Protecting Tomorrow's Leaders: Our Duty Towards Children

ISSN 1596 - 3187 Volume 13, No. 2 December 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

A publication of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria

Protecting Tomorrow’s Leaders: Our Duty Towards Children

-

AL-‘IRFAN

About MKA

M

ajlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (MKA), literally meaning 'Association of Servants of the True Islam' and also known as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization (AMYO), was founded in 1938 by Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) and is the youth section of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Consisting Ahmadi members between ages 15 and 40, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya (MKA) is an auxiliary organization of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Community, saddled with the task of organizing members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at between the ages of seven and forty years to present the peaceful message of Islam to the entire world.

Its aims are to train and educate its members, including Atfal-ulAhmadiyya, (male children between ages 7 and 15) in the true Islamic teachings, selfless service to Islam, country and mankind at large.

The Nigerian Branch of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya was established in 1972 with branches across twenty States of the Federation.

Objectives One of its principal objectives is the moral and spiritual training of youth through a mixture of religious and secular activities. It is dedicated to ensuring its members develop and excel in qualities such as piety, honesty and fair dealing so that they can better contribute to the country in which they live.

The activities of MKA are not limited to the Muslim community. It serves the needs of all members of society irrespective of colour, race, religion or creed and promotes interfaith dialogue and cooperation in order to promote peace and harmony.

Service to Humanity MKA Nigeria has a longstanding reputation of working with charities and bringing succour to people affected with disasters. This work ranges from assisting the charities with fundraising to organising charity events.

Additionally, MKA Nigeria has been working with the National Blood Transfusion Service for many years and is now a regular donor provider throughout its branches in Nigeria. Blood donation sessions are now held at various mosques belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

MKA Nigeria also participates in monthly environmental sanitation exercises across many states of Nigeria.

Educational Services MKA Nigeria has been at the forefront of providing excellent educational services to both its members and non-members. It established, in conjunction with other individual Ahmadi members, an elementary school, the Fazl-Omar Nursery and Primary School at Ojokoro Lagos State in 1996 to provide qualitative education to members of the Community. It also organizes free tutorial classes for students preparing for public examinations.

Health and Fitness Sports events such as football, Taekwondo, ping pong are held on a national, regional and local basis. At national events, which are rotated annually with different regions given the responsibility of organising them, regions compete against each other for the crown in that particular sport. Apart from the physical competitiveness of these events, and regional or local rivalries, members get the opportunity to meet, network and, most importantly, develop bonds of brotherhood with other members from all around Nigeria.

MKA Nigeria also promotes a biennial National Sports Festival.

Islam Awareness MKA Nigeria is actively engaged in presenting the peaceful message of Islam and removing common misconceptions and misunderstandings about the faith. It firmly believes that tolerance, engagement, interaction and debate are vital to understand the true teachings of Islam.

It is involved in a number of programmes ranging from providing Islamic literature to a wide-ranging public. It also publishes a biannual magazine Al-'Irfan to educate youth and promote the reading culture.

MKA Nigeria also runs a website (www.mka-ng.org) where information about the organization and its activities are updated.

Annual Ijtema (Convention) This is MKA Nigeria's flagship event of the year when thousands congregate for a three-day convention. Members participate in religious education and sporting competitions which add an extra element of healthy rivalry between members.

Its first Ijtema (convention) was held in 1972 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Ijtema sees the culmination of a whole year's work for the various regional and local branches of MKA with awards given to the most outstanding achievers. More importantly this event enables members to strengthen and foster new relationships in the spirit of brotherhood.

Leadership Since its establishment, Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria has been led by the following National Presidents (Sadr): Bro A.W.A. Aina 1972 -1978 Bro H.T.Z. Okunnu 1978-1980 Bro A.H. Oyetunji 1981-1986 Dr. M.A. Fashola 1986-1990 Bro A.O. AbdusSalam 1990-1995 Bro A.W. Matepo 1995-2000 Bro A.O. Iromini 2000-2005 Dr. Saheed Timehin 2005-2009 Bro T.A. Oladoja 2009-2010 Bro A.O. Abdul Qadir 2010-till date

PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

Contents -

AL-‘IRFAN A publication of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria

Editorial Board Sadr Muhtamim Isha'at Editor-in-Chief Members

AbdulQadir Abdul Rafi Murtadha Oriolowo AbdulGaniyy Adiamoh AbdurRaheem Ismail AbdulGaniyy Omopariola Hamid Bolaji Ahmad Talabi AbdulHakeem Akintobi

Layout & Design

Layipo Concepts Ibadan, Oyo State info@layipo.com www.layipo.com 234-2-2911900 ISSN 1596 - 3187 Volume 13, No. 2 December 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

About MKA 2 Holy Qur'an 4 Hadith 5 Arrogance 6-8 A Message for Ahmadi Children 9 Editorial 15 From The Sadr’s Desk 16 Guest Khuddam 17-18 sa Muhammad : Man and Leader 19-24 Gallery 23 Muhammadsa: The Liberator of Women 25-28 The Prophet’s Relationship with God 29-33 Holy Prophet: A Role Model in the Establishment of Peace in the World 34-38 Humanitarian Services of the Holy Prophet (saw) as an Exemplary Servant and Leader 39 The Challenge of Youth Restiveness in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society: The Prophetic Solution 43 The Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Kindness to Children 49 10 Conditions of Baiat 50

A publication of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria

Al-'Irfan Magazine is published by the Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Nigeria, the youth organization of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria.

Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily representative of the official position of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community or any of its affiliate bodies.

Protecting Tomorrow’s Leaders: Our Duty Towards Children

All correspondence should be forwarded to: The Editor Al-'Irfan Magazine Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria P.O. Box 418, Lagos State, Nigeria Email: sadr@mka-ng.org / ishaat@mka-ng.org Tel: 08079165432; 08026980159; 07056547478

PAGE 3 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

From the Holy Qur’an

I

n the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

O ye who believe! be not forward in the presence of Allah and His Messenger, but fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

O ye who believe! raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and speak not aloud to him, as you speak aloud to one another, lest your works become vain while you perceive not.

Verily those who lower their voices in the presence of the Messenger of Allah are the ones whose hearts Allah has purified for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and a great reward.

Al-Hujurat, 49: 1-4

T

he Surah opens with strict injunctions to Muslims to show full regard and respect to the Holy Prophet which befits his station as a Divine Messenger. They are also enjoined not to anticipate his decisions but to give unquestioning obedience to his commands. They are also enjoined not to raise their voices above his voice; this not only constitutes bad manners but also shows lack of proper respect which is calculated to undermine discipline in the Muslim Community.

M

ecca had fallen. The whole of Arabia lay prostrate at the Prophet's feet. Life had become quite safe and secure for Muslims and wealth and great riches had come into their possession. A life of ease and comfort generally follows in the wake of riches, resulting in lack of discipline and other very serious social evils.

Therefore rules of conduct have been revealed in this

Surah to safeguard the Muslim Community against these evils. They are told to show proper respect and regard for the Holy Prophet and to give him unqualified obedience and not to anticipate his commands or to prefer their own wishes to his.

T

hese verses lay great stress on observing an attitude of utmost respectfulness towards the Holy Prophet. The Muslims should not talk loudly in his presence or address him aloud. This is not only bad manners but is calculated to do moral injury to one so rude as not to show respect due to the Leader.

T

o speak in low tones in the presence of the Prophet is indicative of respect for him and of one's own humility of heart which is a good moral quality; while unnecessarily raising of voices smacks of conceit and arrogance.

PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

From the Hadith

Show Compassion to Young Ones and Recognize the Rights of Your Elders Narrated by Ḥaḍrat ‘Abdullāh Ibni ‘Umar, Allāh be pleased with him: The Prophet of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be on him) said: “One who had no compassion for our young ones and did not recognize the rights of our elders was not of us.”

(Abū Dāwūd)

I

n this Ḥadīth, a fine Law regarding dynamics of mutual relations has been laid down. Many disputes and causes of ill-will arise in the world, because the elders do not treat the younger ones with compassion and consideration, and the younger ones forget to extend respect to the elders which is their due, and thus a distasteful chain reaction of class struggle is set off. Islām has, on the one hand, recognized equality of rights for all in the assignment of public offices and distribution of the means of earning wealth. On the other hand, by building a bridge of compassion and consideration of dutiful respect, it has linked all in one chain.

Those who get an opportunity to excel others in the struggle of life, they are required to treat their less fortunate brethren with compassion and affection, so long as the latter are in that situation. As for those who lag behind, they are enjoined to pay dutiful respect to those who are ahead of them as long as they continue in the position. By means of this golden injunction, our Lord (peace and blessings of Allāh be on him) has cut at the root of unnecessary and unbecoming tension between the different layers of society. But, it is a matter of regret that few care to respect this injunction, and if someone comes into power, because of one thing or the other, he loses his head and loves to crush those who are beneath him. And, if one lags behind in the race of existence, he is jealous of those who have outdistanced him so that he is ever intent on destroying them and bringing them low to earth. Both these types are far gone off the course of Islām.

Islām itself certainly does not create classes. But it does not shut its eyes to facts either, and takes due note of the temporary distinctions which arise as a natural phenomenon due to differences in intellectual level or standards of personal industry. It resolves (these differences) in a similarly natural manner and takes proper measures to countermand their unpleasant consequences. This blessed observation of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be on him) is a part of these measures. At the same time, Islām stresses the transitory character of these differences pointing out that a class of people which happens to be at the lower rung today, may very well forge ahead tomorrow. The Holy Qur’ān says in this behalf, “It is not proper for any section of society to look down upon any other section. For, haply that one may become better in material amenities than this one.” [49[Al-Ḥujurāt]:12] It must be borne in mind, that the expression “younger ones and elder ones” in this Ḥadīth apply to all whether they are junior or senior in point of age, or relationship, or wealth, or office, or prestige, or influence. In whatever respect that the difference exists, every senior is required to treat his junior with compassion and consideration, and every junior is required to show due respect and regard to his senior.

And whoso does not behave in that manner, our Master (blessings of Allāh be on him and His peace) says about him that he is not of us.

PAGE 5 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

From the Malfoozat

Arrogance

I

tell you truly that on the Day of Judgement, next after association of anything with God, no vice shall rank as high as arrogance. This is a vice that humiliates a person in both worlds. Divine mercy rescues every believer in Divine Unity, except an arrogant one. Satan also claimed that he believed in the Unity of God but, as he was afflicted with arrogance and looked contemptuously upon Adam whom God loved and found fault with him. He was ruined and became accursed. Thus the first sin whereby one was ruined forever was arrogance.

[A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.

5, p. 598] What is Arrogance? admonish my Community to shun arrogance as arrogance is hateful in the eyes of God, the Lord of Glory. You may not perhaps fully realize what is

I

arrogance. Then listen to me as I speak under the direction of God. Everyone who looks down upon a brother because he esteems himself more learned, or wiser, or more proficient than him is arrogant, inasmuch as he does not esteem God as the Fountainhead of all intelligence and knowledge and deems himself as something. Has God not the power to afflict him with lunacy and to bestow upon his brother, whom he accounts small, better intelligence and knowledge and higher proficiency than him? So also he who, out of a mistaken conception of his wealth, or status, or dignity, looks down upon his brother, is arrogant because he forgets that his wealth, status and dignity were bestowed upon him by God. He is blind and does not realize that God has power to so afflict him that in a moment he might be reduced to the condition of the lowest of the low, and to bestow upon his brother whom he esteems low greater wealth than him. In the same way, he who takes pride in his physical health, or is conceited of his beauty, good looks, strength, or might and bestows a scornful designation on his brother making fun of him and proclaims his physical defects is arrogant, for he is unaware of God Who has power to afflict him with such physical defects as to render him worse than his brother and to bless the latter so that his faculties should not suffer decline or be stultified over a long period, for He has power to do all that He wills. Similarly, he who is neglectful of Prayer on account of his dependence upon his faculties is arrogant for he has not recognized the Fountainhead of all power and strength and relies upon himself.

Therefore, dear ones! keep all these admonitions in mind lest you should be accounted arrogant in the estimation of God Almighty unknowingly.

He who out of pride corrects the pronunciation of a word by his brother partakes of arrogance. He who does not listen courteously to his brother and turns away from him partakes of arrogance. He who resents a brother sitting next to him partakes of arrogance. He who mocks and laughs at one who is occupied in Prayer partakes of arrogance. He who does not seek to render full obedience to a Commissioned one and Messenger of God partakes of arrogance. He who does not pay full attention to the directions of such a one and does not study his writings with care also partakes of arrogance.

Try, therefore, that you should not partake of arrogance in any respect so that you may escape ruin and you and PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN From the Malfoozat

Arrogance

yours may attain salvation. Lean towards God and love Him to the utmost degree possible and fear Him as much as anyone can be feared in this life. Be pure hearted and pure intentioned and meek and humble and free of all mischief so that you may receive mercy.

[Nuzul-ul-Masih, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 18, pp.

402-403] Do not Idolize Me t is not my way that I should look so fierce and awe-inspiring that people should fear me as they fear a wild beast. I hate to be idolized. I have come to abolish idol worship and not to become an idol myself so that people should worship me. God Almighty knows well that I do not prefer myself to others in the slightest degree. In my estimation there is no greater idol worshipper nor anyone more wicked than an arrogant one. Such a one worships no God, he only worships himself.

[Malfuzat, vol. II, pp. 6-7]

I

Remember that arrogance is allied to falsehood. The worst falsehood is that which accompanies arrogance.

That is why God, the Glorious, smashes the head of an arrogant one before all others.

[A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.

5, p. 599] Forms of Arrogance and Means of Purification t is easy for a person to discard the principal vices, but some vices are so subtle and hidden that one is not normally conscious of them, and even when one becomes conscious of them it is difficult to discard them. For instance, typhoid which is a severe illness and a high fever can be treated immediately with appropriate remedies, but tuberculosis which works its mischief out of sight is very difficult of treatment. Such are these subtle and hidden vices which keep a person from achieving exalted ranks. They are moral vices which cause disruption in social life. Slight differences generate rancour, hatred, jealousy, hypocrisy and arrogance and a brother begins to look down upon a brother. If a person observes Salat properly for a few days and people praise him, he falls a victim to showing off, pride and self-esteem and loses that sincerity which is the true purpose of worship. If Allah, the Glorious, bestows wealth, knowledge, high family status or honour on a person he begins to look down upon a brother who does not enjoy those advantages. If through obstinacy or enmity a person’s relations with a brother

I

are embittered he devotes himself day and night to finding fault with his brother or carries tales against him to someone in authority so that by winning the favour of the latter he might replace his brother in some office held by him, while he himself suffers from all those faults. Such are the subtle vices which are difficult to discard. Arrogance is one of them and is manifested in diverse forms. The divines suffer from it in respect of their knowledge. They are occupied all the time in finding fault with each other at the intellectual level so as to humiliate each other and to bring each other into contempt. It is very difficult to get rid of such subtle vices, but they are not tolerable under Divine law. It is not only the common people who are afflicted with them but also those who shun well known vices and are esteemed as divines and scholars and people of high degree. Deliverance from these subtle vices is like undergoing a sort of death. Until a person is delivered from the darkness of such vices he cannot achieve complete purity of soul and cannot become worthy of those bounties and excellence that are bestowed by God Almighty on purification of the soul. Some people deem themselves as having been delivered from such moral vices, but when they are confronted with another person they are greatly roused and are not able to suppress their high notion of self-esteem and their arrogance and exhibit such a low quality of morals of which they themselves had no conception. It is at such times that it is known that they have found no deliverance from such vices and have not yet achieved any good, and that they are still far short of that purification of the soul, which is a characteristic of the righteous and is a sign of true excellence. This shows that moral purification is very difficult and cannot be achieved without the grace of Allah, the Glorious. Such grace is also attained through the three means that have just been mentioned, namely, first, striving and planning; secondly, Prayer and supplication; and thirdly, keeping company with the righteous.

[Speeches, pp. 17-18]

A

rrogance is an affliction that constantly affects man. Keep in mind that arrogance comes from Satan and converts an arrogant one into Satan. Until a person turns wholly away from the path of arrogance he is not enabled to accept the truth and does not become worthy of receiving Divine grace, inasmuch as arrogance bars his way. So shun every type of arrogance, whether generated by learning, wealth, status, caste, family or noble descent. These are the PAGE 7 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN From the Malfoozat

Arrogance factors that give birth to arrogance. Until a person purifies himself of all such pride he cannot win Divine approval and become a chosen one of God. He is not bestowed such comprehension of the Divine as totally consumes the passions of self. Such pride is the characteristic of Satan and is displeasing to God. Satan manifested such pride, conceived that he was better than Adam and claimed:

The result was that he was rejected and expelled from the presence of God. [Speeches, p. 19]

A

rrogance and mischief are evil. A slight mistake might destroy all the good achieved over a period of seventy long years. It is written of a holy man who dwelt in a mountain where no rain had fallen over a long period, that one day when rain fell over stones and rocks also, he felt that rain was needed by fields and gardens and that much of it which had fallen on stones and rocks had been wasted. It would have been of much greater benefit if it had fallen over cultivated fields. Thereupon God Almighty deprived him of all holiness. He became very sorrowful and sought help from another holy person and was told in the end that he had offended God because of his criticism.

[Malfuzat, vol. VI, p. 57]

A

rrogance is of many types. It sometimes emerges through the eye when a person looks contemptuously upon another deeming himself his superior. Sometimes it emerges through the tongue, or through the head, or through hands and feet.

In short, there are many sources of arrogance and a believer should avoid all of them. He should take care that no one of his limbs should smell of arrogance or manifest it in any way.

The Sufis have said that there are many types of low qualities inside a person, like evil spirits, and they continue to be expelled till the last of them is left which is arrogance. It can be expelled only by Divine grace, which is won through sincere striving and supplications. Many persons deem themselves humble but suffer from some type of arrogance. Therefore, one must seek to avoid even the subtlest types of arrogance, which are generated sometimes by wealth, when a wealthy one deems others misers who cannot be his

equals; sometimes arrogance is generated by family and caste, when a person deems himself of high caste and looks down upon others as of low caste....

Sometimes arrogance is generated by learning. A person makes a mistake in speaking and an arrogant one immediately seizes upon his mistake and shouts that he cannot utter a single word right. In short, there are diverse types of arrogance and all of them deprive a person of virtue and stand in the way of his beneficence towards his fellow beings. All of them must be shunned.

But this calls for a type of death. So long as a person does not accept such a death Divine blessing does not descend upon him nor does God become responsible for him.

[Malfuzat, vol. VI, pp. 401-403] What is Islam? To die for the sake of God; And forsake all desires of self for His pleasure.

Those who accepted death are the ones who are destined to live forever; Life is not attained in this path except through the humble acceptance of death.

Brazenness and arrogance are the characteristics of Satan the accursed; The true progeny of Adam are the humble.

O worm of this earth! Give up arrogance and pride; For pride becomes the Glorious Lord alone.

Consider yourselves as worse than all; Maybe this will help you enter the court of the Lord God. Give up pride and arrogance, because therein alone lies righteousness; Be humble as dust: therein lies the pleasure of the Lord.

The root of righteousness is humility for the sake of God; Virtue, which is the condition of faith, lies entirely in Taqwa (righteousness).

[Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 21, p. 18]

PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

The Sermon

A Message for Ahmadi Children Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

O A

n the request of the head (Sadr) of Khuddhamul-Ahmadiyya Germay I am here for the first time to directly speak to you Atfal-ulAhmadiyya Germany at the ijtema, as I recall. ftal-ul-Ahmadiyya is that branch of our Ahmadiyya community on which our future rest. Today's children are tomorrow's adults, who will lead the country. Thus, when Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II ra (Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (ra)) was making different auxiliaries, he made an auxiliary under Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya for small boys known as Aftal-ul-Ahmadiyya. It is further divided into Mayar-e-Saghir for 7 to 12 years old boys and Mayar-eKabir and 12 to 15 years old boys, and eventually Khuddham-ul-Ahmadiyya. Aftal-ul-Ahmadiyya is a very important branch. When Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IIra was making these branches, he had in his mind that every member men or women young and old should become sufficient enough to uphold their responsibilities of the community. Thus, he or she fulfills their duties towards the community. By the Grace of Allah, many of the boys older

then 10 to 12 years are wise, and they understand what is good for them and what is bad, they can understand their responsibilities. Education given now-a-days in schools have enlightened many. So understand that it is you who have to take up the duties of Ahmadiyya community in future.

A poem by Hadhrat Promsied Messah (as) says that “we kept on working however we could but in your time is when the lack of effort brought sham”. Our elders have passed away and the present generation will pass away.

So the productive nations and communities do not stop where the previous generation left rather they move forward. But they can not move forward until the kids realize their responsibilities. A 12, 13 years old boy does not realize that he has a purpose. You who are just children now I see in your faces tomorrow's leaders, who will take up the duties of the community in future in a more productive manner (InshAllah), so learn your importance.

Remember that every child of the Ahmadiyya community is not born without a purpose. Allah the Almighty has made every human with a purpose. Thus, the most important purpose of our existence is becoming a good PAGE 9 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN The Sermon

A Message for Ahmadi Children human and worshipping and being grateful to Allah the Almighty. Thus, when you will realize this you will be able to fulfill your role towards the success of the community and the country in future.

Often many 10 to 14 years old boys come to mosque and participate in activities regularly. But as they reach 15 or 16 years of age some of their parents write to me that their kids have stopped offering the daily prayers, attending mosque, and listening to them due to the influence of their new friends. But you should remember this that if you do not follow the righteous behavior how will you take up the duties and leadership of Ahmadiyya community in future.

So, 10 to 12 years old boys who are wise especially 15 year old boys who are about to enter Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya should remember that their preference should not suddenly change, you should still have a strong relationship with the Ahmadiyya community, Aftal-ulAhmadiyya, and family in such manner that one should see the difference between an Ahmadi boy and nonAhmadi boy.

I see in your faces tomorrow's leaders, who will take up the duties of the community in future in a more productive manner (InshAllah), so learn your importance. Remember that every child of the Ahmadiyya community is not born without a purpose. Allah the Almighty has made every human with a purpose.

I have kept on acquiring that many of the kids watch too much TV and use internet. Do watch good cartoons on the TV but for an hour or half an hour in a timely manner. Not like that you start watching TV on the weekend from morning until evening and from evening to 12 at night.

While your parents are telling you to do your chores or eat but you are continuously watching TV, as if you have a craze as a term they use in English. Similarly many 14 to 15 years old boys start using internet while some of their parents did not fully secure the internet, as a result the kids go on wrong websites and thus they sabotage all their upbringing by the parents and the community. So when grown ups tells you something it is for your benefit and not to harm you. Do not think that in this country you have a freedom so you can do whatever you want. Thinking that you are all grown up 14 or 15 years old and more educated than your parents. Although, in this age many of your

parents are educated, even then teenagers think that they are more intelligent than everyone else. But an intelligent person is he who listen to others' advises. In fact, researches have showed that an excessive use of TV and internet damages the eye site and the brain cells. In fact in some cases it destroys all of the brain activity. So if someone stops you from something then you should stop.

When you sit on internet go on good websites to gain knowledge such as encyclopedia, but not on every website. I am saying this for 14 years old or older kids.

Small kids should not use internet.

Now a days, I also hear that many kids want cell phone starting from as young as 10 years of age. Are you doing some kind of business? What kind of work are you doing that you need the cell phone minute after minute. If you ask them why they need the cell phone? They say to keep in touch with the parents. If your parents do not find a need to contact you then you should not either. From this cell phone many kids get into bad habits. Many wrong people can contact you and get you started on bad habits and activities. That's why the cell phone is dangerous especially for young kids. I have said this before that do watch TV but good programs and stay away from bad programs. Parents who are listening should have locked the bad and vulgar channels, and if ever something wrong comes up they should immediately change the channel, only in this way you can up bring a good Ahmadi child.

Otherwise there will be no difference between you and the other kids.

World should see a difference between an Ahmadi kid that they have good manners and high virtues. Like when they meet and greet with Salam, and show meekness in front of elders and also listen to them. I have visited few schools here and it is good that I have acquired from teachers and administration that Ahmadi kids are comparably good in manners and grades from other kids.

You should keep up with this good behavior otherwise there is no good in you being an Ahmadi. The world is observing you, so do not think that no one watches you.

The administration and teachers look out for children with good behavior and grades thus they will help those good kids, and their help will prove to be beneficial for your academics. Many of you who have adopted this good behavior keep it up, so your school heads continue to see your good behavior. By the Grace of Allah, I have seen many boys show interest in education but not more than girls.

Remember that men have to fulfill more responsibilities towards the community and the country, so work harder than girls. Why is it that the girls are more successful in education than boys? Because girls stay home and study, while most of the time boys are playing outside. Especially when you are 14 you think you are smart thus you can do whatever you want. If you start PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN The Sermon

A Message for Ahmadi Children playing Football you play all day long or start watching TV you will watch for the entire day. Do give time to everything. You should play Football or other sports you like because it is good for your health. I have specifically mentioned Football here because it is very popular here, so play sports for few hours in evening or in school. Watch educational programs on TV in a timely manner because it will increase your knowledge. Avoid sitting on internet because most of the sites are useless, but when you do sit on internet go to educational sites and always let your parents know what you are watching. As I have said things like cell phones for kids are wrong and parents should not allow these kinds of things for kids.

Always remember that you should have balance in the things I have mentioned, going to either extreme is wrong.

Only when you have a balance in these things you live better and grow up to be a good human. That's the human being that the Ahmadiyya communtiy needs. Always remember that you are Ahmadi kids and you need to excel in every field. You need to prove that you are better in every field compared to other kids. Every Ahmadi kid should get high grades in school and should work hard in their studies. Do not let problems at home interfere with your education. Always stay focused in your studies.

Another problem is that one gets involved in at a very young age is lying during jokes. Some times elders do not realize this that their kids are picking this up from them.

Thus, they start telling a lie or saying wrong things even if that thing is not the way they are saying it. This is how kids make a habit of lying. Ahmadi kids should not lie at all.

As I have said respecting your parents is very important.

Allah the Almighty has commanded us to respect our parents, be kind to them, and pray for them. So be grateful to your parents who took care of you when you were little and are still taking care of you by working hard to provide for your necessities such as your food, education and clothing. A 10, 12 years old boys are wise, especially 14 and 15 years old Atfal should definitely realize that it is their parent's favor to them that how they are taking care of them spending for their necessities such as education expenses. Allah the Almighty has said that you can never repay your parents but always be kind and grateful to them, thus always pray for them that oh Allah be merciful to them the way they are to me. By this prayer you will learn to respect your parents and Allah will be pleased with you and thus will enable you to become even a better human.

Another important thing is that the 7 to 15 years old Tifl should know that a 7 to10 years old child has become obligated to pray thus you should make a habit of praying.

Kids should have made prayer routine. It is commandment of Allah that at the age of 10, parents should force their kids to pray, thus if your parents insist you to pray at this age you should not get upset with them because at this age

one can develop the habit of praying. You will find that majority of those people who offer their daily paper regularly are those who started to offer them wishfully at young age. These people grow up in good environment thus when they are adults they keep on living in the good environment. Just as I have said that many of the kids grow up in good environment, when they are little they come to the mosque and participate in Aftal-ul-Ahmadiyya programs regularly. But some of them as they reach 14 or 15 years of age they think they are free. I know majority of them who get in the habit of praying continue to pray regularly. And those who do not pay attention to their prayer at childhood do not pray as they grow up. Prayer is obligatory on Muslims, and it is strong advised for men to offer their prayers in the mosque. Thus kids older then 10 to 12 years should try to go to the mosque on daily bases with their parents.

Be grateful to your parents who took care of you when you were little and are still taking care of you by working hard to provide for your necessities such as your food, education and clothing.

Another very important thing is reciting the Holy Quran.

Many of the kids have done their Ameen at the age of 6,7,8,9 and some even at 5 years of age. Afterwards their parents stop paying attention to their kids reading the Holy Quran. So I will remind parents and kids to recite the Holy Quran daily. Especially 9 and 10 years old kids who have finished the Holy Quran should make a habit of reading the Holy Quran daily, even if they have to read as small half a section. Only when you start reading the Holy Quran daily you will start to focus on learning the meanings of the Holy Quran. When you understand the meanings of the Holy Quran you will realize your responsibilities as an Ahmadi kid. Thus you will be able to fully perform your duties towards faith, society, God, country, elders, and your fellow beings. That's why it is very important to recite the Holy Quran. Especially 13 to 14 years old kids should recite the Holy Quran with translation. Only if you adopt these qualities now you can grow up to be those human beings who will have the capacities to perform those activities that will prove to be successful for community, as Allah the Almighty has promised the Ahmadiyya community. Always remember these things and thus focus toward offering daily prayers, good behavior, reciting the Holy Quran, studies, respecting elders, and living with your fellow beings with harmony and love.

PAGE 11 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

Editorial “No nation can develop without reformation of the youth” - Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

ISSN 1596 - 3187 Volume 13, No. 2 December 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

A publication of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria

The reformation of the youth is a great challenge to the society, but most especially to the parents. Parents are children’s first point of contact with the world, and they tend to adopt and adapt their parents’ worldview. It is therefore important that parents see this as a task they must fulfill.

However, being successful at training the children is not a mundane task. It requires supplications, exemplification and exhortation. In the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the training of children is accorded a special treatment. Boys from the ages of seven are integrated into a body known as the Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya while girls of the same age are integrated into the Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya.

These two children organizations under the guidance of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Lajna Imaillah respectively are fertile grounds to acculturate the children to wholesome lives, lived in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Quran and the examples of the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw.

The training of children, both in modern education and Islamic education, is a cardinal program of the Majlis Khuddam; this is part of the reason that the Sadr Sahib, Bro AbdulQadir Abdur Rafi has declared the year 2014 as the Year of the Atfal. The Year of the Atfal will insha Allah be dedicated to the development of the Atfal. In order to achieve the set objectives for the year, all Atfal handlers have been urged to train the children in accordance with the prepared syllabus.

The syllabus which takes into cognisance the cognitive and affective abilities of the different age grades has been developed to systematically train the children in Islamic morals, the Quran, Hadith, Islamic history and so on.

As a starting point, the different State Councils (Ilaqaat) of the Majlis Khuddam Nigeria have organized a regional ijtema in their jurisdictions. This will be capped by the national Ijtema to hold in 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria insha Allah. The national Ijtema while attending to the religious and moral needs of the children will also afford the children the opportunity to learn more about Nigeria.

While the Majlis continue to do its part in the upbringing of these children, parents have a greater role to play. The essence of the different training programs for the Atfal would be lost if they return into chaotic homes, or homes where the remembrance of Allah is not part of its culture. This imposes on the parents to build truly Islamic homes, and then they can be witnesses to the great reformation that would be wrought in their children.

While not absolutely the last word about parenting in Muslim homes, the present edition of Al-Irfan seeks to offer information on how to train the children. We hope that parents would read the articles in this

Protecting Tomorrow’s Leaders: Our Duty Towards Children

edition and try as much as possible to put into practice the useful pieces of advice here. For those who have a luxury of secondary material, we highly recommend that this edition is read concurrently with the June 2012 edition of Siddeeqah magazine published by the Lajna Imaillah Nigeria titled Raising Righteous Children: Our Ibaadah.

We pray that Allah (swt) accepts this from us as an act of worship.

May He forgive us our shortcomings and admit us into His Grace.

We hope that while you enjoy this edition, you may let us know your comments through email on ishaat@mka-ng.org.

AbdulGaniyy Adiamoh Editor-in-Chief

PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

From the Sadr’s Desk

Message on the MKA Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

I

am happy to inform all members of the Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria that the celebration of the 75th year (Platinum Jubilee) of our dear organization in Nigeria has come to its climax at the 2013 Jalsa salana, insha Allah.

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya was established by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-u-deen Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatu Masih II (ra) on the February 4, 1938 in Qadian, India as an organization of Ahmadi youths between the ages of 15 and 40. Initially the Majlis Khuddam was a voluntary organization of the youths. It was only on the July 2, 1940 that the Khalifatu Masih II (ra) gave a directive asking all Ahmadi Youths within the age group to register to be members of the organization within 15 days.

It is a fact that since its establishment in Nigeria, the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya has been upholding the basic tenets of Islam, and has continually striven to demonstrate these by helping the poor and working towards making the society livable for all.

As part of MKAN's contribution to the Platinum Jubilee celebration, we have held the following programs: GIFT TO HIS HOLINESS: The MKAN Mulk gave a gift of special branded T-Shirts to His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba) for distribution to visitors and other guests during the Centenary Jalsa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK. I will like to add that it is only MKAN that did this out of all MKA chapters in the world.

TABLIGH VISITS: In December 2013, the Sadr Sahib, accompanied by some MKAN members, went on a one-week Tabligh visit to the members in Northern Nigeria to familiarize himself with the members there.

MKAN HOUSE DEVELOPMENT: Some members of MKAN also donated 100% of their monthly salaries or less towards the ongoing MKAN house project between December 2012 and March 2013.

In addition to the concluded projects above, several other projects are still on-going.

These include: 1.

BLOOD DONATION: The MKAN members are also encouraged to donate blood en masse during the 2013 Jalsa Salana 2.

BOOK DONATION: MKAN has set a machinery in motion for the compilation of books to be donated to a one higher institution in each geopolitical zone in Nigeria.

3.

MKAN HOUSE: In order to continue working on the MKAN House, the Amila Mulk has further commenced a drive to generate funds to achieve the following things at the MKAN House: a.

Tiling of the following floors i.

The MKAN conference room ii.

The MKAN Mulk Office iii.

The Staircase and veranda b.

The remodeling of the Sadr's office c.

The Partitioning and furnishing of the MKAN Mulk general office 4.

RE-ORGANIZATION OF ATFAL ACTIVITIES: As part of our commitments to leave a legacy for the incoming generation of MKAN members, the Amila Mulk has made a lot of reorganization in the present Atfal Structure: a.

Synchronization of Atfal and Nasrat Activities i.

Production of a joint Syllabus for the two organizations ii.

Conducting of joint programs at all levels of the Jama'at b.

Declaration of 2013/14 MKAN year as Atfal year: this entails the following i. focus on all issues of Atfal by the MKAN leadership at all levels of AMJN ii.

Introduction of 200 naira Atfal programs support fund for each Khaddim for 2013/14 year It is expected that every member of MKAN will participate actively in the above programs for the success of the events.

Also as part of the programs of MKAN for the celebration of the Ahmadiyya centenary

in Nigeria, every Ahmadi has been asked to pay some funds, we hereby implore all members of the Majlis to pay up this fund

by June 2014 Insha Allah.

It is a great privilege that Allah has made this generation of Ahmadis to witness so many milestone celebrations of the Jama'at in our lives. I always thank Allah when I also remember that I am a youth during these celebrations, therefore I can work more efficiently for the success of these programs. I will like to implore all members to show commitments to these programs because it is definite that we shall not witness such programs again as members of the Majlis Khuddam.

I will also like to implore all members to take advantage of MKAN platforms to get adequate information about MKAN activities and also try to carry out the activities and report appropriately so that we can lay a solid foundation for the incoming members of the Majlis Khuddam.

Finally I will like to implore members of the Majlis to uphold the pristine teachings of Islam in our lives and live the way we are expected to live. I will also use this opportunity to solicit the prayers of all members to assist MKAN to achieve all programs of our organization. May Allah the Almighty continue to assist us all.

LONG LIVE MKAN LONG LIVE AMJN LONG LIVE HAZRAT KHALIFATU MASIH V (atba)

PAGE 13 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

Guest Khaddim

Sa’eed Aina 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Name: Aina, Sa'eed Ayinde Kunleola Date of Birth: 27th March, 1980 Place of Birth: Ikeja, Lagos Native Town: Ota, Ogun State Educational Qualification: B. Eng Civil Engineering, MSc Structures (in View) Profession and Present Occupation: Civil Engineering, Coordinating Engineer: Lapey Engineering Service, Abuja School Attended With Dates: 2013 – University of Lagos 2000 – University of Ado Ekiti 1991 – Ansar-Ud- Deen Comprehensive College, Ota, Ogun State 1985 - Zion Methodist Primary School, Ota, Ogun State Professional Qualifications: Member, Nigeria Society of Engineers Member, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers Marital Status: Married and blessed with kids namely: Yusrah and 'Izzatullah Positions in the Majlis: 1996 – 1997 – Motamad, Ota Halqa 1998 – 2000 - Nazim Umumi, Ota Muqami 2002 – 2003 – Unit Secretary, UNAD AMSA 2003 – 2005 – Unit President, UNAD AMSA 2005 – 2010 – Naib Motamad Mulk 2010 – 2013 – Motamad Mulk 2013 – till date Naib Sadr Administration Positions in the Jama'at 1996 – 1998 - Assistant Financial Secretary, Ota Jama'at 1998 – 2000 – General Secretary, Ota Jama'at 2013 – till date – Assistant General Secretary/Sanat-o-Tijarat, Ota Circuit Most favourable experience: When I represented UNAD for Civil Engineering Quiz at OAU, Ife and I was awarded best performance Worst Experience: 'When I lost my first issue' Most Admired Personality in Islam Muhammad Rasulullah (SAW) Most Respected personality outside the fold of Islam Isaac Newton Most Admired personality in the Jama'at Maulvi Abdul Rashid Agboola Adopted Philosophy of Life: 'Be Optimistic'

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

Most beautiful quote: “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” - Mark Twain Most Admired Author: Imam Mahdi Best Food: Pounded yam with fresh cat fish + Ishapa soup Hobbies: Playing Games Likes: Orderliness Dislike: Laziness What I want to be remembered for: Virtues What Book has made the most profound impact on you apart from Holy Qur'an: Philosophy of the teaching of Islam Most Admired companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW): Abu Huraira Personalities you love to meet: Huzur Aqdas (atba) Countries visited: Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire

PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

Moral Principles of Parenting: Raising Good Children in Present Times

W

elcome to the world of parenthood. Our children deserve to learn the most important behaviours from us and acquire important habits (life skills) with our help. As parents, we give our children the best in us by helping them build an exemplary character that they can rely on in their own lives. Our kids are innocent and they need our kind help. These children need the tools to be successful in all aspects of their practical lives. As parents, we are the first teachers of our children since birth, and we are rewarded to become parents. Therefore, as responsible parents it’s our duty to teach our children the best behaviours. As soon as a child is born, the first step towards education is to proclaim Azaan into its ears. Raising children is essentially a life long process that requires active participation by both parents.

It starts with the parents’ belief and value system - what they stand on and what they stand for and continues in various ways as long as they have children. It is true that it is easier to talk about it than practice it. Moreover, proper parenting requires thoughtful planning and preparation.

Our young parents or parents-to-be should plan and prepare for the critical lifestyle transitions; first from their playful, self-centric, bachelor lifestyle to a married lifestyle that deserves adjustments, give and take, and sharing and caring for the spouse as well as the in-laws, and then to a more mature and responsible, family-centric

lifestyle once they are blessed with children. Throughout these transitions, they need to be realistic about their ambitions, expectations, and challenges that lie ahead. For proper preparation, they need to understand Islamic teachings and seek sound advice from competent sources.

They may get in trouble if they only talk to their peer and friends. They should consult more mature knowledgeable elders and embrace them as mentors. There are some very important Islamic principles for raising children and all responsible parents want to know these basic rules who live in western countries. Western society prides itself for freedom. But, with freedom comes the responsibility of choice. Islam shows us right from wrong and guide us to the path of making the right and responsible choice. These prominent principles include supplication (Dua), Prayers (Salaat), methodology (role model), company of the truthful and use of modern inventions, wisdom, fair treatment, exemplary behaviour, morals, and role of community (Jama’at) for raising children in the western countries.

First and foremost, our parenting efforts must start with supplications to Allah Almighty. The Holy Qur’an teaches us to pray for pure offspring in the words of Hadhrat Zachariah (as): “My Lord, grant me pure offspring from Thyself. (Al-Imran, 3:39). Therefore, the notion of raising children should be on our minds even before our children PAGE 15 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Raising Good Children in Present Times are born. We should be praying for not only our children but also for our spouses and ourselves. Parents should pray: “Our Lord, grant us of our spouses and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous”. (Al-Furqan, 25:75) Parents should be focused on teaching and training their children to love Allah Almighty, pray to Allah, and trust in Allah the Almighty.

The Holy Quran mentioned that Hadhrat Ibrahim (as) used to pray: “My Lord, make me observe Prayer, and my children too (Ibrahim, 14:41) Similarly, the Holy Quran teaches: “Enjoin Prayer on Thy family, and be constant therein. (Ta Ha, 20:133) Now, there is a narrow window of formative years to accomplish this in. It will happen naturally if the children see their parents and elders doing so. Parents should mind the big picture and continually

The notion of raising children should be on our minds even before our children are born. We should be praying for not only our children but also for our spouses and ourselves.

Parents should pray: “Our Lord, grant us of our spouses and children the delight of our eyes, and make us amodel for the righteous”. reflect upon the long term implications of short term actions. A seemingly benign choice by parents may terminally affect their children. So, how people choose to live today will largely determine how their children will live tomorrow. Parents should know that their deeds speak louder than their words. Parents need to be role models for their children in everything good and realize that raising children are not a set of tasks or chores; rather it is a way of life. And, only a healthy and meaningful way of life is worth living. Firstly, parents should remember that most habits are easier to adopt and cultivate in the earlier years; however, bad habits developed earlier are very difficult to get rid of later. As it is said that well begun is half done, it is important to nurture good behaviour in children from the beginning. Secondly, parents should note that in their formative years, children learn by copying of following directions. However, as they grow older, parents need to train them to make right choices on their own. As it is said, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for life. Thirdly, parents need to be consistent and constant in their parenting efforts. The importance of both parents being on the same page and

working toward the same goal with a mutually supportive and harmonious approach can not be overemphasized. In the beginning, children will playfully pick up the habit of praying by just copying their parents. The holy Prophet (saw) said that at age 7, the parents should formally inspire their children to join in prayers. At age 10, as they get exposed to other interests and may get distracted, the parents should admonish them to be regular in daily prayers. However, after age 12, the parents may only remind them about it. If the parents heed this advice, they will not have to anguish later on. Initially, ensuring punctual observation of the daily prayers is important.

Later on, by the Grace of Allah, the quality of their prayers will improve and their love for and trust in Allah will naturally follow. Finally, according to the Holy Quran, “Their prayers will safeguard them against indecency and evil. (Al-Ankabut, 29:46) It is very important that parents watch the company their children keep. The Holy Quran teaches us: “Be with the truthful. (Al-Tauba, 9:119) Therefore, if parents are truthful and keep company with the truthful, their children will naturally follow. It is said that a man is known by the company he keeps. In the past it meant the physical company. Today, however, it is also the virtual company we keep. With the advent of the ubiquitous electronic gadgets, the temptation is to mindlessly spend more time in the virtual company than some time in the purposeful physical company. Alongside the many benefits of modern inventions, is the loss of humanity adopting mutual ills.

Badness attracts and leads children to adopt it with intensity, while forgetting traditions and beliefs. Some children considering such matters trivial, also get inclined in this way, resulting in very bad consequences. These children should invest their precious time in the remembrance of Allah, the mosque, purposeful readings, meaningful discussions, watching MTA, and getting to know the truthful and should not waste their free time on TV, DVDS, Ipods, MySpace, YourFace, Youtube, and Chat rooms. Unfortunately, children have the propensity to take the easy way out. Most of these children have relatively easy access to this irresistible virtual world. But, it is insane and a slippery slope. On the other hand, the company of the truthful and pursuit of some larger than life goal seem difficult and boring. It is struggle and requires high resolve and serious forethought. While modern technology is wonderful and unavoidable, it is the end to which we employ it that is of the essence. It can provide easy and affordable access to the company of the truthful.

So for starters, the key word is “balance”. Till one can instinctively embrace the company of the truthful, the least we should do is be highly selective and strike a balance between the mundane and the sublime. Parents should be their children’s first and foremost company. If they PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Raising Good Children in Present Times develop a bond of mutual understanding, respect, compassion, trust and confidence with their children, they won’t need to look elsewhere for company.

People need to do parenting with wisdom. According to the Holy Quran: “Call unto the way of they Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in a way that is best. (Al-Nahl, 16:126) Wisdom demands moderation. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “Moderation is best in all affairs”. When parenting people need to find a balance between negligence and indulgence, between trust and suspicion. Similarly, we need to know the difference between advising and nagging, and monitoring and snooping. This is especially critical when the children are in their adolescence. Wisdom also demands that parent ‘know’ their children by getting personally involved in their lives with mutually respectful, frank and honest communication. Parents must know their friends, interests, aspirations, challenges, preferences, priorities, and tendencies. Parents should coach, assist and support them in solving their problems. However, the focus of our parenting should be “islaah”, that is, behavioural reformation. Parents evaluate and rethink their parenting approach if their actions or comments appear to be resulting in contemptuous or rebellious reaction in their children. Parents should be firm but polite with them. On the other hand, parents should know their own limitations and seek appropriate professional help, if necessary, for the physical and mental health of their children in a timely manner. A stitch in time can save nine; any procrastination in this regard can have serious consequences. Wisdom also requires proper anger management. At times, parenting can be very stressful, frustrating, or at times enraging.

Some situations can easily spin out-of-control. At such times, parents need to swallow their pride, exercise selfcontrol, and refrain from meaningless threats and verbal or physical abuse. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, The Promised Messiah (as), the founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at said: “An individual with self-respect and selfcontrol, who is also forbearing and dignified, has the right to correct a child to a certain extent or guide the child. But a wrathful and hot-headed person who is easily provoked is not fit to be a guardian of children. (Malfuzat, vol. 2, p.4) Regarding the corporal punishment, the Promised Messiah (as) said: “Beating of children is an act which can be termed as a sort of polytheism (shirk). It actually means that the ill-tempered person makes himself a partner of God in giving guidance and sustaining the creatures. I wish that, instead of punishing children, parents would resort to prayer, and would make it a habit to supplicate earnestly for their children as the supplications of the parents for their children are particularly accepted by God. (Malfuzat, vol2, p.4) Islam teaches parents to treat their children fairly and

respectfully. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “Respect your children and cultivate good manners in them. (Ibne Majah)) Each child has a unique nature and a distinct set of strengths and challenges. As such, each child deserves a unique parents approach. What works for one child may not work for another. However, no child should have any complex about his or her sibling being the favourite child.

In addition to general behaviour and attitude, Islam teaches parents to: Vie with one another in good works.

(Al-Baqarah, 2:149) Therefore, parents need to inculcate in their children a competitive attitude and a mindset of doing their best in everything good, particularly in learning religious and secular knowledge. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: Acquisition of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. (Baihiqi) Parents should nurture a knowledge centric culture not money centric. Their children should not get distracted from their long term educational and professional goals due to their short term money making opportunities.

These children should invest their precious time in the remembrance of Allah, the mosque, purposeful readings, meaningful discussions, watching MTA, and getting to know the truthful and should not waste their free time on TV, DVDS, Ipods, MySpace, YourFace, Youtube, and Chat rooms.

A child should be kept clean and fed at fixed hours from the very day it is born. This is very helpful for its health.

But a greater benefit is that its limbs come to acquire a sense of punctuality. A child should be assigned responsible jobs suited to its age. This will help create a sense of responsibility in the child. It is said that a father had two sons. He gave one of them an apple and asked him to divide it with his brother. The father asked if he knew how to divide the apple. The child replied that he did not.

The father said: He who divides should take the smaller half and give his brother the bigger half. At this boy said that in that case the apple had better be divided by his brother. This shows that this boy had already acquired the habit of selfishness, but knew that if the responsibility fell upon him, he would have to accord priority to his brother.

A child should not be obstinate. If it persists in being stubborn, its attention should be diverted to something else. Parents should address a child politely and PAGE 17 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Raising Good Children in Present Times courteously, for a child is a great mimic. If you address it rudely, it will return the compliment in kind. Parents should not lie to a child nor be peevish or arrogant with it. It will certainly imitate parents. Parents should teach children to admit their mistakes, as a matter of habit.

Moreover, parents should not try to hide their own mistakes before a child. Parents should become sympathetic when it commits a mistake. Let it feel that mistake is a kind of loss it has suffered.

A child should be given a little money. This will teach it three virtues: Charitableness, frugality, helping relatives.

For instance, if it has three coins, let it purchase some eatable with one coin and share it with other children; with the second coin, let it buy a toy and the third it should be asked to give in charity. Children should also be given common ownership of some property. For instance, they should be given a toy and they should be told that it belongs to all of them, that all should play with it and that no one should try to damage it. This would teach them to safeguard common property. A child should be given constant guidance in matters of etiquette. Due heed should be paid to physical exercise and stamina of a child. This would help towards its moral education and progress in the world. In light of the foregoing exposition of virtue and morality, only a child who possesses characteristics of learning good behaviours, genuine love for God and pure nature is considered to be morally educated.

After the moral education of child, the question arises: How can it be safeguarded against sin? The answer is that human nature is diverse; therefore, parents cannot afford to generalise. The same recipe cannot be helpful in all cases. Even a physical ailment does not admit of the same treatment for every patient. Take the case of common cold.

To some, a cup of tea can provide instant relief. In the case of another, sweetened curd or whey is helpful. There are still others who require a prolonged medical treatment.

There are those whom medicine can help while there are others who simply baffle medical experts, why? The answer is simple, different people suffer not from one but from different diseases. Human beings differ. Children must have true knowledge of right and wrong. The heart might urge towards right action, but if they do not know what the right action is, they cannot perform it. Similarly, the heart might warn one against evil, but if one is ignorant of that and why an act is evil, one cannot guard himself against it. Thus it is essential that a child should know what it ought or ought not to do. Children must know the context in which right action has to be done and bad action avoided.

Parents must remember that their children are but a sacred trust with them from Almighty Allah and raising

children is very serious, difficult and humbling undertaking. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Prove not false to your trusts knowingly; and know that your possessions and your children are but a trial. (Al-Anfal, 8:28-29) Parenting requires infinite patience and prayers.

The Holy Quran teaches: “Seek help with patience and prayer. (Al-Barqarah, 2:154) At times, when parents seem to run out of ideas and answers they should pray: “Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us. (Al-Tahrim, 66:9) Parents are acutely aware of the overwhelming nature of this tremendous responsibility. However, parents should recognize that no matter how hard and sincerely they may strive, at the end of the day it is merely the Grace and Mercy of Allah Almighty that will save all children and keep them on the right path. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, The Promised Messiah (as) and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam said: “I pray for my children and require them to follow a broad set of rules of behaviour and no more. Beyond this I put my full trust in Allah Almighty with the confidence that the seed of good fortune inherent in each of them will flourish at its proper time. (Malfuzat, vol. 2, p.5) Similarly, he also said: “ There are certain prayers that are a daily routine for me. I pray for myself that God may let me do the kind of things that would manifest His honour and grandeur and He may make me fully resigned to His will. Than I pray for my wife that He may grant me children through her who may prove to be the coolness of my eyes and who may live their lives in perfect accordance with the will of God. Then I pray for my children that God may make all of them servants of His religion. (Malfuzat, vol.2, p.4)

Parents should know that their deeds speak louder than their words. Parents need to be role models for their children in everything good and realize that raising children are not a set of tasks or chores; rather it is a way of life.

And, only a healthy and meaningful way of life is worth living.

PAGE 18 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

Education of Muslim Children: Challenges and Opportunities Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph.D

E

ducation is the birth right of every Muslim and Muslimah. Islam puts considerable emphasis on its followers to acquire knowledge. Investment in education is the best investment one can make, because it eventually leads to intellectual property. Intellectual property is the intangible property, which no one can steal or destroy. This is the property on which no Government can levy a tax. It was as a result of application of knowledge that Muslims were the superpower of the world for twelve centuries.

Today, globally Muslims have the lowest literacy rate.

Education of Muslim children in the west has both opportunities and challenges.

In the Western World the purpose of education is to provide for the economic prosperity of a nation. At a personal level the purpose of education is to acquire academic and professional skills that enable one to earn a respectable living with riches and fame, and also a luxurious and comfortable life. For a Muslim providing economic prosperity of a nation does not contradict his/her Islamic beliefs, however focusing the goals of education solely for the purpose of money making is unpalatable.

Muslims want to impart Islamic education.

The vast majority of Muslims think that Islamic education means acquiring Islamic religious knowledgestudy of Qur'an, Arabic, Hadith, Sunnah, Seerah, Fiqh,

Islamic history, and allied subjects. As a matter of fact, in the present world broadly speaking we have two types of Muslims. Those who have followed the Western type of education or secular education and those who have acquired Deeni or Islamic education.

In the twentieth century, due to colonialism and Western influence, Muslim parents concentrated on imparting only Secular education to their children. The weak or not so bright students were sent to Deeni (religious) Madrasas (schools) in their own countries or to one of the Middle Eastern countries. The Muslims who emigrated to Western countries became aware of their religious identity and wanted to impart both Islamic and Secular education, what is now known as "Integrated Education." When they lacked the numbers and resources, they sent their children to public schools during the week and to the Islamic schools in the Mosque or Islamic Center during the weekends.

This paper analyzes the choice the parents make in sending their children, to Public, Parochial, Private nonparochial, Islamic, Virtual Islamic, or Home School. Their advantages and disadvantages.

The greatest objective of education is to prepare the young generation for leadership. Islamic education is of course has the highest objective, and more than that can hardly be imagined. The aim of Islamic education is

PAGE 19 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Education of Muslim Children: Challenges and Opportunities Character building. Growth and development of an Islamic personality should be the final goal of any Islamic School. Islamic values are the foundation of the Islamic personality. As Muslims our educational aim is to develop the personalities of our children to the end that they will be conscious of their responsibility to God (the Creator) and to fellow humans. The aims and objectives of Islamic education have been defined in the Recommendation of the Committee of the First World Conference on Muslim Education as: "Education should aim at the balanced growth of the total personality of man through training of the human spirit, intellect, rational self, feelings and senses. The training imparted to a Muslim must be such that faith is infused into the whole of his/her personality and creates in him/her an emotional attachment to Islam and enables him to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah and be governed by Islamic system of values willingly and joyfully so that he/she may proceed to the realization of his/her status as Khalifatullah to whom God has promised the authority of the universe."

We need to prepare the younger generation having leadership quality and not to be the followers of alien ideologies but to play the role of torchbearer by their excellence in knowledge, character, and positive action.

Some scholars believe that this quality can be developed in Muslim youth by a direct study of the Qur'an with a view to solve the problems of life in its light. A program of action to bring up the younger generation for leadership has not yet been formulated.

Every Muslim parent is advised to raise his or her children well and properly. A happy home, comfort, care and love, providing the necessities of life and a good education are some of the responsibilities that parents are required to fulfill. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said whoever is not kind to young people is not one of us and the best teaching that a parent can give a child is the teaching of good manners and character. The Muslim child absorbs the Islamic values from its parents, teachers, peers, friends and the environment, including the caregivers. Nip it in the bud is the best advice. Otherwise once the Muslim child develops undesirable habits and unethical values, it becomes extremely difficult to make the child into a good Muslim/Muslimah.

Parents play a vital role in the education of their children.

Early childhood education program emphasizes the role of parents. It declares that learning begins in the first days of life and continues for long. Parents should develop a habit to read with their children every night. Parents should provide an Islamic environment, an Islamic culture. It is hypocritical to do things differently and expect the child to have Islamic values. Parents set the best examples for their children to imbibe. Like parents the role of family has also been considered important in learning and upbringing the

children.

As the children grow the teachers, community elders, their friends exert deep influence on the character of the child. The parents should choose the right schools for their children. Audio-Visual media such as TV, Video, video games, Movies, peer pressure could play an effective role in erasing the Islamic personality the parents are building and deeply influence the behavior of the children for years.

It takes constant and continuous effort on the part of the parents and others to keep our youth on the path of Islamic values. Character education, promotion of order and discipline are the important steps of Islamic education.

Islamic education should open the door of college education for every Muslim.

The frontiers of learning are expanding across a lifetime.

All the people, irrespective of age, must have a chance to learn new skills. Internet is now the power of information.

The classroom, library and even the children's hospitals are planned to connect with it for easy access to knowledge. In present times, the parents of Muslim children are facing the challenge of picking the right school for their children. Parents can choose the school their children will attend. Parents would like to send their children to a school that promotes academic excellence and a value centered educational environment.

The parents try to teach Islamic values and morals to the children, hence children are to maintain these values at home environment. Outside the home, the children are in a totally different environment. At times the outside social environment is in opposition to what Muslim children are learning at home. As a result of this conflict, children are fighting a psychological battle in their minds.

Islam is very deeply concerned with the welfare of human society and the family is considered to be the cornerstone for building the right society. Raising children in non Islamic culture and expecting Islamic values from them is a unique and very tough challenge. Muslim families are at a disadvantage in meeting the psychological and spiritual needs of the children. Giving more religious teachings to children at home is not enough. It is extremely important for parents to spend time with their children.

Parents have to find time to be with their children at home, school, games, on the playground, field trips, picnics, and tours. The most essential element is to establish an open channel of communication with the children. An effort should be made to create an environment wherein children should not hesitate to say to their parents their thinking and feelings.

The school system deals with the teaching of academic subjects. The system has also been gearing up to teach life skills, such as prevention of smoking and drug abuse, prevention of heart disease, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Children should get Islamic PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Education of Muslim Children: Challenges and Opportunities education at an early age. In an effort to inculcate Islamic values, the teachings should be done at home as well as Islamic centers or Islamic schools. Islamic schools should create opportunities for Muslim children to get together to bond with each other as this would help in establishing confidence in an Islamic identity and get psychological support. When children meet other children who are Muslim, it enhances their confidence in being a Muslim and they feel more comfortable about their identity and they assert their Islamic identity in non-Muslim environment with more ease and comfort.

Islamic identity, according to some, refers to characteristics of thought, behavior, and attitudes

emanating from the Islamic beliefs; and it should be manifested in an Islamic way of life. The practice of Islam gives Muslims a tangible identity that they live with and project to the rest of the society. It can be preserved by their dynamic interaction with the realities of the American system of life and influencing and reforming the society through Islamic thoughts. The best role model is the parent's character. The social support systems, such as Islamic centers, weekend or full time Islamic schools should be built in communities across the country.

This article was adapted from the original by the author.

‘Al-Irfan Advertisement Specifications

FULL PAGE

FULL PAGE Trim 8.5" x 11" Safety 7.75" x 10.25" Full Bleed 8.625" x 11.5”

PRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: Trim 8.5" x 11" Safety 7.75" x 10.25" Full Bleed 8.625" x 11.75”

1/2 PAGE VERT

1/2 PAGE HORIZONTAL

HALF PAGE HORIZONTAL Ad space 7.5" x 5" Image 7.25" x 4.75"

1/4 PAGE 1/8 PAGE 1/8 PAGE Ad space 3.75" x 2.5” Image 3.5" x 2.25"

1/2 PAGE VERTICAL Ad space 2.5" x 10” Image 2.25" x 9.75"

1/4 PAGE Ad space 3.75" x 5" Image 3.5" x 4.75"

* Note all single page Fractional ads will have .125” white border around them and are not to bleed.

File Submission Specs: Acceptable file formats: JPEGS@ 300 dpi, TIFFS@300 dpi, High Res Print ready PDF, Illustrator EPS & AI, & Adobe Indesign CS4.

Note: When submitting Art files, please ensure fonts and images are provided. Al- ‘Irfan is not responsible for any font substitution, due to fonts not being provided.

All Ad’s will be scaled to fit proportionally within the purchased ad space. Please design ad to image size in specs provided.

For further info please email: sadr@mka-ng.org.

PAGE 21 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

ISLAM: The Antithesis of Extremism, Terrorism

Treatment of Parents - Islamic Teachings Shiraz Ahmad attitude of love, affection, and kindness, give priority over all other things to their parents who have reached an old and difficult age.

Further, the verses speak of the situations when the behaviour of one or both of the parents becomes extremely trying and sometimes offensive. In response to that, not even a mild expression of disgust or disapproval should pass one's lips. On the contrary they should be treated with profound respect.

T

he Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him alone, and behave beneficently towards parents. If either or both of them should attain old age while you are alive, say not `ugh' to them, nor chide them, and speak kindly to them. Lower to them the wing of humility out of tenderness and pray: Lord have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was little. (17:25) These verses are most significant on this subject. After the unity of God, human beings should, through their

Importance of Parents (a) Hadhrat Abu Umamah narrated that once a man asked the Holy Prophet (saw) about the rights of parents upon their children. He replied that: `The parents are the Heaven or Hell for their children.' (b) Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Amr narrates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: `The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of father and displeasure of Allah lies in the displeasure of father.' (c) Once a person came to Holy Prophet (saw) and sought his advice about taking part in Jihad with him. The Holy Prophet (saw) asked him whether his mother was alive? He answered `yes'. The Holy Prophet (saw) then told him `Go back home and server her as Heaven was under her feet'. (d) Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrates: The Holy Prophet (saw) cursed the person three times whose old parents (both or one) were alive and he still did not earn Heaven PAGE 22 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Treatment of Parents - Islamic Teachings (by serving them).

before the he takes the seat first in a gathering.

Rewards for Serving Parents Holy Prophet (saw) once told a very interesting anecdote to his companions about three persons. According to him, the three persons were once traveling when heavy rains began to fall. They took shelter in a cave. Incidently, a big stone came hurtling down and blocked the opening of the cave. All the three travellers lost the hope of their survival.

One of them told the rest not to lose hope and pray to Almighty Allah, by describing the most virtuous deed of their lives, for enabling them to get out of the cave.

One of them addressing Almighty Allah, submitted that he had old parents and several small children. When he would come back home after grazing the goats he would first offer the milk to his old parents and then to his children. Once when he came home quite late, his parents were asleep. He milked the goats as usual and taking the cup of milk went to his old parents, but did not disturb their sleep. The whole night he stood near his parents (to give them milk whenever they get up). He prayed to Allah to enable them to come out of the cave. Allah was pleased with the act of this man and the stone moved a little.

Similarly, after the other two related their tales, the stone was fully moved and they were able to come out of the cave.

Behaviour with Father Once a man complained to the Holy Prophet (saw) about his father who took his belongings whenever he liked. The Messenger of Allah called for his father, who was a very old man, and asked him the details of the matter. The father said, `O, Messenger of Allah, a time was when my son was weak and helpless and bare handed while I had strength and wealth. I never hesitated to give him my belongings whenever he needed them. Today I am weak and bare handed while he is rich and now he keeps his belongings from me.' Hearing this, tears came to the eyes of the Holy Prophet (saw) and he said to the son: `You and your belongings belong to your father. You and your belongings belong to your father.’

Nice Behaviour with Parents 1.

Once Hadhrat Abdullah-Bin-Masood asked the Holy Prophet (saw) to tell him the deed liked by Almighty Allah. The Holy Prophet (saw) replied. `To offer prayers in time.' He asked him to tell the second best. He was told `to behave nicely with parents'.

2.

Conduct of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah with his mother: Once Marwan appointed Hadhrat Abu Hurairah to officiate him for some days in his absence. At that time he was in ZUL Hulaifah and his mother was living in another house at some distance from him. Whenever Abu Hurairah went out he would first come to the house of his mother and say `My dear mother peace be upon you and may Allah be merciful to you.' The mother would reply, `My dear son, peace be upon you too and may Allah be kind and merciful to you.' He would say, `May Allah be kind to you as you have been kind to me in my childhood.' She would reply, `My dear son, may Allah be kind to you as you are kind to me now in my old age.’

Respect for Father Once Hadhrat Abu Hurairah came across two persons.

He asked one of them about the other. The person replied that the other one was his father. Then Hadhrat Abu Hurairah strictly advised the son never call his father by name and neither to walk ahead of him nor to take seat

Behaviour with Mother 1.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah relates that once a person came to the Holy Prophet (saw) and asked, `O Holy Messenger of Allah who is the most deserving person to get nice treatment from me?' He replied, `Your mother.' He asked, `Who next?' To this, he got the same reply. When he repeated this question for the fourth time, he was told by the Holy Prophet (saw), `Your father.'

2.

Compensation for mother: Once Hadhrat Abdulla-Bin Umar saw a Yemenite doing Tawaf of Holy Ka'aba with his mother on his back. Seeing Hadhrat Abdullah he asked that had he not compensated for the rights of his mother? Hadhrat Abdullah replied that it was not the compensation even for a single birth pang of his mother.

3.

A person came to the Holy Prophet (saw) and complained that his mother was ill-tempered. The Holy Prophet (saw) of Allah said, `She was not ill-tempered when she kept you in her womb for nine months.' The person insisted, `Sir, I am telling you the truth that she is illtempered.' The Holy Prophet (saw) said, `She was not illtempered when she used to keep awake the whole night for your sake and fed you.' The man replied, `I have recompensated all the favours of my mother.' The Holy Prophet (saw) then asked: `How have you recompensated her?' He replied, `I have helped her perform Hajj by putting her on my shoulders.' After hearing this, the Holy Prophet (saw) put a question to the complainant, `Can you recompensate the painful pangs your mother bore at the time of your birth?’

Treatment of Non-Muslim Parents Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, says her mother (who was a non-Muslim) came to her. Asma came to the Holy Prophet (saw) to ask her whether she should do her some kindness.

The Holy Prophet (saw) replied, `Yes, show kindness to PAGE 23 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Treatment of Parents - Islamic Teachings your mother.' Then this following verse of the Qur'an was revealed: Allah forbids you not respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion, and who have not driven you out from your homes, that you be kind to them and deal equitably with them; surely Allah loves those who are equitable. (60:9) Abusing the Parents The Holy Prophet (saw) said: It is a grievous sin for a person to abuse his parents. Someone asked: Would a person ever abuse his parents? Yes, said the Holy Prophet (saw). If a person abuses another's father, his own father will be abused in return and if he abuses the other's mother the same abuse will be returned.

Disobedience to Parents 1.

Hadhrat Bakr narrates that once the Holy Prophet (saw) asked that should he not warn them against three major sins? All of them said. `Certainly, O Prophet!' He then said. `To ascribe partners with Allah, to disobey parents'; getting up as he was reclining, he said `to tell a lie or to give false evidence'. He went on repeating his words for such a long time that we wished him to be silent.

2.

Hazrat Abu Bakr narrates that Holy Prophet (saw) said, `Allah postpones the punishment for one's sins till the day of judgement, if He so desires. But He awards the punishment for disobeying the parents during this life, before his death.'

Sauban narrates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: There are three sins which nullify all other virtues: 1.

Ascribing partners with Allah 2.

Disobedience to parents 3.

And fleeing from Jihad Once, when the Holy Prophet (saw) was talking to his companions, a man came and addressed him: `O, Messenger of Allah! A young man is breathing his last.

People are asking him recite Kalima but he is unable to do so.' The Holy Prophet (saw) asked, `Did this man offer prayers?' and the man said `Yes'. Then he accompanied the man to the house of the dying young man along with others present at that time. The man was at the end of his life journey. The Messenger of Allah advised him to offer Kalima. The man replied that he was unable to do so as the words would not come out of his mouth. The Holy Prophet (saw) then called for the mother of the dying man whom he had disobeyed persistently. When his aged mother came, the Holy Prophet (saw) asked `Respected lady is he your son?' She replied `Yes'. He then put her a question, `O Respected lady, if we threaten to throw your son in a raging fire, will you recommend him to be forgiven?' The lady replied that she would definitely do so at that time. The

Holy Prophet (saw) then said to her, `If so, declare, making Allah and me your witness that you are now pleased with him.' The old woman readily declared, `O Allah, you and your messenger be my witness that I am pleased with this beloved son of mine.'

Just after that the Holy Prophet (saw) turned to the dying man and asked him to recite `Kalima'. By the virtue of the forgiveness of his mother he found the words flowing out of his mouth and he recited the Kalima. Seeing this the Holy Prophet (saw) praised Almighty Allah saying `Thanks to Almighty Allah that He saved this man from the fearful fire of Hell through me.’ Respect for Wives' Parents/Friends' Parents The Prophet's own parent and grandparents had died while he was still a child. The parents of some of his wives were, however, alive and he always treated them with great consideration and respect. The occasion of the surrender of Mecca when the Holy Prophet (saw) entered the town as a victorious General, Abu Bakr brought his father (Ayesha's grandfather) to meet him. Holy Prophet (saw) said to Abu Bakr: `Why did you trouble your father to come to me? I would gladly have gone to him myself.’ Incident about the Promised Messiah The Promised Messiah instilled in his children great respect for their mother, recalling the saying of Holy Prophet (saw) that `paradise lay under the feet of mothers'.

Once when his wife and her (wife's) mother had a disagreement and were both in tears, he took his wife and led her in front of her mother where she bowed her head, her mother immediately raised her daughter's head and embraced her. All annoyance was gone.

Debts of Parents after their Death Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair never neglected the rights of his parents even after they were dead. Hadhrat Zubair was a very rich man. Usually as soon as any rich father dies his children start clamouring for their shares from the belongings of the deceased. But Hazrat Abdullah was not at all worried. He could have been well anxious to get his share which amounted to millions. But his only anxiety was about the debt, of his father which he wanted to repay without any exception.

Consequently, he first cleared the debts of his father from the left property. Immediately the other legal heirs started scolding him for getting their shares from the property of the deceased. But Hadhrat Abdullah strictly told them to wait for four years. During these years, he said, he will announce on the occasion of Hajj to the people to come and collect their debts, if any is due upon his departed father till not a single debt remains unpaid. Only after that he would

PAGE 24 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

Treatment of Parents - Islamic Teachings distribute the property.

Other Duties of Children after the Death of Parents A man asked the Holy Prophet (saw): `Do I owe a duty to my parents after their death?' The Holy Prophet (saw) said: `indeed yes, in four respects: 1. that you should pray for Allah's forgiveness for them and call down His blessings upon them, 2. that you should carry out whatever they undertook to do, 3. that you should honour their friends, 4. that you should strengthen the ties of kinship with those who are related to you through them. This is what you owe them after their death.’ Two incidents 1.

Once Hadhrat Abu Darda fell critically ill.

Knowing this, Hadhrat Yousuf-bin-Abdullah came to enquire about his health, travelling a long distance-Hadhrat Abu Darda was surprised to see him there and asked, `How did you come here?' Hadhrat Yousuf replied `Sir, I came here only to enquire about your health, for my respected father had most friendly relations with you.'

2.

Hadhrat Abdullah-bin-Umar once met a bedouin (an Arab desert tribe person) on his way to Mecca. The bedouin looked minutely at him and asked whether he was the son of Hadhrat Umar. Hadhrat Abdullah replied `yes'

and gave his turban to the bedouin and made him sit respectfully on his donkey. According to Hadhrat Ibn Dinar who was one of the co-travellers, all of us were surprised to see it. They asked Hadhrat Abdullah the reason for giving so much respect to a bedouin. Hazrat Abdullah replied that he bedouin's father was a friend of Hazrat Umar and then quoted the Holy Prophet (saw) `Maintain the friendship of your father and do not let it be finished otherwise Almighty Allah will put off the light (noor) for you' and `The greatest virtue is to favour the son of one's father after gaining power to do so'.

Charity of Behalf of Dead Parents Narrated Aisha: A man said to the Prophet. `My mother died suddenly and I thought if she had lived she would have given alms. So, if I give alms now on her behalf will she get the reward?' The Prophet (saw) replied, `yes'.

Praise by Children for Their Dead Parents Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet (saw) said that when a person died, his period of activity was over. But there were three things which remain benefiting him even after his death.

1.

Lasting act of welfare.

2.

His knowledge beneficial to people.

3.

His/Her righteous children who pray to Allah for his/her deliverance and forgiveness.

PAGE 25 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

The Rightly Guided Caliphs Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) Khilafat: 632 AD to 634 AD

T

he personal name of Hadrat Abu Bakr was Abdullah, but in respect of his fatherhood he was known as Abu Bakr. His father was known as Abu Qahaafah and his mother as Ummul Khair Salma. His saw lineage can be traced back to the Holy Prophet in the sixth generation before him.

He was born in 572 CE in Makkah and was raised there.

When he came of age, he became a cloth merchant. He was a close friend of the Holy Prophet saw. He was the first man to confirm the truth of the claim of the Holy Prophetsaw, and thus he earned the title Siddeeq.

Throughout his life, he was devoted to the service of Islam. ra Hadrat Abu Bakr held fast to the company of Holy saw Prophet and remained by his side whether it was peace or saw war. The Holy Prophet sought his wise counsel in almost every matter where advice was needed. He was in the saw company of the Holy Prophet during his migratory journey (Hijrah) from Makkah to Madinah. He was the only companion of the Holy Prophetsaw in the cave of Thaur, where they both took refuge during this journey.

Hadrat Abu Bakrra would always try to surpass others in financial sacrifices. Once for the Battle of Mautaa, the saw Holy Prophet was in urgent need of finance. Hadrat

ra

ra

Umar presented half of all his belongings, while Hadrat ra Abu Bakr brought all that he had in his house, to the Holy saw Prophet .

He was a highly dedicated companion of the Holy Prophetsaw and gave his daughter, Aisha in marriage to him. saw The Holy Prophet also always held him in high esteem.

Following the Hajjatul Widaa' (the Last Pilgrimage), when the Holy Prophet fell seriously ill, he instructed Hadrat ra Abu Bakr to lead the daily prayers.

His Khilafat saw After the sad demise of the Holy Prophet , Hadrat Abu ra Bakr was elected as the First Khalifa. He had to deal with an extremely difficult situation caused by the sudden demise of the Holy Prophetsaw: Internal Disorders Firstly, there were a number of tribes who renounced Islam, simply because their tribal chiefs had political motives and therefore did not want to remain loyal to the saw ra successor of the Holy Prophet . Hadrat Abu Bakr sent troops and suppressed their politically motivated rebellion.

Secondly, many people refused to pay Zakat, which was essential for fulfilling the needs of the Islamic state and ra care for the poor. Hadrat Abu Bakr vowed to collect Zakat

PAGE 26 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

The Rightly Guided Caliphs

from everyone and took necessary measures to achieve this goal.

Thirdly, a number of ambitious persons pretending to be 'prophets', started planning rebellion against the Islamic state. Hadrat Abu Bakrra was prompt to fight back these rebellious false prophets.

External Enemies After successfully dealing with all the internal disorders, Hadrat Abu Bakrra turned to the external enemies threatening the security of the Islamic state. The Muslim army, under the command of Khalid bin Waleedra crushed a rebellion in Bahrain. Then the Persians were defeated, who had supported the rebels of Bahrain. The Muslim army also defeated the Roman forces in the battles of ajnadan and Yarmuk, and thus the whole of Syria came under the control of the Islamic state.

Preservation of the Holy Quran Although the writing and arrangement of the Holy Qur'an was done under the supervision of the Holy Prophetsaw himself, yet it was written on various pieces of ra skin, leaves and slates. Hadrat Abu Bakr collected all these pieces of writings in one place, and reorganized the Huffaaz (i.e. those who committed it to memory in a systematic way) for the preservation of the Qur'an.

His Demise Hadrat Abu Bakrra passed away on August 23, 634 CE, after remaining ill for fifteen days. He remained Khalifa for a little over two years. During his Khilafat, Hadrat Abu Bakrra successfully secured the integrity of the Islamic state against all internal disorders and the external enemies. Also, he was able to unite the Muslims under the system of Khilafat.

Hadrat Umar Farooq (ra) Khilafat: 634 C.E. to 644 C.E.

H

is personal name was 'Umar, Farooq was his title, and Ibn-Khattaab was his family name. he was born in 581 C.E. in Mecca, and belonged to a noble family of the Quraish. He was a renowned businessman and used to lead trade delegations to Syria and Iraq.

When the Holy Prophetsaw announced his claim to ra prophethood, Hadrat Umar Farooq became a fierce opponent of Islam. So much so that one day he took up a sword and left his house with the intention to kill the Holy saw Prophet . On his way, someone told him to first deal with his own sister and brother-in-law who had accepted Islam.

He went straight to them and when he knocked at their

ra

door, he could hear the Holy Quran being recited in the house. He became furious and started beating his brotherin-law, and wounded his sister who tried to protect her husband. His wounded sister said in a resolute voice, “Umar! You may beat us as much as you like, but we are not going to change our faith.” This made him calm down, and he asked them to recite a portion of the Holy Quran for him.

He was so moved by the Quranic verses that his eyes filled with tears. He went straight to the Holy Prophetsaw and accepted Islam at his hand. As he was a strong, fearless and influential man of Mecca, he proved to be a source of strength for the Muslims. This miraculous change in Hadrat Umarra was in fact the result of the Holy Prophet'ssaw prayers for him. ra Hadrat Umar devoted his wealth and dedicated his life for the cause of Islam. He was an intelligent and Godfearing person. He participated in almost all the battles along with the Holy Prophetsaw, who used to consult him in many important matters.

His Khilafat ra Hadrat Umar bin Khattaab was the second successor of saw the Holy Prophet . During the ten years of his Khilafat, the Islamic state expanded and progressed extensively.

Peace and prosperity prevailed everywhere in the state.

A brief account of his Khilafat is given below: Conquest of Neighbouring Empires During the period of his Khilafat, the Muslims had to fight a number of battles against Iran, Iraq, Syria and Egypt. As a result of this, vast areas of these countries came under the Muslim rule. When the city of Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslims in 17 Hijrah, Hadrat Umar himself visited the city on request of the Romans, and signed a treaty between the Muslims and the people of Jerusalem.

Administration of the Islamic State Apart from the conquest of vast areas, Hadrat Umar paid full attention to the welfare of his people. He was able to establidh a splendid system of administration of the Islamic state and his Khilafat marked a golden period in the history of Islam. Some of his main achievements in this field are: Establishment of Majlis Shoora, a consultative body of advisors to the Khalifa Division of the whole Islamic state into provinces to facilitate administration Establishment of a finance department, and building of schools and mosques in different parts of the State Introduction of the Islamic Calendar of Hijrah.

PAGE 27 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

The Rightly Guided Caliphs

His Character Hadrat Umarra was a pious, kind and farsighted man. He possessed the fine qualities of bravery, honesty and simplicity. He was so anxious about the welfare of his people that he used to go around in disguise, in the city of Medina at night, to see for himself if anyone was in need of help.

Once during his patrol at night, he observed a woman cooking something in a pot while her children were crying around her. He found out from the woman that her children were hungry for two days and the pot was put on fire just to console them. Hadrat Umarra immediately went to the treasury and himself brought all the necessary food items to the woman. On his way, one of his servants wanted to carry the load but he stopped him by saying: “On the day of Judgement you will not carry my load.”

ra

dinars, 1000 camels and seventy horses loaded with necessary goods. He was one of the ten blessed ones to whom the Holy Prophetsaw had given the good news that they would go to Paradise.

His Khilafat ra During the khilafat of Hadrat Uthman , the Islamic Empire continued expanding further. A rebellion in Iran was crushed. In the north, the Romans were once again defeated by the Muslim forces led by Hadrat Muaawiah.

Then the Romans came by sea to invade Egypt, but they were again repelled by Muslim forces. As a result of these battles, the whole of Iran, Asia Minor and Egypt came under Muslim control. It was during his Khilafat that a navy and an Islamic fleet was established.

During the first six years of his Khilafat, the Islamic Empire not only expanded, but also its people enjoyed peace and prosperity. Standard copies of the Holy Qur'an sa the one compiled by Hadrat Abu were prepared from ra Bakr and sent to all provinces of the state. This was certainly his most important deed.

But the last six years of his Khilafat passed in chaos and conflicts due to the conspiracies of certain groups including that of Abdullah bin Sabah, a Jew who had become a Muslim with the intention to weaken the Islamic state.

As a result of this, some people from various groups started unjustified charges against Hadrat 'Uthman ra, whose sincere explanations seemed to go unheeded. Also, due to his extremely kind and gentle character, these rebellious people increased in their mischief. In this dangerous situation, Hadrat 'Uthman showed great tolerance and utmost patience to avoid the bloodshed of innocent Muslims.

Muhammad : Man and Leader

His Demise In the year 644 C.E., Hadrat Umar was stabbed in the back by a Persian slave, while saying prayer in the mosque. This proved fatal and he passed away at the age of sixty-three. He was truly a great Khalifa whose period of Khilafat was undoubtedly a golden period in the history of Islam.

Hadrat 'Uthman Ghanira Khilafat: 644 C.E. to 656 C.E.

H

adrat 'Uthman Ghani was elected the Third Khalifa by the council appointed by Hadrat 'Umar just before his death. He belonged to the well known family Banu Umayya of the Quraish. His lineage can be traced back to the Holy Prophetsaw in the fifth generation before him. He was a famous and wealthy trader. His generosity for the poor was so well known that he earned the title Ghani.

Hadrat 'Uthman embraced Islam due to the preaching of his close friend, Hadrat Abu Bakrra. He was the fourth person to embrace Islam, but he faced severe hardships as his uncle started persecuting him. He migrated twice, first to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. saw The Holy Prophet held him in great esteem, and gave the hand of his daughter, Ruqayyah, in marriage to him. saw When Hadrat Ruqayyah passed away, the Holy Prophet gave his second daughter, Ummi Kulthoom, in marriage to him. Thus Hadrat 'Uthman was called Zun-Noorain, meaning the one with two lights.

He spent a lot of his wealth for the cause of Islam. Once, he purchased an expensive well of good quality drinking water from a Jew for the benefit of the Muslims. To meet the expenses of the battle of Tabook, he offered 10,000

His Demise Towards the end of his Khilafat, various groups who wanted to depose Hadrat 'Uthman entered Madinah. He refused to fight them, as he did not want to shed the blood of fellow Muslims. His house was surrounded by the rebels who demanded that he step down, but Hadrat 'Uthman refused to step down from the God-given position of Khilafa. This was because of his just and firm belief that a Khalifa is made by God and not by people.

Hadrat 'Uthmanra was then martyred on June 17, 656 CE., at the age of eighty-two, while he was reading the Holy Quran. Certainly, he sacrificed his life for the integrity of Khilafat and in the best interest of Islam.

Hadrat 'Alira Khilafat: 656 C.E. to 661 C.E. PAGE 28 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN Article

H

The Rightly Guided Caliphs ra

adrat Ali was the son of the Holy Prophet's uncle, Abu Talib. He was born in Makkah about twenty years after the birth of the Holy Prophetsaw. His father, Abu Talib and mother, Fatimah were the two persons who took care of the Holy Prophetsaw in his early childhood.

When Hadrat Alira was born, the Holy Prophetsaw himself became his guardian, because his father's financial position was very weak.

On the night when the Holy Prophetsaw left Makkah for ra Madinah, Hadrat Ali stayed in the bed of the Holy Prophet saw. The Makkan leaders had planned to arrest and kill the saw Holy Prophet . Next morning, they were enraged when they found Hadrat Alira in the bed, instead of the Holy Prophetsaw.

The Makkan leaders could not get any information from Hadrat Aliraabout the whereabouts of the Holy Prophet saw in spite of their threatening attitude. Thus, all their plans to kill the Holy Prophetsawwere unsuccessful.

Hadrat Alira was a brave and skilled warrior. He participated in almost all the battles along with the Holy Prophet saw. He was an intelligent, very learned and pious companion of the Holy Prophet saw. Hadrat Ali was married to the daughter of the Holy Prophet saw, Fatimahra.

His Khilafat Hadrat Alira was chosen to be the fourth Khalifa on June 23, 656 AD, six days after the death of Hadrat 'Uthman. In those days, there was no law and order in the city of Madinah. Hadrat Alira moved the capital from Madinah to Kufah in Iraq.

After his election, he faced the popular demand of Muslims including the influential companions of the Holy Prophetsaw like Hadrat Talhara and Hadrat Zubairra, to immediately punish the murderers of Hadrat 'Uthman.

Battle of Jamal (December 656 CE) ra Hadrat Ali announced that his top priority was to restore law and order in the state, and only then he would be able to bring the assassins of Hadrat Uthmanra to justice. But ra ra Hadrat Talhah and Hadrat Zubair did not agree with ra Hadrat Ali and started raising an army. Hadrat Aishara who was not aware of the real situation, also joined them in an effort to punish the assassins. The three led a small army towards Basrah. ra Hadrat Ali tried his best to avoid fighting and bloodshed, but all his efforts failed. Unfortunately, a battle took place between his forces and the forces of Hadrat Aisha. Hadrat Talhahra and Hadrat Zubairra left their forces even before the battle, and were killed by some opponent. Hadrat Aisha's ra forces were defeated, but Hadrat Ali gave her due respect and ensured her safety. This battle was called the battle of

ra ra

Jamal (camel), because Hadrat Aisha rode a camel during the battle. Later, Hadrat Aishara was regretful throughout ra her life to have fought against Hadrat Ali .

Battle of Saffain (July 657 CE) After the battle of Jamal, Hadrat Ali once again urged Ameer Muaawiah to submit to him in the best interest of Islam. But Ameer Muaawiah again refused to submit on the pretext that the blood of Hadrat 'Uthman, who also belonged to the family of Umayyah, must be avenged first.

Ameer Muaawiah, with the help of 'Amir bin Aas, started raising an army. Hadrat Ali had no alternative but to advance towards Syria to fight Ameer Muaawiah. In July 657 AD, the two armies met in a battle at Saffain. There were heavy casualties on both sides, but the battle ended in an accord that the matter be decided by an arbitration committee. This consisted of Abu Musa Ash'ari to represent Hadrat Ali and Amr bin Al'As to represent Ameer Muaawiah, but this arbitration also ended in failure because Amr bin Al-As deviated from the decision agreed upon with Abu Musa Ash'ari.

Appearance of the Khawaarij A large group of people, who were basically against the proposal of arbitration, separated from Hadrat Ali ra, and chose an independent Ameer for them. This group was knwn as Khawaarij, meaning outsiders. At first, Hadrat Ali tried to persuade them to submit to him, but failed. This led to fierce battle in which most of the Khawaarij were killed.

His Demise After their crushing defeat, the Khawaarij planned to murder Hadrat Ali, Hadrat Muaawiah and Amr bin Al-As. The first two escaped from the attempts on their lives.

Hadrat Ali ra was fatally wounded by an attacker while going to the Mosque for Fajr prayer. Two days later, this courageous and pious Khalifa passed away. Undoubtedly, Hadrat Ali sacrificed his life for the integrity of Khilafat.

PAGE 29 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN News

MKAN unveils new administrative structure

M

ajlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria (MKAN) is one of the auxiliary bodies of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria. The body comprises Ahmadi male youths between the ages of 15 years and 40 years.

The MKAN Mulk (National Council) operates through the Ilaqa (State Council) through Dil'a (District Council) and finally through Muqam (Zonal Council) or further through Halqa (Unit) in some cases. This has been the trend over the years.

The affairs of MKAN is steered by the Sadr (National President) and his Ilaqa, Dil'a and Muqam Qaideen and their respective officers across the levels.

As MKAN grow in size, it has been discovered that there is a disconnect between the National and the grassroots, particularly in Ilaqaat (States) and even the Muqam (Zones) that are farther away from the National Headquarters.

In order to tackle this challenge, the present administration of MKAN, under the headship of Bro Abdul Qadir Abdul Rafi', has reviewed the MKAN administrative structure.

The major aspect of this new structure is the strengthening of the office of the three Regional Naibeen Sadran (National Vice Presidents) namely Naib Sadr North, Naib Sadr South-South/South East, Naib Sadr South West to effectively communicate with the region they represent while the office of Naib Sadr Administration is given a more specific role.

The Northern region covers Kwara, Kogi, FCT (including Nasarawa State), Kano (including Sokoto and Zamfara States), Kaduna, Niger, Plateau (including Bauchi and Gombe) and other likely Ilaqaat that might spring up in the nearest future. Also, in that region the following pilot Dil'aat (Districts) have been created: Nasarawa, Abuja, Ankpa, Lokoja, New Bussa and Minna.

(These new Dil'aat are not yet fully operational).

The South-Western region covers Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States. In the recent years the following Dila'at have been created: Ota, Coca-Cola, Akinyele, Omi Adio and Oluyole/Ona-Ara. These are in addition to the existing Dil'aat: Abeokuta, Ayetoro-Afon, Ilaro, Owode, Ijebu, Remo, Agege, Epe, Festac, Ikorodu, Mushin, Apata, Ibadan, Monatan, Oyo, Oke-Ogun, Ede,Ife, Osogbo, Akoko and Ondo.

The South-South/South East region covers Edo/Delta and Cross River (including Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo).

Here we maintain Benin, Etsako, Calabar and Owerri Dil'aat.

The essence of the new administrative structure is for the regional Naibeen Sadr to concentrate fully on their respective regions while Naib Sadr Administration mediates between the Sadr's Office and MKAN

headquarters and the regions. In addition, the Naib Sadr Administration coordinates the national programs and the activities of the Muhtamim (National Officers) in tune with the regional demands.

Another major highlight of this new administrative arrangement of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria is the further decentralization of the MKAN Mulk meetings.

The new arrangement is as follow: 1.

A monthly National officers' meeting at MKAN Secretariat, Lagos 2.

A regional Mulk meeting rotated among the Ilaqaat in the region.

3.

A quarterly Mulk meeting at the National Secretariat to review and modify programs as necessary.

In order to further aid communication between MKAN Mulk and the grassroot Majalis, the regional meeting will include an interactive meeting between the Regional Naibeen Sadr and the hosting Majalis before an executive meeting, comprising the Naibeen Sadr, the Qaideen Ilaqa, Qaideen Dila and Regional Amila.

It is pertinent to note at this juncture that the Naibeen Sadr are allowed to appoint three officers, that is, Additional Regional Motamad, Additional Regional Muhtamim Mal, Additional Regional Muhtamim Umumi.

In order to strengthen effective communication, the MKAN Administration has created a WhatsApp group for the various levels of MKAN Amila, this we hope will insha Allah bridge the gap of the Monthly Mulk meeting and also aid effective dissemination of MKAN information. It is noteworthy at this juncture to state that the MKAN meeting continues all the time because consultations on important issues can be held between all members of the group.

The Sadr MKAN uses this medium to appeal to all members to kindly key into this new administrative structure by participating in the programs at all levels of the Majlis.

All knowledge and might belongs to Allah alone. We pray to Him to bless this effort with His manifold success.

Amin.

PAGE 30 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN News

Sadr MKAN concludes tour to Northern Nigeria majalis

T

he Sadr (National President), Bro. Abdul Qadir Abdur Rafi' has concluded his one-week long tour to members of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in parts of Northern Nigeria. The visit which spanned December 7 through December 14, 2013 was conducted in order to encourage the Khuddam in these areas to implement the stipulated programs and projects of the MKAN, and to bring their activities at par with other parts of the country. The visit also formed an integral part of the MKAN's welfare programs.

The key objectives of the Sadr's tour were: (i) to familiarize with members of MKAN in the northern region; (ii) to identify the prevailing challenges confronting MKAN members in the northern region; and (iii) to enlist the support of the Jama'at leadership at the visited areas in supporting the development of MKAN in the northern region.

The Sadr who was accompanied by Bro. Abdul-Rahman Salaudeen, Naib Muhtamim Umumi I; Bro. Musbaudeen Adekola, Naib Muhtamim Khidmat-I-Khalq; Bro. Ishaq Popoola – Muhtamin Tahrik-IJadid and Bro. Abdul-Hakeem, Personal Assistant to the Sadr held an interactive meeting with MKAN members in Kano, on the second day of the tour. During the meeting, the Sadr encouraged the members to inform him of the challenges they face in carrying out MKAN programs. He also paid courtesy visit to the Circuit President of Kano Circuit, Mr. A.R. Salam, at his residence. After the Sadr had briefed Mr. Salam of the objectives of the tour, the Kano Circuit President expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the Nigeria Majlis and called on MKAN members in Kano to eschew lackadaisical attitudes in carrying out jama'at assignments with immediate effect. The Sadr Sahib particularly directed the Kano Muqamin Qaid to supervise the

Sadr MKAN, Bro AbdulQadir AbdurRafi and ex-Amir of Jamm’at Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Alhaji M. Maishanu flanked by other Ahmadi members during the meeting of Sadr MKAN with MKAN members in Bauchi, Bauchi State

execution of a Wakar-e-amal project that was reported by the Circuit President and asked him to send the report of its execution to the Secretariat as soon as possible.

In Kaduna, the Sadr was received by the Kaduna Ilaqa Qaid, Bro. Ahmad Gbadamosi and Mualvi Nazeem Ahmad Butt, the missionary in charge of the Jama'at. At an interactive session held, the Sadr highlighted ways of engaging the challenges being faced by the MKAN members in Kaduna, and turning these challenges into strength.

The Sadr was also conducted trips to Walei and Babadide villages under Azare Jama'at under Bauchi State; Jos in Plateau State. He met many elder members of the Jama'at Ahmadiyya, including the former Amir of the Nigeria Jama'at, Alhaji M. Maishanu.

As part of the tour, the Sadr Sahib participated in a one-day National Youth Symposium organized by the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) led by

Com. Abdullahi Abdul-Majeed in Katsina, Katsina State. The Symposium featured lectures, good governance tours and presentation of Award of Excellency to the Executive Governor of Kastina State, Alh. Ibrahim Shehu Shema. The event was well attended by the members of the National Executive Council of NYCN, Chairmen of State Chapters of NYCN, heads of affiliated Voluntary Youth Organisations, youth and student bodies, government officials, etc.

As part of the action plan agreed, the MKAN National Secretariat would continue to support the majlis in the Northern region. The tour served as an avenue for Tabligh (preaching) and welfare. It also served as an avenue to correct the misgivings identified. All glorifications are due to Allah for making this trip a success.

PAGE 31 | DECEMBER 2013

-

AL-‘IRFAN

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful The Editorial Board of AL-’IRFAN Magazine wishes to congratulate The Amir Sahib and the entire members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria on the occasion of

the 62nd Annual Jalsa Salana holding at the Jamia Ahmadiyya College, Ilaro, Ogun State between the 27th and 29th December, 2013 We wish all participants a blissful stay.

Baraka llahu lakum

PAGE 32 | DECEMBER 2013

NOTES

10 Conditions of Bai’at Condition I The initiate shall solemnly promise that he/she shall abstain from shirk [associating any partner with God] right up to the day of his/ her death.

Condition II That he/she shall keep away from falsehood, fornication/adultery, trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty, mischief and rebellion; and that he/she w ill not permit himself/herself to be carried away by passions, however strong they might be.

Condition III That he/she shall regularly offer t he five daily Prayers in accordance with the commandments of God and the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa and shall try his/her best to be regular in offering the Tahajjud and invoking durud on the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. That he/she shall make it his/her daily routine to ask forgiveness for his/her sins, to remember the bounties of God and to praise and glorify Him. Condition IV That under the impulse of any passions, he/she shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of God in general and Muslims in particular, neither by his/her tongue, hands, nor any other means.

Condition V That he/she shall remain faithful to God in all circumstances of life, in sorrow and in happiness, in adversity and in prosperity, in felicity and in trial; and that he/she shall in all conditions remain resigned to the decree of God and keep himself/ herself ready to face all kinds of indignities and sufferings in His way and shall never turn away from Him at the onslaught of any misfortune; on the contrary, he/she shall march forward.

Condition VI That he/she shall refrain from following un- Islamic customs and lustful inclinations and shall completely submit himself/herself to the authority of t he Holy Qur'an; and that he/she shall make the Word of God and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa his/her guiding principles in every walk of his/ her life.

Condition VII That he/she shall entirely give up pride and van it y and shall pass all his/her life in humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance and meekness.

Condition VIII That he/she shall hold faith, the honour of faith and the cause of Islam dearer than his/her life, wealth, honour, children, and all loved ones.

Condition IX That he/she shall keep himself/ herself occupied in the service of God's creatures for His sake only and shall endeavour towards the beneficence of mankind to the best of his/her God-given abilities and powers.

Condition X That he/she shall enter into a bond of brotherhood with this humble servant of God, pledging obedience to me in everything good for the sake of God, and remain faithful to it until the day of his/her death. That he/she shall exert such a high devotion in the observance of this bond as is not to be found in any other worldly relationship and connection

Think of your career goal

At C-BEST, we envisage you - a total being, outstanding in your Career Development targets; Business; Employment; Social Circles and Technical Expertise.

And when you need to walk tall, remember we’ve always been there and you can count on us.

What we do: *Success Seminar *Computer Training Program *Business Seminar *Financing of Project Proposals

*Examination Preparation Training *Leadership Training Program *C-BEST Success Magazine *Agricultural Projects

Contact: (234) 7068820428; mkancbest@gmail.com

C-BEST is Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation, Lagos Chapter’s integrated human development programme

Think of C-BEST