for the Jama'at activities and mosque for Ebute-meta members from 1939-1957.

He also ran a private school for children called Ahmadiyya Training Institute for Pre-Standard and Standard I-III Due to free primary education that started in 1957, the school had to close down and he also moved from Ebutemeta to Shomolu from 1954 where he finally settled in 1956.

The activities of the Jama'at spread and became attractive to young men and women in and around Ebute-meta. Alfa Muhammed Abdul-Qadir encouraged them to come to his house at 16 Glover Street, Ebutemeta Lagos to attend lectures and discussion on Ahmadiyya. As a result, his house become a meeting centre. Besides listening to lectures and discussions, these young men also read the Holy Quran and the Yasarnal Quran.

As their number increased, Alfa Muhammed AbdulQadir founded the Ahmadiyya Youth Movement in 1949.The members held meetings regularly on Sundays.

They had a uniform of white suit with a badge and face cap to identify them. The uniform was worn on important occasions like the Eid and Waleemat ceremonies. This made the members conspicuous on such occasion and naturally attracted more young men to join the Jama'at.

Among the foundation members were Mr Abdul Ghaffar Olayide Omoyele who become the first secretary, E Y.A Babalola the treasurer and Mr. Mukadas

A. Ballo and Also Bro A.R.A Dawudu.

By 1950, the Ahmadiyya Youth Movement had become known beyond Ebute-meta and the news of activities had reached the Amir Maulvi N.M Naseem Saifi. At first, he raised no objection. In April 1950, Mr. Omoyele was transferred to AfinAkoko now Ondo state by the Ansar-ud-deen society. He was succeeded as secretary by Mr Abdul Raheem Ayo Junaid.

The activities continued to expand till 1951 when a letter form Amirdisbanded the youth organization. This did not go well with the members but the founder Alfa Muhammad Abdul-Qadir counseled members so the association ceased to exist but members still attended lectures and discussion and read the Quran with other members of the Jama'at.

The Qur'anic classes increased knowledge of members and many members benefited from it. The then Amir and missionary-in-charge of West Africa Maulvi Naseem Saifi disbanded the regular meetings and Qur'anic classes of Ebute-meta during his sermon of 15 January 1957.

The members wrote an appeal letter to Amir on 12 March 1957 and he later approved only the teachings of the Quran, the Hadith and teachings of Promised Messiah. He approved only Alfa M.A Abdul-Qadir as the teacher of the group and that regular report about the progress should be sent to him. He however stopped the regular meetings.

Alfa Muhammad Abdul-Qadir's school continued to progress so well that children of the members and people in the area benefited immensely from it. The school had to close down in 1955 as a result of introduction of free primary education by the government. He then took up a teaching appointment at Muslim school at Odi-Olowo area. The Arabic school progressed so well that he had to leave the teaching appointment in1964 to face the Arabic school.

HIS HOUSE He started moving to his own new house at No 6, Humuani Street, Shomolu in 1954, and finally moved in 1956. During his period of moving to Shomolu, he converted an area in his house to a mosque which again later became the Centre for the Jama'at and Islamic activities at Shomolu. As a result of his final movement from Ebute-meta in 1956, the Jama'at Centre and meeting place changed since the Jama'at had no mosque in Ebute-meta area.

The Ahmadiyya Jama'at (Mission) Shomolu by then started taking shape with the help of his wife who was teaching Arabic class.Shewas popularly known as Iyailekewu from 1955. The mosque was completed, and regularopen air lecture (Tabligh activities) were made in Shomolu and environs to convert people to Ahmadiyya fold between 1957 and 1960.

The new converts during the period were Bro A. Tawose, Bro H.K Azeez, Bro B.I Oladele, Bro N.O Bello, Late Bro Asimiyu Oke, Bro A.A Towolawi(now Alhaji), He published two books, theMuslimPrayer Bookand the MuslimCatechismin 1951. He continued his religious activities until his death in July 1966. Maulvi N.D Ahmad performed the Janaza prayer.

The Shomolu Jama'at was going on well before the death in 1966.

We are grateful to Almighty Allah that Shomolu Jama'at is one of the branches to be reckoned with, within the Ahmadiyya Jama'at in Nigeria We pray that Almighty Allah give the late Sheikh Abdul-Qadir perfect rest. Amin.

The Truth “And say, Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away; falsehood does indeed vanish away fast.

“Every morning should be a witness for you that you spent the night with righteousness, and every evening should testify for you that you went through the day with the fear of Allah in your heart.”

- The Promised Messiah

Holy Qur’an 17:82

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community inaugurates Mahmood Mosque in Malmo (Sweden)

T

he Ahmadiyya M u s l i m Community is pleased to announce that on 13 May 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, Sweden. It is the second Mosque built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the country.

After unveiling a commemorative plaque His Holiness proceeded to deliver his weekly Friday Sermon, which was broadcast live around the world on MTA International.

During his sermon, His

Holiness emphasised the need for Ahmadi Muslims to fulfill the true peaceful purposes of the Mosque, while also praising the exceptional sacrifices made by members of the community.

Speaking about the objectives of Mosques, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “We, Ahmadi Muslims, do not build Mosques for any materialistic gain, rather we build them solely for the worship of God and to attain His rewards. Having built this beautiful Mosque, we must not assume that we have fulfilled our obligations because in reality our duties have only just begun. We must seek to fill and populate

this Mosque.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued: “Now that this Mosque has opened you must increase your love for one another and set shining examples of Islam's true and peaceful teachings.

Remember, that the real beauty of this Mosque lies not in its structure or design, rather it lies in the spiritual beauty of your hearts and conduct.”

The Khalifa recounted a number of examples of personal financial sacrifices made by local Ahmadi Muslims towards funding the Mahmood Mosque. Men, women and children all took part in this effort.

For example, one man sold his car, whilst some

ladies donated jewellery and young children offered their pocket money. His Holiness said that all such sacrifices were made in order to gain the pleasure of God Almighty.

Regarding the location of the Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “Sometimes journalists ask me why we have chosen a certain location or city for a Mosque. The truth is that neither does Malmo hold any particular significance, nor does any other location. Our only motivation is to build Mosques wherever there are Ahmadi Muslims so that they can join together to worship God Almighty.”

The Khalifa said that it was the responsibility of Ahmadi Muslims to invite people towards the Oneness of God and to dispel false notions about Islam.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “You must remove the f e a r s a n d misunderstandings that the local people may harbour about Islam and explain to them its true peaceful teachings. The Government and people of this nation have let you build this Mosque and so in return for this favour you must always show them sympathy and seek to bring them closer to their Creator.”

Speaking about the state of the world and

reminding the local Ahmadi Muslims of their responsibilities, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “It is a source of deep regret that today the most discord and conflict is found amongst Muslims.

Therefore it is the responsibility of Ahmadi Muslims to become living examples of the peaceful teachings of Islam and to spread its true and beautiful message far and wide.”

The Truth Published by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria and printed by Raqeem Press. Office: Km. 27, Abeokuta Expressway, Ojokoro, Lagos State. TELEPHONE: 09051133553; ADVERTS: 07068820428; CIRCULATION: 08027382429; EMAIL: thetruthnewsnigeria@gmail.com; EDITOR: ABDULGANIYY ADIAMOH. All correspondence to P.O. Box 418 Lagos 100101. ISSN 0311 5975