Al Hakam - 17 May 2019

Responding to Allegations Prophecies of the Promised Messiahas Part VII – A look at the figures of the Jamaat in the time of the Promised Messiahas

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34th Jalsa Salana Australia 2019

Practices of the Promised Messiahas in Ramadan – Part III

19-21 April at Masjid Baitul Huda, Sydney

A faith-inspiring event which took place around the year of 1884, narrated by Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira

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100 Years Ago...

News from Ahmadiyya missions around the world (Al Fazl, 20 May 1919)

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 17 May 2019 | Issue LXI Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Second Ashra of Ramadan Making hay while the sun shines

llah the Almighty graciously granted A the Muslims a whole month, namely Ramadan, every year to reap the benefits of

worship and to gain nearness to Him. Although every single day of Ramadan is rich in benefits for the believers, but for our ease, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, told us the significance of every ten-day cycle (ashra) of the month.

According to a Hadith, the highlight of the first ten days is rahmat (mercy), the second ten days open doors of maghfirat

(forgiveness) and the last ten days grant nijat (deliverance) from the fire of hell – all subject to the sincerity of one’s efforts and the acceptance by Allah the Almighty.

In the blink of an eye, the first ten days have already passed. Today, Friday 17 May, sets the second ashra in motion; the ten days that open the gates of Allah’s forgiveness.

As these lines are being written, seconds and minutes are swiftly passing by; more will have passed in the time it takes for these lines to reach you. Ramadan is all about making hay while the sun shines, not only

idiomatically, but quite literally also as one meaning of Ramadan is intense heat.

Tracing the origins of the abovementioned idiom, its roots are found in Tudor-age farming in England. The Tudors had no resources to forecast the weather of the coming days (or even a day), so they had to cut the hay, stack it and leave it in the sunshine to dry and then store and transport these stacks to be used as fodder.

Storing it or transporting it away was equally essential, lest the dried-up fields caught fire in the intense heat and brought the whole effort to ashes.

This is almost what a fasting believer does – they gain the Ramadan-momentum by the mercy of Allah in the first set of ten days, stack as much good deeds as possible and seek forgiveness in the second set, and then, in the last set, pray to Allah to enable them to continue the Ramadan-momentum throughout the year, lest the worldly fire of temptation torches their efforts and savings.

Hazrat Amirul Mominin, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has on many occasions drawn our attention to the blessings of the three sets of ten days of Ramadan. Huzooraa, in a Friday Sermon during Ramadan, stated: “The first ten days of seeking mercy are gone and we are now in the second set of ten days, which Allah has declared as the one for seeking forgiveness. Allah shrouds those in His mantle of forgiveness who strive to attain His nearness in these days. Everyone should endeavour to be shrouded in Allah’s forgiveness during these days.” (29 October 2004)

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

One who strives to help a widow and the poor The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “One who strives to help a widow and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Who is Blind?

A blind person is one who is bereft of spiritual insight and pleasure.

A person who blindly follows the practices of their family just because they are born into a Muslim household is called a Muslim. Similarly, a person who is born to a Christian family becomes a Christian. This is the very reason that such people give no regard to God, the Messenger or the Quran.

Even the love such people possess for religion is questionable. Some remain in the company of those who act insolently towards God and His Messenger. This is wholly due to the fact that such people do not possess a spiritual eye. They are empty of love for religion.

Does a person who is full of love desire anything that is at odds with the liking of their beloved?

Hence, Allah the Almighty teaches that He is prepared to bestow His bounties if a person is prepared to receive them. The offering of this supplication prepares one to receive divine guidance.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p.19)

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

34 Jalsa Salana This Week in History Australia 2019 th

17-23 May

Malik Imran Ahmad National General Secretary AMJ Australia

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he 34th Jalsa Salana Australia was held on 19-21 April at Masjid Baitul Huda, Sydney.

Jalsa Salana commenced shortly after Jumuah prayers on Friday with the flag hoisting ceremony. Inam-ul-Haq Kauser Sahib, Amir Jamaat Australia hoisted Liwae-Ahmadiyyat and Nasir Kahlon Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaat Australia hoisted the Australian flag, which was gifted to the Jamaat by Federal Member of Parliament Hon Scott Buchholz, when Ahmadi missionaries visited the Federal Parliament recently. This flag was earlier hoisted at the Parliament of Australia on 17 September 2018.

Media coverage and interviews on the opening day was provided by Channel 7 and televised on the national evening news.

Over the 3-day convention, approximately 3,000 members from Australia and 85 guests from 16 countries attended this blessed event.

The topics of speeches included

Ittaqullah – love and fear of Allah, Righteousness is the root of every virtue, Taqwa in matters of marriage, Importance of reading books of the Promised Messiahas, Islam, a religion of love and peace and many more.

The guests’ session held on the second day of Jalsa was attended by dignitaries and guests from different walks of life. Ibrahim Noonan Sahib, Naib Amir & Missionary In-Charge Ireland, represented the Markaz and delivered an inspiring address on What does the word “Islam” mean?

A number of dignitaries, including the local city mayor, MPs and faith group leaders delivered their addresses and messages. The messages of the Hon Prime Minister Mr Scott Morrison and Mrs Michelle Rowland, the Federal Member of Parliament in the neighbourhood constituency of Masjid Baitul Huda were read out as well. All the dignitaries were then escorted to the exhibition and bookstall marquee, which was then followed by dinner in the VIP marquee.

The third and final day of the Jalsa was chaired by Ibrahim Noonan Sahib in which he delivered the concluding address on the topic of Means of attaining nearness to Allah. This speech had a great and positive impact on listeners. Thereafter, Jalsa Salana Australia concluded with silent prayer.

We request readers to pray that Allah blesses all the efforts of Jamaat Australia.

17 May 1908: On this day, whilst in Lahore, the Promised Messiahas invited dignitaries of the town to his place. Meal was served and the Promised Messiahas spoke to the gathering. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra also delivered a speech.

17 May 1935: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra was in Hyderabad, Sindh.

Huzoorra led the Jumuah prayer here and later that day, delivered a lecture to the general public in a hall.

17 May 1946: Two Ahmadi missionaries – Malik Ataur Rahman Sahib and Chaudhry Ataullah Sahib – reached Paris to establish the Ahmadiyya mission there.

They rented a room in a hotel and commenced their respective activities.

18 May 1952: Jamaat Karachi held its annual convention. Opponents tried their utmost to incite the gathering, but after failing in their efforts, they resorted to violence.

The attackers hindered the speech of Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra.

The assailants set the Ahmadiyya property and building, focusing on the library and hall, on fire. The following day, the chief commissioner of Karachi held a press conference and shared details of the attack and arson with the media. He, along with Karachi Bar Association and some newspapers, denounced the actions of the miscreants and foes of the Jamaat.

19 May 1952: Mahmud Abdullah Shabuti Sahib reached the Markaz in Rabwah from Aden to acquire religious education. He enrolled in Jamia Ahmadiyya on 25 May. He devoted his life for the cause of Islam in February 1960 and after completion of his studies in Rabwah, he returned to Aden in August 1960 as a missionary.

e-Maudas (family of the Promised Messiahas).

20 May 1953: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra introduced a project for compiling and preserving the history of the Jamaat. Huzoorra asked for 12,000 rupees for the expenses of the venture and assigned Mahasha Fazl Hussain Sahib this task. Later, on 25 June this task was handed over to Maulana Dost Muhammad Shahid Sahib, who tirelessly remained occupied in this till his last days.

21 May 1948: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra started his tour towards Sindh and later to Quetta. This monthslong journey was completed on 5 September.

21 May 1951: A telephone line started functioning in Rabwah. The first call was made to amir Jamaat Qadian and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra message was conveyed:

�� � � ‫��دت اور د�ؤں‬ � � ‫ �� � �م۔ � ���روں‬

“Salam to Jamaat; enquire about ailing people and urge for prayers.”

21 May 1954: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra delivered his first Friday Sermon after the attempt on his life in Masjid Mubarak, Rabwah.

22 May 1926: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra laid the foundation stone of Qasr-e-Khilafat, Qadian.

22 May 1942: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra instructed members of the Jamaat to donate wheat for needy people. Huzoorra expressed his wish for only 500 mun (1 mun equal to 40kg) but members of the Jamaat showed their traditional generosity on the call of their Imam and it is reported that 1,500 mun worth of wheat was collected for needy people. Huzoorra himself donated 50 mun of wheat.

19 May 1955: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra was in Zurich and sent Eid greetings to members of the Jamaat through a telegraph.

22 May 1948: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra issued a written message under title “Mujhey ap ki talash hei” (I am in search of you), which sums up the Ahmadiyya Jamaat’s moral education.

20 May 1922: An English newspaper, Al Bushra, commenced its publication from Qadian. Chaudhry Ghulam Muhammad Sahib was its proprietor and manager.

23 May 1924: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra was invited by the Muslim League in their annual session. Upon this, Huzoorra penned a detailed article about the basis of unity.

20 May 1928: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra inaugurated Jamia Ahmadiyya.

Its first principal was Hazrat Syed Sarwar Shahra.

23 May 1948: The first Bai‘at in France took place on this day. An educated lady who was given the Islamic name Aisha accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. On the same day, the commentary of the Holy Quran, consisting of the commentary of Surah al-Fatihah and the first nine rukus of Surah al-Baqarah written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, was printed.

20 May 1950: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra announced that in the literature of the Jamaat, when referring to the family of the Promised Messiahas, they should be referred to as Khandan-e-Masih-

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM 100 Years Ago...

News from Ahmadiyya missions around the world Al Fazl, 20 May 1919 lectures on Ahmadiyyat and Islam are delivered. Two of these lectures have been published in the form of tracts.

A young Nigerian, Mr Abdul Rahim Smith has acquired permission to visit Qadian and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih has granted approval to bear the expenses of his journey. This young man is soon to visit Qadian, regarding which he firmly believes that it is the birthplace of the Awaited Messiah and the Markaz of Islam.

Hazrat Master Abdur Rahim Nayyarra

Mauritius embers of the Mauritius Jamaat are experiencing a kind of hardship which appears to be an indication of their steadfastness and future reward. The trial is that the opponents want to take hold of the Rose Hill Mosque which has remained in the Jamaat’s possession for several years and whose imam is Maulvi Hafiz Ghulam Muhammad BA. The case is being heard in the high court at Port Louis. A handful of Ahmadis belonging to the island of Mauritius are ardently offering monetary sacrifice and have thus far offered 2,000 rupees. Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray for their success.

Maulvi Obaidullah Sahib is residing in Saint Pierre while Maulvi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib is located at Rose Hill and the message of Islam is being duly conveyed in each of the two places. Tabligh is being carried out among the Hindus, Aryas, French, English and local Christians.

Moreover, one or two Christians have converted to Islam as well.

As for now, during the court proceedings, the claims of Promised Messiahas were conveyed to every famous leader of Muslims from the Island. Revue Islamique is a fortnightly newspaper that is published

by Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rose Hill, which is the central Anjuman of the Island. Apart from this newspaper, tracts are published in French which are sent to France and Madagascar.

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Western Africa By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the Nigerian Jamaat is progressing in faithfulness. They are in correspondence with the Markaz [Qadian] and the London

Hazrat Master Abdur Rahim Nayyarra

Mission. Owing to certain reasons, the question of sending a missionary over there seems difficult. There are problems in acquiring a passport. Christian clergymen have gained a strong foothold out there.

Our Jamaat has informed the government regarding the doctrines of Ahmadiyyat and the teachings of the Promised Messiahas about loyalty [to one’s government]. The Honourable Mr B Feni Mukan, Secretary of Lagos Jamaat, has taken oaths from the new Ahmadi converts that aside from abiding by the conditions of Bai‘at, they shall refrain from the various customary innovations prevalent in the region.

The Nigerian Jamaat holds a weekly gathering under the guidance of their respected President, Mr Augustu in which

Gold Coast Southern Africa Below are the names of recent converts of Gold Coast Jamaat: AR Pedro Liam, Smalls Orinsa, Bakiri, Barima al-Salafi, Ali Ana, Al-Haq Miza, Musa Mensa, Abd Ilahi Anderson, Suleiman Ahord, Isa Mensa, Abdul Qadir, Bremiah Hamniyand, Muhammad Samuels, Syed Wau Tamina, Musa Odiba, Yusuf Yorki, Muhammad Sadu, Smalls, Chief Barmat, Suleiman, Musa, Brema, Yarkubu, Syedu, Yarkubu No. 2, Ishaqa, Yusufu, Bukaray, Yusufu No. 2, Ameedu, Abd Ilahi, Muhammad.

Australia Maulvi Hassan Musa Khan Sahib is working extremely well in Australia through his lectures and writings. He writes articles in newspapers and distributes the Jamaat’s literature to his full potential. Presently, Nazarat Talif-o-Ishaat [central publications and propagations directorate] has granted him permission to rent a house for residing permanently and two pounds are given monthly for the rent. The address of Maulvi Sahib is: MH Musa Khan, Ahmadiyya Missionary, 788 PB GPO Adelaide S Australia.

The month of sowing seeds of virtues

Aqeel Ahmad Kang UK Missionary

K field missionaries are most fortunate U that they have the opportunity to regularly receive direct guidance from

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah strengthen his hand, in all matters.

Three years ago, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa graciously instructed the UK field missionaries to hold regular monthly meetings.

These meetings are being held regularly since then, under the supervision of Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, Missionary In-charge UK and Imam of the Fazl Mosque, London.

As per Huzoor’saa instructions, a different venue is chosen for this purpose each month. This way, the missionaries get the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the various Jamaats up and down the country.

The purpose of these meetings is to remind missionaries about their duties, to

assess their progress and to discuss other matters of importance.

The meeting in April was held at Baitun Noor Mosque in Hounslow, which is located about 10 miles to the west of the Fazl Mosque. This centre is about 50 years old, but most of the missionaries had not yet had the opportunity to visit it before.

This was an important meeting as missionaries presented their plans of action for the month of Ramadan. The Imam of the Fazl Mosque, London also highlighted the importance of Ramadan. He urged the missionaries saying, “Prepare yourselves for Ramadan and prepare your Jamaats for it.”

He went on to narrate, “Huzoor-e-Anwaraa once said in his Friday sermon regarding Ramadan, ‘ye mahina nekiyon ke beej boney ka mahina hei’. I later asked Huzooraa if I had translated it correctly as ‘This is the month of sowing the seeds of virtues’? Huzooraa kindly accepted it.”

We wish the global readership of Al Hakam a blessed month of Ramadan and pray that Allah the Almighty enables us to sow the seeds of everlasting virtues in this blessed month.

On the demise of Prince John, Maulvi Hassan Musa Khan Sahib, on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the Afghanis residing in Australia, sent letters expressing sympathy to the officials along with literature of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

Everyone acknowledged it with thanks.

Thus, in this manner, the message of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat was effectively delivered to Australian officials.

Straits Settlements By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the Jamaat has been established in Penang and Singapore. Dr Ghulam Din Sahib and Dr Ghulam Muhammad Sahib are noteworthy among those who have recently pledged the oath of allegiance.

The recent converts of this region include Bengali (Malay Singaporean), Nizamuddin (Malay Singaporean), Maula Bakhsh (Malay Singaporean), Muhammad Hussein (new Muslim, Malay Singaporean), Hakim Ghulam Muhmmmad (Malay Singaporean), Muhmmad (Malay Singaporean), Ghulam Muhammad Thekedar (Malay), Muhkimuddin (Malay), Khairuddin (Malay) and Ghulam Nabi (Malay Singaporean).

Egypt Abdul Karim Sahib conveys the passion of Egyptian Ahmadis in his letters and particularly points out the passion of Muhammad Saleh Shushan Sahib and Muhammad Wasfi Sahib. It is quite possible that with the services of Abdul Karim Sahib, the work of conveying the message of the Messiah is carried out in the country of Egypt.

The request for publishing a newspaper and educating a young Egyptian gentleman in Qadian for carrying out tabligh in Egypt was presented before Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II. It has been graciously approved that the Jamaat shall bear the expenses of a young Egyptian man.

(Translated by Al Hakam)

Second Quran Exposition

by AMJ France Mansoor Ahmed Mubashir France Correspondent

J

amaat-e-Ahmadiyya Strasbourg, France had the opportunity to organise its second Quran exposition on 2 and 3 May 2019 at a very famous bookshop, Librairie Oberlin, which is famous for having a great variety of religious books.

This year, Librairie Oberlin was celebrating their 200th year of existence.

The French copy of the Quran as well as copies of the Holy Quran in more than 35 different languages were on displayed along with other French Jamaat books and pamphlets.

More than 80 people attended this event. Many had questions about different verses of the Holy Quran that are often misinterpreted, which, by the grace of Allah, were given satisfactory answers.

Books and pamphlets were also freely given to the visitors.

Jamaat Strasbourg requests readers of Al Hakam to remember them in prayers that our efforts are accepted by Allah the Almighty.

Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

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Practices of the Promised as Messiah in Ramadan Part III azrat Mian Abdullah Sanauri narrated H to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad the following account which took place around ra

ra

the year of 1884: “Once in the month of Jeth [of the Hindu Calendar], that is in May or June, the Promised Messiahas, having offered Fajr prayer in Masjid Mubarak, headed into the adjacent room where there were bathing arrangements and which was cool on account of the fresh plaster on the walls. He lay on the charpoy [Indian bedstead] which used to be kept there. There was no mattress or pillow upon the charpoy. The head of the Promised Messiahas was positioned towards the Qibla and he was facing the north. He had pillowed his arm beneath his head whilst resting the other over his head. I sat down and began pressing his feet.

“It was the sacred month of Ramadan – it was the 27th day and a Friday. Hence, I felt elated that blessed occasions such as these had come together for me. In other words, I was serving a blessed person of elevated stature as the Promised Messiahas; the time was of Fajr prayer which is a blessed time; the month was Ramadan, which is a blessed month; it was the 27th day of this blessed month and the day was a Friday. Moreover, the previous night was Lailatul-Qadr [the night of destiny] because I had heard the Promised Messiahas mention that it was certainly the night of destiny when the 27th day of Ramadan and Jumuah both occurred together.

“I was contemplating over the blessings of the moment when the body of the Promised Messiahas suddenly trembled.

Huzooras, gradually shifting his arm from above, looked towards me. I noticed at that moment that his eyes were full of tears.

He then returned his arm to its previous position. Whilst pressing his feet, I reached the shin of the Promised Messiahas and observed that there was a drop of red liquid on his foot on a firm part just under his ankle, still congealed on account of having apparently dropped there recently. I touched it with my right hand’s index finger to see what it was. Thereupon, the drop spread onto the ankle and also remained on my finger. I smelt it but there was no smell of any kind. I had smelt it because at the time, I thought that it would possess a fragrance, being some sort of gesture from God Almighty. Then, I reached near the ribs of the Promised Messiahas and observed another large drop of the same red liquid upon his shirt. I examined it and found it too to be damp.

“I was perplexed as to the source of the red liquid. I rose quietly from the charpoy so that the Promised Messiahas would not wake up and began to search for a sign from where the red liquid could have dropped.

It was a very small room. I searched every nook and corner, be it the roof or the surroundings but could not trace anything visible from where it could have dropped. It also occurred to me that the tail of a house lizard may have been cut on the roof and its blood might have dripped. Accordingly, I examined the roof but found no sign that this had occurred.

“I finally sat down, fatigued, and continued pressing the body of the Promised Messiahas as I was doing earlier.

A short while later, the Promised Messiahas sat up and heading out of the room, went and sat in the mosque. I began to press his shoulders while sitting behind him.

Thereupon, I enquired from Huzooras where

Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Fear Allah wherever you are, do good deeds even if you have done bad deeds, the former would wipe out the latter, and behave decently towards people.”

(Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Kitab-ul-Birr)

that time, my condition was akin to a son who meets his father after being separated for many years and his heart spontaneously feels a surge of emotions. At that moment, I also pondered over the fact that this was the Ahkamul-Hakimeen (or Rabbul-Alamin) and the extent of love and affection with which He had sat me beside Him. Then, I presented those commandments which I had written for His signature. He dipped His pen in the red inkstand, flicked it a little in my direction and then signed the papers.’”

Hazrat Mian Abdullahra mentioned that the Promised Messiahas physically demonstrated the actions of flicking the pen and of the signing with his own hand. After that, the Promised Messiahas said, “This is the red ink which emanated from that pen.

Look, a drop has fallen upon you as well”.

the red liquid that was on him had fallen from. Huzooras answered casually, ‘It could be mango juice’ and avoided my question.

I again submitted, ‘Huzoor, it is not mango juice but red liquid.’ Huzooras gestured with his head, using his chin and asked, ‘Kithey hey?’ [Punjabi: Where is it?] Showing him the mark on the shirt, I said, ‘Here it is.’ Turning his head towards the shirt, Huzooras pulled the shirt towards him and saw the drop.

“Thereafter, he did not say anything to me on the matter but narrated a few accounts of former saints with regard to experiencing God and explained matters seen in visions taking physical form.

He informed me that the Being of God was beyond the beyond and eyes could not see Him in this world. However, some of His attributes pertaining to His beauty or majesty are shown to saints in physical form. ‘Hazrat Shah Abdul Qadir Sahibrh said that he had seen Allah the Almighty in the form of his father. Hazrat Shah Sahibrh once said that God Almighty once visited him, endowed him with a handful of turmeric and informed him that the turmeric was His own knowledge and insight and Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira alongside the red inkthat he should protect it. When he stained shirt of the Promised Messiahas awoke, the handful of turmeric was physically present in his hand.’

Hazrat Mian Abdullahra said, “I surveyed “Another saint, whose name the Promised Messiahas did not relate, was my entire shirt and submitted, ‘Huzoor, no sitting in his chamber at the time of Tahajud drop has fallen on me.’ Huzooras said, ‘Take a and was reciting something on his prayer look at your cap.’ In those days, I used to wear mat, when he observed in a vision that a white cotton cap over my head. I removed somebody had come from outside and taken the cap and observed that a drop was upon the prayer mat he was sitting on. When he it as well. I was overjoyed and said, ‘Huzoor, awoke, he found that the prayer mat was I also have a drop upon my cap.’ Then, I felt actually not beneath him. Upon the break of a longing to acquire the shirt and keep it as a dawn, when he departed from his chamber, holy relic because it was greatly blessed.

“Fearing that he would swiftly forbid he discovered that the prayer mat lay in the it, I firstly enquired of the Promised courtyard.

“After relating these accounts, the Messiahas whether it was permissible to Promised Messiahas said, ‘These were possess objects of a righteous person as matters related to the phenomenon of holy relics. He replied, ‘Yes, it is permissible. visions, but God Almighty materialised The Companionsra kept the sacred relics those objects in physical form in order to of the Holy Prophetsa.’ Then I submitted, show the excellences of those saints. As ‘Huzoor, I have a humble plea’. Huzooras far as my account is concerned, whilst you asked, ‘Tell me, what is it?’ I said, ‘Huzoor, were pressing my feet in the room, I saw in please grant me this shirt to keep as a holy a vision a beautiful, vast and clean building. relic.’ The Promised Messiahas replied, ‘No, There was a throne in it on which was sat this is something I cannot give away.’ I an imposing figure in the form of a ruler. said, ‘Huzoor, you have just said that the It was vouchsafed to me that that was the Companionsra possessed the sacred relics Ahkamul-Hakimeen [the Highest of Judges], of the Holy Prophetsa.’ He responded, ‘I will that is Rabbul-Alamin [the Lord of All the not give this cloth away because idolatry Worlds]. I deemed myself to be a humble will spread through this after you and I pass officer of the Divine Court. I had noted away. People will worship it and turn it into down certain commandments on fate and a shrine.’ I said, ‘Huzoor, idolatry did not decree and I took them along with me before spread from the sacred relics of the Holy the Almighty for His signatures. When I Prophetsa.’ He replied, ‘Mian Sahib, the fact approached Him, He sat me beside Him on of the matter is that those Companionsra who the throne with deep affection and love. At possessed sacred relics of the Holy Prophetsa instructed, before their own demise, to have

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM them buried with their shrouds and thus, this was followed. Whichever holy relics were in the possession of the Companionsra were buried with their shrouds.’ I said, ‘Huzoor, I too shall ensure that this shirt is buried with my shroud, before my passing away.’ The Promised Messiahas agreed, saying, ‘If you do make this pledge, then take it.’ As it was the day of Jumuah, after a short while, Huzooras changed his clothes having bathed and the shirt came into my possession.”

Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira relates, “The Promised Messiahas was still wearing the shirt when I mentioned this sign to a few guests who had come from vicinities close by.” Thereafter, they went to the Promised Messiahas and informed him that Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sahibra had related to them this account upon which he said, “Yes, that is correct.” Then, they requested Huzooras to grant them the shirt and said that they would distribute it among themselves as they all held a right to it. Huzooras granted them permission and did not impose any conditions on them or make them pledge.

Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira says, “At that moment, I became extremely worried that this sign would be taken away from me. I was alarmed and for this reason, I submitted to the Promised Messiahas, ‘Huzoor, you hold no control over this shirt now as it has come into my possession. It is within my power to grant it to them or otherwise because I have already taken it from Huzoor.’ At that moment, Huzooras smilingly said, ‘Yes, Mian Abdullah has of course taken this from me. It is now up to him whether he grants it to you or not.’

Then, they greatly insisted that I grant it to them but I declined.”

Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira goes on to mention, “To this day, the very same mark of red is present on the shirt and has not changed in the slightest. The material of that shirt, in Punjabi, is called nenu. The Promised Messiahas was wearing this shirt for seven consecutive days. I did not used to show people this shirt because Huzoor’sas words that the shirt should not be made into a shrine was constantly present in my mind.

However, people greatly desired to see it and this bothered me very much.

“I mentioned the dilemma to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II that I resented displaying the shirt due to the words of the Promised Messiahas and that people bothered me. I enquired from him the best course of action.

He replied, ‘Show it to people repeatedly and frequently so that many emerge who become witness to having seen it and so that every person in our Jamaat can declare that they have seen it.’ Afterwards, I began to show it to others, but I still do so only for those who desire it of me. I resent showing it to others of my own will because the words of the Promised Messiahas are embedded in my mind. I keep it with me at every journey because there is no guarantee for when death overtakes me.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra said, “I have seen this shirt. It has a light red colour that is slightly pink and I have come to know from Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanauri Sahibra that its colour has been like this from the beginning.”

(Taken from the compilation of narrations related to the life of the Promised Messiahas, Sirat-ul-Mahdi, compiled by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra. Translated by Fateh Alam, London.)

Questions related to Ramadan Part III

What is the guidance about fasting during a journey or illness?

Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran: َ ُ َّ َ ْ ّ ٌ َّ َ َ َ ٰ َ َ ْ َ ً َّ ْ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ‫ام أخ َر‬ ٍ ‫فمن كان ِمنكم مرِيضا أو على سف ٍر فعِدة ِمن أي‬ “And whoso among you is sick or is on a journey [shall fast] the same number of other days.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.185) The above-mentioned Quranic injunction clearly states that one should refrain from fasting during a journey or in sickness and make up the lost count on other days.

Hazrat Amrra ibn Umayyah reported, “I came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, from a journey and he said, ‘Stay, so that we can eat, O Abu Umayyah.’ I said, ‘I am fasting.’

The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said, ‘Come close to me and I will tell you about the traveler. Surely, Allah Almighty has relieved him from fasting and half of the prayer.’”

(Sunan al-Nasai, Kitab as-Saum) It should be noted here that we find certain sayings of the Holy Prophetsa which show that he did sometimes fast whilst travelling but this happened only when he was keeping voluntary fasts and not the fasts of Ramadan.

Hazrat Jabirra relates that once, the Holy Prophetsa was on a journey and he saw a crowd around a person over whom a shade had been erected. The Holy Prophetsa asked “What is the matter?” to which the people replied that the man was fasting. The Holy Prophetsa said, “It is no virtue to keep a fast while travelling.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab as-Saum) The Promised Messiahas states: “Whosoever fasts in Ramadan during sickness or journey clearly disobeys the command of God. God has clearly said that the sick and travellers should not fast. A sick person should fast after recovering from sickness and the traveller should fast after completing the journey. This injunction should be heeded for repentance is through the grace of Allah and not by a forceful exhibition of one’s physical strength. God has not specified what the length of the journey should be, nor has he set a criterion for the degree of sickness. The injunction is general and thus, if a person keeps a fast, they are succumbing to transgression against the command of God.” (Badr, 17 October 1907, p.7) Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra writes that Mian Fazl Muhammad Sahib (shopkeeper, Mahalla Dar-ul-Fazl) wrote to him saying, “During litigation with Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, for a court hearing, we had to go to Dhariwal. It was a hot summer’s day and in the month of Ramadan. Many friends had convened at Dhariwal, many of whom were fasting. One of the influential chieftains [who was a lady] extended an invitation to the Promised Messiahas. Huzooras accepted the invitation.

The chieftess presented sweet rice alongside other foods. Some companions asked Huzooras regarding their fasts. Huzooras said, ‘It is not permissible to fast while on a journey.’ Therefore, all of the companions broke their fasts.” (Siratul-Mahdi, Vol. 2, p.

303) During Ramadan, if a woman’s menstrual cycle begins, she should stop fasting and make up for the remaining fasts on other days. The woman who is pregnant or breast feeding is exempted from fasting because she falls in the category of sick. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said: “Allah has relieved the pregnant woman and the suckling woman from fasting.”

(Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab as-Saum) According to the saying of the Promised Messiahas, those who are permanently sick, travellers or mothers who know that they will not find the opportunity to fast, either because of being very old or breast-feeding, they should not fast and should give Fidya because it is almost impossible for them to fast. (Al Badr, 24 October 1907, p. 3) What is the guidance for the one who journeys for work?

If someone travels far for work or their livelihood is based on travelling, then they must fast because they are used to this routine.

Once the Promised Messiahas was asked about the person who travels for work whether such a person’s travel fall in the category of a journey? Huzooras replied: “[The person who travels for work] their journeys should not be considered journeys because they are part of their work.” (Al Fazl, 16 August 1948) What is the guidance for the one who travels to Markaz or temporarily settles somewhere during Ramadan?

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra said: “When Jalsa Salana was due in Ramadan and the question arose of whether or not the visitors should fast during the days of Jalsa, an individual reported that in the time of the Promised Messiahas, when the Jalsa was held during Ramadan, they personally served Sehri [as breakfast] to the guests. In the given circumstances, on the basis of the edict given by the Promised Messiahas, I have permitted the visitors of Jalsa to observe fasts. Previous scholars even permitted observing fasts on journeys, and non-Ahmadi maulvis of today do not consider modern-day travels worthy of being called a journey. Nonetheless, the Promised Messiahas forbade observing fasts during journeys, however he himself has permitted to observe fasts whilst staying in Qadian [the Markaz]. Thus, it is improper to consider one of his edicts and abandon another.” (Al Fazl, 4 January 1934, pp. 3-4) The general guidance is that if someone settles somewhere for at least 15 days or

more and they are able to make preparations for Sehri and Iftari, they should observe fasts.

However, Hazrat Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shahra states that the Promised Messiahas said about fasting: “If somebody stays somewhere for more than three days, they may fast but they may not do so if they are staying for less than three days. If somebody who is staying for less than three days observes fasts in Qadian, then there is no need to fast again [in compensation].” (Fatawa Hazrat Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shah Sahib, Register no. 5, Dar-ul-Ifta, Rabwah) Thus, it all solely depends on the heart and intention of the person. If someone considers their journey worthy of falling in the category of a journey, they should refrain from fasting. On the other hand, if they realise that their travel does not fall in the category of journey, they should fast.

What is the guidance for the one whose illness does not affect their fast?

The term “illness” has not been defined by Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran. Thus, regarding an illness, one should decide with Taqwa if someone is able to fast or not. The Promised Messiahas said: “There are certain kinds of illnesses in which a person continues to perform other works … Hence, if one can find time to perform other works, then what is the reason that he does not observe fasts?” (Al Fazl, 16 August 1948) It should be borne in mind that if doctors do not recommend fasting, one must refrain from fasting.

The Promised Messiahas states: “As far as I am concerned, I do not leave a fast unless it is likely to cause my death; I do not feel inclined to leave a fast. These are blessed days and the days of the showering of God’s blessings and mercy.” (Al Hakam, 24 January 1901) What are those actions and conditions by which a fast does not break?

Below is the list of certain actions and situations which do not render a fast invalid: • Brushing your teeth or using miswak (a teeth cleaning twig) • Rinsing your mouth • Rinsing your nose • Putting oil on your beard or hair • Smelling or wearing perfume • Taking a shower • Putting on surma (but it is better to apply it at night) • Accidental vomiting • Forgetfully eating or drinking • Bleeding gums

Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

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19th Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema Belgium Mohammad Arsalan Belgium Correspondent

he National department of Waqf-eT Nau in Belgium had the opportunity once again to hold its National Ijtema for

Waqifeen-e-Nau on 4 May 2019 in the Jamaat’s mission house in Dilbeek, Belgium.

Waqifeen and Waqifaat had their respective Ijtemas on the same day.

Throughout the year, preparations were in progress and weekly classes conducted by the missionaries in Belgium, organised for the preparation of the Ijtema, were a large part of preparing Waqifeen for this. May Allah reward them all.

The Ijtema started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by Dutch and

French translations, after which a nazm was recited. The opening speech was given by Anwar Hussain Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Belgium.

After the opening session, academic competitions began with tilawat competition, followed by nazm, qaseeda, Urdu speech, French speech and Dutch speech competitions.

The concluding session was presided

by Dr Idrees Ahmad Sahib, Amir Jamaat Belgium. After the recitation of the Holy Quran and nazm, prizes were distributed to the first and second position holders.

In his speech, Amir Sahib reminded the Waqifeen-e-Nau of their responsibilities and advised senior Waqifeen-e-Nau to present their services in various departments of the Jamaat. The programme concluded with dua.

َ َّ ّٰ ُ ُ َ ّ ‫ان‬ ‫الرَ ِج ْي ِم‬ ِ ‫أعوْذ ِبالل ِه ِم َن الش ْيﻄ‬ ٰ ّ ْ ّ ‫الرَ ْح ٰمـن‬ ّ ‫الل ِه‬ ‫ِبس ِم‬ ‫الرَ ِح ْي ِم‬ ِ

ُ ْ ْ َ ْ ُ ْ َّ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ ُ ُ ً ْ ‫ﺷهر َرمضان ال ِذي أﻧ ِﺰل فِي ِﻪ القرآن ﻫدى‬ َ ُْْ َ َ ُْ َ ّ َ َّ​َ ّ ّ ‫ان‬ ‫ﻗ‬ ٍ ‫اس وب ِين‬ ِ ‫ات ِمن الهدى والفر‬ ِ ‫ل ِلن‬ “The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.186)

47th National & 17th International Bangkok Book Fair 2019 Tanvir Ahmad Sajid Secretary Ishaat Bangkok, Thailand

he International Book Fair was held in T Thailand from 28 March to 7 April 2019.

The event attracted over 400 publishers

and over 900 activity booths spread over 21,000 square meters of space in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand.

This year the fair was conducted at the Queen Sirikit Convention Hall, Bangkok.

By the Grace of Allah, Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Thailand has had the opportunity of organising a stall in the Annual International Bangkok Book Fair since 2015.

The translations of the Holy Quran were displayed at the book stall along with books of the Promised Messiahas and the Khulafa.

People were invited to ask questions about Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Free copies of the following books were distributed among interested visitors: Why I believe in Islam, Al-Bushra, Paradise, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Our Teachings and leaflets in Thai and English. This year, it is estimated that around 10,000 visitors received the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

We also displayed the video of Huzoor’s recent Peace Symposium address and a

few short clips from last year’s book fair in Bangkok on a big screen in front of our book stall. Ansar, Khuddam, Atfal and Lajna of Thailand Jamaat offered their services and served at our stall.

The true message of Islam Ahmadiyyat was conveyed with the help of roll-up banners, pamphlets, videos and one-on-one interactions throughout the fair. Mainly, books in different languages such as Thai, Arabic, English and Chinese were available for selling and free distribution to interested readers. There was an interest shown by Thai Muslims and Buddhists in understanding Islam, and questions on contemporary issues were asked by the visitors which were responded by Amir Sahib, Uung Kurnia (missionary), Juma Khan Sahib (waqf-e-zindagi), Ibn-ul-Muhyudin Sahib (missionary), Dr Suraya (National Sadr Lajna), National Amila members, a team of Ahmadi Muslim volunteers and this humble one.

By the grace and blessings of Almighty Allah, we were able to convey our message to thousands of people of Thailand and other nationalities. Apart from Muslims, non-Muslims and Buddhists visited our stall in large numbers. May Allah make our efforts fruitful by showing the right path to all the people who are earnestly searching for the true path of life.

Refresher Course for missionaries of Belgium, Netherlands and France

Mansoor Ahmed Mubashir France Correspondent

rom 28 April to 2 May 2019, 5 F missionaries of France, 6 of Belgium and 5 of Holland had the opportunity to organise

their second refresher course at Baitul Ataa (Jalsa Gah), Trie Chateau, France.

A total of 18 presentations were given – 13 presented by the missionaries, 3 by external speakers and 2 by Zaheer Khan Sahib, guest speaker invited from the Markaz.

The opening ceremony was presided

by Ashfaq Rabbani Sahib, national Amir France. Immediately after the opening session, a letter for prayers was faxed to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Each day started with Tahajud, followed

by Fajr prayer and dars. During the refresher course, time in the afternoons was allocated for sports.

In the span of the 5-day refresher course,

after Isha, a sitting was held where senior missionaries shared their life experiences.

One afternoon was reserved so that the missionaries could tour Paris. On the way there, a stop was made to see Masjid Mubarak, inaugurated by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in 2008, the first Ahmadiyya mosque built in France, which also serves as the national headquarters of Jamaat France.

The refresher course came to an end with the concluding ceremony which was presided by Missionary In-charge of France Naseer Ahmad Shahid Sahib. A brief report of the course was presented which was followed by silent prayer.

Readers of Al Hakam are requested to pray for all the missionaries serving the Jamaat around the world that Allah may assist us in disseminating the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the teachings of his servant, the Promised Messiahas.

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM Responding to Allegations

The Ahmadiyya Jamaat shall prevail A look at the figures of the Jamaat in the time of the Promised Messiahas Prophecies of the Promised Messiahas (Part VII) n allegation raised by opponents of the Jamaat and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam A Ahmad, the Promised Messiah is that as

in 1906, two years before his demise, he stated: “Those who are outside of this Jamaat shall continue to diminish day by day.

All the Muslim sects that are outside this Jamaat will decline by the day, and will either enter this Jamaat or become extinct, just as the Jews declined until only a very few are left. The same will be the end of the opponents of this Jamaat.” (Barahine-Ahmadiyya Part V, p. 119 [English Translation]) Arguing over this prophecy, opponents allege that the reality is different from what has been foretold by the Promised Messiahas. They claim that the total membership of the Jamaat in the life of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat was 400,000 and it “declined” to 200,000 in the time of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra. Thus, instead of increasing, the followers of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat decreased, while on the other hand, the followers of other sects increased and even left the Jamaat behind. Therefore, the opponents assert that this prophecy was never fulfilled.

Revisiting history to determine the exact number of followers of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in the era of the second Khalifa, we find that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra was asked by the Court of Inquiry in 1953, “What is the total number of Ahmadis in Pakistan?” and he replied, “It ranges between two to three hundred thousand”. (Tehkikati adalat mein Hazrat Imam Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya ka bayan, Anwarul-Ulum, Vol. 24, p. 369) Correspondingly, the report of the Court of Inquiry sheds light on the total number of Ahmadis across the globe, as it states: “The present number of the Jamaat is stated to be in the neigbourhood of 200,000 in Pakistan, Ahmadis are also to be found in other Muslim countries and in India, Europe and America.” (Report of the Court of Inquiry constituted under Punjab Act II of 1954, p. 10) In the time of the Promised Messiahas, the total number of Ahmadis present in the subcontinent and other countries amounted to 400,000. While considering the above-mentioned references, it is evident that in the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, the figure of Ahmadis only in Pakistan ranged between two to three hundred thousand, while countless Ahmadis were present in other Muslim countries, India, Europe and America.

Hence, it becomes vividly clear that the claim of the opponents regarding the decline in the number of Ahmadis from 400,000 in the time of the Promised Messiahas to 200,000 in the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra is completely erroneous and a concealment of truth.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the seed of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat that was sown across the globe in the era of the second Khilafat has now become a tree laden with fruits with its branches spread in more than 200 countries of the world and the numbers of the passionate followers of the Promised Messiahas are increasing day by day.

In the life of the Promised Messiahas, greater number of Ahmadis were present in the subcontinent and only a handful of Ahmadis were to be found in other countries. Presently, the followers of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat have spread in almost all countries of every continent across the globe. For instance, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Malta, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Guyana. Ahmadiyya mission houses and mosques are well established in these countries.

Regarding the presence of Ahmadis at Jalsa Salanas in the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, opponents determine on their own accord that as most of the attendees at these gatherings are Ahmadis of Pakistani and Indian backgrounds, it shows that the Ahmadiyya Jamaat mainly consists of the progenies belonging to Pakistani and Indian Ahmadis.

The fact of the matter is that indeed, a large of number of Pakistani and Indian Ahmadis are settled mainly in the UK, Germany and Canada after seeking asylum from persecution or otherwise, however on the other hand, the majority of Ahmadis in Russian States belong to Russian origin.

Similarly, a vast majority of Ahmadis present in the countries of East Africa, West Africa and South Africa – namely Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Uganda, Mali, Ivory Coast and Benin – belong to African origin rather than progenies of Pakistani or Indian Ahmadis. A large number of Ahmadis present in Singapore and Indonesia consist of local residents.

It is indeed true that Pakistani and Indian Ahmadis are found in Arab and Gulf States, but then again, the majority of Ahmadis in many Arab countries belong

to Arab origins.

After the demise of the Promised Messiahas, through the blessings of Allah the Almighty, mosques, mission houses and missionaries can be found in all those countries where the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has spread, including those few countries that are mentioned above. These countries hold their own Jalsa Salanas, and to determine this fact, one can watch the recordings and view pictures of these gatherings on MTA and social media.

Allah the Almighty promised to Jesusas in the Holy Quran: َ ‫َو َجا ِع ُل الَّ ِذيْ َن ّاتَ َب ُعوْ َك َفوْ َق الَّ ِذيْ َن َك َف ُر ْوا إل َ ٰى يَوْ ِم ال ْ ِق َي‬ ‫ام ِة‬ ِ “And [I] will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the day of Resurrection” (Surah Aal-eImran, Ch.3: V.56). Most certainly, Allah the Almighty kept His promise that is mentioned in this verse, but the question is, when was it fulfilled?

This promise was fulfilled in the 4th century when the King of Rome, Constantine the Great accepted and declared Christianity as the official religion of the state. Consequently, Christianity began to spread rapidly. Allah the Almighty had surely promised to Jesusas that his followers would prevail over the enemies, but the world witnessed the fulfilment of this promise in the 4th century after Jesus’ demise.

Renouncing Ahmadiyyat, opponents of the Jamaat join the ranks of those Muslims who believe that Jesusas conveyed the message of Allah the Almighty for three years and then he was raised to the Heavens. As the prophecy regarding the followers of Jesusas that they would prevail over other religions came to pass hundreds of years after his demise, the followers of the Promised Messiahas (an embodiment of Jesusas) would certainly prevail over other religions as well. The opponents should at least wait for as long as it took in the fulfillment of the promise to Jesusas.

Allah the Almighty also vouchsafed this prophecy to the Promised Messiahas: َ ‫َو َجا ِع ُل الَّ ِذيْ َن ّاتَ َب ُعوْ َك َفوْ َق الَّ ِذيْ َن َك َف ُر ْوا إل َ ٰى يَوْ ِم ال ْ ِق َي‬ ‫ام ِة‬ ِ “And [I] will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the day of Resurrection”. [Al Hakam, 5 May 1899, p. 2] Hence, the Promised Messiahas stated: “All our opponents who live today shall die and none of them shall ever see Jesus son of Mary descending from the Heavens; then their children that are left after them shall also die and none from among them shall ever see Jesus son of Mary descending

Minarat-ul-Masih, Qadian. 1939

from heaven and then their third generation shall also die and they too shall not see the son of Mary descending from the heaven. Then God shall cause great consternation in their hearts, that a period of Christian domination has passed and the world has witnessed a great change, yet the son of Mary has not descended from the Heavens. Then, in dismay, the wise among them shall forsake this belief and three centuries from now shall not have passed when those who await the second coming of Jesus son of Mary, whether they be Muslims or Christians, shall abandon this concept altogether. Then shall prevail only one religion over the whole world and there shall be only one religious leader. I came only to sow the seed, which has been planted by my hand. It shall now grow and flourish and there is none who can hinder its growth.” (Tadhkiratush-Shahadatain, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 67) The Promised Messiahas states regarding one of his revelations: “The verse: َ ‫َو َجا ِع ُل الَّ ِذيْ َن ّاتَ َب ُعوْ َك َفوْ َق الَّ ِذيْ َن َك َف ُر ْوا إل َ ٰى يَوْ ِم ال ْ ِق َي‬ ‫ام ِة‬ ِ “And will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the day of Resurrection” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.56), has been revealed to me repeatedly – so many times that God alone knows the count – and with such emphasis that it has penetrated my heart like a steel nail. This indicates that God Almighty will greatly bless all those friends who follow my way and will grant them victory over those who follow other ways and this superiority shall be maintained till the Day of Judgment. No one will come after my humble self who Continued on page 12

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

Health

Spirituality and mental well-being

Samar Hafeez Clinical Psychologist and Counsellor Bangalore, India

Researchers across domains have started to acknowledge and explore the positive impact of spirituality on mental health. It has received a lot of attention in psychiatric literature as both a preventive and a healing strategy.

Spirituality is a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves. It helps a person reflect on the reason for their existence and to search for the meaning and purpose in life. Many describe a spiritual experience as transcendent or a deep sense of interconnectedness with God. The universality of spirituality extends across cultures, and is unique to each and every person. The degree or the magnitude of it also differs from one person to another. Spirituality and religion (consisting of organised set of beliefs and practices) can go hand in hand both complimenting each other and incorporating healthy practices for the mind and body, resulting in mental and emotional well-being.

What difference can spirituality make?

Emotions and spirituality are deeply integrated with one another and I profoundly believe that all positive emotions in human beings arise or stem from a strong spiritual sense. Spirituality helps increase the occurrence of positive emotions and behaviours such as love, hope, compassion, happiness, peace, contentment, gratitude, forgiveness, empathy and acceptance in our lives. The appearance of such emotions indicate flourishing mental health.

Positive emotions help us grow, learn and broaden our horizons. They increase our awareness, attention, and other cognitive abilities such as memory.

On the other hand, they enable us to build self-efficacy and self-confidence and contribute to our interpersonal relationships.

Positive emotions arising from a healthy spiritual self, act as strong internal signals that motivate individuals to explore new possibilities, novel ideas and situations, thereby adding to our growth and development. Interestingly, these emotions have healing powers, helping a person bounce back from any horrible situation.

According to psychologists Tugade, Fredrickson, and Barrett positive emotions mediate the impact of stressful events. Moreover they also help mediate reactivity to stress and recovery from stress leading to improvement in the psychological and physical health.

The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said: “Do not be jealous of each other, do not boycott each other, do not hate each other, do not contrive against each other. Be all of you brothers to each other, O servants of Allah.”

Spirituality not only helps harness

positive emotions but also helps to reduce the feelings of negative emotions like anger, fear, hatred, anxiety, sadness, insecurity, jealousy etc.

Today, our world is engulfed in the darkness of divisiveness and polarisation.

Negativity and bitterness infects a lot of our lives, and intolerance is widely spread.

Even the slightest shortcoming in respect to our fellow beings can inflame negative emotions, significantly harming not only our mental and physical health but also that of others around us.

Childhood and adolescent years are the years in which seeds of intolerance and hatred can be sown and this becomes extremely difficult to eradicate in later years.

A profound message is summed up in the motto given to the Jamaat by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh ‘‘Love for All, Hatred for None’’. If practiced, this can eliminate the root of many emotional ailments in society at large.

Negative emotions are known to trigger the autonomic nervous system, creating a flight or fight response which increases stress hormones known as cortisol and adrenaline.

Elevated levels of these hormones contribute to mental and bodily conditions such as anxiety, depression, fat gain, restlessness, emotional eating, insomnia, poor immune function, hypertension, increased risk of strokes and cardiovascular problems.

Positive religious coping strategies like religious openness, facing existential questions and religious participation are associated with reduced depressive symptoms and with improved posttraumatic recovery, according to emerging research.

All of us want to bring spirituality in our lives, but do not know where to start. Below are some suggestions that will help build spirituality and good mental health: 1. Contemplation and self-reflection The Holy Prophetsa said, “There is no wisdom like reflection” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Al- Zuhl). The Holy Prophetsa was highly self-reflective and he used to retire to a cave on Mount Hira to spend his time in contemplation and meditation.

On one of these extraordinary occasions, he found his Creator. Reflecting on nature and the attributes of God improves your communication with Him. Self-exploration is one of the best tools used in psychotherapy sessions to understand a person’s strengths and weaknesses, and it examines unrealised spiritual and intellectual capacities that can be used as a preventive strategy to examine core values of a client.

2. Mindfulness meditation Mindfulness is a practice of being aware and fully present in the ongoing moment. It is a powerful tool that facilitates us to be more conscious about our physical, emotional and mental states without being bogged down by self-criticism, cynicism, and judgement. Oftentimes, insecurities cloud our perceptual mind, preventing us from noticing the pleasant things in life. This is a type of meditation that offers both deep relaxation and insight. It aids in preventing

the constant tug of war between thoughts and emotions. It helps develop the ability that will free us from the grasp of our ego.

Mindfulness improves our “mentalisation” (the ability to reflect upon one’s state of mind; to have insight into what one is feeling and why). Initial practices include focussing on bodily sensations, sounds and feelings. Many psychologists practice therapeutic mindfulness which includes mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) as they are great preventive mental health care measures.

3. Fast and pray Fasting is a fantastic way to detox both body and spirit and it enhances Godconsciousness and righteousness (Taqwa).

This sparks a deeper connection with His graciousness. Depriving ourselves of food and drink for a specific period of time allows us to practice self-restraint and acknowledge God-given gifts. It enables us to abstain from selfishness and cruelty, allowing us to show sympathy to the less fortunate and poor, thereby building a collective consciousness. One feels spiritually renewed and full of energy after each fast. In research, after hours of fasting, women reported feeling an increased sense of achievement, reward, pride, and control, which indicated a rise in self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. It helps increase in alertness, memory and sleep quality.

Prayer is a type of meditation in itself, it helps us tame our racing thoughts and riled up emotions, enabling us to break the vicious cycle of stress through the day. Prayer offers a sense of relief and emotional comfort resulting in fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. The feeling of empowerment and security which we get after each prayer, helps us deal effectively with daily life stressors.

The Promised Messiahas once said that congregational prayers promote unity and reduce disparity and selfishness.

Being aware of the meanings and deeper interpretations of the prayers you recite facilitates attainment in relation to its applicability to improve mental health.

Incorporating the habit of reading religious texts like the Holy Quran in the language you understand best assists us in revising our faith, meaning and purpose of life every day. The cognitive and affective reassurance you get from the word of God is unparalleled and highly beneficial to mental health.

4. Community and religious services The help and support derived from members and leaders of religious communities are widely considered as a key mediator between mental health and spiritual development. A spiritual community creates a sense of belongingness and initiates social engagement and connection thereby protecting people from isolation and loneliness which are precursors of depression and suicidal ideation. They

are also a source of spiritual support in times of adversities. These communities also help nurture a child’s spiritual needs by introducing spiritual practices early on.

Research shows that attendance at religious services is associated with healthy behaviours like engaging in physical activities, seeking out preventive mental health care, and avoiding risky behaviours like smoking, drinking alcohol and overeating. In addition it also acts as a protective factor against anxiety, depression and substance abuse related disorders.

5. Keep a spiritual journal Record your spiritual advancement and progress over time in this journal. Also keep a gratitude journal to record what you are thankful for each day. Remember, gratitude enables us to have the best attitude towards life. Appreciation of even the tiniest good thing that comes our way will keep us content and cheerful all day, every day, which is a sign of excellent mental health.

The five daily prayers are an excellent way to show gratitude towards the Almighty.

6. Travel “Say, ‘Travel in the earth and see how we originated the creation’” (Ch.29: V.21). The Holy Quran calls us to travel. Exploring the wider world is essential to expand our awareness outside ourselves. It gives us fresh opportunities to observe and study the lives of a variety of people and refreshes our psyche. Personally, I travel extensively and it is one of my core spiritual practices.

Each time I travel to a new place, I realise my strengths and imperfections in different contexts and this also reaffirms the capable and resilient side of me. Travel helps us get closer to nature and shrink distances between God’s creations. It gives us space and time off from stressors of a buzzing life, by serving as a distraction and relaxation.

Try keeping a travel log to jot down your spiritual and mental experiences out of each trip.

Spirituality can act as an anchor which keeps you rooted in your best senses and it also acts as a compass pointing a person forward in the right direction when lost.

Spiritual comfort and assistance can help address some of our dysfunctional beliefs or assumptions.

Most of us feel happy, content and joyous as long as everything is going well in life, but the moment something out of our expectation happens, we can start to feel hopeless and disappointed.

Staying stable through adversities and good times indicates a strong spiritual mind and mental blossoming. One should keep their spiritual standards in check and strive to excel each time.

Spirituality and religion both have the power to uplift your spirits and bring delight. Most importantly, they give hope to move ahead without accepting defeat.

Integrating spirituality in mental health gives promising results and it is like two great powers, wisdom and science, coming together to evoke healing.

9

Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 19 April 2019 Delivered from Baitul Futuh Mosque

Men of Excellence After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: The Badri companion whose account I will mention today is Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoonra. His title was Abu Saaib. Hazrat Usman’s mother’s name was Sukhailah bint Anbas. Hazrat Usmanra and his brother Hazrat Qudamahra were of similar appearance. He belonged to the Banu Jummah tribe of the Quraish of Mecca. (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 305-306, Usmanra bin Mazoon, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) The account of Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s acceptance of Islam is as follows: Hazrat Ibn Abbasra narrates that once while the Messengersa of Allah was sitting in the courtyard of his house in Mecca, Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon passed by. He smiled as he saw the Holy Prophetsa. The Messengersa of Allah said to him, “Would you not like to take a seat?” Hazrat Usmanra replied, “Indeed, why not!” Thus, he came and sat down in front of him. Whilst in conversation, the Holy Prophetsa suddenly looked up. He looked at the sky for a moment and then began lowering his gaze slowly, until he was looking continuously towards his right.

He turned his face away from Usman, who was sitting before him and began looking towards the other direction and then he lowered his head. During this incident, the Holy Prophetsa was nodding his head so as to indicate as if he was trying to understand something. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon, who was sitting next to him, observed all of this.

After a short while, the Messengersa of Allah finished – when he came out of that state, or came out of the state in which it seemed as if something was being revealed to him, although Hazrat Usmanra was unaware of what exactly had been revealed. Once the Holy Prophetsa had understood what had been said to him, his eyes rose towards the sky once again as it did before. His gaze was following something until that object disappeared from the sky.

After this, the Holy Prophetsa turned to Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon as he did previously.

Hazrat Usmanra said, “What was the reason of my coming and sitting with you?” Hazrat Usmanra further said, “I have never seen you act in the manner as you did today.” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, “What did you see me do”. Hazrat Usman bin Mazoonra replied, “I saw your eyes rising towards the sky. Then you looked towards your right and fixed your gaze in that direction, taking no notice of me. You then began nodding your head as if you were trying to understand what was being said to you.” The Holy Prophetsa asked, “Did you really observe this?” Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon replied in the affirmative. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, “While you were sitting next to me, a messenger from Allah came to me and brought me a message.” Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon asked: “A messenger from Allah?”

The Holy Prophetsa answered, “Yes.” Hazrat

Usmanra asked: “What did he say?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “He said: َ َْ ُْ ْ ْ ْ ّٰ َ ‫ان َوإِيْ َتآ ِء ِذي الق ْر ٰبى َويَن ٰهی َع ِن الف ْحشآ ِء‬ ‫إِ ّن الل َه يَأ ُمرُ بال َع ْدل َوالْإ ْح َس‬ َّ َ َ ُ َّ َ ُ ُ َ ِ ْ ْ ِ َ ْ ِ ْ ِ ‫َوال ُمنك ِر َوال َبغ ِي ۚ يعِظك ْم ل َعلك ْم تذك ُر ْو َن‬ (‘Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonishes you that you may take heed.’)

Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon says, “This was the time when faith was truly embedded in my heart and I began to love Muhammadsa.”

(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 807, Musnad Abdillah bin Abbas, Hadith 2921, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998) In relation to the initial period after the Holy Prophetsa made his claim to prophethood, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says: “In the early stages of that period, the Holy Prophetsa received companions such as Talhara, Zubairra, Umarra, Hamzara and Usmanra bin Mazoon and each one of them was completely devoted to the Holy Prophetsa. Each and every one of them was prepared to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Holy Prophetsa. Undoubtedly, the Holy Prophetsa suffered and endured difficulties, trials and hardships for 13 years.

However, the Holy Prophetsa was reassured by the fact that a group of intellectuals, people of stature and righteous and purified individuals from among the people of Mecca had already accepted him and that the Muslims were now considered to be a great force. Whenever an individual said that the Holy Prophetsa was insane – God forbid – some other associates of that individual would say to him that if he is insane then why would such and such person, who is considered to be intelligent and wise, accept him? This was such a reply that could simply not be.”

“Orientalists have tried their level best to criticise the Holy Prophetsa. They raise many allegations against him and at times, they do not even refrain from profanities.” The same is the case even today. “However, whenever

Abu Bakr is mentioned, they say that Abu Bakr was a very selfless person. In relation to this, various other orientalists have mentioned that how is it possible for Abu Bakr to have accepted a liar.” If one praises Abu Bakr, then the person whom he accepted is most certainly also praiseworthy. “If Abu Bakr was selfless then why did he accept such a greedy individual and if he was truly selfless then one must acknowledge that his master was also selfless. This is a great argument which cannot

be refuted.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has also mentioned this in relation to the Promised Messiahas. He states, “Even with regard to the Promised Messiahas we find that people call him ignorant. However, in order to refute such allegations, God Almighty provided such means that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira accepted him right from the outset of his claim. Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi was also among those who praised the Promised Messiahas prior to his claim. Following this, when the Promised Messiahas announced his claim to the world, God Almighty raised a group of intellectuals, who immediately accepted the Promised Messiahas. These intellectuals were from amongst the scholars, leaders as well as from amongst the English-speaking people.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states regarding this, “Awe and admiration is formed through any of the three means; through faith, through knowledge or through wealth. God Almighty has blessed the community of the Promised Messiahas with all three of these means.”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 9, pp. 139-140) God Almighty also provided the Promised Messiahas with such companions from the beginning, who were held in high esteem by the world. As a matter of fact, the skill and knowledge of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira as a physician are praised even today. Even nonAhmadi physicians use his prescriptions and write about them. Nevertheless, at the time of the Holy Prophetsa, people from all sections of society accepted him and these included individuals from highly respected households

and families.

In relation to the rancour and resentment of the disbelievers of Mecca, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra states: “God Almighty provided such means that the hearts of the disbelievers continued to burn and were reduced to ashes. They failed to comprehend how to extinguish this fire.

There was not a single family of high status, whose members had not fallen in servitude to the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Zubairra belonged to a family of high status as did Hazrat Talhara.

Hazrat Umarra belonged to a noble family and so too did Hazrat Usmanra. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon belonged to a family of high status. Similarly, Hazrat Amrra bin Aas and Khalidra bin Waleed, who accepted Islam at a later stage, belonged to the noblest of families in Mecca. Aas was an opponent of Islam, however his own son, Amr, accepted Islam.

Waleed was also an opponent, yet, [his son] Khalid accepted Islam.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further writes, “In short, thousands of people were fierce opponents of Islam. Yet, their offspring fell at the feet of the Holy Prophetsa and raised their swords against their fathers and relatives in the battlefield.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 9, p. 588) We find mention of Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s migration to Abyssinia as well as his return to Mecca. As it has already been mentioned, Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon was amongst the first converts to Islam. According to Ibn Ishaq, he accepted Islam after 13 individuals. He and his son, Saib, participated in the first migration to Abyssinia along with a group of Muslims. During his stay in Abyssinia, when he heard the news that the Quraish had accepted Islam, he returned to Mecca.

Ibn Ishaq narrates that when the migrants to Abyssinia received news about the Meccans having prostrated with the Holy Prophetsa, they started making their journey back. (I have already given the details of this in a previous sermon.) Many others had joined them in this migration, and the reason for their return was that they thought that all the disbelievers of Mecca had accepted the Holy Prophetsa. When they reached near Mecca, they learned the truth of the matter. At that moment, travelling back to Abyssinia appeared too difficult a task for them. According to some other narrations, it is also said that some people did in fact go back to Abyssinia, fearing entry into Mecca without coming under someone’s tribal protection.

Nonetheless, some of them stayed there until each and every one of those who remained came under the protection of a Meccan local, meaning that they each took the tribal protection of a local person before entering Mecca – they waited until someone from Mecca gave them refuge and safe entry to come back.

Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM

10 Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon came under the protection of Waleed bin Mugheerah. Ibn Ishaq relates that when Hazrat Usmanra saw that the Holy Prophetsa and his companionsra were enduring great troubles – that people were being beaten and great cruelties inflicted upon them, all the while he [i.e. Hazrat Usmanra] spent day and night in peace under the protection of Waleed bin Mughirah, (he was a non-Muslim chief among the chieftains of Mecca, and Usman had come under his protection).

Seeing all this, Hazrat Usmanra said to himself, “By God, my night and my day is passing in peace under the protection of an idolater, while my friends and family are being tormented with agonising persecution!

There is surely something wrong with me.” He went to Waleed bin Mugheerah and said, “O Abdus Shams! (This was the title of Waleed bin Mugheera) “You have fulfilled your duty of granting protection. I was under your protection. Now I desire to leave this protection and go to the Holy Prophetsa, because there is a role model for me in the Holy Prophetsa and his companionsra.”

Waleed said, “O my nephew… (Waleed was a close friend of Usman’s father) … perhaps this protection of mine has caused you some harm or you have been dishonoured in some way?”

Hazrat Usmanra responded, “No, but I am content with the protection of Allah. I now leave your protection, for I am well-pleased with God’s protection and do not desire the refuge of any other besides Him.” Waleed said, “Then come with me to the Ka‘bah and openly announce that you’re leaving my protection, just like I openly announced giving you protection.”

Hazrat Usmanra replied, “Very well, let us go.” They both proceeded to the Ka‘bah.

Weleed announced, “This is Usman, who has come to renounce the protection I had given him.” This was announced before the people.

Hazrat Usmanra added, “He is telling the truth. Surely, I have found him to be true to his promise and honourable in providing protection,” (referring to Waleed) “But now I do not wish to remain in the protection of anyone other than God Almighty, so I have renounced Waleed’s protection and returned it to him.” After this, Hazrat Usmanra returned.

(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, pp 589-590, Usman bin Mazoonra, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) The mention of this migration to Abyssinia has been stated previously as well in reference to other companions. I shall present in summary what Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has written, referring to various historical sources: “When the suffering of the Muslims had reached its limit and the Quraish continued to aggravate the affliction of the Muslims, the Holy Prophetsa instructed Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia, and said, ‘The king of Abyssinia is just and equitable. None are subjected to oppression under his rule.’ The country of ‘Habshah’, which is known as Ethiopia or Abyssinia in the English language, is situated to the north-east in the continent of Africa. It is exactly opposite southernArabia and with the exception of the Red Sea, no country intercedes it. During that era a strong Christian sovereignty was established in Abyssinia and the king was referred to as the Negus. As a matter of fact, the ruler there is still called upon by the same name.” (This was when Mian Bashir Sahib wrote this.) “Arabia had business relations with Abyssinia. During that time, the personal name of the Negus was Ashamah, who was a just, intelligent and

powerful king. In any case, when the pains of the Muslims reached their limits, the Holy Prophetsa instructed that those who could afford should migrate to Abyssinia.

“Therefore, upon the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa, in the month of Rajab 5 Nabawi, eleven men and four women migrated to Abyssinia. The well-known names among them were as follows: Hazrat Usman bin Affanra and his wife Ruqayyahra the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, Abdur-Rahmanra bin Auf, Zubairra bin Al- Awwam, Abu Hudhaifahra bin Utbah, Usman bin Mazoonra, Mus‘ab bin Umairra, Abu Salamahra bin Abdul-Asad and his wife Umm-e-Salamah.”

He further writes: “It is very strange that a majority of these pioneer immigrants were those who belonged to powerful tribes of the Quraish, and the weaker were few and far between. This illustrates two things: firstly, even those who belonged to the powerful tribes of the Quriash were not safe from the cruelties of the Quraish.

Secondly, weak people such as slaves, etc., at that time were in such a grave state of weakness and misery that they were not even able to migrate.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 146-147) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has related this incident in his own manner. Whilst describing Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s seeking of protection in Mecca and the incident of Labeed bin Rabeeah, he writes (it has already been mentioned that Hazrat Usman renounced the protection of Waleed): “When the atrocities committed by the Meccans had reached their pinnacle, one day the Holy Prophetsa summoned his Companions and said, ‘There is a land to the West, after crossing the sea where such injustices are not committed, due to the worship of Allah being performed and where people are not killed due to their change in religion. Therein resides a just king. Migrate there, perhaps you shall find greater ease and security.’

“A number of men, women and children migrated to Abyssinia in accordance with this instruction, but it was not an ordinary matter for them to leave Mecca. It had a deep emotional aspect to it as the Meccans considered themselves the custodians of the Ka‘bah, and therefore, it was unbearable for them to leave Mecca. Only such a man could say that he would leave Mecca, who has no resting place left in the world. Hence, it was an extremely painful episode for these people to migrate and on top of that they had to leave in secrecy. They migrated quietly because they knew that if the Meccans came to know of it, they would not allow them to migrate. So for this reason, they were not able to even say their final farewells to their dear ones. They did not even have the chance to meet their close ones as they were forced to leave secretly. The state of their hearts was such that the onlookers, who realised they were outsiders and why they were migrating, would also be affected by their pain.

“Hence, when this caravan was departing, Hazrat Umarra, who at the time was a disbeliever, a staunch enemy of Islam and was among the foremost to cause the Muslims to suffer, coincidentally met members of this caravan. Among them was also a companion by the name Umm-e-Abdillah. When Hazrat Umarra saw their goods tied up and their riding animals prepared, he understood that these people were leaving Mecca. He said, ‘O Umme-Abdillah, this all seems to be preparation for migration.’ Umm-e-Abdillah replied, ‘By God, we are departing to another land for you have caused us much suffering and committed grave atrocities against us. We shall not return

to our land until God Almighty brings about the means for ease and comfort.’ Umm-eAbdillah says that Hazrat Umarra answered, ‘Indeed, may God be with you.’ She then says, ‘I felt a tenderness in his voice even though at the time he was an opponent of the Muslims.

Despite this, he was filled with emotions as he witnessed them migrating. He said God be with you and his voice was one of tenderness which I had never felt before. He then turned away quickly and went on his way, (i.e. Hazrat Umarra left them) and I felt that he was very sad and sorrowful after witnessing what he did.’

“In any case, when the Meccans were made aware of their migration, they pursued them and continued to chase them right up to the sea. However, prior to their arrival at the sea the Muslims had already departed for Abyssinia. The Meccans heard news of this and decided to send a delegation to the king of Abyssinia in an attempt to turn him against the Muslims and to also persuade him to hand them over to the Meccans. Hence, this delegation went to Abyssinia and met the king, having instigated the nobles of the courtyard.

However, God Almighty had strengthened the heart of the king and despite all the insistence of the courtiers, who had been influenced by the Meccans, and despite them telling him to hand the Muslims over to the Meccans, (even the courtiers were colluding to hand over the Muslims), he refused to hand the Muslims over to the disbelievers. When this delegation was unsuccessful and returned to Mecca, the Meccans contrived a plan to call Muslims back. They spread rumours among some of the caravans travelling to Abyssinia that everyone in Mecca had embraced Islam. The majority of Muslims returned to Mecca upon hearing this news; however, after their arrival, they came to know that this news was disseminated mischievously and was utterly false. When the Muslims came to know of this, (as it has been mentioned before) some returned to Abyssinia and others stayed in Mecca.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further writes: “Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon was among those who remained behind in Mecca. He was the son of a very wealthy person. This time around Waleed bin Mugheerah, a friend of his father, granted refuge to Hazrat Usmanra and he started to live in Mecca safely. However, during this time, Hazrat Usmanra observed that some other Muslims were facing severe persecution. Since he was an honourable young man, he met Waleed and stated, ‘I no longer require your protection because I cannot bear the fact that other Muslims endure such hardships and I live comfortably.’

Therefore, Waleed announced, “Usman is no longer under my protection.’ After this, Labeed, a famous poet of Mecca, was once presenting his poetry to the wealthy Meccans.

He recited the following verse: ٌ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُّ ُ ‫َوکل ن ِع ْی ٍم لا محَالۃ زائِل‬ “Meaning, ‘every bounty will ultimately come to an end.’ Hazrat Usmanra responded, ‘This is false, the bounties of paradise are everlasting.’ Labeed, who was an influential person, became infuriated after hearing this response. He said, ‘O People of the Quraish!

Your guests were never humiliated in such a manner previously. Since when has this new custom started?’ Someone responded, ‘This person is foolish. Do not mind what he says.’

Hazrat Usmanra insisted on his stance and stated, ‘There is nothing imprudent about what I said. It is the truth.’ Upon hearing this, a person stood up and punched Hazrat Usmanra on his face due to which he either lost his eye, or it swelled up. Waleed, who had

granted protection to Hazrat Usmanra before, was sitting in this gathering. He was a close friend of Hazrat Usman’sra late father. Waleed could not endure the present condition of the offspring of his deceased friend. However, according to the Meccan traditions, he could not support Hazrat Usmanra at all because he was no longer under his protection. He was not able to do anything; however, he addressed Hazrat Usmanra and said with immense pain, ‘O my nephew! By God, your eye could have been saved from such suffering. You were under superior protection’ (meaning Waleed’s guardianship) ‘but you renounced it of your own accord and had to witness this day.’

“Hazrat Usmanra replied, ‘I desired for how I have been treated. You lament over my injured eye, whereas my other eye yearns for the same fate.’”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra goes on to write: “While addressing Waleed, Hazrat Usmanra said, ‘The example of Muhammad, the Messengersa of Allah, is sufficient and complete for me. If he is enduring hardship, then why should I not suffer as well? The support of God is sufficient for me.’” (Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, pp.

202-205) This incident regarding Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon and Labeed bin Rabeeah, who was a famous Arab poet, is also found in the books of history as per the following: “Labeed bin Rabeeah was a well-known poet among the Arabs and used to sit in the gatherings of the Quraish, (as has been mentioned earlier). Hazrat Usmanra also came and sat with him. Labeed read aloud the first line of a couplet, ٌ ّ ٰ َ َ َ َ ُّ ُ َ َ ‫الا کل ش ْی ٍء ّما خلا الل َہ بَاطِل‬ ‘Beware! Everything is finite except Allah.’

Hazrat Usmanra replied, ‘You have spoken the truth. Upon this, Labeed continued the rest of the couplet: ٌ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُّ ُ ‫َوکل ن ِع ْی ٍم لا محَالۃ زائِل‬ ‘Every bounty will ultimately come to an end.’

“Hazrat Usmanra replied, ‘You have spoken a lie.’ People looked at Hazrat Usmanra and told Labeed to repeat what he had said, at which Labeed repeated. Again Hazrat Usmanra testified to the truth of the first couplet, and called the second one a lie, contending that the rewards of paradise are endless. Labeed, the Poet, began saying, ‘O people of the Quraish!

Your gatherings were not always like this.’

“A foolish man from among them stood up and slapped or punched Hazrat Usmanra in the eye, which made his eye go blue, or caused it to swell up. The people present around him said, ‘By God, you were under a strong protection and your eye was safe from the injury it has sustained.’ Hazrat Usmanra responded, ‘The protection of Allah is stronger and more honourable, and my other eye is also desirous of the same affliction as this eye has endured. It is compulsory for me to adopt the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and his companionsra.’

“Waleed said, ‘What harm was there for you in my protection?’ Hazrat Usmanra responded, ‘Aside from the protection of Allah, I do not need any other protection.’” (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 590, Usman bin Mazoonra, Dar-ulKutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) This was the condition of the faith of these people, and this was the pain that they had for their companions as well which was that if they were suffering, then why should the others remain deprived of this. They indeed had a strong bond of love with the Holy Prophetsa and could not bear to see him in

Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM pain, however they could not bear to see even their fellow companions suffering.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states, “The reason why Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon gave such a response was because he had heard and read the Holy Quran and was aware of the teachings of Islam. Thus, he did not deem any other work of poetry to have any significance.”

In fact, later Labeed also accepted Islam.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further states: “Upon accepting Islam, Labeed also adopted the same practice. For instance, once Hazrat Umarra sent a message to one of his governors and asked him to send any newly composed works of poetry from some of the reputable and well-known poets.

Labeed, who had become a Muslim by then, was also requested to present his work and subsequently he wrote a few verses from the Holy Quran and sent them.”

The deep love and bond Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon had with the Holy Prophetsa can be also be gauged from the following account.

In one of the narrations it states that upon his demise, the Holy Prophetsa kissed him and whilst doing so tears were flowing from his eyes.

When the Holy Prophet’s son, Ibrahim passed away, the Holy Prophetsa stood next to his body and said: ْ َّ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ َ َ ‫الصال ِح ُع ْثم‬ ‫ال ِحق بِسل ِفنا‬ ‫ان ابْ َن َمظ ُع ْو َن‬ “May you be in the company of our righteous and dear friend, Usmanra bin Mazoon.’” (Fada’il-ul-Qur’an 4, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 12, p. 456) The account of Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s migration has been narrated as follows: Upon migrating, Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon, Hazrat Qudamara bin Mazoon, Hazrat Abdullahra bin Mazoon and Hazrat Saibra bin Usman stayed at the house of Hazrat Abdullahra bin Salama Ajalani. According to another narration, they all stayed at the house of Hazrat Hizamra bin Wadiya.

Muhammad bin Umar Waqadi relates: “The tribe of Mazoon were amongst those people whose entire family, men and women alike, gathered together and migrated and not a single person remained behind. Hazrat Umme Ala‘ara relates that when the Holy Prophetsa migrated to Medina along with the other Muhajireen, it was the desire of every Ansari that they stay in their home. Thus, a lot was drawn for this and Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon was allocated to stay in our home. The Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon and Hazrat Abu Haitham bin Taihanra.” (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 302-303, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon migrated to Medina and also participated in the Battle of Badr. Out of all the people, Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon prayed with the most passion, he would observe the fast in the day and would worship in the late hours of the night.

He would safeguard himself from carnal desires and would always keep away from women. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon sought permission from the Holy Prophetsa to lead a life in complete seclusion from the world and to lead a life of complete celibacy, however the Holy Prophetsa prohibited him from doing this. This has been mentioned in Usdul Ghaba, a book of Islamic history. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 590, Usman bin Mazoon, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) In one of the narrations, it states that once Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s wife went to

11 meet the noble wives of the Holy Prophetsa.

Upon seeing her in a dishevelled state with her clothes unclean and hair unkempt, they enquired why she was in such a state. They advised her to be more presentable because amongst the people of Quraish, there was no one wealthier than her husband. Thus, since it was not a question of her not being able to afford it as her husband was financially affluent, therefore they advised her to be more presentable. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s wife responded to the noble wives of the Holy Prophetsa, who were all sat together, that Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon did not have any desire for her. She said, “He prays to God Almighty all night and gives me no attention and he fasts during the day.” When the Holy Prophetsa entered the house, his wives informed him of her situation. Upon hearing what Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon’s wife had said, the Holy Prophetsa went to see him and said, “Am I not a model for you to follow?”

Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon replied, “May my parents be sacrificed for your sake! What has happened? I strive my utmost to emulate your example.” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Do you fast during the day and worship all night?” Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon replied in the affirmative. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa instructed him not do so and said, “Your eyes have a right over you; your body has a right over you; your family has a right over you and your wife and children have a right over you. Therefore, you may pray indeed, but it is also important to sleep.” One should awaken in the night to offer their voluntary prayers, but it is also important to sleep. “If you keep voluntary fasts then you should not keep them consecutively but should have intervals between the fasts.”

After having spoken to Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon, sometime later his wife went again to the meet the noble wives of the Holy Prophetsa and was wearing perfume as if she had prepared herself to be a bride. They enquired as to why she had made such an effort to adorn herself, to which she replied that she had also been granted what other women had i.e. the attention of her husband. (Al-Tabaqaat-ulKubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 302, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) In relation to this there is a narration from Hazrat Aishara in which she states that the Holy Prophetsa called for Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon and said, “Do you dislike my practise?” Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon replied, “O Messengersa of Allah! Certainly not, in fact I am always seeking to adopt your practise.” The Holy Prophetsa said, “I sleep and I also observe the prayers. On some days I fast while some days I do not and I also get married to women. O Usman! Fear God, for your wife has a certain right over you, as does your guest, and so too does your own soul have a right over you. Thus, occasionally keep the fasts but on some days do not fast and do pray but also sleep as well.” (Sunan Abi Daud, Kitab At-Tatawwu‘, Bab Ma Yu‘mar bihi minal Qasdi fi As-Salat, Hadith 1369) Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has related an account from Bukhari in which it is mentioned: “Saad bin Abi Waqas narrates, ‘Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon sought permission from the Holy Prophetsa to remain secluded from his wife, however, the Holy Prophetsa refused to grant him permission. Had he granted permission to him, we were also prepared to cut ourselves off, i.e. completely suppress all desires and passions of this nature.’” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p. 418) I will mention the translation of the

Hadith in Bukhari; “Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas narrates, ‘Hazrat Usman bin Mazoon sought permission for tabattul [asceticism], however the Holy Prophetsa refused to grant him permission.’” This Hadith is from Sahih Bukhari, Kitabun Nikah. It is also narrated in this Hadith, “Had the Holy Prophetsa granted him permission, then perhaps all of us would have taken the same vow.” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitabun Nikah, Bab Ma Yukrahu min alTabattuli Wa al-Khasaa, Hadith 5073) Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra further writes, “There was Usman bin Mazoonra who was from the Banu Jumah. He was a man of extremely ascetic disposition. He had abandoned drinking even in the era of the Jahiliyyah and wished to become a recluse after accepting Islam, but the Holy Prophetsa did not permit this saying, ‘Religious reclusion is not permitted in Islam.’” (Sirat KhatamunNabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p.

124) Islam requires that one ought to remain in this world and partake of the blessings that God Almighty has bestowed to everyone, without neglecting Him. This is something that one should always be mindful of.

Hazrat Qudamara bin Mazoon narrates that Hazrat Umarra once encountered Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon while they were both travelling on their mounts. They met at Athaya. (This is the name of a mountain pass on the way to Juhfa, past Dhul Hulaifah and is situated approximately 77 miles from Medina.

This is the location that has been mentioned.)

Nonetheless, he further states that the camel of Hazrat Umarra shunted the camel of Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon. (As they passed close to each other one camel shunted the other.) The Holy Prophetsa had travelled further ahead of the caravan. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon said, “O Ghalaqul Fitna! You have caused me injury.” When the caravan stopped, Hazrat Umarra approached and said, “O Abu Saib (i.e. referring to Usmanra bin Mazoon)! May Allah shower His forgiveness on you. What was the name you used to address me?” (He called out by saying Ghalaqul Fitna) He replied, “By God! I was not the one who used this name first. In fact, the Holy Prophetsa was the one who called you by this name.”

At the time the Holy Prophetsa was travelling ahead of the caravan, Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon told Hazrat Umarra that he could go ask him if wished. Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon then explained the background to this incident saying, “On one occasion Hazrat Umarra walked past us whilst we were sitting in the company of the Holy Prophetsa. The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘This individual is Ghalaqul Fitna’ i.e. he is a barrier against dissention.

The Holy Prophetsa then indicated that he is a door between us and the dissention and this door would remain sealed shut until he remained among us.” (Al-Mu‘jam Al-Kabir Li Al-Tabarani, Vol. 9, pp. 38-39, Maa Asnada Usmanra bin Mazoon, Hadith 8321, Dar Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 2002) (Farhang Sirat Az Sayed Fadlur Rahman, p. 29, Zawwar Academy Publications, Karachi, 2003) This meant that whilst Hazrat Umarra was alive there would not be any discord or dissent within Islam. This is corroborated by the events of history as the main disturbances began after this.

I will narrate some more details in relation to Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon referring to Hazrat Umarra as ‘Ghalaqul Fitna’. Hazrat Hudhaifara narrates “[During the time of Hazrat Umar’s caliphate] we were sitting with Hazrat Umarra when he asked us, ‘Which of you remembers

the saying of the Holy Prophetsa regarding the dissention.’ I replied that I remember it exactly in the manner the Holy Prophetsa informed us. Hazrat Umarra then said, ‘You are bold in narrating what the Holy Prophetsa said’ (i.e. that he had great conviction that he knows what the Holy Prophetsa said). I said, ‘A man is only put into trial regarding his family, wealth, offspring and his neighbour. These all can serve as a trial. Prayer, alms-giving and virtues can remove this trial from a person.’

Hazrat Umarra replied, ‘This is not what I was referring to. The trials that are related to one’s wife, offspring or wealth can all be averted through alms giving and virtues. Rather I am referring to that great dissention, the waves of which will rise like waves in the ocean.’”

There will be a grave dissention that will rise up within the Ummah. Hazrat Hudhaifara said: “O Amirul Momineen! You have nothing to worry about that. The dissention being referred to will not begin whilst you are alive and therefore have nothing to fear as you are that sealed door between that dissention.”

Hazrat Umarra then asked, “Will that door be opened or broken?” He replied as the Holy Prophetsa had mentioned that Hazrat Umarra would be a barrier between them and that dissention. Hazrat Umarra then asked whether that door would be opened or broken down?

Hazrat Hudhaifara replied, “It will be broken” i.e. the door will be broken open.

Hazrat Umarra then replied, “In that case it will never be sealed again.” If a door is opened, then there is a chance for it to be closed again, however if a door is forcefully opened and broken, it is difficult to close. Hazrat Umarra stated that this door would never be closed again and the dissention would only worsen once this door was broken. We are a witness that the discord and disarray within the Muslim Ummah only worsened after this.

There was one dissention after another in the time of Hazrat Usmanra, Hazrat Alira and the period after them and even today this disarray is visible. The Muslims are thirsty for the blood of their fellow Muslims and they refuse to seek shelter behind the door that God Almighty has created in this era to eradicate this dissention, i.e. the Promised Messiahas. For this reason, the disarray and discord continues to increase.

May God Almighty keep us out of harm’s way, and may we as Ahmadis remain behind the shield granted to us in this era by God Almighty in the form of the Promised Messiahas. This was the incident regarding that matter. Hazrat Umarra stated that in such a case that door would never be closed. Those people sitting with Hazrat Hudhaifara, i.e. the one narrating the incident, asked him; “Did Hazrat Umar know regarding this door?”

Hazrat Hudhaifara replied; “Yes, he knew about it just as one knows that the night precedes the day” i.e. he was fully aware of it. Hazrat Umarra knew that after him the dissention and discord would begin. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Mawaaqit As-Salah, Bab As-Salatu Kaffarah, Hadith 525) Hazrat Usmanra bin Mazoon was the first among the Muhajireen to pass away in Medina in 2 AH. According to some narrations he passed away 22 months after the Battle of Badr, and he was the first person to be buried in Jannatul Baqi. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p.

591, Usman bin Mazoonra, Dar-ul-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) Nonetheless, there are other incidents about him which I will narrate in the future, Insha-Allah.

(Translated by The Review of Religions) (Originally published in Al Fazl International, 10 May 2019)

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Friday 17 May 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 7

will be opposed to my way. God Almighty will destroy anyone who opposes my way and his way will not endure. This is a promise by God, the contrary of which will never happen.” (Tadhkirah, pp. 76-77 [English rendering]) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra states: “Behold! despite the fact that more than 1300 years have passed over Islam till this day, other people exceed in number over those who call themselves Muslims … Although the Holy Prophetsa was sent for the entire world and 1300 years have passed over it, the number of non-believers is twice as much as compared to those who believed him. In that case, if Muhammadsa, given the extended period of time, was not able to expand the number of his followers to surpass the number of nonbelievers and this causes no effect on his truth, then how could it be said of the one who has been appointed by God in this age while he is one of his [the Holy Prophet’ssa] servants, and he has not claimed any superiority over him, that his followers would seemingly prevail at once. Perceive what happened to Jesusas of Nazareth – was he able to witness in his own life that his followers triumphed over their enemies?

Certainly not because Christians prevailed hundreds of years after his demise and enemies dominated them for almost 200 years. Thus, how does the demise of the Promised Messiahas give any right to the opponents to raise an allegation that his Jamaat must prevail over the entire world right away. The condition of our Jamaat after the demise of the Promised Messiahas resembled that of the followers of Jesusas after his demise or (as our opponents put it) at the time when Jesusas was ‘raised to the heavens’. So, at that point in time, if the declaration was true: َ َ َّ َ َ ‫فوْق ال ِذيْ َن كف ُر ْوا‬ ‘above those who disbelieve’, then what is the reason for the Maulvis of today to create an uproar that Ahmadis have not seemingly prevailed over their opponents.

If the first Messiah, owing to a lack of apparent domination, was not considered a false claimant, then how has the second Messiah been considered false? If there is no objection raised against the truth of Mosesas for the reason that he passed away in a jungle even though he was promised rulership while his people wandered in deserts for 40 years, enemies continued to rule over his people and Mosesas sat and watched whilst sitting on a mountain, knowing that the enemy was ruling and passed away in this state, then what is the reason of raising this allegation that the Promised Messiahas was a false claimant due to not being able to witness his followers prevail over their enemies.

If Mosesas, Jesusas and the Holy Prophetsa are not considered false claimants in the same manner, then why is Hazrat Mirza Sahibas considered a false claimant in this manner?” (Qaul-ul-Haq, Anwarul-Ulum, Vol. 8, pp. 51-52) (Research conducted by a panel of scholars.)

Prayers from Ahadith (As quoted by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in his Friday Sermon on 15 June 2018 during Ramadan) It is narrated that the Holy Prophetsa taught the following prayer: “O Allah! Forgive me my mistakes; protect me from the evil of my lack of knowledge, ignorance and injustice in my affairs and safeguard me from every harm and evil, of which You are aware far greater than I. O Allah! Forgive me my mistakes. Forgive all of my mistakes, whether they were committed knowingly, unknowingly or in a manner of a joke, as they are all within me. Forgive all of my mistakes, which I have already committed and which I have not yet committed; those which I committed secretly and those which I committed openly. You are the One Who causes people to progress and regress and only You are Powerful over all things.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Da‘waat, Hadith 6398)

a heart which is devoid of fear, a prayer which is not accepted, a self which knows no contentment, and the knowledge which is not beneficial. My Guardian, I seek shelter from these four things.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwabul-Da‘waat, Hadith 3482)

َ َْ ْ َ ُ ُْ ّ َ َ ‫ﻳَا ُمﻘلِ َﺐ الﻘ� ْ� ِب ﺛ ِّﺒﺖ ﻗل ِ� ْ� َ��� دِﻳْ ِنﻚ‬

“O Convertor of Hearts, make my heart steadfast on Your faith.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwabul-Qadr, Hadith 2140)

ٰ ْ َ َ ْ ٰ ُّ َ ٰ ُ ْ َ ُ َ ْ َ ْ ّ َّ ُ ّ ٰ َ ��‫الﺘ�� َوال َعفاف َوال ِﻐ‬ ‫ا���ﻢ اِ� ِ� اﺳﺌلﻚ ا��ﺪي و‬ “O Allah! I beg You to grant me guidance and Your fear. I beg You for chastity and contentment.’

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwabul-Da‘waat, Hadith 3489)

ُ َ ُ َُ َ ُ ُ َ ُ َ ْ َ َّ َ ُ ّ ٰ َ �ْ ِ�‫ا��� ّﻢ اِنا ��علﻚ � ِ ْ� �ح ْو ِر�ِ ْ� ونع ْوذبِﻚ ِم ْن � ُ� ْو ِر‬

ٰ َ ُ ْ َّ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ّ ٰ َ َ َ ُ ‫ا�� ُ� َّﻢ لﻚ ا ْﺳل ْﻤﺖ َو َ�ل ْﻴﻚ ﺗ َوکلﺖ َوبِﻚ ا َ� ْنﺖ َواِل ْﻴﻚ‬ ْ َ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َْ​َ ‫اﺻ ْﻤﺖ َواِل ْﻴﻚ َﺣا� ْﻤﺖ ﻓاﻏ�ِ ْ�� ِ ْ� َما‬ ‫انﺒﺖ وبِﻚ خ‬ َ َ َ َ ْ ُ ْ ْ َ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ُ ْ َّ َ َ َ ُ ْ َّ َ ‫ﻗﺪمﺖ وما اخﺮت وما ا��رت وما ا�لنﺖ انﺖ‬ َ ْ َ َّ ٰ َ ّ َ ْ َ َ َ ّ َ ْ ‫ال ُﻤﻘ ِﺪ ُم َوانﺖ ال ُﻤ ٔو ِخ ُﺮلا اِ� َ� اِلا انﺖ‬ “O Allah! I forsake everything for You and put all my trust in You, believe in You, and incline towards You. With Your help I contend against the enemy. I have come to You for judgement in my case, so forgive all my past and future sins, those that are concealed and those which are evident. You cause people to progress and also restrain them. There is none worthy of worship except You.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Da‘waat, Hadith 6317)

ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َّ ٰ َ ّ َ ْ َ ّ ٰ َ َ​َ َ ُ َ َ​َ ‫ا�� ُ� َّﻢ انﺖ َر� ِ� لا اِ� َ� اِلا انﺖ خلﻘ َﺘ ِ� ْ� َوانا ع ْﺒﺪك َوانا‬ َ َ ُ ُ َ ُ َْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ​َ َ ْ َ َ​َ ‫��� عﻬ ِﺪك ووع ِﺪك م‬ ‫ااﺳﺘﻄعﺖ اع ْوذبِﻚ ِم ْن � ِّ� َما‬ ْ َ ْ ْ َ َ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ُ ْ َ َ ْ���ْ ِ�‫اﻏ‬ ‫ﺻنعﺖ ابوء لﻚ بِ ِنعﻤ ِﺘﻚ ��� وابوء لﻚ بِﺬن ِ�� ﻓ‬ ِ ْ َ ٗ َّ َ ُ ُّ َ ْ َ َّ ‫ﻓاِنﻪ لا ﻳَﻐ�ِ ُ� الﺬن ْو َب اِلا انﺖ‬ “O Allah! You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You. You created me and I am Your servant. And I am steadfast in Your covenant and Your promise to the best of my capability. I seek refuge in You from the evil effects of my deeds. I acknowledge Your blessings and favours. I confess my sins, so forgive me, as there is none except You who forgives sins.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Da‘waat, Hadith 6306)

َ َ ْ َ َْ َ ْ َ َ ُ ُ َ ّ َ ُ ّٰ َ ‫ا��� ّﻢ اِ� ِ ْ� اع ْوذ بِﻚ ِم ْن ﻗل ٍﺐ لا ��ﺸ� َو ِم ْن ُدعﺂ ٍء لا‬ ْ َْ َ َْ ْ َ ْ َ ُْ َ ُ ُ َ ْ َ َ ْ ‫ﺲ لا �ﺸ َﺒ� َو ِم ْن �ِ ل ٍﻢ لا ﻳ َ ْنف�۔ اع ْوذبِﻚ‬ ٍ ‫�سﻤ� و ِمن نف‬ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُٔ ٰ ْ �‫ِمن ﻫول� ِء الارب‬ “O Allah! I seek Your deliverance from

victory over enemies. O Lord, I have come to Your threshold with my needs. Although my thinking is faulty and my planning is weak, I still depend on Your mercy. So, O the Arbiter of all affairs and Bestower of peace of mind, I beg you to save me from the punishment of the Fire, as You save people from the raging seas. Protect me from perdition and the trials of the grave.

“O my Lord, Grant me those things which I have not even thought about. The matters which I have not even begged of You. The good things for which the intention has not yet arisen, but You have promised these blessings to any of Your servants or You are going to give these blessings to any of Your creation, I too have desire for them O Lord of the Universe; I beseech You in the name of Your mercy to grant me every such blessing.

“O Allah, the Firm Friend and the Master of guidance and wisdom, I beg You “We take You as a shield against whatever is to grant me peace on the Day of Resurrecin their [enemy’s] heart. We seek protection tion. In the eternal period I am desirous of against every evil of theirs and its dangerattaining Paradise in the company of Your ous effects.” pious people, who bow and prostrate before (Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitabul-Witr, Hadith 1537) You, and who fulfil their covenants. Surely, You are Gracious and loving. Without doubt You do what You will. َّ َ ْ َ ُ ُّ َّ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ ُ َ َ ّ َ ُ ّ ٰ ‫ا��� ّﻢ اِ� ِ ْ� ا ْﺳﺌلﻚ ﺣ ّﺒﻚ و ﺣﺐ َمن � ِح ّﺒﻚ َوال َع َﻤل ال ِﺬ ْي‬ “O Allah, make us such guided leaders ْ َ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ّ ٰ َ َ َ ُ ُ ّ ‫ﻳ ُ َﺒلِﻐ ِ� ْ� ﺣ ّﺒﻚ۔ ا��� ّﻢ اﺟعل ﺣ ّﺒﻚ اﺣﺐ اِ� ّ� ِم ْن نف ِ� ْ� َو‬ who do not go astray themselves and do ْ َ ْ ‫َ ْ ْ َ م َن‬ not lead others astray. Make us harbingers ‫ﺂ� ال َﺒا ِر ِد‬ ِ ‫اﻫ�ِ� و ِ الﻤ‬ of peace for Your loved ones and enemy “O Allah, I implore You for Your love and of Your enemies. I beg You in the name of the love of those who love You and also Your love, to make us love everyone who such conduct as should lead me to Your loves You and make us, for Your sake, hoslove. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me tile to Your enemies. than my soul and my family and my wealth “O Allah, this is our humble supplicaand dearer to me than [refreshing] cold tion. Its acceptance depends on You. This water.” prayer is all we have laboured for. We now, (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwabul-Dawaat, Hadith 3490) put our complete trust in You. Then there is a lengthy prayer in which “O Allah, enlighten my heart for me, it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbasra that light up my grave, put light in front of me he heard the Holy Prophetsa recite the and behind me, put light on my right and following prayer: on my left, put light above me and beneath “O Allah, I seek Your mercy, which can me, enlighten my sight and my hearing, guide my heart and accomplish my affairs. brighten up my hair and skin, fill my flesh Bestow success upon my disjointed affairs. and blood with light, and make light peneUnite me with those that have been sepatrate into my bones. O Lord, increase light rated from me. Grant dignity to those who in my heart and bestow such light on me are with me. Purify my actions. Inspire me that it makes me an embodiment of light. with wisdom and guidance. Bestow upon “Holy is the One, Who presides over the me things that I love and save me from universe with greatness. Holy is the Being every evil. O Allah, grant me such faith and off ering praise to any other being and certainty that prevents disbelief. And cannot be justifi ed. Holy is the Bestower of bestow upon me such grace, which makes blessings and favours.

Holy is the Lord of me the recipient of Your generosity in this Honour and Glory.

His is the Majesty and world and in the Hereafter.

Honour.”

“O Allah, make every decision of mine (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwabul-Dawaat, Hadith 3419) fruitful, grant me the company of martyrs and the life of Your obedient servants and

Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “No discomfort, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick they receive from a thorn, but that Allah expiates their sins on account of their patience.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Mardha) Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2019