Al Hakam - 5 February 2021

Answers to everyday issues (Part VIII)

Guidance regarding basic Islamic issues Page 8

A

Why I studied Arabic before medicine

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra discussion with a scholar of Sanskrit on the Islamic view of the Hereafter

Benefits of learning the mother of all languages

Page 17

The Holy Prophet Muhammad: Fulfilling treaties and compacts Part I

Page 19

Page 21

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 5 February 2021 | Issue CLI Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

The foremost duty of a waqif-e-nau is to obey, follow and practice the commandments of Allah

The rank of women is extremely high and no one can compete with it Waqifaat-e-nau Bangladesh meet Hazrat

Waqifeen-e-nau Bangladesh class with Huzoor Amirul Momineen

Waqifeen-e-nau gathered in Dar al-Tabligh Mosque, Dhaka, during their online class with Huzooraa Photo credit: MTA International

On Saturday, 30 January 2021, waqifeene-nau Bangladesh had the good fortune of meeting with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in a virtual class.

The waqifeen-e-nau were gathered in Dar al-Tabligh Mosque in Dhaka, which also serves as the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Bangladesh.

Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, Hasib Ahsan Sahib, in his opening remarks, expressed

his gratitude to Huzooraa for granting this virtual meeting.

The class commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, which highlighted the vow and sacrifice of Mary’s mother.

Following this, a nazm composed by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was delivered, after which a hadith of the Holy Prophetsa and an extract from the writings of the Promised Continued on next page >>

On Sunday, 31 January 2021, waqifaat-enau Lajna and Nasirat from Bangladesh had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual class.

The sitting started with a recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the Bangla translation, an Urdu poem written by the Promised Messiahas, a narration of the Holy Prophetsa and an excerpt of the Promised Messiahas.

Secretary waqifaat-e-nau reported to Huzooraa that 134 waqifaat-e-nau were present in the meeting, 75 of whom were above 15 years of age.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then gave the waqifaat-e-nau the opportunity to ask any questions they had. Most questions were asked in Bengali and translated for Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

A notable aspect was Huzooraa, as always, would confirm with the questioner if they had understood and were content with the answers, before moving onto the next questioner.

The first question was by Asifa Hossain Sahiba who asked Huzooraa what the highest spiritual rank women could

reach was, as they could not be prophets.

In response, Huzooraa said: “… They can be siddiq, shaheed, salihaat – this is written in the Quran.

They can attain other spiritual ranks.

“There is a hadith in which a female companion [of the Holy Prophetsa] said, ‘Men can attain martyrdom, participate in wars and offer lots of other sacrifices, so what is our [women’s] rank who remain at home?’ To this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Look, the supervision you women keep of your homes, bring up your children in the right manner, take care of the next generation and protect your homes, gives you the same reward as that of men.’ So, apart from a prophet … [women] can reach all the other ranks; qanitat, salihat etc.

“Apart from this, if women are doing good deeds, then by protecting their homes, they can attain a better spiritual rank. After all, a prophet has a mother … The Holy Prophetsa said that Heaven is under the feet of mothers. So, the rank of women is such that if they carry out the Continued on page 4

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

2

َ‫ای َو َم َما ِت ۡی ل ِ ّٰل ِہ َر ّب ال ۡ ٰع َلمیۡن‬ َ ‫ُق ۡل ِا َّن َصلَا ِت ۡی َو ن ُ ُس ِک ۡی َو َم ۡح َی‬ ِ ِ Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

The Holy Quran - 6:163

A

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org

Freedom of speech and Sweden: “Freedom of speech is not for the purpose of tearing societies apart” Kashif Virk Missionary, Sweden

On 26 January 2021, a webinar was arranged by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Stockholm on the topic of “Limits of Freedom of Speech”.

The event was held in light of recent events, which, in the public debate, were associated with freedom of speech such as burning the copies of the Holy Quran, murder of a schoolteacher in France by

a radical extremist and remarks made by the previous president of the United States and the subsequent attack on the Capitol.

Freedom of speech is highly regarded in Sweden and the country is perceived as the forerunner of this freedom. One of the world’s first freedom of the press acts was introduced in Sweden in 1766.

For this event, politicians from eight major political parties in Sweden sent their representatives. An officer from the police department responsible for preventing

hate-crime also took part.

In the civil panel, representatives were invited from the Jewish, Christian and Humanist communities. I had the honour to represent the viewpoint of Islam.

The programme started with a recitation of the Holy Quran, which was followed by a detailed presentation introducing the Jamaat and its activities, both nationally and globally.

A special focus was on the efforts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to establish peace in the world.

It was the first time Jamaat Stockholm arranged a webinar and by the grace of Allah the Almighty, it went very well.

The online stream has been viewed by around 1,400 people and it can be watched on the following link: www.facebook.com/ abf.stockholm/videos/4247246975320480 A day after the online event, an article written by myself was published in the Göteborgs-Posten newspaper, titled “Freedom of speech is not for the purpose of tearing societies apart”. From an Islamic perspective, I wrote that it might be difficult for some to understand the deep love and regard Muslims had for the Holy Prophet of Islam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, but we should ask if we really wished for ourselves a society where no respect was shown for precious sentiments of different peoples. I also said that we would have to be more vigilant when people with selfish and hateful intentions misuse freedom of speech.

We request the readers of Al Hakam to remember Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden in their prayers.

<< Continued from previous page

Messiah were presented.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then asked who would be translating for the waqifeene-nau and if any facility was made.

During the class, the waqifeen-e-nau had the opportunity to seek guidance on various matters and ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa an array of questions with regard to religion, faith, worldly matters and everyday issues.

The first question asked was with regard to the six articles of faith. A young waqif-enau asked Huzooraa what belief in khair and shar (good and bad) divine decrees meant.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “What is meant by khair and shar [in relation to divine decree]? When one holds the belief that if he commits good deeds, then he will receive a good reward from Allah and when he commits bad deeds, he will be punished. Thus, if one believes in this, man is prone to doing good rather than committing bad deeds and makes an effort to act in accordance with God’s commandments.”

Huzooraa very eloquently explained, “When one holds onto this belief, then one will refrain from committing bad deeds and will, instead, be inclined towards doing good deeds.”

Subsequently, a waqif-e-nau asked Huzooraa how one is able to uphold a true spirit of a life devotee and fight off worldly attractions.

Answering the question, Huzooraa said: “Before your birth, your parents dedicated your life. You must realise this fact; after that, when you reach the age of 15, you renew the bond of Waqf-e-Nau. If you keep all these things in mind, then you will know that you are a waqf for the cause of the Jamaat and for that, the first and foremost duty of a waqif-e-nau is to obey, follow and practice the commandments of Allah the Almighty. Allah has given 700, or more, commandments in the Holy Quran.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added: “So, you can maintain the spirit of a waqif-e-nau when you realise this fact that you have to follow the commandments and the injunctions given to us in the Holy Quran by Allah the Almighty and the first and foremost is to offer your five daily prayers; the best way for boys to offer their five daily prayers is in congregation. This is the basic thing. If you are not doing this, you are not a true believer … “… Keep in mind that you have to offer five daily prayers and pray to Allah fervently in those prayers that He saves you from all bad things and enables you to discharge your duties as a waqif-e-nau and follow all the commandments of Allah the Almighty.

“Secondly, you should also recite the Holy Quran daily; not only recite the Arabic text, but also try to learn the meaning of it.

“Also, try to maintain and establish a close bond with Khilafat. Always try to strengthen your bond with Khilafat. This can only be done if you are listening to all the addresses and speeches and whatever instructions given to you by the Khalifa of the time. So, in this way, you can strengthen your faith and in this way, you can be a good waqif-e-nau.”

After hearing Huzoor’saa answer, the waqif-e-nau requested Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to pray for him. Huzooraa replied, “Allah bless you.”

A young waqif-e-nau said that he had as

3

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

two questions. The first question he asked was why it was important to read the Holy Quran. The second question he innocently asked was why the world had been afflicted with the coronavirus.

Answering the questions, Huzooraa beautifully explained this in a manner that was easy for the young waqif-e-nau to understand. Firstly, with regard to why we should read the Holy Quran, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked the young boy which class he studied in and said: “Why should one attend school? So that you may study and become well-educated.

Similarly, Allah revealed the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophetsa, which is a complete code of life, so that man may read it and obey the instructions.” Huzooraa added, “As this is God’s [revealed] book, if we read it, He will also reward us.”

Alluding to the second question, Huzooraa said: “The world is often afflicted with many calamities. At times, there is a breakout of typhoid or flu or some other illnesses.

Sometimes, calamities are sent to the world so that mankind is reminded that God exists and so that they turn to God and seek His forgiveness.”

Whilst seeking guidance from Huzooraa, a waqif-e-nau stated that he had been recently appointed as a doctor in Africa and requested Huzooraa for guidance.

Offering direction, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated, “Always remember that you are going there to provide your service in the way of Allah.”

Upon being asked if Hell was eternal or temporary, Huzooraa said: “After this life, you have an eternal life. So, Hell is the place where a person is sent who has been given a punishment by Allah the Almighty. When he completes his punishment, Allah brings him out from that and then sends him to Heaven.

“There is a hadith that a time will come when there will be nobody in Hell. So, Allah

is ever merciful and gracious. His mercy encompasses everything. He forgives all sins … ultimately, a time will come when there will not be anybody in Hell. But we should not think that because it is a temporary place, so we should commit sins in this world and go to Hell; no. You cannot even tolerate the smallest punishment of Hell. So, the best way is that you do good deeds so that Allah is pleased with your deeds and instead of sending you to Hell, He sends you to Heaven.”

Following this, a waqif-e-nau asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about the types of entertainment a waqif-e-nau should take interest in.

Replying to this, Huzooraa said that a waqif-e-nau should not indulge in unhealthy forms of entertainment. Huzooraa added: “There are various educational programmes available on the Internet and National Geographic programmes.”

Huzooraa highlighted that there were certain indecent programmes one should refrain from. Similarly, there were unhealthy films that one should stay away from. Huzooraa explained that God has told us in the Holy Quran that offering Salat helps one stay away from indecency. Huzooraa added, “Instead of playing video games, such as Fortnite, though you are now older [for such games], it is best to play outdoor games”. Huzooraa explained that playing video games has a negative effect on the brain and body, whereas playing outdoors and exercising will ensure a positive impact on one’s body.

A waqif-e-nau asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa what the significance of fatwa was in Islam when it is the final and complete law.

Huzooraa explained: “Religion is complete, but there are some verses of the Holy Quran which you cannot understand. You need some interpretation of it. There were some verses [of the Holy Quran] that even the Companionsra could not understand and they used to ask the Holy Prophetsa for the meaning, although

they knew Arabic very well and their Arabic at that time was very good.

“But despite that, there were some words they could not understand and they asked for its interpretation. So, in this way, you need some interpretation. This is why the Promised Messiahas has also written some interpretation of some of the verses of the Holy Quran; and even Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra has given a very lengthy, detailed commentary of some of the surahs [chapters] of the Holy Quran.

“So, by reading these [commentaries], you can understand the true meaning of the verses. For instance, we believe that the Holy Prophetsa is Khatam-un-Nabiyyin, last of the prophets and seal of the prophets, and no law-bearing prophet can come after him, but a subordinate prophet can come. This is the verse in the Holy Quran. But nonAhmadis interpret Khatam-un-Nabiyyin to mean that he is the seal of the prophets and no prophet can come after him, whether he is a law-bearing prophet or a subordinate prophet. This is why they are not accepting the Promised Messiahas. So, for these things, you need some interpretation.”

Huzooraa added, “Arabic is a very vast language. Even one word can have different connotations. So, for that, you need somebody who is well-versed with the language who can help interpret.”

Further, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained: “In some particular cases, sometimes, people try to interpret something in their favour which is not the actual meaning. So, for that, you have to ask somebody, as I have already said, who is well-versed with the interpretation of the Holy Quran and who is well-versed with the Arabic language.”

A waqif-e-nau, who had recently been appointed in a hospital as a life devotee, requested Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa for prayers and guidance. Upon this, Huzooraa said: “You must work hard and seek aid

through prayer … A doctor must always remember that it is Allah the Almighty Who cures patients. Thus, whenever you examine a patient, you must first pray. Upon prescribing a medicine, you should write‫ہوا‬ ‫[ الشافی‬He is the healer] on the prescription – I also mentioned this in my sermon once … when you offer Namaz, pray for your patients and talk to them in a polite manner.”

Upon being asked how one can eliminate laziness, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Determination. You must make it a point that you are not going to be lazy.

Make a plan, daily chart, that you have to get up early in the morning for Fajr prayer.

Ask your parents to wake you up for Fajr prayer; you can also use your phone alarm or clock alarm so that you get up early in the morning.

“Then, after offering the Fajr prayer, you should recite the Holy Quran – at least two to three rukus – and then also, in your prayer, you should pray to Allah that He removes your laziness. Then, make a chart that this is the work you are going to do during the day and follow that plan.

“If you follow this for one week, then in this way, you can remove your laziness. The foremost thing is determination. You must be determined to remove your laziness to get rid of it.”

Huzooraa then very beautifully and eloquently explained: “A doctor can only prescribe medicine, but he cannot put medicine in your mouth forcefully. So, you have to get your treatment by yourself. Offer the five daily prayers on time and pray to Allah that He removes your laziness.”

After this, as the series of questions came to an end, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked the translator what he did for a living. He replied that he had graduated from Jamia in 2017 and was currently serving in the Bangla Desk.

Thereafter, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa extended salaam to everyone.

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

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

Attach firmly to the jamaat of Muslims and their imam َّ َ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ َ ُ ّٰ َ َ ُ َ َ ُ ‫الن‬ ُ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َّ َ َ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫حﺬیﻔﺔ بن ال���ن یقول �ان‬ ‫اس � ْسﺄل ْون َر ُس ْول الل ِه صلی الله عل ْي ِه و َسل َم ع ِن الخ� ِ� َو� ْنت‬ ٰ َ َ ُ ّ ٰ َ َ َ َ ّ َ َ َّ َ َ َّ ُ ّ ّ َ ْ ُ َ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ ْ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ّ َّ َ ُ َُ َْ َ ‫ن‬ ‫ع‬ ‫اہلِي ٍﺔ و� ٍر �جاءﻧا الله بِهﺬا‬ ِ ‫أسﺄ�� ِ ال�ر مخافﺔ أن ید ِرك ِني فقلت یا رسول الل ِه ِإﻧا �نا فِي ﺟ‬ َّ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ َْْ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ​َ َْْ َ َ ْ َ ‫الخ� ِ� فهل بَعد ہﺬا الخ� ِ� ِم ْن � ٍّر ﻗال ﻧ َع ْم ﻗلت َوہل ب َ ْعد ذل ِﻚ ال� ِّر ِم ْن َﺧ� ٍ� ﻗال ﻧ َ َع ْم َو ِفي ِه َدﺧ ٌن‬ َ َ َ ُ ُ َ َ َْْ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ ُْ ُ ُْ ُْ ُ ْ ُ َْ ْ َ ْ َ َ ُ ْ ‫ك ُر ﻗلت ف َهل ب َ ْعد ذل ِﻚ الخ� ِ� ِم ْن‬ ِ ‫ﻗلت َو َما دﺧنه ﻗال ﻗ ْو ٌم یَهد ْون بِﻐ� ِ� ہد ٍى ت� ِرف ِمن� ْ� َوتن‬ َّ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ٌ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ّ َ َ ُ ْ ّٰ َ َ ُ َ ُ ُْ ُ ُ َ​َ ْ ‫اب ﺟه� َ� َم ْن أ َﺟابَ� ْ� ِإل ْي َها ﻗﺬف ْوه ِف ْي َها ﻗلت یَا َر ُس ْول الل ِه ِصﻔ� ْ� ل َنا‬ ِ ‫� ٍر ﻗال ﻧعم دعاة علی أبو‬ َّ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َْ َ َ َ َ َ َ َْ َُْ َ ُ ْ ُ َْ ‫ﻗال � ْ� ِم ْن ِﺟلدتِ َنا َوی َ َت�ل ُم ْو َن بِﺄل ِس َن ِت َنا ﻗلت ��َا تﺄ� ُر� ِ ْي ِإ ْن أ ْد َر� ِن ْي ذل ِﻚ ﻗال تل َﺰ ُم َﺟ َماعﺔ‬ َّ ُ َ ْ َ ْ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ٌ َ َ َ ٌ َ َ ْ ُ َ ْ ُ َ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ‫ َول ْو‬،‫ام ﻗال فاع� ِزل تِلﻚ ال�ِ َ�ق �ل َها‬ ‫ال ُم ْسلِ ِم�� و ِإمام�� ﻗلت ف ِﺈن ل ْم یكن ل�� ﺟ َماعﺔ و�ا ِإم‬ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َْ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫ َح ّتی یُد ِركﻚ ال َم ْوت َوأﻧت َعلی ذل ِﻚ‬،‫أ ْن ت َعﺾ بِﺄ ْص ِل �جَ َر ٍة‬ Hazrat Huzayfa ibn Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “People used to ask the Prophetsa of Allah about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So, I said, ‘O Prophet of Allah!

We were living in ignorance and in [an extremely] worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good [i.e. Islam]; will there be any evil after this good?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Will there be any good after that evil?’ He replied, ‘Yes, but it will be tainted [not pure.]’ I asked, ‘What will be its taint?’ He replied, ‘[There will be] some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.’

I asked, ‘Will there be any evil after that

good?’ He replied, ‘Yes, [there will be] some people calling at the gates of the [Hell] Fire and whoever will respond to their call will be thrown by them into the [Hell] Fire.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of Allah! Will you describe them to us?’ He said, ‘They will be from our own people and will speak our language.’ I said, ‘What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?’ He said, ‘Attach firmly to the jamaat [group] of Muslims and their imam [ruler].’ I said, ‘If there is neither a jamaat of Muslims, nor an imam?’ He said, ‘Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite [eat] the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Fitan, Hadith 7084)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The actual purpose of man’s creation In Surah al-Asr, Allah the Exalted has presented an illustration of the lives of both disbelievers and believers. The life of a disbeliever is no different than the life of cattle, who are engrossed in nothing but eating, drinking and carnal desires, as the Holy Quran states:

ُ ‫یَاۡک ُ ُلوۡ َن َک َما تَاۡک ُ ُل الۡاَ�ۡ َع‬ ‫ام‬

“They eat even as the cattle eat.”

However, if a bullock were to eat fodder and when it came time to plough the land, it sat down, what would be the outcome? The farmer would take the animal to the butcher shop and sell it. Similarly, Allah the Exalted says (with reference to those who do not follow or have regard for the commandments of God Almighty and who live a life of sin and impiety) the following words:

ُ ُ​ُ ُ َ ‫ق ۡل َما ی ۡع َب ُؤا ِبک ۡم َر ِّب ۡی لَوۡ لَا ُد َعﺂؤ� ۡم‬

Meaning, “What does my Lord care for you if you do not worship Him?” One ought to remember wholeheartedly that in order to perform worship, love is needed. There are two forms of love. There is unconditional love and there is love fuelled by motives.

The latter type refers to love which is caused by a few temporary factors; and as soon as they cease to exist, the love also turns cold and becomes a source of grief and pain.

However, unconditional love brings true pleasure. Man has naturally been created for God, as it is stated:

َّ ۡ ۡ َۡ​َ ‫َو َما خلق ُت ال ِﺠ َّن َو الۡاِن َﺲ ِالا ل َِی ۡع ُب ُد ۡو ِن‬

“I have not created the Jinn and the men

but that they may worship Me.” For this reason, Allah the Exalted has instilled within man’s nature an inclination towards Himself and has created man to be devoted to Him through the most hidden means. From this we learn that the fundamental purpose for which God Almighty has created you is so that you may worship Him. However, as for those who detach themselves from this fundamental and natural purpose of theirs, and live like animals and their only purpose in life is to eat, drink and sleep, they became distant from the grace of God Almighty and He no longer remains concerned for such people.

God Almighty takes interest in the life of a َ ۡ ۡ َ َّ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ َ َ person who َّ believes in ‫و ما خلقت ال ِﺠن و الاِنﺲ‬ ُ ۡ ۡ ُ َ ‫( ِالا ل ِیعبدو ِن‬I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me) and then transforms their life. There is no telling when death will arrive. The couplet of Saadi is true: � �

‫� ��� ی� � � ی‬ ‫ان��دار‬ � ‫�ش ی‬ ‫ا� از �زئ روز اگر‬

“Do not depend on this unreliable life; Do not be negligent of the schemes of time.”

The wise do not put their trust in this unreliable life. Death comes and smothers a man without warning. Now when man is forever in the clutches of death, who then can be in control of his life except for God Almighty?

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp.

188-189)

Continued from page 1

correct upbringing [of children], they enable people to enter Heaven; what is greater than this? “[The Holy Prophetsa] did not say that Heaven is under the feet of fathers; he said it is under the feet of mothers; the rank of a woman is very high. This is why the rank of a woman is extremely high and this rank is such that no one can compete with it – provided the woman is properly established on faith, takes care of her next generation and protects the home.”

A very young waqifa-e-nau, Rubina Sharif, asked Huzooraa what the first step one should take is for being a good Waqfe-Nau girl. Huzooraa responded by saying: “The first thing is that when you reach the age of seven, you should start offering the five daily prayers and try to learn how to read the Holy Quran and then do tilawat daily. And then, always be humble and obey the instructions of your parents, so your parents are happy and they are always happy when you do good deeds.

Don’t think they are giving you some wrong instructions; whatever instruction they give you, whenever they ask you to do anything, it is for the good of yourself.

So, if you do all these things, you will be a good Waqf-e-Nau girl.

“And always remember that you are a waqifa-e-nau, you have to behave well and always be polite and kind to your fellow girls and fellow students. Show your example so that any person who sees you always says, ‘These girls are very good girls, well behaved girls’. Then, you can tell them, ‘It is because I am waqifa-e-nau and I have to be well-behaved and good in all my deeds.’”

The young girl also asked Huzooraa for prayers for her and her family, to which Huzooraa replied, “May Allah the Almighty bless you all. Which class are you in?”

The waqifa-e-nau replied by saying she was in class three and was studying in an English medium school.

Amatul Shafi Saeed Sahiba asked about the nature of taqdir (decree) and what it meant. Explaining the concept, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Taqdir is that Allah the Almighty has decreed something for you. However, some people are lazy; they do not work, nor exert any effort and when they don’t receive anything, they say, ‘This was the taqdir [decree] of Allah.’ That is why Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said in a couplet: ‫��� � ��ں ی‬ ‫�ی‬ ��‫م‬

� ‫� � � � �ر‬ [Don’t get entangled in the way of planning; go and conquer what has been decreed] “It has been decreed for Ahmadis that they achieve successes … Increase your ambitions and then work hard to achieve them; when you work hard, then Allah the Almighty will bless it. Allah the Almighty has ordained for some things that if someone shows laziness in them, then their taqdir will be that they will not achieve anything from it … Allah the Almighty gives success and fulfils goals if one works hard and prays too.

“There are some decrees that do not alter, for example the decree of death.

There will come a time when every human dies – it is a decree for mankind and Allah the Almighty has decreed that they will stay on the earth and then leave at some point. But if someone shows negligence and does not follow the law of nature that Allah the Almighty has made for good health, then they will die early – this decree wasn’t created by Allah; rather, the person, due to their incompetence, imposed it on themself.

“Like the example I gave before, Allah the Almighty has decreed Ahmadiyyat will spread, but if someone is impatient and quits halfway, saying, ‘Look, so many years have passed and we have not witnessed the success of Ahmadiyyat and we are being persecuted’ and then leaves, then such a person’s end will not be good – this decree, of a bad end, he created himself … “… Allah’s decree is that man works hard and ‘I will give him the reward’ – this is Allah’s promise. And then with hard work, if he prays too, then Allah the Almighty gives the reward, merit and success to his work.”

Another waqifa-e-nau, Bushra Rahman Sahiba, asked about the Islamic view of extra-terrestrial life.

Huzooraa said: “Yes, there is extra-terrestrial life; there certainly is. The Promised Messiahas has also written that it is possible there is life on other planets, but we still have not met them. This is also proved from some verses of the Holy Quran, that life exists on other planets. And when we meet them, then we will need to give them the message of Islam and deal well with them.

So, it is very possible there is life on other planets, but we have not communicated with them yet.”

A young waqifa-e-nau said that her non-Ahmadi Muslim neighbours invite them to chaliswan rituals following someone’s death. She asked if we, as Ahmadi Muslims, could attend such events.

Huzooraa answered by saying: “These rituals should be avoided.

If you are to go just to express your condolences, then do so … but one should not attend such rituals. You can go before or after these rituals – even if you need to go on that day to offer condolences in order to keep good relations, you can, but it is not necessary to attend that ritual to eat … innovations spread from this and one should show some courage on such occasions. Pay your sympathies, condolences and visit them, even on normal days, but avoid going there to eat.

“These rituals were neither practiced by the Holy Prophetsa, nor his Companionsra; people started these innovations later.

The Promised Messiahas came to end the innovations that had been created. That is why we should also try to avoid [such things] as much as we can.”

Another young waqifa-e-nau, Sabiha Jamal, asked Huzooraa if he had seen any dream about Khilafat, prior to attending the Khilafat election.

With a smile, Huzooraa said:

5

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM “No, I did not see any dream; neither before, nor after. Yes, people saw them who voted for me; they had seen dreams, or Allah had impressed on some people’s hearts, or for others, Allah the Almighty put it in their hearts at that occasion. But I saw no dream, nor could I have ever thought of reaching this rank.”

Bareera Nusrat Sahiba asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what the best way to show gratitude to Allah was.

Huzooraa responded by saying: “The best way to show gratitude to Allah the Almighty is that when you read alhamdulilah, always keep in mind all the blessings Allah has bestowed on you.

And if you ever face some difficulties, develop a habit of enduring them because Allah the Almighty has bestowed lots of other blessings. Always remember those blessings. If one ever has to endure some difficulties, then they should always keep in mind that Allah the Almighty has given lots of blessings too.”

Huzooraa then narrated a story of a king who gave some fruit to a courtier.

The courtier ate the fruit and praised it highly, even though it was extremely bitter. Seeing this praise, the king tasted the fruit himself and after tasting it, asked how the courtier could praise such a bitter taste! In response, the courtier said to the king, “You have bestowed so much upon me and graced me that if you have given me something bitter today without knowing, then I do not deem it right to show ingratitude thereby overlooking everything you have given to me.” The courtier said, “My gratitude is that even if I have received something bitter today, I should it eat without complaining.”

Commenting on this story, Huzooraa said: “This should be the spirit of one’s gratitude. When one shows gratitude in this way, recalls the blessings of Allah the Almighty and endures small difficulties and prays to Allah that ‘O Allah, you have given me lots of favours, grant me favours and mercy now too and remove my pain’.

But one should not complain that ‘O Allah what trouble have you put me in …’” “… And whatever you receive, accept it in the best manner. That is why it has been mentioned in a hadith that in worldly affairs, you should always look at those who have less than you.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained in further detail the hadith of the Holy Prophetsa that urges one to look at the less fortunate and less privileged and to remain content with what Allah has given.

Huzooraa said: “Gratitude is that you recognise that Allah the Almighty has given you a better condition than those who are poorer than you. There are lots of people in the world who do not get food – some who get food once a day while others who do not even get food once a day. There are lots of people like this even in Europe who – despite an abundance of wealth, money and food here – still die of hunger. There are also lots of people in Bangladesh who sleep at night without having eaten.

“One should show gratitude while eating, that Allah the Almighty has given

food to us. In the same way, in worldly affairs, one should look at those who have less and then praise and thank Allah.

“However, regarding religious affairs, the Holy Prophetsa said to look at those who are higher than you. Look at those who are better than you in their faith, their relationship with Allah and performing good deeds and then try to become like them, or better.”

“So, in religious affairs, look at those who are above you and in worldly affairs, look at those who have less than you – then you will develop the habit of true gratitude.”

Next, Nusrat Jahan Rafa Sahiba asked Huzooraa what one should do if they have performed istikhara prayers and decided accordingly about a matter, but those around them oppose that decision and quarrel.

Huzooraa said: “If you have done istikhara and are content and after prayer, your heart is content that the action should be taken after this, then even if others raise objections, let them; there is no need to worry. Yes, one should continue to pray to Allah the Almighty even after [istikhara] …”

The next question was asked by Amatul Shafi Sahiba. She wanted to know how to engage with those who, as children, experienced harassment from fanatic religious clerics and as a result, distanced themselves from religion.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa gave the following reply: “You can tell them that ‘whatever the maulvis or fanatics have told you is wrong.

The Islamic teaching is a peaceful teaching and Allah is Ever Merciful and very kind

to people. This is why the Holy Prophetsa says that you should not behave harshly towards your children’ ... You should bring them close to you … [and say] ‘This is not the Islamic teaching; Islam is a very kind religion, Allah is Ever Merciful and if you pray to Allah, He forgives you …’ “… The Holy Prophetsa said they [children] should be kindly treated; even the Promised Messiahas has said that if a person does not treat their children in a kind manner, he thinks he is standing in the position of God. So, the person who thinks himself to be God, is wrong.

“In this way … they are spoiling and destroying the future of their generation.

We should try to be kind to children so that they understand what the true teaching of Islam is.

“It needs some time and it’s a long process, but try to bring them closer to yourself.”

Amatul Noor Sahi Sahiba asked Huzooraa about how one could protect themselves from surfing sites like Facebook etc. after their online classes had ended.

In response, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “This comes down to willpower and determination. Why do people go to other websites to waste time after classes? Yes, if it is a good website, which increases knowledge, there is no harm in visiting such sites … but if it is a waste of time, then it is wrong … It is about willpower; if one wants to, they can do good works.

No one is forcefully telling you to do something … you are all mature … bring yourself to do good works and abstain from bad deeds.

“Allah the Almighty has said this

too; to abstain from vain things. It is the responsibility of a believer to protect oneself from such things and pass by … It is the same with unsuitable websites; one should protect themselves from them.”

A young waqifa-e-nau, Naila Solaiman, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how he would study as a student, what his aspirations were and asked what Huzoor’s instruction were for them.

With a warm smile, Huzooraa said: “I was not a good student, but the instruction for you is that you become a good student. In current times, you cannot survive without an education.

You are Waqf-e-Nau; you have done waqf since childhood, therefore you should try to become a good asset for the Jamaat.

“By studying and gaining knowledge, you should try to improve your life as much as you can so you are able to carry out the correct tarbiyat and protection of the future generations.”

“I had different aims … then in the end, because I had an interest in agriculture, I attained a degree in it. And after that, I did waqf too – Allah the Almighty gave me the opportunity to. Yes, in childhood, I did have the desire to do waqf and when I grew up, I did waqf … After this, Allah the Almighty took me to this position too.”

“For all of you, the instruction is that because you have done waqf, you should work as hard as you can and study and reach a high level in studies. And even if you do not pursue a job, [your] education will help the next generation.”

Another waqifa-e-nau Lajna member, Dr Humda Yasmin Sahiba, said to Huzooraa that her three-and-a-half-yearContinued on page 7

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

6

This Week in History 5-11 February In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiahas with some more details

5 February 1891: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala in which he stated that he saw in a vision that he was writing the following words on his arm:

‫ی‬ ‫ اور �ا ی��ے �� ےہ‬،‫ا� وہں‬ ‫م یا‬

“I am alone and God is with me.”

Immediately thereafter, he received the following revelation:

َ ‫ا ِّن َم ِع َی َربِّ ْی َس َي ْه ِدیْ ِن‬

“My Lord is with me; He will direct me aright” (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 311) 5 February 1891: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra in which he expressed his happiness upon receiving his letter. Huzooras prayed for him and stated that he was not feeling well and that for a long time, he had to offer prayers while sitting.

Huzooras said that a friend’s prayer is often accepted and requested Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra to pray for him. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 101) 5 February 1898: The Promised Messiahas used to advise his Jamaat regarding administrative matters on a regular basis. An announcement was published on this day, in which it was notified that from that point onwards, contributions towards Madrasa Ahmadiyya should be sent directly to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra so that the expenses for the Madrasa remained separate from other expenses. News about the publication of Kitab-ul-Bariyya was conveyed to members of the Jamaat in the same announcement. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, p.

389) 5 February 1899: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Khalifa Rashiduddinra in which he stated that he would pray for him. Huzooras further stated that the appearance for the criminal case was now fixed for 14 February 1899 and added that it seemed as though the magistrate was not well disposed towards him.

Hazrat Ahmadas, whilst narrating his dream, stated, “On Friday night, I saw in a dream that by virtue of my supplication, a stone or a piece of wood was turned into a buffalo. Perceiving a great sign had appeared, I fell into prostration and glorified Allah in a loud voice repeating: ٰ ٰ َ‫َربِّی اَ�ا‬ ‫ا�اعلی‬ ‫علی َربِّی‬ “[My Lord is High, my Lord is High.] I imagined that the interpretation was that the piece of wood or stone represented the harsh, hypocritical magistrate and his turning into a buffalo through my supplication might be an

indication that it had been turned into something useful from which milk might be expected.

“If my interpretation is correct, then there is strong hope that the case will take a good turn in my favour. The interpretation of falling into prostration in a dream is given as victory over an enemy. There are other revelations also with the same indications. It is possible this dream might be manifested on some other occasion. In any case, it is good for us whatever its application may be.” (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 4, p. 212) 5 February 1899: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that the date for the criminal case had been now fixed for 14 February 1899 and it had been ordered that a clerk from the English office would present the translation of the prophecies regarding Atham and Lekhram. Huzooras then narrated a dream he saw on Friday night.

(Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 633) 5 February 1906: In fulfillment of a divine vision seen by the Promised Messiahas a day earlier, the nikah of Hazrat Syed Mir Muhammad Ishaqra, son of Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra was announced with Saliha Khatun Sahibara, daughter of Hazrat Pir Manzur Muhammadra in Masjid Aqsa, Qadian on the day of Eid-ul-Adha. The nikah was attended Hazrat Syed Mir Muhammad by many people in Ishaqra Qadian. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra composed a poem on this occasion, which was full of prayers. The couple was blessed with seven children. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p.

447) 6 February 1898: The Promised Messiahas saw in a dream that the angels of God were Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra planting black-coloured saplings at different sites of Punjab. Huzooras published an announcement comprising of four pages, which was printed from Gulzar Muhammadi Press, Kashmir Bazar, Lahore. The Promised Messiahas had such compassion for the creation of God, thinking day and night for their salvation, that he wrote this phrase in the

announcement before the main title: “Every person to whom this announcement reaches should convey it to others and make an effort towards its circulation.” (Majmua-eIshtiharat, Vol. 2, p. 390) 7 February 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Syed Muhammad Askarira in which he stated that he had prayed for him a lot and was pleased with his sincerity. Hazrat Ahmadas said that he had been very busy due to writing his book, Siraj-e-Munir, and added that his life was dedicated for the revival of Islam.

The Promised Messiahas further said that until one sets the world aside, faith could not be protected. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 153) 7 February 1889: On this date, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that he was praying for him and there was nothing better than prayer.

Hazrat Ahmadas, alluding to his frail health, stated that at times, it proved difficult to even respond to letters. Huzooras said that if his health permitted, he would go to Ludhiana in the coming days and would stay there for one month.

(Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 556) 8 February 1887: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira in which he stated that he should visit him. Huzooras added that inheritors of the garden of bliss are those God-fearing people who have accepted the hardships of this world. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 198) 9 February 1878: The passion of the Promised Messiahas for serving Islam can easily be observed in his well-researched articles containing the refutation of the Arya Samaj’s allegations. These articles were published from 9 February to 9 March, in the Safir-e-Hind newspaper. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 153) 9 February 1883: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana in which he expressed his appreciation for his efforts towards the service of religion.

Huzooras stated that the time was approaching where the light of the Holy Prophet, Muhammadsa would manifest itself to the blind people of this era. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 513) 9 February 1885: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira instructing him to get 2,000 copies of the English translation of an important announcement and to bring them from Lahore to Qadian immediately. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 195)

7

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 5

old daughter was rather mischevous and naughty, something she enjoyed, but sometimes her patience is tested with her child. She wanted guidance on how to handle the situation.

Huzooraa said: “It’s a good thing, let her be naughty – [children] who are naughty are intelligent … Whether you enjoy it or not, you must not show anger ... [When your patience is tested] Tell her that you are tired and to let you rest for some time and that you will talk and play later. Children are intelligent, they do understand … do her tarbiyat but do not show anger, do not tell her off and do not say anything negative to her.”

Dr Humda Sahiba confirmed she would act on Huzoor’s advice and asked if there was any prayer she could recite.

Huzooraa advised to recite durood sharif.

A young waqifa-e-nau, Sadia Mahboob Sahiba, asked Huzooraa when he would visit Bangladesh. With a smile, Huzooraa said that he would visit when the conditions permitted and that currently, the clerics of Bangladesh had created adverse conditions. Huzooraa said, “Pray that the condition improves quickly for me to visit Bangladesh and I can meet you in Bangladesh.”

Amatun Noor Ruhi Sahiba asked Huzooraa who else supported and helped him, apart from Allah, during his Khilafat.

With a smile, Huzooraa immediately said: “There is no one else; it is only Allah the Almighty. Only Allah helps me and no one else has the strength to help me.”

Another waqifa-e-nau asked Huzooraa if it was permissible to say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un” (Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return) when

a non-Muslim dies.

Huzooraa said: “Yes, it means that we are from Allah and everybody has to go to Allah.”

Huzooraa explained that we could say this Quranic verse even if that person was from the wrong religion as their affair was now with Allah. “When we say ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un’, it means that was a loss for that person’s family, but at the same time, we are also thankful that Allah the Almighty has saved us from the wrong religion and we are blessed that Allah has made us accept the true religion.

“There is no harm in saying ‘Inna lillah’ … that is just a prayer, for yourself as well …”

Upon this, the time had ended, and the questions also ended.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa ended the meeting by giving the following prayer to all the waqifeen-e-nau:

“May Allah the Almighty protect you and keep you safe and as waqifaat-e-nau, may you all come to fulfil the true purpose and objectives of the dedication of your lives for the sake of your faith and be those who protect and nurture the future generation in the best way.

“May a pious Ahmadi Muslim generation be born and raised through you and may they become those who carry forth the propagation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and spread its message in Bangladesh.

“I also pray that may you soon be relieved from the evil clutches of the fanatical religious clerics in your country and may Allah the Almighty always be your Helper and Protector.”

May Allah fulfil all of Huzoor’s prayers in favour of Waqf-e-Nau Bangladesh and each and every one of us. Amin.

9 February 1891: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra in which he stated that he had received an ishtihar (announcement) from Mian Abdul Haq Sahib Ghazanvi mentioning his (Mian Abdul Haq) revelations that suggested the Promised Messiahas was hell-bound and would be thrown into hell, God forbid.

Huzooras said that it seemed he had distributed many copies of the ishtihar in Amritsar. Hazrat Ahmadas added that it appeared as though the ishtihar was from Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Sahib, but he had published it in his student’s name and requested for a mubahala (prayer duel) as well.

The Promised Messiahas further said that Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalwi had also sent a letter and asked whether he (Hazrat Ahmadas) had claimed to be the Promised Messiah. To this, Huzooras replied in the affirmative. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 2, pp. 102-103) 10 February 1900: During the ongoing war in South Africa, English forces were in great difficulty against the local Boer commandos.

Owing to the circumstances, the Promised Messiahas, on this date, issued an appeal for funds to help the orphans, widows and wounded of the war and 500 rupees were immediately collected and sent to the chief secretary to the Punjab Government and later, the lieutenant governor thanked the Promised Messiahas for this donation on behalf of the government. (Life of Ahmad by AR Dardra [2008 edition], pp. 720-721) 10 February 1900: On this date, the Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar, titled, An Important Announcement for This Jamaat in which he stated that as Muslims of India were the recipients of many favours of the British government, Muslims should show their gratitude towards this kind government. Huzooras stated that he had delivered a speech on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr in which he enumerated the favours of the British government and prayed for the British victory in the Transvaal War. (Majmua Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, pp. 1-2) 10 February 1907: On this date, the Promised Messiahas received a letter sent by a manager of a gurukula (traditional Hindu educational institute) in Gujranwala. Malfuzat, volume 5 (p.

145) indicates that on behalf of the Promised

Messiahas, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra sent a reply to this letter on 17 February, in which there was an exchange of views regarding the schedule of a prearranged lecture that was to be delivered

by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

10 February 1908: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdul Majeed Khanra saying that he had been unwell for almost 20 days and was suffering from a severe cough.

Hazrat Ahmadas said, alluding to his frail health, that he was unable to fully focus on prayers and added that at times, it proved difficult to respond to letters. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 79) 11 February 1886: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira in which he stated that he had not intended to go to Jalandhar and that this news was false.

Huzooras added that he was not sure how long he would remain in Hoshiarpur and said that these matters were in the hands of Allah. (Maktubat-eAhmad, Vol. 2, p. 470) 11 February 1891: The Promised Messiahas wrote

a letter to Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghazanvi, in which he stated that he had received an ishtihar from a person named Abdul Haq challenging Huzooras for a mubahala (prayer duel). The Promised Messiahas added that as he was unaware whether this person was a follower of a group or of a certain leader, he (Huzooras) wrote this letter, addressing Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghazanvi, with the thought that the person who had sent the ishtihar was from his (Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghazanvi’s) Jamaat.

Huzooras further wrote that he had no objection over the mubahala and added that it was true that he had claimed to be the Latter-Day Messiah whose coming was foretold. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, pp. 424-428) 11 February 1905: Maulvi Ahmad Saeed Ansari Sahib, a relative of Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Numanira, arrived in Qadian and had the honour of meeting the Promised Messiahas. (Mafuzat, Vol. 4, pp. 229-230)

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

8

Answers to everyday issues Part VIII Guidance regarding basic Islamic issues – which Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has given at various occasions in his written correspondence and during MTA programmes – is being officially published below for everyone’s benefit.

Zaheer Ahmad Khan Head of Records Department, Private Secretariat, London

The age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of her marriage In an official mulaqat on 13 December 2020, Huzooraa reflected upon various narrations and looked at the sayings of the Promised Messiahas regarding the age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of her marriage to the Holy Prophetsa and gave the following guidance on this issue: “We find a great deal of discrepancy in the books of history, sirah, tafsir and hadith regarding the age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of her marriage to the Holy Prophetsa.

The age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of her nikah to the Holy Prophetsa that has been mentioned in these books ranges from six to 16 years, while her age at the time of her rukhsati [sending off] mentioned in them ranges from nine to 19 years.

“Narrations of the Sihah al-Sittah [the six authentic books of hadith], including those of Sahih al-Bukhari, mention the age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of her nikah as being six years and her age at the time of the consummation of the marriage as nine years. However, if we scrutinise these narrations regarding the age of Hazrat Aishara on the basis of the principles of the science of hadith – i.e. riyawah and dirayah – we find them falling short of the standard of authenticity.

“21 of the narrations in this regard are reported in the Sihah al-Sittah, 14 of which are narrated by Hisham ibn Urwah and the others by Abu Ubaidah, Abu Salamah and Aswad. It is strange indeed that this very significant and important incident, in terms of history and sirah, has not been narrated by any of the most prominent sahabah.

“The narrations regarding Hazrat Aisha’sra marriage at a young age first came to light in 185 AH, when some considerable time had passed after the demise of Hisham and Urwah, the two narrators who have narrated most of the ahadith in this regard.

Moreover, Hisham and Urwah spent most of their lives in Medina and Imam Malikrh, the renowned muhaddith of Medina, was an acclaimed pupil of Hisham ibn Urwah.

Despite all this, there is no mention of this narration in Muwatta of Imam Malikra.

“Towards the end of his life – when Hisham ibn Urwah had lost his eyesight, his memory had deteriorated and (according to experts of biographical evaluation) he had started to suffer from delusion and amnesia – he emigrated to Kufa and it is there that he mentioned this narration for the first time.

The person to whom he narrated it, also let another 40 years pass after the demise of Hisham ibn Urwah before he narrated it further. So, there was no possibility of finding any evidence in favour of it or against it.

“Thus, the fact that Hisham did not report this narration as long as he lived at Medina and that it was mentioned in a book which was compiled many years after his demise, casts various doubts on its authenticity. There is also a possibility that this narration was fabricated in order to slander the family of the Holy Prophetsa in general and Hazrat Aisha Siddiqara in particular. It may have been done to prove that, although the Holy Prophetsa had instructed to learn half the faith from this wife, one could not learn about the faith at all from her since she was married to the Holy Prophetsa at a young age when she still used to play with other girls and with dolls and the Holy Prophetsa passed away while she was still in her childhood.

“Moreover, there is a discrepancy within the narrations of Sahih Bukhari regarding the nikah of Hazrat Aishara. In one of the narrations, Hazrat Aishara states that the Holy Prophetsa married her three years after the demise of Hazrat Khadijara, while in another narration it is written that Hazrat Khadijara passed away three years before the migration of the Holy Prophetsa to Medina and that he then waited for two years or very close to this period before performing the nikah with Hazrat Aishara.

“Thus, although the collectors of ahadith have performed their task with the utmost care, there still remains an aspect of error, doubt and suspicion because it was

approximately 100 to 150 years after the Holy Prophetsa that the ahadith started to be compiled while Muslims had become divided into several sects and various kinds of disagreements had grown among them.

“Thus, in addition to the reform and resolution of other issues, the Hakam and Adl [judge and arbiter] of this age, the Promised Messiahas has also resolved the issue at hand in the most excellent manner.

“Huzooras states: ‘Although we hold the most courteous view towards ahadith, but how can we accept a hadith that is contrary to the Noble Quran or against the honour of the Holy Prophetsa? That was the time of collecting and compiling the ahadith and although those people compiled the ahadith after much scrutiny, they were unable to take complete and absolute care in this regard.

That was the time for collecting, but now is the time for review, scrutiny and contemplation.’ (Malfuzat, Volume 9, Vol. 9, pp. 471-472 [1984 edition]) “If we analyse the issue of the age of Hazrat Aishara from another angle, we learn from the books of history and sirah that all four children of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra (i.e. Hazrat Abdullahra, Hazrat Asmaara, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra and Hazrat Aishara) were born before the Holy Prophetsa was formally commissioned by God. Hazrat Aishara is also included among the list of the early Muslims drawn up by biographers.

How could the name of Hazrat Aishara be included among the list of early Muslims if she was born in the fifth year after the formal commissioning of the Holy Prophetsa?

“Historians have written that Hazrat Asmaara was 10 years older than Hazrat

Aishara and that at the time of the Hijrah, Hazrat Asmaa was 27 years old. According to this, Hazrat Aishara would have been born in the fourth year before the formal commissioning of the Holy Prophetsa. And if we assume that her nikah took place before the Hijrah, then she would have been 14 at that time.

“There is a narration in Sahih Bukhari regarding the Battle of Uhud, which was fought in 2 AH. According to the narration, Hazrat Aisha bint Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umm Sulaimra used to fill up waterskins and carry them on their backs to the people to provide them water. If Hazrat Aishara had been as young as a small girl, then how was she able to run around on the battlefield carrying filled up waterskins on her back to take them to the injured? How was she able to perform this duty?

“Hence, this also proves that in 2 AH she was certainly old enough to be able to perform such a strenuous task on the battlefield.

“This fact has also been recorded in history books that before her marriage to the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Aishara was engaged to Jubair ibn Mut‘im. Her engagement at that time also tells that she was not six years old. This is especially due to the fact that when the Holy Prophetsa asked Hazrat Abu Bakrra for Hazrat Aisha’s hand in marriage, [prior to that] Hazrat Abu Bakrra had asked Jubair ibn Mut‘im for the rukhsati of Hazrat Aishara. When he received a rejection from him, the engagement was annulled. It was then that the nikah with the Holy Prophetsa took place. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq’sra requesting Jubair ibn Mut‘im for the rukhsati proves that Hazrat Aishara was not at all six years of age at that time. Even at that time, she had reached a marriageable age.

“The conclusion to which Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra came after carefully analysing the narrations on the age of Hazrat Aishara in his scholarly manner, is that her age at the time of her marriage was 13 to 14 years. That indeed is the correct estimation of her age. Accordingly, the age of Hazrat Aishara at the time of the Holy Prophet’ssa demise was 21 to 22 years, which is the most excellent age for the completion of the acquisition of religious knowledge and for imparting it further to other people.

“The Hakam and Adl of this age, the Promised Messiahas, has completely rejected the narrations which state the age of Hazrat Aishara as being nine years at the time of her marriage to the Holy Prophetsa. Thus, the Promised Messiahsa, while replying to the allegations raised by Fath-e-Masih, a Christian priest and an opponent of Islam,

9

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM said: ‘You have written about the formal wedding of Hazrat Aisha Siddiqara as having taken place at the age of nine years. Firstly, it is not proven that the Holy Prophetsa himself ever mentioned “nine years”. Neither was there any revelation about it, nor is the age of nine years definitively proven by mass-transmitted narrations [akhbar mutawatirah]. It has just been taken from a narrator.’ (Nur-ul-Quran No. 2, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 9, p. 377) “Likewise, on another occasion, Huzooras said: ‘Hazrat Aisha’sra being nine years old is only mentioned in completely baseless sayings. It is neither proven by any hadith, nor by the Quran.’ (Arya Dharam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 10, p. 64) “In short, all such narrations that mention Hazrat Aishara as being nine years of age at the time of her marriage are subject to review and further scrutiny. Either the narrators have made an inadvertent mistake in them or the narrators who came later have interpolated in them.

“An in-depth study of the books of history and sirah clearly reveals that Hazrat Aishara was of an appropriate and most befitting age at the time of her marriage; an age at which it was customary for the Quraish to marry their sons and daughters. This marriage was neither a special or noteworthy exception to the norm of the Arab society of that time, nor was it objectionable in any shape or form even to the hypocrites or disbelievers that they may raise any allegation against it, make any abusive remark about it or even be surprised by it.”

How should one follow an imam who is leading Salat while sitting?

If an imam is compelled to lead a Salat while sitting down, how should those following him pray? This issue was raised before Huzooraa, who gave the following guidance: “We find the sunnah and the practice of the Holy Prophetsa regarding this issue clearly laid out in ahadith. Hence, it is mentioned in the ahadith of Sahih alBukhari, reported by Hazrat Aishara and Hazrat Anasra, that in the early years of his prophetic mission, the Holy Prophetsa once fell off a horse. Hence, he led the Salat while sitting down. When the Holy Prophetsa realised that the Companions were about to pray behind him while standing as usual, he indicated to them that they should sit down. Upon completing the Salat, the Holy Prophetsa addressed them and said that an imam is appointed so that he may be followed. Thus, they should pray in the same manner as the imam prays.

“However, during the final illness of the Holy Prophetsa, after which he passed away, he had instructed Hazrat Abu Bakrra to lead the prayers. Later, when he recovered somewhat, he went to offer the congregational Salat and offered it while sitting down to the left of Hazrat Abu Bakrra [who was standing].

“Hazrat Aishara states that at that moment, the Holy Prophetsa was leading Hazrat Abu Bakrra who was leading the rest of the people in prayer.

The fact is that the people were also following the Holy Prophetsa; however, since the Holy Prophetsa was unable to pronounce the takbir etc. loudly due to his illness, Hazrat Abu Bakrra was conveying the

voice of the Holy Prophetsa to the people as a mukabbir.

“It is especially noteworthy here that the Holy Prophet’ssa sitting to the left of Hazrat Abu Bakrra indicates that the Holy Prophetsa was the imam of that Salat because the imam is always on the left and the one following him, on the right.

“We also find the practice of the Holy Prophetsa in this regard. Hence, once, when the Holy Prophetsa was offering the Tahajud prayer, Hazrat Ibn Abbasra came and stood on his left. The Holy Prophetsa held his head and moved him to his right.

“Hazrat Imam Bukharirh has copied a saying of his teacher, al-Humaidi, in this regard, which states that the initial instruction of the Holy Prophetsa was that when an imam prays while sitting down, those following him should do the same.

However, later on, the Holy Prophetsa led a Salat while sitting down and the companions who were following him, prayed while standing. The Holy Prophetsa did not instruct them to sit down. A binding precedent was formed on the basis of the latter practice of the Holy Prophetsa and his latter practice was that when an imam is compelled to pray while sitting down, those following him should pray while standing up as usual.

“Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra once stated in this regard: ‘As I am suffering from gout-related pain, I cannot deliver the sermon while standing up. Likewise, I cannot lead Salat while standing up. The Holy Prophetsa initially instructed that if an imam is unable to lead Salat while standing up, then those following him should also pray while sitting down.

However, he later changed this directive under the instruction of God Almighty and said that if an imam is compelled to pray while sitting, those following him should not sit and should offer the Salat while standing up as usual. Thus, as I am unable to lead the Salat while standing up, I will lead it sitting down. You should pray standing up.’

(Al Fazl, Lahore, 3 July 1951, p. 3) “Thus, if an imam is compelled to pray while sitting down, those following him should pray while standing up as usual.”

Is it compulsory for women to attend congregational prayers in the mosque?

Someone wrote to Huzooraa that in his commentary of Sahih Bukhari, Hazrat Syed Zainul Abidin Waliullah Shahra had declared it compulsory for women to attend congregational prayers in the mosque like men. They requested Huzooraa to draw the attention of women towards this.

In a letter dated 26 November 2018, Huzooraa gave the following reply: “The inference that Hazrat Syed Zainul Abidin Waliullahَ Shahra has made from َ َّ َ ْ َ the verse ‫الصلَاة‬ ‫ وأقِمن‬of Surah al-Ahzab in his commentary – i.e. that it is compulsory for women to attend congregational prayers in the mosque like men – is based on his personal reading, which contradicts the continued and widespread practice of 1,400 years, the ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa and the interpretations of the Promised Messiahas as well as his Khulafa. Hence, it is incorrect.

“There is no doubt that the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra have interpreted the term ‘iqamatus-Salat’ or ‘the observance of prayer’ in various

ways and that one of those interpretations is ‘to observe Salat in congregation at the mosque’. However, this interpretation only applies to men.

“For women, ‘iqamatus-Salat’ or ‘qiyame-Namaz’ means to observe the five daily prayers at home while assiduously fulfilling all the other conditions. However, if a woman wishes to pray at the mosque, then Islam has not prohibited her from doing so because ladies used to offer prayers in mosques as well. Nonetheless, the Holy Prophetsa has preferred for ladies to observe the Salat at home. Hence, it is narrated by Hazrat Abdullahra ibn Mas‘ud that the Holy Prophetsa said: َ ْ ُ َ َ ُ َ َْ ُ ُ َ ‫َصلاة ال َم ْرأ ِة فِي ب َ ْي ِت َها أفضل ِم ْن َصلاتِ َها فِي ح ْج َرتِ َها َو َصلات َها‬ َ ُ َ َْ َ َْ ‘‫فِي مخد ِع َها أفضل ِم ْن َصلاتِ َها فِي ب َ ْي ِت َها‬ ‘It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her private room and more excellent for her to pray in her courtyard than in her house.’ (Sunan Abi Daud, Kitab al-Salat) “Likewise, it is reported by Ummul Momineen, Hazrat Aishara, in another narration: َّ َ َ ُ ّ ٰ َّ َ ّ ٰ ُ َ َ َْ َ َْ َ ُ ‫الن ّ َس‬ ‫اء‬ ِ ‫ل ْو أد َرك َر ُس ْول الل ِه صلى الله عل ْي ِه َو َسل َم َما أحدث‬ َ ْ َ ُ َ َ َّ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ ‫ت ن ِ َس‬ ‘‫اء ب َ ِني ِإ ْس َرائِيل‬ ‫لمنعهن كما م ِنع‬ ‘Had Allah’s Messengersa known of the practice the women have begun to follow [now], he would have forbidden them

from going to the mosque as the women of Bani Israel had been forbidden.’ (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Azan) “Thus, it is evident from ahadith that it is better and more meritorious for ladies to pray at home. It is even said that she should avoid praying in the courtyard of the house or such an open area of the house where there is a constant flow of people. In other words, it is better for her to pray in her room rather than the open courtyard, let alone instructing her to go to the mosque to pray. Hence, it is definitely better for ladies to pray at home and it is not compulsory for them to go to the mosque to pray.

“Since ladies used to pray behind men in those days and men used to stand in front and they did not have the facility of an enclosure like they do nowadays, it was possible that men might look at them while entering or exiting. It is probably thus that they were instructed to pray at home.

“Some ahadith related to such scenarios are specific to those circumstances, but even today, it is better for women to pray at home instead of going to the mosque because the above-mentioned ahadith clearly support the view that women should pray at home.”

(Translated by Aqeel Ahmad Kang, London)

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

10

100 Years Ago...

Tabligh is incumbent upon every Ahmadi Muslim Al Fazl, 3 & 7 February 1921 Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra (1894-1955) Nazir Talif-o-Ishaat, Qadian (1921)

O Ahmadi people! You are God’s chosen Jamaat. God has raised you to grab hold of falling people. Rise and perform your paramount responsibility more diligently than before.

Move forward and raise the banner of the true Islam in the world. Advance and march like the spring breeze. Spread like pleasant aroma in every corner. Emit fragrance and fill up every source of fragrance by exuding scent. Shine like the sun and illuminate every dark particle with your light.

God’s words from the Scriptures have been fulfilled. Prophet Muhammad’ssa prophecy came true. The most awaited Imam, the Promised Messiahas, appeared and O Ahmadi nation, he revived you. Thus go ahead and convey the good news to every human being on earth and breathe a new spirit into the body of this world. Tabligh is your duty as per God’s directions. The Holy Prophetsa laid emphasis on it. Prophet Ahmadas repeatedly instructed about it: ‫ش‬ ‫وکب� اے وجاانں ات ی‬ ‫دب� وقت وشد پ ی‬ ‫�دا‬ ‫ید‬ ‫اہبر و روقن ادنر روہضٔ تلم وشد پ ی‬ ‫�دا‬ [O youth! Make every effort to strengthen the religion and to bring blossom and prosperity in the garden of the nation of Islam.]

Moreover, O Ahmadi people, your caravan leader, Imam and chief, Hazrat Fazl-e-Umar, the resolute Khalifatul Masih II[ra], always instructs you that every one of you should become a missionary. He has said many times over that believing in the truth is not your only responsibility, but it is also your duty to persuade others.

Thus, O friends, rid yourselves from the sluggishness of the past. Get up and be active and leap forward into the field of tabligh. Yes, never be negligent and do not let sloth come near you: ‫اکم لکشم ےہ تہب زنمل وصقمد ےہ دور‬ ‫اے رِمے الہ واف تسس یھبک اگم ہن وہ‬

[The task is difficult and the destination is far; O my loyal ones! never slacken your pace.]

In the last Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] drew the attention of friends to the duty of tabligh in very strong words and said that tabligh in the new year should be done with such enthusiasm and excellence that the loss of the previous year should also be evened up.

Thus, O friends, all of you should fully engage in tabligh. On the one hand, you should increase in righteousness, purity and improving yourselves, so much so that you become the beloveds of God and like stars

for the earth.

On the other hand, call on those who are far from the spiritual fountain of the Messiahas of Muhammadsa and draw all the souls yearning for the truth towards you.

Satisfy those who are hungry and thirsty for the truth. Conquer every pure heart with the power of your humble prayers. This is your compulsory and mandatory responsibility.

All friends should engage in tabligh in their respective areas from today. In fact, [start tabligh] from this very moment and never hold back from putting in your best effort when the opportunity presents itself.

Those friends who want to carry out tabligh to prominent people by holding jalsas etc. or through missionaries, should inform the department of Talif-o-Ishaat by 1 April [1921] so that proper arrangements can be made for all. All the secretaries and in fact, every member of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is the direct addressee of these words of mine.

Every person who reads or listens to this article should consider it their duty to act on it. May Allah be with you. Amin! ... … When a person enters the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, it is because he recognises that truth, which has been manifested upon the world

by God Almighty through the Promised Messiahas.

Owing to this truth, the shackles of rites and rituals are broken down. A kind of death befalls the previous lowly life. A person feels that a new life has been breathed into him and realises that he is no longer what he used to be. Hence, he becomes happy that he has been granted a matchless precious ruby.

The world laughs at his decision and humiliates him in various ways, but looking at the helplessness and negligence of the world, he wonders why it does not try to take the light that has appeared in this world today. Thus, he strives for every person to become the possessor of that light.

This is what is called tabligh. Hence, tabligh is a work without which a momin [true believer] cannot spend a single moment owing to his passion and sincerity of faith.

However, our pace of tabligh has been very slow in the recent past. It is for this reason that in the last Friday Sermon and on the occasion of Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said that this year, work should be done with so much enthusiasm that [Ahmadiyyat] becomes the talk of the town in India and Ahmad’sas name reaches the corners of India.

Our missionaries should reach every single town. Every person, whether he belongs to a low caste or a high caste, should be acquainted with this light that has manifested in our time.

Thus, all friends should hold jalsas and carry out tabligh at their own places. They

Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra

should gather their friends and other people in their cities, villages and surrounding areas and conduct lectures and sermons for tabligh.

In order to put this proposal into practice, it is the responsibility of the secretaries of various jamaats to inform the department of Talif-o-Ishaat by 1 April 1921. They should let us know as to when they can arrange for a jalsa at their place.

We will make a programme and send our

missionaries to different places after we receive all information.

In this way, we will be able to fulfill, to some extent, the duty that is our responsibility. Hence, the jamaats in general and the secretaries and presidents in particular should immediately pay special attention towards it and inform the said department soon after deciding the dates.

I cannot help but say that friends should not be content with mere jalsas; every Ahmadi should be fully determined in their heart that the truth they have acquired must be passed on to others. The nation’s young and old should all be aware that this is no time for negligence.

Convey to others what you have been entrusted with and before the day comes when you depart from here, straighten up your affairs with God so that you can say before Him, “We have fulfilled our duty and we not only accepted that truth which You gave us but also passed it on to others.”

May Allah the Almighty be with you and help you to fulfill your responsibility.

Wassalam Humbly yours, Rahim Bakhsh [also known as Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra], Nazir Talif-o-Ishaat, Qadian (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 3 & 7 February 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

Kenya Ansarullah hold national tilawat competition Tahir Ahmad Machengo Kenya Correspondent

On 20 December 2020, Majlis Ansarullah Kenya held their first virtual tilawat competition.

After the first round of the competition, 10 Ansar from various regions of the country made it for the finals. In this competition, the last seven verses of Surah al-Hashr (Ch.59: V.19-25) were recited.

The competition was hosted by Abdul Aziz Gakuria Sahib, Naib Sadr Saff-eDaum, Majlis Ansarullah Kenya.

The panel of judges included three missionaries, Afzal Zafar Sahib, Faheem Ahmad Lakhan Sahib and Malik Basharat Sahib.

Finalists were asked to recite selected verses from the Holy Quran and thereafter, one of the judges would express his thoughts and corrections too where

necessary.

At the end of the competition, each judge was given five minutes to talk about the importance of the rules and regulations of and blessings of reciting the Holy Quran.

They further expressed their thoughts and suggestions about the competition.

Sameer Ahmad Sheikh Sahib, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah Kenya, then expressed his gratitude to all the participants, judges, organisers and listeners who took part in this blessed event.

He announced the winners and informed that all the participants would also receive a copy of the Holy Quran as a gift and urged them to recite it on a daily basis.

At the end, Tariq Mahmood Zafar Sahib, Amir and Missionary-in-Charge Jamaat Kenya, delivered his concluding speech on the importance of the study of the Holy Quran and its benefits.

11

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Impressions of Bangladesh waqifeene-nau following virtual mulaqat Abdul Munim Khan Chowdhury Bangladesh Correspondent

Waqifeen-e-nau of Bangladesh had the most blessed opportunity to have a virtual class with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa on 30 January 2021. This class was a truly rejuvenating one for the waqifeen.

This historic mulaqat originated from requests from waqifeen-e-nau from different areas of Bangladesh to have a class with Huzooraa.

Amidst the pandemic, regular online classes were held for waqifeen-e-nau in Bangladesh and some of them expressed their deepest desire to have Huzooraa preside over one such online class.

Upon this, Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, Hasib Hasan Sahib wrote a letter to Huzooraa seeking his gracious presence in one such class. Beloved Huzooraa graciously approved 30 January 2021 for a class with waqifeene-nau and another on 31 January with waqifaat-e-nau of Bangladesh.

The class with waqifeen-e-nau lasted for over an hour, where 136 waqifeen-e-

nau, along with the national amir, secretary Waqf-e-Nau and zonal secretaries of Waqf-e- Nau were in attendance.

After the class, the participants gave their impressions of this meeting.

Qasem Amin Sahib said: “This was the best day in my life. A million thanks to Allah for letting me have the opportunity to meet Huzooraa virtually.”

Dr Ijazur Rahman Sahib, Zonal Secretary Waqf-e-Nau Chattagram, said: “I could not move my eyes from Huzooraa; such was the awe I was in.”

Muhammad Arif Sahib said: “If not for this pandemic, I might never have had the chance to meet with Huzooraa like this. May Allah enable me to meet with Huzooraa once again. Amin.”

Mahmud Ahmad Rudro Sahib said: “This was an occasion of absolute joy and ecstasy for me. Before this, I only got to see Huzooraa on different media platforms, but today, I got to meet him virtually.”

Naser Ahmad Sahib said: “I was excited as well as scared before meeting Huzooraa. But after the meeting, I

MKA Bangladesh holds first ever Masroor Badminton Tournament

Muhammad Golam Rabbi MKA Bangladesh

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh organised its first ever Masroor Badminton Tournament. 70 local majalis participated from across the country.

Initial selections of players were done in three phases: local phase, district phase and the regional phase.

On 31 December 2020 at Dhaka Darut Tabligh mosque complex, the final phase of the tournament was inaugurated by Sadr Sahib MKA Bangladesh, Mohammad Zahed Ali Sahib.

In the final phase – from five regions of the country (Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensing, Khulna and Rangpur) – the 12 best players participated. Some of the matches including the final were streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

On 2 January 2021, the final match and prize distribution ceremony started.

The doubles title was won by Dhaka region’s GM Abujar Rahman Sahib and Tazveer Sardar Sahib.

The singles title was won by Mabroor Ahmed Chowdhury Sahib of Chattogram region.

The chief guest of the prize distribution ceremony was Abdul Awwal Khan Chowdhury Sahib, Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Bangladesh.

felt nothing but joy and elation. May Allah enable me to meet Huzooraa over and over again. Amin.”

Shahriar Kabir Bishal Sahib said: “I feel really blessed and fortunate to have attended this virtual class with Huzooraa. I will try my level best to abide by the valuable guidelines given by Huzooraa.”

Masroor Ahmad Sahib said: “Today, I feel really proud to be a waqife-nau because I had the opportunity to meet with the Imam of the time. I thank Allah and Huzooraa for this blessed opportunity.”

Ausaaf Ahmed Sahib said: “Alhamdulillah and thanks to Huzooraa for letting me have this blessed opportunity to meet with you. I am lost for words.”

SM Saihan Ferdous Sahib said:

“This is a historic day in the history of Waqf-e-Nau Bangladesh. I feel honoured and proud as a Bangladeshi waqif-e-nau to have had this chance to meet with Huzooraa virtually.”

Hares Ahmad Sahib said: “I feel at peace and blessed after meeting with Huzooraa. In the 16 years of my life, I have never felt such happiness. Being addressed by Huzooraa directly is a great blessing indeed.”

May Allah make this historic meeting with Huzooraa the beginning of a new and glorious chapter for Waqfe-e-Nau Bangladesh. May Allah accept all our lifededications and enable us to serve His Jamaat. Amin.

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

12

Responding to Allegations

The need and time of the Promised Messiah’s appearance M Adam Ahmad Al Hakam

Opponents of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, suggest that the time of the appearance of the Latter-Day Messiah has not yet come and in their view, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat presented his claim when there was no need for the Messiah.

The time when the Promised Messiahas appeared was not an ordinary age. Almost every religion was waiting for a chosen one of God, who would come and save the sinking ship of mankind. It was a time when moral and spiritual corruption was at its peak and darkness prevailed the earth.

The signs mentioned in the Holy Quran and the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa related to the most awaited Messiah were becoming manifest. The scholars and saints in the time of the Promised Messiahas also expressed that it was indeed the age of the appearance of the Messiah.

The Promised Messiahas has said: “In this age, the world is brimming with disagreements. The Jews say one thing, whereas the Christians profess another and aside from this, the ummah of Muhammad is mired in internal conflicts. Meanwhile, the idolaters present their opinions against all of the others. So many new religions and beliefs have arisen that everyone seems to be practicing their own unique brand of religion. Therefore, in conformity with the established practice of Allah, it was essential that a hakam [arbiter] should have come to settle all of these disputes. Hence, that very hakam was bestowed the titles ‘the Promised Messiah’ and ‘the Blessed Mahdi’, meaning that, he was deemed to be the Messiah on account of resolving external disputes and he was proclaimed the destined Mahdi on account of settling the internal conflicts.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [English translation of Haqiqatul Wahi], p. 57) The writings and sayings of the Promised Messiahas comprehensively shed light on the conditions and circumstances of his time. Moreover, he frequently drew attention of the people of his age that he was sent as the Messiah by God Almighty because the need of the time demanded his appearance.

In his book, Kitab-ul-Bariyya, the Promised Messiahas states: “All the indications mentioned in the Holy Quran and the ahadith with regard to the Promised Messiah have been combined in me and in my age and in my country; as, for instance, the age and the country and

the town in which the Promised Messiah was to appear, and the circumstances which called specially for his advent, and the earthly and heavenly occurrences which had been specified as indications of his advent, and the knowledge and learning that were to be his characteristic, have all been combined in me. In addition to these, and to provide further satisfaction, I have been strengthened by Heavenly support. �‫مس ی‬ ‫�ں �ا � از � وقم �� دادہ ادن‬ ‫� را ا� ی‬ ‫�� انم � �دہ ادن‬ ‫آ�ں �رد �ن ا�تق � ��ی د ی‬ ‫زم‬ � ‫یا� دو �� از � ی‬ ‫�� � ا�دہ ادن‬ [As I was invested with authority for the Christians, I was, therefore, named the Son of Mary. Heaven is showing signs and the earth proclaims that this is the time. These two witnesses stand firm in my support.]

“The detail of the above is that the indication given in the text of the Holy Quran proves that the Holy Prophetsa appeared in the likeness of Mosesas, and that the chain of Khilafat after the Holy Prophetsa would be very similar to the chain of Khilafat established after Mosesas. Just as

Prophet Mosesas was promised that in the Latter Days – i.e. when the prophethood of Bani Israel would reach its limit and Bani Israel would be divided into many sects, each contradicting the other, so much so that some would declare others to be infidels – God Almighty would raise a successor, i.e. Prophet Jesusas, to support the faith of Mosesas; he would gather the scattered sheep of Israel, and bring sheep and wolves together at one place, and he would be an Arbiter for all the sects of Bani Israel, and he would iron out their differences and remove all rancour and illwill; likewise, a similar promise was made by the Holy Quran in the verse:

َ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ ‫ّو ٰا� ِریۡ َن ِمن ُہ ۡم ل َ ّما یَل َحقوۡا ِب ِہ ۡم‬

“[Others from among them who have not yet joined them. (Surah al-Jumuah, Ch.62: V.4)] Many details of this are set out in the ahadith. For instance, it is mentioned that Muslims would become divided into as many sects as the Jews; they would contradict each other and brand each other as infidels; and would increase in hatred and enmity towards each other, till the time when the Promised Messiah would appear

as an Arbiter. He would remove all rancour and hostility. During his time, the wolf and the sheep would be brought together.

“All historians are aware that, at the time of the advent of Jesusas, the Israelite sects were ridden with dissension and labelled each other as heretics and infidels.

I have also appeared at a time when inner dissension has multiplied and each sect has started calling others kafir [disbeliever]. At such a time of dissension, the Muslims were in need of an arbiter. God has, therefore, sent me as one.” (Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, pp.

63-65, [Kitab-ul-Bariyya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, pp. 254-257]) Explaining the time when the LatterDay Messiah was to appear – according to the prophecies of the old scriptures, the Holy Quran, ahadith and saints – the Promised Messiahas said: “The Jewish and the Christian prophecy that is inferred from the Bible affirms it; namely, that the Promised Messiah will be born at the end of the sixth millennium from the birth of Adam. According to the lunar calendar, which is the original calendar of the People of the Book, my

13

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM birth took place at the end of the sixth millennium – and the birth of the Promised Messiah had, since the beginning of time, been preordained by God to take place at the end of the sixth millennium because the Promised Messiah is Khatamul-Khulafa [the seal of the Khulafa] and the last ought to have similarity with the first.

“Since Hazrat Adamas was born in the last part of the sixth day, it was necessary with respect to the parallelism that the last vicegerent – who is the last Adam – should also be born at the end of the sixth millennium. This is because each day of the seven days of God equals 1,000 years, as Allah Himself says:

ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ّ َ َ ۡ ً ۡ َ َّ َ ‫ف َسن ٍۃ ِّم ّما ت ُع ّد ۡو َن‬ ِ ‫و ِان یوما ِعند ر ِبک کال‬

“[And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of your reckoning’. (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.48)] Authentic ahadith also bear out that the Promised Messiah would be born in the sixth millennium.

(God Almighty has disclosed to me that, according to the Jumal [Abjad] system of numbers, the numerical value of the letters constituting Surah al-Asr indicates the number of years that have passed since the beginning of Adam up to the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. In accordance with this blessed surah, when calculated up to this age, the seventh millennium has now started. And according to this calculation, my birth has taken place in the sixth millennium.) This is why all those blessed with [spiritual] visions have not gone beyond the sixth millennium in fixing the time for the Promised Messiah and the outermost limit of the time of his advent is stated as the 14th century Hijrah.

(See Hijajul-Kiramah, compiled by Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan of Bhopal) “Muslims who were gifted with spiritual visions have foretold that the Promised Messiah – who is the last Khalifa and Khatamul-Khulafa – is like Adam in that he would be born at the end of sixth Millennium, just as Adam was born at the end of the sixth day.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [English translation of Haqiqatul Wahi], pp. 252-253) On another occasion, the Promised Messiahas said: “The Holy Quran clearly and markedly draws a parallel between the successorship of both the Israelite and Ishmaelite dispensations. This is apparent from the following verse:

َّ َ ۡ ّٰ َ َ َ ّٰ ‫الل ُہ الَّ ِذیۡ َن ٰا َم ُنوۡا ِم ۡن ُک ۡم َو َعم ُلوا‬ ‫الص ِل ٰح ِت ل َ َی ۡس َتخ ِلفن ُہ ۡم‬ ‫وعد‬ ِ ۡ ‫فِی الۡاَ ۡرض َک َما‬ ۡ‫اس َت ۡخ َل َف الَّ ِذیۡ َن ِم ۡن َق ۡب ِلہم‬ ِ ِ

“[Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them’. (Surah alNur, Ch.24: V.56)] The last successor of the Israelite dispensation who appeared in the fourteenth century after Mosesas, was the Messiahas of Nazareth. In parallel to this, it was necessary for the Messiah of this Ummah to also appear at the head of the 14th century. Additionally, those blessed with visions have declared this century to be the one in which the Messiah would appear.

“Hazrat Shah Waliullah Sahibrh and others from among the Ahl-e-Hadith all agree that all the alamaat-e-sughra [minor signs] and to some extent the alamaat-e-

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi with his son Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra

kubra [major signs] have been fulfilled.

However, they have erred somewhat in this respect. All of the signs have been fulfilled.

“The major sign or hallmark of the one who is to appear can be found in [Sahih] Bukhari as follows: ْ ْ ُ ْ َّ ُ ْ َ ‫یك ِسر‬ ‫الصلِ ْی َب َویَق ُتل ال ِخن ِزیْ َر‬ “In other words, ‘The era in which the Messiah shall descend is marked by the dominance of Christianity and prevalent worship of the cross.’

“Is this not such a time? Has there been such a time from the era of Adamas until now when such harm was ever inflicted upon Islam by the Christian priests? Division has plagued every country. There is no Muslim family who has not lost a member or so to their hands. Hence, the era of he who was to come is one in which worship of the cross would be dominant. What could be more dominating than what we see now? Vicious attacks like those of ravenous beasts have been made against Islam.

“Is there a single group that has not made the most savage of remarks against the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and hurled abuse at him? If now is not the time for the advent of the awaited one, the earliest that he can appear now is after a hundred years, for a divinely appointed mujaddid [reformer] must always appear at the head of the century.

“Now, does Islam possess enough

strength to combat the ever-increasing dominance of the Christian priests for another century? This ascendancy has reached its pinnacle and the one who was to appear has come. Now, he shall destroy the Anti-Christ with clinching argumentation, for it is recorded in the hadith that nations would be overturned, not people themselves or the individuals that comprise these nations. And so has it occurred.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 47-48) In one of his couplets, the Promised Messiahas says: ‫وتق اھت وتقِ مس ی�ح�ا ہن یسک اَور اک وتق‬ ‫ی‬ ‫م ہن آات وت وکیئ اَور یہ آ ی�ا وہات‬ “This was indeed the appointed time for none other than the Messiah; Had I not been appointed, someone else would surely have appeared!” (Durr-e-Sameen, p. 196) God Almighty gave countless signs to the Promised Messiahas to support his claim and to indicate the time of his arrival. The opponents say that he made up all those signs by himself to attract the attention of the common people. However, the signs which were granted to the Promised Messiahas are so manifest and powerful that rational minds could not possibly argue that there was any other hand behind those signs except that of God Almighty.

For example, the sign of the solar and lunar eclipse. In this regard, the Promised Messiahas says: “Another sign in support of the awaited

one is that in his era, during the month of Ramadan, the solar and lunar eclipses would occur. Those who ridicule divine signs in fact mock God Himself. For the solar and lunar eclipse to take place after the claim of the awaited one is something that no one could possibly forge or fabricate.

“Before this, no such solar or lunar eclipse had taken place. This was a sign by which Allah the Exalted was to proclaim the arrival of the awaited one throughout the entire world. And so, upon witnessing this sign, the Arabs have also proclaimed its truth, as is their nature. Wherever our announcements could not reach to serve as public pronouncements, this solar and lunar eclipse announced the coming of the era of the awaited one.

“This was a sign of God completely free from human machination. No matter how strictly philosophical a person may be, they ought to reflect and contemplate that when the appointed sign has been fulfilled, it necessarily follows that the one in whose favour the sign was manifested, must also be present. This was not a matter that could have been predetermined because it was stated that the sign would be manifested after a person who claimed to be the Mahdi had appeared. The Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, also said that no such incident would have occurred from the time of Adamas to this Mahdi. If anyone can historically show otherwise, I shall accept.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 48-49) Alluding to the need and time of his arrival, the Promised Messiahas said: “In every respect, the perfection of guidance took place during the first advent of the Holy Prophetsa and the perfection of the propagation of faith (i.e. the spread of this message) was to take place through the second advent of the Holy Prophetsa.

This is because the verse in Surah alJumuah that reads, ‘And there are others from among them’ demands that another group of people should also be prepared through his grace and guidance. From this, it becomes clear that there is another advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and this advent, in the form of a buruzi manifestation [spiritual reflection of the Holy Prophetsa], is taking place in this era.

“Hence, this age is one in which there was to be a complete spread of this faith. This is also why all means of communication and conveyance are also reaching their pinnacle.

There is a multitude of publishing houses, countless printing presses and with each day, there are further improvements and developments in publishing and printing.

There is also the use of courier and mail services and the emergence of post offices, wired mail, the railroad, aeroplanes and the publication of newspapers – all of these things have combined to transform the world into a global village.

“In actual fact, these advancements are in service to the Holy Prophetsa because through them, the perfect renaissance of Islam, i.e. the complete spread and delivery of his message, is taking place.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p. 10) Thus, it was high time for the advent of the Promised Messiahas and mankind was desperate for a saviour and a reformer. The ummah of the Holy Prophetsa was especially Continued on next page >>

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

14 << Continued from previous page

in dire need of an imam.

Referring to this point, the Promised Messiahas states: “O people! Allah’s argument has been clinched against you; so, whereto do you flee? And certainly His Signs have appeared from all sides.

“Islam has descended into the cave of banishment and its commandments are not being practised. Every calamity has descended upon it, every affliction has exposed its canine teeth for it and every misfortune has opened its door to it. The sixth millennium, during which the Messiah was promised to appear, has already passed. So what do you think? Did Allah go against His promise or did He fulfil it?

“Do you not see how all nations have united against this religion? They have attacked it together like a pack of wild beasts that emerges suddenly from behind a single cluster of trees. Islam has become like a lonely outcast and the target of every transgressor. It is Eid for the opponents, but ours is the moon of Dhul-Qa‘dah [one of the four Islamic months in which fighting is forbidden by God Almighty]. We sit in utmost fear and terror, as if vanquished by the disbelievers. They malign our religion and their taunts are worse than the attacks of spears.

“In the face of all that, my Lord appointed me at the turn of the century.

Do you think that He sent me without necessity? By Allah, I see that the need [for my advent] is greater than in previous times. Good fortune has disappeared like a slave who has fled.

“Islam was like a man with a wonderful physique and handsome face, but now you will see the ugliness of religious innovations and the wounds of fabricated rituals on its face. And its robustness has turned into frailty, the clear water of its spring into murky water, its light into darkness and its mansions into wastelands.

“It has become like a home with no inhabitants or like a honeycomb with nothing left in it except the bees. How can you imagine that God did not send a mujaddid [reformer] in this age when this was the precise time for bringing down the heavenly food – not for folding up the dining table? How can you imagine that the Benevolent God did not want to reform mankind in the face of this profusion of innovations and flood of evils.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, pp. 814815 [English Translation of Al-Istifta in Haqiqatul Wahi]) Hence, it is unwise to deny the Messiahas of Muhammadsa in the presence of countless conclusive arguments in his favour. The pitiable condition of the world was crying for a reformer, so Allah the Almighty sent the Imam Mahdias to fulfil his promise and cater its needs.

Thus, the most suitable age of the Promised Messiah’sas arrival was when Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was appointed by God Almighty as the Messiah and Mahdi of this age.

(Research support by Awwab Saad Hayat, Al Hakam)

The exemplary young Companions: Generosity and selflessness

Rahmatullah Khan Shakir (1901-2000) Former Assistant Editor and Manager of Al Fazl

Slaughtering camels for the needy Hazrat Ubaidullahra bin Abbas was very young during the time of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Generosity became his hallmark when he grew to adulthood. Every day, he would slaughter a camel to host the needy. His brother termed it extravagance and disapproved of it. Instead of giving up this good habit, Ubaidullahra started slaughtering two camels daily. (UsdulGhabah, Vol. 3, p. 421) Invitation to access personal belongings Hazrat Abu Shuraihra accepted Islam before the fall of Mecca and was very generous by nature. He had announced it publicly that whoever could get access to the milk [of his animals], ghee [butter] or lamb was freely allowed to use them. Everyone was allowed to use his belongings unhesitatingly. (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 4, p. 1689) Paying off the debt of the deceased Hazrat Abu Qatadahra was born 18 years

before the Hijra of the Holy Prophetsa.

Hence, he was quite young when he embraced Islam.

Once, he was sitting in the company of the Holy Prophetsa, when the dead body of an Ansari was brought for funeral prayer.

The Holy Prophetsa enquired from people if he owed anybody anything. The people replied in the affirmative.

He then asked if he had left anything in his inheritance. The people replied that he had left nothing. At this, the Holy Prophetsa asked the people to offer his funeral prayer. Hazrat Abu Qatadahra asked, “O Prophetsa of Allah! Will you offer his funeral prayer if I pay off on his behalf?” He replied, “Yes.” Hazrat Abu Qatadahra rose to his feet, brought money from his home and paid off all the debt of the deceased. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 6, p. 403) Distributing wealth among the needy Hazrat Saeed bin Al-Aasra was a wealthy young man of the Banu Umayyah family, whose generosity and liberality was well reputed. It was his practice to invite his brothers, their sons and his dependents at lunch once a week. He would help the needy with cash and clothes as well.

Every Friday night, in the mosque of Kufa, he would distribute pouches full of dinars among the worshippers. He would never turn down any needy person who asked him for something. He was so cautious in this regard that when he would not have anything to give to somebody asking for money, he would give him a written note saying to come and collect the money later. (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 2, p. 621) It is related about him that once, somebody followed him when he had returned from the mosque. Thus, Hazrat Saeedra asked him what he was up to. He replied that he had seen him returning alone and therefore he wished to escort him.

Hazrat Saeedra asked him to call his servant and also to fetch a pen. The latter complied. Hazrat Saeedra gave him a bill of exchange of 20,000 and said that although he did not have the money at that time, he should come and collect it later.

At his death, Hazrat Saeed bin Al-Aasra owed 10,000 gold coins. His son asked how he had to owe this amount. He was told that he supplied people’s needs and sometimes gave them before they had even asked. (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 2, p. 621) Hazrat Muazra bin Jabal passed away at the young age of 36. He was so generous and sympathised with the destitute so much that by the time he died, his entire property had been sold. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 1, p. 421) Provisions for the elderly An old lady came to Hazrat Saadra bin Ubadah and told him that there were no mice in her house, by which she meant that she had no grains and cereal etc.

(Mice are found where there are grains etc.)

In reply, Hazrat Saadra commented, “What a nice way to ask. You may go and henceforward you will find mice all over your house.”

Thus, he filled her house to its capacity with grains, edible oil and other food items. (Darus-Sahabah fi-man Dakhala Misr min-as-Sahabah, p. 100 [under “Qais bin Ibadah”, No. 221]) Generosity of Hazrat Zubairra bin AlAwam Hazrat Zubairra bin Al-Awam accepted Islam when he was only 16 years old, but he was fully imbued with the Islamic teachings. He owned about a thousand slaves, who would provide for him a reasonable amount everyday by working on daily wages. But instead of spending anything out of it on himself or on his family, he would give all of the money in charity, without keeping even an iota of it for himself. (Al-Isabah, Vol. 2, p. 460) Hazrat Zubairra was so generous that despite being so rich, he fell into a debt of 2.2 million dirhams. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Farzul-Khumus, Bab Barkat-ulGhazi fi Malihi Hayyan wa Mayyitan) The door of Hazrat Zubair’sra house was always open for the poor and destitute.

Qais bin Abi Azim says that he had not seen anybody who spent so graciously and selflessly as Zubairra. (Fath-ul-Bari, Vol. 7, p. 83)

15

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM Distributing wealth among one’s tribe Hazrat Talhara sold a property of his for 700,000 dirhams and gave all of this money in the way of Allah. His wife, Saadira bint Auf, reports that once, she found her husband upset. She asked him the reason for his sadness and asked whether she had committed any mistake.

He replied in the negative and said, “You are such a good wife to me. The fact is that I have accumulated a large amount of money and I am thinking as to what to do with it.” She replied, “Have it distributed.”

Immediately, he called for a maid and distributed 400,000 dirhams among his tribesmen and women. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 165, Zikr Talha bin Ubaidullah) Offering every last crumb for one’s friends ra Hazrat Jafar , the brother of Hazrat Alira, embraced Islam at a young age. Generosity and graciousness were his special traits.

He would treat the poor and destitute with extreme compassion. He would take them to his home and host them.

Hazrat Abu Hurairahra reports that he found Jafarra to be the best towards the destitute. He would take the Ashab alSuffah [companions who remained in the close company of the Holy Prophetsa in Masjid al-Nabawi] to his home in order to host them with whatever was available, so much so that sometimes he would bring empty containers of honey and oil. Abu Hurairahra says they would tear it apart and lick it out. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Manaqib, Bab Manaqib Ibn Abi Jafar bin Abi Talib) Eagerness to eat with the less privileged It was common practice for Hazrat Abdullah bin Umarra to share his meal with a less privileged person.

Once, some people criticised his wife that she did not serve her husband well. In reply she said, “What shall I do?

I cook meals for him, but he shares it with someone less privileged.” His wife sent a message for those underprivileged people not to sit along the path [he used] henceforward. But Abdullahra would call them from their houses.

His wife sent another message not to come even when he called them. Thus, the next time they did not answer and that night, Hazrat Abdullahra ate nothing from his meal. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 4, p. 125, Zikr Abdullah bin Umar) Hazrat Saadra bin Ubadah’s generosity was well reputed far and wide. As night fell, a servant of his would announce aloud, “Anybody who wishes to eat meat and fat should come here.”

At times, Hazrat Saadra hosted as many as 80 Ashab al-Suffah at a time. (Al-Isabah, Vol. 3, p. 56. Zikr Saad bin Ubadah) Parents’ encouragement for their children’s generosity Hazrat Qais bin Saadra was the standardbearer of the Ansar and was extremely generous. In one battle, food supplies were short and he hosted the whole army by taking a loan.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra, too, had joined in this battle. Both of them

decided to stop him or else he would lose the property of his forefathers. But when Qais’ra father [Hazrat Saadra bin Ubadah] learnt that Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra wanted to stop his son, he complained to the Holy Prophetsa and said, “Who will protect me from these two, who wish to make my son niggardly?”

(Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 4, p. 125, Zikr Qais bin Saad bin Ubadah) Feeding one’s brethren Hazrat Qais bin Ubadahra was so generous that wherever he went, a servant always followed him with a bowl full of meat and soup and invited people to come and partake of it. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 4, p.

125, Zikr Qais bin Saad bin Ubadah) Assisting in the fulfilment of prayers Once, Hazrat Imam Hasanra saw a man in the mosque supplicating to God to be granted 10,000 dirhams. Hazrat Imam Hasanra came home and sent him the amount he had supplicated for. (Tarikh Dimashq li-bni-Asakar, Vol. 13, p. 245) Generosity towards an enemy Once, an enemy of Hazrat Alira came to Medina but had no provisions and no mount with him for his journey. People directed him to Hazrat Imam Hasanra and said that he was most generous.

The man came to Hazrat Imam Hasanra, who provided him with both things. Somebody asked Imam Hasanra why he had been kind to such a person who was the enemy of him and his father.

He replied, “Should I not safeguard my honour?” (Tarikh Dimashq li-bni-Asakar, Vol. 13, p. 247) Selflessness of master and slave Once, Hazrat Imam Hasanra passed through a date orchard and saw a black slave eating bread in such a way that he would put one morsel in his mouth and the other before a dog. In this way, he cast half the bread before the dog. Hazrat Imam Hasanra asked him, “Why don’t you drive away the dog?” He replied, “My sense of honour does not permit me to drive it away.”

Hazrat Imam Hasanra asked him the name of his master and told him to stay there until he returned. The slave continued with what he was doing in the orchard, while Hazrat Imam Hasanra went to his master and bought both the slave and the orchard from him. Once he returned, he told the slave that he had purchased both him and the garden from his master. He also said, “I emancipate you and gift you with this orchard.”

When the slave heard this, he replied, “I give this orchard in charity in the name of God in Whose name you freed me.”

(Tarikh Dimashq li-ibn Asakar, Vol. 13, p.

246) Glory be to Allah. Look at the kindness, virtuous habits and generosity, on the one hand, by Hazrat Imam Hasanra and on the other, the indifference and non-covetousness by the Muslim slave.

Slavery is said to severely damage the human mind and disposition. It deprives one of sublime human talent. Having

wiped out high morals and magnanimity, it generates narrow-mindedness and niggardliness instead. But how greatly efficacious is Islam and the love of the Holy Prophetsa that even the Muslim slaves excelled kings in generosity and selflessness.

Neither worldly riches could have tempted them, nor could their physical bondage and apparent helplessness have hampered their way to spiritual ascent.

Islam had generated an open-mindedness and sublimity of thoughts in them that they became absolutely oblivious to their own poverty.

“A man greater in need than the Ahl-eBait” Hazrat Imam Hasanra was very generous and profusely spent in the cause of Allah.

Never did a beggar return from his door empty-handed.

Once, a beggar came while he was occupied in prayer. Quickly, he completed his prayer after he heard the beggar and found signs of poverty and starvation on his face.

Hazrat Imam Hasanra ordered his servant to bring something from home for the beggar. The servant replied, “There are 200 dirhams at home meant for the Ahle-Bait [family of the Prophetsa]. There is nothing else apart from that.”

Hazrat Imam Hasanra asked him to bring the money, and said, “Now, a man greater in need than the Ahl-e-Bait has arrived.”

Thus, he handed the pouch to the beggar and also apologised to him for not being able to grant him greater than that.

(Tarikh Dimashq li-ibn Asakar, Vol. 14, p.

185) Generosity contrary to human nature It has been related elsewhere about Hazrat Asmara bint Abi Bakrra that her husband, Hazrat Zubairra, was very poor when she got married to him. Therefore, she had to live in straitened circumstances. But this poverty caused no miserliness in her. The noble thoughts generated by the Islamic teaching were not affected in the least by it.

From her sister, Hazrat Aishara, she inherited a property which was sold for 100,000 dirhams. A person who has faced straitened circumstances and poverty naturally becomes very thrifty and spends it frugally when they get some money. But contrary to human nature, Hazrat Asmara spent the whole amount on her poor and needy relatives. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Hibah, Bab Hibat-ul-Wahid lilJama‘ah) These few examples of generosity and graciousness of the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa will force every fair-minded and realistic person to acknowledge that world history and accounts of various peoples fail to furnish such unprecedented examples.

Of course there are some generous people and philanthropists found in the world today; but the selflessness, fear of God and sympathy found in the generosity of the Companionsra cannot be matched anywhere else.

Regretfully, this is not the point of discussion at the moment; therefore a passing hint of a principal difference has been alluded to. The more one thinks over it, the more such a person will agree with us.

Another point of reflection in this regard is that the flow of the generosity of the Companionsra was not limited to their brothers, relatives, or friends.

The above examples will reveal to the reader that their generosity was beyond the distinction of friend or foe, even the distinction of whether they were of their kind.

As the pride of beings and the Chief of God’s creation [the Holy Prophetsa] himself was the mercy for all mankind, so would the men and women, who had been trained by being in his company, try their utmost to widen the sphere of their benevolence and generosity.

(Translated by Shahid Mahmood Ahmad, Missionary in Ghana, from the original Urdu, Muslim Nau-jawanon kay Sunehri Karnamey)

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

16

Jalsa Salana New Zealand 2021

Mustenser Ahmad Qamar Missionary, New Zealand

Tasleem Ahmad Sahib reports that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya New Zealand held its 32 Jalsa Salana on 23 January 2021.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, jamaats in many countries have recently been unable to hold such major events, but as a result of the lack of cases in New Zealand, it was possible for the Jalsa to be held in a condensed format over one day.

This year, the proceedings were held at an external venue, at Alfriston College in Auckland, due to the need for more space.

The Jalsa began with the flag hoisting ceremony and silent prayer. During the four sessions of the day that followed, there were several speeches on a variety of topics, all centred around the theme of the jalsa, which was “Unity Among Nations”.

During the opening address, the National President of New Zealand

Jamaat, Bashir Khan Sahib, stated: “This special convention is unique and special to Jamaat New Zealand.

By Allah’s grace and mercy, New Zealand may be the only country blessed to host this event, as the rest of the world has been severely restricted due to the viral pandemic.”

The second session saw numerous external guests join the proceedings, including members of parliament, dignitaries and religious and community leaders. These included the chief guest, Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Member of Parliament, who addressed the attendees at the start of the session. She commented on the theme, saying: “The theme you have chosen for today’s convention … speaks highly of your commitment to promoting mutual understanding across faiths and cultures and global solidarity.”

The Hon Michael Wood, Member of Parliament, also addressed the participants. Referring to the Jamaat’s initiatives to serve society, he said: “I want to acknowledge the leadership of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat here in New Zealand for your work – putting on this convention, the Peace Symposium that

you hold every year and everything else that you do, not only to serve your own community, but the causes of peace and justice here in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The keynote address was delivered by the missionary, Mustenser Ahmad Qamar Sahib. He focused on the Islamic perspective on creating unity, sharing examples from the Holy Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

He presented an excerpt from an address by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa relating to the Holy Prophet’s covenant with the residents of Medina, as a case study for how unity could be created between peoples. He said: “After the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa migrated to the city of Medina, he formed a covenant with the Jewish people whereby the Muslims and the Jewish citizens would live together peacefully and with a spirit of mutual sympathy, tolerance and equity.

The covenant proved to be a magnificent charter of human rights and governance and ensured peace between the different communities living in Medina. According to its terms, all people, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, were bound to respect the rights of one another. Freedom of belief and freedom of conscience were cornerstones of that treaty. Unity underpinned the agreement.”

After the session, several external guests also took the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proceedings.

“The topic spoken about is all about unity, all about coexistence and it’s very timely during these very difficult times,” explained Mariam Arif, ethnic liaison officer for the New Zealand Police.

Reverend Bruce Keeley of the Anglican Church also shared his thoughts, commenting: “Very good speeches and I think it’s wonderful to have the input from the Members of Parliament and it just reinforces the sense of wellbeing that we have in New Zealand and such a diverse and inclusive government and the commitment that they obviously have to building an inclusive society where

nobody is left behind.”

National Engagement and Operations Manager for the New Zealand Police, Rakesh Naidoo, said: “I think the main takeaway from the event today was that in order to foster unity we’ve got to respect and understand that there’s much diversity within our community and that we’ve got to work with all communities, and that all communities have a right to feel safe in New Zealand, and that you can do so under the rule of law when justice is applied. What really resonated was the phrase from the Quran that really respected righteousness and justice for all.”

The Jalsa concluded with a concluding session that evening, with an address by the Missionary-in-Charge, Shafiq-ur-Rehman Sahib, who explained the importance of and the reasons for turning to God. “Turning to God, for the believers, in the first place, highlights or embodies the very objective of our life – that is, the worship of the Almighty Allah, so turning to Allah is the same thing as this.

And without turning to Him, we cannot achieve the objective of our lives. Secondly, the reason for which we have this topic chosen for the Jalsa Salana, is to highlight the situation in this current age … the only solution to those problems faced by the world is to turn to the Almighty God.” The proceedings of the Jalsa then ended with a concluding address from National President, Bashir Khan Sahib, and a silent prayer.

Alhamdulillah, the Jalsa was extremely successful, with around 500 people attending and the fact that New Zealand is one of the only places where such events can be held is an exceptional blessing of Allah the Almighty, which served to make this occasion an even more special one.

The New Zealand Jamaat looks forward to holding the Jalsa next year and prays that Jamaat members across the world will also soon be able to participate in their own events, insha-Allah.

17

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s discussion with a scholar of Sanskrit on the Islamic view of the Hereafter Al Fazl, 27 January 1921 A well-renowned scholar of Sanskrit, Pandit Raja Ram Sahib, Professor of Sanskrit at DAV College, Lahore, was here [in Qadian] for an event. He attended Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s dars [sermon] of the Holy Quran, which took place in Masjid Aqsa as always after the Asr prayer.

After the dars, he expressed his desire to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], who sat in the mosque [to fulfill his request].

On that day, the last ruku‘ of Surah alMuminun of the Holy Quran was being explained, in which it is mentioned that the disbelievers would say to God Almighty that as they were away from the right path, they should be given a second chance to go back to the world so that they may do good deeds. Thereafter, if they did the same [as they did in the past], they should be [counted among] the wrongdoers.

Professor Sahib discussed the said subject with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra].

Since Professor Sahib spoke so gently that it could not be heard easily even in that small gathering where I [the editor of Al Fazl, 1921] was also present, I had to ask those associates who were sitting right next to him to write down his questions.

Professor Sahib enquired as to why such people would not be given a chance because it might be possible that they did not get the opportunity to do good deeds [in the past].

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] said that [the said portion of the Quran] was about such people who had the opportunity to acquire guidance in this world; they had all the means right in front of them, but they did not pay heed and did not take advantage. God Almighty had given them both opportunities and had placed in them the power to either accept the guidance and be granted the comfort and reward of the Hereafter or to prefer the desires and luxuries of this world over the comforts of the Hereafter. They did not care for the comforts of the Hereafter and fell for the comforts of this world owing to their desires.

Professor Sahib: There could be people in the world who do not have the means to get guidance and there might also be some people who could not take benefit from these things. For example, newborn babies who die in infancy or those who are deaf and dumb, as well as those who are living in places where there is no one to guide them.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: Those who

die in infancy or are deaf and dumb or are insane and mentally unstable or are living in a place where they had no means of guidance, will be given another chance and guidance will be presented to them. Those who accept it without further ado will be allowed to enter Paradise.

Professor Sahib: It is possible that a person might sincerely believe in some things according to his intellect and understanding, which may not be true.

On the other hand, he may not understand those things which are right and deny them without any ill-intention. What would happen to such a person?

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: Only that person denies the truth who has either not been conveyed the truth correctly or who does not have the means to understand the truth. As I have said before, such people will be given another chance after being given the means to understand the truth.

Professor Sahib: It is quite possible that a person might understand the truth, but he does not recognise it for some reason, without being mischievous in any way.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: Such a person may not be able to understand only if the truth has not reached him properly or if he does not have the means to understand the truth. If this is not the case, then the one who denies the truth will not be considered a well-intentioned person.

For example, when the sun is shining and a person sees it, he cannot deny the presence of the sun, but if he still denies it, he will not be considered incapable in any way.

On the contrary, if a person is trapped in a dark cottage and denies the presence of the sun because he cannot see it, he will be considered helpless.

Professor Sahib: You have said that such people will be given another chance; is this mentioned in the Holy Quran?

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: This is supported by several verses of the Holy Quran and the ahadith, which are the words of the Holy Prophetsa, strongly endorse this fact.

Furthermore, Islam points out that as for those who benefit from as many means as they possess, it will not be said that he who had more means should be rewarded more and whoever had less, let them be given less rewards.

On the contrary, if the one who had

Masjid Aqsa, Qadian

more means took full advantage of them and the one with lesser means also made full use of them, then both will be given the same reward. For example, if a person has 100 rupees and presents them in the way of God, while another person who has 10 rupees also gives them in the way of God, then it will not be said that the one who gave 100 rupees should be given more reward and the one who gave 10 rupees should be given less; rather, both will be given equal reward because just as the first person gave all that he had, the second person also gave all that he possessed and if he had more, he would have given all of that as well.

Professor Sahib: What about those people who are bound for Hell; will they abide therein forever?

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: You had to ask this question because you are not familiar with our beliefs. We do not believe that, nor is it the teaching of Islam that those who are bound for Hell will abide therein forever. People will be cast into Hell for their reformation and when they are reformed, they will be taken out of it.

Professor Sahib: According to our belief, people are given a chance to return to this world to reform themselves.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: Your view is that people take on different forms and are sent into this world as a punishment, but the teaching of our religion is that

reformation will not take place by bringing people back to this world. On the contrary, they will be reformed there.

In our view, sinners will enter Hell just as the sick are admitted to a hospital. When they have been chastised for their sins and thus reformed, they will be taken out of Hell and a time will come when all the people will go to Heaven.

No one will live in Hell forever and they will all be taken out of it because there can be no one who has not done a single good deed in this world. Every human being, no matter how much they are deeply ingrained in sins, must have done something good and we believe that God Almighty’s mercy is very vast. He thus keeps the good deeds and punishes first for the sins, which happens for a limited time. Then in exchange for good deeds [of a person], He allows them to enter Paradise for an indefinite period.

Professor Sahib: I am hearing these things for the first time in my life and only from you.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: How could you have heard these things before when you have only just met me for the first time?

You could not have heard these things from anyone else.

The fact of the matter is that when the days of decline and downfall come Continued on next page >>

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

18 << Continued from previous page

upon a nation, its focus turns away from religion. As the Muslims are on the decline nowadays and they are facing problems one after the other, their attention has no longer remained on Islam. They have become completely bereft of Islam and have forgotten the teachings of Islam.

Everything I have told you is the teaching of Islam.

Seerat-un-Nabi Jalsas in USA

Professor Sahib: I consider you a holy man and my heart is full of respect for you.

I request you, not with any bad intention, but to increase my knowledge, and I will be very grateful if you could give me the reference of what you have said about getting another chance.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih: Most certainly, we will provide you its reference with pleasure, but it is too late now (as the call to Maghrib prayer had been made).

That reference will be sent to you in the morning.

After this discussion, Professor Sahib got up to leave. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] also stood up and the professor bent before him with great reverence, paid respect and left.

The said reference was sent to him the very next day. We are citing that reference below for the benefit of the people:

َّ ُ ‫م�م ُد‬ ّ ‫حدﺛنا‬ ‫ ﺛنا م�مد‬:‫ ﻗال‬،‫بن عﺒ ِد ا��علی‬ َ َ ُ ‫ عن‬،‫ﺛور‬ ،‫ عن أبی ہریرة‬،‫ عن ﻗتادة‬،‫معمر‬ ٍ ‫بن‬ ِ ّٰ َ ُ ‫ اذا �ان‬:‫ﻗال‬ ‫ﺟم� الله تﺒارك‬ ،‫القيامﺔ‬ ‫یوم‬ ِ ْ ُ َ ‫و تعالی‬ ‫النس َم الﺬین ماتوا فی ال ِﻔ�� ِة و‬ َ َ َّ َ ‫الشيوخ الﺬین‬ ‫ و‬،‫ا��بكم‬ ‫ا��صم و‬ ‫المعتوه و‬ ً ُ ‫ ﺛم أرسل رسو�ا‬،‫ﺧرفوا‬ ِ ‫ﺟاء ا�اسلام و ﻗد‬ ُ َ ‫ كيﻒ ولم یﺄتِنا‬:‫ فيقولون‬،‫النار‬ ‫أن ادﺧ��ا‬ ُ ٌ ّٰ ُ ْ ً ��‫��اﻧت علي‬ ‫بردا‬ ‫وایم الل ِه لو دﺧ��ہا‬ !‫رسول‬ ً ُ ‫في‬ ُ ،��‫رس ُل الي‬ ‫ﻄيعه من �ان‬ ِ ُ ‫ ﺛم ی‬،‫و سلاما‬ َ ُ ُ َ ْ‫یرید أن ی‬ ‫ اﻗرءوا ان‬:‫ﻄيعه ﻗﺒل۔ ﻗال أبو ہریرة‬ َ َ ٰ ۡ ّ ً َ ُ ‫ َو َما � ّنا ُم َع ِﺬبِ� َ� َح ّتی ﻧ ۡﺒ َعﺚ َر ُس ۡو�ا‬:��‫ﺷﺌ‬

“On the Day of Judgment, Allah the Almighty will gather the souls of those people who died on fitrah [nature], and those who were mentally ill, deaf and dumb, and also those who, when Islam came, were so old that they had lost their memory due old age.

“Then a messenger will be sent to them [saying], ‘Enter the Fire.’ They will say, ‘No messenger has been sent to us, so why should we enter the Fire?’ By God, if they had entered the Fire, it would have become cold and a means of safety for them.

“Then, He will send a Messenger among them and only those of them who had the intention to obey him before will obey him.” Hazrat Abu Hurairahra said, “If you want [proof of the said interpretation], then read [the verse], ‘We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.’” (Tafsir alTabari by Muhammad ibn Jarir, Juz‘ 14, pp.

526-527, Ch.17: V.16) (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 27 January 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA

Rafi Malik Sahib, President Jamaat Columbus, reports that the Columbus Jamaat held its annual “Seerat-un-Nabi” Jalsa on 24 January 2021 via Zoom — commemorating the true character of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

The event started with a recitation of the Holy Quran followed by a poem in praise of the Holy Prophetsa. The president of the Columbus Jamaat, Rafi Malik Sahib, moderated the session.

In his opening remarks, he explained the significance and purpose of holding the Seerat-un-Nabi programmes, saying that these events were held to remember and appreciate the true character of the Holy Prophetsa and to remind ourselves how he conducted himself and dealt with friends and foes, the poor and the needy and led by example in every aspect of life. This great man brought about a revolution in the world.

Naseer Wasim Sahib, in his presentation, spoke about the Holy Prophetsa being merciful in his daily life, highlighting this overarching characteristic towards his relatives, friends, enemies, the poor and needy.

Kamil Salam Sahib related many sayings of the Holy Prophetsa giving insight into various aspects of everyday life. Young children also participated by melodiously singing a poem in the praise of the Holy Prophetsa.

The guest speaker, Dr Michael Jenkins, spoke about his interfaith experiences with Muslim communities around the globe and spoke about the significance of such efforts.

Kamil Salam Sahib, Qaid of the local majlis, read out a few ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa, about taking care of neighbours, friends, orphans and the needy.

In his concluding remarks, Shamshad Nasir Sahib, Regional Missionary, thanked the guests for joining the programme and highlighted the essence of holding the Seerat-un-Nabi programme. He reminded that although there are efforts everywhere to establish peace, it is not possible to attain

peace unless the world recognises and

accepts the messiah of this age.

There were 56 individual logins to the Zoom session. Many members called in as family units and the total attendees of the programme is estimated to be over 150.

Detroit Jamaat Seerat-unNabi Jalsa Muhammad Ahmad Sahib of Detroit reports that their Jamaat held its Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi on 24 January 2021.

Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi traditionally is held every year at Masjid Mahmood; however, due the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 Jalsa was held virtually via Zoom.

The programme started with a recitation

of the Holy Quran with translation, followed by a poem written by the Promised Messiahas in praise of the Holy Prophetsa.

Following the poem, Sadr Jamaat, Maqbool Tahir Sahib delivered the welcome speech and elaborated on the significance and background of the Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi.

He mentioned that its history went back to the time of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

During that time when there were a lot of false allegations levelled against the character of the Holy Prophetsa and a lot of derogatory material was published, Huzoorra responded by initiating a scheme to hold Seerat-un-Nabi Jalsas across the country to defend the noble personality and character of the Holy Prophetsa.

Sadr Sahib then introduced the programme and invited Dr BK Ahmad Sahib to present his speech, titled “Life and character of the Holy Prophetsa”.

Following this, Sadr Sahib invited Mahmood Aslam Qummar Sahib to present a talk on “The Holy Prophet’ssa love for Allah.”

Following this, a poem was recited.

After the poem, Mubashar Ahmad Sahib presented a speech on the topic of “Love of the Holy Prophetsa and the importance of durood”.

Next, Usman Mangla Sahib presented his speech titled “Muhammadsa as sadiq and amin”.

A speech titled “Exemplary treatment of the Holy Prophetsa with Children” by Salman Ahmad Sahib, was presented.

Shamshad Nasir Sahib presented his keynote speech and concluding remarks at the end.

19

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

The Holy Prophet Muhammad: Fulfilling treaties and compacts Part I Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Missionary-in-Charge UK

The blessed account of the life of Prophet Muhammadsa is sustenance for the soul of a true believer. It freshens one’s faith and revitalises dead hearts. It is the account of that holy personage who has been praised

by God of the Throne Himself. His revered and celebrated name is Muhammadsa, who lives eternally as an excellent model and spiritual beneficence.

How beautifully the Promised Messiahas has said: “God did not desire for anyone to live eternally, but this chosen Prophet lives forever.” (Noah’s Ark, p. 23) His spiritually quickening effect has been giving new life to mankind, as affirmed by Allah:

ُ ُ َ ‫ِاذ َاد َعا ک ْم ل َِما یُ ْح ِی ْیک ْم‬

“When he calls you that he may give you life” (Surah al-Anfal, Ch.8: V.25) Undoubtedly, his sacred account will continue to give new spiritual life to mankind till the end of the days. However, this is a reality too: “One cannot fathom the limit of his sublime status and it is not given to man to estimate the extent of his spiritual effectiveness”. (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi – The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, pp. 137138) It is impossible to do justice to his seerat (life). � ‫اُو� ی د‬ ‫� ارد� ِح � ی�از‬ ‫�ح اُو �د � ��� �ے‬ ِ “He is not in need of praise by anyone; one who praises him should take pride in doing so.”

Every aspect of the life of the Holy Prophetsa has an extraordinary grandeur and uniqueness. It always occurs to me that just like a beautiful diamond appears beautiful and attractive from every angle, similarly, rather to a greater extent, every topic of seerat-un-Nabi attracts the hearts in every respect.

This article deals with commitment to, and fulfilment of, compacts and treaties.

Islam is a complete code of conduct for life. It is the divine Shariah that has the

most perfect guidance in it, that enlightens every aspect of human life and comprises of teachings that fulfil all human needs.

Islamic teachings pay extraordinary emphasis on commitment to, and fulfilment of, compacts and treaties:

َّ ُ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ُ ‫ٰیا ّی َہا ال ِذیْ َن ٰا َمنوْا ا ْوفوْ ا ِبا ل ُعقوْ ِد‬

“O ye who believe, fulfil [your] compacts” (Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.2) And again:

َ ُ ْ َ ْ ُ َ ‫َوا ْو فوْ ا ِبا ل َع ْہ ِد ِا ّن ا ل َع ْہ َد کا َن َم ْسﺌوْ لًا‬

“And fulfil the covenant; for the covenant will be questioned about” (Surah Bani Israel, Ch.17: V.35) Let us look, in light of historical events, at the matchless example set by our beloved master, Muhammadsa, in the context of commitment to, and fulfilment of, compacts and treaties.

We see beautiful glimpses of fulfilment of compacts during the period when he was on the threshold of manhood. He was known as amin (trustworthy) and sadiq (truthful). Both these titles have a deep and fundamental relation with fulfilment of covenants. Sadiq and sadooq is used for the one whose whole life is entirely free of falsehood. Amin is one whose every statement and deed is inextricably blended with truth and honesty. Both these attributes go hand in hand with commitment to fulfilment of compacts.

The fact that Meccans called him by these names long before he claimed prophethood proves that Allah the Almighty had deposited the quality of fulfilment of compacts in his soul in such a way that it became an inseparable part of his being. And we see its beautiful manifestations throughout his life.

During his early adulthood, some noble-minded young men set up an organisation called Hilf al-Fudhul – League of the Virtuous. All its members gave an undertaking that they would always resist the oppressor and help the victims.

When the amin and sadooq of Mecca, the young Muhammadsa heard of this, he gladly joined. Only God knows whether any other member of this association was ever called upon to discharge the

undertaking or not. However, as divine wisdom would have it, our Perfect Guidesa who was always true to his words, got the opportunity to fulfil this pledge. He honoured this pledge more than anyone else, during his youth and later throughout his life. Whenever he was called upon to fulfil the pledge, he would stand up boldly in support of the oppressed. As an example, I present a beautiful event that is preserved in detail in the annals of history: A man from the Arash tribe came to Mecca to sell his camels. A chief of Mecca, Abu Jahl, bought a camel from him, but as for payment, he wavered. When the trader failed to get the money, he approached the Quraish and cried out for help of the chiefs of Mecca. It was the duty of the members of the Hilf al-Fudhul association to redress his grievances. However, none of them had the courage to approach the oppressor, Abu Jahl, to exhort him to pay the poor trader what was due to him.

One of the chiefs, out of mischief, suggested that he should approach Muhammadsa; “He will help you get your rights”. The chief knew very well that Abu Jahl was the worst enemy of the Holy Prophetsa and he would never miss an opportunity to persecute and humiliate him.

The trader went straight to the Holy Prophetsa who was in the Masjid alHaram at that time. The trader narrated his ordeal and invoked Hilf al-Fudhul to help him. And lo! The flag-bearer of truth and faithfulness and guardian of pledges, Muhammadsa, stood up right away in support of the aggrieved person.

The chiefs of the Quraish were wonderstruck on seeing this. They got one person to follow him to witness the humiliation of Muhammadsa by Abu Jahl.

Humiliation? What humiliation? This was the occasion to demonstrate the honour and greatness of our Mastersa.

He went with that man straight to Abu Jahl’s house and knocked at the door. He enquired who it was? “It is me, Muhammad”, he replied and asked him to come out. Abu Jahl came out. The Holy Prophetsa said, “Pay this man what you owe him, immediately”. Abu Jahl

was dumbfounded by the courage and greatness of the Holy Prophetsa. He said, “Wait, I will bring money for him now”.

He went in, brought the money and paid the man in full.

After this incident, the chiefs of Mecca reproved Abu Jahl, telling him that he had been advising them to humiliate Muhammadsa and disobey him, yet he himself had accepted the directive from him, thus making him an honourable man. Abu Jahl replied that they would have done the same in that situation. He told them that he saw two wild camels standing on each side of Muhammadsa and had he refused, the camels would have killed him.

This extraordinary divine intervention proves, on the one hand, the divine support that he enjoyed at every step, while on the other, that the Perfect Guide, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafasa put his life and honour on the line to fulfil his undertakings with great courage and established a great model that is matchless in every respect.

Hazrat Abdullahra bin Ubai al-Hamsa reports another event that took place during that early period.

He stated that once he sold something to Muhammadsa, before he was invested with prophethood. However, he did not hand a part of what he had sold. He told the Holy Prophetsa to stay there as he would go to fetch it from his house. Once home, he forgot all about it. After three days, he remembered his promise, got hold of that thing and returned to the spot that had been appointed for the meeting.

He saw that the Holy Prophetsa was there, according to his promise. The Prophetsa saw Abdullah and most magnanimously said, “I have been waiting here for you for the last three days” and said no more!

It cannot be inferred from this incident, as recorded by Abi Dawud, that the Holy Prophetsa stayed there continuously for three days and three nights; it can only mean that he went to that spot often at suitable times and waited for Abdullah.

Continued on next page >>

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

20 << Continued from previous page

How great it is that he gave so much regard to his promise that he fulfilled it even at his own inconvenience! Just matchless!

While studying the life of the Holy Prophetsa, it stands out that truth, honesty, and trust composed the whole life of the Holy Prophetsa. The quality of standing guard on his covenants and fulfilling every promise shines prominently at every juncture in his life.

Extremely prejudiced enemies target him for various accusations because of their ignorance and lack of knowledge.

They attempt to defile his immaculate character by raising a variety of objections.

However, this too is a fact that not even the most vicious enemies of Islam ever dare to accuse our beloved Master, Muhammad Mustafasa of a breach of contract. They fabricated lots of lies and concocted heaps of baseless allegations, but no enemy of Islam can come up with a single instance of breach of contract or contravention of a covenant by the Holy Prophetsa.

During his lifetime, the Messengersa of Allah entered many covenants with his enemies and his allies. The other parties breached their contracts and ignored conditions of the covenants many times.

However, it never happened – not even once – that he fell short in this matter. He honoured the covenants even with those who had been guilty of breach of contracts previously. That is why, his opponents and even his deadly enemies never accused him of breach of contract during his lifetime and till today, no enemy of Islam has pointed an accusing finger at him in this regard.

During the period after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, the Holy Prophetsa sent Hazrat Dihyah Kalbira with a letter addressed to Heraclius (Caesar), the Roman Emperor, to preach the message of Islam. The letter was delivered to him in Alia (Syria).

Caesar read the letter and directed that if any one of his acquaintances were around, they be brought to his court so that he could make some enquiries to determine whether he was true in his claim to prophethood or an impostor.

Abu Sufyan happened to be there and was called to Caesar’s court. Abu Sufyan was seated in front and his companions behind him. Caesar said to Abu Sufyan’s companions, “If he [Abu Sufyan] tells me a lie, refute him by shaking your heads”.

Then the questioning started.

In the context of topic of my subject, one of the questions that Caesar asked about the Holy Prophetsa was, “Has he (ever) violated his covenant?” Abu Sufyan said, in the presence of everyone, “Never”.

He went on to add only this much, “We are in a truce with him now and we cannot predict its outcome”.

It is obvious that Abu Sufyan added this as a mere conjecture. Otherwise, he could not but accept that he had never violated his contracts. After listening to Abu Sufyan, Caesar, being a man of discernment, concluded: “This is how the prophets behave. They never breach [their contracts].”

Caesar’s statement is a great testimony to the fulfilment of covenants by Hazrat Muhammad Mustafasa. This is the acknowledgement by a strong enemy of truth, who was aware of the Prophet’ssa life.

There is another incident of the Medinite period that presents a beautiful example of commitment to covenants.

The Quraish of Mecca sent a man as a messenger and envoy to the Holy Prophetsa. When he arrived in Medina, he visited the Holy Prophetsa and listened to what he had to say. He was so impressed that he decided to accept Islam there and then. He declared publicly that he would never part company with the Holy Prophetsa.

This inclination of the messenger and his firm resolve led the Holy Prophet to think that although the envoy had decided of his free will, fully satisfied at heart, without being pressurised into it, others might think that he had been coerced.

Although there was no formal convention

in this regard, the right of repatriation of envoys was practically considered as such. It was a sort of covenant. Therefore, the Holy Prophetsa, who was not only committed to wording of covenants, but also strictly fulfilled all its sections and the spirit behind it, told the envoy: “I respect your feelings, but remember I cannot breach a covenant. As for now, you should go back to Mecca and fulfil the assignment that was given to you. If you have love of Islam in your heart and you have decided to accept it, once you have returned [to Mecca], you may come back in a personal capacity”.

I ask those who accuse Islam of coercion: Is this how those who spread a faith by force, power and authority, behave? A person is willing to sacrifice himself for Muhammadsa, yet gracefully, the champion of freedom of conscience tells him, “No, not while you have come here as a messenger and envoy of a nation.

Go back and if you want to come again in a

personal capacity, you are most welcome.”

This is a unique event in the history of religion and is a slap in the face of those who accuse Islam of coercion. And look what the result was. The character of the Prophetsa made captivated him so much by Islam that he went back to Mecca, but returned not before long and entered the fold of the devotees of Prophet Muhammadsa.

Allah, the Almighty had exalted our Master, the Benefactor of Mankind, the Holy Prophetsa to the highest levels of moral excellence. Not only did he glorify every field of moral quality with his own excellent model but also adopted every great moral quality by delving deep into its finest details in such a way that it illumined even those angles of that moral quality which never crossed the mind of anyone.

(To be continued)

Presenting the true teachings of the Holy Prophet in Germany Zubair Khalil Khan President Jamaat Bensheim, Germany

On 21 January 2021, a virtual tabligh event was held by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bensheim, Germany.

Murtaza Mannan Sahib, Adil Khalid Sahib and Hammad Haerter Sahib delivered speeches and answered questions as well.

Stefan Haerter Sahib amicably moderated the event. A total of 36 people participated in the programme and eight non-Muslim guests were also present.

A missionary, Murtaza Mannan Sahib, spoke about the peaceful teachings of the Holy Prophetsa.

Hammad Haerter Sahib highlighted the distinctive morals of the Holy Prophetsa with regard to women.

The following questions were asked during the event: 1. If Islam teaches peace, then why, after the death of the Prophetsa of Islam, did his followers start fighting with each other?

2. What is the future of Islam in Europe?

3. Can followers of other religions also

go to Paradise?

4. When Islam gives equal rights to women, then why can’t a Muslim woman marry more than one husband at a time?

5. In most of the European countries, the right of a second wife is not recognised.

How will an Ahmadi Muslim resolve this issue if he intends to have a second wife?

6. Does Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya permit its women to participate in international games and sports?

All the above questions were decently responded to by the panel, alhamdulillah.

21

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Why I studied Arabic before medicine: Benefits of learning the mother of all languages Usama Awan Radiologist, USA

The first Ahmadi Muslim missionary to Russia, Hazrat Maulvi Zahoor Hussain, was immediately detained upon arrival as a suspected British spy. He subsequently spent two years in the most horrendous conditions while being mercilessly tortured.

Despite these circumstances, he continued to win converts while being moved from jail to jail in foreign lands.

Eventually, he was returned to India where he continued to serve the Jamaat. No doubt, he was an exemplary missionary and his sacrifices will forever live in history.

When he was younger, he was about to enroll in the newly opened Ahmadiyya School, Madrasa Ahmadiyya. He writes about an interesting encounter he had with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira around that time: “Once, I accompanied Huzoorra [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I] as he was walking to deliver a dars after Asr prayers at Masjid Aqsa. When Huzoorra climbed the final step, he placed one hand on my shoulder and another on his blessed beard and said to me: “‘Do you think that by studying the Arabic language, Allah will not provide you sustenance? I have studied the Arabic language and look at how Allah is providing for me.’”

“I hold Allah the Almighty as my witness, since that day, He has been my Guarantor and never has there been a need of mine that He has not Himself fulfilled out of His sheer grace.” (Mujahid-e-Rus-waBukhara pp. 9-10) I was in the final year of medical school when I read this incident. I was astonished.

I re-read it a few times. I reflected over my own journey up to that point and realised how remarkably the words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had come true almost exactly 100 years later in my own life.

Before I get into the details, I want to explain the American education system for those who are not aware. To become a medical doctor, one must first complete high school and then a bachelor’s degree.

After completing a bachelor’s degree, one can apply to medical school.

Upon graduating from high school and starting a bachelor’s degree, all students must declare a specific field of study.

Many students, aspiring to be physicians (also known as pre-medical students), usually choose to study biology, chemistry, microbiology or other science related subjects. However, medical schools do not require students to pick a specific field of study. In choosing a field, many people think, “I’ll pick Chemistry (or some other science field) in case medical school doesn’t work out I’ll have something to fall back on.”

However, when it came time for me to decide, back in 2010, I could not help but take the advice of a senior member of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya at the time, Dr Bilal Rana Sahib, who said to me, “Look, I studied Biology for four years and it doesn’t help me in being a doctor right now. You should study something that will help you and be useful after medical school.” My plan A was medical school. My “fall back plan,” plan B, was to go back to plan A. I chose Arabic.

People saw me as strange. Elders at the masjid would ask, “How are you going to become a doctor by studying Arabic?”

My friends at school also found it strange, “Aren’t you hurting your chances of being accepted to medical school?” they would enquire.

But I didn’t care. After having taken just one class, I was enamored with the Arabic language. No doubt it was love at first sight.

The systematic nature of the verb measures, al-awzan, as they are termed, amazed me.

How can you take three letters, ‫غ‬-‫ل‬-‫ب‬

for instance, and derive tens of words from them?

It seemed like an algebraic equation – but at the same time, it was poetic.

What I didn’t know was that studying Arabic would also bring me tremendous blessings, both worldly and spiritual.

One day, after class, my teacher said to me, “You should apply for the FLAS scholarship, I’ll write your recommendation letter so you have a good chance of getting it.”

FLAS scholarship, or Foreign Language and Areas Studies, was a scholarship offered by the US State Department to study critical languages and regions. Luckily, Arabic was considered a “critical” language. I was a little weary of my teacher’s claims at first. It was a large sum; $15,000. 10,000 for tuition and 5,000 for living expenses to study Arabic.

Alhamdulillah, I received the scholarship three times in my college years.

Moreover, studying Arabic was a blessing because I had more time and energy to devote to studying for my science prerequisites for medical school. I ended up finishing with a relatively high GPA, mainly because I wasn’t stressed night and day about getting a degree in a scientific field. Rather, I would be busy studying for a physics or chemistry exam and to change up the pace, I would watch MTA Al-Arabiyya as a study break.

Alhamdulillah, there is no doubt in my mind that studying Arabic was instrumental in receiving a full scholarship to Ohio State medical school as well.

Through studying Arabic, and of course out of the sheer mercy and grace of Allah, I received nearly $200,000 in scholarship money. I cannot thank Allah enough for these blessings!

But this is the worldly sustenance. The spiritual sustenance is much richer.

The deeper I got into the study of

Arabic, the easier reading and memorising the Quran and hadith became. I remember having the blessing of memorising Surah Yasin in the three days leading up to the start of medical school.

Growing up primarily in the United States, I couldn’t read more than a simple sentence of Urdu. After one year of Arabic study, I independently read my first Urdu book. It was a book by Hafiz Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib covering the lives of a few companions of the Prophet Muhammadsa. I picked this book because he discussed the life of Hazrat Usamara, my namesake.

Arabic opened the door for me to study the Quran and the books of the Promised Messiahas, which are, in essence, a commentary of the Quran, with more depth. Many native Urdu speakers have trouble with the books of the Promised Messiahas. These difficult “Urdu” words are usually just Arabic words. Studying Arabic made it much easier for me to study the Urdu books of the Promised Messiahas.

Of course, wisdom is the true wealth. The Quran itself states:

ْ َ َْ ُ َ​َ​َ ْ ْ َ ُ ‫َو َم ْن ّي ْؤت ال ِحك َمة فق ْد أ ْوتِيَ خي ًرا ك ِثي ًرا‬

“Whoever has been given wisdom, has been given tremendous wealth.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V.270) Arabic has been an enormous blessing in the realm of tabligh too. Of course, the various arguments regarding the death of Jesusas and the finality of Prophet Muhammadsa become much easier to understand, remember and explain.

Moreover, it leaves a profound impact on the opposing party. They claim to follow the Quran and sunnah, but they have not read the primary sources for themselves.

They rely on their scholars to spoon-feed them information. Showing them the Arabic of the primary text is powerful and empowering because they cannot just chalk it up to “an incorrect translation.” When you know the Arabic, they have no choice, but to accept or change the topic.

You must be thinking to yourself, “How can I study Arabic? It’s such a difficult language.”

Of course, Arabic is an immensely rich language, but that’s not an excuse to avoid studying it. Nothing is easy initially. I remember my first CT scan of the face that I had to read on a patient with multiple facial fractures; I felt an extreme level of anxiety and thought to myself, “How will I learn all this?” Anyone who has studied anatomy will agree that head and neck anatomy is one of the most difficult to learn. But with time, and Allah’s help, it becomes easier and almost part of second nature.

If you are in college or university, I challenge you to pick an Arabic course – you may be surprised how much you like it. Or if you are done with school, perhaps enroll in an online programme that teaches Arabic.

Studying Arabic has brought me tremendous blessings and continues to do so – just as Khalifatul Masih Ira promised it would bring the young Maulvi Zahoor Hussain Sahib. It changed his life and the lives of his subsequent generations.

The question now is, what blessings will Allah bestow upon you when you embark on your journey to study the language of the Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa?

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

22

Friday Sermon 8 January 2021 Spending in the way of Allah: Waqf-e-Jadid 2021 After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verse 246 of chapter 2, before proceeding with the sermon:

ً َۡۤ َ ٰ َ ً ً َ ّٰ ُ ۡ ُ َّ َ ‫َم ۡن ذا ال ِذ ۡی یق ِرض الل َہ ق ۡرضا َح َسنا ف ُیض ِعف ٗہ ل َ ٗہ اض َعافا‬ ُ ُ ۡ َ ّٰ ً ۡ َ ُ ُ ‫ک ِثی َرۃ ؕ َو الل ُہ یق ِبض َو یَ ۡب ۜصط ۪ َو ِال َ ۡی ِہ ت ۡر َج ُعوۡ َن‬

“Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan that He may multiply it for him manifold? And Allah receives and enlarges, and to Him shall you be made to return.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.246) This verse mentions giving Allah the Almighty a loan. This does not mean that, God-forbid, Allah the Almighty is in need of material wealth and therefore, in order to fulfil His needs, He is asking for a loan. One meaning of a “loan” is in the common use of the word, which we use for borrowing or lending money, or taking a loan. However, in regard to its lexical meaning, it also means a good or bad recompense.

Therefore, in this context, it will mean, “Who is it that will spend in the way of Allah, so that He shall grant an excellent reward?” Thus, when this word is used in reference to spending or giving in the way of Allah the Almighty, it means He will grant a most excellent reward to the one who spends in His way. This means that if one is spending in the way of Allah the Almighty, then Allah the Almighty will grant him an excellent reward in return for it.

Allah the Almighty has mentioned sacrifice and financial sacrifices in numerous instances in the Holy Quran.

And to spend in the way of Allah the Almighty’s religion or for the service of mankind has been deemed by Allah the Almighty as if one is spending for His sake. And whatever one spends for the sake of Allah the Almighty never goes to waste; rather, it is a loan which Allah the Almighty returns manifold.

Therefore, no one should think that Allah the Almighty is in need of a loan.

In fact, Allah the Almighty is the Lord of all the worlds and grants everything its provisions; He is in need of no one.

When Allah the Almighty uses the word “loan” in relation to Himself, it means that one should spend in His way and in return, He will grant His countless

a loan, so by spending in the way of His religion and for the service of mankind, He will grant manifold in return.

Furthermore, by referring to this as qarza-e-hasana, i.e. a goodly loan, means that this will only be considered as spending in the way of Allah when one does so willingly and with complete contentment of the heart. Only then will it be considered as a goodly loan for which Allah the Almighty will return in manifold.

In one of his gatherings, the Promised Messiahas has spoken in relation to this.

He states: “When Allah the Almighty asks for a loan, this does not mean that, God-forbid, He is need of it. To entertain such a doubt is kufr [i.e. to disbelieve]. In fact, what it actually means is that He will return it manifold. This is a method that Allah adopts through which He bestows His blessings.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 268) Then, on another occasion, the Promised Messiahas states: “In the same manner, a foolish person has alleged that

ً َ ّٰ ُ ۡ ُ َّ َ ً ‫َم ۡن ذا ال ِذ ۡی یق ِرض الل َہ ق ۡرضا َح َسنا‬

bounties. Thus, [He asks], “Who is it that will give Him a goodly loan?” By asking this question, Allah the Almighty has encouraged [the believers] as to who will spend in His way and become the recipient of His countless rewards and continue to go on receiving them.

Moreover, later in the verse, Allah the Almighty Himself has explained this by stating that He does not ask of this loan in order to keep it for Himself or for His own use; rather, it is so that He may grant manifold in return. In other words, He proclaims that He is taking this wealth as

“i.e. ‘Who is it that will lend Allah a loan’, demonstrates that, God-forbid, Allah is pressed by need. The ignorant person fails to understand, how does this prove a need on the part of God?” The Promised Messiahas states that people who utter such words are extremely foolish.

The Promised Messiahas continues: “However, this ignorant person has falsely asserted that this implies a need or poverty on the part of God.” When Allah the Almighty speaks about a goodly loan, how can one infer that that He is in need?

“Here, the word ‘loan’ means: who will give Allah the Exalted their good deeds, so that He may grant them a manifold reward?” The whole purpose of a loan is that one pledges for the loan to be paid back. “The connotation that God is in need is added from himself.”

In other words, those who level this

23

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

allegation add this word from themselves that God is in need or poor. Nowhere has God Almighty mentioned that they should give Him [their wealth] so that He may spend it on Himself because He is hungry and in need. Indeed, what Allah the Almighty has stated is that when His servants are hungry and in need and one spends for their sake, then it is as if one has spent it in the way of Allah.

“Here the word ‘loan’ means: who will give Allah the Exalted their good deeds, so that He may grant them a manifold reward?”

If one performs even a single deed for the sake of Allah the Almighty, He will return its reward manifold. This is not just concerning wealth and money. The Promised Messiahas states: “Man’s servitude to God possesses a relationship with divine providence in a manner that behoves the greatness of God. When a person reflects over this relationship, the concept becomes clear.

For God Almighty nurtures everyone without their performing any good deed, or prayer and supplication, and without distinction between disbeliever and believer.”

Allah the Almighty is providing for everyone, irrespective of them being a disbeliever or a believer. The Promised Messiahas states: “By the grace of His providence (rububiyyat) and graciousness (rahmaniyyat) He bestows his favour on all. How, then, can He allow anyone’s good deeds to go to waste?”

When Allah the Almighty is providing and nurturing everyone without any effort on their part, then how is it possible that if one performs a righteous deed, Allah the Almighty will let it go to waste and not reward it?

“The greatness of God Almighty is such that He states:

َ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ ۡ َ ۡ َّ ۡ َ ‫ال ذ ّر ٍۃ خی ًرا ّیرَ ٗہ‬ ‫من یعمل ِمثق‬

“Meaning, ‘Whoso does an atom’s weight of good shall be rewarded and whoso does an atom’s weight of evil

will also be punished’. This is the actual purport of the word ‘loan’, which is derived from the verse just quoted. This verse expounds the actual meaning of the word ‘loan’. Since the actual purport of the word ‘loan’ is derived in context, God Almighty first states:

ً َ ّٰ ُ ۡ ُ َّ َ ً ‫َم ۡن ذا ال ِذ ۡی یق ِرض الل َہ ق ۡرضا َح َسنا‬

“[Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan]. Then, in commentary of this verse, Allah the Almighty states the following:

َ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ ۡ َ ۡ َّ ۡ َ ‫ال ذ ّر ٍۃ خی ًرا ّیرَ ٗہ‬ ‫من یعمل ِمثق‬

[Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it].” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp.

222-223 [English Edition]) Thus, to offer financial sacrifices for the propagation of Allah the Almighty’s religion and for the service of mankind is indeed a great deed, which Allah the Almighty never allows to go unrewarded.

Allah the Almighty has mentioned this in another instance in the Holy Quran as well.

Who can understand the true essence of financial sacrifices better than members of the Jamaat? Every Ahmadi has personal experience of this that not only do financial sacrifices, which are made for the sake of Allah the Almighty and to attain His pleasure, grant contentment of the heart, but even from a worldly standpoint, thousands of people have also experienced how Allah the Almighty has miraculously retuned their wealth which they had spent to seek His pleasure.

There are many Ahmadis who make financial sacrifices simply for the sake of offering a sacrifice and their only desire is to please Allah the Almighty. They do not even think about attaining any worldly wealth in return. However, Allah the Almighty, Who has declared that He shall return it in an excellent manner, indeed does so.

There are some people who, despite facing straitened circumstances, offer sacrifices and have faith that Allah the Almighty will in some way or another fulfil their needs Himself. And Allah the

Almighty indeed does so, which even leaves them astonished as to how God Almighty provided for them. However, the condition is that one ought to offer the sacrifice with a pious intention and in order to seek the pleasure of God Almighty and to also fulfil His commandments and perform righteous deeds. It should not be the case that one simply donates money and then assumes that they have offered a great sacrifice. In fact, it is also important to fulfil the other commandments and perform other righteous deeds along with it. It should not be done like a mere business transaction, with the intention that if it is given in the way of Allah the Almighty, they will make a profit from it.

In any case, I shall now present various accounts of those who became the recipients of the blessings of Allah the Almighty in accordance with His promise.

Many of the accounts are such that people have offered sacrifices for the sake of Allah the Almighty with utmost sincerity and not only did Allah the Almighty miraculously return it, but increased it manifold.

There are many who made sacrifices and were not even sure as to how they would be able to even provide food for themselves and their children, but within minutes, Allah the Almighty provided far greater means for their provisions and to alleviate their hunger. They received far greater in return than what they originally had and this became a means of further strengthening their faith.

Thus, these are the people who attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty and we find countless examples of them today amongst members of the Ahmadiyya Community.

The president and missionary-incharge of Guinea Conakry has written an account. He states that he read out my sermon on Waqf-e-Jadid from the previous year in his mosque, in which I had mentioned the importance of financial sacrifice and I also presented various extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiahas.

In one of those extracts, the Promised Messiahas mentioned that among the five means to attain the nearness of Allah the Almighty was striving in His cause through the sacrifice of one’s wealth.

Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas stated that one could not have love for worldly wealth and God Almighty at the same time; love for both cannot exist at the same time in one’s heart.

Similarly, he also read out various faith-inspiring accounts of financial sacrifice, which I had narrated. He states: “After the Friday prayers, a poor and very devout Ahmadi, Muossa Kaba Sahib, took out however much money he had in his pocket and with great sincerity, presented it for Waqf-e-Jadid, even though he had already paid his chanda. Upon enquiring the amount he had donated, he replied, ‘I have simply given whatever I had in my pocket and you can count it yourself. I have offered this in order to attain the love of Allah the Almighty and therefore did not count it.’

“When it was counted, it amounted to 85,000 [Guinean] francs. We advised him that since he had taken out all of the money from his pocket to donate, he should take some money back as he would need some to cover his travel cost as well. Upon this, he replied, ‘Did you not hear that the Promised Messiahas stated that one’s heart cannot harbour two loves.

Therefore, allow me today to instil the love of Allah alone and place my reliance upon Him.’ And thereafter, he joyfully walked home.”

These are such incidents that when one witnesses them, one’s heart becomes filled with gratitude to Allah the Almighty for granting such loyal people to the Community of the Promised Messiahas – the missionary has also written this.

People listen to the sermons and say that they have indeed listened to it, but to listen to the sermon with so much attention whereby he recalled that the Promised Messiahas had stated that one cannot harbour two loves in their heart, and subsequently he was not willing to

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

24 keep the money he had in his pocket, lest it was counted as harbouring love for it and instead, he immediately acted upon the instructions.

People often say that they do not understand [certain matters]. This is an example of where one listened with full attention and then acted upon what they heard.

How extraordinary are these sacrifices!

This is in line with the conditions of bai‘at that one should always strive to fulfil the oath they have made with Allah the Almighty and they will not harbour any grievances or complaints. Furthermore, it pleases them when they have the opportunity to offer sacrifices and they become ready to present these sacrifices with complete sincerity. Our opponents say that they will wipe the name of Ahmadiyyat from the Earth. Who has the strength to wipe out such sincere and loving members? Allah the Almighty nurtures such people and the enemies are destroyed without a trace.

Dieneba Sahiba, a member of Jamaate-Ahmadiyya France, pledged allegiance a short while ago and faces opposition from her family. She says:

“I have always tried to take part in all the financial initiatives, whether it is Waqf-e-Jadid, Tahrik-e-Jadid or mosque funds. I have witnessed the blessings of financial sacrifices with my own eyes.” She further says, “My situation with respect to paying my Waqf-e-Jadid chanda was such that I had been in search for employment for a long time, but had not managed to secure a job. The day I paid my chanda for Waqf-e-Jadid, 10 minutes after I had paid the amount, I received a phone call saying that I had been offered a job at a very large firm. Attaining a job after paying towards these chandas, in particular straight after paying Waqf-e-Jadid, for me is certainly a sign from Allah the Almighty.”

A missionary from Kazakhstan writes that the wife of Jaslaan Sahib, a local muallim, pledged allegiance a few years ago. This year, on her birthday, she gave 7,000 tenges (the local currency) split between Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-eJadid.

She says, “One week after I paid this amount, I unexpectedly received 70,000 tenges.” Having made a sacrifice in the way of Allah the Almighty, she was returned with 10-fold the amount.

Some people ask why this does not happen with them or why they do not have such experiences? They ought to recite istighfar [seeking forgiveness from Allah] and asses what is in their hearts and whether they offered their sacrifice solely for the sake of Allah. If this was the case, then such people could never have any grievances. In fact, they should rejoice that Allah the Almighty granted them an opportunity to offer sacrifice.

Allah the Almighty has promised to bestow [in return], and how He shall bestow is up to him; if He does not bestow it today, then He will tomorrow.

Nonetheless, whoever’s intention is [not solely for the sake of Allah], they will harbour grievances. Such people are miserly and even consider prayers to be a burden.

A member from Moscow, Abdur Rahim Sahib, says: “With regard to my job, I have always been unfortunate. Wherever I obtained a job, my income would be so low that it would be difficult for me and my family to survive. On one occasion, I did not even receive one month’s salary. But then Allah the Almighty blessed me in a way that my salary began to increase. I realised that perhaps this was a sign from Allah the Almighty that I should pay my chanda regularly. Therefore, I began to pay all the chandas regularly.

“Due to paying this regularly, Allah the Almighty blessed me greatly in that I received an offer for a job that I had been awaiting for two years.

“By the grace of Allah, I have had the opportunity to pay Waqf-e-Jadid as well.

I have especially understood from all this that Allah goes on increasing the wealth of the one who pays chanda regularly and also ensures they consistently receive an income. I am very grateful that Allah the Almighty has granted me the opportunity to regularly contribute towards the chandas of the Jamaat.”

Iftikhar Sahib, a missionary serving in the Waterloo region of Sierra Leone, says: “I visited various jamaats in order to inform them about Waqf-e-Jadid and to inform them that there had been a shortcoming on the part [of the officebearers] with regard to explaining to them about the importance of giving chanda.”

During the announcement of Tahrike-Jadid, I mentioned that Sierra Leone had a lot of potential and with a bit of effort, they could increase their chanda. Thus, he took this message to various jamaats and stated that Khalifatul Masih had sent a message that the jamaat of Sierra Leone was very big and had been established for a long time, and also that the members of the Jamaat are always ready to offer sacrifices. If there is a shortcoming, then it is on the part of office-bearers.

He further says: “Upon hearing this message, the members were greatly moved and inspired.

Not only did they pay the Waqf-e-Jadid, they also gave more towards the other chandas. There is a place named Newton” in Sierra Leone. “After contacting 18 households there, 1.3 million leones were collected in just one day. Two students

from Ahmadi schools gave 300,000 leones towards Waqf-e-Jadid and gave a further 200,000 later on. One girl from Newton, Muslima Fofanah, gave 50,000 leones and said to request Khalifatul Masih for prayers for her.”

He further says: “Five students informed me that from the income they received for their labour work, they gave 50,000 leones towards Waqf-e-Jadid.”

Thus, these are people who respond to the call of the Khalifa. They have never met me, nor seen me in person, but their hearts are filled with love and respect for Khilafat and are ready to offer every sacrifice for Allah the Almighty.

Observe another incident of their love from another member of the Newton Jamaat. He further says: “I went to the house of S Bah and informed him about giving chanda. I read out the passage in which it was mentioned [by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih] that the people of Sierra Leone are ready to offer sacrifices. His wife became extremely emotional and said, ‘What Khalifatul Masih has said is absolutely true.’ She then said, ‘The only issue is that today, I have nothing with me at home to give.’”

The missionary further narrates: “I was still sitting there when all of a sudden, she received some money that she was not expecting. Immediately, she handed all the amount to the secretary mal [finance]”, who was present as well “and said to give her the receipt for the chanda.

When I counted the money, it amounted to 200,000 leones, all of which she gave as part of chanda. She was very pleased and content after giving this amount.”

There was no complaint in that they had come at the exact time she had received the money or that she was in need of it and they had taken it instead.

“I said to her to keep some amount at home for food and provisions, etc. But she replied that she would not keep any of it. Whatever she had received she gave as chanda and had no worry at all.”

But Allah the Almighty is never indebted to anyone. He further narrates that a short while later, she received a substantial amount of money from somewhere else, which was sufficient for her provisions etc.

A missionary from Kyrgyzstan writes: “A devout Kyrgyz Ahmadi, Kubat Sahib resides in Bishkek [capital of Kyrgyzstan].

He informed me that he had promised to give 1,000 soms for Waqf-e-Jadid.” Som is the currency of Kyrgyzstan.

“One month before the financial year [for Waqf-e-Jadid] was about to end, the president of our jamaat delivered a sermon shedding light on the importance Waqf-e-Jadid chanda. In the sermon, he read out incidents from a previous sermon of Khalifatul Masih. Following this, Kubat Sahib states: “‘Up until then, I had only given 200 soms, but on the same day, I gave the remaining amount from my promise of 1,000 soms which I had not been able to give up until then. I have a sister who is unwell. The government gives her 4,000 soms each month. On the same day, after

25

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM the Friday prayers, when I put the card in the ATM machine to get my sisters pension, there were 10,000 soms in her account. One week earlier, my mother had written to the authorities stating that it was difficult to manage within the allowance they gave and so they ought to increase it. I thought that this amount was from the authorities. But today, on 29 December, I received a phone call from the authorities in which they said that according to their promise, they would increase the allowance to 5,000 soms.’

“In addition to this, he received an additional 5,000 soms. He says that he offered chanda from this amount as they had spent money previously or perhaps they took it out from this amount. He says that the he instantly received the blessings from giving chanda in that he was unable to locate where the extra money came from. Since it came into their account, the bank said that the money was theirs as they had nothing to do with that money.”

Thus, these sacrifices become a source of increasing one’s faith.

Amir Sahib of Tanzania writes that when Khair Rashidi Sahib of the Zanzibar Jamaat stated: “I was reminded about contributing towards Waqf-e-Jadid at the end of the year. When I was reminded about contributing towards Waqf-e-Jadid, I did not have a job, nor did I have any money to pay towards it. But I requested the missionary to include my name on the list of those who had paid their promises and said that Allah the Almighty would Himself provide the means for me to pay it.” He further narrates, “Only two days had passed from this incident that I managed to get a job as a driver. From my first income, I was able to pay Waqf-eJadid for myself as well as for my children.

Thus, my intention of paying chanda ensured that I secured a job.” He also says that this became a means of further strengthening his faith.

Amir Sahib Tanzania writes: “Taha Sahib from the Iringa region mentioned that this year, he witnessed extraordinary blessings in relation to Waqf-e-Jadid. He mentioned that his promise was 600,000 shillings. However, owing to his financial difficulties, in November, he wrote to Khalifatul Masih saying that the overall financial and business circumstances of the country were dire. Therefore, he requested prayers for Allah the Almighty to grant him an opportunity to pay his Waqf-e-Jadid promise.”

People do not write to me only for their personal reasons, in fact they also write expressing their concern over not being able to pay their chanda and request prayers in this regard. Some incidents will be mentioned later in which people offered prayers and Tahajud prayers so they could be granted the opportunity to pay their chanda, as opposed to fulfilling their personal needs.

“Taha Sahib stated, ‘As soon as I had written the letter, I felt content that Allah would provide the means to pay it, inshaAllah, and only 24 hours had passed since I wrote the letter that a person

came to see me about a business proposal and consultation regarding it, upon the recommendation of someone.

“Upon meeting him, I realised that 15 years ago, we were class fellows. We spoke regarding the work and later, through him, I managed to get a contract worth 6 million shillings.’ He then states, ‘Allah the Almighty returned the amount 10-fold that I had given [in chanda]. In exchange for 600,000, He gave me six million in return. From the money I received as an advance, the first thing I did was to pay my Waqf-e-Jadid promise.’”

Jumah Sahib, a new convert from Zanzibar, works in a grocery market.

He writes, “When we were reminded about contributing towards Waqf-eJadid, in those days, the demand for supplies stopped.” He worked in loading and unloading vehicles. “My financial situation was very straitened. I prayed a few days of Tahajud.”

As I mentioned earlier, he is a poor labourer, but he is not praying for his personal needs or to be given enough money to buy provisions for food.

He further states, “A few days in my Tahajud prayers, I supplicated especially to be able to pay my chanda.”

When he woke for Tahajud prayers, he only supplicated for Allah the Almighty not to allow him to remain behind in offering financial sacrifice. Thus, just three days before the end of the Waqfe-Jadid year, his work resumed and he earned 300,000 shillings, through which he mentioned that he was able to pay his own chanda as well as on behalf of his children. He was not concerned about receiving money for his own personal needs; rather, he says that he was able to pay his chanda and that of his children.

He further states, “Since I performed the bai‘at, Allah the Almighty has blessed my wealth abundantly as a result of my contribution towards chanda.”

These people are such that they are only concerned about making contributions towards chanda. And as I mentioned, they are praying fervently and supplicating especially for this during the Tahajud prayer for Allah the Almighty to enables them to pay their chanda.

A worldly person may listen to these words and think that such people are foolish. However, these very people who are perceived as being “foolish” in the sight of the worldly people are the ones whom Allah the Almighty loves and whose needs He fulfils Himself. There are many such extraordinary incidents mentioned in these reports.

Amir Sahib of The Gambia writes: “A shop owner in a village in the North Bank region, Ibrahim Sahib, was a very successful businessman and people would entrust him with their belongings etc. He was a non-Ahmadi at that time.

All of a sudden, he became bankrupt due to various reasons and spent the items people had entrusted him with to save his business. When he feared that he would not be able to return the entrusted items, he returned to his home country of Guinea Conakry.” He fled the country “and stayed in Guinea Conakry

for three years. Following this, he decided that he should return” – he had a pure heart and decided to return and face the circumstances – “and somehow repay his debts to the people. Hence, he called the chief and the district chief of the village and pleaded with them to be given an opportunity to return.

“He requested for them not to arrest him and that he would try to repay all his debts. Hence, the chief permitted him to return on the condition that he would work diligently and return the wealth of the people. If he were unable to do so, he would be sent to prison.”

Amir Sahib further writes: “Only four months had passed since

he had returned when he received the message of the Promised Messiahas.

He heard the message and accepted Ahmadiyyat and started contributing towards chanda regularly. He also started partaking in the financial initiatives of the Jamaat. He would contribute a portion out of whatever he earned.

“By the grace of Allah the Almighty and as a result of paying chanda, his work was blessed to such an extent that not only did he repay his entire debt within two years, which amounted to 200,000 dalasis, but he built his house and also reestablished his shop. His business is now flourishing even greater than before and he personally says that all of this is a result

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

26

of the blessings of chanda.”

A Lajna member from the jamaat in Australia says: “When we moved into a new house, our financial circumstances were not good. The rent for the house was also very high. I did not have enough money to even buy the necessary items and on the other hand, the financial year [of Waqf-eJadid] was also coming to an end. I placed my trust in Allah and paid the chanda.

I prayed, ‘O Allah! Do not make me dependent on someone else and provide me with the necessities Yourself!’”

This is a woman living in a materialistic country and not in an impoverished country. She further says, “The same evening, my husband returned home and gave me some money and said, ‘I received this today as a bonus from my supervisor.

From among all the employees, only I received it.’” She says, “This was twice the amount of my chanda. This is such a blessing and favour of Allah the Almighty, which left me in complete astonishment and I gained certainty of the fact that Allah the Almighty never forsakes a person, who makes sacrifices in His cause.”

Qamar-ud-Din Sahib from India, who serves as an inspector [for Waqf-e-Jadid], writes: “At the end of the financial year [for Waqf-e-Jadid], along with the Nazim of Waqf-e-Jadid, I visited the jamaat in Calicut. During this trip, we visited the house of an Ahmadi, Hanif Sahib as well.

He performed bai‘at eight years ago and had a modest job with which he made a living. When we reached his home, his 10-year-old son, Mudlaj Ali, brought

his money box and whilst making his contribution towards Waqf-e-Jadid, he said that he had collected this chanda for Waqf-e-Jadid over the entire year. When the money box was opened, it contained a large amount. The nazim asked the child, ‘Children usually save money in order to buy something they like. Why are you contributing it towards Waqf-eJadid?’ Upon this, the child replied – the gist of which is – that Allah the Almighty, the Holy Prophetsa and the honourable Khulafa have instructed to spend in the way of God and thus, he was contributing this towards the chanda of Waqf-e-Jadid.”

This is the moral upbringing of Ahmadi children. How can the opponents of Ahmadiyyat harm the Jamaat, whose children are brought up with such training? The opponents can try their level best; however, God Almighty has established this Jamaat in order to spread His religion across the world and as such, He Personally supports it and renders His help on every occasion. Furthermore, He creates a love for the Jamaat and a zeal to fulfil its purpose from generation to generation.

Amir Sahib Tanzania writes that the mu‘allim of the Manguchi Jamaat in the neighbouring country of Malawi writes, “A friend, Ibrahim Sahib, who sells meat, promised to contribute 5,800 Malawian kwachas towards the chanda of Waqf-e-Jadid this year. He made smaller contributions throughout the year. By December, a portion [of his promise] was still outstanding; however, due to the circumstances of the country, his business had come to a halt. As such, he took a loan and fulfilled his promise. In order to continue his business, he purchased a goat after a week so that he could sell its meat.

Only a few days had passed that he was blessed to such an extent that his entire debt was paid off.”

Hence, those poorer individuals, who pay chanda whilst placing their trust in God and with a spirit of sacrifice, Allah the Almighty blesses them in return.

The conditions of the country remain the same, but even then, God Almighty brought about a change in his circumstances.

The mu‘allim of the Mwala Jama’at in Malawi says that Matenba Sahiba, a widow in our jamaat, gives her chanda every year according to her capacity. This year, she promised a certain amount and she fulfilled her promise during the year before the other women. The night after fulfilling her promise, she was told in a dream, “Today, God Almighty will aid you in your works.” The following day, she went to the mu‘allim and gave further donations towards Waqf-e-Jadid. She said, “Due to the blessings of giving chanda, God Almighty greatly increases the yield of my crops and this time, God Almighty Himself told me that He would help me.”

Observe just how God Almighty, at times, brings about the means to increase their faith right away.

The missionary of Albania writes: “With regard to new converts, there is Mari Glen Beja Sahib who pledged his allegiance three years ago. He is also the

tabligh [outreach] secretary and a very active khadim. One day, he brought a box which was full of money. He explained that whatever he continued to save over the month, he would keep it in this box in his car, with the intention of giving it in chanda for the Community. So the first time he brought the box full of money, he donated one part of it on behalf of his four-month old son, Bjorn Beja, towards Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid and the rest from himself towards Tahrik-e-Jadid, Waqf-e-Jadid and the obligatory chanda.

Thereafter, he would continue to bring his box full of money every month and even in the final month of Waqf-e-Jadid in December, he made a great financial sacrifice according to his capacity.”

Hence, upon accepting Ahmadiyyat, one is instilled with a passion for making sacrifices, for they have witnessed the manifestations of the blessings of God Almighty.

The sadr of the Cheam Jamaat in the UK says: “We were still far behind in reaching our target, so I would wake up and supplicate in the Tahajud prayers in relation to this matter. One day, my wife told me that if I went to a certain person or a certain family, they would surely make further donations. Hence, I contacted them and the family said that they did not wish for their name to be disclosed and they then donated £1,000 and a further £1,000 on behalf of both of their children.

On top of that, they said that if we were in need of any more, then I should let them know.”

The Waqf-e-Jadid Secretary of Lajna in Islamabad, UK says: “After my graduation from university, I was busy with the upbringing of my children. Now they are 5 and 8 years old and our chanda were all given from my husband’s income and I would only be receiving child benefits in my account. I would think to myself that however much I spent in the way of Allah, I could not consider it to be true financial sacrifice.

Hence, in September this year, I set up a standing order from my personal account to give chanda towards Wasiyat, Tahrike-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid. Apart from that, I also began giving chanda from my grandmother and uncle. I set the monthly instalments to an amount that truly was at times a financial sacrifice in light of my income.

“This month, I gave a request to gain further experience as a teacher at my children’s school, but there was no hope of succeeding in being able to do so. The very next day after the first donation in chanda was made from my account, I received a call from the school to come for an interview. After the second payment was made from my account, instead of appointing me as an assistant teacher, the school gave me another important role, through which my income increased 10fold. I was convinced from this that it was all a result of making financial sacrifices in the way of Allah.”

Farhad Sahib, a missionary in Germany says: “A khadim from our local jamaat in

27

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Wiesbaden told me that he had already given what he promised towards Tahrike-Jadid and in addition, he donated a further amount which he had planned to donate towards Waqf-e-Jadid. This month, he received a letter from the tax department which stated that he had to pay 800 euros, yet despite this, he said that he was determined to still make the donation towards Waqf-e-Jadid and would take a loan to pay off the tax. A few weeks later, he received another letter from the tax department in which they wrote that they had reviewed his paperwork and that he did not have to pay anything; in fact, they would repay him 4,400 euros. A few days later, he said that he had a car accident in which someone damaged his car, and consequently he received 4,700 euros.”

In this way, after showing a little resolve to make an extra donation in chanda, God Almighty brought about the means to enable him to do so. One may deem this a mere coincidence, but a believer recognises that this is all a result of the special favours of God Almighty.

Sadr Lajna of Canada says: “One Lajna member said that three years prior, her husband was busy with his education so she had to work and also shoulder the various other responsibilities.

This tiring routine left her exhausted and she would remain unwell for long periods of time. Subsequently, when the time came to make promises towards Waqfe-Jadid and Tahrik-e-Jadid, she pledged twice the amount of her monthly income.

“A short while later, she lost her job and was in very straitened circumstances. All her spending would be done using a credit card and at the end of the year, when the time came to make her donations, she was left with no choice but to place her trust in God Almighty and make her donations using the credit card.

“God Almighty manifested a wondrous sign of His power whereby in those very same days, she was informed by her bank that she had credit protection insurance and that since she had lost her job, she was entitled to apply for it. In

this manner, all her expenditures were covered and on top of that, she found a new job, which was much better than the previous one. Her financial situation had improved, she voluntarily increased her promises towards voluntary chanda and at the same time, her husband completed his education and received a good job.

Hence, she left her job and was able to manage from her husband’s income.”

A missionary from Indonesia writes that Ameen Sahib and his family always desired to make all their donations towards Waqf-e-Jadid and Tahrik-eJadid during the month of Ramadan. This year, his income was low and it seemed impossible to fulfil the donation he had promised. The missionary then writes: “I myself witnessed him every day during the month of Ramadan, where despite fasting he would travel 4 kilometres along with his family to his candlenut field so that through this, he could fulfil the amount he promised. Thus, during the month of Ramadan, he fulfilled his promise of 200,000 and it would have been impossible for him to collect such a large amount without the painstaking effort he made.” The missionary then writes that he asked him, “What drives you to make such hard efforts every day whilst fasting?” Thereupon, he answered, “My family and I merely wish to attain the pleasure of God Almighty by acting upon the instructions of the Khalifa of the time.”

Then, there is Nianpa Sahib from a jamaat in the Kaya Regions, Burkina Faso, who converted to Ahmadiyyat over 10 years ago; however, he was not regular in offering financial contributions. His household was often riddled with illness and poverty. Some time ago, he began paying special attention towards regularly offering financial contributions, especially to Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid. Due to this, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, not only did his financial situation begin to improve, but Allah the Almighty also granted him cure of his illnesses and this year, he gave even more for Waqf-e-Jadid.

Those who once used to avoid giving

him work, themselves came to him and offered him contracts for work. Idrees Sahib says that it is solely due to the grace of Allah the Almighty that through Waqfe-Jadid, He created means for his income to increase.

Hence, these are the ways is which Allah returns a loan manifold. There are many such incidents out of which I have presented only a few.

May Allah the Almighty always continue to treat members of the Jamaat in this manner; may the members of the Jamaat continue to offer such sacrifices with sincerity and loyalty and may Allah the Almighty continue to manifest His grace.

Now, along with announcing the new year of Waqf-e-Jadid, I will also present some details of the previous year’s collection.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the 63rd year [of Waqf-e-Jadid] came to an end on 31 December 2020 and the 64th year commenced on 1 January [2021].

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, during the previous year, the Jamaat was able to present a sacrifice of £10.53 million, which is £887,000 more than the previous year’s total collection. Alhamdulillah!

This cannot be the result of any human effort; rather, it is purely owing to the grace of Allah the Almighty. This year, again, the UK Jamaat stands in first position amongst all the jamaats of the world for its overall contribution. By the grace of Allah, they have made a significant increase.

Lajna Imaillah UK have worked extremely hard by the grace of Allah. In view of the significant increase in their total collection, it seems that the men have also put in a great deal of effort just like the Lajna.

Germany is in second place and even though they have also made a significant increase in their total collection, UK is still ahead of them by some margin.

Due to the fall in the value of its currency, Pakistan has fallen quite behind amongst the jamaats, but still occupied the third position. Nevertheless, based

on their local currency, they have made progress and its members are offering sacrifices; the Ahmadis in Pakistan are offering sacrifices of their lives as well as their wealth and are having to endure constant mental torture as well. May Allah the Almighty provide ease for them.

Canada is in fourth position, then the USA, India, Australia, a country from the Middle East, Indonesia and then Ghana.

From among the African countries, Ghana is now also competing with the larger countries and is in the top 10.

According to contribution per capita, the USA is first, followed by Switzerland and then the UK. In terms of overall contribution amongst the African countries, Ghana is first, Mauritius is second, then Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali and Benin.

The total number of participants [for Waqf-e-Jadid] was 1,452,000.

In terms of overall collection, the top 10 large jamaats from the UK are Farnham, Islamabad, Worcester Park, Putney, Birmingham South, Gillingham, South Cheam, Masjid Fazl, Birmingham West and New Malden.

The top five regions [of the UK] in terms of overall collection are Baitul Futuh, then Masjid Fazl, Islamabad, Midlands and Baitul Ehsan The top 10 jamaats [of the UK] with regard to Daftar Atfal are Farnham in first position, Islamabad in second, Roehampton Vale, Baitul Futuh, Mitcham Park, Glasgow, Cheam, Guilford, Worcester Park and Birmingham South.

From among the smaller jamaats [of the UK], the top 10 in terms of overall collection are Leamington Spa, Spen Valley, Bournemouth, BurtonUpon-Trent, Peterborough, Coventry, Edinburgh, Keighley and Swansea.

The top five local amaraat [in terms of overall collection] in Germany are Hamburg in first position, then Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Gross-Gerau and Dietzenbach.

In terms of collection of Waqf-eJadid from adults, the top 10 jamaats from Germany are Rödermark, Neuss, Nieda, Mahdi-Abad, Mainz, Koblenz, Hanau, Langen, Flörsheim, Bensheim and Pinneberg.

In terms of collection from Daftar Atfal, the top five regions [of Germany] are Hessen Sud-Ost, Hessen Mitte, Rheinland-Pfalz, Westfalen and Taunus.

The top three jamaats of Pakistan [in terms of collection] are Lahore, Rabwah and Karachi.

In terms of collection from adults, the positions of the districts [of Pakistan] are Islamabad in first position, Rawalpindi is second, third is Sargodha then Gujrat, Gujranwala, Umerkot, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Mirpur Khas and Dera Ghazi Khan.

In terms of overall collection, the top 10 jamaats [of Pakistan] are Defence Lahore, Islamabad City, Township Lahore, Clifton Karachi, Darul Zikr Lahore, Gulshan Iqbal Abad Karachi, Samana Bagh Lahore, Azizabad Karachi, Rawalpindi City and Allama Iqbal Town Lahore.

Friday 5 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

28 In terms of [collection from] Daftar Atfal, the three large jamaats from Pakistan are Lahore, Karachi and Rabwah.

The position of districts [of Pakistan] for Daftar Atfal are Islamabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Umerkot, Narowal and Bahawalnagar.

The positions of amaraat in Canada are Vaughan in first position, then Peace Village, Vancouver, Brampton West and Toronto West.

The positions of the 10 large jamaats in Canada are Bradford, Durham, Milton East, Edmonton West, Windsor, Milton West, Regina, Ottawa West, Airdrie and Abbotsford.

The top amaraat in terms of [collection from] Atfal [of Canada] are Vaughan in first position, then Toronto West, Peace Village, Calgary and Brampton West.

In terms of the jamaats for Atfal [in Canada], the positions are Bradford in first, then Durham, Milton West, London and Hamilton Mountain.

In terms of overall collection, the top jamaats in the USA are Maryland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Oshkosh, Syracuse, Rochester and Minnesota.

The top 10 jamaats in terms of Daftar Atfal [of the USA] are: Maryland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Orlando, Silicon Valley, Austin, Oshkosh, Minnesota, Las Vegas and Fitchburg.

The top 10 provinces from India are Kerala in first position, then Tamil Nadu, Jammu Kashmir, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Punjab, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The positions of the jamaats [in India] are Coimbatore, Qadian, Pathappiriyam, Hyderabad, Calcutta, Bangalore, Calicut, Kannur Town, Rishi Nagar and Kerang.

The top 10 jamaats from Australia are Melbourne Langwarrin, Castle Hill, Marsden Park, Melbourne Berwick, Adelaide South, Mount Druitt, Penrith, Perth, Logan East and Black Town The Australia jamaats in terms of collection from adults are Melbourne Langwarrin, Castle Hill, Marsden Park, Melbourne Berwick, Penrith, Mount Druitt, Black Town, Adelaide South, Perth and Canberra.

The [top] Australian jamaats in terms of collection from Atfal are, Melbourne Langwarrin, Adelaide, Melbourne Berwick, Mount Druitt, Logan East, Penrith, Castle Hill, Melbourne East, Perth and Adelaide West.

May Allah the Almighty bestow abounding blessings in the wealth and progeny of all those who have presented sacrifices. May He enable them to increase in spirituality and to be those who fulfil the rights owed to God and the rights owed to His creation.

These days, as I have been making an appeal for prayers, I again urge you to pray for the Ahmadis of Pakistan, that Allah the Almighty may remove their hardships and worries; may He keep them away from the grasp of the opponents.

As for those opponents who cannot be

Guests of a Caliph â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 1953

Stanley Brush was a professor at Forman Christian College Lahore when he decided to visit Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra in Rabwah. Many decades later, the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre, London contacted him in 2014. He had by then settled in New Jersey, USA and was delighted to share his memories. www.alhakam.org/guests-of-a-caliph-december-1953/ reformed, may Allah the Almighty create the means for them to be seized. May He also create means for the swift release of those who have been imprisoned in His way, which also includes the prisoners in Algeria.

There is also a great deal of opposition in Algeria; pray for them as well, that Allah the Almighty may create ease for them.

Pay special attention to supplications and offering voluntary prayers and giving alms. The general condition of Pakistan is one which lacks peace; pray for them as well, that may Allah establish peace and bring a swift end to their ploys to kill one another, extremism, discord and unrest. May He grant their leaders and government the sense to become those who truly serve the people and act with

justice.

Similarly, pray for the general state of the world which continues to deteriorate at a rapid rate. May Allah the Almighty have mercy on all of humanity.

(Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International on 29 January 2021, pp. 5- 10.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial Ataul Fatir Tahir | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | Š Al Hakam 2021