Al Hakam - 26 February 2021 by Alhakam

Proving the claim of the Promised Messiah’s knowledge of miraculous and profound Arabic Part I

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud: A 20th century genius

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s services to the Muslim cause Guiding Muslims of the Indian subcontinent amid religious and political conflicts

Page 12

Page 17

Page 23

Status of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud in the eyes of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I

Page 21

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 26 February 2021 | Issue CLIV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Now, work hard according to my instructions Nigeria’s national amila report to Huzoor on their efforts and progress On 20 February 2021, members of Nigeria’s national amila were blessed with the opportunity of meeting Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, in a virtual mulaqat. During the mulaqat, various doctors and missionaries serving in the country were also present. Amila members were gathered in the Lajna Hall in Lagos, Nigeria’s capital. After conveying his salaam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa led everyone in dua, after which the amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves, their roles and the work assigned to them. Throughout, Huzooraa provided ample guidance and direction. Addressing the naib amir finance and administration, Huzooraa asked how frequently he held finance committee meetings, to which he replied that such meetings were conducted every month.

Hearing this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Masha-Allah!” Following this, secretary talim was asked by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa as to how many students were currently studying in universities, to which he responded by saying that there were 855 students. Huzooraa then enquired about the details of such students. Whilst offering guidance, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You should form a counselling and guidance committee. The purpose of the committee will be to guide and counsel the students who are secondary school going students and guide them regarding the further education they can have according to the local conditions and local requirements. And try to encourage your students to go into the public service, right from the lower level to the highest level. In Continued on page 3

Members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria's national amila gathered for their virtual mulaqat with Huzooraa Photo credit: AMJ Nigeria

I have greater expectations from Lajna than from the men

Lajna Imaillah ﬂag

Lajna Imaillah Nigeria meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih On 21 February 2021, the amila of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria had the opportunity to meet with and seek guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa initiated the meeting with dua. Next, Huzooraa spoke with Sadr Sahiba Nigeria briefly and then began asking the rest of the amila members about their services in Lajna Imaillah Nigeria. Huzooraa spoke with every single amila member present. We present some of the

salient points of the mulaqat. Speaking with the general secretary, Huzooraa asked how many majalis there were in Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, the total number of Lajna members in Nigeria, how many sent reports and what measures were taken for those who did not send reports. The general secretary reported there were 55 majalis and 50 sent reports. She said those who did not send reports were constantly reminded over phone Continued on page 4

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi in Dayton, Ohio, USA Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA

Bilal Bajwa Sahib of Dayton reports Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Dayton, Ohio, organised a Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabisa on 13 February 2021. The online programme was announced about a week and guests were invited to join via the virtual meeting platform Zoom. Local jamaat members as well as guests attended the event. A friend and well-known gentleman from the Sikh community also gave a presentation honouring the Holy Prophetsa. A missionary from Detroit, Shamshad Nasir Sahib was also in attendance. The programme started with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Quran, followed by their translation. After, some couplets were recited from Durre-Sameen, written by the Promised Messiahas in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. The poem was followed by

its translation. Danial Ahmad Sahib delivered a speech on the “Life Sketch of the Holy Prophetsa”. He explained the terrible condition of the people of Arabia before the Prophet’s birth and detailed the family background, birth, childhood, youth and his marriage to Hazrat Khadijara, and the first revelation which he received when he was forty years old.

The topic of the next speaker was “Holy Prophet Muhammadsa as a Statesman” by Bilal Bajwa Sahib. He reminded the audience about the Holy Prophet’s great justice even before he was commissioned to prophethood. The next speech was delivered by Dr MD Shahid Sahib, whose topic was “Jihad according to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa”. He explained the origin

“Mission Disinfection” by Humanity First Congo Shahid Mehmood Khan Missionary Congo Kinshasa

Helping humanity is a salient feature of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya especially in difficult times. In view of this, Humanity First Democratic Republic of the Congo started their “Mission Disinfection” project in the councils of all 24 towns of the capital Kinshasa. At the first stage, Humanity First Congo planned to disinfect the seven councils. Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Congo and Chairman Humanity First Congo exchanged thoughts with Humanity First Germany about this programme, and Humanity First Germany gave a donation. Therefore, a delegation was formed to execute the plan and permission was obtained in writing from the Governor

House. The delegation, which comprised of Humanity First Congo’s members and workers, was presided by Dr Nasir Tshibangu Nicodeme, Health Director Humanity First Congo. The delegation arrived at the Matete Council on 23 January 2021. The Councilor himself welcomed the delegation and the in-charge of social services of the council, Mr Louis Gentil Mulumba guided us to the chambers. He said that this is a unique act of social work seen after the pandemic. 65 chambers and six corridors were disinfected by a spray prepared by the Humanity First team. After Matete, the delegation arrived on the same day at the Lemba council. They were greeted by the office in-charge. 36 chambers and three corridors were disinfected. The Humanity First delegation visited the N’djili council on 25 January 2021.

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

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Durood upon the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa

Blessings of Durood

َ ّ ٰ َّ ََ َ َ َّ ّٰ َ ْ َ ّٰ َ ‫ أ ّن َر ُسول الل ِه َصلى الل ُه َعل ْي ِه َو َسل َم قال‬،ٍ‫عن ع ْب ِد الل ِه بْ ِن َم ْس ُعود‬ َ ً َ َ َّ َ َ ْ ُ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َّ َ ْ ‫اس �ِي یوم ال ِقيام ِة أك�� على ص�اة‬ ِ ‫أولى الن‬

Hazrat Abdullahra bin Mas‘ud narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘‘On the Day of Judgement, the closest to me will be those who invoke Allah’s blessings upon me most frequently.’’ (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Witri, Babu ma ja‘a fi Fadhl al-Salati ala al-Nabiyyi)

Through invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophetsa … it is my personal experience that divine grace in the shape of wonderful light proceeds in the direction of the Holy Prophetsa and is absorbed into his bosom and then issuing therefrom numberless streams of it reach everyone deserving them according to his capacity. Certainly, no grace can reach anyone without the agency of the Holy Prophetsa. Invoking blessings on the Holy Prophetsa brings into movement his throne from which these

The councilor, Mr Abdul Razzaq welcomed the delegation. He also praised the services of the Humanity First Congo. In this council, 67 chambers and four corridors were disinfected. After achieving the task at the N’djili council, the team arrived at the Masina council. The personal secretary of the councilor greeted the delegation and 45 chambers, and two corridors were sprayed by the disinfectants. The personal secretary also said that no other organisation is known to have done such an endeavor free of cost in these offices. The Limete council was the last to be disinfected on 25 January 2021. 51 chambers and four corridors were disinfected.

streams of light issue. He who desires to obtain the grace of God Almighty should invoke blessings on him persistently so that divine grace might be brought into motion.” (Al Hakam, 28 February 1903, p. 7)

On one occasion, it so happened that I remained very much occupied with calling down blessings on the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for a long time, for I believed that the ways leading to God are very fine and cannot be discovered except through the agency of the Holy Prophet, ُ ََ as Allah says too ‫[ َو ْاب َتﻐوْۤا ِال َ ْی ِہ الْوَ ِس ْیلة‬And seek the way of approach unto Him. (Surah al-

of the word jihad to mean to strive or struggle and discussed the different types of jihad in Islam. Next the Sikh guest speaker gave a short speech, which was enjoyed by everyone. Dr Darshan Singh Sehbi recalled having been fortunate from his early days in India to have friends from different faiths. He enjoyed close relationships with members of the Muslim Community in India, Great Britain and now in the US. He shared some of his thoughts about the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa based on his research. At the end, Shamshad Nasir Sahib thanked the participants and the speakers for this wonderful programme and advised to follow the example of the Holy Prophetsa. In this event, about 56 individuals and their families were in attendance. May Allah enable all the participants to practice the noble teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Amin The Barumbu council is a very important council from among all the councils of Kinshasa. The central Ahmadiyya Mission is situated in this constituency. The delegation arrived here on 26 January 2021 and disinfected 48 chambers and three corridors. The authorities expressed their gratitude and praised this venture of the Humanity First Congo. The last stop of the first stage of “Mission Disinfection” was the Kinshasa council. It was disinfected on the same day i.e. 26 January 2021. The team disinfected 43 chambers and three corridors. This act of social service attracted the attention of many authorities as well as the general public. They came to know about Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya through this venture. We hope and pray that Allah makes these acts a source of His blessings for Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Democratic Republic of the Congo, and enable Humanity First to serve humanity. Amin.

Maidah, Ch.5: V.36)]. After a time, I saw in a vision that two water carriers came and entered into my house, one by the outer entrance and the other by the inner entrance carrying on their shoulders water-skins full of divine ّ ‫ﻫﺬا بما صلّيﺖ علٰى‬.ٰ [This light and they said ‫محم ٍد‬ is on account of the blessings you invoked upon Muhammad]” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, p. 154)

“O Allah send down blessings and peace on him and on his people proportionate to the amount of his suffering and sorrow for the sake of the ummah and send down upon him the light of Thy mercy forever.” (Barakat-ud-Dua, p. 11)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Continued from page 1

each and every department, there should be Ahmadis. “Make a plan and give this plan to the students so that they can have better job opportunities. Then they should get well prepared for the exam. To enter into the public service, you have to pass an examination and until and unless you are of a high-calibre and good standard, you cannot qualify for this examination. So, you should try to encourage your students to go into the public service.” Subsequently, whilst addressing secretary tarbiyat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “There should be some comprehensive tarbiyat plan so that those who are born Ahmadis can also benefit from it and those who are entering the Jamaat, new converts, after three years, should also follow that plan. Each and every Ahmadi should be very particular and punctual in offering the five daily prayers, should be very particular in tilawat [recitation] of the Holy Quran, should be very punctual and regular and particular in reading some books of hadith or at least the books of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, which cover hadith and the Quran and so many things. “In this way, you should prescribe some books also for the Jamaat members so that they can read those books which have been translated into English and so that they know the purpose of the Promised Messiahas, what he said, what he expected of us and how an Ahmadi should behave. All this is the job of the tarbiyat department. You should make a plan in this way.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa added: “If the tarbiyat department is active and you have done your job appropriately and in the best way, and in the best manner, then quite a number of other departments will run smoothly.” Following this, whilst addressing sadr Ansarullah Nigeria, Hazrat Amirul

Momineenaa asked him how old he was; to this, he responded by saying he was 65. Upon this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah! You look quite young.” Huzooraa then addressed both sadr Ansarullah and sadr Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and told them that their tajnid should be updated. Huzooraa said, “Until and unless your tajnid is not up to the mark, you cannot properly do tarbiyat and training of your Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. You have to work hard.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then asked the general secretary how many jamaats were in Nigeria and how many would regularly send their reports. Huzooraa also asked how many of the jamaats were active and what was being done to ensure the other jamaats also became active. Huzooraa then asked how many jamaats had local missionaries or regional missionaries appointed. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then offered guidance and said: “Where you have more than 100 Ahmadis, or at least 100 Ahmadis, there should be a local missionary there.” Huzooraa added, “In each and every jamaat, you should appoint one missionary. It should not be that a missionary oversees the work of other two or three Jamaats … Put this matter before the amila and then [present this matter] before the Shura.” Whilst addressing secretary tabligh, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “[This is a] very big task; a very important assignment has been given to you” and further asked about the tabligh plan. The secretary replied that they would hold one-onone engagements with others, public gatherings, lectures and include scholars in their tabligh efforts. Addressing secretary Waqf-e-Nau, Huzooraa asked how many Waqf-e-Nau there were in Nigeria and if they had the data of their age groups. The secretary replied that there was a total of 610 waqifeen-e-nau in Nigeria and over 200 that were above the age of 15. Huzooraa

then asked if they were provided any guidance and counselling and if the syllabus was being followed properly. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then said that they should be encouraged to join fields such as Jamia and medicine. Whilst addressing the secretary for agriculture, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, upon hearing that out of 500 acres of land, only 16 acres was under cultivation, encouraged him to start a big project. Huzooraa added, “I know the environment, I have lived in this region for many years. I know how to clear the bush and how to do the planting. So, it only needs hard work and if you are determined to do it, you can do it.” Subsequently, addressing the secretary umur-e-kharija, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked if they had made contact with politicians and other officials, to which he responded in the affirmative. Huzooraa said, “Make proper use of these contacts.” Whilst addressing secretary for hospitality, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked what food had been prepared for the amila members. When Huzooraa was told that they had prepared fried rice, jollof rice with some local food, he replied, “Masha-Allah! Very sumptuous.” Whilst conversing with secretary Waqf-e-Jadid and hearing the targets they had set for the year, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah! Allah bless this. You should try and achieve this target.” Then, whilst conversing with secretary publications, Huzooraa asked if any magazine or bulletin was prepared for the Jamaat. Upon this, the secretary responded in the affirmative and said that a quarterly magazine was prepared. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed the secretary umur-e-ama and asked if he knew how many Jamaat members were unemployed and what measures were being taken to help them find employment and if they were being guided in this matter. The secretary replied in the affirmative and said that they were helping

and guiding many. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said to secretary talim-ul-Quran and waqf-e-arzi that each amila member should do waqfe-arzi for two weeks. Further, Huzooraa asked about the plan that was being made for talim-ul-Quran lessons, to which he was told that they had various classes to help teach the Holy Quran. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Try to include more new converts into these classes.” Addressing a missionary who attained his Shahid degree from Jamia International Ghana, Huzooraa asked how many years he had been serving and further asked if he read the books of the Promised Messiahas regularly. The missionary responded by saying that he had been serving for four years and that he studied two pages from the books of the Promised Messiahas daily. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Yes, every missionary should at least study two pages daily.” Huzooraa added, “One should also recite the Holy Quran early in the morning and ponder over it.” Addressing another missionary who studied in Jamia International, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked when he had passed Jamia. Responding in Urdu, the missionary said, “Do hazar satrah mein [In 2017].” Hearing the missionary’s pronunciation of “satrah” (17), Huzooraa said, “Your Urdu is good, Maulvi Sahib. Masha-Allah! Even many people familiar with Urdu are unable to pronounce the number ‘satrah’ and usually say ‘sataarah’.” As the mulaqat came to a close, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa addressed the amir and said, “We have already prayed. Allah Almighty bless you … As I have already directed and guided some of the secretaries, they should work hard now according to my instructions and you should also see where you are lagging behind so that you can improve.” Upon this, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam to them and to all of the amila members. (Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Nigeria Jamaat’s national amila shares sentiments after successful meeting with Huzoor Dr Qasim Akinreti Coordinator MTA Nigeria Studios

On 20 February 2021, the national amila of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria had the blessed opportunity of a virtual meeting with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, having watched various online meetings of Huzooraa with other members across the world in the last few months, wrote a letter to Huzooraa for an online meeting, which Huzooraa graciously approved, alhamdulillah. Accordingly, a 10-member team was set up by the amir under the leadership of naib amir administration and finance. Members of the team were drawn from the MTA Nigeria studios, the national audio and video department and the Jalsa Planning Committee. Dr Qasim Akinreti, Coordinator MTA International Nigeria studios was made the team leader of the technical team. The feedback and impressions of participants of this meeting are as following: Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, Amir Jamaat Nigeria, said: “The session was full of guidance on committees that need to be formed for talim and tarbiyat of students and members. Huzooraa made the session very lively and pleasant.” Afzaal Ahmad Rauf, Missionary-inCharge, said: “Alhamdulillah, it was a great feeling seeing our beloved Huzooraa in front of us.” Tajudeen Onabanjo, Naib Amir Talim and Tarbiyat, said: “We need to work on getting our numbers correct and consistent. May the Almighty Allah assist us.” Abbas O Iromini, General Secretary, said:

“This mulaqat was a very thrilling experience, faith-inspiring and I found Huzooraa very inspiring.” Imran Adeyemi, Secretary Sami-oBasri, said: “It was a wonderful experience having a mulaqat with Huzooraa.” Alhaji Dada Muddaththir, Secretary Ishaat, said: “The meeting with Huzooraa brought me great pleasure and also an urge to offer more sacrifices and to serve more. May Almighty Allah bless this mulaqat and make it a source of blessings for us. Amin.” Yusuf Hussein King, Internal Auditor, said: “The mulaqat was highly inspiring. Talking to our beloved Huzooraa in person would have cost nothing less than 300,000 nairas, bearing in mind travelling to London to have a mulaqat, but we got it on a platter of gold. I wish we could have this mulaqat every three months.” Abdur Razzaq Atoki Olusegun, a missionary serving in Jamiatul Mubashireen, said: “The programme was a very blessed one and it was my first time having a conversation live with Huzooraa. Adeoye Abdul Waheed Akanji, Sadr

Majlis Ansarullah, said: “What a spiritual gathering with a sort of elevation for the Nigerian Jamaat. I hope that we can improve to the next elevation in all our course.” Naseem Ahmed Butt, a missioanary, said: “Alhamdulillah, it was a blessed meeting with the blessings of Allah. May Allah bless us again. Amin.” Bello Mubarak, a missionary, said: “Alhamdulillah, it was a wonderful, spiritual and inspiring moment with our beloved Imamaa. The meeting was such an inspiring one that the blessed personality of our beloved Imamaa lightened up my mind, both spiritually and mentally. If there is anything to take away from this auspicious meeting, it can only be to work effortlessly in the task entrusted to me so that the Jamaat at large can meet the targets set for us by our beloved Huzooraa. May Allah enable us to do so. Amin.” Akere Abdul Hafeez, a missionary, said: “Huzooraa speaks so eloquently and has a charming composure. He is a loving father. His advises are guidelines on different aspect and they are so useful. May Allah continue to help him, amin.”

Members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria's national amila gathered for their virtual mulaqat with Huzooraa Photo credit: AMJ Nigeria

Continued from page 1

calls. Having reported on the total membership of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said there should be accuracy in numbers, especially bearing in mind the number of converts that are reported on a yearly basis. If the numbers did not correspond, Huzooraa said, then there should be a proper and thorough study of where the discrepancies were so as to avoid them in the future. Speaking with secretary talim, Huzooraa asked about the salient objectives of her annual plan, how many surahs of the Holy Quran Lajna were to learn and if any book had been prescribed to read. Secretary talim reported that Lajna were given chapters to learn according to their stage and level while the Promised Messiah’s book, The Will, had been given to Lajna to read and study. Huzooraa asked if the secretary talim had seen any significant change in Lajna members after they had studied the book. She responded by saying that she certainly did see a change, but at times, not so much as not enough local talim classes were held in which the course was taught. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked secretary talim how many Lajna members were able to read the Holy Quran, recite it regularly and whether they were learning the translation too. She reported more than half of all Lajna members were able to recite the Quran and were reciting it regularly, while they also read the Quran with its translation. Huzooraa asked if they read the translation in English or Yoruba, to which the secretary replied that both translations were used by Lajna members, while some in the North and East read it in their respective local languages. Secretary talim reported that her department had started encouraging Lajna members to listen to Huzoor’s sermons and a drastic improvement had been observed. Huzooraa advised to send a summary of each sermon to all members – secretary talim reported that they had started this and sent summaries of the sermon every Saturday. She reported that the department focused on morals too – this year, the moral being promoted is gratitude, while other Islamic morals and manners of living are emphasised too. Secretary tabligh reported next. Huzooraa asked her what the annual target for new converts was, to which she replied it was 4,000 new converts. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa responded by saying, “Allah the Almighty bless you and make you achieve this target”. Huzooraa asked what plan was in place to enable the department to achieve this target. She said they aimed for each Lajna members to convert at least one person to Islam Ahmadiyyat. To this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “First, you should ask your amila members to bring one bai‘at. If amila members, at the national level and the local level and regional level, do tabligh and get one convert each, then you can easily achieve 25% of your target, inshaAllah.” Addressing secretary tabligh, Hazrat

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM Amirul Momineenaa asked about the method of collecting tajnid as it was very low and not in accordance with convert reports. Huzooraa said that the tajnid and the number of new converts should correspond with each other and such flaws in the tajnid database should be permanently eradicated. “Do you go to each and every household, from south to north and east to west?” ... You should ask all the respective secretaries of tajnid in different majalis to fill the form and go to each and every household and then find out how many Lajna members are living there.” Secretary tabligh thanked Huzooraa for this advice. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked the Nasirat secretary about the number of nasirat in Nigeria, to which Huzooraa advised her also to revise these numbers as he believed there were more. Huzooraa said to work hard at the grassroots’ levels and ask respective secretaries to attain the numbers at grassroots’ levels. Discussing the annual targets set by the department, Huzooraa said to check annual reports given by the majalis to ensure they were accurate and true. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa urged the secretary for new converts to also ensure the discrepancies between the number of Lajna converts on her record and the number which the national Jamaat of Nigeria reported were addressed properly so that accurate records could be made. Huzooraa asked whether the new converts were being included into the Lajna system and what training programme had been chalked out for them. She said new converts were trained in the Holy Quran, the hadith, Salat, prayers of the Holy Quran and also those of the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa enquired about the demographics of the new converts and what religious backgrounds they had converted from. Secretary for new converts reported converts were predominantly Muslim while other converts had converted from Christianity and paganism etc. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You have to teach those who don’t have Muslim backgrounds how to read the Holy Quran and how to offer prayer and what Surah al-Fatihah is. The first thing is that you should teach them should be Surah al-Fatihah – every member, every new convert should know Surah alFatihah and the meaning of it.” Huzooraa said: “From the very beginning, they should pay chanda Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-eJadid. Ask them to pay … even if it is one naira, 10 nairas, five nairas – it is nothing for them, they can easily pay, right? So in this way, they will become habitual of paying chanda.” The secretary for new converts confirmed she would act on this guidance, insha-Allah. Huzooraa spoke with secretary khidmat-e-khalq (service to humanity) and asked about her plan and what charities were being supported. She reported their projects included visiting the aged, helping widows and orphans,

amongst other things. Huzooraa asked about the support orphans received and if they supported individual orphans or orphanages. Secretary khidmat-e-khalq said both individual orphans (including Ahmadi orphans) and orphanages were assisted. Speaking with secretary sehat-ejismani (health and wellbeing) Huzooraa asked how many Lajna members participated in sports. She reported that she was aware of a definite 2,073 Lajna members who exercised. Huzooraa asked, “Including yourself?” to which secretary sehat-e-jismani laughed and confirmed that she too exercised. Huzooraa advised her to ask amila members to exercise too. Secretary san‘at-o-dastkari (industry and handicraft) had set up a small display to show Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa some of the craft products Lajna members had made. These included handbags, hand sanitisers and perishable products. Huzooraa asked if these products were sold and whether those women who made them were given any amount. Secretary san‘at-o-dastkari said the products were sold, especially the perishable ones, at their events and the women who made them were paid and encouraged to start their own businesses too. Hearing the report, Huzooraa remarked “Really? Masha-Allah, you are doing very well.” Addressing the secretary for student affairs, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Encourage every girl to get higher education.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked secretary ziafat what food had been prepared for Lajna members. She said bean stew had been prepared and during the conversation, she enjoyed Huzoor’s comments about other African cuisines. Huzooraa asked secretary ishaat whether a magazine of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria existed and if any books were to be printed. She responded by saying that a quarterly magazine was published and

they had printed the book Garments for Each Other and were in the process of printing the book Paradise Under Your Feet. Huzooraa appreciated the work. Speaking with muavina sadr who coordinates the buildings and maintenance of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria’s properties, Huzooraa asked if the Lajna hall, which he saw being constructed in 2004 had been completed. Muavina sadr said it had been completed and they were seated in that very hall. She reported the majlis was also building a Lajna bakery, amongst other projects. Huzooraa enquired from secretary Waqf-e-Nau the total number of Waqfe-Nau they had. She said the total number was 271 – some of whom are students, while others are working as doctors, bankers, lawyers etc. Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah, they should help the Jamaat as well.” Once everyone introduced themselves and their services in Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, secretary talim asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about purdah, or the Islamic dress code. With a smile, Huzooraa said: “Nowadays, because of Covid, everyone is observing purdah – so nowadaysm, there is no such problem.” Secretary talim and the amila members enjoyed this observation of Huzooraa. Huzooraa further said: “The minimum requirement of purdah is that you cover your head, your hair, and your chin and your cheeks … This is what the Promised Messiahas has told us and is the minimum requirement a woman should follow. But at the same time, with this type of purdah, you should not do any make-up. If you have on any makeup – you are using lipstick or eyelashes or mascara or something of that sort – then you should at least cover your face as some of the Lajna members are doing now. “Otherwise, if you are not doing any make-up, this is the minimum

requirement as you are now and that is enough for Lajna members. And their dress should also be not very tight. If you are fulfilling this requirement, it is enough for you.” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked if Sadr Sahiba Lajna Imaillah Nigeria wanted to say anything. She took the opportunity and said: “We really appreciate you granting us an audience, though we were so anxious because we did not know the type of questions you are going to ask us … So I am taking this opportunity to say Jazakallah Khairan to you and that you remember Nigeria in your prayers.” Huzooraa responded by saying: “I remember Nigeria in my prayers, yes. I have been receiving your reports. Whenever I receive your reports, I pray for you. “And as I have told your secretary tajnid and secretary nau mubai‘at [new converts], they should try to update their tajnid list, because your tajnid list does not tally with the number of the new converts. So, ask amir jamaat how you can update this tajnid. “You have a big task ahead of you and insha-Allah, I hope Lajna can do it. And if Lajna initiates it and takes the step, then men will also try to be active. You have to push the men, don’t wait for the men to push you. “My expectations of Lajna are more than the men, so you have to fulfil my expectations.” Sadr Sahiba and amila members responded by saying “insha-Allah” and asked for Huzoor’s prayers. At this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said “Allah the Almighty bless you all in every respect”, conveyed his salaam to all amila members and the meeting came to a close. (Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Nigeria Lajna overwhelmed following historic mulaqat Taofeeqah Aderoju Fagbolade Sadr Lajna Imaillah Nigeria

On 21 February 2021, the national amila of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria had the blessed opportunity of a virtual meeting with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. Before the mulaqat, I was anxious on what Huzooraa will ask me and whether or not I would live up to expectations. I also had the belief that seeing him, even virtually, would definitely be a source of blessings for all the members. Looking at him and his way of relating with all, put me at peace. It gave me more assurance that I am rightly guided. I was happy to be in the Jamaat with all my families. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-Alamin. Huzooraa was conscious of time, thus he did not permit any questions until the last person had spoken. But when it got to a particular member, he granted her the opportunity to make a request as if he knew that her request was very important. She requested that she and others like her too may be blessed with offspring. Huzooraa prayed for her and all those like her. I was really happy for this. May the prayers be granted. Amin. I pray it makes me a better person and that I am able to reach out more to less active members and those outside the Jamaat with the message of peace. I congratulate all amila members of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria for the success of the mulaqat. I appreciate all those who contributed positively to the success, especially the MTA crew. I hope that we can have more mulaqats like this regularly, maybe twice a year. I pray the blessings of Khilafat remain with all of us. Amin. Below are the comments of other amila members: Wakilat Olanrewaju Sanusi, Naib Sadr 1, said: “I felt very anxious before the meeting and was looking forward to it. Alhamdulillah, the experience was awesome, interesting and rather educating. The most inspiring experience was the advice from Huzooraa on purdah and also on how to improve our activities including harmonising our tajnid with that of the Jamaat. “The inspiration will assist me as naib sadr and team leader for the Lajna

Planning Committee to educate other Lajna members on purdah and on tajnid. It will help to have proper planning of all Lajna events.” Maryam Ademoye Mrs, Naib Sadr III, said: “There was anxiety at first, but I felt excited as well. The way Huzooraa related with us joyfully was very delightful for me. “This meeting will assist in further spiritual development.” Owolabi Monsurat Kehinde, General Secretary, said: “I was nervous, not knowing what Huzooraa would say about our performance. Alhamdulillah, I am very happy seeing Huzooraa. I felt that we were meeting him face to face. “The most inspiring part was when he said his expectations were higher for us than the men and also described the importance of purdah. He also jokingly said that Covid-19 had turned us all to full purdah. Huzooraa guided us on how to tackle day-to-day challenges.” Shakirat Oladejo-Alghazal, Assistant General Secretary, said: “In 2008, I missed the opportunity to participate in a family mulaqat with Huzooraa when he visited Nigeria. Since then, I had been longing for an opportunity to meet Huzooraa, so when I heard about this particular mulaqat, I was very excited and eagerly looking forward to it. Alhamdulillah for having this great opportunity! I never knew it would come so soon. “During the mulaqat, I felt as if I was seeing the Khalifa physically. The atmosphere was full of tranquility. I felt blessed. “Huzooraa has given us a challenge to do better than we have been doing. This has actually inspired me to put in more effort. I believe it is so for many other participants too. May Allah make the mulaqat a source of blessings and spiritual uplifting for me and other office-bearers.” Mulikat Salaam said: “It was a beautiful experience and a blessed one. I have been inspired to want to do more in the way of Allah. I pray this mulaqat with Huzooraa comes up twice or thrice a year.” Basirat Ajumobi, Secretary Ishaat, said: “I was looking forward to see Huzooraa

and was nervous about the questions he may ask me. “I was happy, seeing him and speaking with him directly. When he told me, ‘God bless you’, I felt inspired and uplifted. “The prayer has given me more hope and assurance that I should work harder in the discharging my duties.” Olu-Lawal Moteehat Olubukola, District IV Sadr, said: “I was feeling anxious, at edge, almost restless. But after seeing Huzooraa, I felt at peace.” Adewale Fatimah Mustabshirah, District Sadr, said: “I felt fulfilled and blessed meeting his holiness. The most inspiring experience of the mulaqat was when Huzooraa said ‘May Allah bless’ you.” Muhibat AbdurRazaq, District Sadr, said: “These inspirations will help me in discharging my duties as district sadr effectively.” Modinat-il-Munawwarah AdekoyaIromini, District Secretary and protocol officer, said: “The most inspiring experience at the mulaqat, was the way His Holiness ask the office-holders relevant questions concerning their responsibilities.” Raji Kudirat Olanike, Muavina Sadr Rishta Nata Coordinator, said: “I hope to have more of such mulaqats in the future.” Ola Nafisah, District Secretary, said: “The most inspiring part was the words of the Khalifa, ‘May Allah bless you all’. Whenever I remember these words, it will push me to discharge my duties knowing full well that Allah will assist me.” Aina Monsurat, Sadr Lajna Headquarters, said: “It was an awesome experience. I am happy to see Huzooraa.” Azeezah, District Sadr 6, said: “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-Alamin. I feel blessed.” Towolawi Aishah, Secretary Waqf-eJadid, said: “Alhamdulillah it was an inspiring experience.” Shakirah Akinpelu, District Sadr, said: “Meeting Huzooraa virtually is an inspiration to march forwards and better.” Khadijah Abdulrazaq Yekinni, Sadr

AMWSA, said: “I was so tense and anxious and praying fervently that Allah should give the grace to be able to answer all questions directed to me by our beloved Huzooraa.” Rahmatallah Iromini, Muhasiba Maal (Auditor), said: “I was so happy and elated and thank Allah for the opportunity.” Mujidat Bello, Muavina Sadr, said: “I was so excited to be in the presence of Huzooraa.” Oyekola Mutiat-ur-Rahman, Project Co-ordinator, said: “The inspiration will help to uplift spiritually and emotionally.” Odeyemi Suwebat, District II Sadr, said: “The most inspiring experience at the mulaqat was the way Huzooraa paid detailed attention to every office.” Abdussalam Munawwarah Folasade, District IV Secretary, said: “I was so eager to see Huzooraa. I was relieved of eagerness and so happy.” Sodeko Bilqees, Secretary New Converts, said: “Initially, I had panic and the thought that I would be giving an account of my records in the presence of His Holiness, made me nervous. But Huzooraa was very accommodating and while conversing with him, I felt relieved to a large extent.” Akewugberu Nurullah, Sadr Attache, said: “I learned that some offices need to work together with headquarters in order to get the correct and exact information.” AbdulRazaq Lateefat, Secretary Finance, said: “I learnt more about how to discharge my responsibility.” Shoboyede Wasilah Ayoola, Secretary Nasirat, said: “I felt spiritually great and motivated. Huzoor’saa spiritual brightness and courageous words were so amazing.” Omoyele Mariam, Secretary Sanat-oDastkari (Industry and Handicraft), said: “I will put in more effort towards empowering more lajnas, especially the young ones just graduating and those who need better or additional sources of income.”

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

The exemplary young Companionsra: Righteous indignation for faith

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

Unbiased loyalty to Islam The insurgency of apostasy emerged in the beginning of the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. After the insurrection was suppressed and the rebels were brought to be executed, one of the insurgents was found to be an uncle of a young companion, Hazrat Imru‘ al-Qaisra. He himself advanced to execute his uncle. The uncle asked his nephew, “Will you raise your hand against your uncle and will you smite your sword on the neck of your father’s brother? Will you really kill me?” In reply, he said, “Of course, you are my uncle, but Allah the Almighty, for Whom I am going to execute you, is my Lord. (AlIsti‘ab, Vol. 1, p. 104) Preparedness to kill one’s father for Islam On his way back from the Battle of Bani Mustaliq, the Holy Prophetsa stopped at a place called Marisi. At this place, the hypocrites, who always sought to disintegrate the Muslims and render the nascent Islam like a withered plant, devised a dangerous plan against it. There was a likelihood of Muslims massacring each other. Having cleansed them of bigotry, the brotherhood generated by Islam could have come to an end and a civil war could have started. Its detail is as follows: Jahjah, a servant of Hazrat Umarra, went to fetch

some water. Sanan, a man from among the Ansar, too, was there to fetch water. Both of them possessed below-average knowledge and wisdom. Meanwhile, both of them started arguing with each other on some issue. Jahjah slapped Sanan, at which the latter started crying for help and called the Ansar [Muslim native residents of Medina] whereas Jahjah called out Muhajireen (Muslim migrants in Medina). In a trice, there gathered a large crowd. There was a possibility of swords to be drawn and for Muslims to pollute their hands with the blood of their brothers. But some senior Companions intervened and settled the dispute and thus the trouble was curbed. But Abdullah bin Ubay bin Salul, the chief of the hypocrites, again tried to fan the flame of disharmony when he saw a chance of disorder going to waste. Addressing his accomplices, he said:

ْ َ ْ َۤ َ َ ََ ْ ََُ ‫ل َ ِٕى ْن ّر َج ْعنا ِالَی ال َم ِدیْن ِة ل َ ُیخ ِر َج َّن الْاع ّز ِمن َها الْاذ ّل‬

“Once we return to Medina, the most honourable will surely drive out therefrom the most mean” (Surah al-Munafiqun, Ch.63: V.9). The devout Muslims’s passion was inflamed upon hearing this remark and they were becoming restless to execute Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. When Abdullah’s son, Hazrat Hababra, learnt of the incident, he approached the Holy Prophetsa and submitted: “O Prophetsa of God! I have come to know of a mischief by my father and you have ordered to execute him. If this information is true, then allow me to

execute my father and present his head to you, for if you entrust this task to someone else, in that case, I may, sometime in the future, harm the Muslim executioner considering him to be the killer of my father and thus make my abode in Hell.” But the Holy Prophetsa replied that he had no such intention. (Sirat Ibn Hisham, Vol. 2, p. 290) At this mischief of his father, Hazrat Hababra was so enraged that once the Muslim forces departed therefrom, he stood in his father’s way and said, “By God! I will not allow you to go back unless you admit that the most honourable is the Holy Prophetsa and you are the most mean.” He insisted so much for this demand that Abdullah bin Ubay had to submit to it. (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 3, p. 940) Preference for death over begging disbelievers for life The account of 70 qaris sent to educate a clan in matters of faith has been given earlier. The disbelievers surrounded the Muslim party at Bir Maona where all of them got martyred except Hazrat Umarra bin Mundhar, leader of the Muslim party. The disbelievers offered him protection with the proviso that he demanded it. But his sense of honour for faith did not allow him to beg for his life from the disbelievers and he preferred death over the life of shamelessness. Everyone knows how dear life is. It is not hard to evaluate one’s indignation for faith when it becomes possible to save one’s own life by a few words, but one prefers not to utter those words. He fought gallantly and laid his life in the cause of faith. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 2, pp. 48-49)

married Jalas, a hypocrite by nature, who was the guardian of Hazrat Umairra. Hazrat Umairra had accepted Islam in childhood and despite poverty, participated in the Battle of Tabuk. On one occasion, Jalas commented that if Muhammadsa was a true prophet, then they were worse than the asses. Umairra could not control his temper when he heard this comment and instantly replied, “Of course the Holy Prophetsa is a true prophet and you people are indeed worse than asses.” This was an intolerable and blunt reply for Jalas from his stepson. Hazrat Umairra could not have been unaware of the outcome of this straightforward reply. He knew very well that the person he talked to supported him financially. And if he withdrew from his support, he would have to face severe hardships. But his jealousy for faith shunned all such thoughts and without any hesitation, said something in defence of his faith. So did it happen as was predicted and Jalas said that hitherto, he would not financially support him. But Umairra cared nothing for it and apprised the Holy Prophetsa of what had happened. Jalas flatly denied it when the Holy Prophetsa asked him about it. But divine revelation corroborated what Umairra had said. The Holy Prophetsa lovingly held Umairra from his ear and said “What your ears heard was true.” (Dur al-Manthur, Tafsir Surah al-Taubah, Tafsir “Yahlifuna Billahi ma Qalu”)

Khalidra bin Walid’s passion for faith on accepting Islam Walid bin Walid, the brother of a renowned Muslim general, Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid, was a prisoner of war in the Battle of Badr. He was demanded 4,000 dirhams as ransom, which was paid by his brothers. After his release, he returned to Mecca and soon after, announced that he was accepting Islam. At this, his brothers got offended and complained; if he had to accept Islam, then why did the brothers pay the ransom! He replied that he did this so that nobody could criticise his acceptance of Islam to be a ruse to avoid ransom. What passion for faith! Heart and soul had accepted Islam and faith had captured his heart. Attending to the call of conscience, he could have saved his family from a hefty monetary penalty. But his jealousy for faith did not tolerate that somebody should taint his faith by terming it a ruse to avoid ransom. After his acceptance of Islam, the disbelievers of Mecca arrested him and tortured him severely. But the intoxication of the unity of God was not to be relieved and he remained steadfast and fled to Medina when he got a chance. (UsdulGhabah, Vol. 4, p. 678)

Criticising the Khalifa Some people are given to talking about such matters as cause mischief and disorder in the Jamaat; especially those matters that can be very dangerous against amirs and the Khulafa. The jealousy of the Companionsra for faith would never allow such things to be tolerated if any of it happened in their company. Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra accepted Islam in young age. A Muslim, Matraf by name, reports, “Once, I went to Kufa and stayed with a friend. Another man not known to me was seated there and was patching up his leather dress. I started a discussion about Hazrat Ali that was critical of him. At this, that man got infuriated and reproached me saying, ‘O hypocrite! You criticise the Leader of the Muslims!’ My friend apologised to him and asked him to forgive me as I was his guest. Then I learnt that he was Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra’. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 193, Zikr Ammar bin Yasir) Regretfully, in this age of ours, manifestation of such a jealousy for faith is deemed to be uncivilised. There are some people who, when they hear such mischievous things from their friends and relatives, deem it a demand of their relationship with them to cover them or exhibit agreement with their opinions. And if such people are accounted for their mischiefs, they try their best to protect them from penalty.

Verbally defending the honour of the Prophetsa Hazrat Umairra bin Saad’s father died when the former was quite young. His mother

Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued on previous page

First bloodshed in the cause of faith Defending the dignity of Islam Hazrat Saadra bin Abi Waqas accepted Islam when he was a mature young man. Since Mecca, at that time, was not a peaceful place for the Muslims, he too, like others, secretly offered prayers in uninhabited valleys. Once, when some disbelievers found him offering prayer, they started mocking Islam. Hazrat Saadra, despite being aware of the Muslims’ helplessness and power and tyranny of the disbelievers, could not endure the mockery and hit one of them on the head with a camel bone, which caused bleeding. It is reported that this was the first bloodshed in the cause of faith. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 102, Zikr Saadra bin Abi Waqas) A Muslim’s refusal for protection from a disbeliever Hazrat Uthmanra bin Maz‘un was among the early Muslims. This was a precarious time for the Muslims when the Quraish of Mecca made the few and weak bearers of tawhid [oneness of God] a target of various types of persecution. They thought that in such a way, they would succeed in wiping out Islam. Having his patience exhausted, Hazrat Uthmanra, accompanied by some other Companions, left for Abyssinia. But after a rumour spread that the Quraish had embraced Islam, he returned to Mecca. He learnt it to be a rumour only when he had reached near Mecca. At this stage, he was left with no choice but to proceed to Mecca and he entered Mecca at the security offer of an idol-worshipper, Walid bin Mughirah. Due to the influence of Walid, he himself was safe against the cruelties of the disbelievers, but other believers were constantly smitten with persecution. His jealousy for faith was roused to see this

situation and he reckoned it shameful for himself to enjoy the protection of a disbeliever while his brothers underwent hardships. Such thoughts made him restless. The very next moment, he was with Walid bin Mughirah and told him to take his protection back, and that he was no more under his responsibility. The example of the Holy Prophetsa and his Companions was enough for him. He wanted to live with the support of God and His Prophetsa only. He asked Walid to immediately go along with him to the Ka‘bah and announce to renounce his protection as he had earlier announced to protect him. So it was done. After renouncing the protection, Hazrat Uthmanra reached a poetic assembly of the Quraish, where a renowned poet of that time, Labid, was reciting to the disbelievers some verses. One of his couplets being recited meant that all bounties were bound to be terminated. At this, Hazrat Uthmanra spontaneously spoke out that the bounties of Paradise would never cease. Labid repeated the couplet and Uthmanra too interjected again. In reply, he turned to the Quraish saying that he was surprised to see such insolence in their assembly, at which a disbeliever thrashed Uthmanra on the face forcefully and discoloured his eye. The people commented that he was secure as long as he was under the protection of Walid and no one could have dared to harm him in such a way. Walid again offered him his protection, but his jealousy for faith did not bear it and he again denied his protection. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 494) Bravely responding to blasphemy The Companionsra had a passionate sense of indignation for their faith and this trait is exhibited in their lives even at times of great danger. It has already been related that Hazrat Abu Fukayhara was a slave, whose master,

Safwan bin Umayyah, would persecute him in various ways. He was dragged on the blazing ground of streets with a rope tied to his feet. One day, he was being dragged in the same way, when he saw a dung beetle. Safwan tauntingly asked him if this was his God. It is clear that in such a state of helplessness an answer or a rebuttal by a slave to a master in authority was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire. He could have kept quiet at this mockery and could have sufficed to mind it in his heart. But his jealousy for faith did mind it. To hear this comment, he forgot all his troubles and the feeling of his helplessness was gone and he retorted, “My God and your God is the Almighty Allah.” At this, Safwan got infuriated and forcefully throttled him to semiunconscious. A brother of Hazrat Abu Fukayhara accompanied Safwan at that time and instead of sympathising with him, he encouraged Safwan to augment the persecution. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 5, p. 248, Abu Fukayha) Preference for faith over family Utbah was one of the foremost antagonists of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa. On the occasion of the Battle of Badr, he advanced with a sword in hand and was encountered with his own son, Abu Huzayfara, who had accepted Islam. To see this, his sister censured him in couplets, which meant, “You are very ungrateful to your father who brought you up and today you are fighting him.” But he disregarded all these provocations and fulfilled the demand of passionately defending his faith. (UsdulGhabah, Vol. 5, p. 71, Abu Huzayfa) Refusal to dishonour the Prophetsa On the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah, when the agreement was being penned down, the emissary of the disbelievers insisted that the words, “The Prophet of God” should not be written

along with the Holy Prophet’ssa name “Muhammad”. Accepting this demand, the Holy Prophetsa commanded Hazrat Alira to remove the objectionable words. Despite the fact that the Companionsra considered the compliance of commands of the Holy Prophetsa to be a means of their success in both the worlds, Hazrat Alira hesitated to remove them with his own hands on account of his passion for his faith, and so, the Holy Prophetsa himself removed it with his own hand. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Shurut, Bab Shurut filJihad wal Masalihah ma‘a ahlil-Harb walKitabat-ish-Shart) Conviction before certain death Before the disbelievers executed Hazrat Khubaibra, he offered two rak‘aat of voluntary prayer and thereafter said to them that he had desired to prolong the prayer; but had shortened it lest they thought he prolonged it for fear of death. He also recited a couplet which meant, “When I am dying as a Muslim, it makes no difference to me which way my body and which way my head falls. I die in the name of Allah and if He wills, He will bless my severed limbs.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Fazlu man Shahida Badr) Hazrat Abu Bakrra disregards support of friend due to passion for Islam The persecution by the Quraish was not confined to the indigent and helpless Muslims; even the influential Muslims were not spared this treatment. Hazrat Abu Bakrra too fell victim to these cruelties. After some Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, Hazrat Abu Bakrra also set off to Abyssinia. At a small distance out of Mecca, he ran into a disbeliever, Ibn alDughna. He enquired from Hazrat Abu Bakrra as to where he had intended to go. Abu Bakrra replied that his people had exiled him.

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Musleh-e-Maud Day Jalsa in Nairobi, Kenya

Ibn al-Dughna replied, “You look after the destitute and the kith and kin, you are hospitable and help the afflicted; a man like you cannot be exiled. Go back! You can live in my protection.” Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakrra returned along with him. Ibn al-Dughna announced that he had given protection to Hazrat Abu Bakrra and the Quraish acknowledged it and allowed Hazrat Abu Bakrra to offer prayers and recite the Holy Quran within the fourwalls of his house. Hazrat Abu Bakrra would offer the prayer in the courtyard of his house and recite the Holy Quran aloud. The Quraish objected to his touching recitation, as he recited it with so much fervour and pain that it penetrated the hearts of the listeners. Therefore, the Quraish feared that the women and children of the surrounding families might be influenced by it. They complained about it to Ibn al-Dughna. Ibn al-Dughna suggested to Hazrat Abu Bakrra to abstain from it or else he would withdraw his support. Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra jealousy for faith did not allow him to recourse to hypocrisy. With all indifference, he denied Ibn al-Dughna’s protection and said that the protection of Allah and His Prophetsa were enough for him. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alManaqib-il-Ansar, Bab Hijrat-un-Nabiy wa Ashabihi ilal-Medina) Hazrat Umarra accepted Islam at the young age of 33. This was a time when the Muslims led an extremely miserable life. After he embraced Islam, he gathered the disbelievers and announced his belief in Islam. The disbelievers were bound to be enraged at it. But his maternal uncle, Aas bin Wa‘il, announced to take him into his protection. Hazrat Umar’sra jealousy for faith, however, did not allow him to rely on this support and he flatly denied it and said, “In such circumstances, when other Muslims are becoming victim of the persecution at the hands of the disbelievers, I do not wish to live a comfortable life in somebody’s protection.” Very bravely, he faced persecution by them and accompanied by a group of Muslims, offered the prayer in the Ka‘bah. (Sirat Ibn Hisham, Vol. 1, p. 350, Zikr Islamu Umar bin Khattab)

would be slain in the battle, or she would lay her life fighting. She drew her sword and plunged into the battle. She fought very gallantly, so much so that she received twelve injuries and lost a hand, but retreated not. God Almighty fulfilled the word of her mouth and Musaylimah was slain in that very battle.

Muslim women’s indignation for faith The jealousy for faith was a hallmark not of the Muslim men only; Muslim women also exhibited it and became ready to sacrifice their lives and beloved children. During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, in the Battle of Yamamah against Musaylimah the Imposter, Hazrat Umm Amarahra got so impassioned that along with her young son, she joined the ranks of Hazrat Khalidra and fought against Musaylimah. Her son, Habib, attained martyrdom during the battle. (Siyar alSahabiyat, p.130) The women of our age should reflect as to what their state would be at such a time if the slain body of their young son was laid before them. Certainly, by their wailing, they would make a lot of hue and cry. But observe the courage of this courageous lady who, seeing the body of her son, declares that either Musaylimah

An essential lesson for this age There are many lessons for us in the above-mentioned few examples of the sense of indignation and jealousy for faith by the young Companionsra. These examples reveal that they would disregard the most sensitive relationships when the question of faith arose. In the case of faith, a father would disregard the son and the son, his father; the husband would forget the wife and the wife, her husband. Only the fulfilment of the objective of faith in the best manner was before them and they allowed no other relationship to hinder it. In case of a mischief against Islam by a father, the son himself would stand with a sword in hand in his father’s way to behead him. And the father, disregarding all paternal love, would become ready to sever the head of his son. As Islam was weak in its nascent early days, had the Companionsra not expressed

Tahir Ahmad Machengo Kenya Correspondent

The day had finally arrived, the special day that was anxiously waited for by members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, Nairobi. It had been announced two weeks earlier through social media and in the mosque. It was the Musleh-e-Maud Day Jalsa, which commemorates the glorious prophecy revealed to the Promised Messiahas, who had been in seclusion for 40 days devoting himself entirely in solitude to divine worship and supplication, after which he announced that he had been honoured with a revelation containing the prophecy of the birth of an extraordinarily pious and righteous son; the son was named as the Promised Reformer. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was that Promised Son of the Promised Messiahas. During his speech, Tahir Ahmad Sahib read out an excerpt from a book of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, titled Remembrance of Allah. Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kenya reminded members to attach themselves regularly with the Jamaat’s website, www. alislam.org, where there is a lot of literature concerning Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and other Jamaat literature. He urged all to watch MTA programmes regularly and listen to weekly Friday Sermons of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. In this way, our faith and knowledge will

increase manifold. He urged members to remember our beloved Khalifa in their prayers and Jamaat members in general. Even though it was a virtual Jalsa, the feeling of togetherness was felt among the

members present. May Allah the Almighty bring ease to everyone and may He end this pandemic so that we can physically gather for Jamaat events and jalsas. Amin.

their passion for faith so strongly and instead, shown favouritism towards their relatives and when confronting the enemy, deemed them to be their relatives, or protecting those who damaged Islam internally on account of them being their kith and kin, the progress of Islam would have stopped there and then. Religious warfare is forbidden in this age of ours and we are far removed from the battlefield. Therefore, let alone the question of fighting relatives, there is no occasion for fighting the enemy at all. But one mortal disease of the modern society that has spread in our country and is fatal to the national life is undue ostentation, unnatural sympathy, false sincerity and its related demands. If, on the one hand, hypocrisy is found in greater degree, on the other, it has found undue support. Some people, on account of being ignorant of the essence of faith, or becoming a tool in the hands of the opponents, are given to making such comments about the Jamaat which may cause differences and disintegration and thus, harms national unity. A big hurdle in the way of taking notice of such things or guarding others of its evil influence is that people cover such shortcomings of their kith and kin and try to keep it veiled lest they be held

accountable. The most tragic aspect of this is that if such shortcomings are revealed inadvertently, even then, their jealousy for faith is not moved to help curb this malady by testifying against it and thus earn a reward in the Hereafter. The above accounts will have revealed to readers that the Companionsra were free of such ills, so much so that even children fully realised their responsibilities in this regard. If they happened to hear something that could cause mischief, even if it was said by their closest relative, jeopardising their future, they themselves would impart it to the Holy Prophetsa. They gave precedence to the national interest over their personal interest and comfort and disregarding its outcome, they would impart its facts to the Holy Prophetsa, so much so that they offered their services to close the door of such a mischief by their own sword. If our youth follow in the footsteps of such examples and to control such mischiefs, they make use of every possible and lawful means in this age of ours, the establishment of faith can be greatly helped and can be protected against harms by the enemies. (Translated by Shahid Mahmood Ahmad, Missionary in Ghana, from the original Urdu, Muslim Nau-jawanon kay Sunehri Karnamey)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 26 February - 4 March In this, the third year of Al Hakam, we will present a selection of incidents from the blessed life of the Promised Messiahas with some more details 26 February 1893: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he stated that six months before Sheikh Mehr Ali was imprisoned, Allah the Almighty revealed to Hazrat Ahmadas in a dream that the seat of Sheikh Mehr Ali had caught fire and that the Promised Messiahas put the fire out by pouring water over it. Seeing the dream, Hazrat Ahmadas immediately informed Sheikh Mehr Ali of this and asked him to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness. Huzooras further wrote, “Last night, being greatly perturbed by the attitude of Sheikh [Mehr Ali of Hoshiarpur], I supplicated for a heavenly decision. Thereafter, I was shown in a dream that I had sent some money to a shopkeeper to pay for something good and fragrant. He took the money but sent an evil-smelling substance. When I saw it, I became cross and told my messenger, ‘Go back to the shopkeeper and tell him to send me what I had asked for, otherwise I will file a complaint against him for cheating and he will be sent to jail for at least six months or probably longer.’ The shopkeeper sent back word that he had not done this on his own but that he had been influenced by the babblings of a mad man, which made him forget his duty and that he was now ready to send what I had asked for.” Huzooras, whilst explaining the meaning, wrote: “I interpreted this to mean that the Sheikh [Mehr Ali] would be afflicted with humiliation and eventually would be remorseful and that for the moment, he was acting under someone else’s influence.” (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, pp. 395400) 26 February 1894: The Promised Messiahas replied to a letter he received from Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira in which he prayed for him and said that he would continue to fervently pray for him. Huzooras added that as he was extremely busy, he was only able to write a short letter. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 216) 27 February 1895: The Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar (announcement) titled Qabil-e-Tawajjuh Government Aur Neez Aam Ittelaa Keliye (For the attention of the government and to notify the public). Hazrat Ahmadas stated that Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and other opponents tried to deceive the general public, through which even some English newspapers, without knowing the actual facts, published baseless stories about Huzooras and the Jamaat. Through this announcement, Huzooras conveyed to the masses and the government that he was against all kinds of disorder. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, pp. 1-2) 27 February 1905: The Promised Messiahas published a one-page announcement containing general guidance for members of the Jamaat. At the end, he stated that the book, Nusratul-Haq, was being printed in Qadian and

had been handed over to Pir Manzur Muhammad Sahibra so that he could print and publish it. An indication that the Promised Messiahas began writing this book in the month of February is given in Majmua-e-Ishtiharat (Vol. 2, p. 628). 28 February 1884: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Mir Abbas Ali Sahib, saying that one should always try to please Allah the Almighty because all success can be attained through His pleasure. Anything one does to attain the world has no beneﬁt. However, whatever one does for attaining the pleasure of Allah, with steadfastness, is counted as a pious deed. Huzooras added that blessed were those who wished to attain Allah’s pleasure day and night with full sincerity, passion and attention. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, pp. 600-601) 28 February 1896: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira, saying that he was awaiting his visit to Qadian. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 225) 28 February 1897: On this day, the Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar titled Yasu Masih ke Nishanon ka is Raaqim ke Nishanon se Muqabila aur ek Paadri Sahib ka Jawab (A comparison of the signs of Jesus with the signs presented by me and answers to a priest). Huzooras stated that he had previously published an announcement in which he claimed that the prophecies fulﬁlled through him were greater in proportion, number, quantity and power than those of Jesusas and made an open challenge that if any priest could prove otherwise, he would offer them 1,000 rupees. In this announcement, Huzooras said that the response he received had been published in Akhbar Aam of 23 February 1897. Huzooras then mentioned those responses and commented on them. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 2, pp. 213-216) 28 February 1898: The incident of Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi’s humiliation and admonishment in the governmental court for demanding a chair that resulted from his jealousy of the Promised Messiahas is well-known in our history. On this date, Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi sent a letter to the Promised Messiahas strongly denying the occurrence of this incident. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 369) 28 February 1903: The Promised Messiah’sas Urdu book, Naseem-e-Dawat, was published. In the month of February 1903, some new Muslim friends, out of sympathy and goodwill and without consulting the Promised Messiahas, issued a poster, Arya Samaj aur Qadian, in which they very politely invited the Arya Samaj Hindus and Sikhs to have a prayer duel with the Promised Messiahas or hold a religious conference to seek the truth about their religion. (Al Hakam, 21 February 1903)

Hazrat Suﬁ Ahmad Jan's home in Ludhiana, where the ﬁrst bai‘at took place in 1889

These Muslim friends never expected incitement in response to it. On 8 February 1903, the Promised Messiahas received a revelation from God: ٌ َّ ‫َح ْر ٌب ُم َه��َة‬ “A furious battle.” It was thought to indicate that the poster issued by the Muslim friends would evoke a violent response with vicious abuse. The revelation came true when the same evening, a highly vituperative poster of the Arya Hindus reached the Promised Messiahas. It was dated 7 February 1903. It was followed by similar vile writing in an English newspaper of the Arya Samaj. Another abusive poster was issued by a Tooti Ram. This book of the Promised Messiahas dealt with the dire situation in a most suitable manner. 28 February 1905: The Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Mian Abdullah Sanaurira, expressing his hope that he would regularly inform Huzooras of his wellbeing. Huzooras prayed that Allah the Almighty rewarded him for the intention he had made to send 100 rupees a year. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 240) 28 February 1906: A Muslim from Bans Bareilly, upset with a book, Yanabiul Islam, written by a Christian author, sent a letter, expressing his pain, to the Promised Messiahas in the last days of February. In response to it, the Promised Messiahas penned a detailed letter in March 1906 which was published by Magazine Press, Qadian in the form of a book named Chashma-e-Masihi (The Fountain of Christianity). The Christian author argued in his book that Islam had brought no new teachings and the Holy Quran was based mostly on tales of the past – some true, some wrong and some plagiarised – and this act was attributed to the Holy Prophetsa. This charge against the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa was enough to prompt the Promised Messiahas to write a convincing rebuttal with reason and arguments. March 1889: Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra was united in marriage with the daughter of Hazrat Suﬁ Ahmad Jan in early March. The Promised

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM Messiahas was part of this wedding ceremony. Her name was Sughra Begum. Since 1887, the Promised Messiahas had been looking for a suitable match for Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. This marriage proposal was ﬁnalised in 1888. (Hayat-e-Noor, Vol. 3, p. 145) March 1906: The Promised Messiahas was occupied in writing his Urdu book, Tajalliyat-e-Ilahiya, in the month of March. On 29 March 1922, the incomplete manuscript of this book was published in the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. In it, the Promised Messiahas made the following prophecy: “God has informed me again and again that He will grant me great glory and will instill my love in people’s hearts. He shall spread my Movement all over the world and shall make my sect triumphant over all other sects. The members of my sect shall so excel in knowledge and insight that they will confound everyone with the light of their truth and by dint of their arguments and signs. Every nation will drink of this fountain and this Movement will spread and blossom until it rapidly encompasses the entire world. Many tribulations and obstacles shall come, but God will remove them all and will fulﬁl His promise. God addressed me and said: ‘I shall grant thee blessing upon blessing until kings shall seek blessings from thy garments!’” (Divine Manifestations, pp. 24-25)

1 March 1906: Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra started a magazine by the name of Tashheezul-Azhan. It began as a quarterly magazine, but with the passage of time, it started its monthly publication. In the beginning, it comprised of scholarly and research-based articles, but when it began its journey in the new era, its main focus was the youth – members of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya and Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya auxiliary organisations. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 457) Unfortunately, for the past few years, this magazine has fallen prey to government restrictions in Pakistan. 2 March 1897: On 27 Ramadan 1314 AH, the Promised Messiahas was blessed with a daughter, Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begumra. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 586) 2 March 1906: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he foretold the occurrence of an earthquake. This announcement was published from Anwar-e-Ahmadiyya Press, Qadian. Huzooras explained that this was the same earthquake about which he received the revelation on 9 May 1905:

�� ‫� �ر آ� �ا � �ت � �رى‬ “The spring has come around again and God’s word has again been fulﬁlled.”(Majmua-eIshtiharat, Vol. 3, p. 378) 3 March 1891: The Promised Messiahas set off for Ludhiana. He stayed at the residence of Shahzada Ghulam Haider Sahib, which is located in Iqbal Ganj, Ludhiana. During this journey, an attempt was made on Hazrat Ahmad’sas life. The person with these ill-intentions later accepted Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 392) 3 March 1907: On this date, Syed Habibullah ICS who was the magistrate of Agra (magistrate Allahabad according to Al Hakam at the time), arrived at Qadian before Zuhr prayer. Although the Promised Messiahas was unwell, he showed great hospitality and gave adequate time to the guest. (Malfuzat, Vol. 5, p. 162) 4 March 1889: While residing in Ludhiana, the Promised Messiahas published an announcement for those who were keen to take the bai‘at. Huzooras informed people that he would be staying in Ludhiana until 25 March. (Majmua-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, p. 201)

The astonishing story of the Prophet Canadian Ahmadis show life of Prophet Muhammadsa to public Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Vile cartoons of the Holy Prophetsa were published in certain countries in 2012. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa guided the Jamaat to organise programmes which showcased the blessed life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa to the world. Following this guidance, Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Canada organised a programme in 2012 called “Muhammadsa: The Astonishing Story of the Prophet”. This event was organised and held in Canada’s premier venue, Roy Thomson Hall, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Around 2,000 people attended the event, making it a great success. The programme’s content and videos were later used in similar events in other cities across Canada. Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada reports that recently, some newspapers published vile cartoons again. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada decided to

organise another similar large scale event, spearheaded by MKA Canada. With guidance and permission from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, a virtual programme was organised. Being a virtual event not only opened it to all of Canada, but also increased its reach to a worldwide audience. Regular prayers and letters to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa aided in overcoming Covid-19 challenges and obstacles. The publicity campaign was redesigned. A nationwide Twitter trend campaign was undertaken to promote the event, and the events’ website, www. TheProphet.ca, resulted in over 41,000 visits in the month of January alone. Hashtags of #ProphetMuhammad and #AstonishingStoryJan30 were also promoted. Three different Twitter trends were undertaken on 10, 24 and 30 January, resulting in over 130,000 tweets. Paid advertisements were placed on Google,

YouTube and various online websites and platforms. In addition, all members of the Jamaat were asked to promote the event at a personal level. The efforts paid off with 17,649 preregistrations prior to the event with some 9,690 non-Ahmadi guests. This was the largest number of guest registrations for any single event in Canada, alhamdulillah. The event was live streamed with an estimated 50,000 viewers from over 40 countries. The event was followed by a brief introduction to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Viewers were invited to register for a free copy of the book, Life of Muhammad, more than 897 requests for a copy of Life of Muhammad were received. Some of the comments and feedback from viewers across the world are as following: “I just wanted to say, thank you for that amazing event. You have no idea how it has touched my heart and soul. It has made me fall in love with the Prophet,

peace be upon him, all over again in the beautiful religion of Islam. Thank you, a million times, and may Allah bless you all for the light you shared.” “I watched the YouTube show because of a friend. I found it very interesting.” “Jazakumullahu khairan wa barakAllahu feekum for the powerful film and generous gift.” “Thank you for this wonderful, enlightening documentary of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.” “It was illuminating and very educational. Thank you.” “What a beautiful presentation. Thank you again.” “After watching the documentary, I am interested in learning more about the life of the Holy Prophet[sa].” “Very interested in reading this [book].” “Jazakallah for putting on this incredible programme.” “Lovely documentary.”

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Proving the claim of the Promised Messiah’s knowledge of miraculous and profound Arabic Part I Shedding light on the claim of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas with regard to his knowledge of the Arabic language, this article seeks to dispel major allegations raised against the Promised Messiah’sas use of Arabic phrases, his Godgiven eloquence and command over the language and the usage of sentences taken from past literature. This series of articles was prepared by Muhammad Tahir Nadeem Sahib of the Central Arabic Desk in the UK and serves as a rebuttal to major objections against the Arabic literature of the Promised Messiahas. The Arabic books of the Promised Messiahas comprise of more than 2,200 pages and contain more than 3,500 Arabic couplets on an array of subjects. Irrespective of clear and indisputable divine proofs in favour of prophets, opponents customarily deny and seek to cast doubts on the signs and miracles of God’s messengers. Objections were raised against the Holy Prophetsa in the same vein and despite the fact that he showed more signs than any other prophet in the world, his enemies questioned him on several occasions and said:

Muhammad Tahir Nadeem Central Arabic Desk

Introduction The Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, said: “As a reflection of the miracle of the Holy Quran, I have been gifted with the sign of eloquence in the Arabic language and nobody can compete with me in this.” (The Need for the Imam, p. 28; Zarurat-ulImam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, p. 496) It is the sunnah (practice) of God Almighty that He sends prophets with His message and then apart from blessing them with spiritual knowledge and pearls of wisdom, He supports them with signs and miracles. Consequently, when Allah the Almighty sent the Promised Messiahas in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa, where He granted him countless signs and spiritual wisdom, the doors of divine knowledge were also opened for him. The Promised Messiahas unveiled many truths after having received heavenly knowledge. He expressed one of these divinely bestowed truths in his books that Arabic was the mother of all languages a nd that it was the very first language taught by Allah the Almighty through revelation, all other languages being derived from it. The Promised Messiahas presented many arguments in this regard. He said that God had sent the Chief and Seal of Prophets, Muhammadsa, to the “umm alqura” (mother of all cities) and spoke with him in “umm al-alsina” (mother of all languages) and gave him “umm al-Kitab” (mother of all books) i.e. the Holy Quran, which is the eternal source of guidance for the whole world. The Promised Messiahas also wrote a magnificent book called Minan alRahman (Bounties of the Gracious God) and shed light on this subject. In this book,

َ ٌ َ ُ ‫لَوۡ لَا ن ِّز َل َعل ۡی ِہ ٰایَۃ ِّم ۡن ّر ِّب ٖہ‬

“Why has not a sign been sent down to him from his Lord?” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.38)

َ ٌ َ ُۡۤ ‫لَوۡ لَا ان ِز َل َعل ۡی ِہ ٰایَۃ ِّم ۡن ّر ِّب ٖہ‬

The Promised Messiah’sas personal inkpot

the Promised Messiah states: as

َ َ َ ُ َّ َ َ َ ُ َْ َ ‫ َوأ َ َع‬،‫الألْس َنة‬ ْ ‫رف قَلْبي إلَى َت‬ ‫ان‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َوتفصيل ذل ِك أنه ص‬ ِ ِ ‫قيق‬ ِ ِ ِ َ َّ َ َ َّ َ َ َّ َ َ َ ّ َ َ ُ ََ َ ُّ َْ ‫بية‬ ‫ وعلم ِني أن العر‬،‫ات المتفرِق ِة‬ ِ ‫نظري فِي تنقي ِد اللغ‬ َ ُ َ ٌ ‫ َوأنَّ َها ل‬،‫كمها‬ َ ٌّ ‫ِسان‬ ‫أصلي ل َِن ْو ِع‬ ِ ‫ َو‬،‫أ ّمها‬ ِّ ‫جامع ك ْي ِفها و‬ ْ ٌ ََُ ْ َ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ ‫هامي ٌة م ْن‬ ‫ ولغة ِإل‬،‫سان‬ ‫ َوت ِت ّمة‬،‫الر ْح َم ِن‬ ‫ّ ِ حضر ِة‬ ِ ‫الإن‬ ِ َ ‫ِل ِخل ْ َق ِة‬ َ‫الب َشر ِم ْن أ َ ْح َسن اَ ْلخال ِقين۔‬ ِ ِ

“The details of this are that He [Allah] turned my heart towards the study of languages. He assisted my vision in examining the various languages and taught me that Arabic is their mother; that it comprises all their qualitative and quantitative attributes; that it is the original language of mankind; that it is a divinely revealed language from the Most-Gracious and that with it, the Best of Creators completed the creation of humanity.’ (Minan al-Rahman, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 9, p. 166) Apart from the above details, the

Promised Messiah also mentioned that through special blessings and the grace of God Almighty, he had been divinely taught and given the miracle of excellence and eloquence in the Arabic language. After announcing this claim, the Promised Messiahas wrote 22 books in Arabic through divine support, which will remain preserved till the Day of Judgment as an existing testimony to the truthfulness and authenticity of this miracle. The name of one these Arabic books is Khutba Ilhamiyah [the Revealed Sermon], which is a sermon full of rich eloquence and expressions with excellent rhyme and rhythmic Arabic phrases. It also contains great spiritual truths, divine knowledge and pearls of wisdom. The Promised Messiahas delivered this extempore Arabic sermon on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha through the divine succour of God Almighty. A large number of his Companionsra saw, listened to and witnessed this great sign. as

“Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?” (Surah al-Ra‘d, Ch.13: V.28)

َ ٰ َ ۡ ‫لَوۡ لَا یَا ِت ۡینا ِبایَ ٍۃ ِّم ۡن ّر ِّب ٖہ‬

“Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?” (Surah Ta Ha, Ch.20: V.134) The cold reality behind the above objection of prophets’ opponents is the same till this day, as Allah the Almighty states:

َۡ ۡ ُ َ َّ ۡ ‫َو َما تا ِت ۡی ِہ ۡم ِّم ۡن ٰایَ ٍۃ ِّم ۡن ٰا ٰی ِت َر ِّب ِہ ۡم ِالا کانوۡا َعن َہا ُم ۡعرِ ِضی َن‬

“And there comes not to them any sign of the signs of their Lord, but they turn away from it.” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.5) In the exact same way, opponents refused to believe in the aforesaid great sign and miracle of the Promised Messiahas and tried to create doubts about it. Consequently, they said that let alone high-quality Arabic, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat did not even know simple Arabic. On certain occasions, they ridiculed the Arabic writings of the Promised Messiahas by presenting made up grammatical and structural errors. On the other hand, when opponents are

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Khazain, Vol. 14, p. 107) The Promised Messiahas further stated:

َّ َ َ َ ُ َْ ََْ ّ ْ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ َّ َّ ً ‫ﺖ أد‬ ‫ِیبا‬ ��‫ فﺄص‬،‫والر ْح َم ِة‬ ‫وعل َم ِن ْي َر� ِ ْي ِم ْن لدنه بِالفض ِل‬ َ ‫الم َتفَ ّر ِد‬ ُ ‫َو ِمن‬ ‫ین‬ ِ

“And my Lord taught me from Himself with grace and mercy. Thus, I became an elegant scholar without equal.” (Najm-ulHuda, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 14, p. 111) At one place, Hazrat Ahmadas said:

َ َ ‫الم َت َ� ِل ّم‬ ُ ‫َج َعلَني أفْ َص َح‬ ‫ين‬ ِ ِ

“He made me the most eloquent orator.” (Maktub Ahmad, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, pp. 34-35) The Promised Messiahas also stated: َ

ُ ُْ ً َ َ ً َ َ ُ َ ُْ ‫�م الأ َدبِ ّي ِة۔‬ ِ �‫وأع ِﻄيﺖ � ْسﻄة کا ِملة ف ِ ْي الع‬

“And I have been granted an abundance in literary sciences.” (Maktub Ahmad, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 234) He further said:

ْ َّ َ ْ َّ ُ ُْ ْ َ �ِ �‫الن‬ ‫َوقد فقﺖ فِي النظ ِم و‬

“I have excelled in the art of composition and prose.” (Maktub Ahmad, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 235) In anotherُ book, he states:

َ ً َ َ ُ َ َ ُّ ُ َّ ّ ٰ َ َ ‫�ن آیَة ل ِق ْو ٍم‬ �‫ ل ِي‬،‫آن‬ ِ ‫ووالل ِه ِإنه ِﻇل فصاح ِة الق ْر‬ َ ‫ی َ َت َدبَّ ُر‬ ‫ون‬

overwhelmed by the eloquent Arabic of the Promised Messiahas, they accuse him of plagiarism and stealing words from various other Arabic books. Since this series of allegations against the miracle of Arabic eloquence began in the time of the Promised Messiahas, he not only challenged his opponents to present better Arabic writings than him, but also responded to their objections in his books. However, opponents keep repeating the same allegations time after time and all these objections have been answered through various platforms of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat at different times and this practice continues to date. A detailed study of opponents’ objections regarding the said miracle reveals two things very strongly: 1. Most of the objections of opponents are the result of not understanding this claim of the Promised Messiahas and not knowing the truth behind it. Hence, if this claim about the God-given knowledge of Arabic language is collected from various books of the Promised Messiahas and recorded in one place in detail, many objections will be removed by simply giving it a read. 2. The answers given by the Promised Messiahas to those who objected this claim in his time need to be studied in depth because he has presented minute details of his claim in simple words. The Promised Messiahas has also explained the nature of all the objections raised against his claim and the manner in which these objections should be addressed. Hence, if the said answers of the Promised Messiahas are recorded in one place with some details, then where all the remaining objections will be eliminated, the greatness and magnificence of the claim of the Promised Messiahas will also

become manifest. It is also perhaps the way of God Almighty that opponents are stimulated when He wants to make something more prominent and they repeatedly object and force the believers to think and research about such aspects as are being challenged. Consequently, various hidden treasures of knowledge come out due to such objections. The most surprising thing is that as a result of the objections by opponents, whatever point was investigated by Arab and non-Arab scholars of the Jamaat regarding the said claim of the Promised Messiahas and the conclusion they reached after studying hundreds of books, the Promised Messiahas had already stated it more than a century ago in just a couple of sentences. However, before carrying out research in order to refute the objections, we were unable to understand the extraordinary details and subliminal truths of these short sentences of the Promised Messiahas. This article will attempt to present the claims of the Promised Messiahas regarding the miracle of Arabic eloquence, arguments and answers to the objections in a collective manner. What was Hazrat Ahmad’sas claim regarding Arabic? First of all, we will try to understand the said claim of the Promised Messiahas from his sayings and writings. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas stated:

َّ َ ّ ْ ْ َ َ َّ ُ َْ ‫ َمع ِقل ِة ُج ْه ِد ْي َوق ُصو ِر‬،‫ان الع َر� ِ ّي‬ ِ ‫إن كما�ِي فِي‬ ِ ‫الل َس‬ ََ ْ ٌ ٌ َ َ َ َ ّ َ ْ َ ّ َ َ ‫ ل ُِي‬،‫ا�حَة ِمن ر� ْي‬ ِ ‫ آیَة َو‬،‫ﻃل ِب ْي‬ ،‫اس عِ ل ِ� ْ� وأد� ِ ْي‬ ِ ‫ظ�ر على الن‬ ِ ِ ْ َ ُ َُ ْ ْ ََ ُ ‫المﺨال ِ ِفين؟‬ ‫وع‬ ِ ‫ض ف ِ ْي ج ُم‬ ٍ ‫فهل ِمن معا ِر‬ “My distinction in the Arabic language – despite little effort and aspiration on my part – is a clear sign from my Lord, in order to manifest my knowledge and

literary ability to people. Thus, is there anyone from among the opponents who can challenge me?” (Maktub Ahmad, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 234) The Promised Messiahas explained the above claim in his own words on various occasion. For example, he said:

َّ َّ َ ً َّ َ َ ً َ َ ً َّ َ َ ً ،‫بیة‬ ‫ َوأ ْعطانِي نِ�اتا أد‬،‫بیة‬ ‫َو ِمن آیَا ِت ِہ أ َن َّ ُہ َ َعل َم�ِ�َ ل ِسانا عر‬ َ َ ‫َوفضل�� َعلی العال‬ ُ ‫مین‬ َ �ِ �ِ ‫الم َعا‬ ‫ین۔‬ ِ

“And from among His signs is that He taught me the Arabic language and bestowed upon me literary acuity and preferred me above all the peoples of the current age.” (Maktub Ahmad, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 247) In one of his books, the Promised Messiahas states: َ َ َ

َ َ ْ َ ّٰ ْ ُ َ َ ْ َ َ َْ َ َ ّْ َ ‫احد‬ ِ ‫ و��عل ِني و‬،‫َسﺄلﺖ الله أن یَک ِّمل ِني فِي ﻫ ِﺬ ِه اللھﺠ ِة‬ ْ َّ َ ْ ْ َْ َ ُ ْ َ َْ َ َ َ ‫ال‬ ِ ‫الدﻫ ِر فِي َم‬ ِ ‫ناﻫ ُ ِ� الب�اﻏ ِة وألحﺤﺖ علي ِه بِال ِاب ِته‬ َ َ َ ّ َ ْ ْ ْ َ َّ ْ ‫ َوت َوالى‬،‫ َوك� َ� اِﻃِرا�ِ ي بَي َن یَدي َحض َر ِة ال ِع ّ� ِة‬،‫َوالضراع ِة‬ ْ َ ُ ْ َ َّ ْ َ َ َ ُْ �‫�اص ال ُم ْه َﺠ ِة‬ ِ َ ‫الهم ِة و ِإخ‬ ِ ‫سﺆا�ِي ِ�� ُه ِد الع�یم ِة و ِصد ِق‬ ُّ َ َ ُ ُْ َ ُ ُ ‫ﺖ أ َﺷ‬ ُ ‫الد‬ ‫اء۔‬ ‫عاء َوأوتيﺖ ما �ن‬ ‫فﺄجيﺐ‬

“I asked God to make me perfect in this language and to make me, in this era, unparalleled in the art of eloquence. I entreated Him with prayer and humility, my supplications increased before the Lord of Honour and Power. And my entreaty continued with unwavering efforts, sincere eagerness and heartfelt devotion. My prayer has been answered and I have been given what I wanted.” (Najm-ul-Huda, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 14, p. 108) He also said:

ً َ َ َ َ َ َ ََ َّ َ َ ‫�ة َخارقَ ًة ل ِل ْ َع‬ ‫اد ِة فِي‬ ‫َو ِمن آیا�ِي أنه تعالى وﻫﺐ �ِي مل‬ ِ ّ َْ ‫ان الع َربِ ّي ِة۔‬ ِ ِ ‫الل َس‬

“And one of my signs is that Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon me extraordinary skill with respect to the Arabic language” (Najm-ul-Huda, Ruhani

“And I swear by God, that these words are surely a reflection of the eloquence of the Quran so that they may serve as a sign for a people who reflect.” (Al-Istifta, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, pp. 629-630) At another place, the Promised Messiahas said: “My claim is that I have been granted the strength of eloquent writing through the support of God Almighty as a miracle.” (Nuzul-ul-Masih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, p. 437) Hence, the above statements of the Promised Messiahas highlight the following ten points: 1. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was given a clear sign from God Almighty of eloquence in Arabic language 2. He was granted a wide range of knowledge in the field of Arabic literature 3. He was superior to all his contemporary writers and authors in Arabic poetry and prose 4. Allah the Almighty was given an extraordinary mastery in Arabic language 5. He was given precedence over all his contemporary scholars in the Arabic language 6. Allah the Almighty listened to his prayers and made him an exceptional source of the rhetoric of the Arabic language 7. Allah the Almighty, by His grace and mercy, taught him the knowledge of Arabic language, so he became the only Arabic writer of his time who was taught by God Himself 8. Allah the Almighty made him the most eloquent speaker 9. His Arabic writings are a reflection of the eloquence of the Holy Quran 10. He was blessed with the power of Arabic writing as a miracle through the support of God Almighty (To be continued...) (Research conducted by Muhammad Tahir Nadeem Sahib, Central Arabic Desk, UK. Translated by Al Hakam)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Tabligh in Portsmouth and visits of Ahmadi missionaries Al Fazl, 28 February 1921 Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)

Portsmouth The largest naval base of the British Navy is in the city of Portsmouth located on the south coast of England. A part of this city is called Southsea. This city has a special association with Islam. Its symbol of distinction is a star and crescent. This symbol can be seen engraved on every public building in the city. There is a crescent mark on the flags. You will find the same symbol on electricity poles, trams, pottery and uniforms of police and such other servicemen. There is a Turkish cemetery just outside this city. Two Turkish officers and a few soldiers are buried in it. The graves have stone inscriptions with verses of the Holy Quran engraved on them. The cemetery is taken care of by the government.

The ship called [HMS] Victory is docked at the port of this city. It was the flagship of the famous Admiral of England, Lord Nelson, which was used by him at the Battle of Trafalgar. This city is home to more than a dozen members of that Jamaat of momineen (believers) who have accepted the Promised Messiahas of God. Thus, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has a special association with this city as well.

My first and second arrival The Ahmadi missionaries regularly come here [Portsmouth] from London for the tarbiyat and education of the Jamaat. Initially, Sister Salma Croxford accepted Ahmadiyyat in the time of Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib. Then, Muhammad Yunus Evans, Fatima Nifold and Khadija Nifold joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Qazi Sahib and Mufti Sahib kept coming here on regular basis and gave lectures in various local societies. Chaudhry Sahib also visited twice during that period. I first came here last August during the summer holidays and reaped the benefits and rewards. Currently, I am here for the second time to meet [everyone] once more as I am about to leave [England]. [It should be noted that Hazrat Abdur Rahim Nayyarra had already arrived on the shores of Africa by this date, but such reports would reach Qadian and get published with some delay.] During both of my visits, by the grace of God, I frequently came across noble natured people who were looking for the right path and seeking the truth. I am hopeful that our Jamaat will make great progress in this piece of land, insha-Allah! First arrival and works During my first visit, I worked in September and taught Salat to members of the Jamaat on an individual basis. I educated them about the exhortations and prohibitions in Islam and endeavoured to acquaint them with specific issues of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and formally formed their Anjuman Ahmadiyya as well. I gathered the [Portsmouth] Jamaat on three different occasions and delivered sermons. Our young, enthusiastic and sincere friend, Abdullah Bottomley, along with his wife, Hameedah Bottomley, and their son, Bashir Bottomley, is currently residing there owing to a government job. They are very keen to learn religion. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, I had the great opportunity to teach and educate them about a lot of matters. In addition to tarbiyat and education of the Jamaat, I hired a horse-drawn carriage

available on the seaside resort and made three speeches using it as a stage. They were listened to very attentively. A new society by the name of Brotherhood has been formed in this city (and members of this organisation are women). At their invitation, the message of Islam was conveyed to a large gathering of more than 2,000 men in the vast hall of the Wesleyan church. The audience greeted this servant of the Messiah with great enthusiasm and love. Among those in attendance were dignitaries, members of parliament and members of the church. Then, I gave a Harvest Thanksgiving Service sermon at the request of the Independent Spiritualist Church, which was highly appreciated by the audience and so they requested me to come again for another speech. During my first visit, apart from bringing many people closer to the Jamaat, I had the opportunity to persuade a wise, intelligent and noble natured friend, Mr James Turner, to join the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. I named him Abdur Rahim. Second arrival and works The reason behind my second visit to Portsmouth, as I have mentioned above, was to meet once more with my friends [before leaving England]. On the other hand, the Independent Spiritualist Church requested me to give a sermon. Hence, I delivered a sermon in their church on Sunday, 30 January [1921]. The church was packed to the brim; inspired by the afternoon sermon, the church officials requested me to speak again in the evening. Consequently, I delivered another sermon in the evening. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the name and words of this humble servant of Ahmadiyyat were so blessed that apart from keeping the door of the church open and men and women standing up to the door, many people had to go back due to lack of space. All praise is due only to Allah! In addition to this speech and meeting, I worked towards the tarbiyat and education of friends as much as I could in this short period of time. On my way back,

friends came to the station to bid farewell and expressed their sincere [feelings of affection] towards this humble, lowly servant of the Promised Messiahas with tears in their eyes. May Allah be their protector, helper and supporter. Amin! Friends in London I have delivered one last speech in Hyde Park and [once more] conveyed the message to the English people that they should convert to Islam, repent and reform themselves and believe in the chosen one of God, who appeared during their reign. I am grateful to Allah the Almighty that as I leave London, I find my daughters, sons, sisters and brothers in front of me and observe them expressing the same kindness as my real loved ones would have done. Alhamdulillah, my inner self is ready to gracefully move towards the Lord of the worlds if the angel of death comes to take my life right now. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, I have seen God’s Promised Messiahas catching the white birds and have successfully played my part in the work of conveying the message of truth to English men and women. I praise Allah the Almighty for this blessing and thank my master and chief, the rightful Khalifa, Mahmudra, and send peace on the Promised Messiah and his master, the Holy Prophetsa. ّٰ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ُ َ ّ ُ َ ‫الم ْوع ْود‬ ‫الل ُھ َّم َص ِل َعلی محَ ّم ٍد َو َعلی ع ْب ِدک ال َم ِس ْی ِح‬ [O Allah, bless Muhammad and Your servant, the Promised Messiah.] Request for prayers Dear friends! Please pray for me as I am headed to a new country to make a fresh start and I am also very likely to face a lot of difficulties. I will board [a ship] from Liverpool on 9 February [1921], insha-Allah! Wassalam Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyar (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 28 February 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Coming from every distant track: Hazrat Ahmad’s hospitality following mubahala challenge A series looking at the high standard of morals of the Promised Messiahas when receiving visitors in Qadian Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam

Sheikh Muhammad Chittu Sahib was the grandfather of Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussain Qureshira, a well-known companion of the Promised Messiahas. Chittu Sahib was an active member of the Ahl-e-Hadith sect in his early life. One of his sons, Hazrat Mian Chiragh Dinra, was a prominent member of a noble family in Lahore. Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussain Qureshira had the opportunity to read the Promised Messiah’s book, Barahin-eAhmadiyya, through which he fostered an ardent love for Hazrat Ahmadas and eventually did bai‘at. He has been listed on the bai‘at register at number 143 where it is noted that he did bai‘at on 14 July 1891 and it is also written that he was the grandson of Sheikh Muhammad Chittu, resident of Lahore. Sheikh Muhammad Chittu Sahib, also known as Baba Chittu, started to become inclined towards Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. However, during the last days of his life, he became heavily influenced by Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi, who would call himself a protagonist of the Ahl-eQuran. In October 1906, Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussain Qureshira brought his grandfather and two followers of Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi to Qadian; one of whom was Dr Syed Muhammad Yusuf,

who called himself and was well-known as “the traveller of Baghdad”. Upon arrival, Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussain Qureshira stated that his grandfather was in search of the truth and intended to stay in Qadian for five days. (Hazrat Hakim Muhammad

Masjid Mubarak, Qadian. The Promised Messiahas would spend many evenings in this mosque where he would explain the true essence of Islam. These sittings would prove to motivate his Companionsra in their spiritual and moral training

Hussain Qureshira narrated that since his grandfather was of fair complexion, he was famously known as Mian Chittu i.e. chata, which means white. His real name was Maulvi Muhammad Bakhsh.) In the Al Hakam issue of 31 January 1907, along with reporting Huzoor’sas engagements of 28 October 1906, these guests have also been mentioned. The following incident, recorded in Malfuzat, volume 5, highlights Huzoor’sas hospitality as well as an important Islamic jurisprudence issue: “It is an act of taqwa to follow the leniencies mentioned in the Holy Quran “The Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, merely due to his high moral excellences, after coming to know that Sheikh Chittu Sahib, as well as other people, had visited from Lahore, decided to go for a walk and also meet with them outside. “As people were already aware that the Promised Messiahas was about to come out, they decided to wait in the choti masjid [Masjid Mubarak]. When the Promised Messiahas stepped out from his door, people present rushed towards Huzooras, as was customary. “After seeing and saying salaam to Sheikh Sahib [Baba Chittu], Huzooras

[began conversing with him] and said, ‘How are you? You are among our oldest visitors.’ Baba Chittu: Thank you. Hazrat Ahmadas: (Whilst addressing Hakim Muhammad Hussain Sahib) It is your duty that he [Baba Chittu] should not face any inconvenience. Make full arrangements for his food and stay. Tell me if you require anything and tell Mian Najmuddin to prepare that food which [our] guest prefers and finds suitable. Hakim Muhammad Hussain: Of course, insha-Allah. Hazrat Ahmadas: (Whilst addressing Baba Chittu) You are travelling, so you must not be fasting? Baba Chittu: No, I am fasting. Hazrat Ahmadas: It is an act of taqwa to follow the leniencies mentioned in the Holy Quran. God has granted permission to those who are sick or on a journey to fast on other days, which is why one must also act upon this commandment. I have read that many great men held the view that if one is to fast during sickness or on a journey, then this is disobedience [to God] Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

16 << Continued on previous page

because the purpose [of fasting] is to please Allah and not oneself. Obedience to Allah is to follow all the commandments and not apply one’s own notation to it. He has commanded: َ ُ َّ َ ‫َم ۡن َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َّ ۡ ً َ ۡ َ ٰ َ َ َ َّ ٌ ّم ۡن‬ ‫ام اخ َر‬ ٍ ‫کان ِمنکم م ِریضا او علی سف ٍر ف ِعدۃ ِ ای‬ (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.185) In this [commandment] no conditions have been set that one must be on such kind of journey or one’s condition of illness should be of such. I do not keep fasts during journeys, nor during sickness; thus, even today, my health is quite frail and I am not fasting. Excursion can help reduce one’s sickness, which is why I am going out [for a walk]. Would you care to join? Baba Chittu: No, I cannot come. You may go. Though this is a commandment [of the Holy Quran], but there is no inconvenience in fasting whilst on a journey then why should one not keep fast. Hazrat Ahmadas: This is your view. The Holy Quran has made no mention of convenience or inconvenience. Now, you are an elderly person, there is no guarantee in life. Man should choose that path which pleases Allah the Almighty and helps him reach the right path. Baba Chittu: This is why I have come [to Qadian], so that I can gain some benefit [from your company]. If this is the true path, then let it not be that we remain negligent of it. Hazrat Ahmadas: Yes, very good. I shall now walk for a while; you may take rest. (After this, Hazrat Ahmadas went for a walk) (Malfuzat, Vol. 5, pp. 67-68, [1988]) On the same day, during a sitting prior to the Zuhr prayer, Hazrat Ahmadas was seated with his companions when Baba Chittu came and asked him to provide proof of his claim from the Holy Quran. Hazrat Ahmadas replied by saying that he should test his truthfulness by the same arguments by which he had believed the Holy Quran to be true. Upon hearing this, Baba Chittu was unable to provide any logical response. A study of the relevant pages of the fifth volume of Malfuzat, alluding to this incident, show that this guest continued to debate and did not give any importance to the etiquette of the meeting and repeatedly and hastily continued to interject the Promised Messiahas. Huzoor’sas patience, high morals and noble example was further demonstrated when, whilst Baba Chittu continued to display his ignorance, the other guest, Syed Muhammad Yusuf, also started talking

with Baba Chittu. Al Hakam has preserved the details of the meeting, which are now preserved in the volumes of Malfuzat. On this occasion, Syed Muhammad Yusuf, after talking and trying to divert the conversation, challenged the Promised Messiahas to a mubahala (prayer duel); upon which the Promised Messiahas said that he should first read his book, Haqiqatul-Wahi, and then he may argue with such enthusiasm because everyone knows that for a naïve individual, rejection holds no significance. Therefore, Huzooras said, it is essential that the arguments were studied. Hearing this, Syed Muhammad Yusuf immediately said that he would finish reading this book in two hours. Huzooras replied that he may study this in two hours, but he would then ask him a few questions to ensure that he understood the subject of the book. On 28 October, before the Zuhr prayer, a note was written for the mubahala and at the end of this note, it was written: “Syed Muhammad Yusuf, traveller. Date: 28 October [Signed] Hindi Baba Chittu “[Signed] Mirza Ghulam Ahmad afaa anhu “Witness: Khawaja Kamaluddin, Wakil”. In the second volume of Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, it is stated that after hearing the condition that Huzooras would ask him a couple of questions from the book to ensure he thoroughly understood the topic, Syed Muhammad Yusuf apologised. He then asked for three days to read the book, which he had so confidently said he would finish in 2-3 hours. Ultimately, however, they cut short the stay in Qadian , even though they were continuously asked very politely to stay and were repeatedly promised great hospitality. They then made their way to Lahore and without disclosing the true events that transpired in Qadian, published an announcement in Isha‘at-ul-Quran magazine saying that Mirza Sahib must debate with Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi. This monthly magazine served as an organ of the Ahl-e-Zikr wa al-Quran and often published the views of Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi. After his demise, this magazine came under the editorship of Maulavi Hashmat Ali of Delhi and was published at Siriaanwala Bazaar, a famous bazaar in Lahore, known for selling goat’s trotters and head. Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi was famously known in Siriaanwala. His mosque, Chakralvi Mosque, was also situated near this bazaar. The announcement published in the said magazine was attributed to Baba

Chittu, but as he didn’t know how to write Urdu or Persian, it was clear that it was composed by someone else. For the benefit of our readers, let it be clear that Huzoor’sas book, Haqiqatul Wahi, had not yet been published and was still in preparation. This is why they had stated that Mirza Sahibas never provided the book. When the Promised Messiahas witnessed the injustice on their part, he invited them again to a mubahala. This invitation has been preserved in the Jamaat’s newspaper, Badr, dated 17 January 1907, on page 7. As regards debating, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra narrates that the Promised Messiahas wrote in his book,

Anjam-e-Atham, that he had closed all series of debates and said that he would not debate anymore. However, on this occasion, Huzooras suggested that if Maulvi Abdullah Chakralvi wished to allay his doubts, then he should put forward a request and state which verses of the Holy Quran denied his claim. However, Abdullah Chakralvi did not agree with this suggestion and Baba Chittu, soon after this, departed from this mortal world. The Promised Messiah’sas example of hospitality for these opponents will always remain and be remembered, just as his truthfulness shall remain.

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s services to the Muslim cause Guiding Muslims of the Indian subcontinent amid religious and political conflicts

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

Address to Edwin Samuel Montagu On 20 August 1917, Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India, stated in the House of Commons: “The policy of His Majesty’s Government ... is that of ... gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realization of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire.” (House of Commons Debates, Vol. 97, cc. 1695-97 [20 August 1917]) After this announcement – while the political activities of the Congress were in full swing – the Muslims got anxious in regard to the future danger. The thought that was causing them huge distress was that if India was granted the right of limited self-government, the Muslims could face severe dangers from the majority, who were Hindus. It was late 1917 when Edwin Montagu toured India to discuss the introduction of the limited self-government. Hazrat

Musleh-e-Maudra sent a delegation to present an address to him on 15 November 1917. Huzoorra advised an appropriate road map towards India’s self-dominion and stated that the elections should not be held in such a way that could consequently harm the minority communities. (The Review of Religions [Urdu], December 1917) Shuddhi Movement In 1923, there was a great anxiety among the Muslims of the subcontinent due to the Shuddhi movement, which stood to convert Muslims to Hinduism. On 7 March 1923, Huzoorra instructed Ahmadis to get ready to offer every possible sacrifice to defeat the Shuddhi movement. (Al Fazl, 12 March 1923, pp. 13-14) Then, during his Friday Sermon of 9 March 1923, Huzoorra stated a detailed scheme to tackle this issue and instructed the Jamaat to donate 50,000 rupees for this. (Al Fazl, 15 March 1923, pp. 3-6) A newspaper, Hamdam, on 18 March 1923, wrote that by witnessing Jamaat-eAhmadiyya’s passion and spirit of sacrifice,

it was almost certain that they would raise 50,000 rupees or even more, but expressed hopelessness for such a sacrifice from the non-Ahmadi Muslims. More details about the Jamaat’s services against the Shuddhi movement can be read in volume 4 of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat. Hindu-Muslim unrest and Anti-Islamic rhetoric On 23 December 1926, a prominent leader of the Shuddhi movement, Swami Shraddhanand, was assassinated, erupting a nationwide Hindu-Muslim unrest. On 2 March 1927, Huzoorra delivered a lecture in Lahore, titled, Hindu-Muslim Unrest; Its Remedy and Muslims’ Future Plan (Al Fazl, 15, 18 & 22 March 1927), about which a newspaper, Tanzim, stated: “Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian delivered an important speech on the causes and remedy of the Hindu-Muslim unrest and Muslims’ future plan .... [He] emphasised that Muslims should unite, otherwise it will be difficult for them to retain their stature.” (Tanzim, 14 March 1927, p. 12)

Lahore’s Hindu newspapers also published summaries of this lecture, including Milap, Partap, Banday Matram and Sau Rajiya. During his Friday Sermon of 22 April 1927, Huzoorra advised Muslims to unite and stated that those who claimed love for the Holy Prophet’ssa, should rise in support of Islam. He added that though only those arguments would be beneficial as had been presented by the Promised Messiahas, but the important thing was to set aside internal disputes and tackle the enemy of Islam united. (Al Fazl, 6 May 1927, pp. 6-9) During the first week of May 1927, anti-Muslim riots erupted in Lahore and Muslims had to face severe oppression. During his Friday Sermon of 6 May 1927, Huzoorra guided the Muslims in this regard and advised them on how to tackle this issue. Huzoorra published many articles, posters and announcements. In his first article, titled Imam Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s Comment on the Lahore Riots, he advised Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

18 << Continued on previous page

Muslims to take heed from the riots and pay attention towards spreading Islam. (Al Fazl, 13 May 1927, p. 2) Huzoorra decided to initiate a countrywide movement for not only aiding the oppressed Muslims of Lahore, but also for the Indian Muslims’ economic, political and religious progress. He published a tract as well, titled “What can you do for Islam and Muslims?” (Al Fazl, 17 and 24 May 1927), in which he outlined 31 points of the scheme for Islam’s unity. An Arya Samajist, namely Rajpal, who had published a disrespectful book, titled Rangila Rasul, was initially sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 rupees or six months’ more imprisonment. But on his appeal, the Punjab High Court’s judge, Kanwar Dalip Singh acquitted him, which caused huge distress amongst the Muslims. Then, a magazine, Wartman, published a disrespectful article, titled Sair-e-Dozakh, in its May 1927 issue. At that juncture, Huzoorra published a poster, titled Will the Claimants of the Holy Prophet’ssa Love Still Not Wake Up? and stated: “Could there be any other day of tribulation for Islam? Could our helplessness take any other severe state? Don’t our neighbours [Hindus] know that we love the Holy Prophetsa from depth of our hearts and hold him more dear to us than our lives, for whom every fibre of myself and my family are entirely devoted and each particle of our body is sacrificed upon the dust of the shoes of the Leadersa of the righteous people …. Our lives are here [to sacrifice], the lives of our children are here [to sacrifice]; harm us as much as you wish, but for God’s sake, do not destroy your[selves in this] world and the Hereafter.” He continued by advising the Muslims: “For Islam’s progress, make a pledge of three things: firstly, you will instil fear of Allah and will not see the religion with carelessness; secondly, you will show full interest in preaching Islam and for this task, you will not hesitate for sacrificing your life and wealth; thirdly, you will strive the utmost to save Muslims from cultural and economic slavery.” (Al Fazl, 10 June 1927, pp. 6-8)

In regard to the acquittal of Rajpal, an Ahmadi editor of the newspaper, Muslim Outlook, Syed Dilawar Shah Sahib Bukhari commented in his editorial of 14 June 1927, upon which he and the owner of the newspaper, Maulvi Nurul Haq Sahib, received a notice of contempt of the court. Syed Dilawar Shah Sahib requested Huzoorra for his advice, upon which Huzoorra advised him: “It should be our duty to show appropriate respect to the provincial court, but when you have written an article with honesty and just represented the thoughts which are being emerged in the hearts of every Muslim, so now what else could be your duty other than to just remain firm on this truth. This is a matter of love for the Holy Prophetsa … “My advice to you is that you should respond by stating that if, in the eyes of the High Court’s judges, there is an article in the English law for protecting the honour of Kanwar Dalip Sahib, but no article for protecting the honour of the Holy Prophetsa, then I would be ready to go to the prison.” (Al Fazl, 1 July 1927, p. 3) After the case proceedings, the court gave a judgement against them. Huzoorra issued an important message for Muslims, in which he announced that his Jamaat would be ready to do everything, in accordance with Islamic teachings, for protecting the honour of the Holy Prophetsa and thereafter, he advised Muslims to unite.” (Al Fazl, 28 June 1927, pp. 1-2) Huzoorra published an article as well, titled Protection of the Honour of the Holy Prophetsa and Our Duty. (Al Fazl, 1 July 1927, p. 3) Huzoorra suggested the Muslims to organise jalsas on 22 July 1927 in all places, in which Muslims should discuss economic and cultural freedom and to take an oath from everyone that they will continue preaching Islam in their respective areas. Thus, Muslims of the Indian subcontinent held jalsas in many places. Dr Saifuddin Sahib, Editor Akhbar Tanzim of Amritsar, suggested to organise a Muslim Parties Conference and asked prominent leaders, including Huzoorra, for their views on it. In response, Huzoorra stated: “I already had this thought. Is there

any doubt that the [internal] disagreement is damaging the Muslims? But the biggest problem is that Muslims are unable to comprehend the damage due to this disagreement. The third problem is that they are leaving aside the real ways of unity and wish to supress every voice other than them.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, pp. 624-625) Then came the time for the court’s judgement on Wartman’s case and the author of the article was punished for one year in jail with a 500-rupee fine and the editor, for six months in jail and a 250-rupee fine. Upon this, Huzoorra stated: “My heart is distressed because I do not declare the punishment for disrespect of my master and leader Hazrat Muhammadsa to be a mere one-year jail sentence. Unlike those who say that the punishment for the one who abuses Rasulullahsa is to kill him, I do not even declare a person’s death to be its compensation; I do not even declare its price to be a nation’s destruction; I do not even declare its price to be the whole world’s death; in fact, I do not even declare its price to be the killing of all disbelievers of the past and the future, because my Master’ssa honour is far superior than declaring its price to be the killing of an individual or a community … “The ongoing opposition against Islam is actually the result of Muslims’ laziness in preaching … Get ready for the preaching of God’s religion and the nation’s progress, then God Himself will descend from the Heavens to help you and His nur [divine light] will guide you.” (Al Fazl, 19 August 1927, pp. 3-6) The Mashriq newspaper, on 23 September 1927, wrote: “All the Muslims are obliged to respected Imam Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya for his favours. It was because of his movement that Wartman was prosecuted. It was his Jamaat which pursued the issue of Rangila Rasul. They were fearless and did not hesitate to go to jail. It was his pamphlet which made Governor Sahib to deliver justice.” Shia-Sunni Riots in Tirah Huzoor’sra struggle for the unity of Muslims was once again damaged by the Shia-Sunni riots in the area of Tirah, upon which

Huzoorra published an appeal to the Shia and Sunni Muslims and stated: “The information about the Shia-Sunni riots in the Frontier Independent Areas have bring great grief to the hearts of those who feel pain for Islam … It should be our foremost duty to not let this evil spread more … I promise those who have suffered from this fight every kind of financial and moral help that I can offer.” (Tanzim, 14 August 1927, p. 2) From 13 August to 2 October 1927, Huzoorra stayed in Simla and had meetings with members of the Assembly, the Viceroy and the Governor Punjab, in an effort to guide towards a solution to the ongoing religious and political conflicts. Huzoorra advised the government to make specific ammendments to the laws for safeguarding the respect and honour of all religions and their leaders. During his Friday Sermon of 9 September 1927, Huzoorra advised the Muslims by stating: “The principle which is needed for the Muslims’ progress is their religious progress. The more their power of faith and conviction grows, the more they will move towards progress.” (Al Fazl, 20 September 1927, p. 5) On 11 September 1927, Huzoorra delivered a lecture in Simla, in which he made the Muslims aware of their individual and national responsibilities. (Al Fazl, 23 September 1927, pp. 3-6) Applauding Huzoor’sra services, a prominent leader, Muhammad Ali Jauhar, stated: “It will be ungrateful if we do not mention respected Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad and his well-disciplined Jamaat, who have devoted all their efforts – irrespective of doctrinal differences – towards the welfare of the Muslims.” (Hamdard, 26 September 1927) Simon Commission Under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reform Scheme, the British government had decided that after 10 years, a commission be sent to India to examine the effects and operations of the constitutional reforms and to suggest more reforms for India. Towards the end of 1927, a commission was announced to be sent whose

Headings of various articles, sermons and lectures of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, in which he offered valuable guidance and direction to the Muslim of the Indian subcontinent

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM president was Barrister Sir John Simon. This is commonly known as the Simon Commission. As the commission had no Indian member, Congress and other political parties boycotted it. Even some prominent Muslim leaders like MA Jinnah and Muhammad Ali Jauhar also had the same opinion. But Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra published a booklet on 8 December 1927, titled Musalmanan-e-Hind ke Imtehan ka Waqt (A Time of Trial for the Indian Muslims), wherein he advised Muslims that the boycott would be detrimental for the Muslims, than the Hindus. Huzoorra stated that since the Reform Scheme had been approved, Hindu leaders knew that India’s future was linked to the English nation; thus, they often visited England to meet with prominent Englishmen and speak about Hindus’ benefits. Huzoorra said that they had made them their likeminded. But the Muslims had not paid any attention towards this matter. Huzoorra added that if the commission was boycotted, then its report would be based on their previous information provided to them by the Hindus. (Musalmanan-e-Hind ke Imtehan ka Waqt, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 10, pp. 37-55) Seerat-un-Nabi Jalsas As the year 1927 had seen huge anti-Islam rhetoric, Huzoorra initiated a great scheme of holding seerat-un-Nabi jalsas. Huzoorra stated: “The reason why people dare to attack [the Holy Prophetsa] is that they are unaware of the true circumstances of his life ... This has only one remedy, which is to deliver as many lectures with such emphasis that every person of India should become aware of his purity and life’s circumstances ... So it is our obligation to make all the Muslims and nonMuslims of India aware of the pure life of the Holy Prophetsa. On the same day each year, this matter needs to be highlighted with special arrangement.” (Al Fazl, 10 January 1928, pp. 1-2) At first, the date for the jalsa was announced to be 20 June 1928, but it was later changed to 17 June. Upon Huzoor’sra instruction, Al Fazl published a Khatamun-Nabiyyin number on 12 June 1928, which consisted of articles by Huzoorra, Ahmadi scholars, non-Ahmadi scholars, leaders and non-Muslims as well. It also included a few na‘ts (poems in praise of the Prophetsa) as well. 7,000 copies were published at first, but due to high demand, more copies were published. Many newspapers appreciated the initiative of jalsas and after the proving successful throughout India, the press published applauding headlines. The Mashriq newapaper of Gorakhpur, on 21 June 1928, stated: “This date [of seerat-un-Nabi jalsas] will be remembered in India forever because on this date, every Muslim sect commemorated His Highness, the chief of both worlds, Muhammad Rasulullahsa in one aspect or another … Anyway, we congratulate Imam Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, respected Mirza Mahmud Ahmad, on the success of the jalsa held on 17 June. If Shias, Sunnis and Ahmadis gathered at one place two to four times each year, then no power in this country could compete with Islam.” Nehru Report

In 1928, the Secretary of State for India issued a statement that “if [Indians] have any political capability and competence, then they should form a unanimous constitution and present it to us and we will implement it.” Upon this, Congress called a session of the All Parties Conference on 19 May 1928 in Mumbai, where a ten-members’ sub-committee was established, chaired by Motilal Nehru, which had only two Muslim representatives. This committee passed a constitution which was pro-Hindus. It is commonly known as the Nehru Report. Huzoorra commented on the Nehru Report in detail. Al Fazl published those comments from 2 October to 2 November 1928. It was later published in book form titled, Nehru Report aur Musalmanon ke Masaleh (The Nehru Report and Muslims’ Interests), in which he stated that this committee could not be deemed representative of India and then shed light on the demands of the Muslims. Huzoorra stated: “I do not say that you should not strive for India’s independence. Now, when England had itself decided that India had the right of representative government, then I will assist my brothers [Muslims] in any valid step taken for this. But what is unbearable for me and saddens my heart is that Muslims agree the way of [forming] the future government without protecting their rights. This would have very bitter and dangerous results. (Nehru Report aur Musalmanon ke Masaleh, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 10, pp. 347-488)

out of the total 165, though Muslims deserved 55 percent share. Huzoorra wrote an article, in which he expressed his concerns over this agreement. This article was published in Al Fazl of 30 August 1929. When this article got published in the newspapers of Siasat and Daur-e-Jadid, a non-Ahmadi, Muhammad Hayat Khan Sahib, Superintendent Police Pensioner appreciated the article in his letter to Huzoorra dated 8 September 1929. (Tarikhe-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 5, p. 149)

Simon Commission’s Punjab Committee The Muslim members of the Simon Commission’s Punjab Committee had agreed upon the suggestion that the Punjab Council should have 83 Muslim members

Nehru Report’s supplement When the supplement of the Nehru Report was published and some of its previous points were reformed, Huzoorra expressed his views on the reforms, which related to

Civil disobedience by Congress When the Congress initiated civil disobedience on 6 April 1930, some Muslim organisations such as Majlis-e-Ahrar and Jamiat-ul-Ulema favoured this initiation. But with Huzoor’sra efforts, the Muslims as a whole avoided it. In his Friday Sermon of 2 May 1930, Huzoorra expressed his views about the matter and outlined an appropriate course of action. On 4 and 5 July 1930, a conference of All Muslim Parties was held, in which Huzoorra also participated upon the invitation of some prominent leaders. A weekly newspaper, Khawar, wrote in its editorial: “At the outset of this month [July 1930], an All India Muslim Conference was held in Simla … Though Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Sahib is considered to be a religious leader, but I [the editor] have found him to be fully aware of the current politics, truthful and an honest, noble gentleman.” (The Weekly Khawar, 21 July 1930, p. 3)

the Muslims, and defended the rights of Muslims. He added that whenever England agrees upon the independence of India, it would be the Muslims’ right to demand for either the supervision of their rights or to make a system themselves, under which they could establish and retain their freedom. (Al Fazl, 11 May 1930, pp. 3-4) Round Table Conference 1930 A Round Table Conference was announced for 20 November 1930 and the Viceroy of India had stated that the solution for India’s political problems would heavily rely upon the Simon Commission’s report. Huzoorra wrote his views on this matter, titled Solution to the Political Problems of India and sent it to England, in which the validity of the Muslims’ demands and rights were addressed in detail. In February 1932, a sub-committee of the Round Table Conference started working under the presidency of the viceroy of India, in which sectarian disputes, basic rights and many other issues of India were to be discussed. The Muslims were divided in two groups – one wanted to boycott the committee, while the other one passionately supported the committee. Huzoorra wrote a detailed article, titled Round Table Conference and Muslims, in which he gave valuable guidance to the Muslims. He stated that he considered both groups to be well-wishers of the Muslims, but on this issue, both groups were wrong. (Al Fazl, 6 March 1932, pp. 3-4) Anarchy in the country The civil disobedience, which was initiated by the Congress in 1930, increased in severity in 1932 and the country indulged in anarchism. At that juncture, Huzoorra Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

20 << Continued on previous page

delivered many sermons on this issue and instructed the Jamaat to offer every possible sacrifice for protecting rights of the Muslims. During his Friday Sermon of 5 February 1932, he stated: “There are many fitnas [disorders] right now. On the one hand, the supressing of Muslims’ rights is in question, while on the other, the chaos against the government ... Muslims should tackle both of these fitnas with full care …. It is God Almighty’s command to establish peace in the country

… We need to establish [peace], even by risking our lives.” (Al Fazl, 14 February 1932, pp. 8-11) Controversy of Turkish Delegation In 1943, a delegation of Turk journalists visited Lahore and their leader stated that they were Turk first, then Muslims and there was no need to offer daily prayers during a journey. This statement erupted great unrest among the Indian Muslims. The Hindu press started to fuel the fire of this fury among the Muslims. At that time, Huzoorra stated:

“The meaning of this [statement of the Turkish delegation’s leader] was that though, undoubtedly [Turks] have sympathy for other Muslims, but if, at some instance, they saw that their nation could be harmed, then they would save their lives first and care about others later. It did not mean that they would give priority to the Turk lineage, instead of Islam because there is no disagreement there; they are all Muslims there. This disagreement is found in India in fact because here reside people of different religions.” (Al Fazl, 28 February 1943, p. 2) While addressing the second part of

Opinion

Texas storm: If winter comes, can spring be far behind? Rahman Nasir Texas, USA

In August of 2017, Houston was hit by hurricane Harvey, which caused 68 deaths and billions of dollars in damages due to flooding in every part of the city. This was the worst of three “once-in-a-thousandyear” storms Houston had seen in three years. A year earlier, I remember being stuck on the road for a whole night due to Houston’s Memorial Day floods. For Ahmadi Muslims in Houston, this storm opened an opportunity to fulfil their responsibility to their Creator by serving His creation. Local and national Khuddam from around the country spent over a month carrying out relief efforts, including boat rescues, raising relief funds, serving meals and cleaning flooded houses. By the end of this effort, Khuddam had served over 500 fresh meals, saved over 20 people stuck at home via boats and cleaned over 100 residences with over 180 volunteers. There were multiple occurrences in which the victims of the storm were brought to tears by the efforts of local Ahmadi. Thus, a terrible disaster became an opportunity for people to see our beloved Prophet’ssa practice of serving mankind. Just over a year after the city’s darkest hour, Houston had the honour of hosting the world’s brightest light, our beloved Huzooraa. During Huzoor’s trip to Houston, he delivered a Friday Sermon that emphasised placing our faith over worldly matters. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also said: “Even here [in the USA] countless storms and torrential rain are witnessed and each time it is said that such and such incident had not occurred in the last 500 years, or 100 years or this many decades, etc. Thus, one ought to ponder over this. The worldly people will not be able to understand this, but we know that this is the manifestation of God Almighty’s displeasure. “The Promised Messiahas has given an open warning in relation to these matters, therefore we need to pay attention towards our reformation. We also need to inform the world that these calamities are not ordinary occurrences; rather, they were prophesied over 100 years ago. Now, there is only one way to be saved from these and that is for

Baitul Ikram Mosque, Dallas, Texas

man to come closer to God Almighty.” (Al Hakam, Friday Sermon delivered on 26 October 2018, published on 16 November 2018) Hearing these words, I realised why I had seen three “once-in-a-thousand-year storms” in three years in my hometown. As I reflect upon the state of the world, since Huzooraa said these words, it seems as if there are increasing “once in a lifetime” disasters occurring, whether the California fires, floods in India, earthquakes in Pakistan, Australia bush fires, the great coral reef dying or the novel coronavirus pandemic. It seems as though each month, a disaster is taking place. In his Friday sermon on 27 January 2006, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned how, since 1905, the world had seen earthquakes at an exponential rate compared to the previous 1,100 years. Huzooraa also mentioned how he noticed the West had become purely materialistic and hedonistic while completely forgetting God, entering the new millennium. (www.alislam.org/ archives/2006/summary/FSS20060127-EN. html) A dozen years later, Huzooraa continues to remind us to put our faith above worldly matters and to inform others of the Imam of the age. As Ahmadis, the fate of the world is in our efforts and our obedience to our Khalifa. The Holy Quran says: “Never did We send a Prophet to any town but We seized the people thereof with

adversity and suffering, that they might become humble. Then We changed [their evil condition] into good until they grew [in affluence and number] and said, ‘Suffering and happiness betided our fathers [also].’ [So if it befalls us, it matters not.] Then We seized them suddenly, while they perceived not. (Surah al-A‘raf, Ch.7: V. 95-96) Until the world does not accept the Holy Prophetsa and his Promised Messiahas, these punishments will continue. Therefore, we are seeing once in a lifetime disaster once every few months. As an American, I can see, first-hand, the “humbling” promise in these verses. America used to be the “face” of freedom and justice in the world and now we can see a huge divide in every aspect of this country. Racial inequality, privatised healthcare and poverty are examples of America’s image being tarnished, causing a humbling amongst people. Years ago, when I travelled around the world, I would say I was an American with pride, but now, the same statement is surrounded with shame. Now the only thing I can say with pride is that I am an Ahmadi Muslim, one who has accepted the Imam of the age and enjoys the fruits through the blessed institution of Khilafat. Every day, this immense blessing becomes more and more visible to me. Currently, Texas has been hit with a historical winter storm. In all our major cities, millions of residents have lost power and water. Roads are not drivable, homeless

their statement, as regards prayers during journeys, Huzoorra stated: “If that is true, then it is really regrettable … This answer tells us – if it is true – that Islam has not been instilled completely in the hearts of the [members of the] delegation which is visiting India. We cannot conclude from this that the whole Turk nation is like this because this is an answer of a few people and they are responsible for their act themselves.” (Ibid, pp. 2-3) The fact is that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra desired for Muslim unity and strived for their progress and guided them in a great manner. people are freezing to death, grocery stores are closed or out of food while locals spend hours looking for food and gas and families are being forced to sleep in freezing weather inside their homes. A friend of mine had to evacuate his home and brave icy roads with his family due to the fear of the cold temperatures’ effect on his one-week-old son. Alhumdolillah they were able to find shelter with a family who hadn’t lost power. But Ahmadi Muslims are prepared since beloved Huzooraa has continuously emphasised stocking up on survival supplies. In the last four years, this is the second time that these words have saved us from going hungry. The tap water is either frozen or not drinkable, but thanks to Huzoor’s blessed guidance, we don’t have to brace dangerous roads scavenging for food or water which is not available. Our worldly leaders here in Texas are escaping to Cancun, Mexico while we face another “once-in-a-thousandyears” disaster. Texans are without power and water, and freezing, yet our leaders continuously turn their back on their people in their time of need. In contrast, our beloved Huzooraa is our guiding light through our darkest hours, whose guidance keeps us from going hungry and whose prayers lead to our ultimate success. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said in 2019: “We may confront challenges; we may encounter grief; we may face persecution; yet, rest assured, if we remain under the shade of Khilafat, all trials and tribulations are destined to pass and in their place, great glad tidings and eternal prosperity will surely emerge” (Al Hakam, 27 December 2019) I hope these words provide comfort to other Ahmadis who find themselves in difficult situations. To the Texan Ahmadis who will go to sleep tonight in freezing weather and Ahmadis around the world who are facing challenges, I would like to share a line of English poetry I came across while reading an article written by Khalifatul Masih IVrh on which he also commented: “‘If winter comes, can spring be far behind?’ “Thus, the Truth which gave omen of a winter, had in the same breath given the glad tidings of a spring, and if the winter came and passed away, the tidings of a spring must anyhow come to pass.” (Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Natural disasters or divine punishment?, published in The Review of Religions 1993/94, www.alislam.org/articles/ natural-disasters-or-divine-punishment/4/)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Status of Hazrat Musleh-eMaud in the eyes of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I Khalifatul Masih Ira, he said that it was a blessed dream and that was why people were already opposing Hazrat Mahmudra. (Ibid, pp. 401-402) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira did not only mention this fact in parables but also wrote a will of this sort when he got injured in 1911. When Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra got injured during his Khilafat, he wrote down the name of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra as his successor on a piece of paper and gave it to one of his students, Sheikh Taimoor. The student, out of curiosity, opened the envelope and after reading the name, resealed it. But once Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I’sra got restored, he asked for the envelope back and disposed of it. (Ibid, p. 397) Even Maulvi Muhammad Ali – one of the leaders of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-e-Islam, Lahore, who did not accept Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra as the successor after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira and was later one of his very staunch enemies – had to agree to the truth of this incident and has mentioned that he was also informed of this by a reliable source. (Maulvi Muhammad Ali, Haqiqat-e-Ikhtilaf, p. 71 [2012])

Talha Ali Missionary, Philippines

Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira was one of, if not the closest companion of the Promised Messiahas and had such a high status in the eyes of the other Companionsra that they all unanimously chose him to be the first successor of the Promised Messiahas after his demise. Despite such a high status, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira respected Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra immensely. One of the reasons it is important to see how Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira viewed Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is that he was among the closest companions of the Promised Messiahas and understood his wishes and prophecies better than any other person. Great expectations from a young age There are dozens of incidents showcasing the immense respect Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had for Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra even from his childhood. He was very impressed by the quick growth of Hazrat Mahmudra into a great scholar of Islam (as was prophesied by Allah in the prophecy of Musleh-eMaud that he would grow rapidly). Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra gave a speech in the Jalsa Salana of 1908, the first Jalsa after the demise of the Promised Messiahas. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, commenting on the speech, said: “Mian [a loving way to refer to him as the son of the Promised Messiahas] has presented such explanation of the verses of the Holy Quran that some points were new and unique even for me. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 74) Another incident which shows that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had great expectations from Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra has been narrated by Hazrat Hafiz Syed Mukhtar Shahjahanpurira. He narrates that once, he was walking in Qadian with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira and saw Hazrat Mahmudra playing with other children. He was only four years old at that time. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira sat down next to him and lovingly remarked, in the form of a question, “Mian, you are playing?” On this, the young boy replied, “When I grow up, I will also work.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira replied, “Your father has the same opinion and so does Nuruddin. God knows best.” This incident proves that the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira both were of the opinion that Hazrat Mahmudra would do great works in the

Promised Reformer: Promised embodiment of Second Manifestation

future as prophesied in the prophecy of Musleh-e-Maud. Hazrat Mahmudra as the Second Khalifa During his caliphate, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira made various statements during his life which hinted towards the fact that he was aware that after him, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra would be the Khalifa. Once, he mentioned that he desired for Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal [Hadith corpus prepared by Imam Ahmadrh bin Hanbal] to be revised and for the incorrect narrations to be taken out. He said that unfortunately, this work could not be

done in his time, but perhaps it would be done during the time of Mahmudra. (Abdul Qadir Sahib Sodagarmal, Hayate-Nur, p. 400) He asked various people to learn the Quran from Hazrat Mahmudra after him. He also asked for the dars of the Quran to the women (which he used to deliver) to be continued by Hazrat Mahmudra after his demise. Similarly, there is an incident of a companion of the Promised Messiahas, Ghulam Hussainra, who saw in a dream that Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra would be the Khalifa after him. When he narrated this dream to Hazrat

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, while delivering a dars on Surah al-A‘raf of the Holy Quran on 1 December 1912, said: “… due to your transgressions, the time for the victory of Ahmadiyyat has been postponed. But 30 years from today, the manifestation of the second power will manifest and through that servant, God will provide the means for the opening of this closed door.” (Abdul Qadir Sahib Sodagarmal, Hayat-e-Nur, p. 403) In another narration, it is mentioned that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira said: “I am hopeful that, insha-Allah, the reformer, meaning the Promised One (embodiment of second manifestation), will appear after 30 years.” (Ibid, p. 404) The manifestation of the second power of God alludes to what the Promised Messiahas mentioned in his treatise, The Will, prophesying the system of Khilafat being established in the community. Now, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was himself the embodiment of the second manifestation of God, so the question arises, why would he say the second manifestation would come after 30 years? The answer is that the Promised Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

22 << Continued on previous page

Messiahas also prophesied for someone from among his progeny to also fulfill the prophecy of the second manifestation of God and hence, though all the khulafa are the embodiment of the second manifestation of God, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra is the promised embodiment of the Second Manifestation and that is why his Khilafat is also sometimes mentioned as ‫ موعود خ�افﺖ‬or “the promised Khilafat”. Hence, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was prophesying that the Promised Khilafat would appear 30 years from the date of his sermon. And exactly according to the prophecy, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra claimed to be the Musleh-e-Maud in 1944 (roughly 30 years after according to the lunar calendar). God the Almighty had not only informed Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira that Hazrat Mahmudra was the Musleh-e-Maud and the Promised Son, but He had also informed him of the date of his claim.

London’s First Mosque

Hazrat Mahmudra as Musleh-e-Maud Hazrat Pir Manzur Muhammadra, another prominent companion of the Promised Messiahas and writer of the booklet, Yassarnal-Quran, wrote a booklet entitled Pisr-e-Maud shortly after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. In this booklet, he has provided various arguments proving that the Promised Son and Musleh-e-Maud was none other than Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra. The last chapter of this booklet is entitled Designation of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, in which he writes the following: “On 8 September 1913, which was some seven or eight months ago, I was in my house going through the collection of announcements of the Promised Messiahas, and doing so, I realised that Hazrat Mian Sahib [Hazrat Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra] is the Promised Son. Upon that, I visited Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira and mentioned to him that today, I had realised through the readings of the announcements of the Promised Messiahas that the Promised Son was none other than Hazrat Mian Sahib. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira answered, ‘We are already aware of this. Do you not see that we meet Mian Sahib in a specific manner and respect him.’ “When I saw that he had the same belief, then I collected various arguments proving Mian Sahib to be the Promised Son. And the 14th proof was that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira also had the same belief. And under that proof, I first wrote my own words which I had mentioned to him and then quoted his words in answer to me. “After writing this, I thought it would be better if I could have Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira endorse this with his own hands. So, I took this document which was on four leaflets of full-scale pages and asked him to read it. Once he got to the 14th argument, I asked him if these were the words he said to me and he answered in the affirmative. I asked him to attest to

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra leading Salat during the corner-stone laying of the Fazl Mosque. Huzoorra laid this stone on 19 October 1924. This event was widely publicised by the press.

this on which he wrote the following with his signature: “‘I have said these words to my brother, Pir Manzur Muhammad. [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira has signed his name underneath and dated it as 10 September 1913.] The next day, i.e. 11 September 1913 Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was lying on his bed and I started massaging his

legs. After a while, without any discussion or mention, he said, ‘Do not publish this article just yet; publish it when there is opposition.’” (Hazrat Pir Manzur Muhammadra, Pisr-e-Maud, pp. 27-28) There are many other examples of the immense respect Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had for Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra due to him being

the son of the Promised Messiahas and also because of his noble character. But more importantly, he was well aware of the grand status that he was to achieve of being the fulfillment of the grand prophecy and being the Promised Son of the Promised Messiahas who was to be the Promised Reformer and the promised embodiment of the Second Manifestation of Allah i.e. Khilafat.

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud: th A 20 century genius Ahmad Kamal Student Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

The 20th century started with horses and carriages, but ended with trains, cars and air travel. It had a major shift in the way we lived, with changes in politics, ideology, economics, society, culture, science, technology and medicine. Most innovations were possible only due to a special class of people; those who can be referred to as “geniuses”; The rare likes of Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Alan Turing, whose intelligence, creativity and contribution to society set them apart from the rest of the world. These were the not the average “smart guys”, but visionaries who sought to decode and change the world. As a special favour, God Almighty also blessed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with its genius in the 20th century; a genius who was the result of his father’s prayers, following 40 days of solitude and prayers in a small city in north-eastern Punjab, India. This genius was for the world and brought with him the holy spirit. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was a gift to the Jamaat from God. A man of phenomenal intelligence and memory, with a rare combination of remarkable wit and leadership. Despite his frail health, the young Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra had a keen mind and an all-embracing nature. The famous biographer, Walter Issaacson, has written that all great minds have had one thing in common: curiosity. (https://time.com/5027069/what-makes-agenius/) This young man had a variety of past times and interests – luckily, Qadian at the time was a hub of local and foreign games and the young Mahmudra did not shy away from anything as he engaged in football, hunting, swimming, horse riding, badminton and despite being physically weak, kabbadi. He never settled for one sport and enjoyed whatever the season suggested. (Sawaneh Fazl-e-Umar, Vol. 1, p. 126) Intellectually, at the age of 19, the young Sahibzada stood before the Jamaat and delivered his first speech after the passing away of his beloved father – Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. His memory was still vivid in the mind of the Jamaat and now, here stood his son – bearing an extreme resemblance to his father’s style and delivery, which brought many to tears. Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira writes regarding this speech: “… after the speech, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, who had spent his entire life

studying the Holy Quran and whose soul was nourished by this very Quran said that the interpretation given by Mian Sahib for many verses were novel even for me.” (Ibid, p. 218) It is true what the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer wrote: “Talent hits a target no one else can hit”, but “Genius hits a target no one else can see”. In his first public speech, Hazrat Mahmudra brought up such distinct points that were unbeknown to many of the time. The Holy Quran states: َ ُ‫لَّا يَ َم ُّس ُه إلَّا ال ْ ُم َط َّهر‬ ‫ون‬ ِ “None shall touch it except those who are purified”. (Surah al-Waqi‘ah, Ch.56: V.80) Therefore, this could only mean the young Mahmudra was already present at the altar with God’s select few. He states later in his life: “However, I am aware that God Almighty has not bestowed knowledge of the Holy Quran to anyone on this earth other than myself. God Almighty granted me knowledge of the Holy Quran and to teach the Holy Quran in this era, He has appointed me as the teacher of the entire world.” (Al-Maud, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, p. 645) His novel wisdom of the Holy Quran would be later written in his Tafsir-e-Kabir, a 10-volume, 5,907-page commentary of 59 chapters of the Holy Quran, which

would forever bear testimony to his God-given knowledge of the Quran. He showed absolute mastery in the fields of religion, history, philosophy, psychology, geology, linguistics, medicine, astronomy, cosmology and much more. His deep intelligence and God-given knowledge enabled him to write hundreds of books and deliver such spellbound lectures as would keep his listeners occupied for hours, no matter the weather. Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra writes: “He possessed great versatility of mind and the range of his intellect was unmatched among his contemporaries. These qualities were strikingly illustrated in his speeches and writings … His speeches were intellectual banquets at which those present were regaled to their great delight and enjoyment. In that guise, he stimulated their intellects, enlivened their faculties, incited them to climb moral and spiritual heights and sent them home greatly enriched …” (Ahmadiyyat – The Renaissance of Islam, p. 234) Like all great minds, he was driven by a purpose so strong that it could move mountains. His whole life was spent trying to return Islam to its former glory. Even from a very young age, he knew what he had to do. Hence, Sheikh Ghulam Wa‘z Sahibra once decided to spend the entire night in the mosque praying. Upon entering the mosque, he found someone already engrossed in supplications. He

had to wait for a very long time for the said individual to raise his head and when he eventually did, he found out it was the young Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra. In surprise, he asked the young Mahmudra what he was fervently praying for to God. Sahibzada Mirza Mahmud Ahmadra replied: “I have only asked, ‘O Lord! Please revive Islam in front of my very eyes.’” (Al Fazl, 16 February 1965) Such an extraordinary answer would leave an imprint on any heart – the innocence of a child as he implores his Lord for such a noble desire. There is no doubt this young man was a gift from God and it is for this reason that every 20 February, we gather to reminisce the character of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, his great achievements for Islam and show our gratefulness to Allah for bestowing upon us such a precious gift. History bears witness to the pledge the young Mahmudra made at his father’s bedside to continue his mission even if everyone else turned away. Referring to his pledge, decades later, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra said: “… to this day I feel that was a phase of such alertness and of the deep knowledge of God that every atom of my body was party to that high resolve. I was convinced that the power and strength of the whole Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

24 << Continued on previous page

world held no significance against my resolve and determination.” (Al Fazl, 12 June 1944) The prophets of God often must migrate. Thus in 1947, the Jamaat had its headquarters shifted from India to a newly created Pakistan. If the ease of transition were owed to any human agency, a huge part would be to Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra and prayers. He alone had the courage and vision to save the Jamaat from dispersion and devolution during these difficult times. Other communities crumbled under the stigma of the migration, but not his Jamaat. Due to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s extraordinary combination of penetrating intellect and leadership, despite being in overwhelming circumstances, he kept the administration functioning and assigned various individuals the task of finding an appropriate location for this purpose, which ultimately resulted in the foundation of the new town for the headquarters of the Community. The Jamaat kept expanding with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra as its leader. He nurtured the fragile Jamaat into a well-matured tree with its roots firmly in the ground. Various departments were established, auxiliary organisations for various sections of the Jamaat were set up, Majlis-e-Shura, Tahrik-e-Jadid, Waqf-e-Jadid and a diverse network of Ahmadiyya missions all over the world were established. Under his leadership, this small community in the subcontinent was now defying expectations and its mission houses were set up in the farthest part of the globe. Even the Paighamis, who predicted the downfall of the community, had no choice but to awe at its progress and praise its captain. Their weekly publication, The Light, wrote a tribute upon his death: “A man of versatile genius and dynamic personality, there was hardly any sphere of contemporary thought and life during the past half-century, from religious scholarship to missionary organisation, even political leadership, on which the deceased did not leave a deep imprint. A whole network of Islamic missions and mosques scattered over the world, the deep penetration of Islamic preaching in Africa, transplanting the long-entrenched Christian Missions, are a standing monument to the imaginative planning, organisational capacity and unﬂagging drive of the deceased.” (The Light, 16 November 1965) Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was an orator of such outstanding quality that his speeches would make his audience sit with rapt attention for hours on end, under the hot Indian sun or in the December chill of Qadian; his words dripping into their ears and filling them with pleasure at every new phase. He was a gift from God brimming with divine and secular knowledge. He was the spiritual genius of the 20th century.

Musleh-e-Maud Day in Detroit and Dayton Jamaats Syed Shamshad Nasir Missionary, USA

Muhammad Ahmad Sahib of Detroit reports that the Detroit and Dayton Jamaats celebrated Musleh-e-Maud Day on 21 February 2021. The Musleh-eMaud Day event was held virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on gatherings. The formal programme started with a recitation from the Holy Quran with translation. Following this, a poem from Kalam-e-Mahmud was recited. Sadr Jamaat, Maqbool Tahir Sahib welcomed and thanked members of the Jamaat for joining the programme. Describing the background and significance of the Musleh-e-Maud Day, Sadr Sahib said: “Today’s celebrations are not birthday celebrations; rather, we are here to celebrate the fulfilment of the Promised Messiah’sas grand prophecy regarding the Promised Reformer and a Promised son that was fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih II.” Following this, Sadr Jamaat invited Mutaher Ahmad Sahib for his speech titled Prophecy Personified in Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra. Naeem Lughmani Sahib then presented a speech on the topic of Establishment of the Nizam-e-Jamaat in which he elaborated the purpose and importance of nizam-eJamaat (organisational and administrative structure of the community) that was developed by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

Sadr Sahib then invited Hajra Ahmad Sahiba to recite a poem from Kalam-eMahmud. Abdul Shukoor Sahib then presented his speech on the topic of A Message of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra to US Jamaat. Usman Mangla Sahib led an interesting quiz session using Kahoot in which members participated and answered questions. Young members particularly participated in the quiz where questions regarding the life of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra were covered. Nasir Bukhari Sahib spoke on the

topic of Strengthening of the Institution of Khilafat. The concluding remarks were presented by Shamshad Nasir Sahib. He started by thanking all the presenters that may Allah bless all for their hard work and excellent presentations. He then presented some of the incidents that took place during the life of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra that showed his love with Allah, the Holy Prophetsa, the nizam-e-Jamaat, and the tarbiyat of the Jamaat members. More than 400 members from 130 families joined the programme.

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud: The quintessence of knowledge Jazib Mehmood Student Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

“He will be extremely intelligent and perceptive … and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.” (Tadhkirah [English translation, 2018], p. 178) The above quote is from the prophecy of Musleh-e-Maud, the Promised Son – they are the words of Allah, revealed to the Promised Messiahas in 1886. The prophecy was regarding a special son born to the Promised Messiahas, who would greatly support the cause of the Promised Messiahas; the revival of faith and Islam. This son was prophesied to have great qualities. Since the new world was meritocratic as opposed to aristocratic, Allah the Almighty granted the community someone who would have great merit in all spheres of knowledge; someone who would be a shining example for the community to emulate. However, we find no such indication in the early life of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra that could have explained the glorious future in store for him. Due to his fragile health and particularly poor eyesight, his education was far from satisfactory. Instead, in the early years of his Khilafat, when he was not even 30, he wrote to a friend: “No doubt, experience is different from knowledge and [experience] is very important without which man is deceived. But my case is the opposite. I do not have knowledge, but have a lot of experience. I was not taught, nor was I able to learn. I am not qualified in new fields of knowledge, nor am I skilled in old fields of knowledge. Whatever I have, I get directly from Allah the Almighty … Sometimes I myself do not know what I am saying but divine light just descends from the Heavens.” (Al Fazl International, 18 February 1994, Vol. 1, issue 7, p. 2) As he grew older, it became clear that this young man possessed great talents. He wrote over 220 books and pamphlets. For nearly 52 years, he delivered speeches and lectures that have been compiled into over 26 volumes and his Friday Sermons alone make nearly 40 volumes – these numbers continue to increase as more content is added. His 10-volume commentary, although covers only half the chapters of the Holy Quran, spans over 10,000 pages, and is incomparable in Islamic history. He also wrote a short commentary of the Holy Quran with an in-depth translation. It is a fact acknowledged by non-Ahmadis as well that his command over the Holy Quran and its commentary was unmatched by any other. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 8 p. 155163)

Huzoorra made a challenge: “Anyone – no matter what knowledge they may have or whichever religion they may follow – can raise any allegation against the Holy Quran and by the grace of Allah, I will answer [their allegation] from the same Quran. I have challenged the world again and again to compete with me in writing the deeper meanings of the Quran.” (Anwar-ulUlum, Vol. 13, p. 255) Huzoorra answered allegations against the Holy Quran by orientalists like Theodor Noldek, Rev Vere, JM Rodell and Sir William Muir etc. Even literates like Carlyle were not left unanswered. His books cut across a broad spectrum and covered the length and breadth of history, geography, religion, mysticism, economics, politics, social science, philosophy, language, medicine, contemporary issues and much more. His speeches and lectures were so riveting that his listeners sat for hours on end just to soak in the words flowing effortlessly and endlessly. The world is unceasingly evolving to new and greater heights every day. But many religions in the world set too much store by their teachings and fail to acknowledge the import of secular knowledge, hence the supposed clash of science and religion. Allah the Almighty teaches:

ْ َ ُ ‫َوقل ّر ِّب زِ ْدنِي ِعل ًما‬

“Say, ‘O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Surah Ta Ha, Ch. 20: V. 115) Without making any distinction, Allah the Almighty has commanded man to keep increasing his knowledge. On this basis, the Holy Prophetsa advised Muslims:

ُ َ ٌ َْ َ ْ ْ ُ ََ ٰ ‫طلب ال ِعل ِم ف ِريضة ع‬ ‫لى ك ِ ّل ُم ْس ِل ِم‬

That is, “The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah) The following prayer was also revealed to the Promised Messiahas:

َ َْ َ ‫َر ِّب أرِن ِ ْي َحقائِ َق الْأش َيا ِء‬

That is, “O Lord! Show me the reality of things.” (Tadhkirah [English translation, 2018], p. 990) Knowledge is greatly emphasised in Islam. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also attached great importance to all forms of knowledge. He said, “By the grace of God Almighty, I read books on all fields of knowledge … Sometimes, I will finish 400 page books in one night. And until now, I have read nearly 20,000 books. I had 10,000 books in my library in Qadian alone.” (Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 21 p. 556) Huzoorra emphasised literacy unremittingly. Very early on, during his Khilafat, Huzoorra said: “There must not be any woman or man in the community who cannot read or write.” (Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 2, p. 49) Again, Huzoorra said:

“I advise friends that those who are not learned should pay attention to gaining knowledge and those to whom Allah the Almighty has given knowledge should teach others. At this time, God Almighty has granted our community a great opportunity to gain knowledge. If someone wastes this opportunity out of their negligence, then there will be no doubt of their misfortune.” (Friday Sermon, 23 June 1939, Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 20, p. 281) In 1939, when the community gave Huzoorra a gift of 30,000 rupees, Huzoorra started a fund that would award students who took first, second and third positions in the various stages of education, and would give them a monthly allowance during their education. (Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 15, pp. 435-436) The ripple effect is still seen today. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa annually awards students from all over the world in the UK and Germany. This has led to a very high literacy rate in the community. Huzoorra also advised students to increase their scope of study. He said: “No student can be well-educated if his reading is not widely scoped. If he learns one book in school, he should read 10 books outside [his syllabus]. The knowledge outside [the syllabus] is real knowledge. The knowledge taught by the teacher is merely helpful for the acquisition of knowledge – it is a support; it is not that through it he gains mastery over all fields of knowledge.” (Sawaneh Fazl-e-Umar, Vol. 5, p. 153) By the time Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of Britain, the pervasive social mobility of the new world was striking. After the Second World War, the dynamics of business and wealth, and power somewhat changed. For the first time in history, hard work and diligent study could get you to the top. Today, knowledge is commonplace, ubiquitous and easily accessed; the prospects are infinite. The Promised Messiahas has said: “Knowledge is a power and courage is created through this power.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p. 361) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, advising Jamia students in Ghana, said: “If you can develop the habit of personal study for two hours every day, you can become a great scholar and can conquer the

world.” (Al Hakam, issue 143, 11 December 2020, p. 5) There is no doubt that Huzoorra has conquered the world. The world is yet unaware it has been conquered; unaware that the knowledge it desperately needs was provided over half a century ago. Huzoor’s deep insights and critiques into the political and economic systems of the world and the ideologies of contemporaries like Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx could have ushered the world into a nonpareil era of enlightenment. With the advent of the Promised Messiahas, this was easily achievable. His seminal research into Islamic history, his commentaries and solutions for the conflicts afflicting the Muslim world today could have solved many problems. Underestimating his legacy has not been without consequences: capitalism has failed – the coronavirus has proven it; communism failed; socialism failed; democracy seems to be disintegrating; extreme cynicism in political systems and authorities; the widening gap between rich and poor and growing class antagonism has detracted society as a whole from personal growth and contentment. When Churchill said that democracy was the worst political system ever, except for all other systems, he had not considered what his contemporary, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra, was saying on the other side of the world. Towards the end of his time, Huzoorra stated, without affectation, “Putting my trust in the grace of God, I say that my name will always remain in the world. And even though I will die, my name will never be erased. This is God’s decision that has been taken in the Heavens. He will keep my name and my work established in the world.” (Al Fazl, 3 January 1962; Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 26, p. 541)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

My nanajan – Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib

Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib outside the Fazl Mosque, London

Sumaira Ahmed Nunspeet, the Netherlands

Abu Abdur Rahman Auf ibn Malikra relates, “The Holy Prophetsa led the funeral prayer of a deceased person and I preserved his prayer in my memory. He supplicated, ‘Allah, do forgive him and have mercy on him and make him secure, and overlook his shortcomings, and bestow upon him an honoured place in Paradise, and make his place of entry spacious, and wash him clean with water and snow and ice, and cleanse him of all wrong as Thou dost cleanse a piece of white cloth of dirt, and bestow upon him a home better than his home … and admit him into Paradise, and shield him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire”. (Sahih Muslim) On 7 February 2021, in the early hours of the new day, it started to snow and a wintery day opened up upon us here in the Netherlands. It was a night in which I couldn’t sleep very well, tossing and turning in bed for quite a while before I dozed off. I then woke up in the morning to the news. The world didn’t know it, but a beautiful being had left the Earth this day. It was as if, in his honour, God Almighty had opened up the Heavens and covered the land of the living with a pillow of snow as beautiful, soft and pure as this individual was. My nanajan [maternal grandfather] had passed away.

َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬

“Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.” (Ch.2: V.157) I would like to write and share a few memories in honour of my dear nanajan,

the late Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib, so that others may also benefit from these observations and experiences. Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib was born in our Jamaat’s blessed homeland – Qadian. The water, grains, plants and fruits of that holy land coursed through his blood right from birth and so it was no doubt that after being touched by such blessed seeds planted by the Promised Messiahas, he would only grow up to be a magnificent and noble tree of the Jamaat, extending his branches and roots to people from all walks of life and from all over the world. There are many people who worked and served alongside him who could better tell events pertaining to Jamaat activities and how he was in the field (and have done so greatly, because of which even I have learnt many new things), some of which Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa graciously narrated in his Friday Sermon on 12 February 2021, but I would like to share some personal memories and feelings of my nanajan. I adored him and always loved to be in his company. He loved his family deeply and although I had heard that people in his offices would be scared of him, I could never believe this because all I ever saw and experienced was his big, soft heart. I saw his kind eyes and cheerful smile,

felt his warm hugs and listened to his witty sense of humour as well as his wise and deeply inspiring words full of wisdom. He spoke with purpose and only spoke good words and would say something along the lines of, “Acha bas kardo” (Okay, no more); “Rehney do” (forget it) and “Koi baat nahi” (never mind) if he heard any gossip or form of complaining. He spoke humbly, yet confidently and even respectfully to us children. He was never loud or rude, but always pleasant to listen to and you would want to do anything he asked you to because he was so kind-hearted. He never spoke in a belittling way or showed off that he knew more than you or was above you because he was older, but would always speak humbly and listen attentively and respectfully even with us children, which inadvertently built our confidence. He had the honour of being not only able to live and see, but also serve four Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat. I recall especially that any time he would talk about Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, he would get particularly emotional and his eyes would well up. I never asked why exactly this was, but I assumed that that was his first experience with a Khalifa who, in turn, treated him with great love and affection and so, the thought and memories of receiving such

A young Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib

love and serving such a prominent figure in our Jamaat’s history from such a young age must have filled his body with a wave of emotion and inspiration. I only got the chance to visit Pakistan a few times as a child and went once to Qadian with nanajan and nanijan when I was around two years old, but because of the blessings of Ahmadiyyat, he would travel often with nanijan all over the world and for many years, came to the UK for Jalsa and also visited us when we lived in Abu Dhabi. I remember that for Jalsa Salana UK, nanajan and nanijan would stay in the guest house behind the offices opposite the Fazl Mosque. I would be excited to visit them and over the years, had the opportunity to spend many days in their company, sitting for many hours a day in their room. As a child, I was very quiet and shy, but they never expected me to talk; they were just happy for me to be there and never told me that I should leave or shouldn’t come. When it would be time for me to go back home, if my mum wasn’t with me (even when I was older and in my late teens and lived just round the corner to Chaudhry Sahib seated with Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM the Fazl Mosque) nanajan wouldn’t want me to go on my own and would walk with me to the gate even, though being the younger and physically healthier one, I felt that I should be walking him back home in case he was to trip or stumble. I remember on days that weren’t particularly busy, I would be in the room at the guest house and would get to see more of nanajan. I would respond when spoken to or asked to do something (such as iron nanajan’s clothes or take their medicines or something else out of their suitcase then put it back when they were done, etc.) but would otherwise mostly sit and listen quietly as my grandparents talked amongst themselves or with my mother or aunt or any other family member or guest who had come to visit them in those Jalsa days. Then in the afternoons, they would take a nap and would say to me that I could sleep with them and would let me lie on the bed in between them. We would then wake up and have doodh-patti chai (tea cooked in milk on the stove) and biscuits together. This is where I developed my love for doodh-patti. In a relaxed mood, nanajan would also tell us children stories; sometimes it was about two birds and sometimes, as we got older, about his experiences in different places of the world and with different khulafa. The story about the birds, my mother tells me, is one he would often narrate for the benefit of children’s tarbiyat. Some people may have heard of this before, but a summary of it is as follows: Two birds were sitting on a tree, going about their day, when they saw a traveller come by and sit under their tree. They watched as he lit a fire and looked hungrily around for food. The two birds thought, “How can we be of some service to this man and help him?” They decided that they would drop themselves in front of him and he could cook their meat and eat them. So they both fell into the fire and the man, thinking that they had died and fallen as a result, took them and ate them. In this way, the two birds fulfilled their rights of hospitality to their guest. Another fond memory of their visits was that although they were waqifeen-ezindagi, they would always bring us gifts and would always present some tea or food or something, even if it was just some fruit they had in their room, to any guests or family members who came to visit them. They were the hands that always gave. Both nanajan and nanijan were always generous and respectful towards people and they taught me that we should always give gifts to others as it promoted love and affection between people. These weren’t just words, but actions both of my grandparents truly believed and sincerely and earnestly performed. My husband had the chance to visit Rabwah after graduating Jamia in 2019, which was a very special opportunity given by Huzooraa, made extra special because of the immense love he felt from nanajan, who treated him as if he had always been a part of the family. Nanajan invited him many times to his house during the

month he stayed in Rabwah and although there were other people there to help, nanajan’s hospitality was unprecedented and he kept asking if he needed anything and even went up and down from the kitchen, at times, to bring more food. Such was his humble and kind nature and attention to detail. Even as a waqif-ezindagi who started out with very little to his name, who had lived in straitened conditions, his generosity knew no bounds and nanajan would happily make, as well as advocate making financial sacrifices. He never thought that because he didn’t earn a lot, he should keep more to himself. In fact, he would put the full care of the household necessities and finances in my nanijan’s hands. Whilst he was busy serving the Jamaat, he let nanijan take complete ownership and care of their home and made her the queen of her home, never interfering with how she wanted to run things, but rather placed his trust in her and gave her his full support. A few years back, nanajan and nanijan even paid for a mosque to be built in Africa. The building was completed around the time of my marriage and my husband, who is a murabbi and had graduated just after our marriage, had the opportunity to visit Sierra Leone (where the mosque is) as part of his service after graduation and by the grace of Allah, was able to go and visit their mosque, perform dua and lead Namaz there, as well as speak to the locals and take pictures for my grandparents to see. I think his generosity and kindness and early sacrifices without complaint are the reasons he was so blessed with rizq [provisions] of all forms as well as being able to travel the world and never having any lack of anything in their homes. I recall that often, nanijan would be at home and would desire something, e.g. kheer and a few moments later, someone would knock on their door and what she desired would be in front of her. This is when I knew that they were truly pious people. If a lot of food came to their doorstep in one day, they would then share it with their neighbours. Nanijan also grew some fruits and vegetables in her garden and would often ask nanajan or the helper in the house to share these also with neighbours and others as it would be too much for the two of them. I always saw that as waqifeene-zindagi, Allah had blessed them with many blessings which only opened their hearts more. Often times, whilst in the UK guest house, I would also see that they would receive tabarruk from the Khalifa of the

Chaudhry Sahib with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh

time, sometimes mithai [traditional sweets of South East Asia] or mangoes or some other fruit or food and they would share this with us too, thus enabling us to also be recipients of these blessings of God. They would not hesitate to share the blessings and bounties of Allah and nothing would be on their lips but praise and gratitude for His favours. They would say, “Always be grateful to God and keep thanking and praising Him as He always gives more to those people who are grateful”. Because of these early years of sacrifice, Allah blessed my grandparents abundantly later in life, when all their children were married and in their own homes, scattered across the globe (with

fame or name in the world. Nanajan particularly preferred to spend his time working in his office or being occupied in some form of service to the Jamaat. When invited to people’s homes, they accepted these invitations as an expression of gratitude to Allah again for His favours. On busier days, I wouldn’t see much of nanajan in the guesthouse, mostly him popping in and out at times and returning in the evenings. Sometimes it would so happen that he would come into the room to rest and as he had laid down on the bed for just a minute or so, someone would knock on the door and he would get up quickly, see who it was then grab his topi and go out of the room with

no mobile phones or video calling or emailing at the time to stay regularly in touch, only letter writing or landline phone calls that were expensive and so were kept short and infrequent). They were alone, but willingly sent their children far away from themselves. They accepted the circumstances and put their complete trust in Allah. In turn, Allah gave them immense respect in this world, though they themselves had no desire for

that person, disappearing for a number of hours. Even if he was in the middle of eating and a phone call would come for him, he would prefer to leave the food and attend the call no matter how long it would take. Such was his dedication to his Jamaat duties. For a man of humble beginnings, I also felt and experienced that he was Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

28 << Continued from previous page

extremely knowledgeable and I was always in awe of how much he knew, not only about his own field of study, which was mathematics, but many other fields too. Whenever I would talk to him on the phone, he would ask me questions and advise me to read books and ways to strengthen my memory. One particular method he advised me to follow in my school days was to read one line of a book, then write it down from memory; then read two lines and write them down without looking back; then keep increasing how much I read and then write it down. I remember also that he would ask me questions to assess what I had learned in school and later about my field in university as well as current affairs. If he wasn’t satisfied with my answer, he would tell me to read more books on the subject. If he was satisfied, I would hear it in his voice as he would say, “Acha, theek hai” (Okay, that’s fine). I would be surprised sometimes with the kinds of questions he would think to ask me. Once, while in sixth form (last two years of secondary school in the British education system), he told me that human beings, if they trained their minds enough, had the power and ability to literally move objects without physically touching them! This is termed telekinesis. I went and told my physics teacher in school about this, who looked at me as if I was crazy, to which I replied that my grandfather had told me (as if he was supposed to know my nanajan as well as me) and he still looked at me as if I was crazy; I just wished he knew how intelligent and wise and noble a man was saying this. I recently came across Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh talking about this subject also (www.alislam.org/askislam/ question/531/) which reminded me of this time where my nanajan possibly created that initial spark of curiosity within me for science. Another surprising time was when I was in university studying physics and he would ask me such high degree-level questions that a normal person usually wouldn’t know anything about. Every time I spoke to him, I could tell that he had a great thirst for knowledge and he inspired me to want to learn more and expand my own levels of knowledge. He greatly valued knowledge and respected the pursuit of education, so much so that he even ensured his daughters were taught well and went to school and university and had an equal level of opportunities to education as his son did. He loved and cared for his children equally without any discrimination. He was a loving and caring husband and I never saw or heard him be rude or speak harshly or loudly to his wife nor ever admonished her. He always listened to nanijan with great respect and patience and tried to fulfil all her wishes as best he could (though she too never asked anything unreasonable of him). I remember that he never fussed

over what kind of food he wanted to eat or what kind of clothes he wanted to wear. Whatever he received, he accepted lovingly. He dressed simply but he liked to dress well, in clean and well-cared-for clothes and my husband told me that he always used to advise missionaries that would visit him to not wear old, dirty and ripped clothes, but they should dress smartly and take pride in how they present themselves to the world as representatives of the Promised Messiahas. I always saw both my grandparents as the embodiment of the verses of the Quran that says to “remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying on their sides” (Ch.3: V.192) and learnt from him how to spend the whole day in worship. Aside from seeing both my grandparents perform their five daily prayers and nawafil diligently, read the Quran with great care and reflection, see their lips moving as they sat quietly reciting tasbih and various prayers and zikr-e-Ilahi, their service to mankind and the Jamaat was also a great form of worship. Nanajan was honest and straightforward whenever he spoke and everything he did, he did with great honesty and integrity. He never feared any opposition the Jamaat faced and wished to stay in Rabwah forever. He was ready to face anything the opponents would bring, with cheerfulness. About a month ago, I asked him how conditions were in Pakistan after Huzooraa had mentioned in a sermon that opposition was intensifying again. He replied in a calm way, saying that

things were bad, but from his unspoken words, I could sense that he wasn’t scared and would stand to defend the Jamaat no matter what they did. Nanajan also showed great love and sympathy to animals. When I was a child, I remember them bringing rabbits into their home for us to play with but they took responsibility for all of the cleaning and feeding. In more recent times, they had cats in their house. Now they only have one but in their previous home there were 2 cats that would come to them and my mum told me my grandparents named them after me and one of my other cousins out of love. Seeing pictures of their cat

today, I can see how well cared and loved it must have been. I grew up seeing nanajan with great adoration and both my grandparents as role models as the way they talked and walked on this Earth was inspiring. The results of making God their closest Friend made me want the same. He lived his life for God and the Jamaat and as a result, saw endless blessings. Nanajan advised his children, who in turn advised us, to always seek guidance from Huzooraa through mulaqats or writing letters as this blessed the task as well as us as recipients of the Khalifa’s prayers. It has always been my observation that writing to Huzooraa eases decision-making as well as the tasks themselves and this also has the added effect of strengthening our bond with Khilafat. I remember I even had the blessed opportunity of attending a mulaqat with my nanajan and nanijan who suddenly said I could go with them to meet Huzooraa – I have a photo with them as a beautiful memory of the occasion. It is a result of my nanajan and nanijan’s exemplary characters, loving relationship and the many blessings I saw bestowed upon them throughout their lives as waqifeen-e-zindagi that I realised how peaceful a life with a life-devotee can be. Thus I always used to say that I wanted a partner devoted to the Jamaat like my nanajan. The fact is that he was a unique soul on this Earth and I am eternally grateful to Allah the Almighty that I was blessed to be his granddaughter, being able to spend so much time with him, receive his prayers and learn so much from him, both directly and indirectly. I am also grateful to God that I was the first of his grandchildren to get married and was blessed with a daughter in his lifetime, giving him his first greatgranddaughter, who he used to love watching videos of and speak to through video calls. I feel lucky that the blessing of technology that God has enabled man to develop allowed me to see more of my nanajan in these last few years, where neither he, nor we could travel to see each other in person. But I know his love extended to many other people across the

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM globe and wasn’t just for me; he had this wonderful way of making you feel as if all of his love and attention was on you at that time. Another blessed coincidence or plan of Allah was that my husband happened to be posted in a mosque that my nanajan had a hand in securing for the Jamaat at the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh – Bait-un-Noor Mosque in Nunspeet. I am sure that history has been preserved in this regard, but from what my mother tells me, nanajan said that there was a lady who lived in Nunspeet many years back named Amatul Hameed who wrote a letter to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh that there is this place which is very big and is up for sale. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh then told nanajan – Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib – to hold a meeting about this, which he would head and decide if the Jamaat should buy this building or not. Nanajan held that meeting, discussed everything with the related party and finally suggested to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh that they should buy this place, which Huzoorrh approved. Nanajan also mentioned to us when he found out that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa had appointed my husband to Holland and that we were moving here, that he had visited Holland before and enquired about places such as Keukenhoff and the Court of Justice where Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra worked and then proceeded to tell us how nice a place it was, reassuring us. It was fascinating to hear that he knew so much about Holland and had walked these very roads we now tread. There is so much to learn from his life, but these are just a few things I wished to write down as an expression of my love and admiration for him. He lived for nearly nine decades, yet it feels as though he just came yesterday and has gone today. He returned to Allah, in otherwise good physical health for his age, still going to the office and offering his services to the Jamaat – in other words, chaltey phirtey (walking and active) and not dependent on anyone, just as he wanted. May God Almighty bless him with the highest status, the most beautiful gardens beneath which streams flow, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, and eternal peace in Jannat-ul-Firdous where the most beloved of Allah are given sanctuary. Amin. As Huzooraa said in this heart-warming and truly inspirational Friday Sermon, no one is merely entitled to the bounties and blessings earned by someone else just because they are their progeny. May Allah enable us to follow in his great footsteps in our loyalty, love, dedication and services to the community of the Imam of this age and the propagation of the true Islam. With such people as pioneers of the Jamaat, I truly believe that we will ultimately see its triumph over the world. May our children and future progeny also be such role models for the Jamaat and the world in their time and may we all become true and sincere servants of Allah as was my nanajan. Amin.

Was the Promised Messiah planted by the British Government? Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

An allegation raised against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is that since the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas praised the British government in his books and writings, it is evidence that he was planted by the British government to uproot and create division within the Muslims. First and foremost, let it be clear that this allegation has no ground whatsoever. It is an effort to once again try and paint a wrong picture to mislead others regarding Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam. The Promised Messiahas was sent by God to unify the Muslims and bring them back to the true teachings of Islam, which, over time, they had drifted away from. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas states: “My mission is no new undertaking; my task is to dispel those beliefs which pose a danger to the people in every respect, and to purge their hearts is our true desire and objective.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 30) Anyone who has taken the time to study a bit of history will know that before the British came into rule, Muslims were being persecuted by other residents of India and were being deprived of their very basic human rights. Muslims were not even permitted to worship freely and their mosques were being desecrated day after day. Then, as the British government arrived in India, they freed the Muslims from this torture, brutality and persecution. Seeing this, the Promised Messiahas, in accordance with the teachings of Islam, praised the British for granting the Muslims peace and security under its just rule. Whilst recalling the harsh conditions the Muslims used to endure and suffer from, the Promised Messiahas stated: “… the British Empire is our benefactor. For it has done great favours upon us. Those who are 60 or 70 years of age will know well that we were once subjected to the rule of the Sikhs. The afflictions that plagued the Muslims at that time are not hidden. Even recalling them makes the body tremble and the heart begins to palpitate. At the time, Muslims were barred from observing their worship and religious obligations, which are dearer to them than their very lives. It was forbidden to loudly make the call to prayer, which is a prelude to the prayer. If ever by some mistake, the muazzin loudly called out the words, ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Greatest), he would be killed.” (Malfuzat, Vol.2, pp. 190191)

Hazrat Ahmadas stated that his heart truly and honestly believed that it was a grave ingratitude and disloyalty to not acknowledge the favour of those who had delivered them from the lowest depths. This is exactly what Islam teaches. The Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said: َّ ُ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ّ ٰ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َ ‫الن‬ ‫اس‬ ‫‏ لا يشكر الله من لا يشكر‬ “He who does not thank people is not thankful to Allah.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Adab, Hadith 4811) Now, for anyone to raise an allegation as to why Hazrat Ahmadas praised the British government would mean that they themselves are unaware of the teachings of Islam for it was Negus, King of Abyssinia,

who first saved the Muslims from torment. Thus, to show gratitude to a people who pave the way for religious freedom is in line with the teachings of Islam and history of Islam itself. In the history of early Islam, we find that Muslims were deprived of their rights to worship and lead a simple life under the rule of the chiefs of Mecca. When the ill-treatment against Muslims continued to grow and exceed all limits, the Holy Prophetsa instructed those who were able to migrate and leave immediately for Abyssinia; he stated that there, the king Continued on next page >>

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

was a just and fair man and not a single person was treated unjustly under his rule. When the Muslims arrived in Abyssinia, they enjoyed a life of peace and

security and were freed from the torment of the chiefs of Mecca. Now, do explain, how is this in any way different to the circumstances we find during the life of Hazrat Ahmadas? For anyone to point a finger or raise an allegation against the Promised Messiahas that he praised a government which provided religious freedom, would mean that they also object to the actions and character of the Holy Prophetas of Islam. Now, fast forward to the time of Hazrat Ahmadas. When this allegation was raised during his time, Huzooras, giving a simple yet powerful answer, wrote: “… if it had been my desire to falsely please the government, why would I have stated time and again that Jesusas, son of Mary, survived the crucifixion and died a natural death in Srinagar, Kashmir; and that neither was he God, nor the son of God? Would those from among the British who were passionate about their faith not turn away from me?” (Noah’s Ark [English], pp. 121-122) Clutching at straws, the opponents continue to spread falsehood and say that as Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was an agent of the British government, he didn’t wage Jihad against them and fabricated the meaning of Jihad. Explaining this, Huzooras writes: “The fact of the matter is that the Holy Quran forbids religious war against such a government which freely allows Muslims to engage in religious practices and traditions and does not take up the sword against us to propagate their religion. After all, the government does not wage a religious war against us. It is incumbent that I express my gratitude to them, for I could not have done my work in Mecca and Medina as freely as I have in this land.” (Noah’s Ark [English], p. 122) Those who deceive people openly and desire to ignite hatred for others usually themselves become the hindrance and obstacle that stops them from accepting the truth. It is these people who desire to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths. If those Muslims who level such

objections were to stop and reflect on their words for even a moment, they would instantly realise how baseless this allegation is. It seems their hatred for the truth has stopped them from understating and studying history. As they have levelled such false allegations against the Promised Messiahas, let us see what other Muslims and leaders of other sects were doing at that time. All humans are students of history and to be a good student, we must study history in its entirety if we wish to see the true picture. Just as an artist must take a step back from the canvas to clearly see his painting, so too should be the case when looking into history. We must analyse the past with an unbiased lens and open mind. When the British came into rule, many others would also praise them. Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi was student of Syed Nazeer Husain of Delhi. He was an Ahl-e-Hadith leader in the Punjab and the editor of the Isha‘atus-Sunnah magazine. In his magazine, Isha‘atus-Sunnah (Vol. 6, Issue 10, p. 292), he expressed that Muslims should rejoice and that it was a proud moment for all Muslims to be living under the British rule. Even Muhammad Hussain Batalvi, who later became a staunch opponent of the Promised Messiahas and exhausted all efforts to try and defame him, praised the British government. If we look at the scholars of other sects, such as the Deobandi, it is clear that they also praised the British government. Hazrat Syed Ahmad Bareilvi and Shah Ismail of Delhi also praised the British government. Once, when Syed Ahmad Barelvi was asked – when travelling a long distance to wage Jihad against the Sikhs – why he did not wage Jihad against the British government, he replied that the reason for Jihad against the Sikhs was because they persecuted Muslims. However, the British give Muslims the right to worship. (Tawarikh Ajeebah, p. 71) In addition to this, in 1901, when Queen Victoria passed away, on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who is held as the national poet of Pakistan and has been called the “Spiritual Father of Pakistan” for his contributions to the nation, praised the Queen greatly and expressed his sadness upon her demise. He said that though it was Eid, this Eid was like Muharram. (Kuliyaat Baqiaat-e-She‘r Iqbal, p. 52) These are just a few examples. From this, it is evident that other Muslim leaders, at the of the time Promised Messiahas, also praised the British government. So, if one is to raise an allegation against Hazrat Ahmadas, that is to say that they are raising

A glimpse of history

Hazrat Khansahib Farzand Ali Khan, Imam of the London Mosque, delivering a sermon on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha in 1930.

the same allegation against their own leaders. The irony of the allegation doesn’t stop there. These very leaders also were opposed to waging Jihad against the British government. Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalwi said that it was not permissible to fight against the British government and even stated that it was haram to fight against them. (Isha‘atus-Sunnah, Vol 6, Issue 10, p. 287) In 1876, William Wilson Hunter, who was a Scottish historian and a member of the Indian Civil Service, in chapter three of his book, The Indian Musalmans, wrote: “It is a matter of congratulation, both for the Musalmans and ourselves, that these Decisions have been on the side of peace and loyalty.”

Thus, the allegation that Muslims raise against the Promised Messiahas and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, that he was an agent of the British government because he praised them or because he did not wage Jihad against them is completely baseless and is commonly raised by those who are unaware of history. These allegations, in fact, backfire onto them. No one can stop the light of Allah from spreading. Opponents may continue to raise objections and allegations against Hazrat Ahmadas but it will all be to no avail. The Promised Messiahas said: “My mission is heavenly in nature and divine work cannot be frustrated. In this undertaking, I have no vested interests and my own efforts amount to nothing.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 1, p. 8)

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 29 January 2021 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Uthmanra After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: I will mention various expeditions in which Hazrat Uthmanra took part. As mentioned previously, Hazrat Uthmanra was not able to take part in the Battle of Badr because his wife, Hazrat Ruqayyahra, daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, was extremely unwell. Owing to this, the Holy Prophetsa instructed Hazrat Uthmanra to remain behind in Medina in order to look after her but he considered Hazrat Uthmanra among those who participated in the battle. For this reason, he granted the same reward and the same number of provisions from the spoils of war as those who participated in the battle. (Sharh Zurqani ala al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 2, p. 334, Ghazwah Badr, Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) The Battle of Ghatafan took place in Muharram or Safar 3 AH. Whilst setting off towards Najd in order to travel to Ghatafan, the Holy Prophetsa appointed Hazrat Uthmanra as the amir of Medina in his absence. Therefore, in this respect, he was not able to partake in this expedition either. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Uthman bin Affan [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 41) With regard to the details of this expedition, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra states: “Upon the proposal of a renowned warrior from among themselves named Dau‘thur bin Harith, the people of the Banu Tha‘labah and Banu Maharib, which were tribes of the Banu Ghatafan, began to assemble in a place called Dhi Amr, situated in Najd, with the intention of launching a sudden attack upon Medina. However, since the Holy Prophetsa would keep a constant watch on the movements of his enemies, he was able to receive timely intelligence as to the deadly motives of these tribes. Therefore, in the likeness of a vigilant general, as a pre-emptive measure, the Holy Prophetsa assembled a force of 450 Companions and set out from Medina towards the end of Muharram 3 AH, or in the beginning of Safar 4 AH. “Advancing swiftly, the Holy Prophetsa

reached close to Dhi Amr. As soon as the enemy was informed of the arrival of the Holy Prophetsa, they quickly climbed to the nearby mountains in order to secure themselves and when the Muslims reached Dhi Amr, the plain was empty. However, the companions managed to apprehend

a Bedouin named Jabbar, who belonged to the Banu Tha‘labah. The Companions took him captive and presented him before the Holy Prophetsa. “When the Holy Prophetsa enquired of him as to the facts, it was ascertained that all of the people from the Banu

Tha‘labah and Banu Maharib had secured themselves in the mountains and they would not confront the Muslims in an open field. With no other alternative, the Holy Prophetsa was compelled to order a return. Nonetheless, the benefit which was indeed derived from this Ghazwah was that the threat posed by the Banu Ghatafan at the time was temporarily averted.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p. 463) The Battle of Uhud took place in Shawwal 3 AH. Hazrat Uthmanra took part in the Battle of Uhud. He was not present in the previous two battles; however, he did take part in the Battle of Uhud. During the battle, there was a group of companions who, owing to the sudden attack [by the disbelievers] and upon learning about the news of the Holy Prophet’s [supposed] martyrdom, became scattered. There came a time when there were only a group of 12 companions around the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Uthmanra was among the former of these groups. (Sharh Zurqani ala alMawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 2, pp. 418419, GhazwahUhud, Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) When the Muslims saw that they had overpowered the army of the disbelievers, they began gathering the spoils of war. The Holy Prophetsa had appointed 50 archers and ordered them not to leave their positions, but upon seeing that they had overcome the enemy, they left their positions, even though the Holy Prophetsa had strictly ordered them not to leave their positions. Khalidra bin Walid, who had not yet become a Muslim, saw all of this and immediately launched an attack on the Muslims from that same position. This attack was so sudden and unexpected and also so severe that the Muslims were forced to disperse. Hazrat Uthman’sra name is also mentioned among those companions who dispersed. Owing to the circumstances at the time and due to their level of faith and sincerity they had in their hearts, Allah the Almighty forgave these people. Thus, in this regard, Allah

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

When the Holy Prophetsa heard this news, he instructed the companions to divert from the known route to Mecca and proceed from the right in order to prevent conflict. the Almighty says:

َّ َ َ ۡ َ َّ ٰ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ۡ َّ َ َ َ ۡ َّ َّ ‫استزل ُہ ُم‬ ‫ِان ال ِذین تولوا ِمنکم یوم التقی الجمع ِن ۙ ِانما‬ ّٰ َّ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ُ ّٰ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ ُ ٰ ۡ َّ ٌ‫الل َہ َغ ُفوۡر‬ ‫ض ما کسبوا ۚ و لقد عفا اللہ عنہم ؕ ِان‬ ِ ‫الشیطن ِببع‬ ٌ‫َح ِل ۡیم‬

“Those of you who turned their backs on the day when the two hosts met, surely it was Satan who sought to make them slip because of certain doings of theirs. But certainly Allah has already pardoned them. Verily, Allah is Most Forgiving, Forbearing.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.156) Mentioning the condition of the

Muslims during this battle, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra says in Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin: “The army of the Quraish had pretty much surrounded them from all four fronts and continued to crush the Muslims moment by moment through repeated attacks. Yet, even after all this, the Muslims would may well have regained themselves shortly thereafter, but the outrage was that a bold warrior from among the Quraish named Abdullah bin Qamiah attacked Mus‘abra bin Umair, the flag-bearer of the Muslims and severed his right hand with the blow of his sword. Mus‘abra

immediately clutched the flag with his other hand and advanced to confront Ibn Qamiah, but in his second blow, the other hand was severed as well. “Upon this, Mus‘abra joined both of his severed hands together in an endeavour to keep the Islamic flag from falling, and held it to his chest, upon which Ibn Qamiah struck him a third time and this time, Mus‘ab was martyred and fell to the ground. As far as the flag was concerned, another Muslim immediately advanced and took hold of it, but since the size and figure of Mus‘ab resembled the Holy Prophetsa, Ibn Qamiah thought that he had slain the Holy Prophetsa. It is also probable that this scheme of his was merely guided by motives of mischief and deceit. In any case, when Mus‘abra was martyred and fell, Ibn Qamiah exclaimed that he had slain Muhammadsa. “At this news, the Muslims lost whatever composure was left in them and their force was scattered completely. Many Companions fled from the battlefield in a state of dismay. At the time, the Muslims were divided into three groups. One group was of those who had fled from the field of battle upon hearing the news that the Holy Prophetsa had been martyred, but this group was the smallest of all”, or rather it is said that they dispersed out of dismay, “and this included Hazrat Uthmanra bin Affan as well. However, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, taking into consideration the special circumstances of that time and the heartfelt faith and sincerity of these people, Allah the Exalted forgave them. From among these people, some had even reached Medina and in this manner, news of the so-called martyrdom of the Holy Prophetsa and defeat of the Muslim army managed to reach Medina as well. “A state of lamentation broke out in Medina, and the Muslim men and women, both young and old, all came out of the city in a state of immense dismay, and set out towards Uhud. Some made haste to the field of battle and plunged into the enemy ranks in the name of Allah. “The second group consisted of such people who had not fled, but upon hearing news of the martyrdom of the Holy Prophetsa, had either lost determination or felt that now it was useless to fight. Hence, they had moved to one side of the battlefield, and sat down with their heads hanging low. “The third group was of those who continued to fight on without fail. Among them, some consisted of those people who were gathered around the Holy Prophetsa

and were exhibiting unprecedented feats of valour, and most of them were fighting in the field of battle scattered apart from one another. “As these people, and those from the second group, continued to discover that the Holy Prophetsa was alive, these people would continue to fight and close in around the Holy Prophetsa in the likeness of those possessed by madness. The state of war at the time was such that the army of the Quraish would push forward from all four fronts in the likeness of ferocious ocean waves. A rain of arrows and stones was falling upon them in the battlefield from all directions. Upon witnessing this state of danger, these devotees surrounded the perimeter of the Holy Prophetsa and shielded his blessed body with their own. However, despite this, whenever the force of the attack would surge forward, this handful of men would be jostled here and there, and in this state, at times, the Holy Prophetsa would almost be left standing alone.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 493-494) In any case it states that upon hearing the news of the Holy Prophet’ssa martyrdom, Hazrat Uthmanra left the battlefield, perhaps out of dismay and sorrow or for some other reason. And although he did not leave [the battlefield], Hazrat Umar’sra name is also mentioned amongst those who stopped fighting out of their dismay and sorrow. However, the details of that will be mentioned later [during the mention of his accounts]. Now, I will mention the details in relation Hazrat Uthman’sra role as an emissary during the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah and the incident of Bai‘ate-Rizwan. The Holy Prophetsa saw a dream in which he and his companions were peacefully entering the House of Allah [Ka‘bah] with some having their heads shaven and others having their hair cut short. In light of this dream, in the month of Dhul-Qa‘dah 6 AH, the Holy Prophetsa left Medina along with 1,400 companions of his with the intention to perform the Umrah. The Holy Prophetsa camped at Hudaibiyah and the Quraish stopped the Holy Prophetsa from performing the Umrah. When communication between the two parties began through their emissaries and upon learning of the intense anger and rage of the Quraish, the Holy Prophetsa stated that a prominent individual should be sent to Mecca, who was also native of Mecca and was from a venerable tribe of the Quraish. (Sharh Zurqani ala al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 3, pp. 169-170, 222, Amr alHudaibiyah, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) And so, Hazrat Uthmanra was sent for this purpose. I shall relate some of the details Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra has written regarding this: “… the Holy Prophetsa saw a dream that he was performing the tawaf of the Baitullah along with his companions. At that time, the month of Dhul-Qa‘dah was near, which even in the era of the jahiliyyah [era of ignorance before the advent of Islam] was considered to be amongst

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM those four blessed months wherein all forms of war and conflict was prohibited. On the one hand, the Holy Prophetsa saw this dream and on the other, the time was also such that the course of war would come to a halt and peace and safety would prevail throughout the whole of Arabia. Although these were not the days of Hajj and until now, Hajj in Islam had not been officially ordained either, but tawaf could be performed around the Ka‘bah at any time. Therefore, upon seeing this dream, the Holy Prophetsa instructed his companions to prepare for Umrah. “On this occasion, the Holy Prophetsa also announced to the companions that since this journey was free from any intentions of violent confrontation – rather, it was merely for the purpose of performing peaceful religious worship – the Muslims should not take their weapons along with them. However, as per the custom of Arabia, swords could be kept in their sheaths in the manner of a wayfarer. “The Holy Prophetsa also encouraged the Bedouin people in the surrounding areas of Medina who were apparently with the Muslims, to participate in the performance of the worship of Umrah. Unfortunately, except for a nominal number of people, these so-called Bedouin Muslims of weak faith, who lived in the close proximity of Medina, held back from setting out with the Holy Prophetsa. It was their idea that although the Muslims had no other intentions than that of Umrah, the Quraish would stop the Muslims either way and so a state of confrontation would arise. Furthermore, they thought that since this confrontation would erupt close to Mecca and far from Medina, for this reason, no Muslim would be able to return alive.” That is why they became fearful and did not partake in this journey. “In any case, the Holy Prophetsa departed from Medina on a Monday morning in the beginning of Dhul Qa‘dah 6 AH with just over 1,400 companions. During this journey, Hazrat Umm Salamara, the honourable wife of the Holy Prophetsa, rode alongside the Holy Prophetsa. Numailah bin Abdillah was appointed as the amir of Medina and Abdullah bin Ummi Maktum, who was a blind man, was appointed imam al-Salat. “When the Holy Prophetsa reached Dhul-Hulaifah, which is situated approximately six miles from Medina en-route to Mecca, he ordered everyone to stop. After offering the Zuhr prayer, he instructed that the sacrificial camels, which equalled 70 in number, be marked and that the Companions assume the special attire of the pilgrims known as the ihram. The Holy Prophetsa also assumed the ihram himself as well. Then, in order to ensure that the Quraish were not up to mischief, the Holy Prophetsa sent ahead a messenger named Busr bin Sufyan from the Khuza‘ah tribe, who lived near Mecca and slowly proceeded towards Mecca. “Moreover, as further caution, the Holy Prophetsa appointed a cavalry of 20 riders under the command of Abbad bin Bishr, to travel ahead of the larger

body of Muslims. After a journey of a few days, when the Holy Prophetsa neared a place called Usfan, which is situated at approximately two manzils from Mecca” – it is said that one Manzil is approximately nine miles – the messenger of the Holy Prophetsa informed him that the Quraish were furious and firmly determined to stop him to the extent that in the expression of their rage and barbarity, they had put on cheetah skins and were fully bent on war, in order to stop the Muslims in all instances. It was also ascertained that the Quraish had sent forth a cavalry unit of a few daring riders under the command of Khalid bin Walid who had not yet become Muslim, and that this cavalry had reached near the Muslims and that Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl was also a part of it. When the Holy Prophetsa heard this news, he instructed the companions to divert from the known route to Mecca and proceed from the right in order to prevent conflict. So, the Muslims began to move forward from a very difficult and burdensome route near the coast. “Following this new route, when the Holy Prophetsa neared Hudaibiyah, which is a one-day journey, i.e. only nine miles from Mecca” and the valley of Mecca starts from the pass of Hudaibiyah, “the camel of the Holy Prophetsa which was known by the name of Al-Quswa and had accompanied the Holy Prophetsa in many ghazwat [battles] suddenly stretched out her feet and sat down. Despite many attempts to stand her up, she would not move. The companions said, ‘Perhaps she is tired,’ but the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Nay, nay, she has not tired, nor is it in her nature to tire and sit in this manner. The truth is that the same Supreme Being Who prevented the elephant of the AshabulFil from proceeding to Mecca, has also stopped this camel as well. Therefore, I swear by God, that I shall accept whatever the Quraish of Mecca ask of me for the respect of the Haram.’ “After this, the Holy Prophetsa called out to his camel to stand and by the power of God, this time, it stood up immediately and prepared to move forward. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa took her to the far corner of the valley of Hudaibiyah and settling her near a water well, he dismounted his camel. It is here that upon the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa, the companions set up camp”. Then there is the mention of how the conversation began in order to establish peace between the Muslims and the Quraish. “When the Holy Prophetsa stopped in Hudaibiyah, het set up camp near the water well of Hudaibiyah and when the companions had also set up camp in Hudaibiyah, a renowned chieftain from the Khuza‘ah tribe named Budail bin Warqa, who resided in a nearby region, came to meet the Holy Prophetsa with some of his associates and said, ‘The leaders of Mecca are ready for war and they shall never let you enter Mecca.’ The Holy Prophetsa responded: “‘We have not come with the intention of war; rather, we have only come to perform the Umrah. Alas, despite the fact that the fire of war has burnt them to dust,

they still do not refrain from fighting. I am even prepared to settle a truce with them so that they may cease war against me, and leave me free for the others’” i.e. “I will not keep any relations with the people of Mecca and instead preach the message of Islam to others”. “‘If, however, they reject this proposal of mine and insist on keeping the fire of war aflame, then I also swear by His name in Whose hand is my life, that I shall not retreat from this battle until I die in this cause, or God gives me victory. If I am faced with defeat in this battle, then so ends the story, but if God grants me victory and the religion that I have brought is given dominance, then the

to say, ‘O ye people! Am I not like a father unto you?’ They responded in the affirmative. He said, ‘Are all of you not as my sons?’ Again, they responded in the affirmative. Then Urwah said, ‘Do you doubt me in any way?’ The Quraish responded, ‘Not at all!’ He said, ‘Then it is my view that this man’”, i.e. Muhammadsa, “‘has presented an excellent proposal. You should accept this proposal and I request that you allow me to go to Muhammad[sa] in order to further discuss this proposal.’ The Quraish said, ‘Certainly. Go and discuss this proposal.’” When he arrived in the gathering of the Holy Prophetsa, he witnessed a truly inspiring scene. “Urwah presented himself before

As soon as he reached them, he said to the Quraish, “O ye people! I have travelled far and wide, I have been to the royal courts of many a king and have been presented before Caesar and Chosroes and the Negus as a representative, but by God, the manner in which I have seen the companions of Muhammad[sa] honour him, I have seen nowhere else.” people of Mecca should not hesitate in believing in me.’ “Budail bin Warqa was greatly moved by this sincere and earnest address. He requested the Holy Prophetsa, ‘If you grant me some respite, I shall go to Mecca and convey your message, so as to seek reconciliation.’ The Holy Prophetsa permitted him to do so and Budail set out to Mecca with a few of his associates. “When Budail bin Warqa reached Mecca, he gathered the Quraish and said, ‘I have come from that man’”, i.e. Muhammad, the Messenger of Allahsa, “‘and he has presented to me a proposal. If you permit me, shall I present it to you?’ Upon this, the vehement and irresponsible people among the Quraish began to say, ‘We shall not listen to anything he has to say.’ However, the influential and trusted people among the Quraish said, ‘Yes, inform us of the proposal.’ As such, Budail repeated the proposal of the Holy Prophetsa. “Upon this, a man named Urwah bin Mas‘ud, who was a very influential chieftain of the tribe of Thaqif and was present in Mecca at the time stood up. In the ancient Arabian manner, he began

the Holy Prophetsa and began to have a discussion with him. The Holy Prophetsa reiterated the same address which he had previously given to Budail bin Warqa. In principle, Urwah was at accord with the viewpoint of the Holy Prophetsa, but he wanted to fulfil his duty as an ambassador of the Quraish and in order to secure as many rights as possible in favour of the Quraish. Thus, concluding his discussions with the Holy Prophetsa, Urwah returned to the Quraish. As soon as he reached them, he said to the Quraish, ‘O ye people! I have travelled far and wide, I have been to the royal courts of many a king and have been presented before Caesar and Chosroes and the Negus as a representative, but by God, the manner in which I have seen the companions of Muhammad[sa] honour him, I have seen nowhere else.’ Then he related the entire experience which he had witnessed in the assembly of the Holy Prophetsa and at the end, said, ‘Once again, I suggest that the proposal of Muhammad[sa] is a just one. We should accept it.’ “Upon hearing this talk of Urwah, a chieftain of the Bani Kinanah named Hulais bin Alqamah, said to the Quraish,

‘If you please, I shall go to Muhammad[sa].’ They said, ‘Certainly, go.’ So, this man came to Hudaibiyah and when the Holy Prophetsa noticed him coming from afar, he said to the companions, ‘This man who comes towards us, belongs to such a tribe as are pleased with scenes of sacrifice. Quickly gather and bring forth your sacrificial animals, so that he may see why we have come.’ Therefore, the companions brought their animals of sacrifice and loudly chanting takbir, gathered them before him. When he saw this sight, he began to say, ‘Glory be to Allah! Glory be to Allah! These people are pilgrims! They cannot be barred from performing tawaf of the Baitullah!’ As such, he quickly returned to the Quraish and began to say, ‘I have seen that the Muslims have placed garlands of sacrifice around the necks of their animals and they have been marked for sacrifice. It is not at all appropriate to stop them from performing tawaf of the Ka‘bah. “At that time, a severe state of dissent was erupting amongst the Quraish and there became two parties of the Quraish. One party was adamant in sending back the Muslims and was firmly bent upon fighting. The second party, however, considering this against their ancient religious customs, was afraid to oppose them and were desirous of an honourable agreement. For this reason, the decision was left pending. Upon this instance, another Arab chieftain named Mikraz bin Hafs, said to the Quraish, ‘Let me go, I shall conclude an agreement.’ Consequently, the Quraish said, ‘Alright, why don’t you also attempt and see.’ Hence, he went to the Holy Prophetsa. When the Holy Prophetsa saw him from afar, he said, ‘May God show His grace, for he is indeed a vicious man.’ “In any case, Mikraz came to the Holy Prophetsa and began to talk. However, he was still speaking when a renowned

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

chieftain of the Quraish named Suhail bin Amr, came before the Holy Prophetsa. Perhaps in their anxiety, the Quraish had sent him without waiting for the return of Mikraz. Upon noticing the arrival of Suhail, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Here comes Suhail. If God wills, now the matter shall become easy for us.’” Nevertheless, the discussions continued. On this occasion, the following incident also took place: “When the ambassadors from the Quraish began to come one after another, the Holy Prophetsa felt that a wise person on his behalf should also go to the Quraish, who would be able to present the viewpoint of the Muslims sympathetically and with wisdom. A man named Khirash bin Umaiyyah, who was from the Khuza‘ah tribe, i.e., the same tribe from which the first ambassador of the Quraish Budail bin Warqa came, was selected for this purpose. For this mission, the Holy Prophetsa granted Khirash his own camel for transport. Khirash went to the Quraish, but since this was still the early stages of negotiations and the young men from the Quraish were extremely enraged, a fanatical young man from among the Quraish, Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, attacked and wounded the camel of Khirash. By Arab custom, this meant that they were forcefully stopping his movements. Additionally, this overzealous group from among the Quraish desired to attack Khirash as well, but the elders intervened and saved his life. He then returned to the Muslim camp. “The Quraish of Mecca did not suffice at this; rather, in the blindness of their rage, they also intended that now as the Holy Prophetsa and his companions were so close to Mecca and so very far from Medina, an attack should be launched against him so that he may be harmed as much as possible. For this purpose, they dispatched a party of about 40 to 50 men

towards Hudaibiyah and in the veil of negotiations, these people were instructed to circle the Muslim camp and whenever possible, continue injuring the Muslims. As a matter of fact, from some narrations, it is even ascertained that these people were 80 in number and on this occasion, they even conspired to assassinate the Holy Prophetsa. However, the Muslims remained vigilant in their place. As such, the secret of this conspiracy of the Quraish was discovered and all of those concerned were arrested. “The Muslims were very displeased at this action of the people of Mecca, which they committed in the Sacred Months and in the sacred proximity of the Haram at that, but the Holy Prophetsa forgave them and did not allow for it to become an obstacle in the negotiations. The Holy Quran has also mentioned this action of the people of Mecca. It states:

َ َّ ۡ ۡ ُ َ ُۡ َ َ َ َّ ‫َو ُہوَ ال ِذ ۡی ک ّف ایۡ ِدیَ ُہ ۡم َعنک ۡم َو ایۡ ِدیَک ۡم َعن ُہ ۡم ِب َبط ِن َمکۃ ِم ۢۡن‬ ُ َ ّٰ َ َ َ ۡ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ ‫بع ِد ان اظفرکم علی ِہم ؕ و ک‬ ‫ان الل ُہ ِب َما ت ۡع َملوۡ َن بَ ِصی ًرا‬

‘It was God, Who by His special grace, withheld the hands of the infidels from you in the valley of Mecca and protected you; And when you became dominant and subjugated them, withheld your hands from them.’ (Surah al-Fath, Ch.48: V.25)” In any case, in light of the circumstances and the background to the event, when we observe the Holy Prophetsa continuously displaying utmost patience and steadfastness and his efforts to establish peace, indeed we find that his example of patience and seeking to establish peace is unparalleled. The Holy Prophetsa sought to establish peace continuously at every occasion. [Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib further writes:] “The Holy Prophetsa saw this mischief of the Quraish and also heard of the state of anger and rage prevalent among the people of Mecca, from Khirash bin

Umaiyyah. Therefore, in order to cool the Quraish and bring them aright, the Holy Prophetsa intended to send a prominent individual to Mecca who was from among themselves and was from a venerable tribe of the Quraish.” Despite all this, the Holy Prophetsa did not give up [his efforts for peace], he took the risk of sending another ambassador. “Therefore, the Holy Prophetsa said to Hazrat Umarra bin Al-Khattab that, ‘It would be best that you go to Mecca and fulfil the responsibility of an ambassador on behalf of the Muslims.’ Hazrat Umarra said, ‘O Messengersa of Allah, you know that the people of Mecca are increasing in their enmity towards me and at this time, there is no prominent person from my tribe present in Mecca who possesses influence over the people of Mecca. For this reason, it is my view that in order to ease the road to success, Uthmanra bin Affan be chosen to offer this service, whose tribe, the Banu Umaiyyah, are presently very powerful. Furthermore, the people of Mecca cannot dare to act wickedly against Uthman and there are greater prospects of success.’ “The Holy Prophetsa was pleased by this proposal and instructed Hazrat Uthmanra to go to Mecca and inform the Quraish of the peaceful designs of the Muslims and their intent to perform Umrah. The Holy Prophetsa also gave Hazrat Uthmanra a personal letter which was addressed to the chieftains of the Quraish. In this letter, the Holy Prophetsa had expounded the purpose of his journey and assured the Quraish that their purpose was merely the observance of a worship and that they would peacefully perform the Umrah and return thereafter. The Holy Prophetsa also said to Hazrat Uthmanra, ‘Try to meet the weaker Muslims in Mecca as well and lift their spirits and tell them to show a little more patience, for God is soon to open the door of success upon us.’ “Hazrat Uthmanra went to Mecca with this message and after meeting Abu Sufyan, who was the Chieftain of Mecca at that time as well as a near relative, Hazrat Uthmanra was presented before a public gathering. In this meeting, Hazrat Uthmanra presented a letter sent by the Holy Prophetsa and this letter was also read individually by the chieftains of the Quraish. However, despite this, all the people stubbornly clung to the view that either way, the Muslims could not enter Mecca that year. Upon the insistence of Hazrat Uthmanra, they said, ‘If you are exceedingly desirous, then we can give you special permission to perform the tawaf of the Ka‘bah, but no more.’ Hazrat Uthmanra said, ‘How is this possible, that the Messenger of Allah is stopped outside of Mecca and I do the tawaf of the Ka‘bah?’ But the Quraish did not accept anything and eventually disheartened, Hazrat Uthmanra prepared to return. “Upon this instance, the wicked people of Mecca, perhaps with the thought that in this manner they should be able to secure more beneficial conditions for themselves in negotiations, detained Hazrat Uthmanra and his companions in Mecca. Upon this, rumour spread amongst the Muslims that

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM the people of Mecca had martyred Hazrat Uthmanra.” When this news reached the Holy Prophetsa, he was extremely angry and upset and took the Bai‘at-e-Rizwan. Regarding this, it is stated: “When this news reached Hudaibiyah, the Muslims were infuriated, because Hazrat Uthmanra was the son-in-law of the Holy Prophetsa and was among the most venerable of companions. He had gone to Mecca as an Islamic ambassador. Furthermore, those days were also of the sacred months and then Mecca itself was a sanctuary. The Holy Prophetsa immediately made an announcement and gathered his companions beneath an Acacia tree. When the companions had assembled, the Holy Prophetsa mentioned this news and said, ‘If this news is true, then by God, we shall not move from this place until we seek revenge for Uthman.’ Then the Holy Prophetsa said to the companions, ‘Come and place your hand on my hand’”, which is the Islamic way of bai‘at, “‘and take an oath that none of you shall show their backs and you will sacrifice your lives if need be, but shall not retreat from this place.’ “Upon this announcement, the Companionsra lunged forward in such a manner as if toppling over one another. Every single person from among these 1,400 to 1,500 people”, who were the entire lot of the Muslims at the time, “sold themselves once again in loyalty at the hand of their beloved master. When the bai‘at was taking place, the Holy Prophetsa placed his left hand upon his right and said, ‘This is the hand of Uthman, for if he were here, he would not have been left behind in this holy covenant. But at this time, he is engaged in the work of Allah and His Messenger.’ As such, this radiant scene came to its conclusion. “In Islamic history, this bai‘at is known as Bai‘at-e-Rizwan, i.e. that bai‘at wherein the Muslims acquired the reward of God’s complete pleasure. The Holy Quran has also especially mentioned this bai‘at. It states:

َّ َ َ َ َ ۡ ۡ ّٰ َ ۡ ‫لَق ۡد َر ِض َی الل ُہ َع ِن ال ُم ۡؤ ِم ِنی َن ِاذ یُ َبایِ ُعوۡنک ت ۡح َت الش َجرَ ِۃ ف َع ِل َم‬ َ َ ََ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ۡ ُ ُ ۡ َ ‫الس ِک ۡینۃ َعل ۡی ِہ ۡم َو اثابَ ُہ ۡم ف ۡت ًحا ق ِریۡ ًبا‬ ‫ما فِی قلو ِب ِہم فانزل‬

“‘O Messenger, Allah the Exalted was well-pleased with the Muslims when they were taking bai‘at under the tree. For through this bai‘at, the sincerity that was hidden in their hearts was brought to the discernible knowledge of God. So God bestowed tranquillity upon their hearts, and rewarded them with a near victory at hand.’ (Surah al-Fath, Ch.48: V.19) “The companions would also refer to this bai‘at with great pride and love and many of them would often tell those who came later, ‘You consider the Conquest of Mecca to be the victory, but we consider the Bai‘at-e-Rizwan to be the actual victory.’ “There is no doubt that along with its details, this bai‘at was a magnificent and great victory, not only because it opened the door to future victories but also because the spirit of sacrifice in Islam, which was the central point of the religion of Muhammadsa, was manifested in a

most magnificent manner. Furthermore, these devotees of Islam showed by their actions that they were prepared to bargain with life and death in every field for the sake of their Messengersa and the truth he had brought. This is why, whilst referring to the Bai‘at-e-Rizwan, the noble Companionsra would say, ‘This bai‘at was an oath to death. In other words, it was a bai‘at of the oath that every Muslim would sacrifice his life for the sake of Islam and its glory, but would not retreat.’ Moreover, another salient feature of this bai‘at was that this oath and agreement was not merely a verbal declaration in a state of temporary emotion. Quite conversely, it was the voice from the depths of hearts, behind which the full power of the Muslims was united upon a single focus. “When the Quraish received news of this bai‘at, they became fearful and not only did they release Hazrat Uthmanra and his companions, but also informed their messengers to settle an agreement with the Muslims, however possible. However, one condition was to be secured, that instead of this year, the Muslims should perform Umrah the following year. Either way, they should be made to return home immediately. On the other hand, the Holy Prophetsa had already pledged that he would not do anything to disgrace the honour of the Sacred Mosque and the House of Allah. Moreover, since Allah had already given him the glad tidings that the negotiations to take place with the Quraish at this time were about to become the basis of future success, for this reason with respect to the two parties, this environment was most befitting for negotiations.” It was in this very environment that Suhail bin Amr reached the Holy Prophetsa and upon seeing Suhail, he said, “Now it appears the matter shall become easier.” The negotiations then began. When Suhail bin Amr came before the Holy Prophetsa, upon seeing him the Holy Prophetsa immediately said, “Suhail is coming. If God wills, the matter shall be made easy.” As was mentioned earlier. “In any case, Suhail came and upon arriving he said, ‘Come, forget this lengthy dispute, we are prepared to make an agreement.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘So are we.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa summoned his secretary, Hazrat Alira.” The conditions of the treaty were as follows: This year, the Holy Prophetsa and his companions should return. And the following year, they could come to Mecca and perform the Umrah; however, except for carrying their swords in their sheaths, they will not be allowed to bring any other weapons. And that they could not stay in Mecca for more than three days. If anyone from among the Meccans was to go Medina, the Holy Prophetsa was not to grant him refuge, even if he was a Muslim and he should be returned. However, if a Muslim were to leave Medina and go to Mecca, he would not be returned. According to another narration, it stated that if someone from among the Meccans were to go to Medina without the permission from his guardian, then he

should be returned. Every tribe of Arabia had the choice to form an alliance with either the Muslims or the Meccans. The treaty was to last for a period of 10 years and there would be no fighting between the Quraish and the Muslims during this period. “Two copies were made of this treaty and various prominent individuals from amongst both sides signed the treaty. Those who signed the treaty from amongst the Muslims were Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra – who had arrived back from Mecca by then i.e. the disbelievers had let him go and therefore he also signed on the treaty, Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf, Saadra bin Abi Waqas and Abu Ubaidahra. After the completion of the treaty, Suhail bin Amr took a copy of the treaty and returned to

Mecca and the other copy remained with the Holy Prophetsa.” (Sirat KhatamunNabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 749-769) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has related this incident in his own words in the following manner: “Some of the local tribes of Mecca urged upon the Meccan leaders to let the Muslims perform the tawaf and that they should not be stopped from this. But the Meccans remained adamant. Thereupon the tribal leaders of the local tribes said that from this, it seemed that the Meccans did not want peace and wanted to cause mischief, therefore they threatened to disassociate themselves from them.” Here Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has included an additional detail in that the Quraish were also pressured by the local tribes.

36 “Out of fear, the Meccans were persuaded to try to reach a settlement with the Muslims. As soon as the Holy Prophetsa got to know of this, he sent Hazrat Uthmanra, who later became the Third Khalifa of Islam, to the Meccans. Hazrat Uthmanra had many relatives in Mecca. They came out and surrounded him and offered to let him perform the tawaf, but declared that they would not let the Holy Prophetsa do so until the following year. “‘But,’ said Hazrat Uthmanra, ‘I will not perform the tawaf unless it is in the company of my Master.’ Hazrat Uthman’sra talks with the chiefs of Mecca became prolonged. A rumour was mischievously spread that he had been murdered and this news also reached the Holy Prophetsa. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa assembled the Companionsra and said, ‘The life of an envoy is held sacred among all nations. I have heard that the Meccans have murdered Uthman. If this is true, we have to enter Mecca, whatever the consequences.’ The Holy Prophet’ssa earlier intention to enter Mecca peacefully had to be changed, under the changed circumstances. “The Holy Prophetsa further stated, ‘Those who promise solemnly that if they have to go further, they will either return as victors or be martyred one after the other in the battlefield, should come forward and take the oath on my hand.’ The Holy Prophetsa had hardly finished speaking, when all the 1,500 Companionsra stood up and instantly became soldiers and leapt over one another to hold the Holy Prophet’ssa hand and take the oath. This oath possesses a special importance in the history of Islam. It is called the ‘Pledge of the Tree’. This is because when the oath was taken, the Holy Prophetsa was sitting under a tree. Every one of those who took the oath remained proud of it to the end of his days. “Of the 1,500 present on the occasion, not one held back. They all promised that if the Muslim envoy had been murdered, they would not go back. Either they would take Mecca before dusk, or they would all die fighting. The taking of the oath was not over when Hazrat Uthmanra returned. He reported that the Meccans did not agree to let the Muslims perform the tawaf until the following year. They had appointed their delegates to sign a settlement with the Muslims. Soon after, Suhail, a chief of Mecca, came to the Holy Prophetsa. A settlement was reached and recorded.” (Dibachah Tafsir al-Quran, Anwar alUlum, Vol. 20, pp. 307-308) The accounts from the life of Hazrat Uthmanra will continue to be related, insha-Allah. I would like to draw attention towards prayers once again, especially for the conditions in Pakistan. The Ahmadis are not even safe within the four walls of their own homes and in their own places. The police arrive wherever the maulvis [clerics] tell them to go. There are certain good-natured policemen who say that their sympathies are with the Ahmadis, but there is nothing they can do because

Friday 26 February 2021 | AL HAKAM

How Europe Came to Forget its Arabic Heritage

After a period in which classical culture was vigorously celebrated and Arab influences were attempted to be removed from the scientific canon, the image of a Greek source of European culture had settled itself firmly in the European mind. Scholars hardly dared cite an Arab in support of their revolutionary developments. www.alhakam.org/how-europe-came-to-forget-its-arabic-heritage/

they are pressured in acting in such a manner as they have been instructed by their superiors. May Allah the Almighty grant us respite, as well as the country in general, from these evil-natured officials. May He

enable every Ahmadi to live freely and safely in their own homeland. Pay special focus towards prayers for if we continue to pray, then very soon, insha-Allah, we will come to witness the extremely woeful end of the opponents.

May Allah the Almighty grant us the ability to continue to pray and grant acceptance to our supplications. (Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 19 February 2021, 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 2021