Al Hakam - 15 February 2019

Remembering a Great Reformer A biographer of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra shares unique aspects of this grand individual

A Champion of Islam

Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa shares some of his personal memories of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra

A scheme of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra that would later be known as the forerunner of Tahrik-e-Jadid

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THE WEEKLY

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www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 15 February 2019 | Issue XLVIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Global Jamaat Remembers a Champion of Islam 20 February is a highlighted date on the calendar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat as it marks the anniversary of a divine prophecy pertaining to the promised son bestowed to the Promised Messiahas.

The commemoration of this grand prophecy – commonly known as “The Prophecy of the Musleh-eMaud” – is rooted in the year 1944, when on 27 January, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II, Allah be pleased with him, announced that he was the Musleh-e-Maud (Promised Reformer) mentioned in the prophecy of 20 February 1886.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra based his claim on a dream he had the night before. At the time, he was on a visit to Lahore, and the night he had this dream he was at Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Sahib’s house on Temple Road.

This prophecy was in fact the extension of an earlier prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. The Holy Prophetsa referred to the coming Messiah by saying:

َ َُ َ َ ‫و ی ُ ْولد ل ُہ‬ َ ‫یَت َز ّو ُج‬ “The Promised Messiah shall marry and will have children.”

Explaining this Hadith, the Promised Messiahas states: “The Holy Prophetsa made a prophecy on the basis of revelation from the Almighty Allah, that the Promised Messiah would marry and would have offspring. This indicates that Allah the Almighty would grant him a son who would be similar to his father in goodness, and would not differ from him.

That son would be among the righteous servants of Allah.” (Aina-e-Kamalat-eIslam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, p. 578) The assaults on Islam and allegations against the character of the Holy Prophetsa were at an alltime high during the nineteenth century. Christian missionaries were influencing the Muslim masses and the opposition of Hindus was at full boom to wipe Islam off the face of the earth.

Continued on page 2

Unique Relationship of a Father and Son A look at the close bond between Hazrat Ahmadas and Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra Page 6

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Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 1

Observing the conditions of the religious world, the Promised Messiahas decided to seclude himself for a period of forty days in Hoshiarpur, a small town in Punjab, India to seek divine succour and a sign from Allah the Almighty to put an end to the rising tempest of hostility against Islam.

Accordingly, on 20 February 1886, a leaflet was published in which he expressed that Allah the Almighty vouchsafed a sign amid his time of isolation that a child would be born who would serve Islam and would be blessed with extraordinary attributes.

The words of the prophecy are as follows: “I confer upon thee a Sign of My mercy according to thy supplications. I have heard thy entreaties and have honoured thy prayers with My acceptance through My mercy and have blessed this thy journey.

“A sign of power, mercy, nearness to Me is bestowed on thee. A Sign of grace and beneficence is awarded to thee and thou art granted the key of success and victory. Peace on thee, O victorious one.

“Thus does God speak so that those who desire life may be rescued from the grip of death and those who are buried in the graves may emerge therefrom and so that the superiority of Islam and the dignity of God’s word may become manifest unto the people and so that the truth may arrive with all its blessings and falsehood may depart with all its ills, and so that people may understand that I am the Lord of Power, I do whatever I will, and so that they may believe that I am with thee, and so that those who do not believe in God and deny and reject His religion and His Book and His Holy Messenger Muhammad, the chosen one [on whom be peace] may be confronted with a clear sign and the way of the guilty ones may become manifest.

“Rejoice, therefore, that a handsome and pure boy will be bestowed on thee. Thou wilt receive a bright youth who will be of thy seed and will be of thy progeny. A handsome and pure boy will come as your guest.

“His name is Emmanuel and Bashir. He has been invested with a holy spirit and he will be free from all impurity. He is the light of Allah.

“Blessed is he who comes from heaven. He shall be accompanied by grace (Fazl) which shall arrive with him. He will be characterised with grandeur, greatness and wealth. He will come into the world and will heal many of their disorder through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the Holy Spirit.

“He is the Word of Allah for Allah’s mercy and honour have equipped him with the Word of Majesty. He will be extremely intelligent and understanding and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.

He will convert three into four. [The Promised Messiahas said concerning this, ‘Of this, the meaning is not clear.’]

“It is Monday, a blessed Monday. Son, delight of heart, high-ranking, noble; a manifestation of the First and the Last, a manifestation of the True and the High; as if Allah has descended from heaven. His advent will be greatly blessed and will be a source of manifestation of Divine Majesty.

“Behold! a light cometh, a light anointed by God with the perfume of His pleasure. We shall pour our spirit into him and he will be sheltered under the shadow of God. He will grow rapidly in stature and will be the means of procuring the release of those held in bondage. His fame will spread to the ends of the earth and peoples will be blessed through him. He will then be raised to his spiritual station in heaven. This is a matter decreed.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was born on 12 January 1889.

It is a well-established fact that the Jamaat does not celebrate the birth or the death of any individual. Musleh-e-Maud Day is celebrated in remembrance of the fulfilment of the grand

This Week in History 15 - 21 February 15 February 1898: A foul mouthed apostate, Ahmad Shah Shaikh of Kashmir, who had converted to Christianity and had once been the medical officer of Ladakh and formerly been a missionary in Jagraon, District Ludhiana, wrote an offensive book, Ummahat-ul-Momineen, from England which was published by RPS Press, Gujranwala and distributed on a large scale in early 1898, free of charge. According to a narration, this book reached the Promised Messiahas today.

15 February 1901: A children’s cricket match was held on this day. Several respected elders of the town went to watch the match for encouragement. Meanwhile, the Promised Messiahas was busy writing the interpretation of Surah al-Fatihah. A child of the Promised Messiahas asked him out of simplicity and love, “Why didn’t you come to watch the match?” The Promised Messiahas replied, “They [the children] would have come back after playing, but the cricket match that I am playing will continue till the end of times.”

16 February 1923: A white minaret is mentioned among the signs of the advent of Promised Messiahas. The Promised Messiahas laid the foundation of a minaret for the apparent fulfillment of the sign. The construction of this minaret was completed in the blessed era of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on this day. It is known as Minaratul-Masih.

17 February 1897: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he appealed to the members of the Jamaat for a house and well that were needed for the hospitality of guests. This announcement was published from Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian.

17 February 1908: The Nikah of Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begumra was announced with Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra, raees (chieftain) of Malerkotla. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra led this Nikah in Masjid Aqsa, Qadian and the mehr (dowry) was set for 56,000 rupees. Several guests came to participate from outside of Qadian.

18 February 1973: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laid the foundation stone of the new building of Modern Press Rabwah.

19 February 1905: After an interval of almost seven months, the Promised Messiahas continued with his custom of blessing his companions with his company between the Maghrib and Isha prayers.

20 February 1901: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement comprising of three pages that by the grace of God, a miracle was displayed by God Almighty. The interpretation of the Holy Quran in front of opponents was mentioned as a miracle in it.

20 February 1907: The Urdu book of the Promised Messiahas, Qadian ke Arya aur Hum (The Arya of Qadian and Us) was published on this day by Magazine Press Qadian. The Promised Messiahas was prompted to write this book on account of the vicious and provocative disturbances of the Arya of Qadian at the occasion of Jalsa Salana 1906.

Hazrat Siddiqa Begum Sahiba, wife of Qureshi Muhammad Usman Sahib. Maktubat-e-Ahmadiyya, volume five, page 288 indicates that three letters were written by the Promised Messiahas to this fortunate lady, which form part of the literature of the Promised Messiahas.

21 February 1899: The book of the Promised Messiahas, Haqiqatul Mahdi (The True Nature of the Mahdi) was published. As far as the language of this book is concerned, Urdu, Persian and Arabic are all used.

Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, having been thwarted in all his attempts to demean Hazrat Ahmadas, started a campaign of vilification against the Promised Messiahas, and to incite the Government against him, he indulged even to the extent of fabricating lies and claiming that Hazrat Ahmadas was – God forbid – a rebel and more dangerous than the blood-thirsty Sudani Mahdi. However, the government did not show leniency to him.

The Promised Messiahas published the following comment in English on the title page of the book (as shown in the image above): “As the Muslims of India entertain different beliefs with regard to ‘the coming Mehdi’ and especially the nature of his appearance among the Muslims: according to some Muslims, he will be a reformer and engenderer of new life, like a true lover of peace and tranquility and a person poor in heart, the Muslims of his party considering his appearance as merely spiritual, while the other Muslims such as Maulvi Muhammad Husain of Batala, editor of Isha-at-ussunnah and leader and advocate of Ahl-i-Hadis or Wahabis of his class, believe that the ‘coming Mehdi’ will be Ghazi, general slaughterer and upsetter of the empires of the nations other than Muslim, especially the bitter opponent of the British Empire and speak of terrible consequences resulting from the bloody deeds of this Mehdi, I have written this pamphlet to show which of these two Muslim parties is right in its belief with regard to ‘the coming Mehdi’.

“It will be better that our benign Government will get this pamphlet translated into English, and hence make itself acquainted with these differences concerning ‘the coming Mehdi’.”

20 February 1908: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to

prophecy. As to why we commemorate this prophecy, the worldwide head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: “At times, some uninformed Ahmadis ask about the commemoration of Musleh-e-Maud Day. We do so in order to revive our faith and to remember the pledge that our objective is to establish the truth of Islam in the world.

Musleh-e-Maud Day is not the date of his birth or his death. This is a day to remind us of our responsibilities, draw our attention to the progress of Islam. Indeed, it should draw our attention to this, and we should not merely enjoy it on an intellectual and ideological level.” (Friday Sermon, 20 February 2009) On another occasion, Huzooraa explained: “We do not celebrate the date of birth of the Second Khalifa, rather we celebrate the fulfilment of the Promised Messiah’s prophecy vouchsafed

to him on 20 February 1886. The fulfilment of this prophecy is a testimony to the veracity and truth of the Promised Messiahas.” (Friday Sermon, 15 February 2013) The promised son was without a shadow of doubt a personification of Allah the Almighty’s divine assistance for the cause of Islam. His entire life’s works reflect the vow he made immediately after the demise of the Promised Messiahas: “Even if all the people leave you and I am left alone, I will stand by you and shall face all opposition and onslaughts against your mission.”

Speaking to Al Hakam, Isfandyar Munib Sahib, Head of the Ahmadiyya Tarikh (History) Department in Rabwah, said: “Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra had this dream on the night between 26 and 27 January 1944 and he declared on 27 January that he was Muslehe-Maud. Huzoorra was then in Lahore, but he travelled back to Qadian and made the same

announcement the very next day (28 January) in his Friday Sermon, which he delivered in Masjid Aqsa.

“The following day, on 29 January, a commemorative Jalsa was held in Masjid Aqsa Qadian. With Fateh Muhammad Siyal Sahib (then Nazir-e-Ala) in chair, the great speakers at this conference included Abdur Rahim Nayyar Sahibra, Abdur Rahim Dard Sahibra, Syed Sarwar Shah Sahibra, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra and Abul Ata Sahib.”

This Jalsa of 29 January 1944 is officially the first Jalsa Yaum-e-Musleh-e-Maud (Muslehe-Maud Day) held to mark the fulfilment of a grand prophecy.

Now, when we all go to our local and regional Musleh-e-Maud Day Jalsas, we can remember that this Jalsa has a great historic value.

This should make us proud to be a part of it.

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Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

From the Markaz Zubair Afzal Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada

AAhmadiyya Canada asked permission from

few months ago, Majlis Khuddam-ul-

Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah strengthen his hand, for our National Majlis Amila and regional qaids to come to the UK and have a mulaqat with Huzooraa. By the grace of Allah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa graciously approved this request and granted us an audience on 10 February 2019.

As soon as we received this blessed news, we started to make our preparations for this momentous opportunity.

Before we knew it, the time had come for the mulaqat, and as we were just a few days away from departing for the UK, the excitement reached its peak. We had prepared our uniforms, our departmental information, and whatever else we could to the best of our humble abilities, but we knew that the true preparation lay in prayers, Durood, Istighfar and of course giving Sadqa. This was something that we focused on a lot before departing.

On Wednesday, 6 February, our delegation departed from Canada, and entered the United Kingdom the next morning, on 7 February.

In total, we were 37 members of the National Majlis Amila, which included all of our naib sadrs, muhtamims, muawin sadrs, qaids of local areas and a few other office bearers. Similarly, 13 regional qaids attended this auspicious occasion.

The total delegation consisted of 50 members.

We cannot describe just how hospitable our hosts, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, were. For us, it was something that truly moved us and made us deeply grateful to them. For five days straight, they were with us round the clock, driving us everywhere we needed, to every prayer behind Huzooraa, no matter where we were, to Islamabad, to Jamia UK, to Baitul Futuh and so on.

The meals that were prepared for us three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) were all so carefully planned and arranged that they were always different and each time they were delicious. Large teams of smiling Khuddam were serving us with utter humility. This was a major learning experience for us.

MKA Canada Have Audience With Huzooraa

There were so many highlights during this unforgettable and blessed trip; the trip to Islamabad to pray at the grave of our beloved Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh; the chance to see the incredible new complex of the Jamaat being built at Islamabad, and every aspect of this new property of the future; the chance to visit Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, and experience how our missionaries from Europe are being trained; a sitting with Munir Odeh Sahib with such emotional and spiritual incidents with Huzooraa shared that truly inspired us and enhanced our faith in a living God and further increased our love of Khilafat.

There were so many highlights, and yet the climax of the trip was of course reserved for the last day: our meeting with Huzooraa.

On Sunday, 10 February, by the grace of Allah, we had the greatest blessing, honour and

privilege to have a sitting with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa at Fazl Mosque, in Mahmood Hall.

The atmosphere leading up to Huzoor’s arrival in the meeting area was palpable. The air was thick with anticipation as we waited with bated breath and offered repeated prayers, Durood and Istighfar to get ourselves ready.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa arrived and we all stood up and returned the greeting of “Wa Alaikumussalam” to Huzoor’s greeting to us.

Huzooraa sat down and commenced the meeting with silent prayer, and thus began a historic meeting for Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada with Huzooraa which would ultimately go on for nearly an hour. So much guidance and divine wisdom was imparted to us that it was more than enough for us to start making major changes in Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya

Niedersachsen Jamaat Visits Markaz

A– from Niedersachsen Jamaat, Germany 28-man group – Ansar, Khuddam and Atfal

were fortunate to have a mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand, on Saturday, 9 February.

Upon arrival, Huzooraa enquired about various specific details from them, for example

where they had come from, where they offered the Jumuah prayer and the accommodation.

During the mulaqat, the group had the opportunity to ask questions regarding various subjects and matters. The first question asked was regarding taubah (repentance). A Khadim asked Huzooraa how a person can know if one’s repentance is accepted by God.

Answering this question, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “If the person has changed his ways and is no longer inclined towards those bad deeds and despises sin, then one can say that his taubah is accepted.” Huzooraa further stated, “It is not necessary for God to continuously inform man that his repentance is accepted. The main objective is to attain God’s pleasure.”

Canada.

Among all the various points of wisdom and guidance given by Huzooraa, the general theme that Huzooraa conveyed to us, was that the utmost critical need of the time was to establish prayers in mosques and Salat centres, and that we should start with our office-bearers – starting from ourselves, the National Amila, right to the regional nazims and local nazims.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that every office-bearer and member of the amila should offer at least two prayers in congregation daily.

This really made us realise how much work was needed, and how much focus was to be laid on this most fundamental of acts. Huzooraa essentially told us that this is the only way that we can have a true effect in our roles and duties.

Continued on page 15 A Nasir [member of Ansarullah], after introducing himself, asked Huzooraa regarding which fields of education children should be going into. Huzooraa stated: “At the tender age when children are going to school and learning various subjects, the environment that you create for them will play a huge role. If you desire for your children to go into a particular field, then from a young age, you should tell them which field is beneficial for them so that they can work towards it.”

Huzooraa further stated: “This is what Islam teaches; to start tarbiyat from the beginning. This is why, at birth, the Azan is said in the child’s ear.” Huzooraa went on to say, “The most important thing is to teach your children to give preference to religion over worldly affairs.”

Nearing the end of the mulaqat, one attendee asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what the purpose of man’s life was. Huzooraa answered: “God states that He created man so that he may worship Him and discharge his duties to Him. We should also discharge the rights owed to our fellow human beings.”

Further elaborating on this topic and talking about the purpose of prophets, Huzooraa stated, “All prophets have come to fulfil this very purpose – to teach man regarding the rights owed to man and his Creator.”

The group was fortunate to have a group photograph with Hazrat Amriul Momineenaa towards the end of the mulaqat.

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Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

A Champion of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa personal memories and recollections of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra Asif M Basit

WHazrat Amirul Momineen

henever I need to seek guidance from aa with regard to an MTA programme, I either take the entire recording with me or the relevant part of the programme to Huzooraa.

Sometimes, Huzooraa will immediately give guidance, while at other times, Huzooraa instructs me to play the programme for him. For this purpose, Huzooraa opens the tray of his DVD player using his remote control and I reach out and replace the DVD already in the player with the MTA programme.

Aside from a few occasions, I have always found a DVD containing the audio of a famous and mighty speech of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra featuring the famous words: !‫اے ٓاامسین ابداشتہ ےک ومس� یق�ارو‬ “O musicians of the heavenly kingdom!”

After reviewing the particular programme, Huzooraa usually instructs me to place that DVD back in the player.

On one occasion, Huzooraa graciously enquired from me, “Have you heard the speech?”

I replied that I had not. Huzooraa then played the audio of that historic speech, which continued to play for quite a long period of time. The majestic voice of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra echoed in the same room where Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was present. Readers can imagine the aura at the time and my experience.

This was an experience that made me realise Huzoor’saa love for Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

Then, at another occasion, I mustered the courage to ask, “Huzoor, you often make references to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in your sermons…” (Such remarks are usually uttered half-finished, as was done here; they are usually questions that I do not have the courage to pose bluntly.)

Huzooraa replied: “The status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was such that having received divine knowledge of it, he claimed to be a maud Khalifa [a prophesied Khalifa], meaning that he possessed a status higher than a Khalifa, but less than a prophet. To preserve the memory of such a man is essential.

Huzoorra said: ‫اک وتق ٓاےئ اگ ہک ہ ی‬ ‫ک ےگ امتم ولگ‬ ‫تلم ےک اس دفایئ ہپ رتمح دخا رکے‬ ‘A time shall come when all will proclaim, “May God have mercy on this ardent devotee of Islam.”’ That time has now come. And even now, people are yet to be properly acquainted with the status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.”

From this, one further realises the love our Imam, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, has for Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

Only a few days ago, I had the honour of having an audience with Huzooraa. The subject of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra funeral arose. I said, “Huzoor, do you remember the funeral of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra?”

Huzooraa replied, “Of course I remember it.

Lifting Huzoor’sra casket, walking alongside the procession towards Bahishti Maqbarah, then

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

5

Islam

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, revealing his God-given status and rank upon the Jamaat, said in April 1936:

I am not a Khalifa

just because the day

after the demise of

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

Ira the people of the

Ahmadiyya Jamaat

offering the funeral prayer; I remember all this.

How far back have you taken me?” Huzooraa counted the years on his fingertips, “…almost 52, 53 years. So at that age, I recall running alongside the procession.”

Here, there was silence, the disruption of which I consider no less than a crime. The silence that is full of meaning. I cannot describe it beyond this.

The silence came to an end when Huzooraa himself said: “I also recall that that was the first time I

unanimously agreed

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was in that very room where members of the family had gathered.

There were sounds of a woman or child crying aloud, upon which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh (who had not yet been appointed as Khalifatul Masih) forbade such wailing and said, ‘At this time, you should pray silently for the second manifestation of God’s omnipotence [Khilafat].’ I also recall Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, who was also present there, instructing not to cry aloud.”

This jogged my memory and I asked, “Huzoor, you once said that in that room…”

on my Khilafat, but also

because even before

the first Khilafat, the Promised Messiahas

said, in accordance with divine revelation, that I

would be a Khalifa.

That was the first time I witnessed the demise of a loved one or relative at an age where I could comprehend things. It was also the first time I kissed the forehead of a dear one who had passed away, the memory of which remains today. witnessed the demise of a loved one or relative at an age where I could comprehend things. It was also the first time I kissed the forehead of a dear one who had passed away, the memory of which remains today. I can still visualise his forehead and that experience. I also recall standing beside the blessed body of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.”

I usually don’t have the courage to peer up and look directly at Huzooraa during mulaqats [audiences]. At times, the thought occurs to me whether it is rude to keep my gaze down whilst Huzooraa addresses me. But what else can I do for one’s eyes are incapable of rising up; and even if they can, one struggles to take a proper look.

Yet when Huzooraa mentioned this, my eyes naturally rose and settled in Huzoor’saa direction.

During those brief few seconds, I witnessed the love, emotions and attachment Huzooraa felt as he recalled kissing Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra forehead, as if he was reliving that moment.

I lowered my gaze once again and considered silence appropriate in that moment. Then followed Huzoor’saa blessed voice: “I also recall the appointment of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. The announcement was made after 11pm. I remember Huzoorrh returning home from the mosque. All family members had congregated. Huzoorrh went straight into his room and remained there in solitude for about half an hour. Then he returned.

“I also remember that the blessed body of

Huzoor immediately responded, “Yes! Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s blessed bodyra, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and I were in that room.”

How blessed was that room and that hour in which four Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat were present simultaneously; Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had been raised to his Lord, but his body was present; and then three such individuals who were soon to be elevated to the throne of Khilafat.

“Huzoor, you must also recall meeting Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra?”

“Yes, once I went along with Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra [Huzoor’saa paternal grandfather]. Despite the fact that he was the younger brother of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, he never just simply walked right in. He first sought permission outside Qasr-e-Khilafat, and only having been given permission did he enter. He remained before Huzoorra with utmost respect.

He said what he had to and very respectfully returned. Although I was very young at the time, it was an early lesson in understanding the rank and status of Khilafat.

“Other than that, I also recall Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra lovingly and jokingly talking to me.

Once, Huzoor was in Murree and we also went.

A maternal cousin and I were wandering around when Huzoorra looked in our direction. He then called us and playfully spoke to us according to our age, something which we enjoyed for a very aa

Thus, I am not just

a Khalifa, rather I am a maud [foretold]

Khalifa. I have not been divinely appointed but

my voice is the voice of long time.”

With that, the mulaqat came to a close. My emotional state, having heard Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa memories of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra, and that too in his own words, was something readers can imagine.

On behalf of Al Hakam, these memories are presented as a gift to our readers and all members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at the occasion of Musleh-e-Maud Day. I conclude with the couplet of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra, and quoted by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa: ‫اک وتق ٓاےئ اگ ہک ہ ی‬ ‫ک ےگ امتم ولگ‬ ‫تلم ےک اس دفایئ ہپ رتمح دخا رکے‬ “A time shall come when all will proclaim, ‘May God have mercy on this ardent devotee of Islam.’”

Let us pray along with our Imamaa: O Allah, send your blessings upon this devout servant of Islam, the servant who spent countless nights awake in anguish for his people. May Allah enable us to fathom the status of Khilafat and make us ardent lovers of this great reward upon us.

Yes! Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s blessed bodyra, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and I were in that room.

God for God Almighty

conveyed this through

the Promised Messiahas.

In this manner, the

status of my Khilafat is between ma’muriyat

[divine appointment]

and Khilafat. This is

such an opportunity

that if the Ahmadiyya

Jamaat squanders it, it

cannot return to its Lord

in a successful manner.

While it is correct that

prophets do not appear every day, it is also

correct that prophesied Khulafa do not appear every day.

(Khutabat-e-Shura, Vol. 2, p. 18 [2013])

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Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

Unique Relationship of a Father and Son A

llah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran: َّ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ْ ُ َ ٰ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ِ ‫او‬ َ ‫الس َم‬ ‫ض‬ ‫و کذل ِک نرِی ِابر ِہیم ملکوت‬ ِ ‫ات والار‬ “And thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.” (Surah al-Anam, Ch.6: V.76) The Promised Messiahas states in one of his poetic works: ‫ی‬ ٰ ‫م یھبک آدم یھبک‬ ‫ومس یھبک � یعق�وب وہں‬ ‫ن‬ � �‫ن �ز ہ‬ ‫ سل�یں ہ ی� یمری ےب امشر‬،‫ی� ارب� یم وہں‬ “At one moment I am (an embodiment) of Adamas, at another, of Mosesas, and at another, of Jacobas; similarly, of Abrahamas; I have countless spiritual progenies.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 5, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 21, p. 133) Thus, Allah the Almighty manifested abundant tidings of upcoming events to the Abraham of the latter days, as well as divine visions. Accordingly, Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begumra narrates that the Promised Messiahas once said to Hazrat Amma Janra: “Every so often, I feel like telling these people about the Khilafat of Mahmud, but then I contemplate that the divine will of Allah will become manifest at its given time in the future.”

Giving details of this historic occurrence, the words from the complete statement of Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begumra are on the record in Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, volume 4, pages 59-60.

Every child of the Promised Messiahas received abundant kindness and compassion from him, but the promised son – about whom Allah the Almighty manifested a grand and extraordinary prophecy well before his birth following forty days of solitude and prayers in Hoshiarpur, comprising of 52 signs – received great attention, care and love from the Promised Messiahas.

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was born on 12 January 1889. Thus, for next nineteen years, he enjoyed the nearness and affection of Hazrat Ahmadas. During this long period of time, he had the opportunity to witness all the engagements of the Promised Messiahas and to record the sayings and happenings of the Promised Messiahas for members of the Jamaat while sharing the same house. (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 411 and Vol. 5, p. 29, 179 & 355) After the birth of the promised son, the Promised Messiahas carried out the sunnah of Aqiqa (sacrifice after the birth of a child) on 18 January 1889. (Maktubat-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 5, p.

163) Huzooras looked after the well-being of this child and made special efforts to improve his health.

It is on the record that Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra accompanied the Promised Messiahas on several journeys while he was just a few months old, for instance, the journey of Ludhiana in which the first Bai‘at took place in 1889. Sirat-ulMahdi, part 1, page 18 narrates that the family of the Promised Messiahas was present at the blessed occasion of the first Bai‘at. So, it can be said that the young Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra was also there.

Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira narrates a famous incident in which Hazrat

A young Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra is seated to the right of the Promised Messiahas Musleh-e-Maudra was only three years old. One summer evening, in Ludhiana, the Promised Messiahas was looking after his son who was constantly crying. Meanwhile, the young Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra put forward a unique wish saying: ‫ اترے اجان‬،‫ااب‬ “I want to go to the stars.” After narrating this incident, Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra states that the child stopped crying after exhausting himself.

The Promised Messiahas did not express a single word of discomfort or discontent during that interval. (Sirat Masih-e-Maud, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira, pp. 35-36) Recollecting a memory from the incidents of his childhood, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra narrates an account saying, “I would express my desire to go for walks with the Promised Messiahas and I had this opportunity on many occasions. Once, we happened to pass through a place with many puddles due to excessive rainfall and it was not possible for me to jump over them as I was a child. So the Promised Messiahas picked me up and helped me across.” (Al Fazl, 29 October 1926, p. 6) The Promised Messiahas used to express his love for the young Mahmud Ahmadra at times when most people do not give much attention to their children due to their small age.

Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmadra narrates such incidents which he witnessed personally.

He narrates that the Promised Messiahas would always, himself, unbolt the door for his son Mahmudra. Likewise, when Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra would put small clay pots or toys in the pocket of the Promised Messiahas,

he would not permit their removal, saying, “Mahmud placed these toys in my pocket trusting me. If he asks for them, how will I return them [if they are not in my pocket]?” (Ashab-eAhmad, Vol. 4, p. 110) Once, accompanying a group of fellow children, a young Mahmudra set fire to a precious manuscript of a book of the Promised Messiahas.

Thereupon the Promised Messiahas said smilingly, “Very well. There must be a grand divine motive behind all this. Allah the Almighty wishes to teach me a much better subject.” (Sirat Masihe-Maud, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira, Page 20-21) At times, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra would accompany the Promised Messiahas in the Gol Kamra [dining room near the house of the Promised Messiahas] as the Promised Messiahas would feed him and narrate stories for his tarbiyat. (Riwayat Sahaba, register no. 13, p. 455 [unpublished]) There is an incident when Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra was of a very young age. Once during a walk, Mir Nasir Nawab Sahibra was holding his maternal grandson, i.e. Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra. On the journey, out of love, the Promised Messiahas kissed his son. (Riwayat Sahaba, register no. 12, p. 120, [unpublished]) Another narrator says that in the same age of childhood, if Hazrat Mian Sahibra came by himself or someone brought him in their arms, the Promised Messiahas would say Assalamo Alaikum each time. (Sirat-e-Ahmad, Hazrat Maulvi Qudratullah Sanaurira, p. 176) The sequence of the above-mentioned incidents shows the overwhelming kind-

heartedness and tarbiyat of childhood. However, as Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra grew, the honour and respect of the Promised Messiahas grew deeper for him. The Promised Messiahas paid special attention to the health and wellbeing of this promised son till the end of his own life.

The tarbiyat of childhood is of paramount importance. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra related that once he hunted a parrot. The Promised Messiahas was very busy in some work, but sighting such an action, he said, “Mahmud, although the flesh of this bird is not forbidden, but Allah the Almighty has not created every animal for eating.” (Tafsir-eKabir, Vol. 4 p. 263) How fortunate he was to have received such close attention.

Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra was told to prepare an essay on the comparison of knowledge and wealth by his school. There started a discussion on this topic during a meal in the company of the Promised Messiahas. Hazrat Ahmadas explained that neither knowledge nor wealth was superior and that God’s beneficence surpassed everything in goodness. (Al Badr, 31 October 1902, p. 1) The Promised Messiahas once observed a small Mirza Mahmudra catching birds in the house and said, “Mian, you should not catch the birds of the house. The one who has no mercy, has no faith.” (Sirat Masih-e-Maud, Hazrat Yaqub Ali Irfanira, p. 342) Hazrat Hafiz Syed Mukhtar Shahjahanpurira narrates an incident of April or May 1893. Once Hazrat Mahmudra was playing with a little child of his age. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra

7

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM approached him gently and softly asked him, “Are you playing?” In the same tone as the question was asked, Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra replied, “When I grow up, I will also work”.

Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra said, “Your father thinks the same; and so does Nuruddin.

God knows best.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 18) Observing his son’s passion for hunting and boating, the Promised Messiahas provided an air gun and a boat from Jhelum. He appointed a person to teach swimming to the child also.

The Promised Messiahas provided a large horse of a decent breed for his son in around 1906 so that he may fulfill his passion of horseriding.

There was a unique association of mutual love between father and son.

During a storm and severe winds, lightning suddenly struck, causing a young Mirza Mahmudra to cover the head of the Promised Messiahas with his hands in an attempt to protect him. The promised son already knew that the guardian of the age and the saviour from all atrocities was the Promised Messiahas himself, but such occurrences happen out of extreme love and emotional attachment. (Al Fazl, 21 December 1935, p. 9) The Promised Messiahas used to monitor his children in that they offered their five obligatory prayers regularly. It is narrated that he once enquired from Hazrat Mahmudra whether he offered the Jumuah prayer in the mosque. (Al Fazl, 18 June 1925, p. 7) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had a special inclination to hearing religious discussions from a very small age. He started to attend talks the Promised Messiahas held with his companions in the same age. The Promised Messiahas would also treat him with extreme kindness and let him sit on the right side of the Shah Nasheen [the seat commonly used by the Promised Messiahas]. (Al Fazl, 29 July 1964, p. 3) The Promised Messiahas would assess, after hearing the religious discussions, to ascertain what had been grasped by his son.

Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismailra narrates that after returning home from a speech of Jalsa Salana, the Promised Messiahas asked about his speech from Mirza Mahmudra who was around 10-12 years of age at that time. The promised son, according to his age, understanding and memory recalled elements of the discussion. The Promised Messiahas became extremely pleased at his observation. (Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Part 3, pp. 111112) Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Ismailra narrates, “We have countlessly heard from the Promised Messiahas, not once, but many times that the boy who has been mentioned in the prophecy is Mian Mahmud. Moreover, we have heard that he used to say that Mian Mahmud possessed such strong religious passion in him that at times he would especially pray for him.” (Al Hakam, Jubilee Number, December 1939, p. 80) A brief study of the collection of books written by the Promised Messiahas – Ruhani Khazain – indicates that the prophecy of Muslehe-Maud and his advent has been mentioned over a hundred times in the books of the Promised Messiahas.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra completed his first reading of the entire Holy Quran on 7 June 1897. On this joyous occasion, one can guage the delight of the Promised Messiahas from the fact that he gifted a huge sum of one hundred and fifty rupees of his own free will to Hazrat Hafiz Ahmad Khan Nagpurira who taught him to read the Quran. (Al Fazl, 26 October 1926, p. 6) Moreover, every poetic verse written by the Promised Messiahas on this occasion serves as a portrayal of that extreme delight.

The life of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyyat go side by side. The Promised Messiahas was aware about the status of this son. The manifestation of this

awareness is evident from the fact that during the case proceedings of Henry Martyn Clark, which was a serious case of attempted murder, the Promised Messiahas asked Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra to pray and observe istikhara (prayer seeking good from Allah). (Al Fazl, 15 July 1919, p. 8) Then came the age of school for Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, but severe health problems befell him.

The Promised Messiahas asked Hazrat Pir Iftikhar Ahmad who Huzoorra in his was the headmaster of Lower Primary School of Qadian under the district board, “Take Mian (Mahmud) to school as well.” (Riwayat Sahaba, Vol. 7, p. 5 [unpublished]) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra continued to take worldly education but lacked regularity owing to the above-mentioned circumstances. Hence, a teacher at the school complained to the Promised Messiahas, upon which the Promised Messiahas responded that even his son’s occasional appearance at school was satisfactory for him as he believed that his son’s health did not permit him to study. He said that he was not going to open a utility store for which he would require an education in mathematics.

On the basis of a similar complaint regarding education, the Promised Messiahas had an assessment of Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra and wrote some sentences with his own pen on a piece of paper and told him to copy them. In this manner, an examination

was done. (Al Maud, Speech of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on the occasion of Jalsa Salana, 28 December 1944) Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra established a society of youngsters to help them prepare for the promulgation of Islam.

The Promised Messiahas, out of compassion, named this society “Tashheez-ul-Azhan”.

At the age of thirteen or fourteen, the Promised Messiahas permitted his son to fast.

When he was to teenage years travel to Batala to take a middle school exam in January 1902, the Promised Messiahas received a revelation: ُ َ ٌ ‫ل ِی ْح ِمل ُہ َر ُجل‬ That he is weak and “a man should support him”. Thereupon, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra went with him. (Tadhkira [English rendering], p. 1045) The Nikah and wedding of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra with the daughter of Hazrat Khalifa Rashiduddin Sahib was carried out in October 1902. The letter sent to present the request for the engagement, had this written on it by the Promised Messiahas: “It seems that Mahmud is also satisfied with this engagement.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 45) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra received his first revelation from God at the age of 15 or 16, which he immediately conveyed to the Promised Messiahas. Without any delay, Hazrat Ahmadas

wrote it in the notebook. (Al Fazl, 7 March 1944, p. 2) During the same time-frame, once it so happened that the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra received identical revelations in one night. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 9, p. 447) The Promised Messiahas was so anxious about the health of his son that on the demise of Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira, an occasion of extreme sadness, Huzooras verbally expressed his worry for Mahmud’sra health owing to the circumstances. (Al Hakam, Jubilee Number: December 1939, Page 10-11) The Promised Messiahas nominated Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra as a member of the Majlis-e-Mu‘tamideen (Society of Confidants) for Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya in January 1906. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p.

59) In 1908, the Promised Messiahas travelled to Lahore and resided there for some time – this was his last journey. At that time, he told a doctor that although he was unwell, Mahmudra was also unwell and that he was very much perturbed about his health. He asked the doctor to carry out his treatment with full diligence. (Malaikatullah, p. 66, [Speech, Jalsa Salana 1920]) Thereupon, on 26 May, the incident that was feared by many occurred. However, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra lived up to the vow that was taken by him whilst standing at the bedside of the Promised Messiahas, till his last breath: “Even if all the people leave you and I am left alone, I will stand by you.”

Thus came to an end the extraordinary journey of companionship between a father and son, a master and disciple, extended over nineteen years and encompassing abundant invaluable pearls of divine matters.

[Translated by Al Hakam]

Remembering a Great Reformer Abdul Basit Shahid Co-biographer of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra

THazrat Musleh-e-Maud is when I was very he very first recollection that I have of ra

young.

Nowadays we celebrate Amin ceremonies [completion of the first reading of the Holy Quran]. In those days a Bismillah ceremony was also held where a child would learn to read Surah al-Fatihah from an elder of the Jamaat.

I was born in Qadian in 1933. I was honoured and privileged that my Bismillah was conducted

by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

One day, Huzoorra visited the Lajna to deliver a dars (sermon) and my mother took me with her. I remember that Huzoorra recited Surah alFatihah and I recited it after him.

A Bai‘at also took place right after the Bismillah as a lady was present to pledge allegiance at Huzoor’sra hand. Huzoorra began with the words, “Today, at the hand of Mahmud…” Now, I had been told that a Bai‘at is when you read after the Khalifa, and so I also began to simultaneously say those words.

Huzoorra smiled and said “Mian [son], I will be taking the Bai‘at.” This is my first recollection of Huzoorra.

I used to see Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra very frequently as my father’s shop was located right below Masjid Mubarak in Qadian – it was in the

hub of the town and was located at the junction of all the main roads. Therefore, I had ample opportunities to see Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

I remember that whenever a group of people would gather outside Masjid Mubarak, it was because Huzoorra was passing by. We would then go and join the line of people and would have the honour of shaking and kissing Huzoor’sra hand.

My friends and I would then compete with each other to see who had the most opportunities to meet Huzoorra in a day.

I have been attending Jalsa Salanas from a very young age as my father, Abdul Rahim Darwesh Sahib, was very passionate about attending Jalsas as well as participating in tabligh.

He had a very excellent way of speaking and many Ahmadis used to say that they wanted to go with my father for tabligh as his speech was very eloquent. Hence, I had the opportunity to attend Jalsas.

It was due to this passion of my father that I was present at the Jalsas in which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra announced his claim to be the Musleh-e-Maud in Lahore, Delhi and Hoshiarpur. The Jalsa in Ludhiana was not open to children which is why I could not attend.

However, all the others, I attended. In fact, last year I had the chance to visit Hoshiarpur and I refreshed my memory about many of the

incidents I narrate – I am happy to say that I have been narrating them quite accurately.

The Lahore Jalsa was quite unique – Huzoorra stated that Allah the Almighty had given him such youngsters that if suicide was not forbidden in Islam, he could ask, in the presence of the audience, a hundred youths to step forward and stab themselves in the abdomen. This was how much confidence Huzoorra had and just a reflection of how much he had inspired the youth.

In the Jalsa of Delhi, some opponents planned to cause trouble and they attacked the Jalsa. Some of our elders suffered injuries. At that occasion, Huzoorra announced, “I am giving the police ten minutes to control the situation otherwise we will have to control it. Where is my son Nasir Ahmad?” I remember these very words of Huzoorra, that after ten minutes, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad would control the situation.

Some sermons of Huzoorra I remember distinctly, perhaps because I have also come across them afterwards continuously.

For instance, with regard to MTA it is well known that Huzoorra once stated that a time would soon come when an individual located in one place would teach the Holy Quran and people all over the world would be listening simultaneously. This was the time when the Continued on page 12

“Nations Will Be Ble

A glimpse into Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau Political Climate of British India Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Musleh-eMaud – the Promised Reformer – always remained at the forefront when it came to serving the cause of Islam and the Muslim Ummah.

His time as Khalifatul Masih was that of great political and social unrest in the region of the Indian subcontinent. What made it more complicated was that this situation of unrest may have seemed political and social at prima facie, but it was, in fact, rooted in religious conflict.

This religious facet of the situation automatically invited religious leaders to give their input, and we see that most religious leaders did come forward to do so; some to resolve the issues, others to take them from bad to worse.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra kept a very close eye on the ever-changing atmosphere of the country and ensured that wherever the rights of Muslims were being usurped, or could potentially be usurped, he stood up for them.

Mr MA Jinnah, the one political leader, who the Muslims of India entrusted the responsibility of sailing them through the uncertainty of the latter colonial days of India, always looked up to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

The passage below shows the level of respect Mr Jinnah had for the advice and blessing of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra: “After the meeting that night at about twelve midnight, I reached Qadian. When I got there, Hazrat Sahib had retired.

I sent him a message that I had brought a request for him from Quaid-i-Azam. He came down immediately and enquired, ‘What were Quaid’s orders?’ I conveyed him Quaid’s message to pray for and also support Pakistan. He replied, ‘Please convey to Quaidi-Azam that we have been praying for his mission from the very beginning. Where the help of his followers is concerned, no Ahmadi will stand against a Muslim Leaguer and if someone disobeys my advice the community will not support him.’ So Mumtaz Daultana won overwhelming victory over the president of the local Ahmadi community in Sialkot District.

“Quaid-i-Azam had also ordered me to visit Maulana Maudoodi when I reached Pathankot. I did so after addressing a meeting there. He was living in the adjoining village belonging to Chaudri Niaz. Maulana Maudoodi basically belonged to the Deoband School of Theology, which was at the time supporting the Indian National Congress. When I conveyed the Quaid’s message to him

requesting him to pray as well as support Pakistan’s cause, he replied how could he pray for ‘na-Pakistan’ (impure Pakistan). How could there be a Pakistan till the whole of India had been converted to Islam. Such was the vision of the leader of Jamaat-i-Islami.”

(The Nation that Lost its Soul, p. 147) It was not only the Indian Muslims that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra cared for. Any section of the society that was oppressed or deserved justice was for him a cause to fight for. Therefore, although the Indian National Congress was in polar opposition to the All India Muslim League, they too thought Hazrat Muslehe-Maud’sra wisdom and blessings would prove to be an unparalleled asset to their cause i.e. the cause of the independence of India.

Mr Gandhi had received invaluable advice from Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on various occasions and Mr Gandhi had learnt – by not paying heed to it – that Hazrat Musleh-eMaud’sra advice could be a decisive factor to smoothen the process of independence, self-governance, the partition or whatever was to follow. Upon return from his tour of London in 1924, Mr Gandhi met Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in Bombay and invited him to join the Congress. The press extensively covered the news both in India and abroad.

This shows how the Muslim League and the Congress – the two major stakeholders of the independence movement – held Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s opinion in high esteem and desired to have him on their side. But his was not the character to side with just one. He would offer his unbiased opinion and leave it for the political leaders to decide whether to accept it or not.

Al Fazl Qadian would regularly carry articles written by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Musleh-e-Maud, exclusively for any situation that arose and where he thought that the Islamic viewpoint needed to be made clear to the world. He penned many books and booklets for this very reason.

He would write originally in Urdu and then have them translated into English for the benefit of the Englishspeaking ruling class i.e. the British Government officials.

On the right are some of his books that he arranged to be translated into English and sent over to the British officials in India and also to the India Office in London.

Ahmadiyya Community British Government

For und of th Mov e-M that thor to th com at a the topi man gove very W busy upri Coo they Haz the that rule

Non-Cooperation & Isl

H M p t s a o o t t P a t c

o a a p o a o q

essed Through Him”

ud’sra services for the Muslim Ummah & the

the government to derstand the standpoint he Ahmadiyya vement, Hazrat MuslehMaudra deemed it essential t the government be roughly introduced he teachings of the mmunity; especially time when loyalty to government was a hot ic and a lot of upcoming noeuvres of the ernment relied on this y question.

With the government y tackling political isings like the Nonoperation Movement, y were introduced by zrat Musleh-e-Maudra to true teachings of Islam t required loyalty to the er of the time.

lam

Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra writes in the preface: “I have written this book simply out of sympathy for you and a hope that a perusal of it will enable every one, who is a lover of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophetsa, to arrive at a correct solution of the question of noncooperation.

“But this object of mine cannot be accomplished so long as this book is not placed in the hands of all such persons as are, in some way or other, interested in the question.”

Indian Problem & its Solution

The Nehru Report & Muslim Rights This booklet is, as mentioned on the title page, a letter to the viceroy and governor general of India. The opening lines state that “the present state of affairs in India which is the outcome of the great tension existing between the different communities inhabiting the country is a source of great anxiety for every true well-wisher of India.”

Huzoorra goes on to suggest solutions to the “highly strained relations existing between the Hindus and the Muslims at the present time.”

A Gift to the Prince of Wales During the visit of Prince Edward (then Prince of Wales, later crowned as the King of England), he was presented by numerous presents by leaders of various communities of India.

Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra found no better present befitting the royalty of the Prince and the dignity of the Jamaat that he be conveyed the true message of Islam and be invited to accept it.

This book was presented to the Prince of Wales in Lahore, by a delegation led by Hazrat Zulfiqar Ali Khan.

The foreword of this book is written by Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira and it reads: “This review of the NehruReport by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, the Khalifatul Masih II, and Imam of the Ahmadiyya Community, Qadian, was originally written and published in Urdu immediately after the publication of the Nehru-Report. An English translation of the review is now being placed before the public for the first time …

“Unless the principles underlying the Nehru-Report are repudiated and the report rejected on its merits, there can be no real prospect of peace in the future history of India, and that is what this review principally aims at. His Holiness has also recently written a supplement to his original review which is included at the end of this book.”

Some Suggestions for the Solution of the Indian Problem The opening of this book,

by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra himself, reads: “This book has been written, translated and printed only in five weeks.

As it had to be printed at Lahore, at a distance of 70 miles from Qadian, its printing could not be properly supervised, nor could it be delayed any longer on account of the nearness of the Round Table Conference …

The work has been done in so short a time and in such great hurry that in spite of all our efforts, the book could not be ready in time for its dispatch to London by the ordinary mail. So it had to be sent by Air Mail.”

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

10

Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam The Forerunner of Tahrik-e-Jadid

Onearness is through sacrifice; the sacrifice

ne way of attaining God’s pleasure and

of life, wealth or time.

Sacrifices vary depending on the conditions and circumstances of one’s age. At the time of the Prophet Muhammadsa, sacrificing one’s life was far more important than wealth. Muslims of that time were drawn into battle by the disbelievers

and the only way out was sacrificing their lives for the glory of the One God and Islam.

But in a prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa regarding the Promised Messiahas, “He will do away with war”, the akharin – those of the latter days – were foretold that it would not be necessary to sacrifice one’s life at the time of the Promised Messiahas. Therefore, the Promised Messiahas declared that the time for offering the sacrifice of lives by means of Jihad had been replaced by the age to sacrifice by means of one’s wealth. (Al Hakam, 10 July 1903) The Promised Messiahas states: “The revival of Islam requires a sacrifice from us. What is that sacrifice? It is to die striving in this path, upon which the life of Islam, the life of Muslims, and the manifestation of Allah depends. This, in other words, is Islam. It is the revival of this Islam that Allah today desires. To attain this objective, it was necessary that He should Himself establish a great and effective system; and this is what the Wise and Mighty has done by sending me into this world for the reformation of mankind. He has divided this task of supporting the truth and the propagation of Islam into several branches.” (Fath-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 10-12) On the same footings of financial sacrifice, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra appealed to members of the Jamaat for Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam after considering the recommendation of Majlis-eShura.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered an address on 12 April 1914 that goes by the title Mansab-e-Khilafat in which he highlighted the works of the Khalifa.

The first obligation of the Khalifa which he mentioned was the promulgation and spread of Islam. The foundation of Anjuman Tarraqi-eIslam was laid in this address. The sole purpose of this appeal was to lay the foundation of sacrifice in the hearts of members of the Jamaat and to create a platform that could be used to carry the true message of Islam to the corners of the Earth.

Being grateful to the bounties of Allah the Almighty and addressing members of the

Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Musleh-e-Maud, stated: “How can I return the favours of my Lord?

How can I count His favours when my mouth and tongue are incapable of it? In trying to return His favours, every atom of my body would end up overwhelmed by His ocean of beneficence and would not be able to do so.

“The ship of the Jamaat passes through a restless ocean, and yet its wheel is in the hand of an inexperienced, unskilled and weak sailor. In spite of this, how is the ship to sail clear? This is purely the work of God. “The first Khalifa had eminence and his works can be accredited to him, but what power do I possess that someone could even think that I had a role in eliminating this fitna [discord]?

This display of power was free from any trace of Shirk [attributing partners to Allah]. Thus, the Beloved of prophets and saints revealed Himself to the world so as to let people know in these days of Shirk that He can have such tasks achieved from clumps of mud or pieces of wood which cannot even be carried out by worldly monarchs…

“Beggars never return empty-handed from the doorsteps of kings, so I beg of You, O Lord, to fulfil my request. As You have assembled and united the greater part of the Jamaat, I beg of You to bring together the remaining few as well. My Beloved Lord, You know that neither do I have any desire for greatness, nor do I long to rule, but my heart yearns to unify the Jamaat and feels dejected in disunity. So, O God, shower Your blessings and heal my wounded heart.

Whatever You bestowed upon me surpassed my expectations. Yet still, my Master, keep me from any excess in this matter. The fire of my expectation is yet to be extinguished and my heart yearns that somehow the whole Jamaat is united to glorify Your name across the globe.

“O Omnipotent King of kings! It is not at all difficult for You. Save the name of ‘Ahmad’ from division. Beloved, this Jamaat is Your dear Jamaat. Who desires to see their loved ones being divided?...

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM “Thus, Allah the Almighty has inspired my heart to fulfil this task and to make special efforts for the promulgation of Islam Ahmadiyyat. For the time being, I have estimated that the annual expenses to fulfil this task will be 12,000 rupees…

“I have announced this matter after many prayers. I am hopeful from Allah the Almighty that He will surely fulfil my prayers, moreover He shall provide for the promulgation of Islam Himself and bestow His special bounty upon all those who help me in this matter.

“Friends! Even though an amount of 12,000 rupees annually appears a huge sum, but before the Lord, Who assigned to me this task, this sum is nothing. He Has the biggest treasury. He will stimulate your hearts and shall arrange for this purpose Himself…” (Al Fazl, 2 May 1914, pp. 4-8) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra named it Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam on the basis of a divine vision and nominated Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, Hazrat Maulvi Syed Muhmmad Ahsan, Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra, Hazrat Hamid Shahra, Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira, Assitant Surgeon Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismailra, Hazrat Dr Khalifa Rashiddudinra and Hazrat Seith Abdur Rehman Madrasira as its members.

Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra was the secretary of this Anjuman and the fund Dawat IlalKhair was transferred to it. This Anjuman lived up to its name, Taraqi-e-Islam (the spread of Islam), with great responsibility until firstly Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya and then in 1945, Tahrik-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya took up the responsibility of the propagation and promulgation of Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 143) In the biography of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh – the author of Swaneh Fazle-Umar – states: “Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra elaborated with great care that this Anjuman [Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam] was not an alternate of the previous Anjuman [Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya], but instead it would focus particularly on the promulgation of Islam.

The remaining responsibilities of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya would be carried out as usual.” (Swaneh Fazle-Umar, Vol. 2, p. 36) Thus, Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam served as the forerunner of all those systems that were later established for the spread of Islam.

Tahrik-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya was a fruitful continuation and expansion of this Anjuman. Tahrik-e-Jadid was launched

by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in 1934 and reflected the grandeur of his vision for the global, worldwide propagation of Islam.

However, we see from the establishment of Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam that this passion was in Huzoor’s heart right from the onset of his Khilafat in 1914.

The global mission of the Jamaat, which now functions under Tahrik-e-Jadid, has its humble beginnings in the Anjuman Taraqie-Islam which was set up at a time when those that had disassociated themselves from Khilafat had taken away all financial resources of the Jamaat.

After being elevated to the station of Khalifatul Masih, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra had only one rupee and a few paisas in the treasury. It was only with the backing of Allah’s decree that this “penniless” Jamaat was able to not only stand on its own two feet but also to establish grand missionary schemes for nothing else but the propagation of Islam.

11

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in London Tehdise Nemat or Recollection of Divine Favours, pages 209-213 Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra had the honour to be with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra during the historic tour of London in 1924.

He also had the blessed opportunity to read out the paper written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, titled The Ahmadiyya Movement, at the Conference of Religions. Below are some of his recollections. translate three-fourths of the manuscript before leaving for Europe. While permitting me to go to Europe, the Imam entrusted the translation of the remaining part to Maulvi Sher Ali and Mirza Bashir Ahmed.

I was still in Berlin when I received a message from Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyar (he was then head of the London mission) to reach London immediately. For the stay of the Imam No. 6 Chesham Place was rented.

The conference was held at the Imperial Institute in South Kensington. Possibly in choosing the venue and time of the conference its organisers were influenced by the fact that the exhibition at Wembley would attract visitors interested in religion. Barring that the conference and the exhibition had no other link.

Press notification about Huzoor’s arrival in London, 1924

Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra

Ithe various religions of the British Empire n the summer of 1924, the representatives of

were due to meet in a conference in London.

The head of the Ahmadiyya community also accepted invitation to attend it.

For that conference he had written a pamphlet Ahmadiyyat or Real Islam [Ahmadiyyat or the True Islam]. I was commissioned to translate it. I was able to

Arrival of the head of the Ahmadiyya community in London Maulvi Abdul Rahim Nayyar posted in the London mission then was assisted by Malik Nawab Din and Sardar Misbahuddin. Master Aziz Din was incharge of the commercial section. Master Mohammed Din had come from America and Hakim Fazlur Rehman from West Africa. Accompanying the Imam were Hafiz Roshan Ali, Khan Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Chaudhry Fateh Mohammed Siyal, Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmed, Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani, Maulvi Abdur Rahim Dard, Bhai Abdur [Rahman] Qadiani, Dr Hashmatullah, Chaudhry Mohammed Sharif Advocate and Sheikh Abdur Rehman Misri. Mirza Sharif Ahmed and Chaudhry Mohammed Sharif bore their own travel expenses. Oscar Burnler and I had the privilege of joining the entourage in London.

Engagements of the head of the community in London The arrival and stay of the Imam received extensive coverage in the press. He received a stream of visitors. At weekends the interviews were so long that the visitors stayed on for dinner. To them was served whatever was cooked, while the Imam and his companions had to be content with bread, cheese and tea.

During a stay of eight to ten weeks, the Imam went to Brighton on the invitation of the town council and once to Portsmouth.

The speech the Imam wrote for the conference was given to me for translation as on every other occasion. The privilege of translating his conversation or speeches also fell to my lot.

The Imam also accepted invitation to tea from a group of non-Muslim Indian students.

Without being forewarned, an address was read out at the occasion which implied that he was visiting Britain at the invitation of the British Government as their guest hoping that he would exhort the students to reaffirm their loyalty to the government. In their mind the image of Qadian, seemingly, was that of a tomb of a great saint of which he was the chief priest.

Replying to the address the Imam elucidated the concept of freedom and how it can be won in a manner so convincing that the hosts for a while were wonderstruck and then gave way to spontaneous applause. I felt persuaded as if they were guilty on their misconceptions. At the end of his address a feeling of gratitude and respect could be discerned among the audience.

The late Chaudhry Ghulam Mustafa Malhi, an advocate of Gujranwalla (he was then studying in London to be called to the bar) summoning his inherent noble station and Continued on page 16

Essex Hall, London, where the protest meeting of Nematullah Shaheed was held

12

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 7

loudspeaker had not yet come to Qadian, and due to a high number of attendees, duty-holder would be appointed to stand at some distance and relay the words of Huzoorra to the people behind.

Then, when the loudspeaker was invented Huzoorra presented the justification for it before the Jamaat. Huzoorra stated that the Jamaat had now grown and audiences were large in number and his voice was weak as his throat was frequently sore, hence, it was better that the Jamaat purchased the loudspeaker. Huzoorra was in a way appealing to the Jamaat for this.

Thereafter, a loyal Ahmadi arranged for it to be set up in Masjid Aqsa. I remember, before the loudspeaker, the darses (sermons) of Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaq Sahibra were very popular and he would stand next to the partition of the ladies so both sides could hear.

When Huzoorra would recite the Holy Quran during sermons, his manner of recitation was incredibly heart-moving and exceptional. We would always desire that Huzoorra continue the tilawat.

Then, following the recitation of the Quran, Huzoorra would explain his discourse in a very eloquent, masterly and dignified way. We never saw Huzoorra adopt the style of normal speakers where they use hand gestures and continue shouting unnecessarily. His speeches would be very passionate but dignified and had a very unique style of delivery.

It is generally known that people would listen to Huzoor’sra speeches having lit candles in front of them as the speech would be quite lengthy – hence they would light a candle and be taking notes in the dark.

A light-hearted anecdote is well-known that an elderly gentleman once said to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra “You trouble us a great deal because when we need to go to the toilet, we wait for you to finish a particular point, but then you start speaking on something else and then we again wait for that point to end. This waiting continues for a long time. So Huzoor, you have such an interesting way of speaking that we cannot leave even though we need to.”

I remember once that a newspaper of Delhi which was called Riazat, if I’m not mistaken, whose editor was Diwan Singh Mafton published an article stating that Ahmadis supported the cause of Pakistan and said, “But do they not remember what happened to them in Kabul?”

He went on to say that if a Pakistani government was created then what happened to them in Kabul shall be repeated again.

I recall Huzoorra responding to this in a speech. I saw that he was very much moved and was speaking very passionately – this is something I remember very well due to the way in which Huzoorra was speaking. Huzoorra said: “You remind us of the conduct of Muslims, yet how have Hindus and Sikhs done any better?

Whether Muslims treat us well or not, we are currently trying for a state for the Muslims. If something benefits the Ummah we will always strive for it regardless of whether we benefit from it or face persecution.”

In the same way, when Huzoorra announced his claim of being Musleh-e-Maud in Lahore, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra stood up during the speech and, not being able to hold himself back, proclaimed, “We believe in whatever Huzoor is claiming!” or he said, “Whatever Huzoor is claiming, we believe it to be true!” – I do not recall the exact words.

That day too, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra voice and manner of speaking was different to his usual sermons. I was ten or eleven years old at the time, but I remember thinking and acknowledging the fact that Huzoor’s speech was different that day and wanted to ask my father after the speech as to why this was? When we left afterwards, the atmosphere was one of celebration and people were greeting each other, so I gathered what had happened. Huzoor’sra way

The Delhi Jalsa in which Huzoorra announced that he was Musleh-e-Maud, 1944

of speaking was incredibly inspiring.

When the first volume of Tafsir-e-Kabir was published, Huzoorra announced in a sermon that some volumes had been prepared and were now available. I recall that so many people became motivated due to this that afterwards, my father rushed towards the offices of Tahrik-e-Jadid where the tafsir (exegesis) was being sold and I had to run to keep up with him. People walked hurriedly and running to the office so that they could obtain it.

There are many aspects from which we can see how Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra motivated people. For instance, the Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya pledge also illustrates the kind of nation that Huzoorra wanted the Jamaat to become and his expectations of us. Huzoorra once stated, “I have established such schemes in the Jamaat that not even Hitler and Mussolini gave to their nations.”

The establishment of Rabwah too was such a grand task. Huzoorra gave the example that if a gardener needed to move a tree from one place to another, he would have to endure hardship.

But in the case of Rabwah, an entire community needed to be re-established as if an entire garden had to be re-planted. A land which was not worthy of being inhabited and had been marked as having no water was where Huzoorra, through his prayers, re-established everything.

The atmosphere in Qadian was very religious with the majority of our activities related to the Jamaat. We would regularly attend Atfal programmes. But when Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra delivered the sermons on Waqf (life devotion), due to the environment of Qadian and of course those sermons, I myself declared that I wanted to dedicate my life for the cause of the Jamaat. This was around 1944, after which I gained admission in Jamia.

I once remember that I had the opportunity to work on the chapters of Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal which was a task a few of us were carrying out in Jamia.

Hazrat Maulana Abul Ata Sahib came to our class one day and he dictated some sentences to us which we all jotted down – we did not understand the purpose behind this. When he collected the papers, he chose five of us and handed us to another teacher who was working on this project. Hence, we began this task without any experience and not even knowing what the task was that needed to be carried out.

This was a project that was directly overseen by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. Once, I was working on this and I was informed that Huzoorra had asked for me. I was a student at the time and thought whether Huzoorra even knew me personally or not? I went to the office of the private secretary who informed Huzoorra that I was here. Hazrat Maulana Abul Munir NurulHaq Sahib and I presented ourselves before Huzoor.

Huzoorra asked me about my education and whether I had completed the FA exam.

I said that I was in Jamia and had only passed the matriculation exam. Huzoorra stated that even if a person is not well-educated, provided they are intelligent, they can achieve many things. Huzoorra then gave the example of an individual, whose name I cannot remember, who would deliver such an excellent speech in English that Englishmen would travel to listen to his speeches. So Huzoorra was comforting me by saying that education was not as important as effort.

It was the grace of God that my father had the opportunity to serve as a Darwesh, and this is a great honour. Prior to this, my father worked hard and managed to acquire some property in Qadian. However, when the call came to dedicate property for the Jamaat, he donated all that property he had accumulated over the years. After the split of India and Pakistan, the homes and shops that my father owned were in the possession of Hindus and Sikhs and my father would see this every day. So this was a huge sacrifice, something which we cannot fully

comprehend.

I recall seeing the flag of Pakistan waving from the post office across our home but was taken down a couple of days later and replaced with the Indian flag. We had always believed that we would never migrate and leave Qadian as this was our home and the Markaz. However, the conditions became such that we had to leave.

At the time, the majority of the newspapers had written that Qadian was like an island and that all Muslims were seeking refuge there. I migrated with my siblings and mother for whom it was a huge sacrifice as she undertook this responsibility with great care and dignity.

When Rabwah was being built, a large building was constructed for the families of the Darweshan. Huzoorra personally supervised the shifting of those families from Lahore to Rabwah. When those families arrived at the railway station close to Rabwah, Huzoorra came to receive them; this was at midnight. Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra was serving as Nazir Khidmat-e-Darweshan. He was very softhearted and took great care of us. Sometimes he would knock on our door and deliver letters from my father in Qadian and would jokingly say that he was our postman. This was the love he had for us.

I believe that people have not fully understood the grandeur of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra.

I remember that Ghulam Rasul Mehr, editor of a newspaper called Inqilab and a nonAhmadi, once said that the status of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra had not been fully understood. He said that people took their worries to him and left feeling motivated.

“May God have mercy on this ardent devotee of Islam”. It was Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra who strengthened us. Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya, Lajna Imaillah etc., all these walls are those in which we are working in till this day.

(Transcribed and translated by Nauman A Hadi, UK)

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

13

Friday Sermon 18 January 2019 Delivered from Baitul Futuh Mosque

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

T

oday, I will mention the accounts relating to Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra. A very detailed account of his life is recorded in history. He played a role in some of the most important events in the history of Islam and had the honour of being a part of them. These accounts are of such significance that it ought to be mentioned in detail.

His title was Abu Amr and he belonged to the tribe of Azd. He was an African slave of Tufail bin Abdullah bin Sakhbarah, who was the half-brother of Hazrat Aishara. The term used here for half-brother in this case is because they were born from the same mother but had different fathers. He was amongst those who were the first to accept Islam. He had accepted Islam before the Messengersa of Allah went to Dar-e-Arqam, and he used to graze the goats of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Many a hardship was inflicted upon him by the disbelievers after he accepted Islam. Later on, Hazrat Abu Bakrra bought and set him free.

During the migration to Medina, when the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra took shelter in the cave on Mount Thaur, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra used to graze the goats of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Hazrat Abu Bakrra had instructed him to bring the goats to them. Hence, he used to graze the goats all day long and then take them close to the cave on Mount Thaur. Thereafter, the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra used to milk the goats themselves.

When Abdullah bin Abi Bakr used to go and visit them, i.e. the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra would follow after him so that his footsteps may be erased, lest the disbelievers become aware of where Hazrat Abu Bakr’s son was going and thus become suspicious.

When the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra left the cave and proceeded to Medina, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra also migrated with them and Hazrat Abu Bakrra sat him behind him on his camel. An idolater from the Banu Adeel was a guide for them. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 134, Aamir bin Fuhairahra, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) After the migration, the Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra and Hazrat Harith bin Aus bin Mu‘adhra. Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra participated in the Battles of Badr and Uhud. He was martyred during the incident of Bi’r-e-Ma‘unah at the age of 40.

(Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 174, Aamir bin Fuhairahra, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) Prior to the migration, Hazrat Abu Bakrra freed seven such slaves who used to be tortured for the sake of God Almighty.

Hazrat Bilalra was one of them and Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra was also among those.

(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 319, Abdullah bin Uthman Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) Narrating the incident of migration, Hazrat Aishara states: “Once we were sitting in Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra house at noon,” they were sitting in their own home, “and someone informed Hazrat Abu Bakrra that the Holy Prophetsa was approaching with a cloth wrapped over his head [to shield from the heat]. The Holy Prophetsa came at a time in which he would not normally visit. When he arrived, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, ‘May my parents be sacrificed for his sake; by God, the fact that he is coming

The daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Asmara, cut a piece off her waist band and tied the bag with it. For this reason, she is known as Zat-un-Nitaq. Following this, the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra arrived at a cave in the mountain of Thaur and took shelter there for three nights. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Bakrra used to go and spend the night with them. At that time, he was an intelligent and clever young man.” That is, he was quite mature at the time. “He would leave them when it was still dark, therefore returning in the early morning when it was still dark, and he would spend the morning with the Quraish of Mecca as if he spent the

at this time indicates that it is indeed a serious matter.’”

Hazrat Aishara further states: “By this time, the Holy Prophetsa arrived at the house and sought permission to enter.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra permitted him and the Holy Prophetsa entered. The Holy Prophetsa said to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, ‘Request everyone who is with you to leave the room’. Hazrat Abu Bakrra replied, ‘O Prophetsa of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for your sake; there are only your family members present in the house, i.e. Hazrat Aishara and her mother, Umm-eRoman.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘I have been granted permission to migrate.’

Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, ‘O Prophetsa of Allah!

May my parents be sacrificed for your sake; please take me with you.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Indeed, you should come with me.’ Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, ‘May my parents be sacrificed for your sake.

If I am to accompany you, you should take one of my two camels to travel with.’ The Holy Prophetsa replied, ‘I will take it in exchange for a price.’”

Hazrat Aishara further narrates: “Hence, we quickly prepared and packed their items. We prepared some provisions for them and packed them in a leather bag.

night there. Whatever schemes he heard from them, i.e. from the disbelievers, he would make a careful note of it and under the cover of darkness, he would reach the cave and relate this to them.” As he stayed in Mecca the entire day, he would relate all of the schemes of the disbelievers to the Holy Prophetsa at night. “Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra slave, Aamir bin Fuhairahra, would graze the goats nearby and just after nightfall, he would take one of the goats for milk to them.

“Aamir bin Fuhairahra would go to his herd in the latter part of the night and call them in; he did this for three nights. The Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra hired an individual from the tribe of Banu Adeel in order to show them the way. He belonged to Banu Abd bin Adi and he was an extremely experienced guide. He had made a covenant with the tribe of As bin Wail, and he followed the religion of the disbelievers of the Quraish.

The Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra both trusted this individual even though he was a disbeliever and raised among the Quraish. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophetsa trusted him, handed his camels for the journey to him and took this promise from him that he would arrive at the cave of Thaur in the morning after three days. Aamir bin

Fuhairahra and the guide accompanied them.

The guide took the three of them on a path along the coastline.”

This is a narration from Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaaqib Al-Ansar, Bab Hijratun Nabi, Hadith 3905) Suraqa bin Malik bin Jo‘sham relates: “The messengers of the disbelievers of Quraish came to us and fixed a reward for anyone who would either kill the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra or capture them. While I was sitting in a gathering of my tribe, Banu Mudlij, one of them [messengers] came before us. At the time, they were discussing as to how to capture or kill the Holy Prophetsa and how to attack him.

Whilst these matters were being discussed in our gathering, an individual approached us whilst we were seated and stood beside us.

He then said, ‘Suraqa, I saw some shadows along the coastline a few moments ago and I believe that this was Muhammadsa and his companions.’”

Suraqa further relates: “I realised that indeed it was them [the Holy Prophetsa and his companions].

However, I told him that this is most certainly not him, rather it is so and so who just left from us now.” By doing this he dismissed his statement. “Thereafter, I remained in the gathering for a short while.”

Suraqa was tempted by the reward and did not want this individual to follow them lest he also partook a share of the reward.

Hence, he says: “Nevertheless, I dismissed his statement, got up after a short while, went home and told my servant to take out my horse and to keep it on the other side of the hill. In other words, there was a small hill behind [the house] and I said to her to take my horse there and to keep it there, ready for me. Thereafter, I took my spear and left from the rear of the house.

I placed the front end of my spear into the ground, and mounted the horse with the support of the other end of the spear.” He is narrating his own incident and how he used the support of the spear in order to mount the horse.

He further states: “After having mounted the horse, I then gave it a light pat to make it run and it began to gallop forward. When I got close to them” i.e. the Holy Prophetsa, “suddenly the horse stumbled in such a manner that I fell off it.

I stood up, lowered my hand into my quiver, took out an arrow and took an omen from it in order to determine whether I would be able to harm them or not; that is, whether I would be able to fulfil my intention of killing them or capturing them.”

He further relates: “I received an omen that I did not desire.”

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

14 That is, the omen was not in my favour and indicated that I would not succeed in capturing them.”

He further states: “Contrary to my omen, I mounted my horse again and galloped forward until I reached so close that I could hear the Holy Prophetsa recite the Quran. The Holy Prophetsa did not turn to look around, but Hazrat Abu Bakrra would continuously turn to look around. The front legs of my horse were dug into the ground up to its knees.

A short while later, again as I drew close to them, it so happened that the front legs of my horse dug into the sand causing me to fall down. I stood up and scolded the horse, but it was unable to pull its legs out of the ground.

After exerting a lot of effort, eventually it was able to free both of its legs, causing the sand to rise into the air.”

That is, it was stuck in to the sand to such an extent that when it forcefully removed its legs, it removed so much sand with it that it seemed as if a cloud of dust had spread across.

“At this point, I took another omen from my arrows and I once again received an omen that I did not desire, meaning that I would not be able to capture the Holy Prophetsa. It was at that moment that I called out to the Holy Prophetsa and said that he was now safe from me and they stopped. I told him that I had no intention anymore to cause him any harm.”

He further says, “I then mounted my horse and rode towards them.”

When his intentions changed, the horse started to ride along without any problems and reached the Holy Prophetsa, or perhaps they also came towards him or stopped.

He further relates: “Seeing the hurdles and hindrances that I faced in trying to reach them, I sensed that the Holy Prophetsa would certainly succeed. I said to the Holy Prophetsa that his tribe had fixed blood money in return of him and I informed him of all their evil plans.”

That is, he informed him of the details of all the evil intentions of the disbelievers. He then says: “I presented my provisions to them and said, ‘Since you are setting out on a journey, therefore here are some provisions for the journey’. However, the Holy Prophetsa did not accept it and said that he did not require it.

The only request he made was that I should not inform anyone of their journey,” meaning not to disclose to anyone about the route they were taking.

He then further states: “I requested the Holy Prophetsa to grant me something in writing which would serve as a means of granting me protection.

The Holy Prophetsa instructed Aamir bin Fuhairahra (the freed Abyssinian slave) to write this down, which he did so on a piece of leather. After this, the Holy Prophetsa continued his journey.”

Ibn-e-Shihab narrates: “Urwah bin Zubair informed me that the Holy Prophetsa met with Hazrat Zubairra who was returning from a trading expedition from Syria with a Muslim caravan. Hazrat Zubairra gave the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra some white garments. The Muslims of Medina by then had heard the news of the Holy Prophet’ssa departure from Mecca.

They would visit the ground of Harrah every morning and would wait there until the intensity of the afternoon heat would make them return.”

Meaning that they would wait until midday and when it would become intensely

hot, they would return due to the heat. And they would do this every day in anticipation of the Holy Prophet’ssa arrival. He further states: “One day after waiting for a long time and when they had returned to their homes, a Jewish person climbed the top of his house to check something and saw the Holy Prophetsa along with his companions dressed in white clothes. The shimmering in the air from the heat was disappearing,” meaning that from a distance he could only see obscure figures, but gradually their faces became more visible.

“The Jew could not help but proclaim: ‘O people of Arabia! Your leader who you were waiting for has arrived.’”

This is because he was aware that the Muslims would visit a particular location every day in wait of him.

“When the Muslims heard this announcement, they immediately took hold of their weapons and gathered in the ground of Harrah to welcome the Holy Prophetsa. The Holy Prophetsa, along with the companions, turned towards his right and dismounted in the neighborhood of Bani Amr bin Auf. This took place on a Monday during the month of Rabi‘ al-Awal. Hazrat Abu Bakrra stood up to meet with the people and the Holy Prophetsa remained quietly seated. Those amongst the Ansar who had not yet seen the Holy Prophetsa began offering the greetings of peace to Hazrat Abu Bakrra until the sun began to shine upon the Holy Prophetsa.”

Since a lot of time had elapsed and the heat had intensified, there was no longer any shade.

“Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakrra provided the Holy Prophetsa a shade with his cloak and it was only then that the people recognised the Holy Prophetsa. The Prophetsa of Allah stayed in the neighborhood of Banu Amr bin Auf for a little more than ten nights and the mosque, the foundation of which was based upon righteousness, was constructed and the Holy Prophetsa offered his prayers inside it. Afterwards, he mounted on his camel and people began walking along with him.

His camel entered Medina and settled at the location where Masjid-e-Nabwi (The Mosque of the Prophet) is situated today.

“At the time, a few Muslims would offer their prayers at this location and it was a place where Sohail and Sahal would dry their dates.”

It was an open plain where these two orphan boys would dry the dates from their land. Hazrat Sa‘d bin Zaraarah was responsible for their upbringing.

“When the camel of the Holy Prophetsa sat down, he said: ‘If Allah wills, this will be my place of residence.’ Then the Holy Prophetsa called for those two boys and enquired about the price for the piece of land for the construction of the mosque. They responded: ‘O Messengersa of Allah! We give you this land for free.’ The Holy Prophetsa refused to obtain this piece of land from them for free and purchased it instead. Then the mosque was constructed. The Messengersa of Allah also carried the bricks with the people during its construction. During this time he said: َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ ‫هذا ال ِح َمال لا ِح َمال خ ْيبر‬ َْ َ َ َ َ ‫هذا اب َ ُّر َربّ َنا َواط َهر‬ ‘This load is not like the burden of Khaibar.

In fact, O our Lord! This weight is very wonderful and pure.’ He would also state: ّٰ َ ْٰ َ َ ْ َ ‫الل ُه َّم ا ِّن الا ْج َر ا ْج ُر الا ِخ َرة‬ َ ُْ َ َ َ َْ ْ َ ْ َ ‫اج َرة‬ ِ ‫فارح ِم الانصار والمه‬ ‘O Allah! The true reward is that of the

hereafter. For this reason, have mercy on the Ansar and the Muhajireen.’”

This narration is also from Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaaqib Al-Ansar, Bab Hijratun Nabi, Hadith 390-) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has explained about this migration [of the Holy Prophetsa].

He has written the account in his own unique style, and therefore I shall read out some of those details. He writes: “At last not a single Muslim remained in Mecca save a few slave converts, the Prophetsa himself, Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Alira. The Meccans realised that their prey was about to escape. The chiefs assembled again and decided they should now kill the Prophetsa. By a special divine design, it seems, the date they appointed for killing the Prophetsa was appointed for his escape. When the Meccan party was collecting in front of the Prophet’ssa house with intent to kill, the Prophetsa was moving out in the secrecy of the night in order to migrate.”

On the one hand, the disbelievers were assembling while on the other hand, upon the guidance received from God Almighty, the Holy Prophetsa was preparing to leave.

“The Meccans must have feared anticipation of their foul design by the Prophetsa. They proceeded cautiously and when the Prophetsa himself passed by, they took him for someone else, and withdrew to avoid being noticed.”

Instead of attacking the Holy Prophetsa they began hiding from him out of fear that this stranger may go and inform the Holy Prophetsa of their plans.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further states: “The Prophet’ssa closest friend Hazrat Abu Bakrra had been informed of the Prophet’ssa plan the day before. He duly joined and then both left Mecca, and took shelter in a cave called Thaur, about three or four miles from Mecca over a hill. When the Meccans learnt of the Prophet’ssa escape, they collected and sent a force in pursuit. Led by a tracker, they reached Thaur. Standing at the mouth of the cave in which the Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra sat hiding, the tracker said that Muhammadsa was either in the cave or had ascended to heaven. Hazrat Abu Bakrra heard this and his heart sank. ‘The enemy has nearly got us,’ he whispered. ‘Fear not, God is with us,’ replied the Prophetsa. ‘I fear not for myself,’ went on Hazrat Abu Bakrra, ‘but for you. For, if I die, I am but an ordinary mortal; but if you die, it will mean death to faith and spirit.’ ‘Even so, fear not,’ assured the Prophetsa, ‘We are not two in this cave. There is a third – God.’ “Meccan tyranny was destined to end.

Islam was to have the chance to grow. The pursuers were deceived. They ridiculed the tracker’s judgement. It was too open a cave, they said, for anybody to take shelter in, for with snakes and vipers it was none too safe. If they had but bent a little, they could have sighted the two. But they did not, and dismissing the tracker, they returned to Mecca.

“For two days, the Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra waited in the cave. On the third night, according to the plan, two fleet camels were brought to the cave; one for the Prophetsa and the guide, the other for Abu Bakrra and his servant, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra.

“Before setting out, the Prophetsa looked back at Mecca. Emotions welled up in his heart. Mecca was his birthplace. He had lived there as child and man and had received there the divine call. It was the place where his forefathers had lived and flourished since the

time of Ishmael. With these thoughts, he had a last long look at it and then said, ‘Mecca, thou art dearer to me than any other place in the world, but thy people would not let me live here.’ Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, ‘The place hath turned out its Prophetsa. It only awaiteth its destruction.’ The Meccans, after the failure of their pursuit, put a prize on their heads and said that whoever captured and restored to the Meccans the Prophetsa or Abu Bakrra dead or alive was to have a reward of a hundred camels. The announcement was made among the tribes around Mecca.

Tempted by the reward, Suraqa bin Malikra, a Bedouin chief, started in pursuit of the party and ultimately sighted them on the road to Medina. He saw two mounted camels and, feeling sure they were bearing the Prophetsa and Hazrat Abu Bakrra, spurred on his horse.

The horse reared and fell before it had gone very far and Suraqara fell with it. Suraqara later accepted Islam. He gives his own account of the incident.” (Deebacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 222-224) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has written the whole incident previously mentioned, as narrated by Suraqara. Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra then further writes: “The Prophetsa asked Aamir bin Fuhairahra to write Suraqa a guarantee, and he did. As Suraqa got ready to return with it, the Prophetsa received a revelation about the future of events concerning Suraqa and said, ‘Suraqa, how wilt thou feel with the gold bangles of the Chosroes on thy wrists?’

Amazed at the prophecy he asked, ‘Which Chosroes? Chosroes bin Hormizd, the Emperor of Iran?’ The Prophetsa said, ‘Yes’.

Sixteen or seventeen years later, the prophecy was literally fulfilled. Suraqara accepted Islam and went to Medina. The Prophetsa died, and after him, first Hazrat Abu Bakrra, and then Hazrat Umarra became the Khalifas of Islam. The growing influence of Islam made the Iranians jealous and led them to attack the Muslims but, instead of subjugating the Muslims, they were themselves subjugated by them. (It was the Iranians who instigated the war). The capital of Iran fell to the Muslims who captured its treasures, including the gold bangles which the Chosroes wore at state functions. After his conversion, Suraqara used to describe his pursuit of the Prophetsa and his party and to tell of what passed between him and the Prophetsa at the time of the migration, and thus the Muslims were aware of the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa that ‘Suraqa, how will you feel when the bangles of the Chosroes will be on your wrists?’ When the spoils of the war with Iran were placed before Hazrat Umarra, he saw the gold bangles and remembered what the Prophetsa had told Suraqara. (Umarra saw it all before his own eyes). It was a grand prophecy made at a time of utter helplessness (when the Messengersa of Allah was made to leave his hometown and go to Medina).

“Furthermore, Suraqara and others were in pursuit of him to bring him back to the Meccans, dead or alive, with a reward of 100 camels. It was in that time that the Holy Prophetsa asked Suraqara ‘How wilt thou feel with the gold bangles of the Chosroes on thy wrists?’ What a grand prophecy and clear knowledge of the unseen this was! When Umarra saw the gold bangles, he was shown a glimpse of God Almighty’s power.

“He, therefore, sent for Suraqara and ordered him to put on the gold bangles.

Suraqara protested that the wearing of gold by men had been forbidden by Islam.

Hazrat Umarra said that this was true (in

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM that men had been forbidden to wear gold), but that the occasion was an exception, (and so it was not forbidden to do so in this particular occasion). The Prophetsa had foreseen Chosroes’ gold bangles on his wrists; therefore, he had to wear them now, even on pain of punishment (because this had fulfilled a prophecy, therefore the rest of the prophecy was also to be fulfilled). Suraqara was objecting out of deference to the Prophet’ssa teaching; otherwise he was as eager as anyone else to provide visible proof of the fulfilment of the great prophecy. He put on the bangles and Muslims saw the grand prophecy fulfilled before their very eyes.” (Deebacha Tafsir-ulQuran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 222-226) It has been recorded in some books that the Holy Prophetsa did not speak of Suraqa bin Malik being given the bangles of Chosroes at the time of the migration, rather it was at a place called Ji‘rana, right after the Holy Prophetsa was returning from Hunain and Taif. (Bukhari ba-Sharh Al-Karmani, Vol. 14, p. 178, Kitab Bad’ul Khalq, Bab Alaamaat Al-Nubuwwah fi Al-Islam, Hadith 3384, Darul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) Nevertheless, the more common narration is the one mentioned previously, i.e. at the time of the migration, which has also been stated by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

When Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra migrated to Medina, he fell ill upon arrival.

The Holy Prophetsa prayed for him and as a result he regained full health. Hazrat Aishara relates that when the Holy Prophetsa arrived in Medina, having migrated [from Mecca], some of his Companions fell ill, namely Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhariahra and Hazrat Bilalra. The Holy Prophetsa granted Hazrat Aishara permission to visit them and enquire of their health. Hazrat Aishara asked Hazrat Abu Bakrra about his health, and in reply he recited the following couplet: ْ ُّ ُ َْ ٌ َ ‫كل ام ِر ٍئ ُم َص ّبح فِي أه ِل ِه‬ َ َ ‫َ ْ َ ْ ُ َ ْ َ م ْن‬ ‫اك ن ْع ِل ِه‬ ِ ‫والموت أدنى ِ ِشر‬ That is to say, “Whenever a person wakes up in his home, it is indeed a good morning, even if death is closer to him than the laces of his shoe.” In other words, he was in such a state that when he would awake, he would be cognisant of the fact that one day, he was eventually going to die.

Hazrat Aishara then enquired of the health of Aamir bin Fuhairahra and he answered by reciting the following couplet: َ َ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ ّ ‫اِنِي َو ّجدت ال َموت ق ْبل ذ ْو ِق ِه‬ ْ َّ َ ُ ُ َ ‫الجَ َب‬ ‫اِن‬ ‫ان َح ْتفه ِم ْن ف ْو ِق ِه‬ That is to say, “I have tasted death even before it befalls me. Surely the death of a coward comes unexpectedly,” which means that a courageous man is ever-ready to die, whereas a coward is unprepared for his death.

Hazrat Aishara then enquired of Hazrat Bilal’sra health. He replied in the following couplet: ًَ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ ‫يَا ل ْيت ِشع ِري هل أبِيت ّن ل ْيلة‬ ُ َ ْ َ ‫بِف ٍ ّج َو َح ْولِي ِإذ ِخ ٌر ّو َجلِيل‬ In other words, “How I wish to know if I am to spend a night in the valley of Mecca surrounded by the grasses of Izkhir and Jaleel.” Thereafter, Hazrat Aishara returned to the Holy Prophetsa and related to him the responses of these Companionsra i.e. what Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra and Hazrat Bilalra had said. After hearing this the Holy Prophetsa looked to the sky and supplicated: َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ ّ َ َّ ُ َّ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ َ .‫ينة كما َح ّب ْبت اِل ْي َنا َمكة أ ْو أشد‬ ‫اللهم ح ِبب ِإلينا الم ِد‬

َ َ َ َ َ​َ ُْْ َ َ ّ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َّ َ​َ ْ .‫اءها اِلى َم َه ْي َعة‬ ‫اعها وم ِدها وانقل وب‬ ِ ‫الله ّم بَا ِرك لنا فِي ص‬ “O Allah, make Medina as dear to us as You made Mecca dear to us, or more than that. O Allah, make it conducive to health, and bless us in its sa’ and mudd’ (units of weight and measurement) and remove all its harmful illnesses to Mahay‘ah (i.e. away from us).” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 10, pp. 101-102, Hadith 25092, Musnad A’ishara, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra was martyred during the incident of Bi’r-eMa‘unah. When these Companions were killed at Bi’r-e-Ma‘unah and Hazrat Amr bin Umayyah Zamri was held captive, Aamir bin Tufail pointed to a deceased and asked him who that man was. Amr bin Umayyah answered that it was Aamir bin Fuhairahra.

Aamir bin Tufail then said “After being killed, I saw Aamir bin Fuhairahra being raised to the heavens to the extent that the sky was between him and the earth, and I can see it even at present. Thereafter, he descended to the earth.”

The Holy Prophetsa was given news of this and informed his Companions of his martyrdom. He stated, “Your Companions have been martyred and they had prayed to their Lord, ‘O Our Lord, inform our brothers of what has happened to us, and that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us.’” Thus, God Almighty informed them about their deceased brothers. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Ghazwah Rajee’, Hadith 4093) This is also a narration taken from Bukhari. Just as God Almighty had informed the Holy Prophetsa about them, a non-Muslim was also able to witness this.

There are differing views as to who martyred Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra.

According to some narrations, it was Aamir bin Tufail, who was mentioned in the earlier incident. (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Ma’rifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 796, Aamir bin Fuhairahra, Dar-ulJeel, Beirut, 1992) Aamir bin Tufail enquired as to who the deceased was. Hence, he was the one from among the enemies who killed him. On the other hand, according to another source, Abdul Jabbaar bin Salmi was the one who killed him. In any case, Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra was killed in the incident of Bi’r-eMa‘unah. (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Ma’rifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, pp. 229-230, Jabbar bin Salmara, Darul-Jeel, Beirut, 1992) Whilst describing the incident in which Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairahra was martyred, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra writes: “Thus, Islam did not flourish by the sword, rather it did so through the high moral teachings which penetrated the hearts and caused a tremendous change in the morals of the people. One Companion said that the reason he accepted Islam was that he was a guest among those people who treacherously martyred the 70 Qaris [these were huffaz, who had memorised the entire Holy Quran]. When they launched an attack on the Muslims, some of them had climbed a hilltop whilst others stood ready to combat. As the enemies far outnumbered the Muslims, who were unarmed and defenceless, they overpowered the Muslims, killing them one by one. In the end, only one Companion remained, who had accompanied the Holy Prophetsa in the migration and was the freedslave of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, whose name was Aamir bin Fuhairahra. It took many of the enemies to bring him down and one of them thrust a spear through his chest. As the spear penetrated, he spontaneously uttered the

15 words:

َ ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َو َر ِ ّب الْك ْع َبة‬ ‘I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I have prospered.’

“When one of the assailants, who later accepted Islam heard these words, he was left astonished. He thought to himself, this man is far from his wife, his children and is in such an ordeal where a spear has been thrust through his chest, yet as he was dying the only thing he uttered was ‘I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I have prospered.’ Is this person not a madman? Hence, this individual asked the others why he has spoken such words.

They replied to him, little do you know that these Muslims are indeed mad. When they die in the way of Allah Almighty they believe God is pleased with them and they have obtained their goal. This individual then said that this had such a profound effect on him that he decided to go and see the Muslim headquarters to study their religion for himself. Therefore, when he reached Medina, he accepted Islam. This Companion stated that a man was killed with a spear in this incident, he was far away from his hometown and relatives, yet the words that flowed from his tongue were: َ ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َو َر ِ ّب الْك ْع َبة‬ ‘I swear by the Lord of the Ka’bah, I have prospered.’ This had a profound effect on him, that even after the attack and accepting Islam, whenever he would relate the incident, all of a sudden his body would tremble and eyes would flow with tears when he would reach the part where the words َ ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َو َر ِ ّب الْك ْع َبة‬ ‘I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I have prospered’ were uttered.” Hence, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra writes that Islam spread due to its beauties, not by force.” (Sair-eRuhani, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 22, pp. 250-251) It is also reported that at the time of Hazrat Aamir bin Fuhairah’s martyrdom, he uttered the words: َ ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َو َر ِ ّب الْك ْع َبة‬ And another narration has the words: ّٰ ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َوالله‬ Both narrations are found. Moreover, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has mentioned that these words were also uttered by many other Companions as well. Whilst mentioning this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “From reading history, we find that the Companions would go into the battles with the belief that attaining martyrdom was indeed a source of comfort and joy for them.

If they ever experienced any kind of sorrow during the battles, they would consider it a source of solace for themselves. Thus, we find numerous incidents in history wherein they considered being slain in the way of God as a source of comfort. For instance, the Huffaz that were sent by the Holy Prophetsa to one of the Arab tribes for the purpose of propagating the message of Islam. The leader of this delegation, Haram bin Milhan went to Amir bin Tufail, who was the chief of the tribe, to convey the message of Islam while the rest of the Companions remained behind. Initially, Aamir bin Tufail and his accomplices warmly greeted him out of hypocrisy. And so, when he sat down having felt assured from them and began preaching, some evil individual signalled to another and immediately upon receiving this indication, he attacked Haram bin Milhan from behind with a spear and he fell. Whilst falling, he spontaneously uttered the following words:

َ َ ْ َُ ُ ُ ‫الله اكبر‬ ‫ف ْزت َو َر ِ ّب الْك ْع َبة‬ meaning, ‘God is great. The Lord of the Ka‘bah is my witness, I have attained my goal.’

“Thereafter, these mischievous people then surrounded the rest of the Companions and launched an attack on them. With regard to this incident, it is mentioned that the person who martyred Aamir bin Fuhairahra, who was the freed slave of Hazrat Abu Bakrra and was also alongside the Holy Prophetsa during the migration, later became a Muslim.

His reason for becoming Muslim was that he said when he martyred Aamir bin Fuhairahra, he immediately uttered the words: ُ ُ ‫ف ْزت َوالله‬ that is ‘by God, I have attained my goal.’”

These incidents therefore illustrate the fact that death was a source of joy for the Companions instead of any kind of sorrow.”

(Eik Ayat ki Pur Ma’arif Tafsir, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 18, pp. 612-613) Thus, these Companions were so fortunate, particularly Aamir bin Fuhairahra who also had the opportunity to serve Hazrat Abu Bakrra. He also had the opportunity to serve the Holy Prophetsa and accompanied him during his migration. He would also provide provisions to the Holy Prophetsa while he was in the cave of Thaur. In those days, the provision was goat milk, and it was Aamir bin Fuhairahra who was assigned with this task.

For three days, without fail, he would take the goats there and would provide them its milk.

He also had the honour of writing a letter for a pact of peace with Suraqa on the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa. Then, as a result of the prayer he made, the Holy Prophetsa also received the news of martyrdom even though he was far away.

He was an embodiment of loyalty who demonstrated his loyalty at every occasion.

May God Almighty continue to go on elevating his status.

(Translated by The Review of Religions) (Original Urdu sermon published in Al Fazl International, 1-7 February 2019, pp. 5-9)

Continued from page 3 Huzoor also laid great emphasis on the need for members of the amila and regional qaids to travel and regularly visit all areas and Khuddam.

Huzooraa told us that this was the only way to connect personally with Khuddam at the local level, and that these visits have a major impact in their lives.

Huzooraa advised us that even distances such as five and six hours away were not far in a country as vast as Canada, and that we should be ready to travel large distances to regularly meet all of the Khuddam.

Alhamdolillah, the meeting was a truly incredible experience full of so many blessings and so much guidance, that it is actually indescribable.

After about an hour’s time, the meeting concluded and we had the great blessing of having a picture with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, followed by the blessed opportunity of every single member meeting Huzooraa. Alhamdolillah!

With this, the mulaqat came to an end and our trip was complete. The following morning, we departed and returned to Canada, with great joy and deep thankfulness to Allah in our hearts.

May Allah enable us to bring these blessings, prayers and guidance back with us to Canada and enable us to act on the words of our beloved Huzooraa, so that every Khadim in Canada can feel the blessings and impact of this blessed trip for years to come. Amin. aa

Friday 15 February 2019 | AL HAKAM

16 Continued from page 11

grace hosted a large tea party for the Imam and his entourage in the Lyon’s Corner House at Oxford Street.

That was the year when my parents went for Hajj. I had seen them off at Lahore before embarking on journey to Europe. Water shortage in that Hajj season was reported in the newspapers causing great anxiety.

Martyrdom of Nematullah Khan in Kabul The news of Nematullah Khan’s death by stoning in Kabul reached during our stay on London weighing down the Imam and his entourage with profound grief and anguish.

A meeting was held in London’s Essex Hall in which this brutal act was condemned.

To draw attention to the tragic happening I wrote a letter to the Afghan ambassador in Paris (London in those days did not have an ambassador from Afghanistan) which began with the first eleven verses of the Quranic chapter Alburuj (The Constellation) which ends on the note: “Those who persecuted the believing men and women and never repented will surely suffer the scourge of hell and the torture of burning.”

Living in Europe, I imagined the ambassador if not ashamed would at least suffer remorse on the savage deed of his government.

On the contrary, I received from him a furious letter which concluded giving vent to his anger by stating that he had torn and consigned my impertinent letter to the waste-paper basket. I requested the Imam to send me to Afghanistan on a preaching mission to which he did not agree.

A short time after this incident, His Majesty Amir Amanullah Khan, King of Afghanistan came on a tour to Europe. Wherever he went he was enthusiastically welcomed both by the governments and the people and extended the courtesy befitting his status.

Across the length and breadth of Europe the people – ordinary and important – were aware that he was the regal potentate on whose command an innocent young man was stoned to death only for differences over religious belief. The European tour of the King and his consort was a success and he returned to his kingdom in a blaze of glory. There the Divine nemesis “Thou [exaltest] whomsoever Thou pleases, and Thou abasest whomsoever Thou pleasest” awaited him. Within a few months of his return an obscure man of no reckoning with the nom de plume of Bachha Sakka rose like a tempest and in no time overthrew the monarchy and personal ascendancy of King Amanullah.

He was driven out of the country in a state

Newly discovered photo of the 1924 delegation to London |

of utter destitution. He spent the remaining part of his worldly life in exile in a condition which was an apt illustration of the Quranic dictum of a “torturous existence” which is neither life nor death – “So take warning, O ye who possess understanding.”

The speech of the head of the Ahmadiyya community for the conference on religions: I had gone to sleep soon on the night preceding the session in which the speech of the Imam was to be read out in the conference on religions when I was summoned by him. He said the point at issue was as to who should read out his address.

Some suggested that he should read out himself while others wanted someone else to read it among whom I was also named. I was summoned so that all those whose names had been suggested should read out a part of the address to assess who could do it best. The Imam had decided beforehand not to read

the address himself. After due consultation he decided that I should be reading it.

My voice was then sonorous. Dr Hashmatullah was directed to continue to “mend” it with tincture iodine. The doctor had recourse to his duty with such assiduous frequency that I was compelled to invoke the intervention of the Imam by a doleful plea at breakfast that if the doctor was to concentrate on my afflicted throat in that fashion my humble self would be wholly disabled by the time the session commenced. An end was put to my torment on his instructions.

Presentation of the address to the Imam of the community in the conference on religions: The Imam was received with extraordinary courtesy when he arrived at the conference. A priest from Wales while holding his hand said that he had purchased his book Ahmadiyyat or the True Islam and could not put it aside till he had read it through the night.

The Statesman, Calcutta

When the time came to read the address, the Imam leaned toward me to say in [a] most affectionate manner “do not worry, I will continue to pray for you.”

Every seat in the hall was taken. A large number had to stand. The entire address was heard in eerie silence. A pin dropping in the hall could be heard. When the address came to an end, a large number from among the audience all at once leapt on to the stage in an attempt to have the privilege of shaking my hand.

Khwaja Nazir Ahmed son of Khwaja Kamaluddin was in the crowd. The address proved a success and there was unanimity on its being rated as the best presented at the conference.

During his stay in London the Imam laid the foundation stone of the London mission.

The privilege to inaugurate it on completion fell to the lot of Sheikh Sir Abdul Qadir.

(Tehdise Nemat or Recollection of Divine Favours, Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, pp.

209-213 [2014])

The Imperial Institute, London, where the religions conference was held in 1924.

Far right: interior

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2019