Al Hakam - 1 December 2023

Answers to Everyday Issues Part: 64

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Was Hazrat Ahmad a ‘colonial Prophet?’

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemns Israeli government’s warmongering and urges Muslims to establish one voice

What does the Quran say about Israel and Palestine?

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THE WEEKLY

A

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023 | Issue CCXCVIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

‘Allah helps those who work hard’

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

Holy Prophetsa in the eyes of kings of his era

National amila of Trinidad and Tobago reports to Huzoor

PAAMA UK

On Sunday, 26 November 2023, the national amila of Trinidad and Tobago had the blessed opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih

V in a virtual mulaqat.

At the outset of the mulaqat, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and asked if those seated before him were in the amila. Upon aa

which Huzoor was told that they were the amila members and there were also a few observers. Hearing this, Huzooraa smiled aa

Continued on next page >>

َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ،�ٍ ‫�ن ا��َﻜ ُﻢ ﺑْ ُﻦ ﻧﺎ ِﻓ‬ ِ ��‫ﺣﺪﺛﻨﺎ أﺑﻮ اﻟ‬ ْ ُّ ‫َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ُ َ ْ ٌ َﻋﻦ‬ ،‫ا��ﻫ ِﺮ ِّي‬ ِ ،‫ﻗﺎل أﺧ��ﻧﺎ ﺷﻌﻴﺐ‬ َ َْ َ َ ّٰ ّٰ ُ ُ َ �ِ ��‫ﻗﺎل أﺧ� َ��ِ� ﻋ َﺒ ْﻴﺪ ا��� ﺑْ ُﻦ ﻋ ْﺒ ِﺪ ا‬ َ ُ ّٰ َ َ َ َ ���‫ أ ّن ﻋ ْﺒﺪ ا‬،ٍ‫ﺑْ ِﻦ ﻋ ْﺘ َﺒﺔ ﺑْ ِﻦ َﻣ ْﺴ ُﻌﻮد‬ َ ‫ أ َ ْﺧ� َ َ� ُه أ َ َّن أَﺑَﺎ ُﺳ ْﻔ َﻴ‬،‫ﺑْ َﻦ َﻋ َّﺒﺎس‬ ‫ﺎن ﺑْ َﻦ‬ ٍ َْ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ �ِ� ‫ﺣﺮ ٍب أﺧ��ه أن ِﻫﺮﻗﻞ أرﺳﻞ ِإﻟﻴ ِﻪ‬ ْ َّ ً �َّ �ُ ‫َر�ْﺐ ِﻣ ْﻦﻗُ َﺮ�ْﺶـ َو�َﺎﻧُﻮا‬ ‫ﺎراﺑِﺎﻟﺸﺄ ِم‬ ٍ َّ َ ّ ٰ ُ ُ َ َ َ ٍ َّ َّ ْ ‫ـ �ِ� اﻟ ُﻤﺪ ِة اﻟ ِ�� �ﺎن رﺳﻮل ا��� ﺻﻠﻰ‬ َّ َ َ ّٰ َّ َ ‫ﻴﻬﺎأَﺑَﺎ ُﺳ ْﻔ َﻴ‬ َ ‫ﺎدﻓ‬ ‫ﺎن‬ ِ ‫ا�� ُ��ﻠ ْﻴ ِﻪ َو َﺳﻠﻢ َﻣ‬ َ َ ‫ ﻓَﺄﺗ َ ْﻮ ُه َو� ُ ْ� ﺑﺈﻳﻠِ َﻴ‬،‫ﺎر ﻗُ َﺮ�ْﺶ‬ َ ‫َو� ُ َّﻔ‬ ‫ﺎء‬ ِ​ِ ٍ َ َ ُ ْ ُ ‫ َو َﺣ ْﻮ� ُ� ﻋﻈ َﻤ‬،‫ﻓَ َﺪ َ�ﺎ� ُ ْ� �� َ��ﻠِ ِﺴ ِﻪ‬ ‫ﺎء‬ ِ َ ُ ُ ُّ َ َ َ َ َ ‫وم ﺛ ّﻢ د�ﺎ� ْ� َود�ﺎ ﺑِ� ْ� ُﺟ َﻤﺎﻧِ ِﻪ‬ ِ ��‫ا‬ َّ َ َ ً َ َ ُ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ُّ َ َ َ َ ‫ﻓﻘﺎل أﻳﻜﻢ أﻗﺮب �ﺴﺒﺎ ﺑِﻬﺬا‬ ‫ا�� ُﺟ ِﻞ‬ َ َ َ ٌّ َ ُ َّ َ ُ ُ ْ َ َّ َ ‫ﺎل أَﺑُﻮ ُﺳ ْﻔ َﻴ‬ ‫ﺎن‬ ‫اﻟ ِﺬي ﻳﺰﻋﻢ أﻧﻪ ﻧ ِ�� ﻓﻘ‬ َ َ ُ َْ َ​َ ُ ْ ُ َ ُ ُ َ َ​َ ‫ ﻓﻘﺎل أ ْدﻧﻮه‬.‫ﻓﻘﻠﺖ أﻧﺎ أﻗ َﺮﺑُ� ْ� � َﺴ ًﺒﺎ‬ ُ ُ ْ َ ُ َ َ َْ ُ ّ َ َ ّ �ْ ���‫ﺎﺟ َﻌ‬ ‫ ﻓ‬،‫ وﻗ ِﺮﺑﻮا أ��ﺎﺑﻪ‬،��ِ �ِ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ‫ ﺛ َّﻢ ﻗﺎل ﻟِ� ْ� ُﺟ َﻤﺎ ِﻧ ِﻪ ﻗﻞ‬.‫ِﻋ ْﻨﺪ ﻇ ْ� ِﺮ ِه‬ َّ َ َ ‫َ ُ ْ ّ َ ٌ َ َ َﻋ ْﻦ‬ ‫ﻟ�� ِإ�ِ� ﺳﺎﰱِﻞ ﻫﺬا‬ ،‫ا�� ُﺟ ِﻞ‬ ‫ﻫﺬا‬ ُ َ َ َ ُ َْ ُ ّ َ َ ‫[ ﻗﺪ � ْﻨﺖ‬...] .‫ﻓ ِﺈ ْن ﻛﺬﺑ َ ِ�� ﻓﻜ ِﺬﺑُﻮه‬ ُ َّ َ ُ ُ َ ُ َ َ َ ُ َّ َ َ َ ‫ ﻟ ْﻢ أﻛ ْﻦ أﻇ ّﻦ أﻧﻪ‬،‫أ ْ�ﻠ ُﻢ أﻧﻪ ﺧﺎ ِر ٌج‬ ُ َْ َّ َ َ َّ َ َ ُ ‫ ﻓ� ْ� أ�ِ� أ ْ�ﻠ ُﻢ أ�ِ� أﺧﻠ ُﺺ‬،‫ِ� ْﻨﻜ ْﻢ‬ ُ ُ َ ُ َ َ ُ ْ َّ َ َ َ ْ َ َُ ‫ َوﻟ ْﻮ � ْﻨﺖ ِﻋ ْﻨﺪه‬،‫ﺎءه‬ ‫ِإﻟﻴ ِﻪ ﻟ��ﺸﻤﺖ ﻟِﻘ‬ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ​َ .‫[ اﻟﺦ‬...] .‫ﻟﻐ َﺴﻠﺖ ﻋ ْﻦ ﻗﺪ ِﻣ ِﻪ‬ Continued on next page >>

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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<< Continued from previous page

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbasra narrated, “Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham, at the time when Allah’s Messengersa had a truce with Abu Sufyan and the disbelievers of Quraish. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya. Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him.

He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius’ questions said to them, ‘Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?’ Abu Sufyan replied, ‘I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group).’ Heraclius said, ‘Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him.’ Abu Sufyan added, that Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (i.e., the Holy Prophetsa) and that if I (Abu Sufyan) told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me.’ [... After posing his question and hearing the responses, Heraclius remarked:] ‘I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.’ [...]” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab bad’i l-wahy, Hadith 7)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Universal compassion “Be mindful that, in my estimation, the scope of sympathy is very wide.

One should not exclude any group or individual. I do not say – like the ignorant people of this age – that you should limit your kindness to only Muslims. I say that you should have sympathy for all of God’s creations no matter who they are, whether a Hindu, a Muslim, or someone else. I never approve of the words of such people who wish to limit sympathy only to their own people.” (Al Hakam, 10 November 1905; Malfuzat [1988], Vol. 4, p. 217)

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and said, “You are quite a big amila – executive committee.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then started the meeting with a silent prayer.

During the mulaqat, members of the national amila had the opportunity to introduce the departments and tasks they were given and provided a brief background of what had been accomplished.

Hassan Hussein Sahib was the first to present his report, in which he said he was serving as Naib Amir, Secretary Wasaya, and Auditor. Hearing this, Huzooraa smiled and said, “So, you are holding all the portfolios.” Huzooraa asked him how old he was, to which he replied that he would turn 70 in the coming days. Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah! And, despite that [age], you have the potential to work in all these departments.”

Hassan Hussein Sahib reported that there were 21 musis: nine men and 12 women. “Your women are more active and pious than the men.” Then, alluding to the amila members seated, Huzooraa asked how many amila members are musis and asked them to raise their hands. “Apart from these amila members, you only have three other members who are musis,” Huzooraa said.

Alluding to the amila members, Huzooraa said that they should all do wasiyyat. “If they do wasiyyat, it means 33% of your earning members will be musis [...]” Huzooraa added.

Then Huzooraa explained, “You should start from your home [...] Your executive committee, or the amila members, should at least be musis. Their level of sacrifice and the standard of sacrifice should be much higher than the ordinary Jamaat member.”

With regards to auditing, Hassan Hussein Sahib said that the jamaats’ accounts are checked on a monthly basis.

Shirazudin Muhammad Sahib, General Secretary, was next to report. Alluding to his office, Huzooraa reminded him that it was a very important office.

Shirazudin Muhammad Sahib reported that there were seven branches in Trinidad, with a total of 1200 Ahmadis. He added that he attends all majlis-e-amila meetings, takes and prepares the minutes, and works with Amir Sahib on the assignments given.

Huzooraa asked if the jamaats send the monthly reports, to which Hassan Hussein Sahib said that they go to Amir Sahib.

Huzooraa then explained that when “the reports come to Amir Sahib; Amir Sahib should mark those reports for you to go through the reports and to give comments on them. And, if necessary, give the reports of different departments to your various secretaries for them to comment on.”

Huzooraa emphasised, “Organise your system properly.”

Aman Muhammad Sahib reported that he was both the Secretary for the Talim department and the Tarbiyat department.

He reported that he was holding online classes. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “You are confusing your Talim department with the auxiliary organisation’s Talim department. There is a difference,” Huzooraa explained, “between the Talim department of the Jamaat and the auxiliary organisations. Here, in the Jamaat, the Talim department’s job is to keep the data of all the students going to school, university, [...] guide them, give them proper guidance; make a committee – form a committee for their counselling and guidance so that the Jamaat’s students can have a better opportunity to select their subjects, [so that] they are properly guided. This is the

work of the Talim [department].”

Huzooraa added, “As a Tarbiyat Secretary, you can oversee all the work of all the Secretaries for Tarbiyat in various jamaats and see to it that [if] they are working properly or not, [and see] what their tarbiyat plan is.” Alluding to the Talim secretaries, Huzooraa added that they should be from among the young ones who are aware of the situation of students.

Huzooraa then asked if the amila was an elected amila or made according to the Amir’s desire. Huzooraa was told that the amila was elected. Thus, addressing Amir Sahib, Huzooraa said, “You don’t read the rules and regulations of the Jamaat? If you do, he should have known the responsibility of Secretary Talim. He doesn’t know. This is your fault. What are you doing here?

You are a missionary, you are Amir, and you should guide them properly. You are not just representing Khalifatul Masih as a silent figurehead.”

Alluding to Secretary Tarbiyat, Huzooraa asked what his plan was. Aman Muhammad Sahib reported that his plan is to make everyone more aware of Jalsa functions: Promised Messiah Day, Muslehe-Maud Day, Khilafat Day, and Seertun Nabi. “Also,” Huzooraa said, “see to it that how can you make an effort to increase the religious knowledge and the spiritual level of the Jamaat members.”

Huzooraa asked if there was no Secretary Talim-ul-Quran and Waqf-e-Arzi; to which Amir Sahib said that Aman Muhammad Sahib was the Secretary. Hearing this, Huzooraa said that he was holding three positions. “I don’t think you have a qehte-rijal there; lack of manpower, lack of potential. You have quite a good potential there. You should appoint different people for different posts,” Huzooraa explained.

Addressing the Amir, Huzooraa said,

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“Now you can see to it that, if needed, and just to efficiently carry out your work, you should appoint different people for different posts. And if the Jamaat has elected the same person for a different post, then you can ask the Centre: to get permission from me that: ‘Although the Jamaat has elected one person for a different post, we think that this person can be suitable for this purpose.’ And appoint someone else. If you have 1200 people in the Jamaat, then you should try to find more efficient people among the young ones so that you can train [them]. If the old people are not giving training to the young ones, then how will they take the responsibility?”

Safir Hussein Sahib, Secretary Finance, reported on various budgetary matters.

Huzooraa asked if he was satisfied with the chanda of the members and what was being done to make it up to the mark. Safir Hussein Sahib replied that over the last few years, they had improved and were slowly moving up.

Huzooraa explained, “All the members, and especially those who have lucrative businesses, those who are well off, and those who are affluent people, should pay their chanda according to the prescribed rate.

And they should know the importance of chanda, [...] they should pay chanda to win the love of Allah the Almighty. That should be the main purpose of paying the chanda.

Otherwise, I’m not afraid of getting money, and I’m not worried about how we shall run our affairs; Allah the Almighty will help us. But the thing is that we should put this important concept into the minds of the people – Ahmadis, those who are earning – that they should pay chanda to win the love of Allah and by giving sacrifice and paying chanda, Allah the Almighty will increase there income and also their spiritual level.”

Farhan Ogir said he was a member of the amila and Finance Committee, and reported that he was dealing with special projects of the Jamaat. Speaking to Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, Huzooraa asked him if he was a waqif-e-nau and also asked about his profession. The secretary replied in the affirmative and said he was an optometrist.

He reported that there were 14 waqifeen-e-nau [and waqifat-e-nau]: four of whom are over 18 years old, and the rest are children. Huzooraa asked if they had renewed their bond, to which the Secretary replied that he was not sure. Huzooraa said, “Why are you not sure? You are Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, you should know.”

Huzooraa went on to explain, “So, after having attained the age of 15 and above, children themselves should renew their bond; that they will continue [their waqf] or not.”

Alluding to the prescribed Waqf-eNau syllabus, Huzooraa asked, “Are you using that syllabus to train your children, to educate your waqifeen-e-nau?” And he asked how many classes were held every month. To this, Nasir Yaqub Sahib said that they were just initiating this. “So you are only trying to initiate: now that I have asked, this is why you are going to try to initiate it from now? For the last 40 years of this Waqf-e-Nau scheme, you didn’t do anything? What is the use of your being Secretary Waqf-e-Nau?” Huzooraa then asked if he had pursued any of the Waqf-e-Nau members to join Jamia Ahmadiyya, to which Nasir Yaqub

Sahib replied that he had not. Huzooraa asked him, “Have you ever consulted with them about their future plan?” Nasir Yaqub Sahib replied that he would plan to do this.

Mirza Ali Sahib, Secretary Tahrike-Jadid, reported that the majority of members are participating in the Tahrike-Jadid scheme. Huzooraa, hearing this, said, “You should know the number. Try to work hard. Just holding the office is not important. The important thing is how you can improve your department.” Azad Shah Sahib, Sadr of Siparia Jamaat, reported that there were 75 members in Siparia, out of which 60% were active.

Riyad Din Sahib, Secretary Waqf-e-

“

Jadid and Secretary for Jaidad, reported that all chanda paying members were participating in the Waqf-e-Jadid scheme. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “All [members] should be the participants in this Waqf-e-Jadid scheme. Make a proper plan and include 100% of your members in the scheme of Waqf-e-Jadid.”

In light of his Jaidad duties, Riyad Din Sahib reported that they have seven mosques and four mission houses.

Abdul Noor Sahib, a missionary at Valencia and serving as the National Secretary for Tabligh, said he was originally from Haiti. He reported that in the last three years, there have been 5-7 new converts

in his region alone. Huzooraa explained, “Ask all your Secretaries of Tabligh that they should work hard, make a proper tabligh plan, and get more bai‘ats.” Upon this, Abdul Noor Sahib said, Insha-Allah.

Hearing this, Huzooraa smiled and said, “Now, insha-Allah should be Masha-Allah [...] Allah helps those who work hard.”

Bashir Qwow, a missionary in Tobago, was next to report. Hearing his name, Huzooraa recognised that he was Ghanaian and asked when he came to Trinidad. He reported that he came in August after the UK Jalsa. Huzooraa asked if he was wellsettled in Trinidad, to which he replied in the affirmative and said that Amir Sahib

So, you should all follow the rules and regulations

prescribed in your rules and regulations book and run your departments according to the instructions given

in the book of rules and regulations. And try to become more active than before. And there should be some significant change in your efforts and in your work. is helping with their work in Tobago.

Huzooraa smiled and said, “Then you are a very lucky person; if he is helping you.”

Huzooraa asked how many Ahmadis were in the Tobago region, to which Bashir Qwow reported that there were no Ahmadis there before and added that since they had arrived, they had converted 8 people.

“No Ahmadi in Tobago? What has Amir Sahib been doing in the last 40 years, there?” Huzooraa asked. Huzooraa then addressed Amir Sahib and asked how long he had been there, to which Amir Sahib replied that he had been there for 35 years. “And during these 35 years, you couldn’t have even a single bai‘at.” Amir Sahib reported that they had some bai‘ats; however, they migrated to other countries.

Then, turning to the missionary, Huzooraa asked about the bai‘ats in the last three months, to which he replied that they had achieved eight bai‘ats. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah!”

Abdul Kaleem Sahib, a missionary serving in Tobago, reported that there were three missionaries in Tobago. Huzooraa asked why there were three, to which Amir Sahib said that they intended to send them to the Islands; however, he added that accommodation was the issue and that only one would remain behind in Tobago.

Huzooraa said, “These missionaries should even [be happy to] live in a thatched house.

I, myself, have lived in a thatched house; they can live – accommodation is not a

problem.”

Huzooraa went on to say, “Whenever you make a plan, try to expedite it.”

Huzooraa then addressed Amir Sahib in Urdu and firmly admonished him to work diligently to achieve a transformative impact in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking with Naveed Ishaq Sahib, a Ghanaian missionary serving in Tobago, Huzooraa said, “There are only 65,000 people living in Tobago, so you should try to convert the whole habitation to Ahmadiyyat [...] There are three missionaries there; you should bring about a revolution there.”

Huzooraa asked Yahya Yaqub Sahib, serving as Ziafat Secretary, if he had served breakfast to the amila members, to which he replied in the affirmative.

Asof Hussein Sahib, serving as Secretary of Media and Audio-Visual, reported that they made and sent a few programmes to MTA. Huzooraa said to him, “You should produce at least one programme every month – either a documentary or something like that. And, if it is up to the mark, it can be shown on MTA.” Muhammad Yaqub Sahib said that he did not hold any office but he was attending the meeting after requesting Huzooraa.

Huzooraa smiled and added, “You don’t hold any office, but you attend the meeting just to know the shortcomings of your amila members.” Then, the members of the Jamaat who were seated and observing had the opportunity to greet and converse with

Huzooraa.

Speaking with one observer, Huzooraa asked if he had any children, to which he replied that he had one son, aged nine months. Huzooraa said, “Give him good training so that he becomes a good, staunch and strong Ahmadi.”

In the end, Huzooraa said, “I enjoyed the meeting with you. Although I think you might have some questions to ask, now the time is over, and whatever I wanted to say I have already said during my discussion with the office bearers. So, you should all follow the rules and regulations prescribed in your rules and regulations book and run your departments according to the instructions given in the book of rules and regulations. And try to become more active than before. And there should be some significant change in your efforts and in your work. Even Secretary Waqfe-Nau is a young person and he doesn’t know about his duties. And, if he knows, he is not discharging it very well. So, it is the duty of the Amir Sahib to oversee all of these departments and check to it that all departments are being run properly by their secretaries and by the respective secretaries of the various jamaats as well.

Allah the Almighty help you; Allah bless you. Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”

Thereupon, the mulaqat came to an end.

(Prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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Answers to Everyday Issues

Part 64

Abu Talib, inheritance and financial equity, Tawhid Guidance regarding basic Islamic issues – which Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has given on various occasions in his written correspondence and during MTA programmes – is being officially published below for everyone’s benefit.

Faith and fate of Hazrat Abu Talib Someone wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, stating, “I hold special affection for Hazrat Abu Talib because he protected the Holy Prophetsa throughout his life and stood by him during the most challenging times. How could such a person not be a Muslim?”

Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 24 August 2022, provided the following guidance in response to this question: “Hazrat Abu Talib provided extraordinary support and protection to the Holy Prophetsa and did not abandon him even during the painful period of confinement in the Shi‘b Abi Talib. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas, who was the greatest lover, the most ardent devotee, and the spiritual son of the Holy Prophetsa, stated the following while reflecting upon the compassionate behaviour and attitude of Hazrat Abu Talib and while mentioning an incident involving the antagonism directed towards the Holy Prophetsa by the disbelievers of Mecca and the support he received from Hazrat Abu Talib: “‘When these verses were revealed, declaring the polytheists as impure, foul, the worst of creation, foolish, and progeny of Satan, with their gods as fuel for the Fire and firewood of Hell, Abu Talib called the Holy Prophetsa and said, ‘O my nephew, your vilification has deeply angered the people.

They are likely to kill you and me as well.

You have called their intellectuals foolish and their elders the worst of creation. You have termed their revered gods as fuel for the Fire and firewood for Hell and their entire populace as impure and progeny of Satan. I counsel you with goodwill to restrain your tongue and desist from this vilification; otherwise, I have no strength to face the people.’ In response, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘O uncle, this is not vilification but a statement of facts, presented in the most appropriate and befitting manner, and that is the very purpose for which I have been sent. If this leads to my death, I gladly accept it. My life is committed to this path. I cannot desist from expressing the truth out of fear of death. O uncle, if you are concerned about your own vulnerability and inconvenience, then you are welcome to withdraw your

support. By God, I have no need for it. I will never stop conveying God’s commands; they are dearer to me than life itself. By God, if I am killed in this path, I would wish to be resurrected and killed again and again. This does not cause me any fear; rather, I derive immense pleasure in facing hardship in this path.’ As the Holy Prophetsa was speaking, his face was radiating truth and luminosity, while he was also being overwhelmed by emotions. When he concluded, Abu Talib was moved to tears by the evident light of truth and said, ‘I was unaware of this lofty state of yours. You are indeed in a different realm and stature. Go, pursue your mission.

As long as I live, and within my means, I will stand by you.’ “‘This entire content, although part of Abu Talib’s story recorded in books, is divinely inspired which God has revealed to this humble servant. Only a few phrases are added by me for explanatory purposes. This inspired statement clearly illustrates Abu Talib’s compassion and empathy; however, it establishes with absolute certainty that this empathy was born after witnessing the Holy Prophet’ssa prophetic light and steadfastness.’

(Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp.110 to 112 and footnote) “Thus, Hazrat Abu Talib extended his utmost support to the Holy Prophetsa to the extent that he was willing to face the opposition of his own tribe for the sake of the Holy Prophetsa. However, he did not renounce the religion of his people, and despite the insistence of the Holy Prophetsa, he refrained from proclaiming the kalimah to affirm monotheism [Tawhid]. Hence, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra writes regarding what happened upon the complaint of the chieftains of Mecca, who had advised Hazrat Abu Talib to deter the Prophetsa from his mission, the Holy Prophet’ssa response thereto, and Hazrat Abu Talib’s eventual announcement of his support for the Holy Prophetsa: “‘The significance of Abu Talib’s response cannot be fully comprehended by those who are not acquainted with history, for they are unaware of another incident that sheds light on Abu Talib’s emotional state and reveals how deeply he loved his tribe. When the time of his demise drew near, the Holy Prophetsa, who had immense love for him due to his sacrifices and benevolent conduct,

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was profoundly distressed that he would die without embracing Islam. The Holy Prophetsa would sit beside him, sometimes on his right, sometimes on his left, urging, ‘O Uncle! The time of death is near; please َ� ُ ُ َ ٌ َ� َ ُ ُ َ� َ� َ َ َ pronounce ‘ِ‫ۡوٍل الَّلَه‬ ‫[ ’ۡلَا ِإلٖہ ِإۡلَا الَّلَه ِمُحِمِد ۡرَس‬There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.].’ However, Abu Talib remained silent and offered no response. Ultimately, the Holy Prophetsa insisted vehemently; being overwhelmed by emotions, and he would repeatedly urge, ‘O Uncle! Just pronounce the kalimah once, so that I may testify before God that you accepted Islam.’ However, in the end, Abu Talib replied that he could not abandon the religion of his people. In other words, his love for his tribe was so intense that he did not even desire Heaven without them. A man who held such intense love for his tribe was so affected by the courageous response of the Holy Prophetsa that he declared, ‘Fine, if my tribe forsakes me, let them. I will not forsake you.’’ (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 17, p. 264, 1 May 1936) “Thus, on the one hand, Hazrat Abu Talib supported the Holy Prophetsa until his final moments; yet, on the other hand, despite acknowledging the veracity of the Prophetsa and his faith, he refrained from pronouncing the kalimah to affirm the Oneness of God [Tawhid]. Considering this in the light of God Almighty’s justice and equity, the Prophetsa expressed the hope that on the Day of Judgment, his intercession might offer some benefit to Hazrat Abu

Talib. He said it is hoped that Abu Talib will be placed in the intermediate level of the Fire, which will rise only up to his ankles, causing his brain to boil. Had I not existed, he would have been in the lowest level of Hell. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab manaqibi l-ansar, Bab qissati abi talib) “In this world, we observe that when a person commits a crime and is sentenced to prison according to the severity of their crime, some receive lesser and others more severe sentences. Similarly, Hell has been created as a punishment for the mistakes and sins committed in this world, and there too, each individual will have to endure punishment for a lesser or greater period, in accordance with the extent of their errors and sins. Hence, in discussing Hell, one should also remember that, as explicitly stated in the Holy Quran and ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa, it serves a function akin to that of a hospital, where sinners are sent for treatment. Now, just as in a hospital, patients seeking treatment for cancer are admitted alongside those receiving minor first aid; similarly, the statement of the Holy Prophetsa should be understood in the same vein. Those opponents of Islam who tirelessly worked day and night to counteract and eradicate it, applying all their might and resources in hostility, will go to Hell much like a person afflicted with a grievous illness goes to a hospital and stays there for an extended period. Conversely, Hazrat Abu Talib’s placement in Hell can be likened to a person who goes to a hospital

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023 for a minor wound, receives the necessary dressing, and then promptly returns home.

“As for Hazrat Abu Talib, although he was born during a period of polytheism and despite the Holy Prophet’ssa earnest endeavours and wishes, did not proclaim the Oneness of God, he was not ensnared in the kind of polytheism practised by those who were outright enemies of Tawhid and Allah the Exalted. These people would openly express their polytheism and were engrossed day and night in opposing Allah and His Messengersa. Therefore, due to his virtuous nature and his support and assistance to the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Abu Talib will neither serve as fuel for Hell like the enemies of Allah nor will he remain there for an extended period. Yes, for a brief period, just as one who suffers from a minor illness may go to the hospital for some time, Hazrat Abu Talib may also face the fire of Hell briefly for treatment. This fact has been articulated in the statement of the Holy Prophetsa.”

Islamic inheritance laws and financial equity between men and women A lady from the UK sent a question to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, asking, “The reason why a son receives double the share of a daughter in inheritance is that the son is responsible for the expenses of his parents, wife, and children. However, nowadays both husband and wife work. Similarly, if a daughter is unmarried, divorced, or separated through talaq or khul‘ and living alone, she does not receive anything from the man.

Additionally, some sons do not take on the responsibility of their parents, whereas daughters, working and earning, shoulder the household responsibilities. I believe it is necessary to clarify these matters so that any woman’s right is not infringed upon.”

Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 22 August 2022, provided the following guidance on this issue: “The first point to understand is that the teachings of Islam are perpetually lasting, immutable, and as practicable for every era as they were during the blessed time of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. This is because the Being Who revealed these teachings is fully aware of all the changes and events that have occurred and will occur in the universe from the beginning to the Day of Judgement. The same Being has also taken the responsibility for the protection of these

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teachings. Therefore, to say ‘the teachings of Islam were practicable in olden times, but now, as women have started working and taking on household responsibilities, there is a need to change these Islamic teachings’, is a frivolous and inappropriate statement.

“Regarding the matter of women owning property or taking on household responsibilities, it is not a phenomenon unique to this era. Even in ancient times and during the blessed era of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, there were women of substantial wealth who spent their resources on their husbands and children.

However, they never raised the question that, since they were spending on their husbands and children, they should receive an equal share of inheritance as men do. For instance, Hazrat Khadijahra was a wealthy woman who, after marriage, entrusted all her wealth and property to the Holy Prophetsa. (Allamah Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, al-Tafsir al-Kabir, under verse 9 of Surah ad-Duha; ‘wa wajadaka ‘a’ilan fa aghna’) Similarly, the Companion, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘udra, who was a poor labourer, had a wealthy wife, Hazrat Zainabra, who used to spend from her wealth on her husband and children. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alzakah, Bab az-zakati ‘ala z-zawji wa l-aytami fi l-hajr) “The notion that ‘since women have started working, the responsibility of household expenses has shifted from the husband to the wife’ is also incorrect.

According to Islamic teachings, irrespective of whether the wife owns property or is employed, the responsibility for providing for the children’s lodging, clothing, and food lies with the husband, and he is bound to fulfil these responsibilities according to his capacity. The husband has no right over the property or income of his wife. However, a husband has the authority to allow his wife to work if he is adequately providing for the needs of his wife and children. If the husband does not agree to his wife’s employment, Islam grants him the right to prevent her from working. However, if the wife is working with her husband’s permission and consent, all her earnings belong solely to her, and the husband has no right to control or use her income. Islam has carefully considered the rights and responsibilities of both husband and wife at every turn. Accordingly, the responsibility for external affairs, including the provision of sustenance for the wife and children, has been entrusted to the husband by Allah Almighty. Domestic responsibilities (which

Image: Library

Muhammad Amaan | Unsplash

include safeguarding household property, meeting the husband’s needs, and nurturing the children) have been assigned to the wife

by Allah the Exalted.

“The point you made about granting a woman who has not married, or is divorced [talaq], or has obtained khul‘, an equal share in inheritance as a man, is also not correct.

This is so because if a man has not married, or if he has divorced his wife, or if his wife has obtained khul‘, then he also does not receive anything from his wife’s inheritance.

Generally, in the case of talaq and sometimes in the case of khul‘, the husband has to pay the wife her dowry [mahr], whereas, in the event of talaq or khul‘, the wife does not have to pay anything to her husband.

“In today’s Western-influenced society, women often have the misconception that their rights are being usurped in every aspect and situation. Islamic teachings provide a complete and eternal system based on equitable rights and responsibilities. There is no need for any kind of change in these teachings.”

Tawhid: Allah’s Oneness and other attributes in the basmala Someone from the USA wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih ٰ Vaa, � asking, “Surah al-Fatiha begins with ‘ِ‫ُِب ِۡس ِۡم الَّلَه‬ َ َ ۡ ٰ � ‫’الِرۡحِمۢۡن‬ � ‫الِر ِۡح ۡ​ۡی ِۡم‬ [In the name of Allah, the ِ Gracious, the Merciful.], which mentions God Almighty’s personal name, Allah, and two of His attributes. However, why aren’t the attributes of ‘al-Ahad’ [Unique] or ‘alWahid’ [One] mentioned therein, given that the purpose of the Holy Quran’s teaching is to establish the Oneness of God Almighty?”

Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 31 August 2022, provided the following reply to this query: “The distinctive feature of Islam is the manner in which it introduces humankind to the concept of Tawhid (Oneness of God), unlike any other religion. The personal name of God Almighty, ‘Allah’, is the root of Tawhid, encompassing within itself all the divine attributes. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas, states regarding this matter: “‘In the terminology of the Quran, ‘Allah’ is the name of the Being in Whom all the attributes of beauty and benevolence have reached their pinnacle of perfection, and there is no flaw in His entity. The Holy Quran attributes all divine qualities

exclusively to the name of Allah, indicating that the name ‘Allah’ is truly realised when all perfect attributes are found within it.’

(Ayyam-us-Sulh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 14, p. 247) “Thus, the Holy Quran commences with the personal name of God Almighty, ‘Allah’, in the most beautiful manner, incorporating the attribute of His Unity within it. The Promised Messiahas further states: “‘‘Allah’ is translated as that God, or that Being Who is beyond perception, transcending all intellect, beyond the beyond, and intricately unfathomable and subtle, towards Whom, everything turns in a state of worshipful hue, that is, in a state of existential annihilation—either a metaphorical annihilation in Divine love, which is a spiritual state, or an actual annihilation, which is death. (Tuhfa-eGolarwiyya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, p.

268) “Thus, the word ‘Allah’ itself articulates this notion, proclaiming God Almighty’s Oneness, His uniqueness as the Sole Deity, and declaring that no one is a partner in His Divinity.

“Furthermore, it is not imperative for every verse of the Holy Quran to explicitly mention the attribute of God’s Unity.

The Holy Quran is a complete book that, along with establishing the Oneness of God Almighty, also extensively elucidates the other attributes of the True God for its followers. Otherwise, this objection would also apply to the last two chapters of the Quran, where only the attributes of Lord [Rab], Master [Malik], and God [Ilah] are mentioned, and the attributes of the Unique [al-Ahad] or the One [al-Wahid] are not explicitly stated.

“The Holy Quran is a complete heavenly book which, alongside the apt elucidation of all attributes of God Almighty, through its teachings, impact, reformative power, and spiritual essence, rescues its true adherents from every sin and corrupt life, bestowing upon them a life of purity. Additionally, the Holy Quran imparts perfect insight for the recognition of God Almighty, nurtures a relationship of love with Him, and guides the seeker of God to their ultimate destination.”

(Compiled by Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Head of Records Department, Private Secretariat, London. Translated by Al Hakam.)

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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This Week in History A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat 1 December 1 December 1888: The Promised Messiah’sas book, Sabz Ishtihar (The Green Announcement), was published on this day at Riaz-e-Hind Press, Amritsar. Its full title was Haqqani Taqrir bar Waqi‘ah Wafat-e-Bashir and was printed on green-coloured pages. It contained the news of the sad demise of his son Bashir Awal (the first). This announcement provides us with another clear sign of Hazrat Ahmad’sas truth; he announced that he was commanded

by God Almighty to accept bai‘ats (pledges of initiation).

(Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat [2019], Vol. 1, p. 205) 1 December 1952: Dr Curt Tiltack, an orientalist from Germany, wanted to write a book about the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. A German missionary gave him the book Ahmadiyyat or the True Islam (an extended treatise of a lecture read at the Conference on Some Living Religions Within the Empire in London by Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra) to study. With the help of this book, he was able to collect and compile material.

For further guidance, he sent four questions in a letter to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on this

date.

Huzoorra wrote a letter in response to the questions, which can be read in volume 12 of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat (pp.

138-145).

1 December 1989: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh instructed parents and office-bearers of the Jamaat that every child who has devoted his or her life under the Waqf-e-Nau scheme must learn at least three languages.

(Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 8, pp.

771-783) 1 December 2008: During his tour of India, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was interviewed on this day by a correspondent of the Indian Express, a wellknown newspaper in India.

Huzooraa was also interviewed by reporters of The Hindu and a Malayalam newspaper, the Janam Bhumi. (Al Fazl International, 23 January 2009, pp. 11-12)

2 December 2 December 1912: At the request of Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira sent him a list of Arabic literature. Huzoorra wrote that great writers agreed and even

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in the Press Room of the European Parliament in Brussels

German scholars of the Arabic language said that the best book in Arabic was the Holy Quran. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 429)

2 December 1982: On this day, a special reception was held in honour of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh. Huzoorrh, while addressing the attendees, emphasised the importance of preparing and sharing academic responses to the allegations raised by globally recognised orientalists.

(Silsila Ahamdiyya, Vol. 4, p.

819) 2 December 2005: On this day, during his tour of

Mauritius, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the 44th Jalsa Salana Mauritius with his Friday Sermon. It was the first time that a Khalifatul Masih had graced the Jalsa Salana of Mauritius.

(Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 3, p.

701)

3 - 4 December 3 December 1943: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra set up the Ifta Committee to look into various issues of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). He appointed the following three members for it: • Hazrat Maulana Syed Sarwar Shahra, who served as the mufti of the Jamaat • Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra • Hazrat Maulana Abul Ata (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8, p.

454) 4 December 1970: A devastating cyclone hit the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) on 12 November 1970, resulting in a tragic loss of life, with hundreds of thousands of people perishing in the densely populated region.

On this day, while delivering his Friday sermon in Rabwah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh requested prayers for the people suffering from the storm in East Pakistan, Huzoorrh also made a special request for prayers for peaceful general elections in the country.

(Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 3, p. 401)

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurating the 44th Jalsa Salana Mauritius with his Friday Sermon

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023

1 - 7 December

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The Caliph who visited Palestine Zionist threat forewarned by Hazrat

4 December 2012: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered questions from a range of media outlets during a 40-minute press conference in the Press Room of the European Parliament in Brussels.

A number of global media organisations from the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Pakistan and other countries attended.

After this, Huzooraa delivered the keynote address at the European Parliament to an audience of more than 350, representing 30 countries. The event was hosted by the European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group, whose chair and vice-chairs all took to the stage to welcome Huzooraa.

Martin Schulz MEP and President of the European Parliament also came to greet Huzooraa. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat calls for peace during Press Conference at European Parliament”, and “Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community makes historic address at European Parliament”, www.pressahmadiyya. com)

5 - 6 December 5 December 1953: The fifth Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone started on this day, and lasted for three days.

500 delegates from 41 regions participated in it. Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra sent a message instructing all members to work with unity and he prayed that God be with them all. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 209) 6 December 1953: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra inaugurated the newly constructed building of Talim-ulIslam College Rabwah. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 420)

7 December 7 December 1917: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra exhorted the younger members of the Jamaat to come forward and devote their lives to the cause of Islam. Upon this call, 63 earnest young men stepped forward, rendering their services for this cause. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 204)

Khalifatul Masih II in 1924 Romaan Basit Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre

The divisive Balfour Declaration was signed in 1917, in which Britain pledged to establish a national homeland for Jewish people in Palestine. At the time, it was a predominantly Arab Muslim land with very small pockets of Christians and Jews.

What gave Britain this control over Palestine? After the First World War, the country was officially made part of the British Mandate. And where better to establish a homeland for the grief-stricken Jews, who had faced severe oppression in the war, than the freshly acquired land!

The plan was set. The Declaration was a catalyst for the Zionist regime, which was spearheaded by Theodor Herzl. It gained serious momentum and the aim was clear and simple: to establish a land that the Jews could finally call home – in Palestine. Jews began to enter the land in large numbers, with most Muslims at the time welcoming them with open arms, unaware of the threat Zionism would go on to pose. After all, the Jewish numbers at the time were minuscule, comprising less than 10 per cent of the total population. (“The Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem – CEIRPP, DPR study, part II: 1947-1977”, www.un.org)

Caliph travels to the Holy Land of Palestine There was, however, a Muslim Caliph who instantly recognised the imminent threat and warned the Muslims from the very outset.

Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra was the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Just seven years after the Balfour Declaration, he travelled to the Holy Land in 1924 to witness for himself the state of affairs. Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Haifa were visited, and he made it a point to meet Muslims, influential figures, policymakers and politicians. Sir Gilbert Clayton was among the esteemed people: “The Governor of Palestine is given the official title of High Commissioner. The actual High Commissioner happened to be on a tour of England and Sir Gilbert Clayton was stepping in for him. I met with him and discussed matters pertaining to Palestine for up to an hour.” (Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 8, pp.

448) Sir Gilbert Clayton enjoyed this encounter so much that he even insisted on a second sitting: “Despite the fact that we had reached the end of our trip and were leaving soon, [Sir

Gilbert] insisted we have lunch with him the next day at 1:30 pm. Hence, we had another conversation for up to 90 minutes on the same topic.” (Ibid.)

Jews set on gaining rule over what they consider their native land The advice given by the Second Caliph was imbued with wisdom and foresight, even proving to be revelatory. He warned Muslims that “the Jewish people are set on taking over their native land” (Ibid. p. 447), as they deemed it to be rightfully theirs.

He feared that a time would come in the near future when Jews would become superior in the land, and to avoid this, he provided a simple solution to the Muslims: stop selling the land!

The brewing danger was unpacked by the Second Caliph in 1924. At the time, Muslims saw the influx of affluent Jews as an opportunity to build wealth. For this reason, many were pleased with the decision to allow them to enter and, in fact, began to sell their land to them in large amounts: “There is a large percentage of affluent Jews and they have sacrificed a huge amount of wealth in order to buy land in Palestine.

They bring the poorer Jews to settle on their land and allow them to work on it for a wage.” (Ibid., p. 446)

Job opportunities and businesses created in the sole interest of Jewish immigrants An increasing number of Jews were in this way becoming landowners, who would then further job opportunities on this freshly bought “Jewish” land. This way, more and more Jews began to settle in the land and the 10 per cent began to grow.

Sadly, the advice to refrain from selling Muslim land fell on deaf ears. Had the Muslims not given their land away so readily, the situation would be different today.

Furthermore, on the land that was being purchased by the Jews, businesses and trading companies were being established.

All these establishments were dedicated to the interests of Jewish immigrants, making it clear that in the near future, Arabs would become economically dependent on Jews.

This is exactly what was feared and exactly what was warned.

Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra echoes the same advice The advice to retain the land was also echoed by Hazrat Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra, the first foreign minister of Pakistan.

He proposed in 1934, while on a trip to

Image: Library

England, that a law should be established in Palestine “to prohibit by law the transfer of the Arab farmland to non-Arab buyers.”

(Tehdis-e-Nemat, p. 509) As a precedent, he presented the Punjab Transfer of Lands Act, which already existed in the Punjab province of India. This proposal, however, did not see the light of day.

In this way, Jews continued to populate Palestine until eventually the Jewish State of Israel was established in 1948. This was the very aim of the Balfour Declaration and also of the Zionist regime. Had the advice of the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community been listened to, which was given 14 years prior to the establishment of this state, circumstances today would be different.

His advice wasn’t empty and hollow; he had seen and witnessed the situation himself.

This said, once the Jewish State of Israel was established, he emphasised time and again on Muslim Unity. He told the world that this was and will always be the only solution to the plight of Palestine. More can be read about the viable advice and solutions presented by the Caliphs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community regarding the Palestinian crisis in the following Al Hakam article: “Israel-Palestine conflict and the Ahmadiyya Khilafat: A brief look at seven decades of the most viable advice”, Al Hakam, 21 May 2021, Issue 166, pp. 8-10.

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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What does the Quran say about Israel and Palestine?

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s analysis of the Quranic prophecy concerning the future of Palestine, as mentioned in Surah Bani Isra’il, chapter 17 and Surah al-Anbiya, chapter 21.

M Adam Ahmad Al Hakam

God Almighty revealed the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammadsa for the guidance of humanity. This Holy Book of Allah the Almighty foretells many future events to strengthen the faith of the believers and enlighten those who seek understanding and truth. One such Divine revelation concerns the fate of Palestine. Allah the Exalted states:

ُ َ َ َ​َ ۡ� َۡ َ� َ َ َ ‫الِّذۡک ِ​ِر َا �َّن اۡلَۡا ۡ​ۡرَض َیَِرُِث َ​َہا ِ​ِع َ​َبا ِ​ِد َ​َی‬ ‫الَّزُبُۡوِۡر ِم ۢ​ۢۡن َبۡعِد‬ ‫َ​َوَلَ​َق ۡ​ۡد َک َ​َت ۡ​ۡبَنا ِفی‬ َ� َ ٰ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۤ َ َ َ ۡ ٰ ِ ۡ َ � ِ ً ٰ َ َ ِ َِ ٰ ۡ َ� ِ َ ۡ ُ �ٰ ‫الّٰص ِ​ِلُحۡوَن۔ ِ​ِاَّن ِفِۡی ٰہَذا َلَبٰلًغا ِّل َِقۡو ٍ​ٍم ٰع ِ​ِب ِ​ِدۡیَن۔ َوَمۤا َاۡرَسۡلٰنَک ِ​ِاَّلا‬ ۡ َ ۡ�ً ‫َ​َر ۡ​ۡح َ​َمًۃ ِّل ِۡل ٰ​ٰعَل ِ​ِمۡی َ​َن۔‬

“We have recorded in the Book of David, after the exhortation, that My righteous servants shall inherit the Land.

Herein, surely, is a message for those who are devoted to worship. We have sent thee only as a mercy for the universe.” (Surah alAnbiya’, Ch.21: V.106-108) In Tafsir-e-Kabir, Hazrat Mirza Bashirud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra have discussed the above verses at length.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra explains that Allah the Almighty says in these verses that after some exhortations in the book of Psalms, He declared that the inheritors of the Holy Land will be His righteous servants.

Herein, there is a message for people who truly worship Him. And God has sent the Holy Prophetsa as a mercy for all.

The aforementioned prophecy of the Bible states, “The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.” (Psalms, 37:29) However, one should not be misguided by the [temporary] dominance of the Israelites on the Holy Land, i.e., Palestine, because this prophecy also signifies that if the opportunity presents itself, the righteous servants of God will again prevail over this country.

Hence, God conveyed this message to the Muslims that a time will come when the Israelites will occupy the Holy Land. The word ‘abidin [people who worship Allah] is used here to refer to the prophecy of David[as] in the book of Psalms. God forewarned the Muslims to be watchful that if at any time they show weakness in becoming His servants, Allah the Almighty will bring the Israelites back to Palestine. However, if the Muslims become true worshippers of God again, they will prevail anew.

Moreover, they should also realise that the mercy of the Holy Prophetsa is timeless and the era of Prophet Muhammadsa does not end with the triumph of the Israelites

over Palestine. In fact, the mercy of Allah’s Messengersa transcends all ages, i.e., the periods before and after the occupation of the Israelites.

Thus, one should not be dismayed, as when divine mercy showers again, the Muslims will triumph once more in Palestine. (Tafsir-e-Kabir [2023], Vol. 8, pp.

105-106) Explaining this prophecy of the Holy Quran, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas says: “It is clear from this verse that al-Ard, which refers to the land of [Greater] Syria, will always be inherited by the righteous people, and as of now, it is in the possession of Muslims.

“Allah the Almighty has not used the َ ‫[ ”َیَ ْ​ْمِل‬in the aforementioned verse] word “‫ِکَھا‬ ُ but in fact said “‫”َیَِرُِث َ​َھا‬. This manifestly shows that the true heirs [of Palestine] will always be Muslims, and if it goes into the hands of some else at some point, such a possession would be similar to a scenario in which the mortgagor gives temporary control of their property to the mortgagee. This is the glory of Divine revelation, [and it shall surely come to pass].” (Al Hakam, 10 November 1902, p. 7) Based on the divinely inspired commentaries of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, The Five Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran also presents an overview of the prophecy under discussion. In the explanation of the verse 106 of Surah alAnbiya‘, it states: “By ‫( الارض‬the land) is meant Palestine. It is worthy of note that Christian commentators themselves have interpreted the phrase ‘inherit the land’ or ‘inherit the earth’ in the Psalms as meaning, ‘inherit Canaan, the pledge of God’s covenant.’

(Commentary on the Old Testament, published by The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London, notes on Ps. 37:‌3, 9) The reference in the words, ‘in the Book of David’ is to Psalms 37:‌9, 11, 18, 22 & 29, where it is stated: “‘For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever. […] For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut; The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.’

“The word ‫ الذکر‬may also refer to Torah, the Book of Moses. There is a prophecy in

AmirHadi Manavi | Unsplash

Deuteronomy (28:‌11 & 34:‌4) that Palestine was to be given to the Israelites: “‘For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant […]. And the Lord said unto him, this is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed.’

“The Israelites rose to great power after Moses[as] and in the time of David[as] and Solomon[as] their rule extended far and wide till it embraced in its orbit far-off lands.

Then they fell on evil days. They sinned and transgressed and killed God’s Prophets with the result that Divine nemesis overtook them. First Samaria was conquered and ravaged by the Assyrians about 733 BC and the whole country north of Israel was annexed by them. Then under Pharaoh Necho, the Egyptians ravaged Judah in 608 BC and last of all the greatest blow fell on Israel when Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, laid waste Judah, killed in cold blood the inhabitants of Jerusalem and burned and razed the holy Temple of Solomon to the ground and carried away in captivity the members of the royal family and their Prophets. After wandering in wilderness for about a century the Israelites were restored to Jerusalem and to some of their lost glory through the instrumentality of Cyrus, the Persian king and his successors.

To this restoration the following passage of the Bible makes a prophetic reference from the mouth of Moses: “‘And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee – thou shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all

thine heart, and with all thy soul; that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee [...].

And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and He will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.’

(Deuteronomy, 30:‌1-5) “Again, the Israelites relapsed into sin and iniquity. They opposed and persecuted God’s Messengers and the cup of their wickedness became full to the brim when they hung on the cross Jesus[as], their last great Prophet. Then God’s wrath fell upon them. The Roman hordes under Titus attacked them in 70 AD and amid circumstances of unparalleled horror Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple of Solomon was burnt down for the second time (Encyclopedia Biblica & Jewish Encyclopedia under ‘Jerusalem’). To this double disaster of the Israelites verses 17:5-8 of the Quran make a pointed reference.

“Palestine, the Holy Land, remained in the hands of Christians till Muslims conquered it in the Caliphate of ‘Umar[ra], the Second Successor of the Holy Prophet[sa], and unlike Nebuchadnezzar and Titus he accorded such benign and kind treatment to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and showed such respect and reverence to the Temple of Solomon as are unparalleled in the whole annals of foreign conquest.

“It is to this conquest of Palestine by Muslim arms that the prophecy embodied in the verse under comment particularly refers. Palestine remained under Muslim possession for about 1350 years with the exception of a brief space of 92 years when

Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023

9

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemns Israeli government’s war-mongering and urges Muslims to establish one voice During his Friday Sermon, delivered on 24 November 2023, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “Continue praying for the Palestinians.

May Allah the Almighty deliver them from the oppression they are enduring.

“It is said that there is a temporary ceasefire for a few days to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies, but what will happen after that? Will they bomb them again after aid has been delivered?

“The intentions of the Israeli government seem dangerous, as one of their key advisors recently announced that if the war does not resume immediately after the temporary ceasefire, he will leave the government. Such is their thinking.

“The major powers, while outwardly expressing sympathy, do not want to administer justice and are not serious about this matter. They believe that the war will remain confined to those areas, but they are unaware. Even the wise among them have started saying that the war will not be limited to those regions but will spread further and reach their own countries.

“Muslim governments have also started to speak up; for instance, the King of Saudi Arabia has reportedly said that Muslims should have a unified voice. To achieve this, concrete efforts will be needed. If they have come to this realisation, may Allah Almighty also grant them the ability to put this awareness into action. << Continued from previous page

during the Crusades it changed hands, till in our own time through the evil designs of some so-called democratic Christian powers, the country of the name of Palestine has altogether ceased to exist and on its ruins the State of Israel has been built. The Jews have come to their own after wandering in wilderness for about 2000 years. But this great historical event, too, has taken place in fulfilment of a Quranic prophecy. The Muslims were told that in the time of the Promised Messiah[as], the Jews will be made to come back to their Holy Land from the ends of the earth (17:105). But this is only a temporary phase. The Muslims are destined to win it back. Let the whole world know that sooner or later – sooner rather than later – Palestine will revert to Muslim possession. This is a Divine decree and nobody can alter God’s decree.” (The Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 2122-24) In Tafsir-e-Kabir, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra explained that through Prophet Mosesas, Israelites were informed of two catastrophes and also told that their possession of Palestine would not be

permanent. Rather, they would occupy it at first and then be expelled. After some time, they will occupy it once more and yet again lose dominion over it. These divine words of Allah the Almighty were fulfilled with sheer glory and greatness. Its details can be studied in Surah Bani Isra‘il, where Allah the Almighty says:

and children and also made them stronger in number than ever before. (Surah Bani Isra‘il, Ch.17: V.5-7) In the coming verses 8-9 of Surah Bani Isra‘il, God Almighty says:

ُ ٰ ۡ ُ​ُ ٓ َ ‫َ​َف ِ​ِا َ​َذا َ​َج‬ ‫ٓاَء َ​َو ۡ​ۡع ُ​ُد اۡلٰۡاِخ ََِر ِ​ِۃ ِل ََِی ُ​ُسٓۡو� ٗ​ٗءا ُ​ُو ُ​ُجۡوۡ َ​َہُک ۡ​ۡم َ​َوِل ََِی ۡ​ۡدُخُلوا اۡل َ​َم ۡ​ۡس ِ​ِج َ​َد‬ ُ َ​َ ُ َ َ َ ُ � َ ۡ َ َ ‫َک َ​َما َ​َدَخُلۡوۡ ُ​ُہ َا �َّو َ​َل َ​َم �َّرَ ُ ٍ​ٍۃ �َّوِل ُُِی َ​َتِّبِ ُ​ُر ۡ​ۡوا َ​َما َ​َعَلۡوۡا َت ۡ​ۡت ِ​ِبۡی ً​ًرا۔ َ​َع ٰ​ٰسی َ​َر �ُّبُک ۡ​ۡم َا ۡ​ۡن‬ ُ َ ٰ ۡ َ� َ َ ۡ َۡ �ۡ ۡ ًۡ ۡ َ‫�َّی ۡ​ۡر َ​َح َ​َمُک ۡ​ۡم� َ​َو ِ​ِاۡن ُ​ُعۡدُّت ۡ​ۡم ُ​ُعۡدَنا� َ​َو َ​َج َ​َعۡلَنا َ​َجَہَّن َ​َم ِل ِۡلٰک ِ​ِف ِ​ِرۡیۡ َ​َن َ​َح ِ​ِصۡیًرا۔ َ​َو َ​َق َ​َض ۡ​ۡی َ​َنۤا ۤ ِ​ِاٰلٰی َبَِن �ۤۡیۤ ِ​ِا ۡ​ۡس َ​َرٓا ِ​ِءۡیۡ َ​َل ِفی اۡل ۡ ِ​ِک ٰ​ٰتِب َل َ ُ​ُت ۡ​ۡف ِ​ِس ُ​ُد �َ​َّن ِفی اۡلَۡا‬ ‫ِض‬ ‫ۡر‬ ِ َِ ۡ ِ ِ ُ ِ َ ‫َ​َم �َّرَ​َتَۡیِۡن َ​َوَل َ َ​َت ۡ​ۡع ُ​ُل �َ​َّن ُ​ُع ُ​ُل �ًّوًا َ​َکِبۡی ۡ ً​ًرا۔ َ​َف ِ​ِا َ​َذا َ​َج‬ “So when the time for the latter warning ‫ٓاَء َ​َو ۡ​ۡع ُ​ُد ُا ۡ​ۡوٰلٰ ُٮُہ َ​َما َبَ َ​َعۡثَنا‬ ُِ ِۡ ۤ َ َ َ َ َ ُ � َ came, We raised a people against you to � ٰ ُ ‫َ​َعَل ۡ​ۡیُک ۡ​ۡم ِع َ​َب ًاًدا َّلَنۤا ُاوِل ۡ​ۡی َبَۡاٍس َشِدۡیٍۡد َف َ​َج‬ َ ‫الِّدَیَاِر� َ​َوَک‬ ‫اَن‬ ِ َِ ُ ِ ‫اُسۡوۡا ِ​ِخٰل َ​َل‬ ٍ ِ ٍُ ِ ُ cover your faces with grief, and to enter the ٰ َ َ َ​َ​َۡ َۡ َ َ ‫ َ​َو ۡ​ۡع ً​ًدا �َّمۡف ُ​ُعۡوًۡلًا۔ ُث �َّم َ​َر َ​َد ۡ​ۡدَنا َلَُک ُ​ُم اۡلَک �َّرَۃ َ​َعَل ۡ​ۡی ِ​ِہ ۡ​ۡم َ​َوَا ۡ​ۡم َ​َد ۡ​ۡدٰنُک ۡ​ۡم ِ​ِبَا ۡ​ۡمَوَ ٍاٍل‬mosque as they entered it the first time, and ۡ َ ََۡ ُ ٰۡ ۡ َ to destroy all that they conquered with utter ‫�َّوَبَ ِ​ِنۡی َ​َن َ​َو َ​َج َ​َعۡلٰنُک ۡ​ۡم َاۡکَث َ​َر َن ِ​ِفۡی ً​ًرا۔‬ In other words, God Almighty had revealed to the Israelites in the Bible that they would certainly cause strife in this country [of Palestine] twice. And surely, they would gravely transgress. Thus, when the time came for the fulfilment of the first of these two atrocities, God gave strength to His servants against them. They were fierce warriors who entered their houses and this divine warning was bound to be fulfilled.

Then, God restored the power of the Israelites against their enemy. And Allah the Almighty aided the Israelites with wealth

destruction. It may be that your Lord will now have mercy on you; but if you return to your previous state, We too will return, and We have made Hell a prison for the disbelievers.”

It is evident from the above verses that the land of Palestine was promised to the righteous servants of Allah the Almighty.

Since this promise was made first to the Jews, they reigned over it. However, while bestowing this land to them, God Almighty also imposed some conditions and said that after some time, He will take away this land

from them because of their transgressions.

(Tafsir-e-Kabir [2023], Vol. 8, pp. 107-108) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also clarified that some people mistakenly believe the triumph of Jews over Palestine as the end of Islam. Their viewpoint asserts Muslims’ loss of Palestine as proof that they are no longer regarded as ‘righteous servants.’ However, if the momentary occupations by the Babylonians and Romans during the time of Mosesas and Davidas are not considered to have abrogated their respective laws, it is irrational to term Muslims’ loss as a sign of Islam’s abrogation.

Thus, the temporary loss of Palestine

by Muslims is consistent with the prophecy of the Holy Quran, where the return of the Israelites is not indicative of Islam’s abrogation but rather substantiates its truthfulness. The concept of ‘temporarily’ losing the land of Palestine clearly aligns with the Quranic promise asserting that ‘righteous servants’ will inherit the land, and it clearly means that, despite all the efforts of the global powers, the decree of Allah the Almighty will prevail, ensuring the eventual return of Muslims to Palestine and the establishment of their rule. (Ibid., p. 113)

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

10

Unpacking allegations Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani and the British Empire

Jazeb Hafeez Student Jamia Ahmadiyya UK

Recently, Adnan Rashid, a well-known Sunni academic, released a video on his YouTube channel raising the allegation that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was a “colonial prophet” or a “spy for the British”.

The life and legacy of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, remain subjects of intense debate and interest within the Muslim world. While accepted by his followers as the Promised Messiah and reformer of Islam of this age, his association with the British colonial authorities has been a topic of never-ending controversy.

Are Ahmadis trying to divide the ummah?

An allegation is commonly raised against the Jamaat stating that Ahmadis are secret spies of the British, traitors to the Muslim ummah, and have been sent out to establish division within the ummah.

Ironically, this is not the case, as it appears that many Muslim sects united to label Ahmadis non-Muslims. In 1974, the Pakistani government, under General Zia Ul Haq at the time, passed Ordinance XX, which declared Ahmadi Muslims as nonMuslims and stopped them from practising basic Muslim duties. Its aim was to, God forbid, eradicate Ahmadiyyat in Pakistan.

This ordinance received great support from a majority of Muslim sects at the time and, to this day, is something so deeply engraved in Pakistan’s establishment. Nevertheless, this shows that Ahmadis have actually helped unite the ummah by allowing them to unite against them.

Persecution of Muslims in India prior to the advent of the Messiah Prior to the advent of the Promised Messiahas, India, as a country, was in a very precarious state. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs were at each other’s necks. Many oppressive regimes, including those of the Hindu Maratha empire, were the key to reducing the Mughal reign. “After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Marathas rapidly conquered Mughal territory across India and often retaliated against local Muslim populations in the process.” (“HinduMuslim conflict in India: A ‘pre-colonial’ view”, https://theasiadialogue.com) “Using a new historical dataset of religious violence, we argue that the construction of religious identities and the origins of religious conflict in India are not colonial but precolonial processes.” (Ibid.)

We can see that many years of bloodshed followed with many atrocities being

Picryl

committed against Muslims, especially in this era. Muslim places of worship were quickly converted into stables for the horses and cows of the regime, as well as many Muslim buildings and homes set alight.

Muslims were not even allowed to announce the call to prayer, being stripped of their basic religious rights. (Aaina-e-Kamalat-eIslam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, p. 507) Mr Syad Muhammad Latif, a renowned Indian historian, states in his book, The History of the Punjab, regarding the levels of persecution faced by Muslims at the time, “Numerous mosques were razed to the ground, and the Afghan prisoners who were in chains, were compelled to smear the debris with the blood of hogs.” (History of the Panjab from the Remotest Antiquity to the Present Time, Syad Muhammad Lateef, [1891], p. 287) He further states, “They (Muslims) were persecuted in every conceivable manner, their mosques being desecrated and turned into pigsties, and their men into swineherds.

The grandest of their shrines were utilized as magazines and arsenals. In the meanest of the mosques (which were in a dilapidated condition previous to the Sikh ascendency), the Muslims used to assemble secretly to offer up prayers ; but even in these they dared not pray aloud, for fear of their enemies falling upon and annihilating them” (History of the Panjab from the Remotest Antiquity to the Present Time, Syad Muhammad Lateef, [1891], p. 291) “The majority of the well-to-do Mahomedans emigrated into British territory and claimed the protection of its rules. Here they were allowed to follow their religion unmolested. The muezzin could now fearlessly summon the faithful to the performance of their devotion, and his stentorian voice gladdened the hearts of

those who had so long been in bondage, and who had been prevented by their idolatrous and infidel masters from performing their religious duties according to their divine law. Politics and religion could here be discussed freely; subjects of which they could only dream while under the control of the Khalsa”. (Ibid.)

Why did the Promised Messiahas praise the Empire?

After the British Empire took control over India, as stated above by historian Muhammad Latif, all of these draconian restrictions were lifted, and people were allowed to freely practise their religions.

Therefore, when Hazrat Ahmadas praises the British government in his books, it’s not because he was a spy; rather, he was thankful for the protection the Empire provided for all Muslims.

It is narrated in a hadith of Tirmidhi that the Holy Prophetsa stated:

َ� ُ ْ َ َ َ� ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫اَس لَا َيَْشُك ِ​ِر الَّل َ​َه‬ ‫َمْن لَا َيْشُك ِ​ِر الَّن‬

“Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah.” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-birri wa s-sillati ‘an rasulillahsa, Hadith 1954) Furthermore, if we delve into the life of the Holy Prophetsa, we see that he would encourage his Companionsra in the early days to migrate to Abyssinia under the gracious rule of the Christian king Negus, or Najashi, and we see that the Holy Prophetsa showed him great respect and would only speak positively of him.

This doesn’t therefore mean that the Holy Prophetsa, God forbid, was his spy or his agent. He was grateful to him due to his method of just rule and the help he provided the Muslims in their hour of need.

Did the Promised Messiah support the British?

as

Now, to counter the main allegation that Hazrat Ahmadas worked for the British and was their spy, we should take a look at the quote from St. Paul, who stated: “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-17) For the majority of his life, one of the matters the Promised Messiahas dealt with was proving the demise of Jesusas.

Furthermore, Hazrat Ahmadas, over large periods of his life, debated key and influential followers of the Christian faith and strongly rejected the ideas of the Trinity as well as Jesus physically returning from the heavens.

The British Empire was a Christian empire; it intertwined its political pursuits with a primarily Christian ideology.

Anglicanism, alongside other Christian denominations, was employed as a tool for “spiritual guidance” and cultural assimilation within its extensive territories, although the manifestation of this relationship varied across regions and time periods.

Would this Empire really employ such a person to represent them who was so outspoken about their very own religion?

Why would the Christian Empire allow Continued on next page >>

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023

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Unity, sacrifice and tabligh Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s advice to Muslim youth and journalists during a press conference in Karachi, 1950 Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

On 12 September 1950, Hazrat Muslehe-Maud, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra addressed a press conference at the Central Hotel in Karachi, Pakistan.

Huzoorra called on the Muslim world to unite and emphasised the need to propagate the message of Islam. Later on, Huzoorra responded to the questions of press correspondents as well.

In the beginning, Huzoorra said that there is a kind of awakening among contemporary Muslims and they are making efforts to eradicate those dangers that have been suppressing them for a long time; however, at this moment, this is merely their national awakening, not the religious one. No doubt, there are some Muslims who dream about a united Muslim world, but their aspirations are currently superficial and they have not made any real efforts to turn it into a reality.

The spirit of sacrifice is not found behind these aspirations. Mere desires, without any determination, can never help one attain their objectives. Muslim countries are not ready to sacrifice their own interests for the bigger cause, i.e., the unity of the Muslim world.

Huzoorra continued by saying that the Western nations have looked upon Islam with huge disrespect and distrust.

In such circumstances, Huzoorra said, his message for the Muslim youth in general and journalists in particular is that they are required to study Islam thoroughly and to inculcate its teachings within themselves so much so that their writings begin to manifest the magnificence of those teachings. As a result, non-Muslims would << Continued from previous page

such a person to work for them? Would they not rather punish such a person? Hazrat Ahmadas even invited Her Majesty Queen Victoria to accept Islam and, on multiple occasions, has offered to educate the people of the Empire regarding their religion.

Did the Promised Messiahas write books to fund his medication?

Regarding the ludicrous allegation that Hazrat Ahmadas would write his books solely to generate income for his medication expenses, again, this is just an absurd allegation made by whimsical people. How one can even concoct such a statement only displays their own inner self. We see

become aware of the beauty of Islamic teachings. They need to exchange thoughts about the teachings of Islam with their co-professionals, particularly in regard to aspects of what Islam teaches in relation to the followers of other religions.

Huzoorra expressed his firm belief that if the Muslim youth acted upon this advice, the misconceptions spread against Islam would be removed within a few years’ time.

Emphasising the need for Muslim unity, Huzoorra said that every Muslim country is keeping in mind its own interests and desires; however, the Muslim world needs to unite politically, socially, culturally, and economically. The only way to achieve the Muslim world’s unity is to inculcate a spirit of sacrifice for each other.

Huzoorra said that the Muslim world needs to take the necessary steps, but very cautiously, and to instil a strong determination to achieve its objectives. If they do so, Huzoorra said, then the day is not far away when the Muslim world will be united.

Huzoorra said that it is the birthright of Muslims to strive for their rights. The Muslim world is required to realise this need of the time and to instil within them a passion and enthusiasm for Muslim unity. In addition, Muslims are required to propagate the teachings of Islam to the non-Muslims in all corners of the world.

In regards to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s services for the propagation of Islam, Huzoorra said that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is making efforts to propagate the message of Islam the world over, and its missions are established in various Christian countries, such as America, England, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and in many West

African countries as well. Many Christians have accepted Islam through the tabligh efforts of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, and some of those new Muslims have devoted their lives to the service of Islam as well.

Huzoorra continued by saying that this age of materialistic advancement could not undermine the reality that whenever worldly power clashed with the truth, the ultimate victor had been the truth.

Advising the Muslims, Huzoorra said that if they wish to succeed, they need to pay special attention to propagating the golden principles of Islam in non-Muslim countries. The man-made laws can never be perfect at all. The reality is that the laws

and principles made by God Almighty are perfect and pure, and they present the cure for all kinds of spiritual and physical problems in mankind.

Towards the end, Huzoorra said that man-made principles seek authentication from Islam; however, there are some circles amongst the Muslims who try to ‘justify’ the Islamic teachings in light of the worldly principles and, under the Western influence, attempt to mould the Islamic teachings according to the western principles.

However, Huzoorra said, it is an apologetic mindset and equivalent to accepting the weakness of Islam [God forbid]. (Al Fazl, 8 October 1950, pp. 4 and 7)

that even in the life of the Holy Prophetsa, he would ask his followers to contribute to the cause of Jihad and people from all walks of life would sacrifice their wealth, or their horses, or their swords, and would even donate dirhams or dates.

Regarding Hazrat Abu Bakrra, we read: Zaid bin Aslam narrates from his father, “I heard Umar bin al-Khattabra saying, ‘The Holy Prophetsa told us to give alms, and at that time, I had some wealth. I thought to myself that today I would surpass Abu Bakr.

If there is a day that I shall surpass him, then it is today.’ Hazrat Umarra continued, ‘I offered half of all my wealth. The Holy Prophetsa asked, “What have you left behind for your family?” I humbly submitted, “I have left for my family as much as I have brought with me.” Then, Hazrat Abu Bakrra brought

all the wealth that he had (when Hazrat Abu Bakrra arrived, Hazrat Umarra explained that Hazrat Abu Bakrra had brought all the wealth he owned). The Holy Prophetsa asked, “O Abu Bakr, what have you left behind for your family?” He submitted, “I have left [the name of] Allah and His Messengersa for them.”’ Hazrat Umarra said, ‘By Allah, I can never surpass him in anything.’” (Sunan atTirmidhi, Kitab al-manaqib, Bab raja‘ih an yakuna abu bakr…, Hadith 3675) Is it fair to say that even these beloved Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa, who sacrificed anything and everything in a split second for their beloved Mastersa, were also part of a so-called cult? Absolutely not!

Hence, this shows that the Companionsra were ready to strive for the cause of Islam.

Now, in this era, as the time of jihad of

the pen has come, the Companions of the Promised Messiahas also sacrificed everything they had for the propagation of Islam by explaining its truth through books and literary works to spread and defend the honour of Islam.

When the Promised Messiahas penned Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya to defend Islam from the attacks of Christians and Hindus, the Muslim ulema were left astounded and awe-inspired by his works, and Muhammad Hussien Batalvi, who would later become an opponent of Hazrat Ahmadas, also praised this book. Another reason that proves that the Promised Messiahas had no desire for financial gain from his books is that he freely distributed many of his works, aiming for people to read and benefit from them.

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

12

‘Believing Men and Believing Women’ Tayyaba Ahmed UK

“Surely, men who submit themselves [to God] and women who submit themselves [to Him] […] Allah has prepared for [all of] them forgiveness and a great reward.”

(Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.36) I am sure for many sisters and brothers around the world, it has not gone unnoticed that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has recently addressed Lajna Imaillah around the world to follow the examples of our sisters and mothers in Islam – those Sahabiyat (female companions of Prophet Muhammadsa) who not only pledged allegiance to the Prophet of Islamsa, but also adhered to the pledge in every possible manner.

When we listen to these addresses, the amazing sacrifices of our early sisters in Islam strike our hearts, and whereas our heads are always bowed before Allah in humility, our heads are raised with the honours bestowed on the Sahabiyat in comparison with all the women of later time, alhamdolillah.

Addressing Lajna Imaillah UK at our National Ijtema in September – which celebrated the centenary of the establishment of the auxiliary of Lajna Imaillah by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra – Huzooraa said: “In the blessed era of the Holy Prophetsa, the sacrifices given by Muslim women were also extraordinary and beyond all compare in the history of mankind. During the first few years of Islam, Muslims were relentlessly persecuted and subjected to barbaric cruelties.” (“100 Years of Lajna Ima’illah – Shaping the New Century”, www. reviewofreligions.org) Huzooraa then described how an enslaved husband and wife were mercilessly persecuted, culminating in their martyrdoms, with the wife, Hazrat Sumaiyara being recorded as the first martyr of Islam.

Huzooraa went on to reiterate: “These were the outstanding examples of early Muslim women who were ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of their faith, including leaving behind their homelands. Moreover, they never forgot the objective of their migration, which was to attain religious freedom. Thereafter, they devotedly practised their faith and prioritised it above all else.” (Ibid.)

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa also explained how fearless other early Muslim ladies were, such as the sister of Hazrat Umarra who had accepted Islam with her husband before Hazrat Umarra and showed no hesitation to boldly declare her belief in the face of her brother’s fury.

In another example, we are told of another lady, high in moral values, who participated in numerous occasions of jihad while also training her children to become deeply faithful servants of Islam. These ladies’ faith was such that as compared to their love for the Holy Prophetsa, they cared less for the lives of their near and dear. It was through their deep unwavering faith in the

Image: Library

truth of the Holy Prophet that they were able to become the torchbearers of early Islam alongside their male counterparts.

The female companions were shining examples in all areas of belief and faith. In his address to Lajna in Germany, Huzooraa gave detailed standards of worship and sacrifice seen in the early female believers in Islam.

“With regard to obedience to Allah, it is narrated about Hazrat Hafsara that she was someone who would keep many fasts and would offer a lot of prayers at night for Allah’s sake. To attain high levels of worship, she would try her utmost to excel more than the men as well.” (“Hazrat Khalifatul Masih encourages Ahmadi women to embrace legacy of female companions: Jalsa Salana Germany 2023”, www.alhakam.org) In this same address, Huzooraa mentioned, amongst many examples, the woman of Juhaina, whose mother had intended to perform Hajj but had died before she was able to. When she sought permission from the Holy Prophetsa to perform Hajj on her mother’s behalf, he encouraged her to pay this “debt to Allah”.

The plentiful examples set before us fill us with awe and inspire us to work harder and aim to improve, insha-Allah.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa has provided us with so many stellar examples of how the early Muslim ladies were obedient, brave and steadfast, and Allah the Almighty blessed them so much as a result.

“A young female Muslim opposed her mother, who was going against an instruction given by Hazrat Umarra. At the time, Hazrat Umarra was listening to this young girl and got his son, Hazrat Asimra married to her. It is said Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Azizrh was from the children of this Muslim girl.” (Ibid.)

In his address at Jalsa Salana UK to Lajna Imaillah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa described in several examples the love the sa

female Sahabiyat had for the Holy Prophet .

He explained that during the Battle of Uhud, when a false rumour was spread that the Holy Prophetsa had been martyred, one lady was told that perhaps her husband, father and other relatives had been lost. She ran to the battlefield, only asking, “What has the Prophetsa done!”. Her greatest worries were not her relatives; her greatest fear was losing the Holy Prophetsa. Once she was told that the Holy Prophetsa, by the Grace of Allah, was alive, she feared no more and all losses faded in comparison. (“Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V urges Ahmadi women to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s female companions – Lajna address at Jalsa UK 2023”, www. alhakam.org) The family of the Holy Prophetsa were, of course, always at the forefront of sacrifices of every kind and Hazrat Khadija’sra example is one that was also narrated during Huzoor’saa) address to Lajna UK. “When Hazrat Khadijahra embraced faith, she could not have known the blessings that Allah Almighty had destined for her as a result of that faith. Indeed, she sacrificed all her wealth in the service of Islam and the Messengersa of Allah. She endured poverty and hardship despite being the wealthiest woman in Mecca, dedicating her life to the cause. For three consecutive years, she supported and endured such trials alongside her husband in Shi’b Abi Talib, where they were forced to live in seclusion. However, Allah showered His blessings upon her sacrifices to the extent that even today, she is held in high esteem and respected by the Muslim world.” (Ibid.)

The words of Huzooraa are like precious pearls threaded together, a beautiful adornment, enchantingly drawing us to reflect on our daily words, thoughts and actions.

We have the opportunity to consider how much room for improvement there is, and it is an obligation we must not take sa

lightly. For indeed, it is the 5 Successor to the Promised Messiahas who has relayed the clarion call, one made 14 centuries ago by the Holy Founder of Islam, peace be upon him.

In the writings of the Promised Messiahas, the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa, we understand that it is by Allah the Almighty’s grace and acceptance that endows a person, male or female, with the faith we require and are praying for.

The Promised Messiahas writes: “Faith means acceptance at a stage when knowledge is not yet complete, and the struggle with doubts and suspicions is still in progress. He who believes, that is to say, has faith, on the basis of probability and likelihood and despite weakness and the lack of perfect means of certainty, is accounted righteous in the estimation of the Supreme One. Thereafter, perfect understanding is bestowed on him as a bounty, and he is given to drink of the cup of understanding after partaking of faith.

When a pious one, on hearing the call of a Messenger, a Prophet or a commissioned one of God, does not just go about criticising but takes that portion which he can recognise and understand on the basis of clear proof the means of acceptance and faith, and considers that which he is unable to understand as metaphorical or allegorical, and thus removing all contradiction out of the way, believes simply and sincerely, then God Almighty, having pity on him and being pleased with his faith, and hearing his supplications, opens the gates of perfect understanding for him and leads him to perfect certainty through visions, revelation and other heavenly signs.” (Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 48) May Allah the Almighty, out of His sheer mercy, enable us to increase in faith and worship so that we can emulate the examples Huzooraa has put forward for us to follow, insha-Allah. th

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023

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Recalling Huzoor’s words amid Geert Wilders’ ‘victory’ in Dutch elections Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

Today, the BBC reported on a significant development in Dutch politics, headlining their article as ‘Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders wins dramatic victory”. Geert Wilders, the Dutch politician who, since 2006, led his Freedom Party (PVV), has gained “victory in the Dutch general election.” (www.bbc.co.uk) The news report states: “When he burst into Dutch national politics 25 years ago, he was nicknamed Mozart for his sweeping mane of blonde hair.” (www.bbc.co.uk) It is clear from the title of the news report that Geert Wilders is and has been vocally against Islam, be it his call to place a ban on the Holy Quran, or claiming that the Prophet Muhammadsa, God forbid, became an extremist in his later years, or his saying that the Holy Quran incites violence. (www. theguardian.com) With his “victory”, it may have crossed the minds of some, and they may even be concerned as to what this implies for Muslims living in the country.

If we recall back to 2007, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, whilst emphasising how Islam presents the true concept of God Almighty in the present day, reminded us that due to a lack of knowledge about Islam and the Holy Prophetsa, it becomes even more necessary than before to share the beautiful teachings of Islam and the exemplary life of the Holy Prophetsa.

Huzooraa then went on to mention the Dutch Member of Parliament, Geert Wilders, who expressed extreme hatred towards Islam. “Individuals of this kind, who cannot find peace in their own religion and struggle to comprehend God, inevitably resort to defiling and accusing Islam.” (Friday Sermon, 23 February 2007, “Exemplary Compassion of The Holy Prophet”, www.youtube.com) In response to Mr Wilders’ statement that if the Holy Prophetsa was present in Holland today, then he would have expelled him, Huzooraa said: “God willing, you will witness a time where you will find a majority of those who follow Muhammadsa, the Messenger of Allah, everywhere. From the time of the Holy Prophet’ssa claim until now, his opponents have made relentless efforts, but have they been successful? Today, across the world, in all places, in all countries, whether Muslims are in small or large numbers, five times a day, with a resounding voice, if any Prophet’s name is invoked, then it is [the name] of this mercy for all mankind [i.e., Prophet Muhammadsa].” (Ibid.)

Huzooraa answered various of Mr Wilders’ allegations against Islam on various occasions. See Friday Sermons of 24 August 2007, 14 October 2011, 28 March 2008, 9 December 2011, 8 June 2012.

On 14 October 2011, Huzooraa said: “No worldly power, no matter how powerful and no matter how much hatred they bear towards Islam, will ever succeed in erasing our religion.”

“Always remember that we can achieve nothing without prayer. We have no worldly power, nor will we ever use any worldly force. But the prayers of people whose hearts have been grieved are enough to shake the Heavens.” (“World Muslim Leader sends warning to Dutch politician Geert Wilders”, www.alislam.org) In the context of these words and the enduring strength of prayer, the narrative of Arnoud van Doorn provides a thoughtprovoking perspective. Previously aligned with Geert Wilders and a critic of Islam, van Doorn’s eventual conversion to Islam is a stark example of Islam’s enduring appeal.

His shift from opposition to acceptance exemplifies how understanding Islam’s true teachings can profoundly change perspectives. This change in van Doorn resonates with Huzoor’saa words on the lasting influence of Islam and its Holy Prophetsa, demonstrating how even those initially resistant can be moved by its message.

Then, in his sermon of 9 December 2011, whilst speaking of Mr Wilders and those who oppose Islam, Huzooraa said: “Those who are excessive in disrespecting, speaking negatively, exceeding bounds in enmity against Islam and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him), should desist from it, or else fear God’s chastisement.” (Friday Sermon, 9 December 2011, “Islam Ahmadiyyat - The Truth Prevails”, www.alislam.org) And so, as we enter this phase where “Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders wins

Wiki Commons

dramatic victory,” we must remember the profound words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. With all that the world is going through in this day and age, it is all the more imperative for Muslims to unite as one.

If our aim is to spread the message of the oneness of God and the peaceful teachings of Islam and the Holy Quran, it becomes imperative to unite. This unity is the shared aspiration of all honourable individuals who wish to see Islam thrive, a vision passionately echoed by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa and his Community.

Jalsa Salana Sri Lanka 2023 takes place in Pasyala A. Abdul Aziz Sri Lanka Correspondent

The Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka was held on 29 October 2023, at the Baitul Basit Mosque in Pasyala, chaired by Markaz representative, Additional Wakilul Tabshir Abdul Majid Tahir Sahib.

To mark the event, the Tahajjud prayer was held, followed by the Fajr prayer and Holy Quran dars.

Prior to the main programme, flag hoisting was done by Abdul Majid Tahir Sahib, followed by silent prayer.

The main event started at 9:30am with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by an Urdu poem and a welcome address by the National President, S Nizam Khan Sahib, who highlighted the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pasyala, wherein he mentioned the inauguration of the Baitul Basit Mosque,

which was inaugurated two days prior.

Ahmadiyyat in Pasyala was established through the late Ubaidullah Sahib who faced a lot of opposition in the beginning.

A markaz guest, Sir Iftikhar Ayaz Sahib, detailed in his speech the history and objectives of Jalsa Salana as outlined by the Promised Messiahas.

The National President, S Nizam Khan Sahib, also delivered an address in Sinhala on the true concept of jihad.

There were addresses on topics such as the spiritual revolution created by the Promised Messiahas, the institution of Wasiyyat, the existence of God, faith-inspiring incidents of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat, and the blessed life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

The concluding address was delivered on the system of Wasiyyat, by Abdul Majid Tahir Sahib.

Urdu addresses were translated into the local Tamil language. Urdu nazm and

Photo Courtesy AMJ Sri Lanka

group qaseedah were also part of the Jalsa.

The day-long Jalsa concluded with a vote of thanks by the National President, followed by a silent prayer led by Abdul Majid Tahir

Sahib.

Ahmadi men, women and children from all parts of the country attended the Jalsa and their number exceeded 1,000.

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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Embracing Islam Ahmadiyyat A journey of faith and success Maymuna Abdulrahman Nairobi, Kenya

It has been almost two years since I accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and did bai‘at, and around two and a half years since I initially learned about Ahmadiyyat.

I recall – like it was yesterday – in 2021 when I was at my lowest point. With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, staying home all day, and facing a complicated situation at home, I was engaged in a battle within myself and was overthinking things.

It took a heavy toll on my mental health.

I just wanted to be busy and distracted, so I started praying fervently and seeking Allah’s help. I eagerly desired to become a better person, get a job, and be more independent. I fasted and prayed, seeking Allah’s help, and not two weeks later, my mother called me on the phone, saying that a family friend had called and asked if there was anyone who wanted to become a flight attendant. My mother said she remembered me wanting a job. Look upon Allah’s doings!

I wasn’t excited about the job; however, I had prayed for it, and here the job was handed to me on a silver plate. Allah had answered my prayer, and He had a plan for me.

I went for the interview with no history in aviation. The company specifically wanted Somali-speaking ladies. Although I am Somali, I don’t speak the language, yet I still got the job.

Then, when we were almost done with training, four of us had to be transferred to the company I work for now. That’s where I met a colleague who intrigued me with his character. From our first conversation,

he challenged me on what I believed in and asked me what I wanted from this life. All I could say was that I wanted to be better—a better Muslim, a better daughter, a better sister, and a better friend.

He told me to research my faith and understand the differences between the sects of Islam—what Sunni, Shia, and other sects believe in. He also told me to read about Ahmadiyyat, but the name kept escaping my mind. I would read about Shiaism, Sunnism, and the other sects; however, for some reason, though I would always ask him to repeat the name, I would forget about Ahmadiyyat. The day I remembered and read what it said, I was intrigued. I would think to myself, “How could these people believe in a man to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi? Don’t they know Prophet Jesusas will return?” I went to my colleague to tell him that I read about Ahmadiyyat and thought, back then, that they were very wrong.

He told me not to be quick to judge and said to read more about Ahmadiyyat and to pray istikharah, seeking Allah’s guidance.

He gave me books on Ahmadiyyat, and I read them. The first book I read was Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam. With every chapter I finished, I became worried, and I remember telling him that it was alarming and challenging me. I would find myself crying while reading the books, especially Invitation to Ahmadiyyat.

Everything made sense. I was excited!

I wanted to tell everyone about what I had found and how lost we had been. I called my sister and told her about it, and I shared it with my cousin; however, they didn’t replicate the enthusiasm I expected. They

said they didn’t agree with me and posed many questions that I couldn’t answer. They also placed doubts in my mind. A cousin of mine went to school with an Ahmadi at the university, and she said the Ahmadi girl never used to pray with them. It raised questions in my mind, as I did not know enough about Ahmadiyya. At that moment, I wondered, “Why pray separately? Do they pray differently?” Thus, I would rush to my colleague with all these questions, and every question I asked was answered. I felt like I had no doubt in the answers I received; they seemed logical. I went through brief periods of uncertainty, wanting to close this chapter and go on with life.

I was constantly arguing with my sister about Islam Ahmadiyyat, and the arguments would always escalate. Ceasing to learn about it and just placing this discovery to the side seemed like an easier option, yet my heart kept telling me, “While this would please my relationship with my sister, what

about my relationship with Allah?”

By the time I was done with my fourth book by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, I was convinced and there was no turning back. I went to my colleague and told him, “I had discovered a lot of truth in this, and I don’t know how I could ever refute this.” I felt like my heart had settled and decided to take the next step and take my bai‘at. The day I took my bai‘at, I was lying on my bed after Asr. I wasn’t really asleep, yet I was unaware if I was dreaming; the words ‫حي على‬ ‫ الفلاح‬were being said to me. I felt my very being shiver, and I just wanted to get up and pray. This is what success is.

I have found that Islam Ahmadiyyat is the success I was looking for, and Alhamdulillah, Allah guided me to it. May Allah preserve us and allow us to practise our religion in its pristine state, and may Allah enable us to be true followers of the Promised Messiahas and grant us heaven in this very world and the Hereafter.

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023

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100 Eid-ul-Adha in

Years Ago...

Saltpond, Africa The Review of Religions [English], November & December 1923

Qadian We have to apologise to our friend, the secretary of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman of Saltpond, West Africa, for the delay that has occurred in the publication of his report about Eid-ul-Adha at Saltpond. This incident, we hope, will not deter him from sending us reports of the workings of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman in the future. – Editor, The Review of Religions (1923) Our brother [from Saltpond] writes:

Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Saltpond, West Africa To The Editor, The Review of Religions, Qadian (India) 31 July 1923 Dear Brother, I am herewith sending a copy of the report of our “Eid-ul-Adha” celebration, which I sincerely hope you will publish in the columns of your esteemed journal and oblige us.

Yours fraternally, BE Keelson, Secretary, Gold Coast Ahmadiyya Mission “Eid-ul-Adha (the festival of sacrifice) celebration by the Fanti Ahmadi Muslims of the Gold Coast.”

The “Eid-ul-Adha” festival of the Muslims came off this year on 25 July 1923, which one section of Ekunfi Side Fanti

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Ahmadis celebrated at Ekunfi Ekooful. The service was led by Maulvi Fazlur Rahman Hakeem, the Ahmadi Muslim Missionary of Salt Pond. Though the Maulvi was very weak in health at the occasion, he so kindly, regardless of his health, decided to go to Ekooful to lead the above services.

Khutba (Sermon) that followed the prayer lasted for about two hours, in which the Maulvi explained the object of the

festival to an audience of about 300 men and women and said that this “Eid” is celebrated to commemorate the great sacrifice of Abraham[as], when he, the father of prophets, peace be on them all, in obedience to Divine command, prepared himself to sacrifice his firstborn, the then only son Ishmael[as] and thus laid the foundation of Islam, i.e., total resignation and complete obedience to the will of God. Drawing the audience’s

attention to this object of sacrifice, the Maulvi exhorted them to the killing of the fat ram of their low and mean desires and the love of worldly things, thus becoming Muslims in the true sense of the word.

He also related the painful story of the great Ahmadi martyr Abdul Latif and how, in spite of the repeated promises of the Amir of Kabul (India) of bestowing upon him greater honour and wealth, he quite willingly and with the pleasure of his heart allowed his life to be taken away by being stoned. But he did not deny the truth of Ahmad, peace be on him, whom he had recognised as the true Messiah and Mahdi of the age and he cheerfully bore all this for the sake of truth.

By citing this example, he impressed upon the audience to hear for the sake of truth, every kind of trouble cheerfully.

After this, the Maulvi reminded the people of the dark days of the Ashanti rule, and comparing those troublesome days to the present peaceful days of the British Rule, he laid force upon the point that the Fanti Ahmadis should distinguish themselves from the other communities of Gold Coast in loyalty to the British Government.

The sermon ended with prayers for the glory of Islam all over the world.

– BE Keelson, Secretary, Gold Coast Ahmadiyya Mission (Transcribed and edited by Al Hakam from the original, published in The Review of Religions [English], November and December 1923)

Fourth Pan-African Peace Symposium held in London, UK Tommy Kallon President, PAAMA UK

The 4th edition of the Pan-African Peace Symposium was held on 11 November 2023 at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. The theme for this year was Economic Equity and Eradicating Poverty: Keys to Peace. This is a topic that is much needed in these turbulent times.

The event attracted a live audience of eight hundred people from all backgrounds, with thousands more joining through livestreams on YouTube and Facebook.

In attendance were very prominent speakers and guests from across the UK, USA, Africa and beyond. These included diplomats, religious leaders and civic leaders.

After the recitation from the Holy

Quran with its English translation, a welcome address was given by my humble self, President of Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) UK. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously sent a message for this occasion, which was read out by Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK. Huzooraa charged the members of PAAMA “to make an effort as there is an essential need for communities and individuals alike to work diligently within their circles of influence” because “in the complex and rapidly changing circumstances that our world is currently facing, it becomes increasingly vital for every individual to play a role in fostering understanding and harmony.”

Among the speakers were Andy George, President of the National Black

Police Association; Leroy Logan, MBE, Founding Member of the National Black Police Association; HE Justina Mutale, President Justina Mutale Foundation; and Mr Musa Mewa, Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Sierra Leone.

In addition, there were goodwill messages via video from Nigel Stewart, Founder and Director of the School of Pan African Thought, Dr Ibrahim Stevens, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, and Honourable Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare, Sierra Leone.

Interluding the speeches and goodwill messages were video presentations of an introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. In the main symposium hall, there were also displays of various exhibitions

from Humanity First and PAAMA UK. An address was delivered by Azhar Hanif Sahib, Naib Amir and Missionaryin-Charge Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, who reminded participants why the theme for the occasion was very appropriate.

The formal session of the event ended with closing remarks by Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK, followed by a silent prayer.

This was followed by dinner.

In a series of short interviews organised by the Ishaat team, several guests and participants disclosed how impressed they were with the smooth and successful organisation of the event. Many first-time participants could not hide their enthusiasm to attend the next edition of the Pan-African Peace Symposium.

The total attendance was 799.

Friday 1 December 2023 | AL HAKAM

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Friday Sermon Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, Tilford, UK

3 November 2023 Faith & Financial Sacrifice: Launch of Tahrik-e-Jadid Year 2023 & Daftar VI After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba recited verse 93 of Surah Aal-e-Imran:

َ ُ َ ُ ۡ ُ �ٰ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ُ ُۡ ‫َل َ ۡ​ۡن َتَناُلوا اۡلِبِ �َّر َ​َحّٰتی ُتۡن ِ​ِفُقۡوۡا ِ​ِم �َّما ُت ِ​ِح �ُ​ُّبۡوۡ َ​َن� َ​َو َ​َما ُتۡن ِ​ِفُقۡوۡا ِ​ِم ۡ​ۡن َش ۡ​ۡی ٍ​ٍء‬ �ٰ َ َ ‫َف ِ​ِا �َّن الّٰل َ​َہ ِ​ِب ٖ​ٖہ َ​َع ِ​ِل ۡ​ۡی ٌ​ٌم‬

“Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah surely knows it well.”

In this verse, Allah the Almighty has made it clear that the loftier ranks of righteousness can only be achieved when you spend out of what you love in the cause of Allah the Almighty, in order to attain His pleasure. Expounding on this, the Promised Messiahas has stated in one instance: “You can never attain true piety that leads to salvation unless you spend, in the cause of God, the wealth and the things that you hold dear.” (The Victory of Islam, p. 34) The Promised Messiahas also states: “One should not love one’s wealth. Allah the Almighty states:

ُ َ ُ ۡ ُ �ٰ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ‫ُت ِ​ِح �ُ​ُّبۡوۡ َ​َن‬ ‫ُتۡن ِ​ِفُقۡوۡا ِ​ِم �َّما‬ ‫َحّٰتی‬ َ ‫َل َ ۡ​ۡن َتَناُلوا اۡلِبِ �َّر‬

“‘Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love.’”

The Promised Messiahas then states: “No individual who spends that which is useless and worthless can claim to have done a good deed. The door of virtue is narrow, so bear well in mind that no one can enter it (the door of virtue) by spending things of no value. There is a clear statement in the Quran as follows:

ُ َ ُ ۡ ُ �ٰ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ‫ُت ِ​ِح �ُ​ُّبۡوۡ َ​َن‬ ‫ُتۡن ِ​ِفُقۡوۡا ِ​ِم �َّما‬ ‫َحّٰتی‬ َ ‫َل َ ۡ​ۡن َتَناُلوا اۡلِبِ �َّر‬

‘Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you

love.’ Meaning that until you spend those things which are most beloved to you and most dear, you cannot attain the rank of being loved and held dear by God. If you do not wish to bear hardship and do not seek to adopt true piety, how can you succeed and triumph? Did the noble companions reach the ranks they achieved for nothing?

A person must shoulder many expenses and pains to attain worldly titles and only after this, does a person manage to secure a minor title, which does not even bring about inner satisfaction and comfort (they receive a title that does not give them inner peace, despite which they still strive to attain it).

Now reflect, was the title ‘Allah was pleased with them’, being a sign of inner comfort, tranquillity of heart and the Lord’s pleasure, attained easily without effort? The fact is that the pleasure of God Almighty, which is the cause of true happiness, cannot be attained until one bears temporary hardships. God cannot be deceived. Blessed are those who do not care for suffering sustained in order to acquire the pleasure of Allah. For the light of eternal bliss and everlasting comfort are granted to a believer after this temporary hardship.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 1, pp.

72-73) Hence, this is the understanding of spending one’s wealth, which the Promised Messiahas desired to instil within us according to the commandment of Allah the Almighty. This is a great favour of Allah the Almighty on the Jamaat and on every Ahmadi who has understood this matter and offered his money to be spent in the cause of His faith, despite his personal needs. There are many members

Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023 of the Community who offer their wealth to be spent on religious needs. There are thousands of such examples where people, set aside their personal needs and offer sacrifices for religious needs. Nowadays, we see that the economic state of the world is worsening by the day, particularly that of the developed countries. These days, even the state of these developed countries has not remained the same, where they were at ease and had everything in abundance.

The current circumstances of war around the world and the war in Europe between Ukraine and Russia have greatly worsened the circumstances around Europe as well.

Nevertheless, this has greatly impacted the economy of the developed countries.

Furthermore, the corruption of the politicians in these countries has also worsened the circumstances to a great extent. However, despite this, Ahmadis are excelling in their financial sacrifices. In the eyes of a worldly person, this is difficult to fathom, but those who are firm in their faith know that as a result of these sacrifices made, the favours of Allah the Almighty are witnessed.

As we are aware, the new year of Tahrike-Jadid is announced in the first sermon of November. Therefore, I shall present some incidents in relation to Tahrik-e-Jadid.

The Sadr Lajna of the Lahore District wrote to me, “I drew attention towards making contributions to Tahrik-e-Jadid in one meeting. This was a meeting of middleclass people on a middle income.” She says, “I was embarrassed and hesitant to make an appeal to them, for they were already making great sacrifices. In any case, I did so, as I was asked to draw attention to it.”

She continues, “My astonishment knew no bounds as I witnessed how the women came forward to present their sacrifices. I was embarrassed over the fact that such people on a relatively low income were coming forward and making sacrifices in a manner which neither we nor any rich person could ever imagine. Hundreds of thousands of rupees were contributed in the form of both money and jewellery.”

Likewise, there is the report of the Wakil-ul-Maal Awwal, which has a long list that spans many pages, of the names of women who presented their jewellery.

When Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra made the announcement of Tahrik-e-Jadid, one of the appeals at the time was regarding the sacrifices of women, that they should not have jewellery, or if they do then only a small amount, and they should sacrifice their wealth instead. I consider it a greater sacrifice to own jewellery and then sacrifice it, as opposed to not having jewellery made at all. It is more difficult to offer something that is already in your possession.

Thus, Ahmadi women have been making sacrifices since the time of this appeal by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and continue to do so today. This is not only in one country, rather, there are also women in Western countries who present their jewellery, and in fact, who donate all of their jewellery.

Then, when they have new jewellery made, they are not at ease and also donate that, for just as the Promised Messiahas stated, if you wish to attain eternal and lasting joy, you cannot do so without sacrifice.

Then, there are poor people who deprive themselves in order to give alms. There are many among them whom Allah the

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Almighty blesses immediately and grants them much more than what they donate in ways that leave them astounded. I shall present incidents of such people, but at the same time, I say to the affluent people that they should learn a lesson from this and increase their level of sacrifice. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated in one sermon: “If donations are considered based on one’s daily sustenance, then there are some poor people who, give 45% of their monthly income in alms. However, there are rich people who give only 1.5% [of their income]. In fact, now there are even some poor people who donate 100%, whereas some rich people only donate 1%. Therefore, in one aspect, the 100% of the poor people is much less than the total that the rich people donate, but their level of sacrifice is much loftier.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 15, p.

443) Hence, in this regard, those who are well-off should re-evaluate themselves.

Bear in mind that Allah the Almighty never keeps a loan, as He has mentioned at another instance in the Holy Quran that He gives 700 times in return, or even more than that. So, in any case, I shall present some examples of those who have made sacrifices, as I mentioned. On the one hand, we learn of their level of faith and passion, and on the other hand, we witness how Allah the Almighty’s grace descends upon them right away.

Guinea-Bissau is a country in Africa.

Mahmood Sahib is a motorcycle mechanic from there, and when the missionary encouraged him to donate towards Tahrike-Jadid, he took out all the money that was in his pocket, which was 10,000 CFA francs. He was sitting at home and it was then that his daughter-in-law arrived, asking for some money in order to cook food at home. Mahmood Sahib had already made his intention of donating all of the money towards Tahrik-e-Jadid and had given it all, so he told his daughter-in-law to remain patient. His daughter-in-law then returned. Mahmood Jargah Sahib says that he was worrying about how he would give money to his daughter-in-law to cook food, when he received a phone call from a government office that he should come to the office. When he arrived, they told him that he had repaired their motorcycles over the past year and that they hadn’t yet paid him for it, so they gave him a cheque of 198,000 CFA francs. After receiving the cheque, Mahmood Sahib returned home immediately and called his daughter-in-law and the rest of his family, saying, “See the blessings of spending in the way of Allah!

My Lord, in return, has granted me an amount which I never ever expected.”

The missionary in Fiji writes, “During my travels, Ashfaq Sahib, a friend in Nadi, listened to my previous sermon about Tahrik-e-Jadid and heard the accounts I presented. These incidents had a profound effect on him that whilst he was travelling and driving his car, he called the Tahrike-Jadid secretary, telling him to double his Tahrik-e-Jadid pledge (he has a business), Thereafter, the annual financial report for the business was prepared, and this year, his profit doubled. Upon this, he said, ‘I am certain that this double profit is not due to our hard work or efforts; this was purely the grace of Allah after doubling my promise in donations.’”

The missionary in Moscow writes that Ruslan Kikiyu is from Kyrgyzstan but has been living in Moscow for 14 years.

The missionary says that he had been participating in financial sacrifice before as well. Approximately one year ago, when he heard my Friday Sermon on financial sacrifice, he said that he really enjoyed it, after which he said, “I shall also be among these people who make sacrifices.” Thus, he started sending 10% of his daily earnings as financial contribution without fail. Some [of this sacrifice] went towards charity and some towards financial contributions. The missionary says that this is a habit he has maintained for the past year. When the missionary was reposted to a different city, the first question of the Russian Kyrgyzstani brother was, “Will I still be able to give my financial contributions in the same manner as I was before?” So, the Promised Messiahas brought about a revolution in people’s hearts, whereby they worry about offering their financial contributions.

The Amir of Tanzania writes that there is a jamaat there in which Muhammad Sani lives. The company in which he was working incurred losses. Therefore, the owner said that there would be cuts in the paycheques of all employees. He was very pained when he heard this. It was the last month to offer contributions towards Tahrik-e-Jadid. When he was contacted by the mu‘allim [regarding chanda], he did not even bring up the difficulty he was facing; rather, he put his complete trust in Allah the Almighty and fulfilled his pledge. He says that the very next day, the owner of the company called [and said] that there will be no cuts in his paycheque. Thus, there were cuts to the cheques of all of his co-workers, but he received his paycheque in full. He says that this incident took place because of the financial contributions he offered towards Tahrik-e-Jadid.

In the country of Malawi, there is an elderly woman from the Mangochi District who earns a living by farming. She pledged an amount to Tahrik-e-Jadid but was not able to fulfil it. When reminders were sent out at the end of the year, that if anyone has not fulfilled their pledge then they should do so, she says that she began working much harder and prayed for more work so that she may fulfil her pledge from her earnings.

Despite her efforts, she couldn’t find more work. One day, when she returned home after offering the Asr prayers at the mosque, she was informed that her grandson sent her 45,000 Kwachas (which is the currency there) as a gift. There was no limit to her happiness. She immediately went to the mu‘allim and fulfilled her pledge, and she continuously thanked Allah that she was able to fulfil it. Even poor people are anxious to offer their financial contributions.

The Amir of Tanzania says there is a woman named Maryam Sahiba who belongs to the Shinyanga Jamaat. She says that she received a call from the mu‘allim who informed her of her unfulfilled Tahrike-Jadid pledge. She says, “I only had 10,000 shillings for my household needs, but I offered the amount in Tahrik-e-Jadid. Then, it was the design of Allah that the very same day, Allah the Almighty caused 100,000 shillings to be repaid to me.” She says that all this was due to the blessing of financial contributions.

There is a new convert from Guinea-

Bissau named Uthman Sahib. He suffered many financial hardships in his life. He was never able to succeed in the business ventures that he started. One night, he fell asleep as he was worrying about this, and he says, “I heard a voice that said ‘Uthman, offer your financial contributions regularly.’”

That very same morning, Uthman Sahib went to the missionary and told him his dream. Upon hearing this, the missionary told him about Tahrik-e-Jadid and other such forms of financial sacrifice, upon which Uthman Sahib immediately offered a contribution towards Tahrik-e-Jadid, then made a list of all his financial contributions, and began regularly offering them. Uthman Sahib says that since he has begun regularly offering all his financial contributions, Allah the Almighty placed blessings in all of his businesses and resolved all of his personal difficulties. Now it is his firm belief that all of this is due to the blessings of offering contributions for Tahrik-e-Jadid and all his regular financial contributions. This reminds us and other new converts about how Allah the Almighty treats such people.

Allah the Almighty is not in need of this [wealth], rather, He does this so that He can bless people.

Kamran Sahib, a missionary in Australia says, “A young man didn’t offer financial contributions for approximately ten years.

I sat with him and told him about the blessings of financial sacrifice. After this, he began offering financial contributions and simultaneously offered donations for Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid.” He says, “After a few days, the young man called and began saying that by the grace of Allah the Almighty, he received a promotion at work that he was not expecting at all. He also said that this is only because of his sacrifice for the sake of Allah the Almighty. And now, this person who had been negligent for ten years began saying that he will never be negligent in offering his financial contributions.”

Uthman Sahib lives in the Niamina village of The Gambia. The Tahrik-e-Jadid secretary went to his village and while making an appeal regarding financial contributions, he stated that this is not only a financial initiative, but rather some of its objectives are also to increase knowledge and preach. If you are those who participate in Tahrik-e-Jadid, then do not think that you have offered financial contributions and now your work is done. You have already given it; besides this you should also increase your religious knowledge and enter into the field of preaching.

A few days ago, I took a pledge from khuddam and ansar; if the members of the Community also keep that in mind, then we would excel in the field of tabligh [propagation].

Do not simply make financial sacrifices and think that we have fulfilled our purpose.

One of the objectives of Tahrik-e-Jadid was also tabligh, and this was one of the main reasons why it was initiated.

[Uthman Sahib] says, “I was deeply impacted by this, and not only did I decide to take the bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] and enter into the Jamaat (he had not pledged allegiance until then), and it was after learning about the objectives of Tahrik-eJadid that I decided to take the pledge of allegiance and enter the Community, after which I pledged and fulfilled my promise

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of 150 Dalasi to Tahrik-e-Jadid.” He says, “After offering financial sacrifices, I felt a pure reformation within myself, and I am conveying the true message of Islam to both Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis. Furthermore, I am also offering financial contributions regularly.”

A woman from The Gambia writes, “Since offering financial sacrifices, I have felt a pure reformation within myself and my children and have seen that Allah the Almighty is fulfilling all of our needs.” To be pious and sacrifice in the way of Allah the Almighty helps one attain the blessings of Allah the Almighty.

Guinea-Conakry is a country in Africa.

The mu‘allim there, Kamara Sahib was visiting a village assigned to him and says, “I was visiting a village to collect financial contributions. I asked the wife of a newlyconverted Imam about offering financial contributions, upon which she took out five thousand Guinea francs and, whilst raising her hands to the heavens, said, ‘O Allah, this is all the money I have which I am offering for Your sake. Please accept it.’ And with this, she offered the amount as a financial contribution.” She is a new convert living in a remote part of Africa. The mu‘allim says, “When I returned after completing my visit to the village, the respected lady who offered five thousand Guinean francs as financial contribution very happily informed, ‘Today I have reaped great benefit from the transaction I made with Allah.’ She said, ‘After your departure, Allah the Almighty sent me 80,000 Guinea francs through a relative, which was far greater than the amount I had sacrificed.’”

Another mu‘allim from GuineaConakry, Jalu Sahib says, “During ashrah Tahrik-e-Jadid, a mu‘allim went to the Kontaya village to collect financial contributions. A new convert, Sheikhu Sahib, had pledged to offer 3,000 Guinean francs in Tahrik-e-Jadid. When he was reminded about fulfilling this pledge, he said, ‘Today, all I have to fulfil my household expenses is 30,000 francs, but I will offer it for the sake of Allah; may He accept it.’ The next day, he ecstatically called saying, ‘Allah has accepted my sacrifice! It had only been a few hours since I offered the financial contribution when my son sent me 300,000 Guinea francs to take care of the household expenses.’ He said, ‘Through this incident, Allah the Almighty really strengthened my faith. The financial contributions which the Jamaat collects from us is spent in the way of Allah. I will continue offering sacrifices in the same way.’” He also became reassured that whatever was bestowed by Allah the Almighty was also spent in the right way

and it did not go to waste.

Baiga Maitzov from Kazakhstan regularly takes part in offering financial contributions. He says, “I was let go from my job in June and my employers paid me whatever my salary was meant to be.” He says, “Now I am on pension. A few months after being let go from my job, I had to purchase some expensive medicines along with other things due to an illness, but because of not having the financial means, I would always be worried. The next day, as I was walking down the street, it occurred to me to check my credit card. I knew that my credit card would be empty and there was no money in it. Regardless, I decided to check. When I checked, I was utterly astonished because there was 190,000 in my card in the local currency. I was shocked and was thanking Allah the Almighty a great deal. Without informing me, the company that I had been let go from had transferred the amount into my account.”

He says that he called the company to find out why they had done this, and he learned that the owner of the company had sent this amount as a gift, because of his trustworthiness and truthfulness. He says, “This all happened because I was regular in offering contributions for Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid.”

Bhakra Sahib from Malaysia says, “The following is my personal experience; between 2016 and 2017 I pledged 1,000 Ringgit for Tahrik-e-Jadid. During that time, due to my financial circumstances, I was unable to fulfil this pledge. It was a very difficult time, and my business was being impacted. I was very worried and hoped to be able to offer my pledge in full, however, I couldn’t even save anything. I simply prayed to Allah the Almighty that if my intention is true and if the Community is indeed truthful, then surely Allah the Almighty would create ease. When there were only two days left to fulfil the pledges, I happened to receive 1,000 Ringgits from my business. Without even thinking about it, I went to the finance secretary’s home and gave him 1,000 Ringgit. Ever since that incident, I have firm faith in this Jamaat, that if our objectives are sincerely for the Jamaat and for the progress of Islam, then Allah the Almighty certainly creates extraordinary ease.” This is the unified mentality that Ahmadis living in every country of the world have. Despite there being a distance of thousands of miles between them, Allah the Almighty strengthens their faith in this way and makes the truthfulness of this Jamaat apparent to them.

There is a person from Germany who says, “Due to the financial situation of my

firm not being good, the duration of my work became shortened, as a result of which my income also decreased. Whilst listening to faith-inspiring incidents during a Tahrike-Jadid seminar, I promised in my heart to Allah the Almighty that I would give 500 more euros.” In this regard, he says that he also wrote letters to me for prayers, and he also prayed for himself. Allah the Almighty bestowed His grace, and after the fulfilment of the first pledge for Tahrik-e-Jadid, he was able to offer an extra 600 euros. After a few days, he received a call from a firm saying that if he wished to leave the first one and work for their firm (this was a different firm), then his salary would be 1,000 euros more than the previous firm. After some contemplation, he decided to work for the new firm. The owner of this firm said that since he had left his previous firm, he would receive a bonus for the first three months in three instalments of 2,000 euros.

He would also be off of work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In this way, Allah the Almighty bestowed His blessings and as a result of sacrificing more for Tahrik-eJadid, not only did his salary increase he was also able to regularly offer the Friday prayer.

The missionary in Ivory Coast writes, “An appeal for Tahrik-e-Jadid was made in the Yaollesso village. An elderly gentleman who was very poor – and according to our estimation, we thought that if he were to offer two hundred or three hundred francs, it would be a large amount – got up and went home. Not only did he come back himself with money to offer financial contributions, but he also brought his son along with him so that he could also offer financial contributions. He offered 2,000 francs which for him was a very large amount. His son also offered 500 francs.”

This is the passion of sacrificing one’s wealth for the religion of Allah the Almighty.

Senegal is another African country.

The mu‘allim says that Muhammad Anjai is a poor but sincere man. His wife was ill.

The medicines prescribed by doctors were 15,000 CFA francs, an amount which he did not have. He went to one of his friends to get a loan which he gave. Meanwhile, he arrived at the mission house as it was time for prayers. He mentioned his wife’s condition to the mu‘allim. He had not yet gone into any details and had only just mentioned it when the mu‘allim started mentioning what he had to say first regarding the ashrah Tahrik-e-Jadid, saying that he should sacrifice in the way of God, and Allah the Almighty would create ease.

Nevertheless, he explained his constraining circumstances and said, “I will make my contributions in two to four days.

At present, I am constrained. I have taken a loan to purchase medicine for my wife.”

Thereupon, they left the mission house.

After a few minutes had passed, he returned and said, “As I left the mission house, it occurred to me that the mu‘allim had encouraged me to contribute, yet I made no contribution upon this encouragement.

Due to this, my heart became distraught.

Could you write a receipt for 5,000 CFA francs on my behalf for the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme? I will only purchase the necessary medication.” After saying this, he took his receipt and left. After leaving the mission house, he had not yet reached the pharmacy when he received a phone call. The caller said, “I want to have a bed constructed,

and so I am transferring 5,000 CFA francs to you through a credit bank order. When your wife has recovered, you can build my bed, and I will pay you the remaining amount then.” He continues, “Instead of going to the pharmacy, he returned to the mission house once again and informed the mu‘allim of what had happened. He then said, “Through the blessings of financial sacrifice, God Almighty bestowed His special grace upon me and granted me funds beyond my needs.”

Once more, the mu‘allim from Senegal writes, “A sincere member, Wagan Sahib, had pledged 10,000 CFA francs toward the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme. He was told that the Tahrik-e-Jadid year was coming to an end, and he had some unpaid amount remaining.

He replied, ‘At present, I do not have any funds. However, do not worry! I will pay the amount before the year ends, even if I have to sell my own clothes.’” This was the level of his passion. The mu‘allim says, “A few days later, he came to my house himself and asked me to accept his contributions saying, ‘I was very worried about this, however, just today, I could not believe that my daughter sent me some money. Thus, I came, first and foremost, to give my contribution.’” There are such sincere people in the Jamaat; they do not care for worldly things.

The Amir of Niger writes, “There is a local mu‘allim here whose wife is a housewife and has no income. The local mu‘allim would pay on her behalf for Tahrik-e-Jadid. When his wife found out, she said, ‘This year, I will pay my pledge myself. Note down 8,000 CFA francs as my pledge. Her husband, the mu‘allim, questioned as to how she would fulfil her pledge, but she responded by saying, ‘I am certain that Allah the Almighty will accept my sacrifice.’ It so happened that after a few days, a woman from the neighbourhood came to her and asked her if she could sew clothes for her. The woman also paid her 3,000 CFA francs in advance, which she immediately paid towards her pledge for Tahrik-e-Jadid. Following this, she saw her work flourish to the extent that she easily fulfilled her pledge.” When Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra started this scheme, women wrote to him about his instruction to contribute five to ten rupees. They said that they could not pay this lump sum at once, however, they requested to be allowed to pay one to two rupees gradually and reach the full sum in a month. The passion exhibited at that time still exists today. In fact, this passion resides in those who are sitting thousands of miles away. They can hear the direct words of the Caliph of the time, however, some of them cannot understand the language.

Despite this, they excel in their sincerity.

A mu‘allim of Senegal writes, “In the local chapter of Tambacounda, Saeedi Sahib owns a herd of sheep. He called to inquire about exactly what Tahrik-e-Jadid is.” He had heard that Ahmadis should contribute toward Tahrik-e-Jadid. The mu‘allim explained the details of the Tahrik-eJadid scheme to him and told him that they were passing through the ashrah [10 days of focus] for Tahrik-e-Jadid. He told the mu‘allim that his father was a wealthy man, however, he was neglectful in paying Zakat and spending in the cause of Allah.

Nevertheless, he entertained and hosted Muslim clerics. After the demise of his father, he inherited many animals, however,

AL HAKAM | Friday 1 December 2023 he also did not get the opportunity to spend in the cause of Allah. When the mu‘allim drew his attention toward Zakat and other modes of financial sacrifice, he gave one cow and two sheep and dedicated one sheep especially for Tahrik-e-Jadid. Seven days later, he had a dream in which he saw a peculiar disease spreading amongst the animals which caused water to ooze from their bodies, resulting in death. Because he also owned a large herd of animals, he became worried in the dream and prayed, ‘O God, safeguard my animals.’ Upon this, he heard a loud voice in his dream proclaiming that his animals would be safe because of [his contributions to] the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme. Then, he saw a paper with the words ‘In the name of Allah, the Gracious the Merciful’ inscribed on a line, and his name was also written. Upon this, he woke up. He called the mu‘allim and relayed his dream to him. The mu‘allim told him to read the line at the very top of his receipt and he would find ‘In the name of Allah, the Gracious the Merciful’ written on it, and he would also find his name written underneath it. Apart from that, there was nothing else to read except the amount paid under Tahrik-e-Jadid. He said, “When I saw the receipt in context to my dream, this incident became a means of increasing my faith.” Allah the Almighty has strange, extraordinary ways of giving guidance.

The mu‘allim in Shinyanga, Tanzania writes, “An elderly new convert of the Jamaat by the name of Ramadan Sahib pledged an exemplary sum toward Tahrike-Jadid. He earned a living by farming. Due to a drought, many farmers did not yield a satisfactory harvest. Ramadan Sahib said that he was constantly worried about how he would be able to fulfil his pledge for Tahrik-e-Jadid. He said, ‘I was lost in my thoughts about this when I got a phone call from a relative who had not contacted me in a long time. He called to say that he was sending me some money so that I could buy some food and supplies for my home.’

When that elderly man received the money, he went straight to the finance secretary to fulfil his pledge and paid in surplus. He said, ‘This is all owing to the fact that my Allah helped me to pay my pledge in full.’”

These are the standards of sacrifice exemplified by even such people who are newcomers. The opponents have sought tirelessly to bring an end to the Community.

At the same time, Allah the Almighty has imbued the hearts of new converts with the spirit of sacrifice for the Jamaat and continues to provide for them. Can our opponents blow out this light that has been kindled by Allah the Almighty Himself?

They can try as hard as they like, but they will be met with failure and disappointment.

The Community, on the other hand, will continue to progress by making exemplary sacrifices in all corners of the world.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra launched Tahrike-Jadid for the very reason that severe opposition had erupted against the Jamaat from all directions to the extent that even government officials were supporting the enemies. It was the purpose of the Tahrike-Jadid scheme to grow the Jamaat by propagating its message, and for the flag of Islam to be raised in all countries of the world by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Thus, these people who are striving to become exemplary in faith, conviction and sacrifice

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have entered the fold of Islam through the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. There are countless incidents, however it is not possible to mention them all at this time. I will now speak briefly on the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme itself and about its historical background.

As I have mentioned earlier, opposition and disturbances arose from all sides against the Community, particularly by the Ahrar movement, which exhausted all its efforts and claimed it would wipe Ahmadiyyat from the face of the earth. They claimed that they would remove every trace of Qadian and raze it to the ground. They even schemed to desecrate the grave of the Promised Messiahas and other holy sites. It was clear to see that the government was also siding with the opponents, even though it was the British rule at the time. Instead of bringing an end to the disorder, they would support them. It was in light of these circumstances that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra outlined a programme before the Community and established this scheme in which attention was also drawn towards financial sacrifices.

This was in 1934. Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra initially delivered some sermons in November wherein he gave an introduction and the context behind launching this scheme. He had only briefly introduced this and had not gone into details, however, the sincere members of the Jamaat began to write to him, expressing their willingness to offer every kind of sacrifice upon which Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra expressed his happiness. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated, “I am mentioning the details so that the Jamaat is ready to offer sacrifices because, at times, the period of sacrifices is prolonged, and women and children should also be ready to offer sacrifices. It is not the duty of only the men, but the women must also understand their responsibilities.”

In other words, this was not obligatory upon everyone at the time, however, the members of the Jamaat demonstrated such extraordinary levels of sincerity and loyalty.

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 15, p. 411) In any case, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra officially announced a fund in 1934 and stated, “We have to respond to the evil ploys of the opponents. Not by creating disorder like them, but rather through tabligh [propagation]. In fact, the only reason the opponents have had an opportunity to do this is because we have not done true justice in our tabligh. The diligent manner in which we ought to have planned has not happened. The efforts which ought to have been made in order to spread the message of Ahmadiyyat to the corners of the world have not happened. We have not done true justice in this regard as we ought to have done.”

At the time, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra devised a programme in which the attention of the members was drawn towards their reformation and to elevate the standard of their sacrifices. He also drew their attention towards financial sacrifice to raise 27,000 rupees in a period of three years.

However, Allah the Almighty, out of His grace, enabled the members of this Jamaat who were filled with sincerity and loyalty, to hearken to the call of the Khalifa of the time and raise 100,000 rupees within a year. In view of the financial situation of the Jamaat, this was a huge sacrifice. At the time, people would present sacrifices of a few annas [1/4 of a rupee]. The immense

level of sacrifice shown by the members at the time was granted such acceptance

by Allah the Almighty, that this not only opened new avenues of tabligh in an extraordinary manner, and these sacrifices were not just limited to those people, rather such examples are evident even today as I have just narrated through these incidents.

In any case, they not only sacrificed their wealth but also dedicated their lives [for the cause of Islam]. They travelled to far-off lands in order to preach and some of them were even imprisoned and had to endure extreme hardships as a result. Initially, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra extended this scheme for another ten years. From an initial period of three years, he extended it to ten years. After the completion of ten years, and upon witnessing its fruitful results and upon the desire of those who wished to offer sacrifices, he made this a permanent scheme. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 25, pp.

699-700, Vol. 18, p. 591) The wondrous signs of Allah the Almighty’s support and succour which we are witnessing today are a result of the sacrifices offered by the earlier members, which Allah the Almighty accepted. In fact, some of those who have newly joined have been inspired through their dreams to participate in this scheme, just as I mentioned in the earlier accounts that were narrated.

The progenies of those early members who offered sacrifices should remember those sacrifices of their elders and not only strive to instil this spirit of sacrifice in their children but they should also offer as many sacrifices as they can owing to the blessings they have been bestowed with.

The initial members who took part in Tahrik-e-Jadid were 5,000, and they were the Mujahid of Daftar Awwal [first register] of Tahrik-e-Jadid. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh drew particular attention of their progenies to continue on their sacrifices till the Day of Judgement and thus to continue making contributions on their behalf.

(Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, p. 865) When I announced the fifth Daftar [register], I again drew attention to this, and now, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, all of their accounts are still active. When a period of ten years elapsed for those members in the first Daftar, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra announced the second Daftar, and thus, the newcomers were added to this Daftar, and he also stated that this Daftar would continue for a period of 19 years and that after every 19 years, a new Daftar would be announced. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 25, p. 731-732) And so in accordance with this instruction, the third Daftar was announced by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. According to the 19-year rule, this was actually meant to be announced in 1964 however, due to the illness of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIra, he was not able to announce it. Therefore, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh stated that although he was announcing the commencement of the new Daftar, however, it would be attributed to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and that Allah the Almighty would also allow him to partake of its blessings. The formal announcement of this Daftar was therefore done in 1966, however, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh stated that its time period would start from November 1965. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 1,

p. 228) Then, in 1985, the fourth Daftar was announced by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, p. 870) This Daftar remained established for a period of 19 years. In 2004, when this period came to an end, I then announced the fifth Daftar and now as the 19-year period again comes to an end, I announce the start of the sixth Daftar. Now, those who newly enter the Jamaat, any new-born, or anyone who was not part of a previous Daftar, will be included in this sixth Daftar. The local Community administrations should all implement according to this.

When Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra announced the start of the second Daftar, he stated, “Following this, the third, fourth, and fifth Daftar will subsequently continue on, and we will continue to offer sacrifices for the sake of our faith. The day we abandon to strive and struggle for the sake of our faith, and the day such people emerge who will say, ‘The era of the first Daftar has gone, as has the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, after all how much longer are we going to continue to make such sacrifices, it has come to an end.’” Hazrat Musehe-Maudra stated, “This would in fact be a declaration of those people as if to say that their spirituality has diminished and their faith has gone weak. We, however, are hopeful that these different eras of Tahrike-Jadid are limitless. Just like the stars in the skies cannot be counted, the different eras of Tahrik-e-Jadid will also be countless. Just as Allah the Almighty had stated to Prophet Abrahamas that he will be granted such a vast progeny will be innumerable and his progeny indeed played a great role in the service of faith, so too is the case of Tahrike-Jadid. The era of Tahrik-e-Jadid is not based on the number of people, rather, it is a collection of sacrifices offered for the sake of faith, thus, these eras are also limitless and will serve as an immensely strong foundation for Islam and Ahmadiyyat.”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 27, p. 65) Thus, every Ahmadi ought to analyse their own levels of sacrifice by keeping this in mind. I have just presented a few examples of how Allah the Almighty blesses those who make sacrifices. It is Allah’s testimony through His practical support that this is a divine scheme.

With regards to Tahrik-e-Jadid, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra linked Tahrik-e-Jadid with the system of Al-Wasiyyat – I am explaining this in my own words – he said on one occasion that it serves as a precursor, as through this, the scheme of Al-Wasiyyat will be strengthened. This will firmly instil the habit of offering financial sacrifices.

This is a precursor, i.e. something that will come first and make an announcement, just like a vanguard. It [Tahrik-e-Jadid] will continue to make an announcement that an extraordinary system will follow behind and that is called the institution of Al-Wasiyyat.

Thus, in 2005 when I made an appeal for members to join the Wasiyyat scheme, I mentioned that the system of Al-Wasiyyat is intrinsically linked to the institution of Khilafat. Now, it is only through the AlWasiyyat scheme that the levels of sacrifice will increase. But initially, in order to develop the habit of offering sacrifices, one must participate in the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme.

Therefore, everyone must be mindful in this regard. May Allah the Almighty grant

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the affluent members of the Jamaat to give thought to this. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, there are members who are wellearning and pay great attention to this, but there is a need for more people to give financial contributions according to their means. As I mentioned before, the poor have excelled greatly in offering sacrifices, but the rich must pay more attention to this.

I will now present the figures for the previous year. But first, I would like to mention the fruits of Tahrik-e-Jadid that we can see for ourselves. Initially, we were confined to Qadian, or the Jamaat was small and limited to within India. However, now, across 220 countries, the number of mosques is over 9,300, there are more than 3,400 mission houses, and there are dozens of mosques and mission houses that are under construction. The total number of missionaries and mu‘allimin worldwide is close to 5,000, and this number is increasing. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, translations of the Holy Quran are being carried out; to date, it has been translated into 77 languages. Literature is being published and is being translated into various languages, there are countless activities taking place. All this is taking place through Tahrik-e-Jadid. Although money from other schemes has been used, Tahrik-e-Jadid plays a vital role.

With the grace of Allah the Almighty, I will announce the new year for Tahrike-Jadid. On 31 October, the 89th year of Tahrik-e-Jadid ended and now we have entered into the 90th year. By the grace and blessings of Allah, the Ahmadiyya Community worldwide had the opportunity to present a sacrifice totalling £17.2 million, Alhamdulillah [all praise belongs to Allah].

Despite the economic situation of the world, this is an increase of £749,000 from last year. From all the chapters in the world, this year again Germany is in 1st place, they have maintained this distinction. The currency exchange has been severely impacted owing to the economic situation, and in Pakistan as well, but overall every person on a local level has increased the amount they have sacrificed. Aside from Pakistan, the top ten positions are as follows: as I mentioned, overall, Germany is in 1st place – they excelled beyond everyone – followed by the UK, Canada has risen to 3rd place, the USA has dropped to 4th, a country in the Middle East is 5th, 6th is India, 7th is Australia, 8th is Indonesia, 9th again is a country in the Middle East, and in 10th place is Ghana. The currency there [in Ghana] has also devalued greatly, but despite this they maintained their 10th place this year as well.

The smaller jamaats who have made notable contributions include: Ireland, Mauritius, Holland, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Georgia etc.

The notable positions for the countries in Africa are as follows: Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin.

The total number of participants is more than 1,637,000 and those countries who made considerable progress in this regard are: Guinea Conakry, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Nepal, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo Kinshasa, Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and a country in the Middle East.

The first ten chapters of Germany are: Rödermark, Rodgau, Kiel, Osnabrück, Pinneberg, Neuss, Nidda, Köln, MahdiAbad and Flörsheim.

The position of the Amarats is as follows: 1st is Hamburg, then Frankfurt, Gross-Gerau, Wiesbaden, Dietzenbach, Riedstadt, Russelheim, Mörfelden, Waldrof, Darmstadt and Mannheim.

The top five regions in the UK are as follows: Bait-ul-Futuh, Islamabad, Midlands, Fazl Mosque and Bait-ul-Ihsan.

The top 10 positions of the larger chapters of the UK are as follows: Farnham, Worcester Park, South Cheam, Islamabad, Walsall, Ash, Gillingham, Aldershot South, Ewell, and Bradford North.

The position of the smaller chapters of the UK is as follows: Spen Valley, Swansea, North Hampton, North Wales, Newport.

The positions of the Amarats in Canada are as follows: Vaughan, Calgary, Peace Village, Vancouver Mississauga, and then Toronto.

The positions of the smaller chapters of Canada are as follows: Hamilton Mountain, Ottawa East, Bradford East, Hamilton West, Montreal West, Winnipeg, Regina, Lloydminster, Abbotsford.

The positions of the chapters in the USA are as follows: 1st is Maryland, North Virginia, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Silicon Valley, Detroit, Houston, Oshkosh, North Jersey, South Virginia, Central Jersey and Dallas.

In terms of the overall collection in Pakistan, it is as follows: Lahore is 1st, 2nd is Rabwah and 3rd is Karachi.

The districts [in Pakistan] are as follows: 1st is Faisalabad, followed by Gujranwala, Gujrat, Umerkot, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Kotli Azad Kashmir and Jhelum.

In terms of the overall collection, [the positions of] the local chapters in Pakistan

are as follows: Amarat Township Lahore, Amarat Allamah Iqbal Town Lahore, Amarat Dar-ul-Zikr Lahore, Amarat Azizabad Karachi, Amarat Mughalpura Lahore, Multan, Amarat Baitul Fazal Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Quetta, Peshawar.

The positions of the smaller chapters are as follows: Khokhar Gharbi, Chawinda, Kot Sharifabad, Bashirabad Sindh, Kharian, Hayatabad, Pindi Bhago, Dar al-Fazl Kunri, Nawazabad farm, Khairpur.

The top ten provinces in India are as follows: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Jammu Kashmir, Odessa, Punjab, Bengal, Delhi and Maharashtra.

In terms of total contribution, the top ten chapters are as follows: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Qadian, Hyderabad, Calicut, Manjeri, Melapalayam, Bangalore, Kolkata, Karulai and Kerang.

The top ten chapters of Australia are as follows: Melbourne Long Warren, Melbourne Berwick, Marsden Park, Penrith, Perth, Adelaide West, Castle Hill, Brisbane Logan East, Parramatta and Melbourne Clyde. These were the ten chapters.

May Allah the Almighty greatly bless the wealth and progeny of all those who presented sacrifices and may they offer sacrifices even more than before.

Always remember the Palestinians in your prayers, do not forget them. Women and children are being oppressed to the extreme. May Allah the Almighty swiftly grant them relief from this.

(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International, 24 November 2023, pp. 2-8. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor-in-chief: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Executive editors: Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang | Research coordinator: Awwab Saad Hayat | Associate editors: Jalees Ahmad, Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Translations: M Adam Ahmad | Design: Tahmeed Ahmad | © Al Hakam 2023