Al Hakam - 4 September 2020

Where stars descend Chapter 6 (Nurturing the future)

Islamic origins of a social welfare state

Charlie Hebdo Reigniting a contentious flame

Part II

Part II Page 6

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Page 14

Opinion Islamic New Year and the meaning of Hijra for humanity

Page 5

Page 9

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 4 September 2020 | Issue CXXIX Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Huzoor offers invaluable guidance to Sweden amila and Dutch Khuddam

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

Prophet David’sas prayer Hazrat Abu Dardara relates that Hazrat Daudas (David) who was foremost in worshipping God, used to recite this prayer for attaining the love of God: َّ ُّ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ّ َ ّٰ ْ َ �ْ ِ�‫الل ُہ ّم ِإ�ِ�ٰ أ ْسﺄلک ُﺣ َّبک َو ُﺣ ّﺐ َم ْن یُ ِح ُّبک َوال َع َم َل ال ِذ ْي یُ َبلِﻐ‬ َ ّ َ َّ ُ َْ َ َ َ ْ ْ ‫الل ُہ َّم‬ ‫اج َع ْل ُﺣ َّبک أ َﺣ ّﺐ ِإل َ َّی ِم ْن نف ِ� ْ� َوأ ْھ ِ� ْ� َو ِم َن ال َما ِء‬ ‫ﺣبک‬ َْ ‫البارِ ِد‬ “O Allah, I beg You for Your love and the love of one who loves You and such conduct as should lead me to Your love. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me than my soul and my family and my wealth and dearer than cold water.”

(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Da‘wat)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The difference between the success of a believer and a nonbeliever

On 29 August 2020, the national amila of the Nordic country, Sweden, had the blessed opportunity to have a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The following day, jumping from Northern Europe to Western Europe, members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya

the Netherlands had an audience with Huzooraa.

Sweden national amila mulaqat On 29 August 2020, members of the national majlis-e-amila, alongside local amilas of

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden, were blessed with a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

The mulaqat commenced with dua, after which the members introduced themselves and their respective roles. Hazrat Khalifatul Continued on next page >>

Always keep the principle in mind that the task of a believer is to feel humbled when they are blessed with any form of success, and praise God for having showered His grace upon them. This is how a believer advances, and by demonstrating steadfastness in the face of trial, they receive the favour of God. Apparently, the success of a Hindu and a believer are similar, but remember that the success of a disbeliever is a way that leads to misguidance, whereas the success of a believer opens for them Continued on page 3

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

2 << Continued from previous page

Masih Vaa further enquired about the details of plans, targets and achievements of every department, whilst providing valuable advice on direction and implementation.

Furthermore, the amila members were also fortunate to ask Huzooraa various questions and seek guidance and direction on an array of matters.

The first question was asked by the national general secretary, who enquired from Huzooraa about the time office-bearers should spend on Jamaat related work and how to motivate those who are unable to sacrifice and give due time to Jamaat work.

Answering the question, Huzooraa stated that the main thing to remember is that whilst selecting office-bearers, it should be borne in mind that one should not only select those who are capable of doing such a task, but also look at those who are willing and capable of setting time aside for Jamaat work, those who have a high standard of taqwa and those who are just. If, upon selecting a person, he is unable to give time, then it is a matter of taqwa that the chosen individual should apologise and say that they are unable to fulfil this task.

Huzooraa further stated that there is no hard and fast rule on how much time one should give. However, the decision should be made by the person himself as work varies between different departments.

With regard to the tarbiyat department, Huzooraa, whilst guiding the national secretary tarbiyat, stated that it is important to do tarbiyat in such a manner that all Ahmadis recognise their responsibilities; they should know how to attain a relation with God, they should be regular in Namaz and know that it is key in attaining a relationship with God; they should be aware that the fundamental and basic way to learn and attain religious knowledge is through the Holy Quran.

Whilst offering this guidance, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated that the amila members should start doing tarbiyat to those who are closest to them; for example, they should start with the amila members and then their family members. If everyone works according to this guideline, Huzooraa stated, almost 90% of the work would be accomplished.

Huzooraa expressed that all amila

members should be well-mannered and further stressed that not a single person should have the opportunity to raise a finger against any amila member.

Following this, with regard to tabligh and spreading Islam Ahmadiyya, Huzooraa stated that as people in Sweden are unaware of Islam Ahmadiyya and the true teachings of Islam, misconceptions continue to arise in their minds.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, mentioning the incident of the far-right extremists who burned the Holy Quran in Malmo, stated that such situations arise when people are unaware of the true teachings of Islam.

Extremists, upon taking a single verse of the Holy Quran out of context without even consulting the subject matter, use this in an attempt to paint a dishonest picture of Islam, completely neglecting the fact that the Bible has more than 5,000 references referring to war and fighting.

Thus, it is absolutely vital that the true message of Islam be spread to each individual so that everyone is aware of its true teachings.

A question was posed by the national secretary Waqf-e-Nau on the most proficient method to approach those waqifeen who are

currently engaged in their work and do not spare any time for Jamaat related work.

Upon this, Huzooraa stated: “I have told those waqifeen who have sought permission from me and who wish to continue their daily jobs outside that they should continue to work and also at the same time volunteer and spare time for Jamaat related work.”

Huzooraa further stated that those who do not respond and do not spare any time should inform the Jamaat and give their notice so that the title of Waqf-e-Nau can be taken away from them. Huzooraa stated that a true Waqf-e-Nau who wishes to continue working outside should at least volunteer for the Jamaat over the weekends.

Furthermore, addressing the national secretary Wasaya, Huzooraa stated that a plan should be constructed to enhance the taqwa standard of musis (members of the scheme of Al-Wasiyyat).

Huzooraa further stated: “A musi should be regular in his prayers, should recite the Holy Quran daily, should understand and know the translation of the Quran and also follow and implement the commandments found in it. A musi should read and study the books of the Promised Messiahas, regularly listen to the Khalifa’s sermons and cater for their family’s tarbiyat.

These are the qualities of an ideal musi.”

Addressing the national secretary talimul-Quran, Huzooraa stated that there are plans being made for an international Quran class, which Sweden can also benefit from.

However, Huzooraa said, “Every country can also start Quran classes within their own countries.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added that such classes can be taken by missionaries and also huffaz (plural of hafiz). Huzooraa further stated that help can be sought from the UK Jamaat.

Huzooraa was then asked about how one can motivate youngsters who are born in Sweden, but are slowly drifting away from religion.

Answering this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated that a close bond should be kept with them. Huzooraa added: “The reason they are moving further and further away is because there is a contradiction in the words and actions of

the elders. Thus, this is why I continue to say that the elders’ tarbiyat should be taken care of.”

Huzooraa further expressed that Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya should continue to inform the youth that they have not performed Bai‘at of any office-bearer.

Therefore, they should focus on the true teachings found in Islam and focus on the teachings of Islam as explained by the Khalifa and also to keep a close relationship with Khilafat.

A question was asked about the current circumstances of the world and how one should conduct work for tabligh. Upon this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated that social media should be utilised and technology.

Huzooraa added that one should continue to adapt to the situation as they change.

Huzooraa further said that in the circumstances the world is experiencing today, if we wish to save mankind, then we must draw their attention to God. Signs are now becoming apparent that even if the pandemic was to end, the world is being struck by an economic crisis, which will lead to issues arising between nations and ultimately warfare.

In the end, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa reminded the majlis-e-amila that they must conduct their work with full sincerity and recognise their responsibilities.

Huzooraa said, “Man can deceive man; however, no one is able to deceive God Almighty. Thus, always remember that God is watching your every deed.”

Upon this, the mulaqat came to a close.

Mulaqat of MKA the Netherlands On 30 August, a group of 120 Khuddam belonging to the Netherlands were fortunate to have a virtual class with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

The class commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a nazm.

During the class, the Khuddam had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa a range of questions and also seek guidance on numerous topics.

The first question was with regard to the upbringing of children and how we can

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM effectively explain to them the existence of God and the importance of Salat.

Answering the khadim, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “With regard to the upbringing of children, God says that tarbiyat starts when the child is born. This is why, in Islam, according to the practice of the Holy Prophetsa, when a child is born, we call the Azan in his right ear and say the takbir in his left.”

Furthermore, Huzooraa said: “Thus, when we are bestowed with things, we must make it clear that this is all provided by God.” This way, Huzooraa said, children would naturally be inclined towards God. Alluding to a hadith, Huzooraa explained that when the child reaches the age of seven, we must tell them about Salat. Then, when the child reaches the age of 10, which is an age when the brain has somewhat matured, we should try to instil the habit of Salat within the child.

Thus, Huzooraa said, “The upbringing done in the early years of life is what eventually becomes instilled in the child’s nature.”

Huzooraa further expressed that too much stress should not be put on the child that he begins to feel overburdened and later on becomes tired and leaves such habits. A moderate approach is necessary so that the Islamic teachings and habits remain instilled within them. Children must be told about the true teachings of Islam and the stories and incidents of prophets and the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa. This way, they will develop love for and a keen interest in Islam.

Following this, a khadim asked Huzooraa

for advice and recommendation for a person who wishes to do waqf. Answering this, Huzooraa said: “If a person desires to do waqf and has studied in a certain field that can be beneficial for the Jamaat, then they should present themselves to the Jamaat and a decision as to whether their studies can be beneficial or not will be made. If it is beneficial, then the Jamaat will accept their waqf. If it is not beneficial, then the Jamaat will tell them to continue working, but encourage them to do tabligh and volunteer in different departments.”

Huzooraa further said that we are in need of doctors, teachers and architectures. Thus, one’s acceptance of waqf is dependant on the necessity and requirements of the Jamaat.

A question was asked with relation to new converts who are married and have children and how they can safeguard from the influences of the non-Ahmadi family members whilst also keeping their rights in mind.

Answering this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “You should bring up your children in an Islamic way from the very beginning.

You should tell your children about Ahmadiyyat, our beliefs and about the Promised Messiahas who was foretold by the Holy Prophetsa. You should tell them, ‘We believe that that person who was supposed to come in the latter days has come in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian who we believe is the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. So, this is the difference between us and our relatives, who are Muslims, but not following the Imam of the age.’ If, from the very beginning, you adopt this method and are teaching the children

about the true teachings of Islam, then they will know. But at the same time, you should tell your children that since they are relatives and elders, they should also respect them.”

Huzooraa further said, “When you feel that your relatives are trying to influence your children and are trying to deviate them from the teachings of Ahmadiyyat and you fear that they may go astray, you should try to avoid those who are influencing your children in a bad way.”

A question was asked on the best way to study the books of the Promised Messiahas.

Answering this, Huzooraa stated that to create an interest in his books, one should start by reading the different topics the Promised Messiahas has written on. For the English readership, Huzooraa recommended reading Essence of Islam and for those who can read Urdu, Malfuzat.

A khadim asked Huzooraa to narrate and share a fond and special memory relating to Huzoor’saa time in Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya. Responding to this, Huzooraa stated, “I remember, during my childhood, when there were no restrictions in Pakistan, on yearly basis, we would look forward to the Ijtemas as we used to camp there at the site of the Ijtema.”

Huzooraa added, “Due to the equipment available, the tents were not properly made as they are here. Instead, we would make them with the help of our bedsheets.”

Huzooraa further said, “This was a very special moment. Everyone was excited and we would stay at that site for the three days of the Ijtema. Thus, every year, we would look forward and wait for the Ijtema so that we could camp outside and enjoy the Ijtema.”

Upon this, the mulaqat came to an end.

Continued from page 1

the door of divine blessing. The success of a disbeliever leads to misguidance because they, in turn, do not incline towards God, but rather take their own effort, intelligence and capability to be God. A believer, however, turns to God and gains a new understanding of Him. In this way, after every success, a new relationship between them and God is forged and a transformation begins to take place. Allah the Almighty states: َّ َ ّٰ َ َ َّ ‫ِا ّن الل َہ َمﻊ ال ِذیۡ َن ا�قوۡا‬ That is to say, God is with those who are righteous. It ought to be borne in mind that the word taqwa (i.e. righteousness) has appeared in the Holy Quran many a time. This word is understood in light of the word ma‘a (meaning “with”), which appears before it. That is to say that those who give precedence to God, in return are given precedence by God and He saves such people from every kind of disgrace in this world. It is my belief that if an individual desires to be safeguarded from every kind of disgrace and hardship in this world, there is only one way and that is to become righteous.

After this, such a one lacks nothing.

Hence, the success of a believer moves them further ahead and they never remain stagnant.

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

153 - 154)

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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This Week in History 4 - 10 September In this third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, this time, with some more details

4 September 1890: The Promised Messiahas expressed his surprise, while writing a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira, as to why he could not visit Qadian and why he was not in contact with Huzooras. Hazrat Ahmadas asked this devout companion to brief him about his wellbeing and whether he could visit Qadian or not because preparations to hold a census in the Indian subcontinent were underway and this could halt Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sahib’s journey to Qadian.

4 September 1894: This was the last day of the timeframe Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira given as regards the prophecy about Abdullah Atham by the Promised Messiahas.

Abdullah Atham was saved because he had repented and sought forgiveness.

4 September 1898: The Promised Messiahas advised Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra, while replying to his letter, that he should plan his next journey to Qadian in the coming month of October as the current weather and health conditions of locals, owing to the rainy season, did not look favourable.

4 September 1904: The Promised Messiahas delivered various lectures during his return from Lahore to Gurdaspur.

5 September 1887: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira on this date. Huzooras shared that it had been raining incessantly, hence the purchase of paper for printing had been halted.

5 September 1903: The Promised Messiahas stated that he saw in a vision that a very long branch of a cypress tree, which was very lovely and green had been cut down in his garden. Someone was holding it in his hand, when another person said that it should be planted next to the jujube tree, which had been cut down before, and that thus, it would grow again. At the same time, Huzooras received the revelation: ‫� اور ی‬ ‫��� �رى رطف ٓا ی�ا‬ ‫اک� ےس اک� یا‬ (He was cut off from Kabul and came straight to us.)

The Promised Messiahas interpreted this to mean the martyrdom of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheedra that was in actual fact like a seed that would become fruitful and would result in large numbers entering the Jamaat.

A note by Maulana Abdul Latif Bahawalpuri says:

“Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra applied this vision to the two martyrs [Sahibzada Syed Abdul Latifra and Maulvi Nimatullah] and said, ‘The jujube tree that was cut earlier refers to Syed Abdul Latifra.

Referring to him as jujube indicates that he was fruitful, that is, had children.

The branch of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif the cypress tree Shaheedra indicates that the branch that would be cut off after the jujube would be without fruit. Accordingly, Maulavi Nimatullah was not yet married when he was martyred.’”

5 September 1905: On this day, the bloody Russo-Japanese War came to an end. The Promised Messiahas wrote the following verse with reference to the war: ‫� �ی �ھ رک ےہ�ِ روس اور �اپن ےس‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ی‬ ‫م ی ب‬ ‫�� ��ار‬ ِ ‫رغ� اور ےہ �� رپ ی‬ (The war at hand is greater than the RussoJapanese War; I am feeble and my opponent is much stronger.)

This verse actually indicates the magnitude of the real opponent of religion – materialism.

6 September 1872: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian held a religious debate with Maulvi Allah Ditta of Lodhi Nangal, on this date.

6 September 1872: The biography of the Promised Messiahas, Hayat-e-Ahmad, volume 1 suggests that on this date, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas composed his first ever verse in the Persian language.

6 September 1883: The Promised Messiahas replied to another letter of Mir Abbas Ali Sahib of Ludhiana, in which he specifically explained some excerpts from a paramount book on spiritualism, Futuh-ul-Ghaib (Revelation of the Unseen) by Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilanirh (a Hanbali Sunni Muslim preacher, ascetic, mystic, jurist and theologian, who was known for being the founder of the Qadiriyya tariqa of Sufism), where special phases for seekers were discussed. In this thorough letter, Hazrat Ahmadas expressed his fears regarding the Muslim Ummah’s debacle in religious matters, which was constantly increasing in those days.

6 September 1888: The Promised Messiahas informed Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that he had been ill for a week with seasonal fever, hence a box had been filled with unattended letters.

Huzooras asked him to circulate copies of an attached announcement in different cities, where he had some friends with religious inclinations. In

this letter, Huzooras also advised him about some medical related issues.

6 September 1892: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Numanira, expressing his desire to see him. Huzooras shared that Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karimra and Arab Sahib were in Huzoor’s company. Moreover, in this letter, Huzooras also instructed Pir Sahibra that Huzooras had received and read the letter of Munshi Muhammad Azam and so, he should convey to him that he should recite istighfar profusely and repeat “La haula wa la quwwata…” at least eleven times after every prayer.

6 September 1894: The Promised Messiahas wrote to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira, teaching him how to react appropriately on special occasions of happiness and vice versa. This devout and sincere companion was naturally too worried about the outcome of the prophecy pertaining to Abdullah Atham. For this letter, Hazrat Ahmadas used the paper of a printed announcement by Hazrat Syed Hamid Shahra, which he had prepared to refute the false and provocative propaganda of a bitter foe, Saadullah of Ludhiana.

6 September 1905: Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira wrote to the Promised Messiahas about certain matters. On this date, the Promised Messiahas dictated his reply to Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib (who later shifted to Lahore and diverted his beliefs and activities from the unyielding path set by the Promised Messiahas himself). This letter discussed many issues like the system of succession in the Jamaat as happened after the Holy Prophetsa of Islam, the matter of Munshi Rustam Ali Sahibra approaching the age of retirement and a heavy amount of loans that he had borrowed to help fund the activities of the Jamaat. The Promised Messiahas guided him aptly as regards these matters.

7 September 1884: The Promised Messiahas updated Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira that he was still in Qadian and had not headed for Sujanpur, as discussed earlier. Moreover, the proposed journey to visit the Indian cities was also delayed owing to constant health issues. Huzooras said that, God willing, in the winter season, this trip could be possible as everything is dependent on God’s will. Huzooras also commented on the dreams of Mian Abdullah Sahibra as he had asked for their interpretation.

7 September 1887: The Promised Messiahas assured Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that he had prayed for his friend as he had requested in his letter. Huzooras reminded him to look for a suitable housemaid to help care for the newborn little Bashir, without further delay.

8 September 1887: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, debunking his allegations and misconceptions. This detailed reply renders an Continued on next page >>

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

Editorial

Charlie Hebdo: Reigniting a contentious flame Ataul Fatir Tahir Al Hakam

Charlie Hebdo, unfortunately, has republished satirical cartoons of the greatest prophet and human being to have walked the earth; Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

The magazine – which saw dying readership prior to the attacks at its offices in 2015 – published cartoons on Tuesday, 1 September, prior to the trial of 14 alleged accomplices in the horrific and unjustified attacks that took place in Paris, France.

The justification by the magazine to republish the cartoons has been extremely unconvincing and illogical, to say the least.

The sentiments of millions of Muslims will be tried once again as Muslims take Prophet Muhammadsa to be dearer than their own parents, children and loved ones.

After the attacks in 2015, great debates and discussions took place. Questions concerning freedom of speech and its limits and how Muslims should react to such hurtful provocations were at the forefront of such debates.

The most effective and rational response – considering the Quran and practice of the Holy Prophetsa – to such discussions was given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, who addressed the issue on several occasions after the attacks.

Huzooraa acknowledged that the cartoons would have caused great pain and hurt to the sentiments of any true Muslim.

Nevertheless, the core message to Muslims was to increase invoking durood and leave it to Allah. “… The victory of Islam will not be through murder and destruction; rather, we will succeed in our objectives by invoking durood on the Holy Prophetsa”,

Huzooraa explained in his Friday Sermon of 16 January 2015.

Some may ask how invoking blessings on the Prophetsa is the best response to this abhorrent exercise of “freedom of speech” and playing with sentiments. The answer is that all honour, respect and success is granted by Allah the Almighty, Who has the power to continue raising the status and honour of our beloved Prophetsa . No effort on our behalf will ever be fruitful for the cause of Islam without the blessing and support of Allah the Almighty. Therefore, pleading before the Most Powerful to raise the status and bless the Holy Prophetsa is the most effective response Muslims can carry out.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa of course denounced the attacks in the strongest terms and asked, “What was achieved by these acts of extremism? The wrongful act that the magazine committed two to three years ago, which had been forgotten, has once again resurfaced because of the erroneous actions of those calling themselves Muslims.”

The magazine was given a new life through these acts of extremism by those who called themselves Muslims and carried out the attacks, Huzooraa noted.

“If only the Muslim organisations that commit mayhem in the name of Islam could understand that Islam’s teachings of love and affection can bring the world into the fold of Islam so much quicker … the teaching Islam gives on patience and forbearance cannot be matched by any other religion”, said Huzooraa.

“These materialistic people are blind to faith and do not even refrain from mocking God Almighty, let alone the prophets. If we respond to the actions of the ignorant with ignorance too, it will only lead them to continue further in their actions. Therefore,

<< Continued from previous page

amiable picture of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , who possessed a mountainous stature in front of every difficulty and had peerless trust in God and His help. as

God the Almighty states that instead of responding to them, you should pass by and distance yourself from such people who commit vain acts.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa told Muslims: “In this age, the enemy of Islam does not want to harm Islam, the teachings of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa with the use of the sword but instead, through such petty ploys.

By stating that God the Almighty and His angels send blessings on the Holy Prophetsa, a fundamental principle has been explained

by God Almighty: that these actions cannot do any harm to the status of the Holy Prophetsa. Instead of indulging in such vain actions and responding in the same ignorant manner, we should invoke durood and salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa – this is the duty of a true Muslim.”

The issue of freedom of speech and its limits was discussed at length too by Huzooraa in his Friday Sermons and in press interviews.

The response by Pope Francis regarding freedom of speech was also quoted

by Huzooraa as a reasonable and good explanation to freedom of speech and its limits. The Pope had said that freedom of expression isn’t without any restraint. He expressed that every religion has an honour, which should not be attacked. Pope Francis cited the example of a close friend and said that if this individual ever cursed his mother or said something abusive about her, that person should expect to be punched in the face; it is wrong to provoke someone’s sentiments and that is what the editors had done.

Concerning the attacks, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “We have stated that it was an un-Islamic act and expressed our commiseration and

informing him of the best outcome destined

by God Almighty in the matter of Abdullah Atham. Huzooras shared that to expound on the whole emerging situation, he had prepared an announcement and 5,000 copies were being printed and would reach him in the coming days.

Hazrat Ahmadas guided him to rejoice because God had shown His clear sign in favour of Islam by the victory of Muslim camp.

8 September 1894: The Promised Messiahas updated Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra that he had received his contribution and shared that a new book, Anwar-ul-Islam and an important announcement regarding Abdullah Atham was being printing with the help of his financial contributions. Hazrat Ahmadas graciously produced the summary of this book and details of the prophecy regarding Atham in this letter for Hazrat Seith Sahibra.

9 September 1890: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira, expressing his pleasure upon receiving the news of his wellbeing. Hazrat Ahmadas also added that it was planned to remain in Ludhiana till the end of this month.

8 September 1894: The Promised Messiah replied to a letter of Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira,

9 September 1894: A pamphlet was released regarding the publication of Sat-Bachan by Zia-ul-

as

also maintained that freedom of speech should have limitations, otherwise those people who inflame others’ sentiments will be responsible for causing disorder in the world.”

To listen to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa responses to the Charlie Hebdo attacks and the concerning discussions, we recommend revisiting Huzoor’s Friday Sermons of 9 and 16 January 2015, available at alislam.org and on mta.tv.

It seems that we live in a world that continues to lower the bar of morals and in turn, increase social unrest and disorder.

In the name of “liberty”, “liberalism” and “freedom of speech”, nations, organisations and individuals make holy the freedom to hurt and provoke sentiments, leading to nothing productive; rather, social rife, unrest and pain are born out of such endeavours under the banner of “freedom”. After all, without law and order, we, as humans, are just untamed animals.

All perpetrators of the Charlie Hebdo attacks must be held accountable and brought to justice, but it is unfortunate and sad to see no progression by those who seek to hurt and provoke sentiments.

As Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa advised, we Muslims should turn to Allah and invoke salutations upon our master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, more than before.

Islam printing press. It is believed that this was the first pamphlet of this press.

9 September 1901: A pamphlet of the Promised Messiahas by the name of Mufid-ul-Akhbar was published, in which he issued an instruction to conduct comprehensive exams of his books.

10 September 1902: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter of Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahmanra, asking him to share his itinerary of his proposed trip to Qadian so that the arrangements could be made. Hazrat Ahmadas said that he had been praying for him and: ُ ْ َ ‫و َمن َد َّق‬ �‫باب ا��ریم یُف َﺘ‬ “And if someone knocks at the door of a noble person, it is opened.”

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Where stars descend Chapter 6 (Nurturing the future) Part II Asif M Basit

In keeping with the same topic, I feel that I should mention something that has always been spiritually uplifting for me.

Classes with Huzooraa began in October 2003. Young children would attend those classes. They would ask innocent questions, narrate innocent jokes and Huzooraa would answer their questions and narrate jokes, simple enough for them to grasp. Huzooraa would teach them the alphabet and other lessons to do with it and ask simple riddles that they could answer. The sun of the Fifth Khilafat had only just risen then.

Those opponents of the Jamaat who had seen dreams of the destruction of the Jamaat after the Fourth Khilafat, God forbid, were only just beginning to fathom what had happened. Having observed the commencement of the Fifth Khilafat and the subsequent strength of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya, the opponents’ mouths were left shut. However, their despair caused them to stoop even lower in aggression.

The depth of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa character and personality had not yet become apparent to anyone. (The truth is that even today, nobody has been able to completely grasp the depth of his personality, whether Ahmadi or nonAhmadi. This, I say, first and foremost, on my own behalf.)

In their malice and spite, the enemy had started to make various aspects of Huzoor’s noble character a target of ridicule and mockery. They would ridicule his style of talking, make jest of his sermons and when the classes started, they began mocking those classes by saying, “Go on!

Carry on teaching children their ABCs! How will you give guidance to the Islamic Ummah!” (God forbid!)

Huzooraa is resolute! I am certain that we are unaware of a lot of the comments that were made at that time. However, permit me to say that as far as my experience goes, whenever waves have collided with the colossal and firm station of Huzooraa, they have been rendered useless as Huzooraa remains firm and unmoved at every onslaught. He remained unmoved then and continues to remain so today. Huzooraa absorbs the force of every onslaught, yet he does not move an inch from his position, so much so that he protects the crowds of Ahmadis that stand behind him!

Neither do I claim to have observed

the state of his heart, nor can anybody do so. Whenever we are struck with sorrow and grief, we immediately write to our beloved leader or talk to him in person.

Much like children, we immediately run to him and virtually say, “That person said something which really hurt me!” or, “I have a problem that I need to share with you” or, “My relative is extremely ill and needs your prayers” or, “I am extremely worried for my well-being” etc.

We all forget that for this man, there is no other person with whom he can share his pain and anguish to alleviate his burdens. He is a person who stays awake for everyone and cries only before his Lord, Who appointed him as the Imam of the final community of God. Thus, Huzooraa does not just face the onslaughts that we observe on the Internet or social media. Only God knows what else the enemies and hypocrites write to Huzooraa about in their anonymous letters.

Come what may, his vision surpasses the petty and trivial onslaughts that come his way!

The opponents had begun hurling abuse and mocking those classes, but despite the other extraordinary tasks he was appointed with, he would sit with those fortunate children on almost a weekly basis, sometimes teaching them the alphabet, while at other times asking them simple riddles.

In a previous chapter, I have already

shown how our sight cannot even see the horizons Huzooraa has his eyes set on. Those children began to grow and with time, they started attending the class known as Gulshan-e-Waqf-e-Nau Atfal, after which the older children (who no longer remained children) started attending Gulshan-e-Waqf-e-Nau Khuddam and sat in their beloved master’s presence. Then, from among those who attended that class, some began to become recipients of Huzoor’s endless love in Tulaba Jamia ke Sath Nashist.

Those children who started off learning their ABCs with Huzooraa and found it extremely difficult to converse in Urdu, were now, in those very nashists (sittings), conversing with Huzooraa in Urdu. Most of them were now able to deliver speeches in Urdu before Huzooraa.

There was a special God-given light in their speech, which could easily be seen by the viewer. The colour that was most manifest in that light was the colour of inspiration from Huzoor’s love and attention. It was a ray of that very same light that one day penetrated my heart.

I had sought permission from Huzooraa to start a programme on MTA for the youth of the Jamaat that would be conducted by students of Jamia Ahmadiyya, who would answer the youth’s questions. In effect, the youth would be answering the questions of the youth and we found it to be the best approach to answering questions the

younger generation had in their minds.

Without a pause, Huzooraa immediately replied, “Of course! What’s stopping you?”

Such a remark, with Huzoor’s full approval, boosts the smallest of efforts. My experience is that if a proposal is not met with Huzoor’s full permission or pleasure, then that idea should be set aside. Even if the proposal is met with a response like, “Okay. Do it and see what happens”, a second thought should be given to the idea.

Initially, after such responses, I thought that I should go ahead with the idea in any case. In all those situations, my proposal always resulted in disaster or very near to it. Huzoor’s pleasure is met with only on a fortunate proposal, at a fortunate hour, at an hour of God’s blessing and that becomes evident from Huzoor’s tone and expression.

Thus, it was with Huzoor’s motivating approval that we started planning the programme. Alongside preparations, the name of that programme was under consideration. Whatever name came to mind would be noted down.

When the list of proposed names had been prepared, I presented it to Huzooraa during a mulaqat for guidance and approval. Huzooraa approved the name as “Beacon of Truth”.

The time for the recording came; there were three stools on the set with different coloured curtains as the backdrop. In

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

that simple setup, the first recording took place. Mansoor Ahmad Clarke Sahib (Missionary, London Region) presented the programme, while Ayyaz Mahmood Khan Sahib (Missionary, Central Department for Publications and Translations), Qaasid Muin Ahmad Sahib (Missionary, MTA International) and Shahzad Ahmed Sahib (Missionary, The Review of Religions) sat on the panel. At that time, they were all students of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK. The time for the recording came and I went and sat in the control room. As I peered up at the screen and looked at those young faces, a wave of emotions struck me. My eyes became filled with tears.

I recalled those day when Mansoor Clarke was just a small child and would travel from Birmingham with his mother to attend every class. He could not read Urdu and so, before every class, he would go through the text of what he was to read in Urdu but written in English text. His mother would call me a few days before the class expressing her anxiety, saying that he had not prepared his part properly and was not sure whether he would be able to speak. So, she would suggest that he should stay in the nearby guesthouse so that he could focus properly.

I also recalled the young Qaasid Muin, when he was seated in Huzoor’s class at the age of 12 or 13. During one class, Huzooraa asked the children who they knew in a certain picture that was displayed on the screen. When Huzooraa asked about a certain companion of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, no one was able to reply, but Qaasid put his hand up and answered that it was Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra.

Huzoor asked that little boy, “Kamal kar diya hei! (Very impressive!) How did you manage to recognise him?”

But today, the seeds that Huzooraa had himself sown; the seeds that Huzooraa had himself nurtured through classes and personal mulaqats; those who he raised up himself were now ready to absorb any onslaught for the sake of their religion.

Where are they, who mocked and ridiculed those classes! God’s divine decree had shut the mouths of the opponents in

such a remarkable way!

Was it not these very children who would be taught their ABCs by a wise teacher! Was it not these children who would try to decipher the simple riddles asked by a farsighted leader! It was these very children who would receive boxes of food from the simple, yet elevated valiullah (man of God) and would go home and eat with their families, who savoured every bite, believing it to be tabarruk (blessed)!

Even at such an act of innocence, opponents laughed and mocked us.

But look, how the tables have turned!

You still cannot comprehend what has happened and are lost in the depths of darkness. History is not ready to accept you! But here, every day, we are making history and history will testify that every day and every night, not one, but many beacons of truth were lit.

Eventually, when the programme had been recorded, a copy was sent to Huzooraa for guidance and approval.

Very graciously, Huzooraa approved the programme. But Huzoor’s graciousness knows no bounds!

In relation to some work, I was at the University of Cambridge, when I received a call from Zaheer Ahmad Khan Sahib (Lecturer, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK). He told me that he had just had a mulaqat with Huzooraa, in which Huzooraa very lovingly showed the first recording of the programme with great pride. Huzooraa himself turned the DVD player on and then fast-forwarded the programme to different places. Huzooraa would tell him with great love how the students had done tremendously.

That same year, the annual MTA Forum took place in which many representatives of foreign MTA studios had come to attend. During his address, Huzooraa mentioned Beacon of Truth and very lovingly praised the work of those students. Huzooraa described how one of them stood as the presenter, while the rest took to the panel and in that manner, sought to defend the religion of Islam.

When you think about it, it is extraordinary. It was Huzoor’s wonders that were at work, yet Huzoor still

applauded his servants!

In 2012, the first class from Jamia Ahmadiyya UK graduated. Huzooraa handed them their degrees. Many of them were those who, not too long ago, were young children and grew up in Huzoor’s classes. Huzooraa would very lovingly give them chocolates, while on other occasions, would give them pens. Sometimes, Huzooraa would give them caps and would tell them to try them on to check if the size was correct. Occasionally, Huzooraa would put them on for the children and say, “Don’t wear it like this. It should be worn like this,” and would show them himself how they should be worn.

That day, the children whose caps Huzooraa would straighten himself were graduating as missionaries of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam! That day, Huzooraa himself handed them their Shahid Degrees.

The following year, in 2013, the next class graduated. Huzooraa graced their graduation also. That day too, there were faces among the graduating class that the enemies would have laughed at, seeing them in Huzoor’s classes. Abdul Quddus Arif, Musawer Ahmad Shahid, Shahzad Ahmed, Aqeel Ahmad Kang, Qaasid Muin Ahmad.

The foundations for their progress were laid in those very classes, where they were taught the alphabet, asked simple riddles and basic religious questions. It was these very children who would sing nazms and taraney [poems] in their innocent voices.

I remained a silent witness to all of this.

If emotions of happiness could strike me, then the one who had played the biggest role in it must surely have been moved and indeed fervently praised Allah the Almighty. Huzooraa would have been happier than any parent whose child proves successful.

But who can say that they have witnessed Huzooraa getting emotional at this? That day, on their graduation, Huzooraa was educating them in the secrets of a successful future; Huzooraa was handing them the keys to prosperity.

Huzooraa told them to ponder and reflect over the Holy Quran and to delve

into the different meanings of its verses.

If they found any new meanings or interpretations in the Holy Quran, then they should inform Huzooraa about it and get it endorsed by him, after which they should spread it widely.

Huzooraa was harvesting his crops; the crops that we saw as children; the same children who the enemy saw and made a target of scorn. The enemy would laugh, but divine decree would laugh at the enemy, saying, “What do you know?

You know nothing! No work of God’s appointed Khalifa is without purpose. No effort of his goes in vain!”

At first, the enemy would laugh at the fact that a specialist in agriculture had been made a Khalifa. They continued to laugh, but the Promised Messiahas had already explained something to us in relation to this.

God Almighty has created both the physical and spiritual world for us, but both worlds run parallel to each other. Where God Almighty has made provisions for us in the spiritual world, so too has He done in the spiritual world. Physical hunger can be satisfied through material foods, while spiritual thirst can be quenched through worship.

The same is the case with agriculture.

It is the knowledge of sowing seeds, nourishing plants and letting them stem and branch outwards. The parallel to this in the spiritual realm has been shown in the form of Huzoor’s classes.

During one class, a student of Jamia Ahmadiyya from the Gambia, Abdullah Dibba, who is now a missionary, asked whether Huzooraa still had an interest in agriculture. Huzoor replied, “Now you are my crops. How you prove yourselves in the field will determine whether I have had a good harvest or not.”

Through MTA, millions of viewers can see how Huzooraa planted the seed of spiritual education and thereafter nourished his harvest. Not only in classes, but in personal mulaqats, Huzooraa spiritually charges them. He provides them shade, while at other times, teaches them how to bear the intense rays of light.

Once one harvest is ready, millions

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

8 of Ahmadis reap its benefits, the greatest being the message of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas and his Khalifaaa. Alhamdolillah!

It is well-nigh possible that God Almighty had intended to show this sublime example through Huzoor’s expertise in agriculture. Otherwise, we are all aware, we are all witnesses, we have all experienced and we are all ready to swear on oath and declare that Huzooraa possesses the keys to the knowledge of the Quran and the knowledge of the world. If anyone is in doubt, then they can listen to Huzoor’s weekly Friday Sermons, his discussions with world leaders and politicians, interviews with the press, which are now all available on YouTube and social media. The evidence is all there.

In talking about classes, there is another form of “class” that Huzooraa conducts. It is those sessions, students present their research to Huzooraa and talk about their respective fields. Now, these sessions have also become a permanent feature of Huzoor’s tours. Researchers belonging to the Ahmadiyya Jamaat throughout the world have the good fortune of presenting their research before Huzooraa.

Those sittings are unique in their own right. When those programmes reach MTA at the end of a tour, I have the opportunity to watch what I always find most intriguing; classes with students of research. It is always a fascinating and spiritually uplifting experience.

For instance, some students would be researching honey, some would be getting experience in stem-cell research, some in archaeology, some in cancer research, some would be studying the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, while others would be pursuing higher degrees in research, for example, MA, MSc, MPhil and PhD. With great interest and attentiveness, Huzooraa listens to all presentations on such topics and asks them questions related to it. But what’s more is that Huzooraa explains many solutions to the problems the students may be facing. Huzooraa also tells them about such things to which the students have to concede that their research had not yet taken them there.

Regarding one such sitting with Huzooraa, I openly expressed my astonishment. But the calm and tranquillity on Huzoor’s countenance was followed with a serene smile; the very smile that gives us all purpose. Huzooraa said: “By listening to them, at times, something comes to mind and so, I either mention it or ask a question. I haven’t studied those fields, but I know a little bit about what is being said, so I ask my question or make a remark based on that knowledge.”

Although I carefully listened to Huzoor’s response, the question still remained in my mind. Then, I understood, when I pondered over an incident of the Promised Messiahas.

He had heard his children arguing over whether wealth was better or knowledge, to which Hazrat Ahmadas told them, “Neither knowledge, nor wealth is better; Allah’s grace and mercy is best!”

Just as God was pleased with the Promised Messiah’s humble ways, so too

is the case with the person who is seated on the throne of Khilafat, whom God has Himself selected. He has bestowed upon the Khalifa a large portion of the promise that He would grant him both secular and religious knowledge.

If Khilafat truly is a manifestation of God’s omnipotence (and indeed it is), then how is it possible that God’s omnipotence is not manifested in the Khalifa’s every word and deed. ْ ّٰ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ ّٰ َ َ ْ ُ ‫ان الل ِہ ال َع ِظ ْیم‬ ‫سبحان الل ِہ و ِبحم ِد ِہ سبح‬ “Holy is Allah, with all His praise; Holy is Allah, the Great!”

When Huzooraa graciously assigned me the responsibility of all programmes of MTA, one day, he instructed, “Form a team that can assist you in work.”

Huzoor initiated the programme Persecution, then transformed it into Rahe-Huda. Huzooraa then initiated Beacon of Truth, followed by programmes like Tarikhi Haqaiq, Fiqhi Masail and thus, the viewers of MTA began to feel a change in the variety of programmes presented on MTA. (Here I should clarify that any programme on MTA that had any amount of good in it was a result of Huzooraa; any shortcomings and errors were faults on our part.)

Thus, Huzooraa began to sow the seeds for many programmes of MTA and the numbers increased very rapidly. Huzoor’s instruction to form a team was in this very backdrop.

It had only been four years since Jamia Ahmadiyya UK was established. The most senior class had only just reached Darja Salisa (the fourth year). I had sought permission from Huzooraa to get assistance from the students of Jamia. Huzooraa very lovingly granted permission.

Ansar Bilal Anwar sahib (Missionary, Germany), Musawer Ahmad Shahid Sahib (Missionary, Finland), Abdul Quddus Arif Sahib (Sadr MKA UK and lecturer at Jamia UK), Ayyaz Mahmood Khan sahib (Missionary, Central Department for Publications and Translations), Jeryullah Khan Sahib (Missionary, Germany), Qaasid Muin Ahmad Sahib (Missionary, MTA International), Muhammad Anas Ahmad Sahib (Missionary, Markaz), Sabauz Zafar Sahib (Missionary, New Zealand), Mudabbir Din Sahib (Missionary, MTA International), Mustanser Qamar Sahib (Missionary, New Zealand), Raza Ahmad Sahib (Missionary, London Region) and Zafir Mahmood Malik Sahib (Missionary, The Review of Religions) very swiftly began to play a role in this team. At the time, they were still studying at Jamia.

On the one hand, the programmes on MTA were expanding and growing as a result of Huzoor’s love and attention, while on the other hand, students of Jamia were being trained to bear the responsibilities of these very tasks. All the while, Huzooraa was well-aware where he would plant each seedling and from where the growth would be most fruitful. The very students that would seek the blessings of Khilafat from Huzooraa in sittings, classes and mulaqats are now spreading those blessings among the masses and are the sources of those blessings being spread globally.

As I write these lines, the very young faces of those children who would sit in those classes and talk innocently are coming before my eyes. Those young children are presently serving not just the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, but the world at large. Safeeruddin Qamar (Camera Operator, MTA International), Tawqeer Mirza (Editor, MTA International), Faiz Ahmad (Architect), Fateh Ahmad (Civil Engineer), Azhar Ashraf (Student of Medicine), Tasweer Ahmad (Student of Medicine), Danish Ahmad and many more young faces come and go before my eyes.

They were children who had sat in Huzoor’s presence from very young ages and were recipients of the blessings of Khilafat. I have had the blessing of being able to see them spreading those blessings throughout the world.

17 years have passed with me standing silently and witnessing all this. There are many things that I have not been able to fathom and have not had the audacity to ask about.

On a daily basis, there are thousands of letters waiting to be read by Huzooraa.

Those letters include such that were written by people in desperation to share their joy and happiness with Huzooraa, but most of them entail those that were written in desperation by people who were extremely worried and anxious.

Every day, Huzooraa reads letters to do with someone’s grandmother falling and breaking a bone, someone’s grandfather’s chest infection, failure in examinations, loss of jobs, domestic disturbance and violence, the disobedience of spouses and children and incurable terminal illnesses.

The letters bear the pain and suffering of many Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis.

Then, there are administrative issues, for instance, a government’s restraint on building a mosque, protests by locals on building a mosque, local police arresting Ahmadis for no logical reasons whatsoever or the martyrdom of an Ahmadi on the basis that they believed in the Imamas of the latter days.

These are just samples of what Huzooraa experiences on an average day.

Otherwise, there is indeed so much more that Huzooraa prays for and has to solve.

Having read such letters, Huzooraa attends our classes, but Huzoor’s countenance always bears the radiating smile that gives us warmth and comfort.

An observer may think that such calm and relaxation could only be possible if Huzoor’s entire day’s schedule was merely to attend that class, lead the five prayers and nothing more. But the world is not aware that this soul is the most burdened soul on the face of the Earth!

In their love for Huzooraa, people openly express their pain and anguish and place their feelings at his threshold! Some tell Huzooraa of their cases in qaza and umur-e-ama and how they are demanding for justice, some request prayers from Huzooraa, some seek Huzoor’s forgiveness for scheming against the Jamaat’s system, others seek pardon for displeasing Huzooraa, while the opposing party urges not to forgive the other party, otherwise justice would not be served. Alongside

this, Huzooraa continues to produce solutions for the Jamaat’s administrative issues. On top of that, the responsibility for each decision he makes lies on him, which he is answerable for only to Allah.

He leads prayers, enters the world of confronting everyone’s problems and thinks of ways to solve those problems, but the moment he steps into the hall for a class with Waqifeen-e-Nau, his smile illuminates the atmosphere! He sits and talks to the children, answers any questions they may have, enquires regarding a student’s relatives whether their operation was successful and whether they are recovering, while asking others whether their exams – which they said they were going to have – were successful.

If he observes someone wearing summer-appropriate clothing in the winter, he asks whether they are not cold in such clothes. Throughout all this, the participants and organisers are kept engrossed in the class.

If only we could always remember this prayer at such moments: ُ ُ ْ ْ ُ َ َ َ ْ ّ َ َّ ُ ّ ٰ َ ‫س‬ ِ ‫اللہم ایِد اِمامنا بِرو ِح القد‬ (O Allah, strengthen our Imam’s hand with the spirit of purity!)

If we are incapable of doing anything else, then this is the least we can do because only Allah can relieve Huzoor’s anguish and pain. It is only a result of complete trust in Allah that despite the anguish and pain people pile up before him, Huzoor’s priority remains our sentiments, our wellbeing and our betterment.

May Allah make it so that whenever we see Huzooraa, whether in person or on the screen, the essence of the following couplets remains in our minds: ‫داع رکو ہک رسوں رپ رےہ وہ اربِ رکم‬ ‫ک ت‬ ‫دولں ی‬ ‫م ونر یک وج ھ�ی��ی�اں ااگات ےہ‬ (Pray that the shade of Mercy remains over us, which cultivates the fields of nur [light] in our hearts) ‫داع رکو وہ رجش رمع رھب رےہ اقمئ‬ ‫چی ن‬ ‫وہ سج ےک اسےئ ی‬ ‫� اپات ےہ‬ ‫م رہ صخش‬ (Pray that that tree stands upright for eternity, in the shade of which every human attains serenity) ‫داع رکو ہک ہن ٓاچن ٓاےئ اس ےک رس ہپ یھبک‬ ‫وج بس وک پ ی�ار ےس اےنپ ےلگ اگلات ےہ‬

(Pray that no anguish afflicts him ever; He, who lovingly embraces everyone) ‫داع رکو وہ زخاہن یھبک ہن وہ اخیل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫وج مغ �ص� بی� ی ب‬ ‫رغ�وں ےک اکم ٓاات ےہ‬ (Pray that the treasure never ceases to exist, that which benefits the innocent, anguished people) ‫داع رکو ہک ہن انہگےئ ات ادب وہ اچدن‬ ‫وج وتملظں ی‬ ‫د� پ ی�ار ےک الجات ےہ‬ ‫م ی‬ (Pray that that moon never sees an eclipse, which ignites the flames of love in the depths of darkness) ‫داع رکو ہک وہ رپمچ دسا دنلب رےہ‬ ‫د� یک رطف وج ہ ی‬ ‫دخا ےک ی‬ ‫� البات ےہ‬ (Pray that the flag never ceases to soar in the skies, which summons us towards God’s true religion)

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

Opinion

Islamic New Year and the meaning of Hijra for humanity

Hafiz Yunus Omotayo Chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild of Nigeria

The auspicious emergence of the crescent of the month of Muharram, which ushered in the New Year 1442 of the Muslim Lunar-Hijra calendar, has graced the horizons of the Muslim world with customary celebratory galore.

Of course, the beginning of the New Year always reminds us of the historic event that took place in 622 AD (1 Hijra) when, on divine guidance, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, embarked on the Hijra (migration) from Mecca to Yathrib (later renamed Medina) along with his companions.

Against the backdrop of the 13-year experiences of victimisation at Mecca, this was a historic base shift from Mecca’s harsh climate of opposition and persecution against Muslims to that of Medina’s relatively conducive environment for the proselytisation and world formation of the divine movement of Islam.

Indeed, the historicity of the Hijra is reflected in the fact that it hallmarked the

historical turning-point that began from that very formative stage of Islam and culminated in the fascinating trajectory of the triumphant formation of the Islamic religion and state. This fact perhaps explains why, during his Caliphate, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, chose the date of the Hijra as the beginning of the Muslim Lunar Calendar, preferring it over the rest of the historical dates of the Holy Prophet’s birth or of his commission as a prophet or of his victory over Mecca or of his death.

More relevantly, however, this writer is of the view that the fact that this memorable event was preeminently immortalised as the starting-point of the Muslim Lunar Calendar further implies that it has a continual meaning and message for humanity in the present and the future. This, therefore, mandates that beyond the usual unorthodox superficial celebration of a New Year, Muslims should engage in a collective sober reflection on, and implementation of, all the positivity which the Hijra represents to our contemporary turbulent time.

A powerful Quranic declaration identifies Hijra as one of the prerequisites

that entitles man to divine providence. It says: “Verily, those who believe and those who emigrate and strive hard in the cause of Allah, it is these who hope for Allah’s mercy; and Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch. 2: V.219) However, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa gave an impressive twist to the contextual meaning of Hijra that goes beyond its literal translation. He declared, “A true emigrant [muhajir] is he who moves away from all that which God has prohibited.” (Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Aas and reported in Sunan AlNasai, hadith 4996) Bearing the foregoing Quranic and Prophetic perspectives of Hijra in mind, this writer finds it compelling to state that with the current multifarious and multidimensional challenges bedeviling today’s Muslim communities in particular and the world in general, it is incumbent on us all to perform Hijra (to migrate) to shift from every non-divine and anti-human paradigm of life, religious practice, politics, intra- and inter-religious, intercommunity, inter-ethnic, interracial and

international relations, to that of the world-constructive paradigm as enjoined

by God and the dictates of universal human values.

Foremost, mainstream Muslim sects and denominations have to collectively resolve to “migrate” from its current state of exclusivist religious worldview and idiosyncrasy – that is breeding extremism, fanaticism, radicalism with their concomitant intra-religious ideological skirmishes and inter-religious terrorism – to an inclusivist, pluralist and multiculturalist paradigm. They must shift base from the paradigm that encourages exclusivist claim to orthodox Islamic truths and the takfir practice (the divisive practice and phenomenon of declaring Muslims as non-Muslims) to the paradigm of inclusivity and the recognition of Muslims’ collective right to the commonwealth of Islam.

Muslims must shift from the paradigm of politicisation of religious issues and the manipulation of religion as a pretext for gaining political and economic power, for causing public disturbance and violence, endangering national and world peace and security. They must collectively adopt a paradigm that fosters mutual respect, understanding, peace and solidarity within a united Muslim world; one which glories under a single leader, a Khalifa.

Furthermore, in a broader application, I would also leverage on the foregoing concept of Hijra to propose that international relations must shift from the current paradigm of the clash of civilisations and world power-play to a paradigm of dialogue of civilisations and collaboration of powers. Interracial relations must “migrate” from the current paradigm of discrimination and injustice to a paradigm of recognition of the commonness of humanity, the mutuality of human brotherhood and justice and equality in human relations. In the same vein, human inter-ethnic relations must shift from tribalism, nepotism and favouritism to a paradigm of collectivity, meritocracy, equality and equity.

Again, governance must “migrate” from the paradigm of corruption and impunity to the paradigm of transparency and accountability. All local and national politics across the world must “migrate” from the paradigm of politics of bitterness and “dirty games” to that of a genuine spirit of selfless service to humanity.

In the same vein, the contemporary economic and financial system must shift from its current interest-based economic and financial paradigm, which fosters continued impoverishment of the poor countries and individuals while the rich continue to be rich, to that of a non-interest-based paradigm. Most importantly, the contemporary adherents of individual religion must cause the public image of their religion to “migrate” from being a religion of body (materialism) and heart (sentimentalism) to being a religion of mind (rationality), spirit (spirituality) and God (divinity) altogether.

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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120 youth from the Netherlands meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Safeer Siddiqui Missionary, the Netherlands

Earlier today, 120 Khuddam from the Netherlands had the opportunity of meeting Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, in a virtual mulaqat.

While sitting in the De Witte Huis hall in Almere, the Netherlands, Khuddam

were blessed with meeting Huzooraa and engaging with him through a live video link that connected the Khuddam to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, who was in his office in Islamabad, UK. The proceedings of the mulaqat started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, its Urdu translation and then a poem.

Following this, the Khuddam had the

opportunity to ask questions to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. The questions ranged from diverse topics and current affairs, which included questions about agriculture, drugs, politics, waqf, consumption of meat and gender neutrality, to name a few.

One khadim asked Huzooraa how one knows if Allah is pleased with them. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that if you

know that Allah is pleased with you, you might stop praying. It is better to keep hidden matters hidden. He further advised that one should continue to do good deeds, try to achieve a good end, continue virtues and obey God. Another question asked was about the things all Khuddam should do every day.

Huzooraa responded by saying they should pray five times a day at least.

A khadim asked Huzooraa what the best way was to read the books of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. Huzooraa said that it would be difficult to read them in one go; many serious topics are discussed.

It is therefore better to start with Essence of Islam and select topics of interests. As a result, slowly a taste would develop that would enable one to read larger books.

Huzooraa said that one should read books to learn what our teachings are; books like Kishti-e-Nuh, Aik Ghalati ka Izala, Chashma-e-Ma‘rifat, Haqiqatul Wahi etc.

One question was about how to contact Khuddam or Jamaat members who don’t pick up phone calls?

Huzooraa beautifully explained that one should have personal relationships.

Contact should not only be made for Jamaat affairs or chanda collection, Huzooraa said. Such members have some grievances against office bearers, not against the Jamaat, therefore one should go and visit them and come back without discussing Jamaat things; it is a personal relationship that will bring them closer to the Jamaat, Huzooraa said.

Insha-Allah, a more detailed report will be published soon.

Diligent preparation by MKA the Netherlands for online meeting with Huzoor Usman Ahmed Sadr MKA, the Netherlands

When the news was conveyed to me that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa would bless Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya the Netherlands with an online session, an immense feeling of joy went through my mind, accompanied with a deep concern that in these times of Covid-19, a very small number of Khuddam would be able to participate in this blessed programme.

Given the fact that we are a small Jamaat with limited resources, we do not have large halls in any of our four mission houses, where a maximum of 30 Khuddam can be accommodated, while adhering to Covid-19 regulations as imposed by the government.

Hence, we started the search for different types of commercial halls, including sports halls, hotels and event centres. After having searched places based on our requirements, visits were made and negotiations were held with several parties; the challenge seemed to be larger than we initially had anticipated.

It was not only a matter of hiring a hall for a day. All the technical setup for MTA

(audio, video, streaming etc.) and the seating arrangements had to be set up several days before the programme so that we could have the test runs with MTA International.

This meant that the hall had to be hired for two days, one day for the test runs and the other day for the programme itself.

There were many complications that we faced throughout our search. The time was ticking and a doom scenario was looming that we would not be able to get a hall reserved and the programme would have to be held in our mission house, using two separate halls that would accommodate a maximum of 60 Khuddam.

In the final stages of our search we had two halls (one in Amsterdam and the other one in Almere). We were already quite far in negotiations. The Amsterdam hall had a larger capacity, but in this city, the coronavirus has been spreading more than in other cities.

On the day that the organisation of this hall would inform us if they would offer the hall with all our requirements, the Amsterdam council announced that any gathering with 100 participants should

inform the council. This dented our hopes even further. The other hall in Almere simply denied offering us the hall with our requirements.

Throughout this time, I was writing

for prayers to Huzooraa for a successful programme and the arrangements. The prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa were being heard by Allah the Almighty.

Allah the Almighty, Who has power

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM over all things, made everything happen all of a sudden. The same owner of the hall in Almere who had denied us, called us himself and offered everything we required for a very low price. Furthermore, a whole day for test runs earlier in the week was offered without any charges. In addition, he even offered storage space for three days for all our technical equipment, without any charges so that it didn’t need to be transported back and forth to the mission house after the test runs.

Hence, it was a great manifestation of the acceptance of prayers of Huzooraa.

It was a very faith-inspiring spectacle for all of members of our team. We started to witness the blessings of Khilafat even before the actual programme was held with Huzooraa, alhamdolillah.

As mentioned earlier, the technical setup for MTA had to be started on Saturday evening to have it running and tested in time before Sunday noon, when the session was planned to take place. The hall was reserved by some other party on Saturday night and would be made available for us at 4am on Sunday morning. So our MTA team, led by Rehan Warraich Sahib, planned to start the work at 4am, without wasting a single moment.

According to the plan, Khuddam gathered in the early hours on Sunday morning. Khuddam on duty had to travel from different parts of the country, so some of them didn’t even sleep the whole night.

When the work started at 4am by the servants of Ahmadiyyat, who had either not slept or had just a couple of hours of rest, it seemed as if they were filled with divine energy until the setup was completed and the hall was made ready for the programme.

We had completed the work even earlier than planned, alhamdolillah. This amazing energy and huge motivation was in fact an illustration of their love and affection for Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, which could be observed very clearly.

When the session started and as soon as we saw Huzooraa on screen, all the fatigue and tiredness of the passed days was vanished. It felt as if we were sitting in Huzoor’saa office and meeting with Huzooraa.

As there is no compulsion of wearing the face mask in Holland, so we had decided not to wear face masks while speaking to Huzooraa. When the meeting started, I (not wearing the face mask) said Salaam to Huzooraa. Huzooraa immediately asked me “Why is Sadr Sahib not wearing the face mask?” and instructed to wear the face mask at all times during the session. This really showed how much beloved Huzooraa loves Jamaat members and cares for us.

This one hour spent with Huzooraa has heightened our spirits, sharpened our organisation and filled us with amazing divine energy. The joy on the faces of Khuddam afterwards was incomparable to anything. This one hour boosted our energy to march further on the path towards Allah and carry out our responsibilities with much more commitment and devotion.

May Allah the Almighty keep our beloved Huzooraa healthy and happy always.

May Allah the Almighty give prosperity and progress to Islam under his blessed leadership. May Allah the Almighty make us and our future generations fully loyal and obedient to the institution of Khilafat. Amin.

National and local amila members from Sweden meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Kashif Virk Missionary, Sweden

On 29 August 2020, members of the national majlis-e-amila and five local amilas representing different cities of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden were granted a virtual meeting and audience with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper. A total of 134 members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden were participants of this historical event and convened in the Masroor Hall in Malmö, adjacent to the iconic Mahmood mosque, for this mulaqat.

The mulaqat took place the very day after political activists set a copy of Holy Quran on fire and desecrated it in the city.

Huzooraa condemned this atrocity and added: “The truth is that most people in Sweden and other Western countries remain unaware of the true teachings of Islam and this enables extremists to take individual verses of the Holy Quran completely out of context for the sake of their false propaganda. People who conduct such hateful acts have no knowledge of Islam or what the actual conditions laid down in the Holy Quran are for Jihad. They ignore the fact that the Bible has many more verses that can be taken out of context and used to justify the use of force. Regardless, it is the duty of Ahmadi Muslims to introduce and exemplify the true and peaceful teachings of Islam in each and every city and town so that people understand the reality of our religion.” (www.pressahmadiyya.com/pressreleases/2020/08/head-of-ahmadiyyamuslim-community-strongly-condemnshorrific-act-of-quran-burning-in-malmo/) On this occasion, Huzooraa granted invaluable guidance to different office bearers of the Jamaat.

During the mulaqat, Huzooraa said that office bearers of the Jamaat should serve according to the guidelines set out by the Holy Quran where it states that believers should fulfil their obligations and entrusted responsibilities. They should give their department adequate time with equity. If they are unable to do so, they should resign whilst bearing taqwa [righteousness] in mind.

Regarding tarbiyat, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it is the duty of the Jamaat to first make members realise that

they are Ahmadi Muslims and, as a result, certain responsibilities are placed upon them as Ahmadi Muslims. Then they should be instructed about the teachings of the Holy Quran and to obtain a relation with Allah the Almighty by following those teachings.

In a response to National Secretary Tabligh on how to conduct tabligh in the prevailing circumstances, Huzooraa said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has greatly increased its efforts to spread Islam through online tabligh. Certainly, more online events should be organised in which questions others may have about Islam or our teachings are answered …

Furthermore, we should warn other people that we firmly believe that this pandemic should draw the attention of mankind back towards God Almighty. All signs point to the fact that even once the pandemic comes to an end there will be a worldwide economic crisis which will result in increased competition and rivalries between nations.

Such tensions could easily pave the way for further injustices and, God forbid, ultimately ignite and lead to warfare and conflict.” (www.pressahmadiyya.com/pressreleases/2020/08/head-of-ahmadiyyamuslim-community-strongly-condemnshorrific-act-of-quran-burning-in-malmo/) During the mulaqat, Huzooraa enquired whether the message of the Jamaat had

reached 10% of the population of major cities or not? Members of the public should be able to distinguish between Ahmadi Muslims and other Muslims in society.

Huzooraa also instructed that whenever the restrictions for the ongoing pandemic are lightened and a window emerges, the Jamaat should find its way out in the public and approach people directly as well.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa focused especially on the upbringing of youth and that it is the responsibility of the Jamaat to make them realise that they should choose life partners from within the Jamaat. The Jamaat should make a collective effort in establishing strong relations with the youth. Many youngsters of the Jamaat distance themselves when they observe a difference between the words and deeds of office bearers. Huzooraa also instructed that events be arranged according to the preferences of these youth, and that a committee of educated young members should be established for this purpose.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa concluded the meeting by stating that although he had addressed the national office bearers in the meeting only, the guidelines applied equally to the local office bearers present.

May Allah the Almighty enable Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden to follow the instructions of our beloved Imamaa and fulfil his expectations. Amin

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Responding to Allegations

Who was behind the Arabic works of the Promised as Messiah ?

Part I The opponents of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, submit that he started writing poetry and prose in Arabic from 1893 and in their view, it was not because Allah had taught him Arabic in one night; rather, in that year Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra, who was well-versed in Arabic, permanently settled in Qadian.

According to opponents of the Jamaat, an Arabic qaseedah [ode] composed by Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddinra possesses a resemblance with a qaseedah written by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas at the end of his Arabic book, Karamat-us-Sadiqin.

They consider this sufficient proof to proclaim that the real author of all the Arabic works of the Promised Messiahas was Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra.

This objection that the Promised Messiahas did not know or have much command over the Arabic language and Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddinra used to write Arabic books for him is not a new allegation. These accusations have been raised against the prophets of God the Almighty in the past as well and the Holy Quran also sheds light on them. Allah the Almighty states: َّ ُ َ ۡ َّ َ َ ُ ۡ ُ ّ ُ َ ّٰ َ َ ‫الذکۡ ٰری َو َق ۡد َج‬ ‫ٓاء ُھ ۡم َر ُسوۡ ٌل ّم ِبی ٌن۔ ث ّم توَلوۡا َعن ُہ َو قالوۡا ُم َعل ٌم‬ ِ ‫انی لہ ُم‬ ُ َ ‫ّم ۡجنوۡ ٌن‬ “How can they benefit by admonition, when there has already come to them a Messenger, explaining things clearly, and yet they turned away from him and said: ‘He is tutored, a man possessed’?” (Surah al-Dukhan, Ch.44: V.14-15) At another place in the Holy Quran, Allah says: ۤ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ۤ َّ ۤ َ ۚ ‫ال ال ِذیۡ َن کف ُر ۡوا ِا ۡن ٰھذا ِالا ِافک ۣافت ٰر ُہ َو ا َعان ٗہ َعل ۡی ِہ قوۡ ٌم ٰاخ ُر ۡو َن‬ ‫وق‬ َُ ُۡ ُ َ َۡ​َ ‫ٓاء ۡو ظل ًما ّو ز ۡو ًرا‬ ‫فقد ج‬ “And those who disbelieve say, ‘It is naught but a lie which he has forged, and other people have helped him with it.’ Indeed, they have brought forth an injustice and an untruth.” (Surah alFurqan, Ch.25: V.5) When the Holy Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the idol worshipers of Mecca, hearing this Divine word, said that a Hebrew slave had been teaching him and he was only spreading his teachings. This

incident is also mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah the Almighty says: َّ ُ َ ٌ َ َ ٗ ُ ّ َ ُ َ َّ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ َ ۡ ُ َّ َ ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ‫ان ال ِذ ۡی یُل ِح ُد ۡو َن ِال َ ۡی ِہ‬ ‫و لقد نعلم انہم یقولون ِانما یع ِلمہ بشر ؕ ل ِس‬ ٌ‫ان عَ َرب ٌّی ُّمبیۡن‬ ٌ ‫اَ ۡع َجم ٌّی َّو ٰہ َذا ل َِس‬ ِ ِ ِ “And indeed We know that they say that it is only a man who teaches him. But the tongue of him to whom they unjustly incline in making this insinuation is foreign, while this is Arabic tongue, plain and clear.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.104) Thus, apparently, the opponents are denying the Promised Messiahas, but by raising this objection, they are basically adopting the sunnah [practice] of the enemies of the prophets and in fact, bearing witness to the authenticity of the Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. As God the Almighty says: ُ َ َ ‫اس َت ۡیقَ َن ۡت َہا ۤاَنۡ ُف ُس ُہ ۡم ُظ ۡل ًما َّو ُع ُل ّوًا ؕ َفان ۡ ُظ ۡر َک ۡی َف ک‬ ۡ ‫َو َج َح ُد ۡوا ب َہا َو‬ ‫ان َعاقِ َبۃ‬ ِ ۡ ۡ ‫ال ُمف ِس ِدیۡ َن‬ “And they rejected them wrongfully and arrogantly, while their souls were convinced of them. See then, how evil was the end of those who acted corruptly!”

(Surah al-Naml, Ch.27: V.15)

Hence, the above verses indicate that the opponents cannot tarnish the holy personage of the Promised Messiahas by concocting the said allegation, but according to the words of God Himself: َُ​َ َ َ َ َ ۡ ُۡ َ ۡ َ ‫ال الۡا ّولوۡ َن‬ ‫بل قالوا ِمثل ما ق‬ “But they say like what the former people said” (Surah al-Muminun, Ch.23: V.82), the opponents have testified to the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas and followed the example of earlier foes of prophets.

Regarding such enemies of prophets, Allah the Almighty declares: َ​َ ُ​ُ ‫تشابَ َہ ۡت قلوۡبُ ُہ ۡم‬ “Their hearts are alike.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V.119) Below is the claim of the Promised Messiahas regarding the Arabic poems and couplets to which the opponents object: ُ ٰ ُْ ُ ‫ض‬ ٍ ‫انظر إلی ٔاقوالہم وتنـاق‬ َ ُ ‫العنـاد إصابۃ الآراء‬ ‫َسـلب‬ “Ponder over their words and the contradictions within them; enmity has

taken away the honest opinion from them.” ً ‫َط‬ َ ‫ـورا إلی عـرب‬ ‫عـزوہ وتارۃ‬ ٍ ‫قالوا کلام فاسد الإمـلاء‬ “At times, they attributed my work to an Arab and on other occasions, they said that the diction of this work is bad.” َ ‫حمن یا‬ ّ ‫ٰھذا ِم َن‬ ٰ ‫الر‬ ‫حزب ال ِعدا‬

ّ ‫شامی ولا رفقـائی‬ ‫لا ِف ْعل‬ ٍ “O enemies! This is the [work] of the Most Gracious God. This is neither the work of a Syrian, nor the act of any of my companions.” (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 275) Replying to the question as to whose verses these are, the Promised Messiahas said: “My opponents are certainly rightful in thinking that this is not his [the Promised Messiah’sas] work and that someone else secretly helps him. Thus, I solemnly declare that indeed, there is another [Entity] Who helps me, but He is not a human being; rather, He is that Omnipotent God Almighty on Whose

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM threshold our head [prostrates].” (Ijaz-ulMasih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, p. 2) The Arabic books of the Promised Messiahas consist of more than 2,200 pages and the total number of Arabic couplets is more than 3,500. Beyond any doubt, all these works of Arabic belong to the Promised Messiahas.

The Promised Messiahas has openly declared his Arabic poems, essays and writings as a miracle from God. That is, the Promised Messiahas has attributed his Arabic works to Allah the Almighty.

Now imagine, if he was lying about this and falsely attributing all these works to Allah, which, according to the opponents, was written by Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddinra, then (God forbid) the Promised Messiahas deserved the punishment mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah the Almighty states: َ​َ َ َ َ َ​َ َ َ​َ َُ ۡ ۡ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ‫َو لَوۡ �ق ّوَ َل َعل ۡینا �َ ۡعﺾ الۡاقا ِویۡ ِل۔لَاﺧذنا ِمن ُہ ِبال َی ِمی ِن۔ث ّم لَقط ۡعنا‬ َ‫م ۡن ُہ الۡوَ ِتیۡن‬ ِ “And if he had forged and attributed any sayings to Us, We would surely have seized him by the right hand, and then surely We would have severed his lifeartery.” (Surah al-Haaqah, Ch.69: V.45-47) In the above verse, God the Almighty refers to the Holy Prophetsa and says that if this claimant of prophethood had attributed something to Him falsely, Allah would have seized him with His right hand and cut his jugular vein. However, God Almighty did not do so and it is a proof that Prophet Muhammadsa of Arabia was a true prophet of Allah. Hence, this is the criterion of the authenticity of all prophets, that whoever falsely attributes a statement to God is surely punished by Him and annihilated. Allah the Almighty says: َۡ َ ‫َو َق ۡد َﺧ‬ ‫اب َم ِن افت ٰری‬ “And surely, he who forges a lie [against Allah] shall perish.” (Surah Ta Ha, Ch.20: V.62) ٰ َّ َ َ َ ّٰ َ َ ٰ َ ۡ َّ ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ُ ۡ ُ َّ ‫و من اظلم ِمم ِن افتری علی‬ ‫الل ِہ ک ِذ ًبا ا ۡو کذ َب ِبا ٰی ِت ٖہ ؕ ِان ٗہ لَا یف ِلﺢ‬ ّٰ ‫الظ ِل ُموۡ َن‬ “And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or gives the lie to His Signs? Surely, the unjust shall not prosper.” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.22) However, if a claimant of prophethood is not subjected to such severe punishment

by Allah after attributing a statement to Him, then he is surely a true prophet. In the same way, the Promised Messiahas attributed the miracle of his Arabic to God and then he did not receive the said punishment from Him and on the contrary, he was granted immense rewards and blessings from Allah. This substantiates that the Promised Messiahas was right and his claims were unquestionably true.

In addition to the above mentioned argument, the challenge of the Promised Messiahas to the scholars of India and Arabia also supports his claim. He challenged them to compete with him in Arabic writing, but to date, no one has dared to accept it.

Hence, if a person had learnt Arabic like the Promised Messiahas or written extraordinary Arabic verses with the help of another person, then they should have at least stepped up to his challenge. Thus,

it is our right to say that all Arab and nonArab opponents have confirmed through their own actions that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was indeed truthful.

Let us suppose that the said Arabic verses were written by someone else and the Promised Messiahas published them under his own name and no Arab or non-Arab was able to compose better or even equally qualitative work, then if not the Promised Messiahas, the opponents ought to acknowledge the person who was granted the miracle of excellence in Arabic language by Allah.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Promised Messiahas was taught Arabic

by Allah and the position of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya in this regard is clear. The Arabic that the Promised Messiahas knew before he was divinely taught was the same Arabic language that was taught in the madrasas [schools] of his time.

At that time, some books of sarf wa nahw [principles of grammar], part of Diwan-e-Hamasa, Diwan-e-Mutanabbi, the seven Mu‘allaqat and some chapters of Maqamat-e-Hariri were taught in madrasas and this continues to be the case even today.

If someone could have written powerful and expressive books in Arabic by reading the said course, then it was read by every cleric at that time, so why was a single scholar unable to compete in that era and accept the challenge of the Promised Messiahas?

Hence, if the Promised Messiahas was aware that Allah the Almighty did not teach him Arabic through divine revelation, he would neither have challenged any scholar of his age to compete with him in Arabic, nor would he have set monetary rewards for his opponents. On the other hand, had the Promised Messiahas made a false claim, Allah the Almighty would have surely stimulated the hearts of dozens, if not hundreds of thousands, of opponents against him to prove his lie to the world and they would certainly have written better and far more impressive books in Arabic.

However, God Almighty did not help any Arab or non-Arab scholar against him and proved that the claim of the Promised Messiahas was true. Allah the Almighty supported him and his opponents were deprived of divine help. Many of the opponents of the Promised Messiahas were/are Arabs by birth and wellrenowned experts in theology, but even they could not find the courage to accept his challenge.

Thus, Allah the Almighty helped the Messiahas of Muhammadsa to prevail over all the clerics and religious scholars of his age, and they were not able to prove the Promised Messiahas as false, as Allah the Almighty says: َّ ۡ ُۡ َۡ ُ ُ َ َ​َ ُ َُ َ ‫ا ۡم یقوۡلوۡ َن �ق ّوَل َ ٗہ ۚ بَ ۡل لا یُ ۡﺆ ِمنوۡ َن۔فل َیاتوۡا ِب َح ِدیۡ ٍﺚ ِّمث ِل ٖہۤ ِا ۡن کانوۡا‬ َۡ ‫ٰﺻ ِدقِین‬ “Do they say, ‘He has fabricated it’?

Nay, but they would not believe. Let them, then, bring forth a narration like this, if they speak the truth!” (Surah al-Tur, Ch.52: V.34-35)

Tabligh Day with “The Messiah Has Come” theme held throughout Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada celebrated its National Tabligh Day on 23 August 2020. The theme of this Tabligh Day was “The Messiah Has Come”.

A plan was made to promote this message across Canada, reports the National Tabligh Department.

The following two tabligh activities were chosen for the day: Standing at busy intersections in towns and cities, while holding placards with a picture of the Promised Messiahas and the message “The Messiah Has Come” This activity was undertaken by male members of the Jamaat. Each Jamaat was asked to identify busy intersections in their respective towns and cities.

Teams then stood at the intersection, holding these placards for some hours.

Flyers titled “The Messiah Has Come” were also available to be given to those who were interested and asked for additional information. All local laws for social distancing were observed and everyone wore face masks.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, this activity was undertaken across Canada.

A total of 1,235 members took part in standing at busy intersections holding these placards. The placards were displayed at 278 busy intersections in towns and cities across Canada. A total

of 2,535 flyers were given to people who asked for information.

In some cases, people approached the Jamaat members and engaged in deep conversations. Other slowed down in their vehicles, to take pictures of the placards.

The placards also had a Jamaat website listed for people to get further information.

A Twitter trend campaign to promote the phrase #MessiahHasCome across Canada.

This campaign was originally organised

by Majlis Ansarullah Canada and Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada. Lajna Imaillah Canada also joined.

Details of the campaign were shared with secretary tabligh of each imarat and local jamaat with the request to promote it.

The hashtag #MessiahHasCome reached number one position in Canada within 15 minutes of the campaign starting; and remained number one for over an hour.

Over 25,000 tweets and re-tweets containing the hashtag #MessiahHasCome were posted during the first two hours of this campaign.

Many non-Ahmadi people interacted with Jamaat members by asking questions based on the messages (tweets) sent by our Jamaat members.

The message of Islam Ahmadiyyat was conveyed to thousands of people via this Twitter campaign as well, alhamdolillah.

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Islamic origins of a social welfare state Part II Fazal Masood Malik and Farhan Khokhar

Defining modern social welfare can be complicated. Over centuries, the concept of social welfare has evolved to match the needs of society.

In the most basic sense, pertaining to our understanding of the 21st century’s cultural norms, it can be defined as a service with intent to assist the citizens of a nation who require basic life needs.

Observing the Maslow’s hierarchy, we can determine the basic life needs as having a safe shelter, access to clean water and food and the need to be safe and secure in the environment where a person resides.

From an Islamic perspective, as discussed earlier (see part I of this article), these needs were addressed at a state level during the time of the Holy Prophetsa and his successors, commonly referred to as Khulafa-e-Rashideen.

Earlier civilisations, such as the Greeks and the Romans, had no concept of helping the poor. While several examples exist

where general assistance was extended to the entire population, rich and poor alike, one can be hard-pressed to find examples addressing poverty. In their society, being affluent was seen as a reward from gods. Going back further, we find that the ancient Egyptians were guided by the principle of ma‘at, where they felt obligated towards helping those without power, not necessarily the under-provisioned citizens.

Ancient Buddhist monasteries did not consider helping the poor as it was considered the job of the ruler; however, with reformed Buddhism, helping the poor has become a key message. In contrast, social welfare forms a substantial part of Taoism and Zoroastrianism and has played an integral role in developing religion among societies that adopted these faiths.

However, the consistency demonstrated by societal leaders and governments to help raise the improvised class out of the cycle of poverty is lacking in the annals of history.

There are wonderful examples of dynasties and kingships who fared well in raising the

standard of living among their citizens, but consistent and continued support lacked over time.

Among the Western nations, the concept of a welfare state can be traced from the early modern period (1600s) when the Elizabethan Poor Laws were enacted in Britain in 1601. Although these laws were aimed at helping the poor and destitute, they discriminated between the “worthy” and the “unworthy” poor.

The modern welfare state in the UK began to be formed after World War II, almost a century after Sozialstaat in Germany. The 1980s in the UK took a significant step towards shaping the country’s modern-day welfare system.

Under Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party, who ruled British politics for 18 years, many significant changes were made. It should be noted that in the 1980s, Britain’s unemployment rate was an astounding 13% (compared with the April 2020 figure of 3.9%).

Currently (early 21st century), the

The Great Depression saw the start of the US welfare system | Wiki Commons

welfare benefits in the UK can be divided into four distinct groups: housing, education, healthcare, and cash benefits.

Perhaps the most extensive service in this category is healthcare.

Being universal in nature, healthcare is provided free of cost to all citizens.

Education is mandatory and free from kindergarten to high school. Along with free education, however, citizens are free to choose from a wide range of private schooling options. Education beyond high school can be relatively expensive and is well beyond the reach of an ordinary child from an under-provisioned community.

Housing and cash benefits vary from one place to another, with models ranging from the subsidy system to complete coverage of housing needs.

In Germany, Sozialstaat or the welfare state began in the 1840s, possibly as a response to slow the outflow of migrants to the United States, which offered much higher wages. Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of Germany, introduced old-age pensions, accident insurance and medical care that formed the basis of the modern European welfare state. His programmes won the support of the German industry and slowed the outflow to migrants.

The settlers from the United Kingdom, Germany and other parts of Europe and Asia began immigrating to the United States, primarily due to attractive wages.

The English settlers brought with them the concepts of English Poor Laws, together with the discrimination component. No public institutions for the poor existed until about the 18th century. It was up to local town elders to decide who was worthy of support and how it would be provided. During the years leading up to the early 20th century, the concept of statesupported welfare was looked down upon and considered a negative force.

The welfare system in the United States began in the 1930s during the Great Depression, mostly in the form of poverty relief. It took another 30 years to develop modern welfare programmes, which were ironically influenced by the German Bismarck model. This model was considered as “evil to the society” even at the turn of the 20th century.

In the 1960s, a person who was not elderly or disabled could receive needbased aid from the federal government. Aid could include general welfare payments, healthcare through medicaid, food stamps, special payments for pregnant women and young mothers and federal and state housing benefits.

Over the next half a century, leading up to the early 21st century, many modifications were made to the system bringing in reforms such as old-age benefits, pension plans, and coverage of some prescription drugs. However, to date, a promise of affordable healthcare remains a distant dream for most citizens of the United States.

The modern history of state-supported welfare in Canada has its roots following the Great War. Various acts were introduced to help the needy, such as the Workmen’s Compensation Act of Ontario (1914), Mother’s Pensions Act of Manitoba (1916) Continued on next page >>

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

2020 Convocation Jamia Sierra Leone Abdul Hadi Qurashi Sierra Leone Correspondent

With the approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, Jamiatul-Mubashireen Sierra Leone was reestablished in 2006. Since then, it has been producing devoted missionaries for the propagation of Islam, alhamdolillah.

On 31 August 2020, the annual convocation of Jamia was held. Prior to the ceremony, a meeting was arranged with the staff of Jamia, wherein Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Sierra Leone, Saeed ur Rahman Sahib looked into the progress of the students.

The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Muhammad Yero Kmara Sahib.

Due to Covid-19, it was a brief ceremony.

In his short speech, Amir Sahib advised the students about their responsibilities and distributed prizes among the students.

In academic competitions throughout the year, Muhammad Yero Kamara Sahib was declared the best student and Nur Group stood first. Due to the widespread pandemic, annual sports did not take place.

After the prize distribution, Amir Sahib led the audience in silent prayer. After the programme, students and guests were served with lunch.

May Allah the Almighty enable all the teachers and students to discharge their duties in the best possible manner. Amin.

<< Continued from previous page

and the Old Age Pension for the “worthy poor” (1927).

The Great Depression of the 1930s pushed forward the need for social safety nets. Prime Minister Mackenzie King responded by creating a “pogey” or “dole”. It was a government relief payment provided to those who had no alternative source of income. Under this programme, people had to take a public oath of financial failure and were provided vouchers that could be exchanged for food and other essential items. “Pogey” was deliberately kept lower than the lowest paying jobs to discourage people from wanting to be on it. The result was that people ended up starving and suffering from various diseases because it was insufficient to maintain basic living requirements.

Despite the general dislike towards “pogey”, the two world wars and the Great Depression had changed the mood of the Canadian public; they were in favour of state intervention and support. “Social values of ‘social equality, human rights, social citizenship, and stability’ underpinned the notion of a state-supported social safety net and notions of a social minimum”. (Marsh Report on Social Security of 1943) The rise to power of NDP (formerly Co-operative Commonwealth Federation or CCF) in the early 1930s was perhaps the key that catapulted the Canadian Welfare State. Although the party never held power

nationally, its policies were adopted and implemented by federal governments over the years.

It is worth quoting Tommy Douglas, the Premiere of Saskatchewan and leader of the CCF regarding healthcare that we enjoy in Canada: “Health services should not have a price tag attached. People should be able to get the services they require irrespective of their individual capacity to pay.” It is worth noting that the free and excellent healthcare that we enjoy today (in Canada) was the brainchild of Tommy Douglas.

The period from 1950 to the late 70s was associated with a marked increase in social programme spending, a phase that can be described as foundational for a welfare state. Since then, various benefits have become ingrained in the Canadian psyche. Benefits such as universal family allowances, veteran support, flexible immigration criteria, old age security, enhanced Canada Pensions Plan including protection in retirement and disability, Guaranteed Income Supplement, home care programme (to promote the independence of seniors), national health insurance system, disability allowances, income security programmes, female poverty, a Spouses Allowance became available to struggling wives of male pensioners and the physical and mental disabilities.

The current state of the Canadian welfare state is, by no means, perfect. It is, however, a social net deserving of further study, providing lessons learned for nations

looking to implement similar systems. It is an evolutionary process that will continue to evolve as the needs of Canadian citizens grow.

Future of social welfare state While Covid-19 has been disruptive to the economy in many ways, it has exposed gaping ideological holes in Western economies that allow the under-privileged to diminish into the background. On the other hand, it has demonstrated the government’s ability to address fundamental austerity principles promptly.

Undoubtedly, the current social welfare systems in place (for example, in Canada, Germany or the United Kingdom) address the immediate needs of the impoverished and those in an emergency or dire need, the tools needed to raise a person out of poverty are certainly missing. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from observing the development of this noble system over the past few hundred years, as there are many pitfalls to be avoided for the developing world.

The future of the social welfare society that encompasses all those in need, without distinction of religion or colour, is the only way forward. However, it would be prudent to note that the purpose of these services should evolve to include a critical missing factor: achieving financial independence.

This economic security is what the Holy Quran teaches us, the example of which can be found in the Islamic state established by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the

Khulafa-e-Rashideen.

References used (in order of consultation): Tworuschka, Udo, et al. Care of the Poor in Religion Past and Present. Accessed online on 13 June 2020 http://dx.doi. org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_COM_01062 Michiel Horn. The Great Depression of the 1930s in Canada George Marian Stefan. “European Welfare State in a Historical Perspective.

A Critical Review.” European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 7, no. 1 (2015): 25+ Michael Hill. The Welfare State in Britain. Edward Elgar Publishing (1993) Porter, Ann. Gendered states: Women, unemployment insurance and the political economy of the welfare state in Canada, 1945-1997. Vol. 17. University of Toronto Press (2003) M Ornstein and M Stevenson. Politics and Ideology in Canada: Elite and Public Opinion in the Transformation of the Welfare State. McGill-Queen’s Press (1999).

Elisabeth Wallace. “The origin of the social welfare state in Canada, 1867-1900”.

The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science 16, no. 3 (1950): 383-393 Wolfgang Mommsen, ed. The emergence of the welfare state in Britain and Germany: 1850-1950. Vol. 15. Routledge (2018) Nathalie Morel and Bruno Palier, eds.

Towards a social investment welfare state?: Ideas, policies and challenges. Policy Press (2011)

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Muslims, Muharram and the Messiah: Summary of Friday Sermon, 28 August 2020 After reciting Tashahud, Ta`awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that the Imam of the age, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, was sent as the hakam and adl [judge and just arbiter] in this era according to the promise of God Almighty and under the servitude of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The purpose of his arrival was to unite the Muslim ummah under one banner through the true teachings of Islam and remove all sorts of discord present among its various sects. Consequently, a great number of people, who possess true knowledge and understanding, joined the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas and continue to accept him every year.

Huzooraa said that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was not formed on the basis of difference of opinion or interpretation of another sect of Islam, but rather it was established in the last age under the leadership of Ghulame-Ahmadas solely according to Allah’s promise and the prophecy made by the Holy Prophetsa.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the task of the Promised Messiahas was to unify the Muslim ummah and his Jamaat was established to serve this purpose.

We have been carrying out this task for the last 130 years since the foundation of this community, by the grace of God Almighty, or 112 years since the beginning of the institution of Khilafat.

Not only are Muslims being taught the Holy Quran, the sunnah of the Holy Prophetsa and the ahadith according to the divinely enlightened understanding of the Promised Messiahas, but these teachings are also being introduced to non-Muslims, who are accepting and entering into the realm of Islam. Hence, the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas has been formed to end the differences and spread the message of peace. Neither have we ever, nor shall we in future refrain from speaking the truth.

Divine communities are always opposed, but eventually, Allah the Almighty causes them to prevail.

Huzooraa said that we should continue to pray and try to spread the message of the Imam of the time. The wise and far-sighted people should ponder over the fact that apart from the first few years, Muslims’ unity is constantly weakening due to differences among themselves.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that

we are currently passing through the Islamic month of Muharram. When the new year, according to the Gregorian calendar, begins, we wish each other a happy New Year, but unfortunately, at the beginning of the Islamic year, killings and bloodshed are experienced in many Islamic countries. We must change our attitudes and eliminate our mutual differences to once again unite the Muslim ummah. We should recall that our master and leader, Prophet Muhammadsa, along with the news of Faij-e-A‘waj [1,000 years of spiritual and moral degradation] after the period of early development of Islam, had also given the news of Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood. Thus, when the circumstances are showing that the signs of the Holy Quran and ahadith are being fulfilled and have been fulfilled, we must contemplate about the one who has been commissioned for the revival of Islam.

We Ahmadis believe that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian is that person.

Only if we truly follow him, we will be able to reform the world. Thus, this month should not merely be one of mourning or expressing anger, but rather we should make it one of spreading love and peace.

We must follow the true teachings of Islam and tread the path of the Promised Messiahas.

Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas explained to a scholar on one occasion, “I do not have the status of a maulvi. My status is like that of the sunnah of the Prophets. If you will believe in me, only then will you find a solution to the disagreements. Otherwise, continue to wait and see when the Shia-

Sunni disputes are resolved.”

Describing the status of the rightly guided Khulafa, the Promised Messiahas says, “I know that no one can become a believer and a Muslim unless he acquires the attributes of Abu Bakrra, Umarra, Uthmanra and Alira, may Allah be pleased with them.”

Hazart Amirul Momineenaa said that all the four rightly guided caliphs have a special position and status; the Promised Messiahas mentioned it in different places.

“I will explain about the four separately,” Huzooraa stated.

Regarding Hazrat Abu Bakrra, the Promised Masihas says, “He was the second Adam of Islam and the first manifestation of the best of creation [the Holy Prophetsa].

Although he was not a prophet, he had the qualities of prophets and messengers.”

The Promised Messiahas stated about Hazrat Umarra, “There is a hadith about him that Satan runs away from the shadow of Umar.”

Regarding Hazrat Alira, the Promised Messiahas says: “Hazrat Alira was one of the most pious, holy and most beloved servants of God. He was the chosen one among his contemporaries and leaders of his time. He was the mighty lion of God and the kindhearted man of God. He was generous, pure-hearted and incomparably brave.

“Even if an entire enemy army was against him, it was impossible to remove him from his place in the battlefield.

“He lived his life in simplicity. He was on the highest pedestal of righteousness and devotion as compared to other people of his time. He was at the forefront to

donate his property and alleviate the suffering of people and to care for orphans and the needy and the neighbours. He was prominent in all kinds of bravery in battles and in the fight of swords and spears.

“Moreover, he was very friendly and eloquent. His speech would penetrate the heart and the rusts of the minds would go away and the light of the argument would become clear.

“He was capable of all kinds of style of speech and whoever competed with him in this field had to apologise like a defeated man. He was perfect in every good deed and expert in eloquence and articulateness.

Whoever denies his perfection, they have taken the path of wickedness. He was always ready to comfort the restless. He would instruct to feed the poor and those who were troubled by poverty and he was one of the close servants of Allah. In addition, he was among the first to drink the goblet of the beauties of the Holy Quran. He was given a unique understanding of the wisdom of the Holy Quran.”

The Promised Messiahas categorically stated that whosoever opposed and rebelled against Hazrat Alira during his Khilafat, committed a grave transgression.

All four Khulafa were true aides of the Holy Prophetsa and presented astonishing sacrifices in the way of Islam. They did everything for the love of Islam. How then, can certain people label them as deviants and thieves?

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that 10th of Muharram is approaching, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussainra. On this occasion, many Muslims, especially belonging to the Shia sect of Islam express sorrow and grief. It is a general perception of the people that we do not love Ahl-e-Bait [members of Prophet Muhammad’ssa immediate family].

Huzooraa then narrated various quotes and sayings of the Promised Messiahas which express great respect and reverance for the family of the Holy Prophetsa.

The Promised Messiahas saw a vision in which the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Fatimara treated him with the love of a mother. He saw that she placed his head in her lap, just as a loving mother does with her child. Huzooraa commented that some non-Ahmadi clerics raise an allegation against this as well, objecting that saying this is a form of disrespect to Hazrat Fatimara; however, Huzooraa said

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM that this is merely their deluded thinking for which we can do nothing. It is a pity that the general Muslim population listens to them in such matters. In any case, the Promised Messiahas saw that Hazrat Fatimara was worried for him, on account of the hardships he would have to face, just as a mother is worried for her child.

He then saw Hazrat Hassanra and Hazrat Hussainra with whom he had a brotherly bond and a great deal of love. The Promised Messiahas said that he had a very strong connection with Hazrat Alira and his family, and that he wrote a qaseedah [ode] in praise of Hazrat Hussainra, which was divinely inspired to him.

Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra narrates that once, when it was the month of Muharram and the Promised Messiahas was lying on a charpai [traditional woven bed used in the Indian subcontinent] in his garden, he called their sister, Mubaraka Begum Sahibara and the youngest of the brothers, Mubarak Ahmad Sahibra, to him and said, “Let me tell you the story of Muharram.”

Then he narrated the events of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussainra in a very anxious manner. He would wipe away the tears with the tips of his fingers. He said with great anguish, “This was the heartless injustice which the despicable Yazid had perpetrated against the grandson of the Holy Prophetsa. But soon after, God seized these callous people with His punishment.”

The heart of the Promised Messiahas was throbbing at the thought of the tragic martyrdom of the Prophet’ssa beloved [Hazrat Imam Hussainra].

Huzooraa then narrated an incident of the Promised Messiahas in which he expressed great regret about a member of his Jamaat who used disrespectful words about Hazrat Imam Hussainra as he was not aware of his great honour and status. The Promised Messiahas explained that Hazrat Imam Hussainra was chaste and pure. He emphatically dispelled all sorts of doubts about the great personage of Hazrat Imam Hussainra and advised every member of the Jamaat that they should show affection towards him.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that in light of such incidents, how can it be said that we do not honour the family of the Holy Prophetsa. As the Promised Messiahas was the Hakam and Adl, he rectified the erroneous beliefs of various sects and especially, the false views of Shiites in this regard. Despite of all that, it is our Jamaat which is the target of persecution and criticism. Huzooraa said that the sacrifices made by this Jamaat will never go to waste.

The Promised Messiahas stated that this Jamaat will truly be victorious not only in spirit as Hazrat Imam Hussainas, but will prevail apparently as well.

In the present circumstances, we should specially focus on prayers, Huzooraa said.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked to pray for the Muslims that may Allah grant them wisdom and that this year, none of them harm any other Muslim in any country of the world. May Allah help them understand that their success lies in swearing allegiance to the Imam of the age. Amin.

100 Years Ago...

New Jamaat in Southsea, seekers of truth and the Ahmadiyya Mosque, London Al Fazl, 9 September 1920 Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyar

Islam and] announced it: Nayyar)

Our honourable visitors People seeking the truth after hearing the message of the arrival of the Promised Messiahas and wishing to quench their thirst with the water of spiritual life, keep coming to Dar-ul-Dawat [mission house] of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in increasing numbers.

Below are the names of some noteworthy seekers of the truth from this week: 1. Mr John Garden: This respected English gentleman was a Roman Catholic, but [now] holds a keen interest in Islam.

He regularly attends every gathering and listens attentively for hours. During the last meeting, he said, “I always mention you in good words.” That is, he speaks in support of Islam whenever an opportunity presents itself. Since he is also acquainted with Khawaja Sahib, he was very astonished to find out that despite receiving blessings from Hazrat Ahmadas, why Khawaja Sahib had not mentioned [the name of the Promised Messiahas] and the hope of this world to his Western friends.

2. Mrs DeLoria: This esteemed lady takes a special interest in the Jamaat. After listening to the speeches of missionaries, she always says, “I feel happy.”

3. Mr Robert Shaw: This friend is a noble-hearted Christian. He is particularly interested in the claims of the Promised Messiahas.

4. Miss Victoria Norton: This educated, distinguished lady is one of those visitors who stands for hours at our outdoor gatherings and keeps listening to the speeches. This lady is deeply in love with Islam. She continues to spread its message to others as well. Hopefully, she will soon declare her conversion to Islam, inshaAllah. (Alhamdolillah, she has [accepted

Frustration Before joining the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, respected Sister Amatullah belonged to the Order of the Star in the East, i.e. a group awaiting the universal teacher from the East. Ever since she became an Ahmadi, she has been informing those awaiting the Promised Messiah about the arrival of the holy one and now she has brought the news that these people are getting frustrated. Their societies are closing down and people are losing interest: ‫ی�ارو وج رمد آےن وک اھت وہ وت آاکچ‬

‫�ی راز مت وک سمش و رمق یھب اتب اکچ‬ [Friends! The man who was to come, has already arrived. The sun and the moon also informed you of this secret.] ‫اب یمرے دعب اوروں یک ےہ ااظتنر ی ا‬ ‫ک‬ ‫ن‬ ‫وتہب رکو ہک �ج�ی�ے اک ےہ اابتعر ی ا‬ ‫ک‬ [Now, what is this wait for others besides me? Pray repent – for what surety is there on life!]

General tabligh The series of lectures continues unabated.

Hundreds of educated men and women eagerly listen to the message of the second coming of the Messiah. Sometimes, pastors try to make a fuss in our meetings and sadly enough, some so-called Muslims are also among these opponents. They are treated as gently as possible because: ‫ن �ز‬ ‫ین‬ ‫اے دل وت ی� اخرط ا�اں اگنہ دار‬ �‫� پ‬ ‫اکرخ دننک دوعےئ بحّ یم�ب�رم‬ [O heart, respect their feelings as well because after all, they also profess love for the Holy Prophetsa.]

Men and women are surprised to hear the answers to questions because they thought that Islam is a religion which demeans women, debars them from entering into paradise, does not care

about their rights and allows man to have as many wives as he wants.

The answers to these questions are proving so satisfying and effective that by the grace of God Almighty, educated English women are recognising the misrepresentations of the [Christian] clergy and becoming admirers of the teachings of Islam. ّٰ َْ َ ْ َ​َ ُ ٰ ‫لی ُمحَ َّم ٍد َو َع‬ ٰ ‫اَلل ُہ َّم َص ِّل َع‬ ‫لی ٓال ِ ِہ َو اصحَابِ ِہ َو خلفائِ ِہ ا ْج َم ِعین‬ [Bless, O Allah, Muhammadsa, the people of Muhammadsa, his companions and Khalifas collectively.]

Azizuddin Sahib Apart from his basic responsibilities, Brother Azizuddin Sahib is taking an interest in the work of tabligh as well. His help in distributing literature, meeting people and arranging lectures is proving very beneficial. May Allah grant him the best of reward and enable other friends to follow his example.

Ahmadiyya Mosque, London As was mentioned in last week’s letter, a house and land have been purchased for the Ahmadiyya Mosque. At the same time, preparations for the construction of the mosque are also in their final stage.

The blueprint is ready and a copy has been sent to be presented to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] for approval.

Construction will be started immediately after approval, insh-Allah.

Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray that Allah the Almighty may complete this blessed project as soon as possible.

Southsea Jamaat By the grace of Allah the Almighty, our Jamaat has been established in Southsea.

Most of the people are underprivileged and some of them are sick. We request our friends to pray for their well-being and health.

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

18

100 Years Ago...

Signs of awakening sense among Christian communities The Review of Religions (English), August & September 1920 The doctrine of atonement is avowedly the main plank of all shades of Church Christianity. We are, however, pleasingly surprised to find that some of the members of the Church are themselves awakening to a sense of the innate baselessness and vulgarity of the doctrine.

A recent book of Dr Rashdall, the Dean of Carlisle (Macmillan), The Idea of Atonement, has traced the history of the doctrine from its first appearance in St Paul to the modern times. The book is a monument of scholarship and proves that the doctrine of atonement is another illustration of debasements and vulgarisation of an idea to accommodate itself to a debased and vulgarised public.

What was a metaphor in St Paul, became a dogma in Tertullian and St Augustine.

One by one, the firm shades and subtle distinctions became blurred and then obliterated till with Luther, the process of salvation seems to lose every trace of ethical meaning and with Calvin, God becomes an arbitrary despot whose whim could make wrong right.

Dr Rashdall continues that there is no authority for the doctrine in the Gospels and concludes that the idea has very little content left in it for modern Christianity, since it has always been either more or less of a perversion – a caricature – of the teaching of the Master.

The elimination of the doctrine of atonement brings Christianity one step nearer to Islam. In the first place, it disproves the Godhood of Jesus, because without the need for atonement the advent of a God to serve as an example of good life for men is superfluous and hence incredible. With the disappearance of the plurality of Godhead and atonement, will disappear two main points of doctrinal difference between Christianity and Islam.

Matrimonial Causes Bill The Matrimonial Causes Bill has passed through the House of Lords. It extends the grounds of divorce to include desertion for three years, cruelty, habitual drunkenness and incurable insanity.

Here is another authoritative rebuff to Christianity and a tacit complement to Islam. In pushing the Bill through the House of Lords, the promoters openly declared that they based themselves on a higher moral and religious standard than that hitherto professed by organised Christianity. The assumption of many of the promoters during the debates was that the Christian Churches were obstacles in the path of progress and morality.

“If I were asked to state in one word the cause of the failure of our civilisation, I should answer ‘secularism’,” writes Dean

Inge in the Hibbert Journal. “There must surely be some very deep ground for the universal discontent and malaise which has overtaken Western civilisation. There is but little happiness and content anywhere, and the reason is that we have lost faith in the values, which are the motive force of our social life.”

Decay of Puritanism “Capitalism is in danger not so much from the envious attacks of the unpropertied as from the decay of that Puritan asceticism which was its creator. The glory of subduing the earth and producing something – no matter what – on a large scale; the accumulation of wealth not for enjoyment but as the means of increasing power and the instrument of now enterprise – this conception of a worthy and God-fearing life no longer appeals to men as it did. The capitalist now is too often an idler or a gambler and as such he can justify his existence neither to himself nor to others.

“The working man also has no pride and no conscience in his work. He works in the spirit of a slave, grudgingly and bitterly and then ascribes his unhappiness to the conditions of his employment. He is becoming well-educated; but he twists everything round, even religion, to his alleged economic grievances, and nothing else really interests him. Industrialism drags on, because the alternative is starvation; but the life and joy have gone out of it, and it seems likely to pass into a state of gradual decay.

Dying at the roots “Civilisation presents the spectacle of a mighty tree which is dying at the roots.

When masses of men begin to ask simultaneously, ‘Is it all worthwhile? What is the use of this great Babylon that we have built?’ we are reminded that the medieval casuists classified acedia, which is just this temper, among the seven deadly sins. We had almost forgotten acedia, and few know the meaning of the word; but it is at the bottom of the diseases from which we are suffering – the frivolous and joyless emptiness of life among the rich and the bitter vindictive sloth of the handworkers.”

Awaiting a new age A correspondent writes in the London Times: “Daily, it would seem, the movement of life is accelerated. Though the processes of nature continue, as from the first, slowly and surely, in all that affects our moral and social standards we feel hurried to new situations and to almost kaleidoscopic changes. New nations have suddenly appeared, ancient ones have collapsed, others remain stunned or distracted.

“The Christian Church feels the fall force

of the cataclysm. It has, moreover, its own troubles. Everywhere within its borders there is either a sense of feebleness or a great unrest. Men and women professing the faith in One Lord, and by that profession owning themselves to be charged with special responsibilities, as they have special gifts, for the advancement of the Divine Kingdom in the world, rise up for action to find themselves thwarted by their divisions, since they lack the courage to put an end to them. In addition, the revaluation of tradition, new methods of reading the scriptures, new interpretations of the historic creeds, new conceptions of the world order demand modifications or readjustments in the proportion of its teaching. Naturally, there is much hesitation, but as there is a time for silence, so there is a time for speech and a time for action.

“The Church has often been charged with failure when later times have proved it to have been most effective in its ministry to the world. And today, we are persuaded.

Much of the present discontent within the Church is due to a re-quickened desire to make it more worthy of its high office. We are but repeating the experience of others in times past who toiled through chill mists to attain new visions of truth and found new opportunities of service. In the fifth century, when the fall of Rome found the Church most distracted and weakened, there came to it the vision of that city of god to which St Augustine pointed, and in the light of that vision the Church was roused afresh to its divinely appointed work. At the end of the first millennium of its history, when again everything seemed to mark the Church’s imminent decay, it rose out of the ruins of the holy Roman empire inspired with the conception of a ministry of grace among all nations wherewith to bind them together in a unity of life and order. And when Hildebrand’s ideal was in turn perverted and the Church was stricken by a widespread apathy, another crisis came at the reformation and loosed the springs of a new life for western Europs. Since that time, as before, the Church has alternately waned and revived in the ebb and flow of human life. And once more today, when we are conscious not so much of relaxed effort as of ineffective work, does not history bid us expect that out of our present sense of failure there shall emerge new visions of the truth and renewed vigour for the age which is dawning upon us.

“This hope is in the hearts of faithful people today. What are they looking for?

Many would say that they are expecting a strong movement towards the reunion of Christendom; others will think rather of a federation of Churches; while others, again, desire a restatement of the faith. But we

must go behind all these hopes of reorganization or reconstruction to the very sources of the Christian life if we are not to be disappointed in our eager expectations. The apostles waited in preparative prayer for the divine spirit. They were powerless until they were individually and corporately endowed by the gift of pentecost. That gift did not solve their difficulties. It made them all the more apparent. But it endowed them with the confidence of divine strength to solve them. This is our example. Awaiting the new age before us, we must share their confident expectation of a like gift.

“The Church in these anxious days must, in dauntless confidence, look for the advent of the spirit, and with undistracted zeal in present duty, learn how to be ready to discern the revelation of the divine will as it was disclosed. But that can never be discerned in its fullness unless men are bold enough to welcome it and to respond to it with eager mind. We are at the threshold of a new age.

Our right attitude is one of confident expectation. This spirit must be in the minds and hearts of those who are in positions of authority or leadership in the Church today. It must influence the deliberations, not only of the Lambeth Conference, but of all those assemblies, by whatever name they are called, which in different parts of the Church universal are appointed to instruct, to admonish, and to guide the life and faith of others. We can be as little satisfied with hesitant counsels for the future as with mere apologetics, however skillful, for the past.

The verities of the Christian faith remain, and the sure mercies of God are guaranteed to us. We are called to tread new paths, to undertake new tasks, to appropriate new truths.

In such times confident faith alone becomes believing men. Why should we be afraid?”

The [words in] italics are ours. It is a very happy sign that the above correspondent can see the futility of all officious activities for the reformation of Christianity and Christendom. The proper attitude is one of waiting with dauntless confidence “for the advent of the spirit and with undistracted zeal in present duty learn how to be ready to discern the revelation of the divine will as it is disclosed.” The Church must be ready “to tread new paths, to undertake new tasks, to appropriate new truths.”

It is unfortunate that in the consideration of religion as of more secular questions men are swayed so much by the spirit of egotism. Truth is never far from the sincere and single minded devotee.

The gift of the pentecost, “the advent of the spirit” or “the revelation of the divine will” are already amongst us if we will only have the eyes to see, ears to hear, and the heart to understand.

The advent of Jesus, which was to usher the new age or the millennium, is already an accomplished fact, but it has not happened in that supernatural way in which it was expected by the ordinary Church man. Just as [Elijah] reappeared in the person of John the Baptist, even so has Jesus the Christ reappeared in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

It is time that thinking Christians should get rid of all prejudice and enquire about the new “Prince of Peace,” [who has] come to preach the truths of the religion of Islam or “Peace,” for it often happens as the book says that we dislike things which are good for us and love things which are injurious to us.

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Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 7 August 2020 Blessings of Allah upon the Jamaat since 2019 to 2020 After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verses 9-10 of Surah al-Saff, after which he commenced with the Friday Sermon: ّٰ َ ْ َ ْ َ ّٰ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ‫الل ُہ ُمت ُِّم نُوْرِ ٖہ َولَوْ کَ ِر َہ ال ْ ٰک ِف ُر ْو َن۔ ُہو‬ ‫یرِیدون ل ِیطفِئوا نور الل ِہ ِبافوا ِہ ِہم و‬ ّ ‫الَّذ ْی أَ ْر َس َل َر ُسول َ ٗہ بال ْ ُہ ٰدى َودین ال ْ َح ّق ل ُِی ْظہرَ ٗہ َع َلى‬ َ‫الدین ک ُ ِّلہ َولَوْ کَرہ‬ ِ ِ ٖ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ َ‫ال ْ ُم ْشرکُوْن‬ ِ The translation of these verses is as follows: “They desire to extinguish the light of Allah with [the breath] of their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even if the disbelievers hate [it]. He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions, even if those who associate partners [with God] hate [it].”

(Surah as-Saff, Ch.61:V.9-10) Today is 7 August and according to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK’s calendar, it was to be the first day of its Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention]. However, Jalsa Salana could not be held this year due to the pandemic that is spread across the world.

May Allah the Almighty quickly bring the situation back to normal so that we may hold the Jalsa in its traditional manner as we used to do. And may we increase the mutual love and brotherhood by meeting each other and may we gather the means of improving our intellectual and spiritual conditions by listening to the proceedings of the Jalsa Salana, just like we did before.

Nonetheless, MTA has tried to fill the void to some extent. They have devised a programme to broadcast my addresses of the previous year that were delivered at the Jalsa Salanas of various countries.

Likewise, some live programmes will also be broadcast.

It is hoped that, insha-Allah, they will help quench the thirst to acquire religious and intellectual knowledge of members of the Community. Hence, you should

especially watch these programmes at home over the three days.

Moreover, with regard to the blessings of Allah the Almighty that He bestowed upon the Community over the past year, instead of broadcasting last year’s report, I shall present this year’s latest report on MTA, so that it becomes a means of increasing the faith of members of the Community.

Owing to the current circumstances that have been prevalent over the past six to seven months, some of the activities [of the Community], which require one to go outdoors for them to be carried out more effectively, were not possible. Nonetheless, the Community has still made progress by the grace of Allah the Almighty and many of the people have especially written to me that a significant change has occurred in regard to tarbiyat [moral training] and their connection to the Community. Many have written in this regard that their, as

well as their children’s, attachment with the Community has improved.

In any case, as I mentioned, I will be presenting the report.

In previous years, due to the lack of time, I have not been able to present the full report, which I usually deliver on the second day of Jalsa. Since I have an opportunity this time, I decided to present a part of that report during the Friday Sermon as well and a part of the report will be broadcast live from a programme to be held in the hall here on Sunday evening.

Although I may not be able to present the report in its entirety during today’s sermon, nor during the address being delivered at the event on the day after tomorrow, but some faith-inspiring incidents will certainly be narrated, insha-Allah.

Before presenting the various aspects of this report, I will present two extracts of the Promised Messiahas, which shed

some light on the verses that I have just recited. Similarly, the clear and categorical proclamation of the Promised Messiahas becomes evidently clear that now, during the era of the revival of Islam, the propagation of Islam is most certainly associated with the Promised Messiahas.

Despite all opposition, this Community of his will most certainly grow, flourish and spread, insha-Allah, for this is the promise of Allah the Almighty.

Furthermore, the report and the accounts that I will present testify to the fact that the claim of the Promised Messiahas was not merely a claim, but that the help and succour of Allah the Almighty is with the Promised Messiahas and his Community and there is no worldly power that can stop its progress.

The Promised Messiahas states: “A period of approximately 20 years has passed since I received a revelation containing the following verse of the Holy Quran: ُّ ّ َ َ ٗ َ ْ ُ ّ َ ْ َ ٰ َ ُ ْ ٗ َ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َّ َ ُ ‫ین ک ِل ٖہ‬ ِ ‫ین الح ِق ل ِیظ ِہرہ على‬ ِ ‫ہو ال ِذی أرسل رسولہ ِبالہدى و ِد‬ ِ ‫الد‬ “‘He it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it prevail over every other religion.’”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “The meaning of this revelation that was explained to me is that I have been sent

by God Almighty so that Islam prevails over all other religions through my hands.

Here, it should be remembered that this is a magnificent prophecy of the Holy Quran, regarding which the scholars have agreed upon that this will be fulfilled through the Promised Messiah. Hence, none of the auliya and abdal [religious saints and righteous individuals] that have passed before me claimed that this prophecy was

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

20 fulfilled through them, nor did they claim that this revelation of the aforementioned verse was revealed to them in their favour.

However, when the time of my advent arrived, I received this revelation and I was told that I am the fulfilment of this verse and that the superiority of Islam over all other religions will be proven through me and during my time.” (Tiryaq-ul-Quloob, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 15, pp. 231-232 [footnote]) The Promised Messiahas further states: “It is only Islam which is a living religion.

It is always manifesting the season of spring wherein its trees grow and flourish and produce sweet and pleasant fruit. No other religion except for Islam possesses this quality. If this quality was to be taken away, it too would be devoid of life. However, this is not the case. Islam is a living religion.

Allah the Almighty has presented its living proofs in every era. Hence, even during this era, He has established this Community through His grace so that it may bear witness to the fact that Islam is a living religion, so that [people’s] understanding and comprehension of God increases and so that such a certainty and conviction in His Being is developed that does away with sin and impurity and which spreads virtue and purity.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 9, pp. 154-155 [1984 Edition]) After these quotes of the Promised Messiahas, I will now present some aspects of the report.

This year, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, aside from Pakistan, 288 new jamaats [local chapters] were established around the world. In addition to these new jamaats, the Jamaat was also established in 1,000 new places, as a matter of fact, the exact number is 1,040 new places.

With regard to establishing the Jamaat in new areas, Sierra Leone is at the top of the list where 40 new jamaats were established.

Following this is Congo Kinshasa where 31 jamaats were established. In third place is Ghana where 23 new jamaats were established and there are many other countries where 10 or 12, eight or nine, or even two or three jamaats were established, such as The Gambia, Liberia, Benin, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, Guinea Conakry, Nigeria, Togo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon, Turkey, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda and many other countries.

Our muallim [local missionary] from Congo Kinshasa, Hameed Ahmad, says: “When the Sunni Imam of the village of Lobi Tshaku, Uthman Sahib, heard our programme on Radio FM, in which we preached the true message of Islam, he came to our mosque and asked us numerous questions. Upon this, satisfactory answers to his questions were provided.

Furthermore, he was also given the Swahili translation of the Holy Quran produced by the Jamaat as well as other literature of the Jamaat. After reading these books, he performed the Bai‘at [oath of initiation] by the grace of Allah and promised that he would return to his village and convey to them the message of the Jamaat. By the grace of Allah, as a result of his preaching, a new jamaat comprising of 20 sincere individuals has been established in this village.”

The amir [national president] of The Gambia writes:

“During the month of Ramadan, the muallim and the sadr [local president] of the jamaat in a particular region organised a programme for tabligh [the propagation of the true message of Islam]. As part of their tabligh, they went to a village. After the programme, an elder of the village said, ‘I am very glad that you came here because this work of tabligh of yours is in accordance with the tradition of the Holy Prophetsa.

You are acting in accordance with this tradition. The Holy Prophetsa also migrated towards Medina for this very purpose.’

(People from Africa have their own unique way of presenting examples.) He further gave the example, ‘The Holy Prophetsa migrated from Mecca to Medina so that Islam could spread. Similarly, you have also left your homes and are propagating Islam everywhere. This is the tradition and the correct way to propagate Islam and we welcome you. Furthermore, the teachings that you presented of the Imam Mahdias are the true teachings of Islam. All of us believe and accept Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas as the Imam Mahdi, who was prophesied by the Holy Prophetsa.’ By the grace of Allah the Almighty, two families, consisting a total of 19 individuals performed the Bai‘at and entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat.”

The amir of Liberia writes: “Our missionary mentioned the importance of making financial sacrifices in relation to Tahrik-e-Jadid during his Friday sermon. Some non-Ahmadi Muslims also attend the mosque in order to offer their prayers. When the Ahmadis were writing their names [with their contributions], an individual came and gave 50 Liberian dollars and left without saying a word. We found out that he lived in the neighbouring village. And when he heard the sermon and heard the accounts of sacrifices and their importance, it had such an impact upon him that he also made a contribution towards Chanda.

“When our muallim came to know of this, he went to visit him and thanked him. While he was meeting him, other individuals from the village gathered around as well and when they heard their discussion, they were also greatly impressed, including the Imam of that area. The imam of the area said that they should come back in two or three days and he would gather two or three villages together and they should preach to them. Hence, our tabligh team went there on the appointed date.

People from all three villages had gathered there and were informed about the beliefs of the Jamaat. They were informed in detail of the purpose of its establishment. He says that this was followed by questions and answers, which lasted for the entire day.

When they were satisfied in every respect, the imams of all three villages, along with all the people, announced that they would join Ahmadiyyat. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, jamaats were established in all three villages.”

The missionary of the Jamaat in Liberia writes that he went to a village, Kulangor, on a Friday in order to do tabligh. He reached there approximately two hours before the Friday prayer. During their initial discussion, he found out that people do not offer the Friday prayer in their own mosque, but instead, it is offered in a mosque in a larger village nearby and only two or three individuals from this village

attend the Friday prayer. The rest of the village, despite being Muslim, remains deprived of the blessings of the Friday prayer. When he asked for the reason, the people of the village told him that the senior imam told them that it is essential to slaughter three goats before starting the Friday prayer in the mosque. Once these had been slaughtered and the meat reached the imam, he would then appoint another imam to lead the Friday prayer.

The missionary tried his best to explain to them that this was incorrect and that there was no such condition in Islam. He told them of the blessings of the Friday prayer and said to them that he will lead the Friday prayer without having any goats slaughtered. Since they were from the village and they can be somewhat superstitious and do not have a lot of religious knowledge, they became very afraid and scared lest they were disobeying their maulvi [Muslim cleric] and thus committing a sin and incurring punishment because the maulvi had been warning them. Nevertheless, upon insisting them further, they eventually agreed.

The Friday prayer was offered and all of the people joined the prayer. Following the Friday prayer, a detailed introduction to the Jamaat was given and a question and answer session was also held. People were also fearful of the fact that they may be reprimanded by the chief Imam. And so, the missionary said to them that if anyone asked as to why they had offered the Friday prayer, then they should simply ask in return where it was written that goats must be slaughtered before offering the Friday prayer. When the maulvi came to know that the Friday prayer had already been offered, he went there himself to enquire what had happened and became enraged. The people of the village asked to be shown where it was mentioned that goats must be slaughtered before offering the Friday prayer and three goats at that.

Afterwards, our local missionary taught a person from the village how to lead the Friday prayer. Now, the Friday prayer is offered there regularly and people have left that maulvi and have decided that the true Islam is that which has been taught to them by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and not what the maulvis tell them. By the grace of Allah, most of them entered the fold of the Jamaat and a new jamaat was established here.

These people have introduced completely bizarre innovations in the name of religion and consequently lead the innocent astray.

A missionary from the Philippines writes that the area of Saluping is infamous for extremist Muslims and the Tablighi Jamaat are quite active there. The in-laws of one of our muallims also live there.

When the muallim preached to his inlaws and received a positive response, a tabligh programme was organised there at a national level, whereby a team of three muallims and three da ‘iyan [those appointed with the task of tabligh] were sent to the area for a week. They were faced with opposition from the local Muslims, as is usually the case. However, despite this opposition, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, 23 people peformed the Bai‘at and entered the Jamaat.

The amir of Senegal writes: “A delegation of ours for the propagation

of Islam visited a town in the region of Tambacounda. Upon arriving, they found that there were already two sects present, the Tijaniyyah and Mouridiyyah, between whom was a dispute. The local imam said to one of the members in our delegation, ‘Neither of the two sects is on the path of truth. We remain waiting as we have heard that a true imam is yet to come and thus, we will accept him.’

“Our team preached to them and also held question and answer sessions. They also had a book with them by Maulana Nazir Mubashar Sahib titled Al Qualus Sareeh fi Zuhooril Mahdi wal Masih as well as the Qa‘idah Yassarnal Quran [guidebook for the correct recitation of the Holy Quran]. The imam of the area bought both of these books, and after preaching, the delegation returned.

“After two days, the imam called and invited them back saying that they needed copies of the Holy Quran translated in the Mandinka language and asked for them to be sent. When our delegation went back, the imam said to them, ‘The religion we were waiting for is Ahmadiyyat, because I have read your literature and have read the Holy Quran in my own language.’ In this way, the entire village entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat and a new Jamaat was established. They were given the Yassarnal Quran and were also given copies of the Holy Quran so that they may be taught to recite the Holy Quran.”

The amir of Guatemala writes: “There is a town 10 kilometres from the city of Coban, where, in the past year, Ahmadiyyat was introduced for the first time. Two visits were conducted during which the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat was conveyed and they were also invited to attend the Jalsa Salana of Guatemala.

Three people from a family there attended the Jalsa Salana in Guatemala where they did Bai‘at and joined the Jamaat. Thus, a new jamaat was established there and this family is now propagating the message of Ahmadiyyat to other families.”

The amir of Senegal writes that in 10 areas within a region, a weekly hour-long radio programme is conducted by the local muallims and missionaries, which is followed by my sermon that is relayed for an hour. This is a vital source of tabligh; people call into these programmes and ask questions. By this means, the seed of Ahmadiyyat has been sown in 20 villages.

Not only are people inclined towards Ahmadiyyat, but they themselves call them and invite them to their homes.

A missionary from Kababir writes: “By the grace of Allah the Almighty, Ahmadis have been residing in a city in southern Palestine, however there had not been an official Jamaat there. By the grace of Allah, during this year, a Jamaat was officially established in Al-Khalil, which is the city of Prophet Abrahamas. Also, the graves of Prophet Abrahamas, Prophet Isaacas and Prophet Jacobas and their wives are situated here. This is an old, historic city.

There are 27 Ahmadis who live in this city and in the nearby villages. One Ahmadi has also given a portion of his home to be used as a mosque and prayers are offered there.”

Establishment of new mosques and mosques acquired by the Jamaat. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the total number [of new mosques and mosques

21

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM acquired by the Jamaat] is 217, of which 124 are mosques that were built and 93 were existing buildings that were acquired.

The countries included in this are the UK, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Uganda, Mali, Congo Kinshasa, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea-Conakry, Togo, Chad, Zambia, Australia etc. God Almighty has granted us mosques in many countries of the world spread across four continents.

After a period of 31 years, a second mosque was built in Guatemala. The first mosque, called Baitul Awwal, was built in 1989. Thus, after 31 years, this second mosque was built in Coban, named Masjid Nur. The message of Ahmadiyyat reached this area in 2015. It is 328 kilometres away from our headquarters in Guatemala, of which 70 kilometres span a mountainous area and the road is not paved; it is narrow and very dangerous. The foundation for the mosque was laid in December 2019. After this, by the grace of Allah Almighty, the decree of God manifested in such a manner that construction of a road began; and now, by the grace of Allah Almighty, this distance of 70 kilometres has greatly improved and there is further development taking place on the road. This mosque has the capacity of 170 worshippers; a minaret has also been built, the height of which is eight and a half meters high. A two-storey mission house has also been built and there is a library and office on the ground floor and on the upper level, a residence has been built, along with a Jamaat kitchen, washrooms for men and women etc. It has all those facilities that are normally present in our mosques. Since it is situated on an elevated location, it can be seen from a distance.

This year, the Kristiansand Jamaat in Norway purchased a church building to convert as a mosque. In 2017, a building which had served as a company office had been purchased where prayers and various programmes were held. When the work of planning and creating blueprints for a mosque started and was presented before the council, the surrounding residents opposed the idea and this opposition was widely mentioned in newspapers. This process continued for about two years and opposition continued.

Among the neighbours nearby, there was also a church and the people from the church also strongly opposed the idea of building a mosque. However, the decree of God prevailed in such a manner, that the organisers of the same church who opposed us could no longer bear the expenses of the church and they decided to sell it. When they informed the council that they wished to sell the church, the council advised them to contact the Jamaat as it was possible they might buy the church.

Thus, they contacted our missionary, upon which a full assessment was done and they presented the report to me. Upon my approval, the church building was bought, which was to be converted as a mosque and this year, on 25 February, the keys to the church were handed over. This was the same church that opposed the building of a mosque in that area and now, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the same church has been turned into a mosque, which has been named Masjid Maryam. The total cost of

this mosque, including the council fees, is about 10 million Norwegian Krones.

The first mosque of the Jamaat in Malawi was built in Mwala, in the district of Mangochi. The amir of Tanzania writes that the people of the area were taken into confidence and consulted about the project and everyone was happy with the idea of a mosque to be constructed in their village. However some mischievous people raided the area and stole the construction equipment. Due to this, at the behest of the police, construction was halted for a few days.

When construction resumed, the people of the village were informed of the grave state of affairs, and that they should stand united for [the mosque’s] protection. They were informed so that such an incident would not take place again in future. They unanimously said that indeed, the mosque was nothing short of a blessing for their village and they affirmed that they would stand united in ensuring that this mosque was constructed without any negative event taking place. In this way, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, members of the Jamaat in the area also increased their tabligh contacts and made people aware of Ahmadiyyat’s teachings of peace and love, which are the true teachings of Islam.

When the construction of the mosque was completed and the opening ceremony was held, approximately 450 people attended, which included chiefs from about 13 zones.

The police inspector was also present along with imams from other mosques.

On this occasion, guests from outside the Jamaat openly expressed that they had been misinformed that Ahmadis were not Muslims and that they had a different way of worship from other Muslims. However, having attended the event, they were now convinced that not only are Ahmadis Muslims, but they also enjoin other Muslims to live peacefully. Thus, as a result of various programmes, three villages from this area totalling more than a thousand people performed the Bai‘at and entered the fold of the Jamaat, which also included the chiefs of various zones.

Masjid Baitul Afiyat of Mexico is located in the capital Mexico City, where a building was initially purchased as a Salat centre. This is the first property purchased by the Mexico Jamaat. This is a three-storey building; the ground floor has been turned into a mosque, where there is a prayer hall for men and women, along with a library and Jamaat office and other rooms used for various classes. On the second floor is the residence of the missionary and the third floor will be used later as needed.

There are mosques under construction in Belize and various other places; inshaAllah these will also be completed soon.

At this time, I am not mentioning those mosques that are under construction or are near completion.

The amir of Mali writes that the Diema jamaat is located three kilometres away from their headquarters in Bamako.

Construction of a mosque began there four years ago and when it was in its final stages – the minaret and some finishing remained – the chief of the village sent a message saying that the construction should be stopped. Due to opposition, people relayed false information to the chief and the mayor of the village. Thus, construction

was halted and efforts were made for three years to restart the construction.

Finally, after three years and repeatedly trying to convince the chief, permission was granted for the mosque. The chief commended the fact that for three years, they remained patient, despite the fact that they could have used their higher connections to build the mosque there.

He gave the example of the Wahhabis who had also been stopped [from building a mosque], but they used their connections to have the mosque built. He said that the Ahmadis could have done this as well, but he greatly respected the manner in which they showed patience. The chief of the village and his deputies repeatedly sought forgiveness for granting permission so late and they said that they had unanimously agreed to see to it that the mosque was now completed so that Ahmadis could begin to offer prayers in it. Now, by the grace of Allah, prayers are regularly offered in this mosque.

The amir of Tanzania writes that by the grace of Allah, this year, they had the honour of building mosques in two jamaats in one of its regions. Prior to the construction of these mosques, Sunni clerics would come from a nearby village and sway the people away by claiming that the Ahmadiyya Community was small and did not have the capacity to build mosques. They also claimed that they had built two mosques previously in nearby villages so those were enough for them and they would not be able to construct any more. However, when the construction of the mosques began in that village, they [the clerics] were left amazed, saying that it seemed that the Ahmadis possessed some special powers to be able to build such beautiful mosques in such a short space of time. They even stated that they were not even able to put up a tent in which they could offer their prayers! Then the clerics began using other tactics. They began spreading fear among the people that they should avoid the Ahmadis as they intend to take control of the entire area and employ other means as well in addition to constructing mosques. However, the people did not pay any attention to them.

The missionary of Burkina Faso writes: “Every single member of the Kari jamaat – where the mosque was being built – was participating with great zeal towards its construction and the people were being encouraged to take part in giving alms.

Each and every person was taking part in this good deed in their own way. One day, two elderly Ahmadis came, having brought two chickens and some eggs. They said, ‘This is all we have, two chickens and these eggs, so accept them as our donation towards the mosque construction so that we also partake of this pious work.’ Hence, the muallim handed them their receipt [for their contribution].”

A century later, the poor people of Africa are upholding the tradition which was established by the poor people of Qadian 80, 90 or even 100 years ago from today. Thus, if one was to look at this rationally and had a virtuous disposition, they would realise themselves that this is nothing other than the truth whereby God Almighty Himself is instilling in the hearts of the people the ways in which they are to offer sacrifices.

Ahmad Sahib, a muallim of the Iringa

region of Tanzania writes: “In April 2020, I went with some Khuddam to a nearby village. Having attained permission from the local government, we held a tabligh lecture from 1pm to 6pm, after which we answered the questions of the audience. At the end of the programme, a 72-year old woman named Haleema Sahiba, who had come with a file in her hand, said, ‘I am a Muslim and have lived here for a very long time. I have never witnessed anybody come here to preach Islam.’ She then handed the file to the muallim and said, ‘These are the papers for the plot of land to my residence, this is the registration to it etc. When your Community is established here and you wish to build a mosque, my plot of land is available. I hand this property to you.’ The construction of the mosque has now begun there through the waqar-e-amal [voluntary work] of the local members, they have made the bricked structure, etc. and among those working on this is the son of that elderly woman.”

This is how God Almighty instils this passion in the hearts of the fortunate, who come forward to offer their help.

Zainab Sahiba of Kari, Burkina Faso says: “After passing my BA exam, I was taking tests for two years to become a nurse, but I was not able to succeed in doing so. So my husband and I began saving money towards gaining entry to a private nursing school and in the meanwhile, I was still sitting for the tests, but with little hope of actually gaining admission. At the same time, there was a scheme to give donations towards the construction of the mosque in Kari, so we donated the amount of money we had saved towards our education and for some time, abandoned the thought of admission. Two weeks had not yet passed when I received a phone call from the health department that I had been directly selected and that all my educational finances would be covered by the government.”

This is how God Almighty enables people to increase in their faith.

By the grace of Allah, this year, 97 new mission houses have been established and Ghana is at the forefront in the list this year, followed by Indonesia, India, Sierra Leone, Congo Kinshasa, Congo-Brazzaville, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali. There are many other countries apart from these, such as Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Canada, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Macedonia, Malawi, Norway, Sao Tome, Tonga and Turkey.

The muallim of the Simiyu region of Tanzania writes: “This year, the mosque and mission house were built in a jamaat which was established last year. In that time, a Christian priest asked, ‘Who is the house being built for?’ He was told that it was for the residence of the Community’s muallim.

He was astonished at this and said, ‘For there were six churches in the village and most of the denominations resided in this village for a long time, yet not a single one of them has had the fortune of building a residence for their priests.’ He further said, ‘You people honour your religious leaders and act completely in accordance with your motto of “Love for all, hatred for none”, and others should also follow this example.’”

One of the outstanding qualities of the

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is waqare-amal [voluntary labour work]. According to reports received from 148 countries, this year, with regard to mosques and mission houses built and other works undertaken, such as in the African countries, a total of 41,111 sessions of waqar-e-amal were held in 114 countries, which saved a sum of 5,213,000 US dollars. Now if we look at the expenditure of a mosque built in Africa, due to the money saved from the waqar-e-amal carried out, God Almighty has enabled the Community to construct approximately ten further mosques. This is how God Almighty is also blessing our wealth.

Central representatives have been on tours in many countries around the world.

There are quite lengthy details [of their accounts], so I shall leave them, but in any case, by the grace of Allah, there has been a very positive effect of these tours.

A lot of work is being carried out in Africa through the central Raqeem Press here in the UK. This year, the number of books printed in the Raqeem Press in Farnham was 360,240. Apart from that, Mawazna-e-Mazahib, Al-Nusrat, Waqfe-Nau Maryam and Ismael magazines [are printed]. Furthermore, the press also produced pamphlets, leaflets and provides stationery for Jamaat offices.

The Holy Quran, which is in the

Manzoor Script and is a similar script to that of the Yassarnal Quran, was also printed this year. Work was being done on this for the last six to seven years under the supervision of the Qadian Jamaat and Nazarat-e-Ishaat in Qadian played a huge role in this regard, whereby we could have our own font in the Khatt-e-Manzoor style.

Alhamdolillah [all praise belongs to Allah] a very beautiful and attractive Quran was published with this script. The borders are colourful and the binding is very beautiful.

Based on the total number of copies that were received by UK and the rate at which they are selling, it is expected that we will publish the second edition very quickly.

The outside cover, the writing inside, the paper and especially the binding is of very high quality. Just as I have mentioned, the script is in the style of script in Yassarnal Quran. This is known as the Khatt-eManzoor, which is an exclusive script of the Ahmadiyya Community, and is not found elsewhere and is very easy to read.

As I have said, a great effort was made towards this by the Nazarat-e-Ishaat of Qadian, India. Likewise, Mehmet Sahib of Turkey offered a lot of help to the Raqeem Press here in order to publish this. In future, insha-Allah, the Qurans with translation will be published with this script and font.

Similarly, the Quran with the translation of Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra is also being

prepared with the Khatt-e-Manzoor script.

Insha-Allah, it shall be sent for print very soon. Likewise, the same style shall be applied to the word-by-word translation of the Holy Quran by Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaq Sahibra, so this too is being prepared.

The more obstacles that are placed in our path in publishing the Quran in Pakistan, the more avenues God Almighty opens for us.

Under the supervision of the Raqeem Press in the UK, there are eight functioning presses in African countries, namely in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Benin. Machinery and equipment have also been given to them. They have printed over 612,000 books. In addition to this, there are also magazines, newspapers, literature, leaflets etc. the printing of which numbers more than 9,485,000.

In The Gambia, at this moment, apart from other private projects, the government has given a large order of pamphlets containing some precautionary steps for raising awareness about Covid-19 etc. for the ministry of health. Seeing as the other presses were closed down, the government made contact with ours and asked to print these. Hence, they were supported in this matter.

Regarding the publishing work of Wakalat-e-Ishaat (printing/publishing), according to reports received from 93 countries, 407 different books, pamphlets and folders etc. in 42 different languages were published, the number of copies of which was 4,256,659. There is a long list of countries included in this.

Publishing of Jamaat magazines across various countries in the world at a local level: 94 newspapers and magazines consisting of educational topics and for moral training are now being published around the world in 29 different languages.

Report of Wakalat-e-Ishaat Tarseel [dispatch]: Tarseel [dispatch] is a different department from Wakalat-e-Ishaat. Over 190,000 books in 24 different languages were despatched from here [UK] to different countries around the world. In addition to this, 709 different books, folders and pamphlets consisting of different topics, numbering 6,387,000, were handed out in different countries for free and through them, the message was conveyed to millions of people.

Wakalat-e-Tasnif UK: This year the revision of the Italian translation of the Holy Quran was completed and the file has been sent for printing. Also, this year, the 11 volumes of the translation and commentary of Sahih Bukhari were translated in the UK. The English translation of the Promised Messiah’sas book, I‘jaz-e-Ahmadi was also published this year. The work on English translations of Itmam-ul-Hujjah and Jange-Muqaddas is also complete. Insha-Allah, these books will quickly be sent to print.

Aside from volume 10, all 22 other volumes of Ruhani Khazain are being published here and the 10th volume shall also be published here soon, insha-Allah.

And I hope that all 23 volumes will be prepared here soon.

During 2019-2020, according to reports received from 36 countries and eight Desks, 154 books and folders were prepared in 33 languages, among which are English, Spanish, Latvian, Luganda,

Persian, German, Burmese, French, Hausa, Arabic, Swahili, Indonesian, Urdu, Chinese, Burundi [Kirundi], Mandinka, Macedonian, Tongan, Portuguese, Hebrew, Dutch, Croatian, Fula, Bemba, Lozi, Albanian, Russian, Bangla, Yoruba, Wolof, Nyanja, Thai, Norwegian etc.

Sergei Dimitri Sahib from Ukraine was not an Ahmadi when he came to attend the Jalsa last year, but during the International Bai‘at ceremony, he pledged allegiance.

He is an excellent analyst and a scholar of religion. When he came here and met me, I told him that since he is highly educated, he ought to study The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and give his remarks [about the book]. He states, “When I returned home, I began reading the book and completed the entire reading in one sitting.” He further states, “Having studied this book, I realised that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadianias was not only a religious leader, but also an incredible scholar of religion.” He says, “Throughout my life, I have reviewed countless books, but I have never felt as if I have learnt something new. However, after studying The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, my knowledge has increased greatly. I write my review on this book not only from an intellectual point of view, but I write it having experienced this book from the depths of my heart and soul.”

He further writes: “The Promised Messiahas spoke in detail about the revival of Islam and the reformation of the Muslim Ummah.

Undoubtedly, the revival of any faith is an important matter. In this regard, if we ponder over the Middle Ages, we learn that prior to the revival of Christianity in Europe, the condition of faith and conviction among the Christians was in a very dire state. Likewise, this too was the condition of the Muslims prior to the advent of the Promised Messiahas.”

He then says, “I especially liked the part in which [the Promised Messiahas] explained the part about man’s natural and moral states. It is vital for us to understand the true purpose of our existence and learn about God’s creation and grant it due respect. Similarly, we ought to understand morality and its true essence. We often forget that in this current age, the means which lead one away from truth have increased greatly. For this reason, it is vital that we show respect and value the creation of God.” He further says that whilst reading this book, he recalled the words of my concluding address in which I stated that the Promised Messiahas spoke about the erroneous beliefs held by the Islamic world and also reformed members of his Jamaat.

With reference to my address, he states that can still recall those words. He further states, “When everyone of us will ensure there is reform in their homes, in their surroundings and their country, they will then reach that standard whereby they can reform the spiritual condition of the world.”

He then says, “Having explained the natural and moral states of man, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadianias has opened up a new chapter in the study of religions.

In my view, the Promised Messiahas is the first person to use this terminology and explained them in an outstanding and spiritual manner.”

23

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM He then states, “In my capacity, as an expert in philosophy and religion, I was truly delighted when I studied this book.

Thus, it is my advice that the Ahmadiyya Jamaat ought to publish this in great numbers and also ensure that it is translated into various languages so that more and more people can learn about religion, faith and true piety.”

A professor in Nepal was given the book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace as a gift – which is a compilation of several lectures of mine. He said, “This book is exactly what is needed in this day and age.”

He had highlighted several paragraphs and lines in the book. He further stated, “I wished to highlight these passages because there is a great need to promote them in the world today. It contains golden principles for the entire world.” The professor then said that he thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and will give copies of it to his friends to read as well.

Then another professor, Dr Govinda of Nepal, states regarding this book, “I have studied this book and for us non-Muslims, it is remarkable to see that despite the fact all the media outlets portray Muslims in a negative light, a Muslim leader is striving to establish peace in the entire world.”

He then said, “In the world there are 73 Muslim sects and they hold enmity against Israel on religious and political grounds.

Given these conditions, for a Muslim leader to send a letter to their [i.e. Israel’s] Prime Minister urging him to strive for world peace is a courageous feat. Similarly, the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community sent a letter to the leader of Iran, which has impressed me greatly.” He then writes, “Reading the book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace will greatly assist the nonMuslim world to understand the peaceful message of Islam. As compared to other sects of Islam, the Ahmadiyya Community presents teachings about world peace and the saying of the Ahmadiyya Community that world peace can only be established by following the commandments of the Holy Quran is a statement that cannot be refuted.”

Another person in Nepal saw this book at a book stall and with reference to the question “When does Islam permit war and under what circumstances?” he said, “This is a very pertinent question and I have been searching for its answer for a long time, but today, I have found the answer.”

Then, in Jharkhand, India, a person who was incredibly prejudiced against Islam came to our book stall. As soon as he came to the book stall, he began raising various allegations against Islam and the character of the Holy Prophetsa. He had read many books written by those against Islam and as a result of this, he was raising these allegations. When he was informed about the true teachings of Islam, he was greatly impressed and said, “Until today, I was not aware of the true teachings of Islam. I will now study the literature of the Jamaat.” Hence, this gentleman was given several books, especially World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace. The next day, this gentleman returned and said, “I have read parts of the book [World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace] and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has removed many of my reservations that I had in my mind.” Now this person is in constant contact [with the Jamaat].

Similarly, the missionary of Kiribati writes, “Here, the people believed that every Muslim is prepared to kill others, but now, many people know that this is false, to the extent that when this allegation was brought before the president of the country and questioned as to why he permitted the Muslims into entering the country and that they ought to be expelled immediately, the president replied, “I have read the Holy Quran and Islam is a peaceful religion. I will never expel them from here. By the grace of Allah, in the few meetings with the president, he was informed about the true teachings of Islam.” At present, it is only the Ahmadiyya Jamaat that is propagating the teachings of Islam in this country.

Then, the regional missionary writes that whilst touring the region of Shinyanga, he had a meeting with its chairman. He seemed to be a very wise and reasonable person; however, he was an atheist. The missionary informed him about belief in God and the need of religion. During the course of the conversation, he stated that he held a very respectable office amongst his society members; he had two wives at home, children, was a living a good life even without believing in God; therefore, what need was there for him to believe in God or in any faith? Upon this, the missionary presented Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra arguments in relation to the existence of God. (There are two books of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra which excellently cover this subject and every Ahmadi ought to read them.) After hearing these arguments, he said that he wanted to accept Islam Ahmadiyyat. The missionary told him that just moments before, he was rejecting the need of religion and now, he wanted to accept Islam Ahmadiyyat. Upon this, he said, “After listening to what you have said, my heart has become content. If this is how religion presents the concept of God then surely we must follow it.” Thereafter, the conditions of Bai‘at were read out to him and he accepted Ahmadiyyat along with his eight children. All praise is due to Allah, for he now regularly attends the Friday prayers and is attached to the Nizam-e-Jamaat.

Then, under the project of distributing leaflets [of the Jamaat], a total of 9.357 million leaflets were distributed in 111 countries and through this, 22,700,000 people received the message of Islam.

Among these countries, Germany is at the top and has distributed 2.5 million leaflets; then the UK, with 1.3 million leaflets distributed; then Australia, with 800,000 leaflets; then Holland, with 400,000 leaflets; then France and Canada, with 300, 000 each and similarly, there are many other countries where hundreds of thousands of leaflets were distributed.

Amongst the countries of Africa, Tanzania distributed the most leaflets, having distributed around 200,000 leaflets and Benin had similar figures, then Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Congo Kinshasa etc.

Also, more than 446,000 leaflets were distributed in India.

The muallim of Mara Region in Tanzania writes that after reading the leaflets of the Jamaat, three young men contacted the Jamaat via telephone and expressed their interest in learning more about the Jamaat.

After learning about Ahmadiyyat for some time, they did the Bai‘at along with their families and then began to preach to

others in their local village. One of them is also the chairmen of his village and by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the message of Ahmadiyyat is being conveyed to every house in the village. Up till now, 82 people have taken the Bai‘at in that village. Whilst they were preaching, they also had to face opposition as well.

One day, a maulvi from the Ansar AlSunnah Jamaat came and began to loudly hurl verbal abuse against the Jamaat in front of everyone. The locals quietened him down, advising him that such conduct did not behove a religious leader and he was invited to intellectually discuss and ponder over the beliefs of the Jamaat. When he had no answer to the arguments they presented, he again retorted to using foul language. However, having been inspired by the peaceful teachings of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and deeply affected by the incident, elderly gentleman offered his land to the Jamaat for them to offer their Friday prayers and their congregational prayers.

As a result, many non-Ahmadi children are now also attending their tarbiyati [moral training] classes. Thus, his opposition itself became a means of our tabligh.

The president of a jamaat in France writes that whilst distributing leaflets in a Sunday market in the city centre of Toulouse, an elderly lady approached them in a very cheerful manner. Whilst supporting a smile on her face, she stated that she had read the leaflets they had given her about love for one’s country and the Islamic veil [purdah] and she was very impressed. She also stated there was a great need for such a teaching in this day and age. She also enquired how much money they had received in doing this and when she was told that they were purely doing this for the sake of Allah the Almighty, she was even further impressed.

Exhibitions, bookstalls and book fairs: Many exhibitions were set up displaying the Holy Quran and other Jamaat literature. According to the reports, more than 343,000 received the message of Islam through 7,540 exhibitions. This year, 1,580 copies of the Holy Quran in various languages were gifted to external guests. In addition to this, more than 764,000 people received the message of Islam through more than 5,000 bookstalls and book fairs.

The missionary of Latvia writes that

an elderly gentleman came to visit their bookstall. He came inside and next to my picture, there were various Islamic teachings that were being displayed on a [digital] scroll screen; some of the sentences being displayed were also my quotes. Each time the different text would appear, he would point towards each one and in Russian, would say that it was excellent and absolutely accurate. Similarly, two other ladies came as well and took some books that had been translated, including The Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran and commended them for their work.

In December 2019, the department of Noor-ul-Islam India took part in a book fair in India. A very prominent Hindu scholar, Achariya Sahib, who holds extensive knowledge about religions and also runs his own school, also visited the event. After just a few minutes of visiting their stall, he raised an allegation against the Holy Quran and said that the Holy Quran commands one to kill everyone who is not a Muslim or a follower of Islam. He was told that the Holy Quran was in front of him and he should point exactly where this was mentioned in the Holy Quran. He replied that he had read the entire Quran and this commandment was mentioned somewhere but he could not remember at the time exactly where it was written. And so, they explained to him the teachings of the Holy Quran, the teachings of Islam in relation to non-Muslims and the noble example of the Holy Prophetsa.

After a few minutes of listening to them, he asked if he could sit inside the stall and learn more about Islam and the Holy Quran. For the next two hours he was provided with detailed answers to all his questions and allegations. Upon this, he openly expressed that up till now he had never received such satisfactory answers.

He stated that he met countless Ulema [scholars] in order to learn about Islam, but instead of having compassion for Islam and the Holy Quran, their answers would further increase his hatred for Islam.

He states that he was filled with so much hatred as a result that he and his friends decided to open a television channel against Islam. Subsequently, they began working on this and even started recording some programmes as well. However, he said that now, they had completely changed

Friday 4 September 2020 | AL HAKAM

24 his viewpoint and he was very impressed.

Upon leaving, he promised that from now on, he would never utter anything against Islam and the Holy Quran, nor would he air those programmes about Islam and the Quran which he had previously recorded, rather Islam and its teachings would be presented.

Thus, by portraying the true image of Islam, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is even convincing the opponents about the beautiful teachings of Islam and enabling them to understand the true status and character of the Holy Prophetsa. However, these so-called scholars, who perceive themselves to be the guardians of faith, are in fact instilling hatred for Islam and the Holy Quran in people and yet they oppose us.

During the book fair in Agra, a local reporter from the Agar Baharat newspaper came to the stall of the Jamaat. During the conversation, he could not help to express his concern for the deteriorating state of the Ummah. Upon this, he was informed about the various works and projects of the Jamaat for the service of Islam. He was extremely impressed by this and promised to help in any way possible. Subsequently, through his contacts, he helped to publish our message to three other news outlets as a result of which hundreds of thousands of people received the message of Ahmadiyyat.

During the book fair in Assam, Aftab Ahmad Chaudhry, who has a Phd and is also a Hafiz-e-Quran [committed the entire Quran to memory] was introduced to the Jamaat. A detailed conversation took place and he was told about the death of Jesusas and the beliefs of the Jamaat. He was presented with arguments about the death of Jesusas from the Holy Qur’an and said that despite the fact that he had memorised the entire Qur’an, however he had never reflected upon this till now and that they had now granted him with a totally new insight. He said that he regularly wrote articles in newspapers as well and that now he would publish all these verses with their references in the newspapers even if

the entire Muslim population of Assam opposed him.

During the peace symposium in Switzerland, a priest, Mishal Fishar, who is also the head of a welfare organisation was given an award by the Jamaat. Upon receiving the award, he said that he was extremely grateful to the Ahmadiyya Jamaat for giving him this award. He also stated that he was shocked that a Muslim community was awarding a Christian organisation for its welfare efforts.

Therefore, this award was a testimony to the fact that the Ahmadiyya Community did not just speak about peace but was establishing peace through its practice. He stated that a tree is recognised by its fruits and the peace symposium in itself was that fruit.

The missionary in-charge of Zambia writes that people from different walks of life were present at their peace symposium, including police officers, a judge of the local court, priests from various churches and various other representatives. Also, schoolteachers, local media, members of parliament and the muallim of a local non-Ahmadi mosque were in attendance as well. During the event, a church pastor expressed his sentiments and said that they were thinking of organising a similar event for some time, however the Ahmadiyya Jamaat had taken lead in this by holding the event.

During the peace symposium in Chandigarh, Ubaidullah Sahib, who is originally from Afghanistan was introduced to the Jamaat. He was told about the Promised Messiahas and that he had claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent had been foretold by the Holy Prophetsa. After being informed about this, he was then told to reflect and ponder that was this not the time for the advent of the Messiah and Mahdi. Upon this, his face turned red and he began shaking and at the same time he would continuously go on asking that was it true that the Promised Messiah’s advent had taken place. Thereafter, they read out the

writings of the Promised Messiahas in praise of the Holy Prophet’ssa lofty status and he became extremely emotional and kissed the forehead of the Ahmadi member and said that “indeed, this is the true teaching of Islam which is being propagated across the world through your community.”

The national president of Finland writes that they held a peace symposium and the ambassador and a diplomat from the foreign ministry, who also served as the ambassador of Finland in Pakistan, was in attendance. He stated that he was extremely delighted to have participated in such an organised gathering. He stated, “I have served as the head of Finland’s embassy in Pakistan from 1995 to 1998 and have many fond memories from that time. Many of my friends and the friends my family members are from among the prominent and well-known members of the Ahmadiyya Community. The Ahmadis have played an extraordinary role in the success of the country in terms of its educational, intellectual and economic progress. When Britain ruled over the subcontinent, many of its well-known citizens and military officers were from the Ahmadiyya Community.”

He further said, “I also served as an ambassador in Italy and saw the World Academy of Sciences in Trieste, formerly known as the Third World Academy of Sciences, which was founded by the renowned Pakistani scientist, Abdus Salam and he was the first scientist from any Muslim country to have received a Nobel prize.”

He further said, “When news spread of him receiving this Nobel prize, he received a lot of praise from Pakistan’s national newspapers, radio and television. However, when they learnt that he was an Ahmadi, they very quickly stopped praising and mentioning him publicly.”

He then said, “When he passed away in 1996 and he was buried in Rabwah, in the Punjab province of Pakistan, it was an extremely shameful act that they removed the word ‘Muslim’ from his gravestone.” He

then mentioned about all the persecution [against Ahmadis].

Today, they may well be changing the books of history and erasing the true history from the minds of its youth [in Pakistan], but irrespective of whether we say anything, the educated people of the world know the services rendered by the Ahmadis for Pakistan and how the Ahmadis are being treated there. Those who initially were against the creation of Pakistan, are the ones who are now trying to lay claim as its pioneers.

In any case, every Ahmadi of Pakistan was, is and will continue to be a loyal citizen of the country, insha-Allah.

And insha-Allah, it is our hope that one day, this opposition will be blown away. The support of Allah the Almighty is with us and insha-Allah will continue to be with us in the future as well. The amount of effort they are employing in our opposition, by now, according to them, the Jamaat should have finished, but Allah the Almighty has protected us.

In any case, these accounts from the report are just one part of it and as I have mentioned earlier that this report is usually presented on the second day of Jalsa. However, since the Jalsa is not taking place this year as mentioned therefore I decided to present this report in two parts.

A programme has been planned that inshaAllah, on Sunday at 4pm, I will present the remaining part of the report before a small gathering in the form of a Jalsa in our hall here. And from here, the rest of the world will be able to view this through MTA and I will mention those blessings which Allah the Almighty has bestowed on the Jamaat in the past year.

However, even from this report, I have had to take out many accounts and details, but insha-Allah will present the remaining report on Sunday.

(Original Urdu script published in Al Fazl International, 28 August 2020, pp. 5-11.Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial Ataul Fatir Tahir | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2020