Al Hakam - 02 November 2018

Spanish Edition of The Review of Religions On 28 October 2018, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa launched the Spanish edition of The Review of Religions

Special Message

Personal Account

100 Years Ago...

From Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to 2018 Peace Conference in Ghana

Story of Survival from Earthquake and Tsunami in Palu, Sulawesi Tengah

A Letter from England & Significant Circumstances

Page 4

Page 4

Page 5 - 6

Page 12

THE WEEKLY

A

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 2 November 2018 | Issue XXXIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

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

Syed-ul-Istighfar

Our Mosques, Open for All H

azrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, delivered his Friday Sermon from the Baitur Rehman Mosque, Silver Spring, Maryland earlier today. The sermon, as usual, was broadcast live via MTA across the globe. Huzoor is on his fourth tour of the USA during which – as the second leg of his tour – he had travelled to Guatemala to inaugurate the Nasir Hospital (reported in previous issue).

Huzooraa travelled back from Guatemala to Houston and later to Silver Spring in Maryland where he has been engaged in a busy schedule – classes with Waqifeen-e-Nau, amins, family mulaqats with American Ahmadis and receiving dignitaries that have been coming to visit him. Al Hakam will continue to report the details of these engagements in the upcoming issues.

Last week’s Friday Sermon was delivered from Baitus Sami Mosque in Houston, Texas. Before his visit to Guatemala and his arrival back in Houston, Huzooraa had inaugurated the Baitus Samad Mosque in Baltimore on 20 October 2018.

Upon arrival in Baltimore, Huzooraa officially inaugurated the Baitus Samad Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty.

Thereafter, Huzooraa led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the mosque and inspected the new premises.

Later, around five hundred people, including 320 dignitaries, attended a special reception held at the Hilton Hotel, Baltimore to mark the inauguration of the Baitus Samad Mosque. Some of the dignitaries in attendance spoke on this occasion before the keynote address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa explained the objectives of mosques and said that true mosques were centres of peace, where Muslims joined together in order to worship God Almighty and to serve humanity, irrespective of faith or belief. Huzooraa called on mankind to unite and to foster peace in society, rather than exacerbating tensions and conflicts that have ignited in much of the world in recent times.

At the beginning of his address, Huzooraa said that it was not surprising that some people feared mosques or harboured concerns about Muslims due to the incessant negative portrayal of Islam in the media.

“Many people fear”, said Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, “that a mosque will provide Muslims with a centre to isolate themselves from the rest of society and to undermine the peace and well-being of the local town or city or even of the nation itself.”

Continued on page 3

Hazrat Shaddad bin Aus, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: ‘Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana ‘Abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika mastata‘tu, a‘udhu bika min sharri ma sana‘tu, abu-u laka bini‘matika ‘alaiya, wa abu-u laka bidhanbi faghfirli, fainnahu la yaghfirudhunuba illa anta.” َ َ​َ َ ْ َ َ ّٰ ْ َ َ ْ َ َّ َ​َ َ َ ‫ َوأنا َعلى َع ْه ِدك َو َو ْع ِدك َما‬،‫ خلق َتنِ ْي َوأنا َع ْب ُدك‬،‫ لَا إِلٰ َه إِلا أن َت‬،‫الل ُه ّم أن َت َربِّي‬ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ُ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َ ّ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ َ ْ ،‫وء لَك ِبذن ِب ْي‬ ‫ أبوء لك ِبنِعمتِك على وأب‬،‫ أعوذ ِبك ِمن ش ِر ما صنعت‬،‫استطعت‬ ْ َ ْ َ َّ ُ ُّ ْ َ َّ َ ‫ ف ِإن ُه لَا يغ ِف ُر الذنوْ َب إِلاأن َت۔‬،‫فاغ ِف ْر ل ِ ْي‬ The Holy Prophetsa added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, they will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, they will be from the people of Paradise.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Da‘wat) Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words This World is a Temporary Abode My dear ones! You have only come to this world for a short while, much of which has already passed. Thus, do not displease your Lord. An earthly government of great might can annihilate you if you displease them. Reflect, how then is it possible for you to escape the wrath of God Almighty? If you are righteous in the eyes of God none can destroy you, for your Lord Himself shall protect you. The enemy who thirsts for your life will never be able to prevail over you. If not for this protection, no one can guard your life, and you will spend your life in fear of your enemies and be made anxious by all types of affliction. And ultimately, your final days will be consumed by grief and anger.

God becomes the refuge of those who attach themselves to Him. Therefore, hasten towards him and forgo all forms of opposition to Him. Do not be indolent in fulfilling your obligations towards Him, and do not wrong His servants through your words or deeds. Remain forever fearful of the anger and wrath of heaven for this is the only path to salvation.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Noah’s Ark, pp. 116-117)

2

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 2-8 November 2 November 1904: The Promised Messiahas was in Sialkot. He penned a lecture, which, although had another title, but is known as Lecture Sialkot. Surprisingly, it was printed (in Mufid-e-Aam Press, Sialkot) and published within two days. A poster announcing this lecture was issued saying, “Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani – the Promised Messiah’s Lecture on Islam.” It was scheduled to be delivered on the morning of this day at Sira-e-Maharaja. The lecture was read out by Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira.

3 November 1904: This morning, the Promised Messiahas began his journey for Qadian via train, after his successful and blessed sojourn at Sialkot. At the railway station of Wazirabad, a famous Christian Missionary, Mr Scott, had the opportunity to see and speak to Hazrat Ahmadas. Mr Scott was appointed in the Daska mission at that time.

4 November 1886: The Promised Messiahas was in Ambala, residing in the cantonment area, main bazaar.

4 November 1888: The Promised Messiah’sas son Bashir, also known as Bashir Awwal (the first), passed away on this day while he was still a suckling child. Huzooras had previously mentioned that in some revelations God had set forth clearly that Bashir’s death would be a necessary trial for people. This child remained critically ill for nineteen consecutive days.

4 November 1900: On this day, the Promised Messiahas issued a statement in the form of a written-advertisement mentioning that his community’s name should be “Musalman Firqa Ahmadiyya”.

4 November 1904: The Promised Messiahas arrived back in Qadian from Sialkot at 12pm.

4 November 1905: The Promised Messiahas began his journey home from Delhi.

5 November 1901: On this day, the Promised Messiahas issued a leaflet named Eik Ghalati Ka Izala (A Misconception Removed). One of his followers was asked whether Huzooras was a prophet of God or not and that person replied in the negative. So, the Promised Messiahas explained in this leaflet that that negative answer was not correct as God had addressed him as a prophet and used similar terms for him in many revelations.

5 November 1905: The Promised Messiahas reached Ludhiana on this day while travelling back from Delhi.

6 November 1905: The Promised Messiahas delivered a lecture in Ludhiana, which started at 8:30am. Huzooras continued his speech until 11am.

7 November 1902: The Promised Messiahas was occupied with writing his book E‘jaz-eAhmadi (The Miracle of Ahmad), which was due to be published a few days later. This book is in Arabic and Urdu, and contains details of a contemporary event.

7 November 1965: Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Al-Musleh Al-Maudra passed away on this day in Rabwah after a prolonged ailment.

8 November 1905: The Promised Messiahas travelled on this day from Ludhiana to Amritsar. He stayed in this city for two days and chose to reside in the same house in which he spent time when he was in this city for Jang-e-Muqaddas (The Holy War – name of the debate between Hazrat Ahmadas and Henry Martyn Clark) in 1893.

8 November 1965: Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh was elected as Khalifatul Masih III, the third successor of the Promised Messiahas, on this day in Masjid Mubarak, Rabwah, the day after the demise of his predecessor and father, Hazrat Mirza Bashruddin Mahmud Ahmadra.

Editorial

Khilafat: A Blessing for Humanity he Promised Messiah described his mission as having T two main objectives: establishing a connection between God and mankind and ensuring that human beings become as

dutiful towards fellow human beings. He spent his entire life in meeting this objective.

After his demise, his Khalifas have taken his mission forward with great success. Huzoor’s tour to the USA has beautifully exemplified how Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya is serving on both of these fronts through numerous means.

The humanitarian services of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Africa, Asia and many underprivileged parts of the world are well known to the world. Under the auspices of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, Humanity First has been providing relief aid to the regions that have been struck by natural disasters from time to time. These efforts have been coming to light through MTA news and the Jamaat’s newspapers and magazines, but what rarely comes to public attention is the fact that Humanity First is constantly occupied, as a fullfledged international charity. Plans are devised, presented to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih for his approval, guidance is sought and plans are implemented accordingly.

Very few knew that a hospital was being planned for the people of the central American region in Guatemala.

Huzooraa inaugurated this hospital on 23 October 2018 and that is when the whole world got to see what a beautiful gift Hazrat Khalifatul Masih had presented to the people of the region.

The hospital is, in every meaning of the term, a state-ofthe-art facility that will provide medical care to those in need of it. Humanity First got the privilege to be part of executing this great humanitarian service of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. This event was proof of how Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya is attaining the objective of being dutiful towards fellow human beings – one out of many proofs that the world has been witnessing over the last 130 years.

During the rest of the tour to the USA, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has inaugurated two mosques, one in Philadelphia and another in Baltimore, where receptions were held and dignitaries from local authorities, the federal authorities, journalists and local residents got the chance to listen to the words of the Khalifatul Masih as he expounded the Ahmadiyya vision of building mosques. These events showed how beautifully the objective of uniting mankind with its Creator is being served. This is the fourth visit of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to the USA, but the message he has delivered is one: Islam is a peaceful religion that strives to achieve global peace and the only means to this goal is to remember the Creator of the Universe and to do as He has commanded.

We must not forget that it is the same USA that some miscreants, under the guise of Islam, had attacked through extremely violent means. Thousands lost their lives in the twin-tower attacks at the turn of the millennium. The miscreants said they were trying to tell the people of America what Islam actually stands for.

On the other hand, we have the Khalifatul Masih, the leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, going out to the peoples of America with the same purpose, but in a manner which is not only the best possible way, it is also completely aligned with the practice of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam. It was the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, who reminded the world that the Prophetsa of Islam was a prince of peace and that terrorism in the name of Jihad was a concept that was alien to his teachings.

In this day, when this fact needs to be communicated to the world, through words and action, the fifth successor of the Promised Messiah and Mahdias is carrying out this blessed service to Islam by travelling far and wide and reminding the world that associating violence to Islam is a grave misconception. He speaks to the media, dignitaries, intellectuals and general public in all parts of the world, especially in the Western world, and demystifies the myth.

3

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

From the Archives

Continued from page 1

Huzoor , acknowledging that there existed a fear about Islam in the Western world, continued: “I have personally seen that such fears do exist amongst many people in the non-Muslim world and regrettably, such angst and suspicion of Islam and its followers continues to rise.

Nevertheless, the truth is, and will always remain, that Islam is completely opposed to all forms of extremism, terrorism or violence.”

Huzooraa alleviated fears associated with the building of mosques by clarifying objectives of all true mosques. Huzooraa said that where mosques allowed Muslims to congregate for prayers and strengthen ties of kinship and unity with one another, mosques also served as a means of “introducing nonMuslims to the teachings of Islam and to fulfil the rights of the wider society.”

Huzooraa reassured that local residents around the mosque would soon see that his words about the mosque were not “sugar-coated words masking a bitter pill,” but that they actually “represent the honest truth.”

Earlier in the evening, before Huzoor’s address, a range of dignitaries also addressed the audience, whilst the National Amir of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Dr Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib introduced Huzooraa prior to the keynote address.

United States Senator Ben Cardin said: “Your Holiness, we welcome you to Baltimore. You honour us with your presence and you inspire us by your leadership.

The community that you lead has helped build a stronger and more peaceful Baltimore, Maryland and America, and your leadership has been global in communities around the world. Your message of peace and love are just what we needed now more than ever before, and you inspire us by your presence and your words here in Baltimore that we all can do better.”

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by Huzooraa.

Before the event, Huzooraa met with a range of dignitaries privately, including Honourable Ben Cardin and Honourable Catherine Pugh, Mayor of Baltimore.

Huzooraa also answered questions during a press conference with representatives of various media outlets. aa

The Jamaat’s First Hospital

TGuatemala (on 23 October 2018) marks another

he recent inauguration of Nasir Hospital in was incorporated in the Noor Hospital that catered for both. project by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for the Allah has a certain point of time destined for service of humanity. everything to happen. The hospital, named Noor We thought it was about time to take our readers Hospital in memory of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, was inaugurated in September 1917 in the time of Hazrat back to the very first hospital built by the Jamaat.

Noor Hospital was the first to be built by the Khalifatul Masih IIra. This building was situated in the Jamaat. The foundations of this project were laid in Dar-ul-Uloom area of Qadian. It later moved, with the the time of Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih same name of Noor Hospital, to its current location of Ira when Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra (father-in-law of Dar-ul-Fatuh, Qadian.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas) dedicated his life for Although Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra carried the service of the Jamaat. out extensive journeys throughout India, the funds He was given the responsibility of running an “old collected could still not suffice for the building of home” for the weak and frail who had nowhere to the facility. The annual report of Sadr Anjuman live. This facility was without any allocated premises Ahmadiyya for the year 1917-1918 mentions the and medical staff was very difficult to get hold of ongoing work of the hospital: when they were required to visit a patient. Hazrat Mir “The hospital in Dar-ul-Uloom has been built Sahibra thought of having an allocated building for the by donations that Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab Sahib facility that had been working in temporary, makeshift collected. But the Anjuman has to provide a grant and facilities. He requested Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira that some furniture, while the roof of the main hall is yet to he launch a fundraising scheme for this noble purpose. be placed. We hope that the accounts department will Writing back to Hazrat Mir Sahibra, Hazrat Khalifatul not forget this project in their appeal.”

Masih Ira not only launched a scheme, but also donated This hospital – established so painstakingly and an amount for this cause and promised to pay another with so much limited resources – is now, by the 260 rupees. The project was of establishing a hospital grace of Allah, a hospital that caters for thousands to cater for both male and female patients. of residents of not only Qadian but from the With the approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, neighbouring towns and cities as well. It has all major Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra published an announcement departments that a hospital is expected to have. The in the Badr of 24 January 1909 stating that in view of standard of cleanliness, the professional qualifications the growing need for amenities in Qadian, four types of the medical and paramedical staff are of better of buildings were urgently required, for which, he level than even most of the state-run hospitals, and announced, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had not only even most of the private ones in the whole country. given approval, but had also donated 260 rupees. The The Noor Hospital held its centennial celebrations in four buildings he intended to build were: October 2017 and was attended by dignitaries and local residents.

1. A mosque near the boarding house (It was this Such were the financial constraints when the first mosque that would later be known as the Noor hospital was founded by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque that housed the election of Hazrat Khalifatul Community.

But this goes to show how concerned the Masih II in 1914) community has always been with regard to providing 2. A male hospital (later to be known as Noor health facilities to mankind, regardless of faith, colour Hospital) or creed.

3. A female hospital to be named Ummul Mominin The reports of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, Ward right from 1908-1909 (the first report published 4. A care home by the name of “Dar-ul-Zu‘afa” to by the Anjuman after the inception of Khilafat-ehouse the old and frail Ahmadiyya) show that there was always a fund for a The estimate for the cost of these four buildings “Shifa Khana” (clinic) and reports had it that hundreds was given at around twenty thousand rupees in of patients were being seen by doctors and medicines total. Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra, despite old age, were being dispensed. travelled across the length and breadth of the Indian Fast forward a hundred years and what we have subcontinent. His tireless efforts proved fruitful and all now is many hospitals of the community, rubbing four facilities were later established through the funds shoulders with the best hospitals of their respective that he had raised. The female hospital (the Ummul countries, and busy serving mankind.

Mominin Ward) was not established separately but

Al Fazl, 14 July 1917

4

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

Spanish Edition of The Review of Religions

n 28 October 2018, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V launched the Spanish O edition of The Review of Religions from aa

Guatemala, Central America.

The monthly magazine was first launched in 1902 during the time of the Promised Messiahas in the English language to spread the teachings of Islam to the Western audience.

During the time of the Promised Messiahas, the magazine was published in both English and Urdu separately. Since then, it has covered a wide range of articles from religion, science, philosophy, politics and contemporary issues.

Today, through The Review of Religions, the true message of Islam is being spread all throughout the world. Previously, the

monthly magazine was being published in English, German, French and now, by the grace of Allah, the Hispanic society will be benefiting from this magazine.

Tarik Ata Sahib, newly appointed editor of The Review of Religions’ Spanish edition, told us: “The very first idea of creating the Spanish edition was conceived by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa during a mulaqat which he had with the Review of Religions team, where Huzooraa gave guidelines for this publication. This was on 10 June 2018, after Huzoor had come to Spain. Then, in a separate mulaqat during the month of August, the team was created and the first target was set to have a special edition dedicated to the service to mankind.

“During the first mulaqat with the Spanish team, Huzoor mentioned that we should focus on the need of religion and evolution of religion, because evolution of religion would bring us right from Adamas to the Promised Messiahas. Also, when we asked Huzoor what his vision for the Spanish edition was, he said, ‘My vision is the same as the Promised Messiah’sas.’

“Under Huzoor’s guidance, we are aiming to prepare quarterly editions (every 3 months) which will cover topics that will allow us to fulfil the long term goal as explained by Huzooraa. We are also working on establishing contacts in Spain and Latin America in order to promote this magazine to as many people as possible, Insha-Allah.”

Readers are encouraged to continue to remember The Review of Religions’ team in their prayers. May this launch be a new means of reviving the teachings of Islam in the land of Spain.

To read more, please visit The Review of Religion’s website. A link on the Spanish edition of this magazine is provided below: www.reviewofreligions.org/14150/ groundbreaking-his-holiness-launchesnew-spanish-edition-of-the-review-ofreligions/

100 Years Ago...

Tabligh Activities of Qazi Abdullah Sahib in England Al Fazl, 5 November 1918

Respected Qazi Abdullah Sahib BA BT writes in a new letter: he Bai‘at forms of two persons from the town of Morpeth have been sent through Mufti Sahib. After this, the report is as follows: Prior to returning from there, the message of truth was conveyed to all in a public gathering under the presidency of Mr Robinson, an esteemed personage of the city. This gathering was extremely successful in its occurrence. Thereafter, I received the opportunity to perform tabligh, visiting the houses at invitation too, of the people or families to whom I was individually propagating the message of Islam. Visiting the residence of Mr Brank, he was enlightened of the circumstances of the Ahmadiyya Community. This indi-

T

vidual has remained as a member of parliament.

At the invitation of Mr Robinson, whom I had mentioned before, I remained in his house from 5 o’clock to 8 o’clock, and during this time, he was substantially acquainted regarding the circumstances of the Jamaat to an extent.

I arrived from Morpeth to the town of Rothbury. I gained the opportunity to carry out tabligh to many people individually and to distribute literature. The station master of this area, who is an officer in the army as well, took me to his home to listen to further information regarding the circumstances of the Jamaat. The conversation throughout occurred in the form of a debate. The station master, his wife and his sister became convinced of the unity

100 Years Ago...

Significant Circumstances Al Fazl, 29 October 1918

pology: At the outset, the severe A onslaught of the disease, which has nowadays turned into an epidemic in

every part and corner of the country, was affecting the surrounding towns and villages of Qadian where people profusely began to fall ill.

When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II was apprised of it, he instructed Ahmadi doctors to tour the villages, examining the afflicted and supplying medicines on a free basis. Thus, the doctors began touring villages, supplying them with medicines with their assistants who were Ahmadis.

However, a few days thereon, complaints of this disease arose in Qadian too. It has been told to be a contagious disease which spreads extremely swiftly and transmits from one person to another. As a result, many people began to be affected by it. As all offices here, whether they be of newspapers or other departments, have the same number of workers to carry out their jobs as correspond with the extreme limit that they require, a collective leave has occurred because some from among them have fallen ill or are engaged in attending to their [ill] family or other people.

This was the reason why no newspaper was able to be published after 5 October and this paper is also being published with great difficulty and endeavour, to inform friends who reside externally of the significant circumstances. If God enables and His grace remains ever present, efforts shall be made for the newspaper to be regularly published in the future, Insha-Allah.

of God instead of trinity and accepted the Promised Messiahas to be God’s prophet.

Afterwards, accepting the prophethood of the Holy Prophetsa and of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas in this age, they signed the form [of initiation].

From Rothbury, I arrived at Hexham.

However, stopping at a village named Cambo on the road for two hours, I conveyed to many the message of Islam.

On Saturday evening, there was a grand gathering in Hexham in which I was engaged in lectures, questions and answers from 8 o’clock to 10 o’clock. This left a very good impression on people. I remained in that area for three days. A respected individual who had arrived there from another city to spend time off for his leave and a person who resided there entered into the fold of those who attest to the truth, after tabligh.

From the town of Hexham, I arrived at Blackpool, passing through Carlisle and Windermere. In this area, I gained much opportunity to convey the message of Islam to the masses.

(Translated by Fateh Alam)

5

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

Humanity First visits Indonesian Tsunami Victims

OHumanity First International visited n 20 October 2018, a delegation of

affected areas following the devastating earthquake and tsunami last month.

In the week-long visit, the delegation met with the Humanity First Indonesia team on the ground and personally met a number of the disaster victims in Palu.

The delegation comprised of Nasir Amini from Bradford (Humanity First International), Tahir Ahmad from East London (Humanity First International), Najm Khan from Farnborough (Humanity First UK) and Tariq Karim from Griesheim (Humanity First Germany).

Heading up the site visit, Nasir Amini said: “It’s heart-breaking seeing the devastation caused and the amount of people affected by it. As a father of young children, I was very affected by the number of children suffering and who have been displaced. I was able to see first-hand the hard work that Humanity First Indonesia are continuing to do, putting your donated funds to good use.”

According to latest figures, more than 220,000 people have been displaced and at least 110,000 survivors, many of whom are children, are living in evacuation centres and still need immediate support.

The delegation also visited sites of liquefication, where the ground becomes liquid due to the effects of the earthquake

causing whole villages to disappear.

During the visit, the delegation have met with representatives from the United Nations, UNICEF, BNPB (National Disaster Management Board Indonesia) and AHA Centre (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance).

Humanity First Indonesia are still working hard with the BNPB to provide much needed support, including the planned distribution of water filtration equipment for over 500 displaced families through our partnership with UK Rotary Charities, World Water Works and Aquabox.

Please visit https://uk.humanityfirst.org/ to see more of Humanity First’s Projects.

Personal Account of Survival from Earthquake and Tsunami in Palu, Sulawesi Tengah

Imam Arief Rahman Effendy Missionary for Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia

Apark on Friday around 5:45pm, along with fter performing my evening exercise at the

my daughter Dila and my sons Ahmad and Khadim, I rode home on my motorcycle.

After I parked the motorcycle and greeted my wife, we sat down for a few minutes while waiting for Maghrib Adhan. My two-year-old son, Khadim, went to his mother asking for food. My other children sat with me. Not long after that, Wahyu (a local Ahmadi) came to join us in Maghrib Salat.

Suddenly my house began to tremor fiercely. Quickly, I ran into the entrance door, screaming, “Run! Get outside! It’s an earthquake!” I grabbed both my daughters’ hands. Both of them stood near me.

My third child, Ahmad, tried hard to run outside. We were crashing at all sides, to the left and to the right, because of the strong shocks.

All buildings were moving in all directions. The mosque rumbled. Water from the pool began pouring in all directions. We were disorientated and fell to the ground losing all energy and strength.

Meanwhile, my wife and the youngest child tried hard to fight the shaking so that they could get outside the house. They banged the wall and crashed to the floor repeatedly. The youngest child kept falling out of his mother’s clasp. Wahyu quickly ran from the mosque

towards me and sat under a dangerous power pole. The pole shook violently above our heads.

By now, I really wanted to help my wife and my young children who sat helplessly at the entrance door trying to get out from the building. But I couldn’t do anything as I was losing my balance.

Fortunately, Wahyu quickly stood up and ran towards my youngest child. My wife’s nose was bleeding as she had tried so hard to save herself.

When the earthquake stopped, I screamed calling “Daeng”, a nickname of Mahdi Haris Sahib who resided at the old missionary house.

He is an elderly person. I was worried that something might have happened to him. As I remembered him, I cried whilst reciting a prayer for him. I was afraid something bad had happened to him. For a long while, I did not hear any response. I kept calling out his name.

Finally, he answered by banging the door and screaming. As he came out, he had a smile on his face.

I was still afraid in case a tsunami was coming.

Not long after that, the kitchen building of the masjid complex collapsed. A 2.4-metre bookshelf collapsed inside the house. There was heavy damage to the mosque floor, with water everywhere.

I instructed Wahyu to take one of the motorcycles and take my wife and two children.

I found my keys on the floor under the chair.

I quickly saved my wallet and cell phone also.

My wife, now already seated on the motorcycle, shouted to me to take the homeopathy box.

My home was already drowned with water and everything was scattered. Due to the panic, my children were crying. I tried to calm them down. I ran back inside my home and quickly grabbed the homeopathy kit.

Thereafter, with my two daughters, Ami and Dila, I took the motorcycle. I also told Daeng to save himself as I could now see water coming from all directions. Both our motorcycles now set off in an attempt to save ourselves.

I tried to find directions to Sidera Sigibiromaru (an inland area) looking for a shortcut by entering an alley. But the alley was blocked by my collapsed house. So I decided to go back to the big road and drive in the opposite direction.

The road condition was terrible. The earthquake had literally split the road in half.

As I rode, I saw many people running with their bodies drenched in water and covered in mud and soil. Children were crying and panicking.

I felt panicked, but I managed to get a grip on myself. As I continued to try and calm myself, I prayed so that I could figure out a means for our safety. I continued to ride my motorcycle in the middle of screaming and frantic people.

Meanwhile, it began to get dark. I continued to whisper to my children to keep praying. Then Wahyu shouted that there was a shortcut using a bridge. Although it seemed like a good idea, I thought to myself that it was impossible the

bridge still existed.

At the Biromaru intersection, I should have gone straight, but due to the heavy traffic, I could not wait patiently. The asphalt on the road had twisted and formed bumps and fragments that made it difficult to drive on.

In front of me I noticed a path that I could go through. Immediately, I called Wahyu and shouted to avoid the bridge and to take the street through the river’s mouth that had not been properly built yet.

Here, Wahyu went ahead of me. As we rode on the rocky road, it gradually became difficult for me to ride the motorbike as the cracks in the road were filled with water and it became difficult for the motorbike to pass. Several times, we got stuck in those cracks.

As I struggled to get out of one of the cracks, survivors crowded on the street. I instructed my two daughters to walk forward as far as they could until they reached a better road accessible for motorcycle, while I attempted to carry the motorcycle along the street. At this point, I could no longer see Wahyu.

After walking continuously for some time, that destroyed path thankfully ended and we found a more smooth road towards Sidera Sigibiromaru, a nearby village. Although I only had on a shirt and shorts, I did not forget Salat.

With my two daughters, we performed Salat while sitting on the motorcycle in the middle of the road.

Immediately, I began looking for Wahyu along the way who was with my wife and other two children. I searched for them hoping that

Imam Arief Rahman Effendy Sahib stood in the centre with the Humanity First Disaster Relief team

Photos courtesy of Imam Arief Rahman Effendy Sahib

6

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

they were already in the place we decided to meet.

In the middle of the road, there were lots

of afflicted people stuck in the same place. The condition here was far worse than other roads I had crossed.

I began to think that Wahyu had taken a wrong turn. I left my daughter with a survivor, Kuat Sahib. Meanwhile, my other daughter did not want to be separated from me as she was really scared. Along with my other daughter who was with Kuat Sahib, I took her to the mission house complex to Nanang Sahib’s family, who was a survivor and where she was willing to stay with.

Kuat Sahib, my children and I were served instant noodles, courtesy of Nanang Sahib’s family. I forced myself to eat as I knew my family had still not been found and I must look for them.

That night was spent looking for Wahyu along with whom were my children and wife. I looked for them at a road that they may possibly have passed. In fact, I even looked for them at the mosque in Palu, but I could not find them.

By the grace of Allah, all Ahmadi homes in Sigibiromaru stand because most of them were constructed from wood. The mission house also did not collapse although I thought it might have.

In the middle of the third night, I gave up searching for my wife and the other children.

I ensured myself that Wahyu would keep them safe even though I was unsure where they were.

In Memory of My Beloved Mamu Jan Syed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib Hamida Mannan London, UK

Saway on 27 August 2018 at the age of 92. “To yed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib of Canada passed

Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

Announcing the demise of Syed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa said in his 21 September 2018 Friday Sermon: “He was a faithful and loyal member, who had great passion for the Community. The deceased was a Musi.”

Huzoor further said, “He has also written an introduction to the books of the Promised Messiahas and compiled it, which is a great scholarly achievement on his part.”

Huzoor added, “In 1982, he presented a programme on the Jamaat on a Canadian television channel called Rogers without any remuneration. Hence, for the first time in the world, on 12 December 1982, the pictures of the Promised Messiahas and the Khulafa of Ahmadiyyat were presented on Canadian television.”

The Star, Toronto, one of Canada’s most circulated newspapers, published on 29 August 2018 the following about Syed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib: “Hasanat Syed was a devoted member of the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and a friend to his peers in journalism and politics. He made seminal contributions to help integrate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada over the years through skilful engagement of the Canadian media, policyand decision-makers and the public at large.

He was known for bettering the lives of new immigrant Canadians and defending the rights of all minorities in Canada. Through his own weekly publication, New Canada, he voiced the defence of programs and institutions that helped Canadian minorities settle and integrate into Canadian society while preserving their identity and dignity. He was a staunch defendant and supporter of a just society, inclusive of people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. He was a prolific author of multiple books and sponsored

many conferences in Canada on the topics of human rights”.

The Canadian Media Ethnic Association wrote about him: “Hasanat Ahmad Syed is a well-known figure in Toronto circles and active in the Human Rights and Race Relations Centre since its inception in 1994”.

“He has a passion for a just and equitable society. His unique and positive way of rewarding those who are actively involved in the eradication of racism in our society has contributed significantly to creating harmonious relations between various communities.

“Mr Syed is a prolific writer and is the author of a number of books, including the latest one, Outstanding Immigrants in the New Millennium.

This prompted the following comment from the Governor General, Rt Hon Adrienne Clarkson, ‘The enormous amount of work involved in publishing this wonderful book speaks loudly of your commitment to promote great Canadians at home and abroad.’

“Mr. Syed has played a very prominent role in the successful settlement of his community (Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam) in Canada, including the building of a $25-million housing

During the night, although I was on a warm mattress covered with a blanket, I could not sleep as I felt anxious and worried about my wife and the other two children. I imagined them in the bitter cold and struggling because of the cold weather. I imagined them resting in a place drowned by mud and water and without any mattress. I imagined them surrounded by mosquitoes and without anything to eat or drink. All negative thoughts crossed my mind.

All I could do was pray for them as I kept trying to look for phone signal that was lost since the earthquake.

Thankfully, the first text message was sent.

It was sent to Amir of Indonesia, Abdul Basit Shahid Sahib who I informed that myself and two of my children were saved to which I received his reply with prayers. Unfortunately, I could send no further text message as I lost signal again.

At midnight, I saw one Ahmadi calling someone using WhatsApp. Hurriedly, I borrowed his phone and entered all random contacts on my phone.

Then I called my brother in Semarang informing him that I was safe but separated from my wife and two children. I also called another friend who I knew always slept late and would answer my call.

I closed my eyes and saw Wahyu’s faces, my son in front of him and my wife with a swollen

face who held onto my youngest son. All of their faces looked calm. I felt gratefulness. I believed that Allah would save us with His best plans.

By the grace of Allah, I arrived home on time from that evening exercise. If I had returned any later, the earthquake would surely have hit us at Potobo. At the time of the earthquake, the soil literally split into two parts. The ground rose up and suddenly dropped. Mud came out from the ground swallowing the houses and burying them in its depth.

Wahyu also came to the mosque in perfect timing. Had he not, he would probably be buried alive inside his apartment that had collapsed and was buried under the mud.

At 5:30 the following morning, I asked Nanang Sahib to look for my family again, after previously discussing to which directions should we go. We decided to enter the most damaged area at the bridge – the epicentre. We heard lots of people went there for shelter and were stuck over there.

Only one or two kilometres into our journey, I could see a man ride with a woman in a hijab. I abruptly shouted, “Allahu Akbar!”

I knew they were my wife, Wahyu and my two other children. Alhamdolillah, all Ahmadis were saved and we all experienced the height of gratefulness.

project in Toronto. He has received numerous awards including one in January 2003, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal was conferred on him by Government of Canada.

“He was President of South Asian Journalists Club and a Director of Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club. He was elected as Secretary of Canada Day Committee of Metropolitan Toronto (19962003), and Executive Director/Project Director of the Centre for Internationally Trained Professionals.”

In the era of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIIrh (from 1975 to 1978) he used to bring non-Ahmadi journalists for the reporting of Jalsa Salana Rabwah which was later published in the national press. He also had the opportunity of organising press conferences of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh with press and media. (History of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Rawalpindi, p. 279) He was one of the pioneering members of Jamaat Canada to build relations with the Canadian Government and media. He laid the groundwork for the external relations and publicity of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Canada.

He had personal relations with Canadian prime ministers, speakers of the Assembly and members of parliament. He invited them to Jamaat events.

In 1984, Pope John Paul visited Canada.

Syed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib made arrangements for a group of Jamaat members to meet the Pope and present him a copy of the Holy Quran.

He was also a member of the board of directors for Ahmadiyya Abode of Peace from 1990 to 2001.

During 1985, he was a member of the editorial board of The Review of Religions.

In 1994, he was elected as President of Human Rights and Relations Centre. This NGO was founded to help immigrants integrate in Canada and develop racial harmony for students in schools. Over 100 gold medals with $5,000 cash awards were given to the students by him.

In November 2004, a group study room was named after him in York University Canada.

He worked in the field of journalism for 50 years. In addition, he used his journalistic talents to raise the profile of the community. As editor of New Canada for 20 years, he publicised the Khalifatul Masih’s messages and Jamaat’s

activities as well as the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan. He also highlighted the significant contribution of immigrants to ensure their enhancement of political, social and civic life in Canada.

He was a very devoted Ahmadi with a deep love for Khilafat. He was the voice of new Canadian immigrants and defended the rights of all minorities in Canada.

He also translated a few books of the Promised Messiahas and part of the book Murder in the Name of Allah by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh. He is also the author of the following books:

(Translated by Khalida Jamilah)

• Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen, Khalifatul Masih I – The Way of the Righteous • An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam. This book presents thumbnail sketches of 89 books of the Promised Messiah and Mahdias • The Second Coming of Jesus Christ In June 1989, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh visited Canada. Syed Hasanat Ahmad Sahib was actively involved in the arrangements of inviting government officials and press & media publications.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh commended him in one of his letters saying, “You work diligently with wisdom and sincerity to make my visit a success in Canada”.

In 1990, in cooperation with Honourable Bob Wong, he played a key role to arrange an Eid Milan party in the Ontario Legislative Building for the very first time in Canada.

His sister, Syeda Naseem Saeed Sahiba, writes: “By the grace of God, my brother Syed Hasanat Ahmad was able to serve the Jamaat and humanity only because of the prayers of the Khulafa. He inherited love of Ahmadiyyat and Khilafat from his parents and followed their footsteps by carrying out Jihad of the Pen.” His younger sister, Razia Sami, says: “He was a very kind-hearted and loving person. He was always keen to help the poor and needy. He funded the weddings of many underprivileged girls.”

May Allah have mercy on him and grant him a lofty place in paradise.

7

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

From Qadian to the United States of America Jalees Ahmad

I

n 1919, under the instruction of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra was told to set course to America to establish the Ahmadiyya Jamaat within the country and begin the propagation of Islam to the Western audience.

After arriving, in 1920, The Philadelphia Press wrote with regard to Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib’s arrival: “While many religious sects in the United States are spending many thousands of dollars and sending hundreds of philosophers and teachers to the wilds of Tibet, the far reaches of Arabia and Hindustan and to the unexplored regions of Africa and China, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, after travelling thousands of miles, alone and friendless, hopes to begin his crusade to convert Americans to the doctrines taught by the prophet Ahmad, of whom he is the principal disciple.” (The Philadelphia Press, 19 February 1920) In the 1920s, New York had already proclaimed itself as “the city that never sleeps”. In every nook and corner, there was a special kind of buzz in the atmosphere. In April when Hazrat Mufti Sahibra was released from the American detention centre, knowing the reputation New York had built for itself, he decided to start the propagation of Islam from there.

The Review of Religions in July 1920 published extracts found in The Public Ledger, a Philadelphia paper: “‘My intention,’ [Mufti Sahib] said today at the Gloucester immigration station, ‘is to start my work in New York and then extend it to other cities. There are no converts to the Ahmadia movement here and I know no one in this country. I come as a missionary with belief in the work before me.’”

Then, in October 1920, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra relocated and moved the headquarters to Chicago, Illinois, which from its central position in the country and other reasons was found more convenient for the purpose of the missionary work than New York. (The Review of Religions, October 1920) Soon after, in the same year, Hazrat Mufti Sadiqra moved the American headquarters of the Ahmadiyya movement

to Highland Park, Detroit. (Islam in the African-American Experience) Hazrat Mufti Sahibra was spreading the message of Islam by means of weekly lectures, distribution of literature and interviews and articles in the press. Regarding the first year in America, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra writes in The Moslem Sunrise, 1921: “During the past 12 months, I have delivered about 50 public lectures in the cities of New York, Chicago, Detroit, Dowagiac, Michigan City, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, etc. All of these Lectures were previously announced in the daily papers.”

Though Mufti Sahibra was a missionary in America, he did not limit himself to the then 48 states of the US. In 1921, Mufti Sahib received letters of thanks from the King of Belgium and the President of Brazil for sending them important and valuable literature and for congratulating them on New Year’s Day. (The Review of Religions, 1921) In 1922, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra, again, moved the Ahmadiyya headquarters to the south side of Chicago at 4448 Wabash Avenue. This is a very historic date in the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA as the new location was established as the first Ahmadiyya mosque which served as the mission house and the official office of The Moslem Sunrise magazine (Islam in the African-American Experience). The money for this project was donated by Ahmadis in India.

Mufti Sahib gives a brief report about this in The Moslem Sunrise, 1922: “Alhamdolillah! God be praised, that the mosque is now complete with its dome outside and arch and necessary furnishings inside. A picture of the mosque is given on page 120 of this magazine. We are thankful to our Ahmadi brothers in India for the prompt remittance of their share of donation to the mosque and to the brothers here who have helped and are still helping towards our expenses of the mosque and the house. Since the last magazine was published, I have delivered many lectures in different churches and halls in the city of Chicago in addition to our regular meetings now held in the mosque.”

Ahmadiyya headquarters, Chicago 4448 Wabash Avenue, 1922

47th MKA Bangladesh Ijtema 2018

Muhammad Golam Rabbi Mohtamim Talim, MKA Bangladesh

T

he 47th national Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh was held on 19, 20 and 21 October 2018.

The significance of this Ijtema was that for the first time ever, the MKA Bangladesh national Ijtema was held 450 kilometres away from Dhaka city in Ahmadnagar on the Jamaat’s own land. Ahmadnagar is in the extreme northern part of Bangladesh.

A total of 1,517 Khuddam and Atfal from 78 Majalis participated in this Ijtema.

Among them, 1,057 were Khuddam and 460 were Atfal. This is the highest ever attendance in our National Ijtema, Alhamdolillah.

On 19 October at 11:30, National Amir Sahib and Sadr Sahib hoisted the flags of Bangladesh and Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya

respectively followed by dua. Then, through the formal opening session, National Amir Sahib inaugurated the Ijtema.

This year, there were separate tents for Khuddam and Atfal for talimi events.

Different academic competitions like Quran Nazira (reading), Quran memorisation, nazm (Urdu and Bengali), Arabic qaseeda, speech (Bangla and Urdu) and Adhan were held in Khuddam and Atfal tents. Various sports events took place like football, cricket, kabaddi, strong man competition and volleyball.

On the evening of 20 October, a career guideline programme was conducted where two topics were discussed by panel speakers – Attributes of a Good Student and How to Eliminate Unemployment. The total presence of this event was 500.

There was a Tarbiyati Session on Saturday evening where Maulana Muhammad Solaiman Sahib and Maulana Abdul Awwal Khan Chowdhury Sahib delivered valuable speeches. 850 participants joined this session. This session was telecast live on YouTube. Atfal conference was conducted parallel to the aforementioned event where 410 Atfal attended.

This year, arrangements were made for a tabligh corner where one missionary was

available at all times to answer questions by external guests. During the Ijtema days, 5 external guests accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat.

On Saturday afternoon, various local administrators and journalists were invited for lunch. In this programme, the local chairman and other distinguished guests attended. Sadr Sahib presented a report

of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh’s activites and the humanitarian works of our Jamaat. Attended guests praised and commended our activities and disciplined manner.

On Sunday evening, National Amir Sahib concluded the Ijtema with the prizegiving ceremony and silent prayer.

MKA Bangladesh

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

8

Friday Sermon 12 October 2018 Delivered from Baitul Futuh Mosque

Men of Excellence After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: oday, the Companions I shall mention T have not had the details of their incidents or narrations preserved in history.

They have very short introductions, some of which have been stated in only a few lines.

However, I would like the information about all the Badri Companions [those Companions who took part in the Battle of Badr] compiled in one place within the literature of the Jamaat. Therefore, I shall also mention those names which have very few details about them.

Irrespective of the fact that they have only been mentioned briefly in history, however their noble statuses are such that even to remember them is a source of blessing for us. These were such people that despite their poverty and impoverished means, they were at the forefront in defending their faith. They were never in awe by the strength of their opponents but would instead place all their trust in God Almighty. They pledged their loyalty and love to the Holy Prophetsa and did not withhold from even giving their lives.

By keeping to this oath, God Almighty gave them the glad tidings of paradise and announced that He was pleased with them.

Hazrat Abdul Rabby bin Haqq bin Aus was a companion regarding whom there are varying opinions. Some have claimed his name is Abdul Rab whilst others have said it is Abdullah. According to Ibn Ishaq, his name was Abdullah bin Haqq, but according to Ammarah it is Abd Rabb bin Haqq. He was from the Banu Sa‘adah family of the Banu Khazraj tribe and he participated in the Battle of Badr. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p.

317-318, Abdul Rabby bin Haqq, Maktaba Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 2003) Then there is Hazrat Salma bin Thabit.

His full name is Salma bin Thabit bin Wakhsh. Hazrat Salma participated in the Battle of Badr. During the Battle of Uhud he was martyred by Abu Sufyan. Hazrat Salma’s father was Hazrat Thabit bin Wakhsh and his uncle was Hazrat Rifa‘a bin Wakhsh. His brother Amr bin Thabit was also martyred during the Battle of Uhud. Many members of his family fought in the Battle of Uhud. His mother’s name was Layla bint Yamaan and was the sister of Hazrat Huzaifah bin Yamaanra. (AlTabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 234, Salma bin Thabit, Maktaba Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 1996) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 291, Salma bin Thabit, Maktaba Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 2003) Then there is Hazrat Sinan bin Saifi who

belonged to the Banu Salma branch of the Khazraj tribe. His mother was Naila bin Qais and he had one son named Mas‘ud.

In 12 Nabawi, as a result of the preaching efforts of Mus‘ab bin Umair he accepted Islam. He entered the fold of Islam alongside the 70 Ansar Companions [Muslims who were the inhabitants of Medina] during the Bai‘at Aqba Thania. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud (Al-Tabkaatul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 291, Sinan bin Saifi, Maktaba Dar-ul-Hayaa AlTurath Al-Arabi, 1996) (Habib Kibriya Ke Teen Sau Ashaab by Talib Hashmi, p. 325, Nadeem Yunus Printers, Lahore, 1999).

He also fought in the Battle of the Ditch in which he attained martyrdom. (As Siratun

bin Harith who belonged to the Aus tribe.

His mother was the sister of Hazrat Sa‘dra bin Khaithima. With regard to him it has been written that he had two children from Ummi Sahl bint Abi Kharijah whose were Asmaa and Kulthum. He participated in the Battle of Badr. The day on which the Holy Prophetsa was to depart for the Battle of Uhud, the very same morning he passed away. He was counted among those people who participated in the Battle of Uhud.

(Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p.

388, Muhriz bin Amir, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 1990). This is because his intention was to join them, and it was for this reason that the Holy Prophetsa counted him among those who participated in the

Nabawiyyta Li Ibne Hisham, Pt. 1, p. 276, Dar-ul-Kutubil Arabi, Beirut 2008) Then there is Hazrat Abdullah bin Abdi Manaf. He belonged to the Banu Nu‘man tribe (As Siratun Nabawiyyta Li Ibne Hisham, Pt. 1, p. 410, Dar-ul-Kutubil Arabi, Beirut 2008). His title was Abu Yahya and his mother was Humaima bint Ubaid. He had one daughter also named Humaima whose mother was Rubai bint Tufail. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 292, Abdullah bin Abdi Manaf, Maktaba Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Then there is Hazrat Muhriz bin Amir bin Malik. He passed away in the morning that they were departing for the Battle of Uhud. His full name was Muhriz bin Amir and he was from the Banu Adi bin Najjar tribe. His mother was Sauda bint Khaithima

battle.

Then, there is Hazrat Aaiz bin Ma‘is, who was an Ansari Companion. His name was Aaiz bin Ma‘is and he belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Zuraiq. The Holy Prophetsa formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Suwaibit bin Harmala. He participated in the Battle of Badr along with his brother, Hazrat Mu‘az bin Ma‘is. He participated in all battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Aaiz bin Ma‘is was present at Bir-e-Ma‘unah and also participated in the Battle of The Ditch. Furthermore, he participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa.

He was martyred in the battle of Yamama in the twelfth year of Hijra [migration of the Holy Prophetsa to Medina], during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p.

43, Aaiz bin Ma‘is, Maktaba Dar-ul-Fikr,

Beirut, 2003) (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 301, Aaiz bin Ma‘is, Dar-ulHayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, 1996) Then, there is Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma bin Malik Ansari. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Balli. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud and was martyred during the Battle of Uhud. When Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma was martyred, he was wrapped in a cloth along with Hazrat Mujazzir bin Ziad and brought to Medina on a camel. The mother of Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma approached the Holy Prophetsa and said, “O Messengersa of Allah!

My son participated in the Battle of Badr and has been martyred during the battle of Uhud. I wish to bring him close to me; in other words that he be buried in Medina so that I can enjoy his nearness.” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa granted permission for this. Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma’s physique was well-built and heavy, whereas Hazrat Mujazzir bin Ziad was thin and light. In the narrations it is mentioned that despite this, their weight appeared to be equal when placed on the camel. People expressed their astonishment at this, upon which the Holy Prophetsa said that the deeds of both of them have made them equal. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 160-161, Abdullah bin Salma, Maktaba Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) Then, there is a Companion called Hazrat Mas‘ud bin Khalda. His name was Mas‘ud bin Khalda, however, it has been mentioned as Mas‘ud bin Khalid in some narrations. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Zuraiq. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. According to some narrations, it is believed that he was martyred during the incident of Bire-Ma‘unah, whereas according to other narrations he was martyred during the Battle of Khaibar. (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Marfiti AlSahaba, Vol. 3, p. 448, Mas’ud bin Khalda, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 6, p.

281, Mas’ud bin Khalda, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2005) Then, there is Hazrat Mas‘ud bin Sa‘d Ansari. Hazrat Mas‘ud belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Zuraiq. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. According to some narrations, Hazrat Mas‘ud bin Sa‘d was martyred during the incident of Bir-e-Ma‘unah. However, according to Muhammad bin Ammarah and Abu Nuaim, he was martyred during the Battle of Khaibar. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati AlSahaba, Vol. 4, p. 369-370, Mas’ud bin Sa’d, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003)

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM Then, there is a companion by the name of Hazrat Zaid bin Aslam, and he was also an Ansari Companion. Hazrat Zaid bin Aslam belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Ujlaan. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. He was martyred on the day of Ghuzakha, whilst fighting Tulaiha bin Khuwailid al-Asadi during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Ghuzakha is the name of a fountain in Najd, where Muslims engaged in battle against Tulaiha bin Khuwailid Al-Asadi, who rebelled against the Islamic government and also claimed prophethood. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 246, Zaid bin Aslam, Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, 1996) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 135-136, Zaid bin Aslam, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) Then, there is a Companion by the name Abul-Munzir Yazid bin Amir. His name is also mentioned as Yazid bin Amr. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Sawad. He pledged initiation at Aqaba and participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. His children lived in Medina as well as Baghdad. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 294, Yazid bin Amir, Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, 1996) (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 6, p. 525, Yazid bin Amir, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2005). His progeny had spread far and wide.

Then, there is the Companion by the name of Hazrat Amr bin Tha‘labah Ansari.

He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Adi. However, he was more commonly known by his title. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. Hazrat Amr bin Tha‘labah narrates, “I met the Holy Prophetsa at Sayala and accepted Islam at this very place and the Holy Prophetsa placed his hand on my head.” Another companion, Wadhah bin Salma narrates from his father that even though Hazrat Amr bin Tha‘labah reached the age of one hundred, however the patch of hair on his head, where the Holy Prophetsa placed his hand, did not turn white. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 700, Amr bin Tha‘labah, Dar-ulFikr, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Marfiti AlSahaba, Vol. 3, p. 253, Amr bin Tha’labah, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) Then there is a companion by the name of Hazrat Abu Khalid bin Harith bin Qais bin Khalid bin Mukhallad. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Zuraiq. He is more commonly known by his title. He pledged initiation at Aqaba and participated alongside the Holy Prophetsa in all the battles, including the Battle of Badr. He fought alongside Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid in the battle of Yamama and was wounded.

The wound healed, but during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umarra, the wound ruptured as a result of which he passed away. Due to this, he is counted among the martyrs of the battle of Yamama. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 5, p. 81, Abu Khalid bin Harith bin Qais, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Marfiti Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p.

363, Abu Khalid bin Harith bin Qais, Darul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) Then, there is a Companion by the name Abdullah bin Tha‘labah al-Balawi. He was also an Ansari Companion. His name was Abdullah bin Tha‘labah. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. During

the Battle of Uhud he fought along with his brother, Hazrat Bahat bin Tha‘labah.

(Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 85, Abdullah bin Tha’labah Al-Balawi, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Tabkaat-ulQubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p. 418, Abdullah bin Tha’labah Al-Balawi, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) Then, there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Nahhaab bin Tha‘labah Ansari. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Balli. He had two brothers, Hazrat Abdullah and Hazrat Yazid. His brother Yazid participated on both occasions when the pledge was taken at Aqaba. Hazrat Nahhaab bin Tha‘labah pledged initiation at Aqaba and participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud along with his brother, Abdullah bin Tha‘labah. Hazrat Nahhaab bin Tha‘labah is also known as Bahaath bin Tha‘labah. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 230, Nahhaab bin Tha’labah, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) (AlIsti‘aab Fi Marfiti Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 267, Nahhaab bin Tha’labah, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) Then, there is another Companion by the name of Hazrat Malik bin Mas‘ud Ansari. His name was Malik bin Mas‘ud and he belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Sa‘ida. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 255, Malik bin Mas’ud Ansari, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) Then, there is another Companion by the name of Abdullah bin Qais bin Sakhr Ansari. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Salma. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud along with his brother, Ma‘bad bin Qais. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 366, Abdullah bin Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut) (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Pt. 3, p.

437, Ma’bad bin Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) Then, there is another Companion by the name of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abs Ansari. He belonged to the branch of Banu Adi of the Ansar tribe of Khazraj. Some have mentioned his name as Abdullah bin Ubais. He participated alongside the Holy Prophetsa in all the battles, including the Battle of Badr. (Al-Isti‘aab Fi Marfiti AlSahaba, Vol. 3, p. 75, Abdullah bin Abs, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) Then, there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Qushair Ansari. In some narrations, his name has been mentioned as Mu‘attib bin Bashir as well. He belonged to the branch of Banu Zubai‘ah of the Ansar tribe of Aus. Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Qushair participated in the pledge at Aqaba and also participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. (Usdul Ghaba Marifat-ul-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 432, Mu‘attib bin Qushair, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) Then, there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Sawad bin Ruzan Ansari.

His name was Sawad bin Ruzan. However, in some narrations, his name has been mentioned as Aswad bin Ruzan as well as Sawad bin Zuraiq. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ulQubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 293, Sawad bin Ruzan, Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Then, there is a companion by the name of Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Auf. Hazrat Mu‘attib

9 bin Auf belonged to the tribe of Banu Khuza‘ah and they had a treaty with the Banu Makhzum tribe. He is also known as Mu‘attib bin al-Hamra. His title is Abu Auf. Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Auf participated in the second migration towards Abyssinia. When Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Auf migrated from Mecca to Medina, he stayed with Hazrat Mubashir bin Abd-il-Munzir. During the time of forming the bonds of brotherhood between the Companions, the Holy Prophetsa formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Tha‘labah bin Hatib Ansari. Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Auf participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the battles of Badr, Uhud and The Ditch. Hazrat Mu‘attib bin Auf passed away in 57 Hijra at the age of 78. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 1, p. 141, Mu’attib bin Auf, Dar-ulHayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Bujair bin Abi Bujair.

Hazrat Bujair bin Abi Bujair participated both in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. This is all that is written about him.

(Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p.

395, Bujair bin Abi Bujair, Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1990) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Amir bin Bukair. Hazrat Amir bin Bukair was from the Banu Sa‘d tribe. Hazrat Amir bin Bukair took part in the Battle of Badr and his brothers Hazrat Ayas bin Bukair, Hazrat Aqil bin Bukair and Hazrat Khalid bin Bukair fought alongside him during the Battle of Badr. All of them participated in the rest of the battles with the Holy Prophetsa. Furthermore, these brothers all accepted Islam in Dar-Arqam.

Hazrat Amir bin Bukair was martyred during the Battle of Yamama. (Al-Istiaab Fi Marifti Al-Ashaab, Vol. 2, p. 788, Amir bin Bukair, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut, 1992) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah bin Al-Mu‘tamir. His full name is Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah bin Mu‘tamir. As I have mentioned previously, he passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Usmanra. His mother’s name is Qudamah bint Abdullah bin Umar. According to some narrations, his mother’s name is Aminah bint Abdulllah bin Umair bin Uhaib. Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah was from the Banu Adi tribe and his brother was Hazrat Abdullah bin Suraqah. Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah migrated with his brother, Hazrat Abdullah bin Suraqah, to Medina and Hazrat Rifa‘a bin Abdil Munzir Ansari provided them accommodation at his home. (Al-Tabkaatul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 295, Amr bin Suraqah, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990), (Al-Asaba Fi Tameez AlSahaba, Vol. 4, p. 523, Amr bin Suraqah, Dar-ul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 2005).

The Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah and Hazrat Sa‘d bin Zaid. (Usdul Ghaba Marifat-ul-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 436, Sa’d bin Zaid, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut). Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah fought in all the Battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. Hazrat Amir bin Rabi‘ah narrates, “The Holy Prophetsa sent us on an expedition to Nakhla and Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah was also with us. His physique

was slim and he was tall in height. During the journey, Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah sat down holding his stomach as there was nothing there to eat and drink. He could not carry on walking due to the extreme hunger and thirst. So we tied a rock tightly to his stomach after which he was able to continue walking with us. We then reached an Arab tribe where they accommodated and provided for us. Thereafter he was able to carry on. The companions enjoyed light-hearted comments as well, and so after completing their meal there, once they had set off, Hazrat Amr bin Suraqah said, ‘At first I thought that both legs of a man support his stomach but today I have realised that the stomach is the one which is supporting the legs.’” If a man is emptystomached, he cannot walk. Hazrat Umarra granted him a plot of land in Khaibar.

Hazrat Amrra bin Suraqah passed away, as I have stated, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Usmanra. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 723, Amr bin Suraqah, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003), (Al-Asaba, Vol. 4, p. 523, Amr bin Suraqah, Dar-ul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1995) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Thabit bin Huzaal, a companion who belonged to the Banu Amr bin Auf branch of the Khazraj tribe.

He participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. He was martyred in 12 AH in the Battle of Yamama, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra.

(Usdul Ghaba Marifat-ul-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p.

456, Thabit bin Huzaal, Dar-ul-Kutub Alilmiyya, Beirut), (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 283, Thabit bin Huzaal, Dar-ul-Hayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Subaih bin Qais. He was an Ansari Companion from the Khazraj tribe. He fought in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. The mother of Hazrat Subaihra was Khadijah bint Amr bin Zaid.

Hazrat Subaih had a son called Abdullah and his mother was of the Banu Judarah tribe. However, this child passed and he was his only child. Hazrat Ubadah bin Qais was his brother. Hazrat Subaih bin Qais and Hazrat Ubadah bin Qais were the paternal uncles of Hazrat Abu Dardaa and another brother of Hazrat Subaih was Zaid bin Qais. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 275, Subaih bin Qais, Dar-ulHayaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Khabbabra, who was a freed slave of Hazrat Utbah bin Ghazwan. His title was Abu Yahya and was a confederate of Banu Nawfal. After the migration to Medina, the Holy Prophetsa formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Tamim, the freed slave of Khirash bin Asimah. Hazrat Khabbab fought in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the Battles of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. In 19 AH, he passed away in Medina at the age of 50. Hazrat Umarra led his funeral. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra, Vol. 3, p.

73, Khabbab Maula Utbah, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990), (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 151, Khabbab Maula Utbah, Darul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut).

Hazrat Sufyan bin Nasar Ansari was a companion of the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat

10 Sufyan was from the Banu Jusham family of the Khazraj tribe. There are conflicting views on the name of his father. Some have written Nasar whilst others have written Bishar. He fought in the Battle of Badr and Uhud (Usdul Ghaba Marifat-ul-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 274, Sufyan bin Nasr, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003). According to a narration, the Holy Prophetsa formed Hazrat Sufyan’s bond of brotherhood with Hazrat Tufail bin Harith. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 30, Tufail bin Harith, Dar-ulKutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990) Then there is another companion by the name of Abu Maghshi al-Tai, who is known by his title of Abu Maghshi. His name was Suwaid bin Maghshi. Abu Maghshi AlTai was a confederate of Banu Asad and he was amongst the first to migrate. He participated in the Battle of Badr. (AlIstiaab Fi Marifti Al-Ashaab, Vol. 4, p. 1754, Abu Maghshi Al-Ta’i, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut, 1992), (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 7, p. 304, Abu Maghshi Al-Ta’i, Dar-ulKutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1995) Hazrat Wahab bin Abi Surrah was also a companion. Musa bin Uqba writes that he fought in the Battle of Badr alongside his brother Amr. Haitham bin Adi has included him amongst those who migrated to Abyssinia but some hold the view, such as Balazuri, that there is no evidence to this i.e. he only participated in the Battle of Badr and there is no mention of his migration to Abyssinia. (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 6, p. 489, Wahab bin Abi Surrah, Darul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 2005) Then there is Hazrat Tamim, who was the freed slave of Banu Ghanam Ansari.

Hazrat Tamim was the freed slave of Banu Ghanam al-Salam and he fought in the Battle of Badr and Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ulQubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 253, Tamim Maula Bani Ghanam bin Al-Salam, Dar-eIhyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) Hazrat Abul Hamraa, the freed slave of Hazrat Harith bin Afraa participated in both the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. During the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Mu‘az, Hazrat Auf and Hazrat Mu‘awiz along with their freed slave, Abul Hamraa, had a camel upon which they would take turns to ride. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 6, p. 75, Abul Hamraa, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut). (Kitab-ul-Maghazi lil Waqidi, Vol. 1, p. 38, Badr-ul-Qital, Dar-ul-Kutub, Beirut, 2004) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Abu Sabrah bin Abi Ruhm. Abu Sabrah was his title and it was so popular that the people forgot his real name. His mother was Baraa bint Abdul Muttalib, who was also the paternal aunt of the Holy Prophetsa. Hence, Hazrat Abu Sabrah was the cousin of the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Abu Sabrah migrated to Abyssinia on both occasions. During the second migration to Abyssinia his wife Umme Kulthum bint Suhail bin Amr accompanied him. They had three sons – Muhammad, Abdullah and Sa‘d. When Hazrat Abu Sabrah migrated from Mecca to Medina he stayed at the house of Munzir bin Muhammad. The Holy Prophetsa formed a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Abu Sabrah and Salma bin Salaama.

Hazrat Abu Sabrah fought in the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. After the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, he left Medina and settled in Mecca. Hazrat Abu Sabrah passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Usmanra. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 307-308, Abu Sabrah bin Abi Ruhm, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990) (Sira Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p.

583, Hazrat Abu Sabrah bin Abi Ruhm, Dar-ul-Isha’at, Karachi, 2004) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Thabit bin Amr bin Zaid.

Ibn Ishaq and Zuhri, two historians, have traced Hazrat Thabit bin Amr’s lineage to Banu Najjar, whereas Ibn Mundah traced it to the Banu Ashja tribe who were the confederate of the Ansar. He participated in the Battle of Badr and attained martyrdom in the Battle of Uhud. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 449, Thabit bin Amr bin Zaid, Dar-ul-Kutub Alilmiyya, Beirut) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Abul A‘war bin al-Harith.

There are various opinions about the name of Hazrat Abul A‘war bin al-Harith. Ibn Ishaq says that Abul A‘war’s name is Ka‘b whereas Ibn Ammarah believes that his name was Harith bin Zalim. His uncle was called Ka‘b. And so, those who are not aware of his lineage have connected it with his uncle Ka‘b. Ibn Hisham also holds the same opinion. The mother of Hazrat Abul A‘war was Umm Niyaar bint Ayas bin Amir. He is from the Banu Adiyy bin Najjar branch of the Ansari Khazraj tribe.

He fought in the Battle of Badr and Uhud.

(Al-Istiaab Fi Marifti Al-Ashaab, Vol. 4, p. 1599, Abul A’war bin Al-Harith, Dar-ulJeel, Beirut, 1992) (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 389-390, Abul A’war, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Abas bin Amir bin Adiyy. Ibn Ishaq writes his name as Abas and Musa bin Uqba has written it as Absi.

His mother was Ummul Banin bint Zuhair bin Tha‘laba. He was from the Banu Salma family of the Khazraj tribe from among the Ansar. Hazrat Abas was among those 70 Companions who were present at the occasion of the pledge at Aqaba and he participated in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 294, Abas bin Amir, Dare-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 415, Abas bin Amir Al-Ansari, Dar-ulFikr, Beirut, 2003) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Ayyas bin Bukair who is also known as Ibn-e-Abi Bukair.

He belonged to the tribe of Banu Sa‘d bin Lais who were the confederate of Banu Addi. Hazrat Aaqil, Hazrat Amir, Hazrat Ayyas and Hazrat Khalid all accepted Islam together at Dar-e-Arqam. Hazrat Ayyas and his brothers, Hazrat Aqil, Hazrat Khalid and Hazrat Amir migrated together and in Medina stayed in the house of Rifa‘ bin Abdil Munzir. He also had three maternal brothers who all participated in the Battle of Badr. Ibn-e-Yunus has stated that Ayyas participated in the conquest of Egypt and passed away in 34 AH, whilst according to another narration, Hazrat Ayyas was martyred during the battle of Yamama.

His brothers Hazrat Mu‘az, Hazrat

Mu‘awiz and Aqil were martyred in the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Khalid was martyred during the incident of Raji‘ whilst Hazrat Amir was martyred during the battle of Yamama. In one of the narrations regarding Hazrat Amir it states that he was martyred during the incident of Bire-Ma‘unah. Hazrat Ayyas bin Bukair participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. He was amongst the pioneer Muslims and took part in the initial migration. He was the father of Muhammad bin Ayyas bin Bukair.

The Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Ayyas bin Bukair and Hazrat Harith bin Khazma. He was also a poet. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Liibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 297-298, Aqil bin Abi Al-Bukair, Ayaas bin Abi Al-Bukair, Darul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990), (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 213, Ayaas bin Al-Bukair, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003), (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, pp. 309-310, Ayaas bin Abi Al-Bukair , Dar-ul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 2005), (Kitab-ul-Mujar, pp. 399-400, Dar-e-Nashr Al-Kutub Al-Islamiyyah, Lahore), (Badrul-Badoor Al-Maroof Ashaab-e-Badr, Qazi Muhammad Sulaiman Mansoor Puri, p. 44, Ayyas bin Bin Al-Bukair, Maktaba Naziria, Lahore).

Zaid bin Aslam narrates that the sons of Abul Bukair (i.e. referring to him), came to the Holy Prophetsa and said, “O Messenger of Allah, we want such and such person to marry our sister.” The Holy Prophetsa stated, “What is your opinion regarding Bibal?

He is a better suitor, therefore you should consider him.” Upon hearing this, they retuned. They then came a second time and asked the Holy Prophetsa to lead the nikah of their sister to the individual whom they enquired for initially. The Holy Prophetsa gave the same response and said, “What is your opinion regarding Bilal?” Again, they went back to consider this proposal. They then came back a third time with the same request of leading their sister’s nikah with that particular individual. This time again the Holy Prophetsa said, “What is your opinion regarding Bilal?” and then added, “What do you think of that individual who is a dweller of Paradise?” Thus, accepting the advice of the Holy Prophetssa, they married their sister to Bilalra (Al-Tabkaatul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 179, Bilal bin Ribaah, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990). This was the high status of Hazrat Bilalra and this is how marriages were settled in that time. Although they refused on the first two occasions, however on the third occasion they accepted the advice of the Holy Prophetsa. Everyone has their own status; some would follow the advice of the Holy Prophetsa on the first occasion, whilst others would take their time to reflect upon it. Nevertheless, from this incident one can determine the high status of Hazrat Bilalra.

Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Malik bin Numaila. His mother was Numaila and he was known as Ibn-e-Numaila. He was from the tribe of Muzaina which was a branch of the Aus tribe who were confederate with Bani Muawiyah. He participated in the Battles of Badr and Uhud and was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-

ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 358, Malik bin Numaila, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 258, Malik bin Numaila, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003).

Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Unais Bin Qatadah bin Rabee‘a. He was from the Ansar tribe of Aus. He accompanied the Holy Prophetsa during the Battle of Badr. He was martyred during the battle of Uhud by Abul Hakam bin Akhnas Bin Shareek. Hazrat Unais bin Qatadah was married to Hazrat Khansa Bint Khizam. When he was martyred on the day of Uhad, the father of Hazrat Khansa settled her nikah to a person from the tribe of Muzaina. However, she did not like him and came to the Holy Prophetsa.

The Holy Prophetsa annulled the nikah of Hazrat Khansa. The father had settled her nikah, but the Holy Prophetsa annulled the nikah since she was not happy with him.

After this, Hazrat Khansa married Hazrat Abu Lababa and through this marriage Hazrat Saib bin Abi Lababa was born.

(Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 187, Qatadah bin Rabee’a, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003), (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 354, Unais bin Qatadah, Darul-Kutub Al-ilmiyya, Beirut, 1990).

This is an example in relation to women’s rights in choosing spouses. Those who compel their daughters whilst choosing their spouses should greatly ponder over this teaching.

Then, Hazrat Harith Bin Arfajah was also a companion. It is stated that he belonged to the tribe of Banu Ghanam.

He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 253, Harith Bin Arfajah, Dar-eIhyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996).

Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Rafi Bin Unjudah Ansari. Hazrat Rafi’s father’s name was Abdul Harith and Unjada was his mother’s name. However, Hazrat Rafi was more commonly known by his mother’s name as opposed to his father’s. He was from tribe of Banu Umaiyya bin Zaid bin Malik.

He participated in battles of Badr, Uhud and the Battle of the Ditch. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 45, Rafi Bin Unjudah, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003), (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p.

369, Rafi Bin Unjudah, Dar-ul-Kutb Alilimiyya, Beirut, 2005). According to a narration, the Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Rafi bin Unjudah and Hazrat Hussainra bin Harith. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 30, Zikr Hussain bin Al-Harith, Dar-e-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996).

Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Khulaida bin Qais. His mother’s name was Idam bint al-Qain, who belonged to the Banu Salma tribe. Apart from Khulaida bin Qais, there are various other traditions which report his name as Khulaid bin Qais, Khalid bin Qais and Khalida bin Qais. He took part in the Battle of Badr and Uhud. His brother’s name is Khallad and according to some historians, he was also amongst the Companions who took part in the Battle of Badr. (Al-Tabkaatul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 292, Khulaid bin Qais, Dar-e-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi,

11

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM 1996).

Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Saqaf bin Amr. There are varying opinions regarding his tribe.

Some believe he was from Banu Aslam, and according to others, it was Banu Asad or the Banu Salam tribe. He was a confederate of Banu Asad, but according to others he was a confederate of Banu Abd Shams. He took part in the Battle of Badr along with his two brothers, whose names are Hazrat Malik bin Amr and Mudlaj bin Amr. Hazrat Saqaf bin Amr was from among the very first Companions who took part in the migration. He took part in the Battle of Badr, Uhud, and the Ditch. He was also present at the treaty of Hudaibiya and he was martyred in Khaibar. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 476, Saqaf bin Amr, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut) (Al-Asaba fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 525, Saqaf, Dar-ul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1995), (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 72, Saqaf bin Amr, Dar-ul-Kutub Alilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) Then there is another companion by the name of Hazrat Sabra bin Fatik. He was the brother of Khuraim bin Fatik and belonged to the Banu Asad tribe. His father’s name was Fatik bin al-Akhram. There are also some traditions which report his name to be Samura bin Fatik. Aiman bin Khuraim relates, “My father and my uncle took part in the Battle of Badr. They took an oath from me that I would never fight any Muslim.”

Abdullah bin Yousaf states, “Sabra bin Fatik is the one who distributed the land of Damascus amongst the Muslims. He is counted among the people of Syria.”

He further states that the Holy Prophetsa stated that the scale is in the hands of God Almighty; He raises certain nations in rank and causes the decline of others (i.e. owing to their own deeds).

Once, Hazrat Sabra bin Fatik walked past Hazrat Abu Darda and he said that the spiritual radiance of the Holy Prophetsa accompanies Sabra.

Abdul Rehman bin Aaiz relates, “I once saw that someone had insulted Hazrat Sabra and he supressed his anger and refrained from responding to him and remained silent. His eyes began to fill with tears as a result of suppressing the extreme anger due to the insults he received.”

The Holy Prophetsa stated how wonderful would Sabra be if he shortened his long hair (his hair was quite long) and slightly raised up the garment he tied around his waist. When these words of the Holy Prophetsa reached Hazrat Sabra, he immediately acted accordingly to the instruction.

He also used to say, “I wish that every day I face an idolater who is equipped with armour and martyrs me, and if not, then I kill him and someone else like him stands up before me.”

According to some narrations, he did not take part in the Battle of Badr, however Imam Bukhari and others have included him and his brother among those Companions who took part in the Battle of Badr. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 190, Sabra bin Fatik, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Asaba fi Tameez AlSahaba, Vol. 3, pp. 25-26 & 152, Sabra bin

Fatik, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 2005) (Al-Istiaab Fi Marifti Al-Ashaab, Vol. 2, p. 29, Kuraim bin Fatik Al-Asadi, Dar-ulKutub Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 2002) These were the accounts of the companions.

After the Friday Prayers, I shall offer two funeral prayers in absentia. The first funeral is of respected Ungku Adnan Ismail Sahib, President of the Jamaat in Malaysia.

He passed away on 8 October at the age of 74 – Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. His father was amongst the early Ahmadis who did the Bai‘at in 1956 through the missionary of Singapore, Maulana Muhammad Sadiq Sahib and the first President of the Jamaat in Singapore, Muhammad Salikeen Sahib. His father was a Mufti of Johor, one of the states in Malaysia and was also related to the King of that state through his mother’s side of the family.

After accepting Ahmadiyyat, he was transferred to another department of the government. Adnan Sahib was born in August, 1944. In 1968 he completed his BA (Hons) in political science from the University of Singapore. In 1969, he began serving in various administrative offices of the government. From 1969 to 1981 he worked in the research department for the prime minister. During this time, he was appointed in the embassies of Singapore, Beijing and Bangkok. Thereafter he was promoted as the divisional head of the prime minister’s national security and he worked in this department from 1984 to 1992. Aside from the prime minister’s office, from 1992 to 1997 he held various other official governmental positions.

In 1996 he had a bypass operation of the heart. From 1997 he then again worked in the research department for the prime minister and eventually took retirement in 1999. Although he did the Bai‘at in 1956, but really became an active Ahmadi after returning from his posting in Bangkok in 1981 and formed a strong connection with the Jamaat.

In 1986, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh appointed him as the first president of the Jamaat in Malaysia and during his tenure, the Jamaat saw a lot of progress and many changes took place. The Bait-ul-Islam and Bait-ul-Rahman buildings were completed during his time. He also greatly helped in bringing the missionaries from Indonesia and settling them in Malaysia. Similarly, he sent students to Jamia Rabwah and Qadian from Malaysia. For the last two years, his condition had deteriorated a lot and he was admitted to hospital many times. He also wrote to me that he wanted to go to the Tahir Heart [hospital] and in May this year he also went to the Tahir Heart Hospital and stayed there for some time and his condition also improved. However, his health deteriorated again and he was taken back to hospital.

By the grace of God Almighty he was a Musi and he leaves behind one daughter and two sons. Ungku Adnan Ismail Sahib was an extremely humble man despite belonging to the royal family of the Joho state. He rendered his official and Jamaat work in an excellent fashion. He was extremely meticulous over the reports that were sent to the headquarters and would

remain in office till late in the night in order to fulfil his Jamaat responsibilities.

He was extremely kind to office-bearers, workers, and members of the Jamaat and in particular with the missionaries. He paid great attention and showed a lot of concern for the moral upbringing of the children of the Jamaat and would say that they are future of the Jamaat. His wife says that he laid great emphasis on the children of the Jamaat to acquire the highest education and would always be thinking about the Jamaat’s progress. On the day he passed away, there was no ambulance available at the hospital to take his body to the mosque.

The members of the Jamaat phoned a Chinese volunteer, Kuan Chee Sahib, who used his own vehicle to help transport the bodies. This Chinese volunteer wrote on his Facebook page that he had an extraordinary experience when transporting this body.

He said that when he began driving the van, he saw that there was no traffic on the road even though this road would always be full of traffic. And, normally where it usually takes an hour to complete that journey, it only took 25 minutes. He said when he reached the mosque he felt that perhaps this was the body of someone who served the faith.

Wakil-ul-Tabshir in Rabwah, Mansoor Khan Sahib has written that Adnan Ismail Sahib has served as the President of the Malaysia Jamaat for a long period. He was like a father figure for the members of his Jamaat. He says that during the tour of Malaysia, he had the opportunity to speak to him about various Jamaat matters and found him to be an individual who worked with great wisdom and he was able to successfully complete the work of the Jamaat in unimaginable circumstances. His suggestion was always trusted during the most difficult of circumstances. May God Almighty elevate his status and may his progeny also continue his good deeds and a have strong bond with the Jamaat.

The second funeral prayer is of Hamida Begum Sahiba, who was the wife of Chaudhry Khalil Ahmad Sahib of Rabwah.

She passed away on 5 October at the age of 84 – Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. She was born in an Ahmadi family that lived in Behni Bangar, a village neighbouring Qadian. She was regular in her prayers and Tahujjad. She did not have any secular education but had great love for the Holy Quran. She would recite the Holy Quran numerous times in the day.

During the month of Ramadan, she would always go to the mosque for the Tarawih prayer so that she could listen to the Holy Quran. When women were permitted to go the mosque for the Friday Prayers [prior to the security threat in Pakistan], she would always make the effort to be the first person out of the ladies to enter Masjid Aqsa and therefore would leave for the Friday Prayer very early.

She led a simple life. Whatever money she would save, she would spend in the various Jamaat’s donation schemes and for the construction of mosques and would be extremely happy about this and would thank God Almighty. She helped in the marriage arrangements for a lot of poor girls and even arranged their dowry. Many a time, she would give her jewellery towards chanda

[financial contributions] and for the poor.

Her greatest happiness was in regularly meeting the poor. She would openly spend in the way of the poor and would never let anyone return emptyhanded. By the grace of God Almighty she was a Musi. She leaves behind two daughters and eight sons. She was the elder sister of Latif Ahmad Sahib, who is a retired missionary. Her eldest son is Dr Muzaffar Chaudhry Sahib and he also regularly has the opportunity for doing Waqf-e-Arzi and lives here in Scunthorpe, UK. Her son, Basharat Naveed Sahib is a missionary and is currently serving in the island of Réunion. Her son-in-law is also a missionary, Hafiz Abdul Haleem Sahib. One of her grandchildren is also a missionary and two of her grandsons are Hafiz-e-Quran while one of her grandsons is studying here in Jamia Ahmadiyya.

Generally, I lead the funeral prayer of the missionaries who are serving in the field and cannot attend the funeral prayer of their parents. Basharat Naveed Sahib is also serving in the field and could not go back upon her demise and therefore I shall also be leading her funeral prayer in absentia.

Basharat Naveed Sahib writes, “After completing Jamia Ahmadiyya, when I began my formal service in the field, I came home once and could not go to the mosque for the morning prayer. Upon this, she said, ‘My dear son, you may go to the mosque where you are posted because people closely observe you and therefore because of them you go to the mosque but remember that here God Almighty is watching you, therefore always pay attention to your prayers. Always remember that God Almighty is watching you.’”

He further states, “While I was studying in Jamia Ahmadiyya, due to sudden circumstances, my father passed away. My elder brother was abroad and she looked after the entire household with great fortitude.” He states, “One day, in a lighthearted manner, I said that I would ask the Jamaat to not send me far away as I would like to serve my mother who is on her own.

However, she became very serious and said in a strict tone, ‘Wherever the Jamaat sends you, you must go there. It can’t be possible that the son who I have devoted for the services of the Jamaat I keep with me and I send the others away who are earning material wealth. If ever I want to keep anyone with me, it will not be you but the ones who are seeking material wealth.’”

Such was her passion.

He further states, “In 2013 when I went to Pakistan and met her for the last time, I asked her if I should leave my wife and children behind with her. Even though she was extremely weak and it was difficult for her to even get of bed, however she did not allow for this and said, ‘Your wife and children should remain with you.’”

This is a lesson of the elders which is extremely important even today. May God Almighty elevate her status and enable her progeny to remain loyal in their attachment to their faith.

(Translated by The Review of Religions)

12 7 October 2018 Distinguished Guests, Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatohu, (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you) I am very pleased to learn that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Ghana is holding a Peace Conference on such a large scale for the first time. I pray that Allah the Almighty blesses this important event in all respects and I hope that all of the participants come to recognise that establishing peace in the world is the single greatest challenge facing mankind today.

Through new technologies and modern forms of transportation, the world has become like a global village. No longer are nations detached from one another, rather we are living in an increasingly inter-connected globalised world. Where this has led to advancement and progress in many spheres and has enabled people living thousands of miles apart to be instantly connected, it has also led to harmful developments that have destabilised the world and caused for world peace to steadily deteriorate in recent times.

We have seen tensions between different groups and communities within nations rising and the increased polarisation of society. This has even led to violence and bloody civil wars in some countries. In the West, the far-right has resurfaced and its dangerous resurgence shows no sign of abating. Similarly, at an international level, hostilities are intensifying and threaten to boil over at any time.

The major powers of the world are making moves to build and strengthen alliances with the intention of boosting their own power and might in front of the world.

Hence, those blocs that were a feature of the 20th century are now being re-established before our eyes. It is no exaggeration to say that with each day that passes, the risks to civilisation are increasing. Weapons are being manufactured and stockpiled at an alarming rate and unquestionably, due to new technologies, today’s weapons are far deadlier and sophisticated than ever before.

Major powers are taking advantage of their alliances to hoard weapons, as they seek to ensure that their arsenals are mightier than their rivals. In this effort, less powerful allies are helping them fulfil their interests in order to gain their favour. As a result, the world stands in great peril and there is no doubt that the weapons that exist have the potential to destroy humanity many times over, and so with each passing we are moving ever closer to the abyss.

Moreover, the collateral damage that is seen in war-torn countries is causing death and misery beyond comprehension and is a grave stain on humanity. The infrastructure in those nations where air strikes and heavy bombardment have occurred has been destroyed. The aggressors compound the misery and maximise casualties by sealing borders and preventing necessary aid from reaching people in desperate need. Hence, where people are dying directly from bomb attacks and warfare, millions of others, including babies and young children, women and elders, are dying from famine, malnourishment and disease. They are denied basic essentials or medication and are withering away and dying, whilst the world stands by silently. This is all happening today, in this era, on our watch.

Special Message

From Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to 2018 Peace Conference in Ghana

Hence, in light of the perilous state of the world, it is the urgent need of the time that people and nations set aside their vested interests and focus all their energies upon establishing peace through justice, compassion and mutual respect. A spirit of selflessness and a genuine desire to alleviate the suffering of others must overcome the selfish greed that has taken root in so much of the world.

Regrettably, it cannot be denied that certain Muslims or Muslim countries have been directly involved in undermining the peace of the world. Consequently, ammunition has been provided to those who allege that Islam is a religion of violence and an extremist ideology.

Nevertheless, Islam’s teachings are the polar opposite of what is being portrayed in the media or by those so-called Muslims who seek to fulfil their own interests by perpetrating barbaric and heinous crimes.

The truth is that Islam teaches kindness, compassion, justice and fulfilling the needs of all members of society, irrespective of creed, caste or colour.

It condemns and prohibits all forms of terrorism, extremism or violence.

The very first words of the Holy Quran are “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever Merciful” and thereafter it is stated that Allah the Almighty is the “Lord of All the Worlds”, meaning He is the Sustainer and Provider for all mankind. He provides and nourishes Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Pagans and the people of all beliefs. Allah the Almighty provides for, and sustains, even those who even deny His existence. Furthermore, the Holy Quran has declared the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to be a source of mercy and compassion for all of mankind. Thus, when Allah the Almighty is the Provider for all people, of all races and of all beliefs, and the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent as a fountain of mercy and love for humanity, it is inconceivable that Islam’s teachings are merciless, extreme and bloodthirsty. Those who allege that Islam promotes violence or extremism are entirely wrong and misguided. The Holy Quran has categorically declared that any form of compulsion in faith or belief is not permitted and is opposed to everything that Islam stands for. Belief is solely a matter of the heart.

Any wars fought by the Muslims in the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) were purely defensive wars fought as a final and

Friday 2 November 2018 | AL HAKAM

last resort after all other means to stop the cruelties of the oppressors had been tried.

Even then, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) imposed extremely strict rules of engagement on the Muslims. For example, the Holy Quran instructed that during warfare, if at any point, the aggressor made any moves towards peace or reconciliation, it ought to be accepted. No opportunity for peace, no matter how remote, was ever to be spurned. Additionally, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) strictly instructed his followers that during wars they were not allowed to target women or children or the elderly and infirm. They were not allowed to attack places of worship or religious figures such as priests or rabbis. Yet today, in the modern world, we are seeing no such ethics or respect for human life in the wars that are taking place. As mentioned, children, women and other vulnerable people are routinely targeted, and the levels of cruelty and brutality are beyond imagination.

Tragically, certain Muslims and Muslim countries are also involved in such horrific cruelties but, at the same time, it should be crystal clear that their conduct is completely against the noble teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

As I have said, now is the time to put aside our differences, and for all people, whether religious or not, whether rich or poor, to come together and recognise the fact that we are all part of the same human race and united as such. We must promote peace through justice and love at every level of society and each individual has a significant role to play. It is to serve this purpose that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosts Peace Symposiums throughout the world and each year we hold a similar event on an even larger scale in London. At all our symposiums, we seek to break down the barriers that divide mankind and to provide solutions to the ills of the world. We use such opportunities to prove the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and a religion that motivates true Muslims to engage in dialogue with others, to exhibit tolerance and to serve humanity. We present our ideas of how to develop peace and listen to the respective ideas and views of representatives of other communities. From an Islamic perspective, we urge governments and world leaders to act with justice and argue that instead of developing opposing blocs and profiteering through the arms trade, nations

should show regard for one another and fulfil each other’s rights. We appeal to them to look at the long-term future of the world, rather than to be blinded by short-termism and narrow self-interests.

As stated earlier, the weapons of today are far deadlier than at any time in our history. Several countries have acquired nuclear weapons that have the potential to wipe away nations at the push of a button.

If, God forbid, such arsenals are ever put to use, the catastrophic effects will last for generations and will result in children being born with mental and physical disabilities for many decades to come. Even those countries who do not possess nuclear weapons have acquired such destructive weaponry that can easily kill millions of people and leave behind a lasting trail of destruction. Is this the legacy we wish to leave behind for our children and future generations? Do we desire that they weep at the horrors we have left behind for them? Is it our hope that, instead of remembering us with love and respect, they look back at us with hate and contempt? Do we want the coming generations to curse and scorn us?

I reiterate that we must now focus on the peace and prosperity of the world and, in light of this, I am pleased that African countries have not joined the ranks of those nations who are involved in the world’s nuclear arms race. It is my belief that if the rest of the world continues to act unjustly, usurping the rights of others and interfering in other nations, they will ultimately destroy themselves. If and when that day comes, I believe that Africa may be the only continent that will have saved itself from annihilation.

Moreover, where today Africa is looked down upon by many and considered to be weak, your continent will be in a position to play a pivotal role in re-building the rest of the world. Thus, never underestimate yourselves or the potential of your nations!

Rather, the African countries should ensure that they are ready to one day take on the mantle of leading the world! For this, you must ensure you do not become consumed by the evils that have plagued other nations.

You will have to act with justice, forgo all forms of corruption and serve your nations with integrity and work towards their continued development and advancement.

I hope and pray that the African nations resist the worldly temptations to join existing international blocs or alliances that are based on greed and injustice. Instead, I urge you to make your own bloc and that should be an alliance of peace! Set a positive example for the rest of the world by establishing the highest standards of justice. May the alliance of peace come to spread not only in Africa but prevail in all parts of the world.

At the end, I pray for the success of the Peace Conference and extend my best wishes to all of the participants.

With all my heart, I pray that the dark clouds of war and grief that hover threateningly over the world today are soon replaced by a bright blue sky of love and peace. Ameen.

Wassalam, Yours sincerely, (Signed) MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD Khalifatul Masih V Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad|© Al Hakam 2018